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For the past 50 years, Shirley and Sidney Godis have dedicated their lives to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County.

The Godises were honored for their efforts at the federation's 24th annual meeting June 15, at the Jewish Congregation of Concordia, Monroe. In addition to the two of them being honored, the installation of officers and board members took place and other awards were presented.

The officers for the 2010 federation board are: Lee Livingston, president; Arlene Frumkin, president-elect; Murray Katz, Sandy Lenger, and Keith Zimmerman, vice presidents; Seth Gross, assistant secretary; Barbara and Eliopt Spack, life trustees; Jacob Toporek, honorary trustee; and the at-large trustees class of 2010: Linda Block, Deborah Friedman, Stehpan Groiss, Renee Juro, Leslie Listwa, and Donna Webber.

"It's a great blessing that I received as a staff member at federation to get to know people like Sid and Shirley Godis," Susan Antman, the federation's associate executive director, said. "I think of them and they inspire me."

Their values help reinforce the fact that everyone is responsible for each other, she said. Antman said she hopes their morals and beliefs will be passed on to the children of the community.

The Godises have been extremely active in the Jewish community. In 1959, the joined Congregation Adath Israel in Woodbridge, where Shirley served as the Sisterhood treasurer for 10 years and that same year their involvement with the federation began. In 1991, they moved to Monroe, where they joined the Concordia Jewish Center and Sid served as president from 1996 to 2000 and then as financial secretary from 200 to 2008. During the past 50 years of volunteering for the federation they have traveled on many missions, assisted with Super Sunday, and are responsible for coordinating volunteer efforts to assist the federation. Shirley was awarded the federation's Ruth Jacobson Woman of the Year award in 2005 and The Foundation to Ensure Our Heritage fund was established due to the Godises. They are proud parents of four children and have 17 grandchildren.

One of the most important things in life is being a good person, Sid said. More importantly performing mitzvahs, tzedakah, being a good role model, and passing on good values to children will lead to a successful life, he said.

"We feel the federation offers the best bang for its buck," Sid said. "Shirley and I feel that giving is receiving."

Sid told The Jewish State that it was very nice to be honored, but all of the work that he and his wife have done wasn't done for recognition. They volunteered and worked hard with the federation because they believe in its mission.

"We believe if Jews don't help Jews, then who's going to help?" he said.

There are a few easy ways to lead a good life, he said. One must be a good Jew, help people, and most importantly leave the world a better place. The federation is an amazing organization that is vital to the Jewish community of Middlesex County, he said.

"Whenever they need people to do something, we're they're," he said. "We try to be a mensch. The satisfaction we get is from doing."

The world would be a much better place if there weren't so much hatred, Sid said. People need to treat others as equals and with respect, he said.

"My wife and I do what we do because God has been good to us," he said. "We try to be role models for our kids and grandkids."

One person who is especially proud to know Shirley and Sidney is their son-in-law, Scott Krieger. June 16 marked the 18th anniversary that he has been married to their daughter and over that time, not only has he been blessed with a great wife, but great in-laws as well, he said.

"I couldn't have married into a better family," Krieger said. "They're wonderful people, they're an example to their entire family and the entire community."

Federation President Lee Livingston said Shirley and Sid are amazing people who have meant a great deal for the federation.

"They're totally committed to what they do," Livingston said. "They work because they love what they do."

Although this was a very challenging economic year, the federation has persevered and has had a great year, he said. All Jews have a moral responsibility to look out for each other and be there for those in need.

"It was a rough year, but we gave away more money than we did a year ago," Livingston said.

Throughout the past year, the federation staff has worked extremely hard, obtained government grants, endowments, and assisting many people in need, he said. Also, in the next year the federation plans to open a home for Jews with special needs.

Sandy Lenger, one of the vice presidents, said the federation and the Jewish community are blessed to have the guidance and leadership of Sidney and Shirley Godis. In spite of the harsh reality of these economic times, the federation has stood by everyone in the Jewish community, she said.

"They're loving, committed grandparents, and I am what I am today because of them," Yehuda Avner, one of their grandchildren, said.