Herb Epstein Volunteer Excellence Award

Herbert Epstein, born to immigrant parents in the 1920s, attended Philadelphia public schools and married his high school sweetheart, Jean Allen, after serving in the U.S. Army at the end of WWII. Thanks to the GI Bill, he earned a master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1952. Herb worked as an engineer at Philco and studied Law through Temple University’s night school, later becoming a patent attorney when the company was acquired by Ford Motor. He joined Ford's General Counsel office in 1975 and retired in 1990.

After retiring, Herb and Jean moved to Watertown, MA, where Herb's strong belief in the Jewish belief of Tikkun Olam, or repairing the world, led him to become an immigration lawyer. For over 27 years, he volunteered as an attorney at the International Institute of Boston and for De Novo, helping more than 1,000 asylum-seekers reunite with family members and rebuild their lives. In recognition of his remarkable service, Herb received the Myra Kraft Community MVP award from the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. Herb passed away in February 2020, followed by Jean in March. De Novo honors Herb's legacy with the Volunteer Excellence Award, celebrating his dedication and selfless service, which continue to inspire volunteers.

List of Recipients:

2023 Inaugural Recipient — Andrew P. Cornell, Esq., De Novo Volunteer Family Law Attorney