F
E
D
E
R
A T
I
O
the n of y o i t a unt blic A pu each Co ree Th mB f Pal r | Issue 011 o n Fou mmer 2 ratio Fede Volume Su h s i Jew
N
Leadership Throughout the Generations Highlighted at Annual Meeting
2011 Annual Campaign Chair Hal Danenberg, Federation President Mark F. Levy, Annual Meeting Chair Barry Feinberg
Robert S. and Ceil N. Levy Young Leadership Award honorees Lisa Seymour and Craig S. Storch
Federation’s 49th Annual Meeting, chaired by Barry Feinberg,
stirred fond memories of both the past year and the community’s two-decade history at its current location.
Federation President Mark F. Levy noted that this will be the last annual meeting to be held on the Jeanne Levy Jewish Community Campus in West Palm Beach, as the former JCC facility becomes the new home of the Oxbridge Academy. He acknowledged that the builders of the campus would be forever remembered through a new digital display at Federation’s future offices, a location which is yet to be determined. Levy also honored the work of Linda Cortell Benjamin, who led Women’s Philanthropy as president and campaign chair. Vivian Lieberman, stepping up to be the new Women’s Philanthropy president and working with Amy Jonas, who will continue as Women’s Philanthropy campaign chair, is ready to build on Benjamin’s significant contributions to the growth of Women’s Philanthropy. This year’s Annual Campaign is set to close at $21.4 million, which includes nearly $3 million in designated gifts, said Annual Campaign Chair Hal Danenberg. Women’s Philanthropy raised $8.5 million of the total, which is poised to reach $18.5 million. Federation Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey L. Klein, who has served the local Jewish community for 25 years, reflected on
First graduating class of the Emerging Leadership Project
engaging the younger generations — including teens, families and young professionals — through programs and activities that have impact and keep them involved in a Jewish environment, especially an Israel experience. “The commitment of young Jews who participate in impactful, educational, content-driven Israel experiences is extraordinary,” he said. “We need to make it possible for every Jewish teen and young adult to have a meaningful Israel experience, which are heavily underwritten by our Federation.” Young leadership was honored through the presentation of the Robert S. and Ceil N. Levy Young Leadership Award to Lisa Seymour and Craig Storch, who also ended his two-year term as chair of the first graduating class of the Emerging Leadership Project (ELP). Sixteen professionals under the age of 40 applied for the two-year project to build their leadership skills and take on positions within the Jewish community. Andrew R. Comiter is the new ELP chair. “To become Jewish leaders, you need to move the people,” said keynote speaker Avraham Infeld, the former president and international director of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, providing inspiration to the community’s leaders.
Message from President Mark F. Levy and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey L. Klein Building Community Together PRESIDENT
Mark F. Levy
ChIEF ExECuTIVE OFFICER Jeffrey L. Klein
The Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is dedicated to strengthening Jewish identity, energizing the relationship with Israel and meeting human needs locally and globally. Jeanne Levy Jewish Community Campus 4601 Community Drive • West Palm Beach, FL 33417 JewishPalmBeach.org • (561) 478-0700 A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800) 435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION NUMBER IS CH41.
LOCAL PARTNER AgENCIES Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academy meyeracademy.com Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service jfcsonline.com Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach hillelcenter.org Jewish Community Center of the Greater Palm Beaches jcconline.org Lorraine & Jack N. Friedman Commission for Jewish Education cjepb.org Lola and Saul Kramer Senior Services Agency, Inc. A subsidiary of MorseLife morselife.org
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS Jewish Federations of North America jewishfederations.org The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee jdc.org The Jewish Agency for Israel jafi.org
Focus is a publication produced for the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. Focus is published in March, June and December. Copyright 2011 with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner without permission is prohibited. Known office of publication is at 4601 Community Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33417-2760. If you have questions regarding newsletter content, please call the Marketing and Communications Department at 561-242-6633. If you have questions relating to mailing information or need to make an address change, please call the Donor Information Services Department at 561-242-6618.
