Page 1 - The Jewsish Voice - August '20
P. 1

VOL. 10 NO. 8                                            www.seabreezepublications.com                                            AUGUST 2020

      New Chair, Board Members Appointed



      at Federation’s Annual Meeting



         During its annual meeting, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach
      County welcomed Hope Silverman as its new Board Chair, and
      the following individuals to its 2020-2021 Board of Directors:
      Sandra Bornstein, Jonathan Chane, Pam Comiter, Alan Haspel,
      Rabbi Yaron Kapitulnik, Karen List, Robert Naftaly, Warren
      Spector, Beth Wayne, and Penni Weinberg. Held virtually via
      Zoom, more than 400 guests came together to hear about the state
      of the Jewish community, congratulate incoming and outgoing
      Board members, and celebrate distinguished community
      volunteers and dedicated staff. Susan and Ron Pertnoy served
      as event chairs.
         Additional key appointments at Federation include: Brian
      Seymour as Campaign Chair; Sydelle Sonkin as Women’s   Carly Jacobson      Ilan Kaufer               Jason Rogers            Hope Silverman
      Philanthropy Board Chair; Ronda Starr as Women’s Philanthropy
      Campaign Chair; Joel Yudenfreund as Chair of Jewish   award recognizes the outstanding achievement of a Federation   highlights. For example, Federation this past year launched Israel
      Community Foundation; Jim Baldinger as Chair of Friedman   professional who exemplifies Roshfeld’s legacy of professional   Fellowship, a collaboration between its Jewish Teen Initiative and
      Commission for Jewish Education; and Pam Comiter, Chair of   leadership, excellence, and commitment to enhancing Jewish   Israel Program Center. Project Tikvah expanded internationally
      the Emerging Leadership Program (ELP), the first female chair   community.                           and brought together service-minded teens from the Palm
      in ELP’s 11-year history.                            During the meeting, Federation expressed gratitude to   Beaches with Jewish teens in Guatemala. Federation also
         The following awards were also presented: Community   outgoing Board Chair Ira M. Gerstein for his exemplary   celebrated 25 years of partnership with Israel’s TZAHAR region,
      leaders Ilan Kaufer and Jason Rogers received the Robert S.   dedication during his three-year term, as the nonprofit welcomed   which serves as a living bridge between the local community
      & Ceil N. Levy Young Leadership Award for their dedication   Hope Silverman as Board Chair.          and the communities of Tzfat, Hatzor HaGlilit, and Rosh Pina,
      to the Jewish community. The award is given annually to two      Silverman shared, “What’s happening in our world has   Israel. Another cause for celebration was the completion of the
      exceptional community members under the age of 45 who   changed our lives forever, but my goals and vision for the   Palm Beaches’ third year of the LIFE & LEGACY initiative —
      have demonstrated continued service to Jewish Federation of   Federation remain steadfast. I know I speak for the entire   a collaborative endowment building effort that provides for the
      Palm Beach County, as well as growth and potential for future   board when I say that we are committed to the continued work   future financial stability of the local Jewish community.
      leadership. Kaufer serves as Chair of the Ben Gurion Society   and ability to deliver critical programs to our local and global      Hoffman shared, “I have an aspiration and confidence that
      and on the boards of the Mandel JCC and Federation’s Jewish   partners.” Silverman is past-president of Women’s Philanthropy,   we have the capacity to pivot as a Jewish community to meet
      Community Relations Council. Rogers is completing his term as   past chair of Federation’s Annual Campaign, has served as a   the needs of those who are vulnerable and those who we need to
      chair of the Emerging Leadership Program (ELP) and recently   trustee of the Jewish Women’s Foundation, and her past board   inspire. I have confidence and appreciation in the extraordinary
      chaired its first-ever mission to Israel.         memberships include National Women’s Philanthropy and   group of lay and professional leaders guiding our Federation,
         Carly Jacobson, who manages Federation’s Jewish Teen   National Council for Jewish Women.         our beneficiary agencies, our synagogues, and other partner
      Initiative engagement program, received the prestigious      Michael Hoffman, president and CEO, also provided an   Jewish organizations. They are addressing community needs
      Debbi Roshfeld Professional Leadership Award. The annual   update on the Jewish community, including a few exciting   with creativity and innovation not seen before.”
      Alpert JFS, Levine JRFS: “We Are Here”



         This year’s annual meeting for Ferd & Gladys Alpert   Zelda Mason delivered her inaugural address; two clinical   much we care, are able to listen, and give help and hope. Tears
      Jewish Family Service (Alpert JFS) and Melvin J. & Claire   professionals who have been with the agency more than 25   of joy that come from deep gratitude are beautiful to behold,
      Levine Jewish Residential & Family Service (Levine JRFS),   years shared reminiscences about its important impact on the   should be remembered, and compel us to take action.
      attended by 160 people, was different from previous years,   community; the graduating teen participants of the Alpert      A new agency video, “We Are Here,” made a debut,
      as it was an entertaining virtual gathering, complete with a   JFS Relationships & Decisions for Teens program were   showing the strength and resilience of Alpert JFS and Levine
      musical performance. A full program recapped 2019-2020,   recognized; awards were presented to outstanding volunteers;
      and ushered in 2020-2021, with Scott Greenberg, owner of   and Marc D. Hopin gave his first message as Alpert JFS and   Alpert JFS, Levine JRFS: “We Are Here” on page 2
      ComForCare Home Care, as master of ceremonies.    Levine JRFS CEO.
         Greenberg welcomed attendees, discharged the 2019-     Hopin referenced the tears
      2020 Board of Directors, and installed the 2020-2021 Board.   that have flowed during the
      Rabbi Moshe Scheiner of Palm Beach Synagogue delivered   pandemic, and how the tears
      a meaningful d’var Torah (a talk relating to the weekly   of frustration and sorrow
      Torah portion); outgoing President Michael A. Lampert,   turned to tears of happiness as
      Esq., delivered his farewell address; incoming President   clients became aware of how
   1   2   3   4   5   6