Giving Back In A Small Way

L'DOR V'DOR GIVING BACK IN A SMALL WAY MAKES A BIG IMPACT

By Lisa Poremba, Life Enrichment Director, River Garden Hebrew Home

River Garden Resident Council treasurer, Frances Young, has been chairing a pop tab collection committee since October 2020. She does this in blessed memory of her dear friend, George Klein.

The Ronald McDonald House (RMHC) was Mr. Klein’s favorite charity and he started the pop tab collection committee several years ago at River Garden Hebrew Home. Throughout his years at River Garden, he made several donations of pop tabs. The pop tabs are recycled for cash to help provide housing for families visiting Jacksonville while their children receive medical care. RMHC reports that pop tab collections have helped raise over $5,000 each year for its families. So far, Mrs. Young and her resident committee have collected over 20 pounds of pop tabs; there are roughly 1,128 tabs per pound.

The pop tabs will be delivered early this month.

REMEMBERING PHYLLIS VANDROFF

March ��, ���� – November ��, 202�

Phyllis Vandroff , of blessed memory, was born in New York, NY in 1934 to Albert and Sara Kofk a. She moved to Jacksonville at the age of 14 but always loved everything NYC. She graduated from the University of Florida with a major in History and met Arnold. They married in 1954 and raised their family in Jacksonville.

Phyllis was a lifelong member of Congregation Ahavath Chesed and was very philanthropic and involved in volunteer leadership, especially for Jewish causes. Phyllis’ fi rst involvement with the Jewish community was as president of National Council of Jewish Women and Women’s Division Campaign Chair of the United Jewish Appeal’s annual campaign. She participated in the inception of the Jewish Community Alliance, co-chairing the fundraising and solicitation training eff ort with Irene Jaff a, and eventually became vice president of the JCA board. Phyllis held many leadership roles with the Federation including Women’s Division president, vice president of the board and a member of the Allocations Committee.

On Thursday, November 11, 2021, Phyllis passed away at the age of 87. She is survived by her three children, Cheryl, Eileen, and David, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren, and her sister, Marilyn Stein. Phyllis was preceded in death in 2020 by her loving husband of 66 years, Arnold Vandroff , who was equally active in philanthropy and served as president of the Federation from 1975 to 1977.

In her personal life, Phyllis or “Philly” was described as the best wife, mother, grandmother, and friend anyone could wish for. Her devotion to her family had no bounds. Before you knew you needed her, she was already there by your side. She loved travel, a great show tune, entertaining, decorating, the beach, the Gators, and always, most importantly, her family.

Their children fondly recall, “Our mom was actively involved in the Jacksonville Jewish community. It was truly both of our parents’ passion to ensure the survival of Jewish culture and Israel.”

As our community’s fi rst Forever Lion to pass away, Phyllis was a true representation of all the attributes that a Lion of Judah exemplifi es: compassion, strength, leadership, and a deep commitment to the Jewish community. Through her and her husband’s act to endow her Lion of Judah and establish an Endowment Fund with the Jewish Foundation, they were able to continue to provide sustainability to the organizations and the causes they loved so dearly in life. Today, and for many years to come, The Arnold and Phyllis Vandroff Endowment Fund will continue to support Congregation Ahavath Chesed, Jewish Community Alliance, and the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida.

To contribute to The Arnold and Phyllis Vandroff Family Endowment Fund or to begin creating your own Jewish legacy, contact Kellie Smith, Foundation Director at KellieK@jewishjacksonville.org or (904) 512-3796.