MAKE A DIFFERENCE

JOIN YPF AND JFCS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

By Faye Hedrick, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

The United States is facing the most severe food insecurity crisis since the Great Depression. Food insecurity--defi ned as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life--has increased by 70% since the start of the pandemic. (Feeding America) Our Young Professionals & Families (YPF) division of the Jewish Federation & Foundation together with Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS) are fi ghting hunger and poverty for a local elementary school in our community. In less than two weeks, YPF, through its Food & Clothing Insecurity Campaign, has already made a huge impact. 38 pieces of outerwear (jackets, coats, fl eeces, sweaters, and sweatshirts) have been donated, 17 pairs of pajamas, countless bags of groceries, and $1,736 have been raised for direct food relief. We are now encouraging the community to join us!

Help YPF and JFCS by donating in one of the following ways: Amazon Wish List: http://amzn.to/�UEx��h

1. Shop for groceries and drop them off at JFCS, 8540 Feel free to share the link with friends and family and post Baycenter Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256. Place items in a bag it on your social media channels. labeled “GWCES" so they go directly to the school (George Washington Carver Elementary School) or we can arrange 4. Purchase new or gently used clothing. With the winter pick-up from your home or work if needed. months approaching, there is a desperate need for items Most requested items include: in elementary school sizes (5T-14/16 for both boys and * Cereal girls). * Granola bars or cereal bars * Pasta and tomato sauce Guidance counselor Anthony Winters asserts, "The fact * Canned soup that we can have a partnership that is able to satisfy one of * Peanut butter and jelly the most basic human needs for our kids is life-changing." 2. Make a donation to our local Federation and email Faye expressed that he has a hard time fi nding the words to show Hedrick, fayeh@jewishjacksonville.org to let us know you’re how thankful and amazing it is how we have come together helping assist in this critical need. One hundred percent of in this way, and he is overwhelmed with gratitude. your gift will go directly to the school’s food pantry supply such as jackets, warm pajamas, and solid-colored sweatshirts When asked how things were going at the school, Winters list. The food pantry and clothing closet at George Washington Carver Elementary School has been able to get up and 3. Consider purchasing an item or items off of the Amazon running because of a small group’s support over the past wish list. This will take some of the guesswork out of several weeks. Imagine what we can do when our whole purchasing clothing and various other requested items. community comes together. 19

JFCS BOARD SPOTLIGHT: JAMES LAWSON

By Donna O'Steen, closed its doors and departed James replied, “I am happy Jewish Family & Community from Florida. to be on the board of JFCS. Services It is a wonderful organiza After his American tion that does so much good James Lawson is a Florida General tenure, James went for the Jacksonville communative who has lived in back into public accounting, nity.” Jacksonville since 1967. He opening a practice with his graduated from Jacksonville wife, Joanne (also a CPA). In his spare time, James University in 1974 with a After many years and several enjoys ballroom dancing degree in accounting. mergers with other account- with his wife Joanne, as well ing fi rms, James retired. He as world travel. The two James Lawson In the business world, now devotes most of his hope they can resume both James became a licensed time to being on the board when the COVID-19 pan- longer a runner, he does CPA and worked in public of two non-profi ts – Jewish demic ends. enjoy long bike rides several accounting for six years Family & Community times a week and working before moving into the Services and Congregation James was an avid runner out at the JCA. private sector. He held Ahavath Chesed – The for many years, participating James and Joanne have various positions in auditing Temple. in many road races including two daughters; one who and accounting with Gulf 28 River Runs, several resides in New York and the United, and then American When asked why he has half-marathons and one full other who lives in South General, until the company such a passion for JFCS, marathon. Although no Dakota.

SHERRIE SAAG LEADS JCA JEWISH CULTURAL ARTS FESTIVAL FOR ANOTHER MILESTONE YEAR

By JCA Jewish Cultural Arts Special thanks to San Marco Books and More for part This November marked an-13, 2021 the festival continues with a virtual extension other successful JCA Jewish event, off ered in partnership with River Garden, with Rabbi Cultural Arts Festival, led Laura Geller who will discuss her book Getting Good at for the fourth time by JCA Getting Older. Advance registration is required. For more Board Member Sherrie Saag. information or to support the JCA Jewish Cultural Arts During her time as chair, Festival, visit jcajax.org/jcafest or contact Lior Spring at lior. Sherrie transformed the se- spring@jcajax.org. ries into a high caliber array of programs that off er something for every age and stage of life. In addition to being fi nancially self-sustaining, Sherrie Saag the festival is responsible for supporting a year of cultural arts at the JCA, thanks to the generosity of our many sponsors. Sherrie’s leadership began in 2017, and she was awarded the Howard Korman President’s Award by the JCA board at the end of that program year. The award recognizes a JCA bard member who embodies the qualities of innovation, vision and courage. Sherrie’s work to revitalize the festival, which off ered both books and fi lms to record crowds, has only grown with each year of her leadership.

“Sherrie has been an awesome chairperson! She is highly motivated, creative and totally engaged. Her enthusiasm for the festival is contagious and the success of the event refl ected the leadership she provided,” says Assistant Executive Director Nancy Green.

The 2020 festival provided new challenges to this year’s committee, as the programming moved to a virtual platform. Still, the virtual format became an opportunity to further expanded off erings over a two-and-a-half-week event with a prestigious lineup of presenters. This year’s 15 events reached more than 1,500 participants, an increase of approximately 50% when compared to a typical, in-person festival attendance. The festival’s success is a result of Saag’s leadership of our dynamic and engaged festival committee of volunteers. nering with the JCA as our festival book seller. On January