Federation represents our collective ability to build community
together, effectively respond to crises, and support our local and global Jewish family. We are also charged with ensuring a wellconnected, vibrant and caring community. By working together with our partner agencies and generous donors, Federation will continue to ensure a Jewish future in the greater Palm Beaches and around the globe. We are in a world of change: · The JCC plans to build a new facility in Palm Beach Gardens, which will be more accessible to the growing Jewish community in the northern part of the county. · The year 2012 will mark the 50th anniversary of our Federation and the formal organization of the Jewish community in Palm Beach County, an event that we can all mark with pride and celebration. · Technology continues to evolve, giving us the opportunity to engage and communicate with many audiences in ways we were not able to do five years ago. Over the summer, Federation will be creating new forms of digital and electronic communications to change the way we interact with our many constituencies and how they interact with us. There are far-reaching, broad issues that need our attention. Engaging the next generation must be a priority. We need to maximize the number of young adults and families involved in Jewish life. We need to bring our services to them where they are, not where we want them to be. We have found that meaningful teen Israel experiences and overnight Jewish camps are two activities that have shown their value in promoting long-term Jewish identity in our youth. Therefore, we need to continue to make these lifetransforming programs accessible and affordable. We also need to focus on two additional aspects of our mission – to meet the needs of the most vulnerable and to enhance the connection between Israel and the Jews of the greater Palm Beaches. We are all part of one Jewish nation, which has been our hallmark for more than 3,500 years. Other civilizations have risen and fallen, but the Jewish People remain strong. We will not continue to flourish if we become fragmented. It is imperative that we come together for the betterment of the entire Jewish community. Together, anything is possible. Together, the best days of this Federation, of the Jewish community, of Israel and our People are yet to come.
L
— l i c n u o C s n o i t a l e R a y t o i t n s r u n o o m d i t a m a s o z s i C a n b h a s g m r A O s Jewi ’ f n riety o o i t a r Va Fede
ike a versatile actor, Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) plays many roles on behalf of the Jewish residents of the greater Palm Beaches. At one moment, JCRC plays the part of lobbying firm, working with local, state and federal governments to advocate for various legislative interests. Then, JCRC switches to bridge-builder, working with a variety of local ethnic and religious groups to promote understanding through collaborative programs. Next, the Federation department takes on the role of social activist through projects that are rooted in the Jewish tradition of improving the world and promoting justice. “The Jewish Community Relations Council is our community’s collective voice on so many issues and interests,” said JCRC Chair Jonathan Gilbert. “We make certain that the agenda of the Jewish people is a high priority for our civic leaders, while reaching out to the many groups within our local community to find commonalities and work collectively on issues that benefit everyone. Our scope is broad and we are active on many issues.” Some of the JCRC’s recent activity include: • Lobbying for passage of the state’s Scrutinized Companies bill, which would prohibit companies from getting government contracts with Florida if they had more than $1 million worth of business with Iran. JCRC is constantly in contact with legislators and their staffs to promote and advocate for the Jewish community’s agenda. • Hosting a special seder with the African-American
community aimed at raising awareness of the problem of hunger and poverty in the United States. • Commemorating the Holocaust with a joint program with MorseLife, featuring Inge Auerbacher, author of “Memories of a Child Survivor of the Holocaust.” • Bringing together religious leaders of different faiths and local law enforcement officials for the annual interfaith program, Human Trafficking: The Hidden Crisis in our Community. • Bringing together Jewish and Muslim leaders to discuss common issues and concerns. • Developing activities to support Israel and counteract an international campaign to delegitimize Israel through boycotts, divestment of investment funds and sanctions, including an event attended by 250 participants that featured nationally known speakers. • Recruiting and training hundreds of volunteers to enhance the reading skills of elementary students in 50 area schools through the Anne & Sam Klein Jewish Coalition for Literacy. “We always have a place for people who want to make a difference in their community, giving them opportunities to get involved,” Gilbert said. Call 561-242-6670 or email Luis.Fleischman@JewishPalmBeach.org for more information on the Jewish Community Relations Council.
