Page 2 - The Jewish Voice - December '22

Page 2, The Jewish Voice
Sheila Engelstein, a Founding Leader of the

Palm Beaches Jewish Community, Passes Away

Sheila Engelstein, a visionary community leader, devoted contributors to the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on November and the Norton Museum of Art.
3, 2022. She was one of the most notable philanthropists, Alec was a Holocaust survivor, and Sheila stepped
leaders, and advocates in our Jewish community and, along forward to ensure care for local survivors, including through
with her husband, among the most significant leaders in the Engelsteins’ support of Alpert JFS’ Holocaust Survivors
expanding local Jewish life. She was honored during a funeral Assistance Program. Their efforts provided healthcare and
at Temple Emanu-El on Palm Beach. emotional support for hundreds of local survivors, helping
In 1969, Sheila and her late husband, Alec, moved to the them live with independence and dignity.
Palm Beaches when this community was in its infancy. Over In 2018, Federation presented the Engelsteins with its
the following 50-plus years, they were at the forefront of highest honor: the Jeanne Levy Community Leadership
building the infrastructure for what is today one of the largest Award. Named for the Engelsteins’ dear friend and a fellow
and most vibrant Jewish communities in North America. pioneer of our local community, the award recognizes
Sheila’s greatest passion in the Jewish community was individuals who exemplify a spirit of collaboration, giving,
Jewish learning for children and adults. A founding donor and leadership.
of Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Friedman an Honorary Trustee of Federation’s Board of Directors. Continuing the legacy of Sheila and Alec, their daughter
Commission for Jewish Education and the local PJ Library Together, Sheila and Alec (a past board chair of Federation) Debbie Shapiro is one of the community’s most active leaders
program, she was a devoted student of adult Jewish learning were among the earliest and most dedicated supporters as a Federation board member and CJE Advisory Council
programs for decades. In 2015, she and fellow community of several Federation initiatives and Jewish partner member and past-chair.
leader Dorothy Adler of blessed memory participated in the organizations, including Alpert Jewish Family Service, Sheila is survived by her daughters, Debbie and Bonnie;
100,000 PJ Library book delivery to the door of a young Friedman Commission for Jewish Education, Mandel JCC, Debbie’s husband, David; and three grandchildren, Jared,
th
family in the Palm Beaches. The delivery was symbolic of Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Preparatory School, MorseLife Rakelle, and Eden. Donations in Sheila Engelstein’s memory
Sheila’s unique and powerful commitment to this vital cause. Health System, and the Palm Beaches’ partnership with can be made to Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County at
Sheila played key leadership roles with Federation’s Israel’s TZAHAR region (made up of the cities of Tzfat, jewishpb.org/engelsteintribute or mail to 1 Harvard Circle,
Annual Campaign and Women’s Philanthropy and was Hatzor HaGlilit and Rosh Pina). They were also generous Suite 100, West Palm Beach 33409.

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