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Federation welcomes David Brackins as regional security advisor based in Richmond
To better protect the members of the Jewish community who worship and attend area Synagogues, day schools and other facilities in Richmond and the Virginia Peninsula, the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula have partnered with Secure Community Network to enhance their security programs.
SCN, made up of current and former military and law enforcement experts, is the o cial security and safety organization for the American Jewish community. Just as Israel has an Iron Dome to protect its citizens from attack, SCN seeks to provide a “security shield” for America’s Jewish community.
To lead this e ort, David Brackins has accepted the position of regional security advisor and will be based at the JCFR.
Brackins has over 35 years of experience in both government and homeland security sectors. He has worked as a special agent with the U.S. Department of State, a police
David Brackins. JCFR Photo
o cer in Virginia Beach and worked with various companies in the private corporate security sector.
His experience includes creating, implementing, and directing domestic and security programs focused on safety, executive protection, physical security, crisis management, disaster recovery, and more.
Michael Masters, CEO of SCN, said, “Given the threats facing the Jewish community, as we saw in Pittsburgh and in multiple foiled attack plots since, increasing the safety and security of the Jewish community is critical.
For 85 years, the JCFR has been a unifying force for Jewish communitybuilding and philanthropy. It works to enrich the quality of Jewish life in Greater Richmond by bringing comfort and hope to the vulnerable and by investing in programs that build Jewish knowledge, identity and peoplehood — ensuring the next generation of Jews.
Brackins More on page 35
RTHE EFLECTOR
How good & pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity.
The Refl ector is published monthly by the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond. Copy must be received two-and-a-half weeks prior to the date of publication. The Refl ector reserves the right to edit or refuse any copy or advertisement submitted. Views expressed by guest writers and reader’s letters do not necessarily refl ect the opinion of the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond. Call for information about advertising in The Refl ector at 545-8655. Acceptance of advertising does not endorse or guarantee Kashruth.
Ellen Renee Adams, President Daniel Staffenberg, Chief Executive Officer Raymond (Skip) Kozakewicz, Editor
Sara Rosenbaum, Director of Impact and Community Planning Jesse Feld, Director of Development and Engagement David Cohen, Director, Jewish Community Relations Committee
Jewish Community Federation OF RICHMOND
5403 Monument Avenue • Richmond, VA 23226 (804) 545-8620 Email: refl ector@jewishrichmond.org
Daniel Staenberg Chief Executive O cer Jewish Community Federation of Richmond
Mazel Tov to Mark Sisisky
The Board of Directors of JDC, the global Jewish humanitarian organization and overseas partner of the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, recently elected Mark Sisisky as its next president, a position he will assume in February.
A longtime leader in the Richmond Jewish Community, Sisisky has been a member of the JDC board since 2009, serving most recently as the organization’s vice president.
A retired managing partner of Heritage Wealth Advisors based in Richmond and president and chief investment ocer of New Dominion of Virginia, the Richmond native brings to his new role a formidable background in finance, philanthropy, and a deep commitment to the Jewish people and Israel.
“Since I was first introduced to JDC more than a decade ago on a leadership mission to Ukraine, my commitment to the organization has deepened and is unwavering,” said Sisisky.
He continued, “It is the greatest privilege to serve as JDC’s president, working with both JDC’s Board and professional sta to ensure our Mark Sisisky and Sisisky Fellow Michal Coey visit with children during a JDC Jewish preschool program in Ukraine beloved organization remains at several years ago. File Photo the forefront of eorts to transform the lives of Jews and others in great need. work at JDC, Sisisky is an esteemed civic and local Commonwealth of Virginia and has served four times “I now look forward to partnering Jewish leader in Richmond. by appointment to the highly successful Virginia-Israel with my colleagues to continue JDC’s He currently serves as a board member of the Partnership. ongoing work addressing critical University of Virginia Hillel and Prime Minister’s Council “For more than a century, JDC’s ability to advance needs with kindness, excellence, of JFNA. He previously served as president of the Jewish its timeless mission and transform the lives of Jews and rigor. Among my priorities Community Federation of Richmond, Richmond Jewish and other people in need has been anchored in the as president is to unite us behind Foundation, the United Way of Southside Virginia passionate dedication and forward-facing vision of JDC’s timeless mission and ensure (which became the United Way of Greater Richmond), leaders like Mark Sisisky. We are incredibly proud we have the resources, positioning the American Red Cross of Southside Virginia, as that Mark takes up the role of JDC president with an and partnerships to set a course for well as a past trustee at the Community Foundation of unwavering commitment to the Jewish values that drive a Jewish future that is bright and Greater Richmond and the Virginia Museum of Fine our eorts, to building a rising generation of Jewish strong.” Arts Foundation. Sisisky was appointed to the Economic leaders imbued with that spirit, and to the innovation
In addition to his wide-ranging Development Strategic Planning Task Force for The and sustainability that are hallmarks of our work,” said Asher Ostrin, Interim CEO of JDC. Among his leadership accomplishments at JDC,
The board of the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond would like to Sisisky has invested in the rising generation of Jewish leaders through his creation and permanent endowment express our tremendous gratitude to Ellen Moncure. of the Mark and Susan Sisisky JDC Global Enrichment Fund of Richmond Jewish Foundation, by which After 31 years of service, she has decided to leave the Federation. dozens of Sisisky Fellows have traveled on JDC Entwine programs to learn about Jewish communities, global
For over 3 decades, Ellen has been the heart of the Federation. Her knowledge of our issues, and take action to address these concerns. Sisisky was past chair of JDC’s Former Soviet Union community, her care and compassion for our constituents, Committee, Budget & Finance Committee, Strategic Financial Planning Task Force, and Annual Board Fund. and her dedication to our mission is incomparable. He is a member of the JDC Schi Society and currently serves on JDC’s Audit Committee, CEO Search Though Ellen will be truly missed, we wish her happiness and Committee, Executive Committee, Ocer’s Cabinet, Global Program Committee, Government Aairs success in her future endeavors. Committee, Investment Committee, Israel Executive Committee, Ocers Cabinet, Resource Development THANK YOU ELLEN! Committee and Strategic Finance Committee. For more information, please visit www.JDC.org.
