HARTFORD – Ronit Shoham of West Hartford is among four recipients of the 2017 Polaris Award, presented by Leadership Greater Hartford (LGH), it was announced recently by an LGH spokesperson. Shoham will receive her award at the Polaris Awards Gala to be held Wednesday, Oct. 18, 5:30 p.m., at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford.

The Polaris Award recognized those whose vision, skill and courage enhance the Greater Hartford community and inspire hope.

Shoham, who has been active in communal activities for more than two decades, is being honored for her work on projects benefiting young people and others in need.

Among the initiatives she has helped catalyze are the Miracle League of Connecticut, which enables children with physical and mental challenges to enjoy playing baseball and Jonathan’s Dream Re-Imagined, the goal of which is to rebuild one of the country’s first inclusive, accessible play spaces. In 1998, Shoham played a key role in the founding of The Underground, which has provided a location within whose wall local teens could congregate safely, communicate and grow together. In 2013, she founded Cut Out Cancer, a non-profit organization which provides free salon/spa services to women with cancer.

Shoham is a 2008 recipient of the Noah Webster Award, presented by the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce and, earlier this year, she received the Stars for Kids Award from the West Hartford Kiwanis Club.

Shoham, who served as a social worker in in the Israel Defense Forces before immigrating to the United States in 1982, holds a bachelors degree in education and a masters degree in reading and language from Central Connecticut State University. She taught at Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford for more than two years.

In addition to Shoham, other Polaris Award recipients are Cheryl and Jamie McDonald of Windsor, and Iran Nazario of East Hartford.