JEwISh STARS Annual Meeting
Super Sunday
Sanford M. Baklor, Arlene Kaufman, keynote speaker Avraham Infeld
Event Chairs Dr. David and Lisa Lickstein
West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio, Federation President Mark F. Levy, Partnership 2000 Committee Chair Tami Baldinger
Friedman Commission for Jewish Education President Norma Schulman-Waltzer, Moderator Carmela Kalmanson, Women’s Philanthropy Immediate Past President Linda Cortell Benjamin, Rabba Sara Hurwitz, Rabbi Naomi Levy, Rabbi Jacqueline Koch Ellenson
THE EWA & DAN ABRAHAM PROJECT Yom Ha’Atzmaut The Female Rabbinate: (Israel Independence Day) Event A Journey of Trials and Triumphs Forum
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions: Responding to the Campaign to Delegitimize Israel Forum
Jewish Community Relations Council Chair Jonathan Gilbert, Commentary Magazine Executive Director Jonathan S. Tobin, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Director Rabbi David Saperstein, Jewish Council for Public Affairs Senior Vice President Martin Raffel
Jewish Community Relation Council Interfaith Clergy Committee Event
Event Co-Chair Rabbi Nason Goldstein, Reverend Gloria Alexander, Moderator CB Hanif, Guest Speaker Susan Larson, Event Co-Chair Karen Modell
Celebrating the Events and happenings in Our Community BuSINESS & PROFESSIONS DIvISION (B&P) Legends Series Lunch 7th Annual Men’s Nite Out with Sydell L. Miller
Presenting Sponsor Bill Meyer, Event Co-Chair Chad Joel Yudenfreund, Sydell L. Miller, Suzanne Tendrich, NBA Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Event Holmes, Federation President Mark F. Levy Co-Chairs Kevin Shapiro and Craig Storch
March Networking Breakfast Hosted by
B&P’s Real Estate Division
Ariel Bernstein, Robin Bernstein, Donna Goldfarb
WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY Appreciation Luncheon Connect Event
Connect Co-Chair Maureen Wise, Guest Speaker Dr. Haim Shaked, Connect Co-Chair Linda Hirsch
Hunters Run Annual Event
Carol and Eddie Glick
Event Host Hope Silverman, Women’s Philanthropy President Vivian Lieberman
Fountains Golf Day
Buddy Moskowitz, Irv Orloff, Harvey Glassman, Gerald Portnoy
y
it c l a c sti
y m e Th
at. f z T of
Federation-Sponsored Program on Kabbalah Flourishes
understanding kabbalah — the spiritual and mystical side of
Judaism — is attracting tens of thousands of visitors to one of its most sacred Israeli cities and the home of a special project funded by Federation. The International Center for Tzfat Kabbalah has flourished since it began more than four years ago in Tzfat, one of three cities that comprise the Tzahar Region — Federation’s longstanding partnered communities in Israel. More than 80,000 visitors — from Israel and around the world – have participated in programs sponsored by the center. The center’s website, which is written in six different languages, attracts 15,000 unique monthly visits. Because kabbalah can be experienced in many ways, the center has created innovative programs catering to special events like bar mitzvahs and holidays, and people’s interests in art, music and the environment. “Kabbalah is part of our Jewish heritage, which promotes the spiritual and moral values that are highly appreciated by Jews and people of all faiths,” said Eyal Riess, director of the International Center for Tzfat Kabbalah. “Through the center, we are promoting tourism through culture and spirituality, enhancing the economy of the area and branding Tzfat as the global center of authentic kabbalistic teachings.” Federation’s partnership with the center allows Riess and some
of his programs to travel to the greater Palm Beaches. Recently, he presented 12 programs on kabbalah throughout Palm Beach County with different audiences at various venues — business professionals at a downtown office building, retirees at a synagogue and the JCC of the Greater Palm Beaches, and college students on campus. The visit was sponsored by Tony and Vanessa Beyer. Future plans for the center include the building of a new “Hall of Light” in the visitors center, the presentation of a kabbalah exhibit from The Diaspora Museum in Tel Aviv and an international conference later in the year. “We are strengthening Jewish values and teaching Jewish spirituality in an authentic, vibrant and pluralistic way,” Riess said. “We thank the Federation for its partnership and support as we continue to build on our successes that will benefit the Tzahar Region, the greater Palm Beaches and everyone who seeks to understand the meaning of authentic Jewish spirituality and kabbalah in a way that appeals to them.” Call 561-242-6686 for more information on Federation’s Israel and overseas partnerships. Visit tzfat-kabbalah.org and kabbalahtour.com for more information on the International Center for Tzfat Kabbalah.