(From left) Dale Moes, Gail Plotkin, Cookie Solodar and Barbara Ebert. Inge Horowitz with grandson David Peyton, granddaughter Kasey Inge Horowitz poses with guest
JCFR Photos Harding, daughter Rita Peyton and son-in-law Je Peyton. speaker Alina Spaulding.
Women of all generations celebrate at L’Dor V’Dor luncheon
By Jesse Feld
Director of Development & Engagement JCFR
If you were to look up the phrase L’Dor V’Dor in the dictionary you first would need a Hebrew-to-English dictionary, and then you would find that the phrase means, ‘from generation to generation.’
Dierent people and groups have dierent interpretations of the phrase. One interpretation comes from PJ Library, a program that sends free Jewish children’s books to families across the world every month and is locally funded and supported by the Federation.
On its website, PJ Library defines the phrase as, “Making your grandmother’s Matzah Ball soup recipe together, lighting Shabbat candles, and building a Family Tree are all ways you can practice L’dor V’dor. L’Dor V’Dor is all about making connections between generations – and there are many ways that you can do that as a family. Tell stories, pass on recipes, share photos, and just spend time together.”
While you may have your own interpretation or understanding of the phrase, the Federation was honored to host over 70 women of all generations to celebrate our people’s time-honored tradition of passing on our story at the Annual L’Dor V’Dor - Woman of Valor event on Sunday, Nov. 24 at the Weinstein JCC.
“We are excited to once again bring together so many dedicated women to celebrate the good work of the Federation, and today’s Woman of Valor honoree, Inge Horowitz,” said Amy Nisenson, Women’s Philanthropy chair as she opened the program.
The group Nisenson referred to, BBG, is BBYO’s sorority and where generations of high school girls have developed their leadership skills, strengthened their Jewish identity, and formed lasting friendships among supportive young women. Nisenson then introduced Leah Weinstock, a current BBG member and the 29th 4 | the Reflector | January 2020 . Tevet/Shevat 5780
Inge Horowitz receives L’Dor V’Dor Woman of Valor Award from community leader Helen Grin.
Council S’Ganit (president) to talk about her experience in the program. Leah went on to talk about how much she has received from being a part of the program, and how confident she is in her ability to lead because of it. She thanked the Federation, and all the women in the room for their support of BBYO and BBG.
Following Leah’s remarks, Inge Horowitz received the Woman of Valor Award with a number of family members on hand. Making the award presentation was longtime community leader Helen Grin, board member at the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, Rudlin Torah Academy and also was Super Sunday chair for the past two years.
Before Helen did any of that volunteering though, she grew up with Inge as a role model. Helen spoke about how much time she spent in the Horowitz household growing up in Richmond, and how much Inge was an influence to her in her formative years. After speaking on her personal relationship with Inge, Helen went into the details of Inge’s many accomplishments.
A longtime leader in the Jewish and general
(From left) Hannah Rosman, Halina Zimm and Weene Lehman.
communities, Inge emigrated with her family from Germany as a child to the U.S. She enjoyed careers as an Occupational Therapist at the Richmond Cerebral Palsy Center and as Educational Consultant in the MCV Department of Child Neurology.
Since retirement, she has tutored children, mentored at an inner-city school as part of the Richmond Jewish Coalition for Literacy, co-edited the book, “Understanding Learning Disabilities, volunteered for five years as Executive Director of the Learning Disabilities Council, and currently organizes monthly Book Talks at 5100 Monument Ave.
