ISABEL BALOTIN RETIRES

Jewish Connector Isabel Balotin Retires after 14 Years with Jewish Federation & Foundation By Mitzi Saul, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

“I’d like to thank all the wonderful Shalom Jax volunteers who prepared welcome baskets, visited newcomers, served on committees, local businesses that supported our programs and donated gift cards, the synagogues that shared new names with us, the Jewish schools which encouraged their teachers to participate in our holiday programs, River Garden for hosting our Jewish Java programs, the wonderful and inspiring speakers who donated their time, and most of all, Alan Margolies and the

Federation staff for believing in and supporting this program.” She knows everyone. New to town and want to fi nd a “I have always felt that synagogue? A Jewish day school? Be a guest in someone’s home for Seder? Isabel Balotin is the one to call. As Federa- each person has value and tion’s Shalom Jacksonville director, Isabel or Izzy, as she’s lovingly called, has been welcoming Jewish newcomers to that each one brings a the area since May 2006. She founded our community’s fi rst Jewish “Welcome Wagon” for individuals and families spark of light to the world.” to connect people to others, businesses and resources. And at the end of this month, Izzy will be retiring from Federa- - Isabel Balotin tion. She is an energetic juggernaut. Over the past 14 years, passionate about her Jewishness. “I want people to love the she’s held get-togethers in public places, coordinating details Jewish people as I love them. The mitzvah of hachnasat with local restaurants while attracting hundreds of newcom-orchim or welcoming the stranger is one of the most ers. She also took them on fi eld trips to Amelia Island, St. mentioned in our Torah. How we treat newcomers makes a

Augustine, the Beaches and other places in our area. Isabel’s big diff erence in how well they fi t in our community. We all signature program, Jewish Java, has held gatherings at need to be welcoming.”

Panera Bread, Let’s Nosh, Village Bread and River Garden.

At Jewish Java, attendees learned from and were inspired by Her journey to Jacksonville in 1971 wasn’t without its stimulating speakers: gurus and professional leaders in the challenges. She and her late husband, Allen, a pharmacist,

Northeast Florida region. The region has been her play- packed up her three children in Ellenville, New York located ground and backdrop for memorable programs that created in the Catskills and moved to Jacksonville. In 1973, they lasting friendships, meaningful Jewish experiences and an welcomed the birth of their fourth child, Gregory. appreciation of the natural beauty of our area. And the Izzy is a woman with boundless, creative energy and is pandemic didn’t stop her from planning. Her creative virtual “When we fi rst moved here, living in the South was a programs have taken attendees to the 1950s Catskills, a culture shock for me and my family. The Southern accents tour of Africa, birdwatching, speaking Yiddush and learning were hard to understand. I couldn’t get any Kosher food. from a visiting Rabbi about new rituals and prayers. We didn’t know a soul!” 34

A neighbor suggested she contact the Jacksonville Jewish Center and Sylvia Shorstein, of blessed memory, came for a visit. Sylvia connected her with Jewish families and shared much about the Jewish community. Soon Izzy enrolled her children in Solomon Schechter Day School where she became an active volunteer. Participating in school activities, she and her family made lifelong friends.

Making connections along the way, Izzy’s volunteer work led to being elected to the Center’s board of directors as membership chairperson. She didn’t realize it at the time but she was honing her hospitality and programming skills. She worked in the Center’s offi ce and eventually became assistant director, then later promoted to executive director. After working at the Center for more than a dozen years, in 1997 she was contacted by a friend from Congregation Ahaveth Chesed to become their executive director. “I was inspired by the acceptance of interfaith families, and their dedication and involvement in Temple life and the community.” In 2002, she left the position to spend more time with grandchildren and to pursue other interests.

However, by 2005 she became restless, missed the connections she loved and realized her mission: to help grow the Jewish community. She also had a yearning to work with interfaith families to help them assimilate into the Jewish community. Izzy studied outreach programs in other communities and learned of the Jewish Outreach Institute in New York led by Rabbi Kerry Olitzky. Their methodology of “Public Space Judaism” inspired her to design a plan for her own Jewish community. After meeting with prominent Jewish leaders, and asking friends their opinions, it became obvious that Jacksonville needed a Jewish “Welcome Wagon.”

Once she secured donor support, she presented her plan and budget in 2006 to Alan Margolies, executive director of the Jewish Federation, and “Shalom Jacksonville” was born. The initial donor gift was given as a memorial to Michael Sue & Mark Kornhauser moved to Jacksonville in ���� and became involved with Shalom Jacksonville. Izzy says, "Everytime I greeted a new couple I thought they would like, I'd call Sue and she would immediately invite them to their home."

Brenner, Temple past president who had recently died that year. According to Izzy, “Mike never knew a stranger and this was a fi tting memorial to him.”

Newcomers, young professionals, or anyone interested in Jewish life have all been touched by Shalom Jacksonville. Long lasting friendships and marriages have taken place. And synagogue memberships have increased because of Izzy’s mitzvah to welcome and grow our Jewish community. Izzy humbly says, “Shalom Jacksonville has never been a job. It’s been a calling.”

As she approaches a new chapter in her life, Izzy plans to stay involved. She wants to educate our community about Jewish culture and history, with a focus on antisemitism. She loves to read, write parodies, travel and dance. She’s learning how to play the ukulele and wants to write a book someday. More than anything, she wants to spend more time with her children and seven grandchildren.

In honor of Izzy’s retirement, please consider a donation to the Isabel J. Balotin Endowment Fund. The fund benefi ts Congregation Ahavath Chesed, the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School and Dreams Come True. Go to https://jewishjacksonville.org/annual-campaign/giving/make-a-payment to contribute. Indicate “Isabel Balotin Fund” in the message fi eld.

The Jewish Federation & Foundation Shalom Jacksonville program will continue to welcome Jewish newcomers to our community. Stay tuned for more programs! Please contact Faye Hedrick, fayeh@jewishjacksonville. org for more information. 35