BEQUESTIONS WITH KELLIE SMITH

NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE BEQUESTIONS WITH KELLIE SMITH

By Kellie Smith, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

This month’s question comes to us from a new board member: “Kellie, why do you do what you do?”

First, let me start off by sharing that I truly love what I do for work and find great pleasure in helping raise awareness and funds for nonprofit missions. Having By Donna O'Steen, Jewish Community & Family Services

A transplant from Cincinnati, Ohio, Bishop Kenny Graduate (1991), husband to Erica Obi D’Arienzo (BK, 1990), and father of four children ages 11 to 16, Dr. Justin D’Arienzo is a BoardCertified Clinical Psychologist, a distinction held by only five percent of psychologists nationally. Dr. D’Arienzo completed his undergraduate degree at Furman University and University of North Florida, his master's and doctorate degrees in Clinical

been a part of the Jewish Federation & Foundation team for two and a half years, I feel more confident in our path forward as a merged community. I believe in the mission of this organization, of our two merged organizations, and I trust the leadership to ensure proper planning for our future. I am an employee, but I am also a donor and a fund holder, so the stewardship of my gift is very important to me. When you support the Federation you are trusting in the process of how those funds get distributed. I will be honest, I haven’t always been a supporter but after my first year working at Federation, my annual gift Psychology at Nova Southeastern University, and his Psychology Internship at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center and Psychology Residency at Pensacola Naval Hospital. Once a licensed psychologist, he began his career as a US Navy Psychologist holding such positions as Head of Behavioral Health Clinic, NATTC NAS Pensacola, Florida, Director of Psychological Services, Joint Medical Group/Joint Task Force/Detention Group, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the Director of both Psychological Services and the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program grew significantly as I learned how our partners receive support from us and how that funding has been long standing. Year to year things change with many individuals’ philanthropic giving, but year after year our Federation is there for our partners, who are there for our Jewish community. This year has certainly been a challenge and I see and hear that from our donors. For the last 75 years, who else has been there to ensure that our partners receive funding, every single year? Your Jewish Federation & Foundation.

I know the work I do to secure long term sustainable funding for our community (SARP), USS KITTY HAWK Carrier Strike Group of the Pacific Fleet.

Since leaving the Navy in 2008, he established D’Arienzo Psychology, a comprehensive psychology practice based in Jacksonville, Florida. Three psychologists, one attorney, three clinical social workers, and a mental health counselor comprise the practice. The firm specializes in forensic, clinical, and business psychological services.

“It is time to integrate more community service at this phase in my life, and I am excited to join JFCS’s is worthwhile and the support local agencies receive annually through Federation is invaluable. It is also the only consistent funding I have seen that keeps Jewish culture and life alive in Northeast Florida.

Growing up, my exposure and immersion in Jewish culture was through my grandparents. They were my access to traditions. I don't want to live in a community where that doesn't exist. Like many, my child doesn’t live near his grandparents but he lives here in Northeast Florida where we have an incredible Jewish community.

BEQUESTIONS cont. on

JFCS BOARD SPOTLIGHT: DR. JUSTIN D’ARIENZO

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Board to fulfill this mission and make a positive impact!” D’Arienzo stated.

We are excited to have Justin on our board.

VOLUNTEER ROCKSTARS: JIM AND FRANCINE KEMPNER

By Donna O'Steen, Jewish Family & Community Services

For more than 20 years, Jim and Francine Kempner have been an invaluable gift to Jewish Family & Community Services.

In 1997, Jim Kempner relocated to Jacksonville from New York and immediately felt that he needed something new and exciting to do that would allow him to help the community. Francine suggested visiting Iris Young, former JFCS Executive Director. “I want to help” was the first thing Jim said as he walked into Iris' office. Motivated by his enthusiasm, Iris sat down with Jim and the two strategized a plan that would benefit the community.

Jim and Francine decided to host a dinner for their closest friends and use the event as an opportunity to educate people about JFCS. The Kempner’s partnered with Matthew’s Restaurant and invited ten people to visit their home for an evening of food, fun and fundraising. The night was a success. The following year, more people joined, and the next even more, until eventually the Kempner’s house could no longer accommodate all the attendees. It was then that our Annual Event was born.

Both Jim and Francine are JFCS Past Board Presidents and believe in the services and programs provided by our organization. Since 1997, their dedication, generosity, and leadership has never wavered. They continue to be involved, currently serving on the Development Committee.

When asked why the two are still involved after all this time, Francine stated, “We love JFCS. We take pride in supporting an agency that continues to grow and prosper. We have been here from the beginning and

will remain involved as long as we can.” Thank you, Jim and Francine for always being here for JFCS!

Save the date for our 2021 Annual Hybrid-Fundraiser, scheduled for April 22, 2021. Details to follow.

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