Inge was president of Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery from 1995-2015. She developed the Survivor Room at the Virginia Holocaust Museum, conducted videotaped interviews, and served as a docent at the Virginia Holocaust Museum for 10 years.
She graciously accepted the award. She thanked the Federation and all those in attendance, and spoke about
(From left) Elise Scherr, a previous L’Dor V’Dor honoree; guest speaker Alina Spaulding, Halina
Zimm, Hannah Cohen and Sabine Spaulding, daughter of the guest speaker. JCFR Photos
Leah Weinstock, a BBG member and the 29th Council S’Ganit (president), speaks about her BBYO experiences.
L’Dor V’Dor
Continued from page 4
the work of her mother who was a role model to her.
In her talk, the event’s keynote speaker, Alina Spaulding, delivered inspiring and heart-warming remarks with frequent humor and some serious messages.
The energy Alina brought to the room was truly electric, and her story seemed like that of fantasy, while at the same time hitting so close to home for many in attendance.
She spoke about how her mother at age 26; her father at 28 years old, and she (then five years old) were able to flee the Former Soviet Union, start a new life in America and thrive all because of donors to Jewish Federations all over the country.
The take-home point that Alina made twofold; first that her story is a unique story, it is a miracle that her family was able to escape the Former Soviet Union and thrive after settling in the United States, the second being that there are hundreds of thousands of unique stories of people whose lives would not be as fulfilled without the work of Federation, powered by each and every donor.
The event was a success, and there were examples of L’Dor V’Dor all throughout the day. From learning and listening to Leah Weinstock, to realizing that everyone who spoke had a role model who taught them something, we should feel good that our Jewish traditions have carried on, and will continue to carry on ‘from generation to generation,’ L’Dor V’Dor.
At the time of printing, the JCFR Annual Campaign has raised about $2 million from some 700 donors. If you have not made your gift, or would like to learn more, please contact Jesse Feld at jfeld@jewishrichmond.org or (804) 545-8623.
.Jewish Community Relations Committee
Legislative Reception highlights JCRC’s 2019-2020 Legislative Agenda
By David Cohen
Director, JCRC
The Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and its Jewish Community Relations Committee held their annual Legislative Reception on Dec. 4 in celebration of the Jewish community’s strong ties to the legislature, local ocials and local law enforcement.
It also was a celebration of recent accomplishments – like the Henrico County Public School System’s recent decision to include Yom Kippur as a recognized day o for students in next year’s school calendar – along with religious holidays from other minority faith groups.
The event was held at the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond to focus attendees on the importance of two main agenda items for the night: • Increased state funding for non-profit security needs, and • Strengthening of the commonwealth’s existing mandate to teach Holocaust/Anti-Bias education in middle and high schools.
The gathering also featured Speaker-Designee Eileen Filler-Corn from NOVA who has the honor of being the first woman and first Jewish person to ever serve as the Speaker of the House of Delegates in the commonwealth.
JCRC Chair Amy Melnick-Scharf called upon the attendees to support eorts to have the Governor include $5 million in non-profit security grant funding in this year’s budget. Unfortunately, Of course, this is all due to the recent rise in violent attacks against the Jewish community and the increased vitriol aimed at all minority communities. Her comments also focused on how the attempt to strengthen Holocaust education in the commonwealth was one way of getting at the root causes of anti-Semitism and all forms of bias and bigotry.
The Federation event saw one of its largest crowds in recent memory and included representatives from Governor Ralph Northam’s oce, Senator Tim Kaine’s oce and Senator Mark Warner’s oce. The gathering also served as a lead up to Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
Please visit jewishrichmond.org/jcrc for more information on the JCRC Legislative Agenda and Virginia Jewish Community Advocacy Day.
For more information, Contact JCRC Director David Cohen (dcohen@jewishrichmond.org) for details about any of these events or about getting more involved with the work of the JCRC.
(From left) Donald Glazer, JCRC Director David Cohen, Miriam Davidow, Delegate Debra Rodman, JCRC Chair Amy Melnick-Scharf, Richard Samet, Frances Goldman
and JCFR CEO Daniel Staenberg. JCFR Photos
Attendees listen to remarks from JCRC Chair Amy Melnick-Scharf.
(From left) Je Scharf with Delegate Schulyer VanValkenburg.
(From left) Delegate Debra Rodman with Susan Geller.
Senator-Elect Ghazala Hashmi talks with Craig Pinsker.
(From left) Arif Sikder, Don Glazer, Suja Amir, Mohammed Abbamin and Salaam Bhatti
from the Virginia Poverty Law Center pose for a photo. JCFR Photos
JCFR President Ellen Renee Adams welcomes ocials, law enforcement and community members at the Legislative Reception at the Virginia Holocaust Museum.
(From left) JCFR President Ellen Renee Adams, Delegate Debra Rodman, SpeakerDesignee Eileen Filler-Corn, Delegate-Elect Rodney Willet and Brian Moran, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, Commonwealth of Virginia.