I n
M e m o r i a m
“The memory of the righteous shall be for a blessing.” — Proverbs 10.7 It is with sadness that we note the passing of the following Federation supporters.
Daniel M. Lyons Served on the Board of Directors and several Federation committees, in addition to having leadership roles at Federation’s partner agencies.
Seymore I. Scharer Chaired the Heritage Society of the Foundation, now known as Planned Giving & Endowments.
Samuel Holtzman David Joffe Bernard Marden
Gladys Meyers
Eric F. Ross Namesake of the Ross JCC in Boynton Beach.
Martin Rosen Eleanor Smoler Jack Schleifer Carol Stone Miriam Schwartz Eugenia Strauss
Morton Sweig Anita Zeiler
Postcards from the Jewish World
Editor’s Note: Federation Board of Directors and Business and Professions Division member Brian M. Seymour recently traveled to Chile and Argentina on a Jewish Federations of North America National Young Leadership Cabinet mission. Here are some of his observations.
In Chile, the Jewish community is facing a battle for its survival. It appears to be fairly self-sufficient. However, we
did not know about the significant political and media pressure that makes it difficult for the 20,000 Jews in Chile to advocate for themselves and for Israel. Does this directly affect us in Palm Beach County? Yes, it does. We are a people bound together, regardless of geography, who must take care of one another to ensure our collective survival. We cannot turn a blind eye simply because it is not in our backyard or we may not be directly affected. As we remembered on Yom HaShoah, something happening elsewhere can affect us all, even if we don’t see it coming. In that spirit, I believe it is our obligation as Jews to assist the Jewish community of Chile to help combat the bias against Jews and Israel. In Argentina, we saw that the seeds we have planted a few years ago have started to bear fruit. We visited LeDor VeDor, a campus that houses seniors and babies and allows them to interact — quite literally — from generation to generation. The seniors live in self-sufficient nursing care; the nursery school, however, still needs help to survive and provide its service. LeDor VeDor, supported by Federation’s overseas partner the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), was put together to meet the needs of the Buenos Aires Jewish community; and it has. Would we have known about these needs and helped these Jews without the JDC and Federation? Of course not. The organizations we support and the systems we have in place with our trusted partners allowed this to happen, and allow it to happen elsewhere. Our Federation system and its unrestricted Annual Campaign help make sure that we continue to meet the needs, whether seen by many or only witnessed by a few, such as the needs of the Jewish communities in Argentina and Chile. I have seen this in action and am honored to have played a small part in living our values of tzedakah and tikkun olam (Hebrew for repair of the world).
Building Community Together 4601 Community Drive • West Palm Beach, FL 33417
Stay Fiscally Fit This Summer with a
Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) SAMPLE ANNuITY RATES FOR AN INDIvIDuAL 6.4 percent return at age 75 7.2 percent return at age 80 8.1 percent return at age 85
• Build up your cash flow with a safe, secure and guaranteed income • Add muscle to your charitable income tax deduction • Reduce your taxable income • Boost your personal retirement income • Feel good by creating a permanent Jewish legacy Call 561-242-6642 or email PlannedGiving@JewishPalmBeach.org for more information about CGAs and other financial strategies that help you do well by doing good.
PLANNED GIVING & ENDOWMENTS
Building Community Together
NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID WEST PALM BEACH, FL PERMIT #55