Jewish Infl uencers

Jewish Infl uencers Judith and Stephen Silverman

By Donna O'Steen, Jewish Family & Community Services

Stephen and Judy Silverman have been Jewish infl uencers in Jacksonville for many years. Stephen is a past president of both the Jewish Federation and the Foundation. The Silvermans have supported all of our local Jewish agencies as well as Jewish Family & Community Services, steadfastly assisting each of them in growth and success.

Recently, we had the opportunity to meet with Stephen to inquire about the importance of giving back to and strengthening our community.

The Silverman's have been involved with JFCS since 1986 in several capacities, most notably their commitment to our Holocaust survivor poverty program. In 2016, Stephen and Judy attended an event and heard JFCS Executive Director, Colleen Rodriguez speak about our local Holocaust survivors. In the speech, she explained the unique day-to-day struggles they face.

Stephen and Judy, who have ties to a Holocaust survivor through their daughter-in-law, were surprised to learn that over 50% of survivors in Northeast Florida were living at or below the poverty level. Stephen said, "I didn't realize that providing for local survivors was an issue and I felt like it shouldn't be an issue. With all the money raised within our community, we need to take care of this vulnerable population. These people lost their childhood and innocence. They shouldn't have to suff er a second time or at all. In my opinion, they should not have to live hand to mouth." So, Stephen decided to do something about it by getting the word out to our community and creating the Holocaust Survivor Poverty fund. Initially, nine other friends agreed to be the initial fi nancial supporters and without them, this fund wouldn't have been so successful.

When asked why giving back and taking care of all aspects of our Jewish community was so important, Stephen explained, "If we don't do something to help those who are less fortunate, then how can our community become stronger? How will our children and grandchildren know the importance of the Jewish value system and what it really means to be Jewish? I give back because I grew up with a family who gave back. It truly is Tikkun Olam. Giving back helps to repair the world and we have to educate the next generation to do the same. We lead by example. I believe it is another way of saying 'thank you' to those who helped me along the way. Each of us is responsible for the other.

"Look, I don't have a crystal ball that can see our future through, but if I had to answer a question about my vision for our Jewish future, I would say that it is my hope that our children/grandchildren will continue what we have started-doing things for the right reasons and taking care of each other," Stephen continued. "I wish the world would be a safer place for all people, regardless of race and religion, where our future generations didn't have to worry about anti-Semitism, hate, synagogue bombings, mass shootings, or war. It starts with education. Judaism teaches that we support each other and our community. It's how things should be done."

Executive Director, Colleen Rodriguez added, "JFCS is gifted with the privilege of supporting Northeast Florida Holocaust Survivors. We learned a long time ago that as they age, they have unique needs due to the traumatic experiences they experienced as children/young adults. The support and advocacy that the Silverman's provide enables JFCS to expand the services and supports required to this special group of people. Stephen and Judy understand the importance of supporting the most vulnerable in our community and they do it willingly and with open hearts. We couldn't do what we do every day to enhance the lives of our survivors without them."

Farewell to our Leader, Alan Margolies

By Mitzi Saul, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some diff erence that you have lived and lived well.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

After nearly 32 years of leading the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida, formerly the Jacksonville Jewish Federation, as its executive director, Alan Margolies will retire on December 31 of this year. He has spent his entire career of 45 years working in Jewish communal service, taking his fi rst job in 1976 as an entry-level fundraiser for American Friends of Hebrew University. It was beshert that he happened to meet Stanley Rosenberg, AFHU’s Southeast director, in a Publix grocery store in Hallandale, Florida. Complete strangers, they were shopping in the fruit aisle when Stanley, out of the blue, asked Alan if he was looking for a job. The following Monday, he interviewed, and started work. Alan says about that fateful meeting, “It’s so much better to be lucky than good!”

Three years later, he started his Federation journey at the Jewish Federation of Fort Lauderdale as a campaign associate. While there he went on a Young Leadership Mission to Israel, fell in love with Israel and its people, and realized that he could be good at taking people overseas on missions. A few years later, he moved to Rhode Island to become the campaign director at their Federation. Alan was responsible for Major Gifts, allocations and community relations. His career was on an upward track as was his personal life because that’s where he met his wife, Jan. They married and, after seven years, moved to Fort Lauderdale so Alan could become assistant executive director of their Federation, managing a team of 10 to 12 people. Three years later in 1990, Jacksonville’s Federation was looking for a new executive director, and Alan found his true calling and lifetime home.

Throughout the years, Alan’s charismatic and creative approaches to developing and strengthening our Jewish community is evidenced from his excellent relationships with synagogue clergy, leadership at area Jewish organizations, schools, and volunteer leadership of the Federation & Foundation. Alan praises them all for making a diff erence in the lives of so many people. “Everything I’ve accomplished throughout the past 32 years has been done by working side-by-side with 16 presidents, board members and committees, agency and synagogue colleagues, and staff . I’m deeply appreciative to have had an opportunity to experience their resources and talent. Together, we’ve built a Jewish community that is strong, supportive and compassionate.”

During last June’s board of directors meeting, Jewish Federation & Foundation President Jennifer Plotkin expressed her appreciation by

Alan delivering Rosh Hashanah cards

saying, “We cannot let this moment pass without acknowledging the immeasurable impact that Alan has had on our Northeast Florida Jewish community as well as our Jewish community in Israel and around the world. We are grateful for his leadership and for the strong connections and foundation he has created during his tenure.”

Alan’s proud of the many accomplishments he’s overseen, including establishing a Jewish endowment in the community, helping to fund two Jewish day schools, a strong relationship with Partnership2Gether and the Hadera-Eiron region in Israel, and taking hundreds of people on missions to Israel. “We’ve made a diff erence in the lives of so many people, of all ages. We created a successful campaign workers mission to Israel program that’s been emulated by our national organization with four missions taking hundreds to Israel.”

Together Again in Israel Trip 2021

What’s next? Alan’s other love has been writing poetry. He wants to fi gure out a way to get his poetry published. He only mentioned when asked, “On the fi rst day of retirement, I’m going to take a deep breath. I have no idea how I’m going to feel at that moment. I’ll just take it all in.”

Alan believes that the greatest gift one can give to another is to give an experience of who we are. He adds, “Individuals want the experience of loving and giving. We’ve accomplished this through our annual campaigns and Foundation, allowing the community to fulfi ll the mitzvah of tzedakah.”

Alan Margolies is a kind and giving man who has dedicated his life to Jewish philanthropy and helping others. We are grateful for his many, many years of devotion, actions and deeds as our beacon of tzedakah and the positive diff erence he’s made for our community. We wish him continued health and happiness in this next phase of his journey.

If you’d like to honor Alan, please consider a donation to The Alan Margolies Israel Experience Scholarship Endowment Fund which will help subsidize future community leaders and staff to experience Israel. Go to JewishJacksonville.org/AlanMargoliesEndowmentFund to make your gift.

Caren Appel with Jan and Alan spending time together.