Women’s Day Inspires

2014 Women’s Day artwork by Janet Mishner

This week, The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee County is dedicated to the women of our community who have attended and will attend Women’s Day, Federation’s annual event that provides an opportunity for women to come together around a theme they can all relate to with an inspiring speaker. It is their volunteerism and generosity that inspires Jewish life here, in Israel and around the world. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, more than 400 women will gather to hear acclaimed actress and social activist Camryn Manheim speak about her topic: Mitzvah Therapy: Living Life Generously.

Women’s Day 2013 particpants and guest speaker Campbell Brown

These women are mothers, daughters, lawyers, teachers, business owners, artists, executives, chefs and engineers. What they share is a passion for giving and the knowledge that giving of themselves creates more joy in their own lives than they could ever give.

 

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100 Days of Impact from The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

 

100 Days of Impact started on September 22 and will run through the end of 2014. Each week we will demonstrate the the collaborative impact that we and our donors make locally and globally.

MAKE A DONATION

We couldn’t do it without your generous support.

 

 

 

100 Days of Impact: Empowering

Temple Beth Sholom Schools Donates Harvested Garden Veggies
to All Faiths Food Bank Sprout Program

“As part of our Native American studies curriculum at TBS Schools, our Second and Third graders planted corn, beans and squash this season. We thought partnering with All Faiths Food Bank for this harvest would truly exemplify our service based initiatives here at the school, demonstrating to our students how important it is to give back to the community,” said Robin Sweeting, assistant principal at TBS Schools.

TBS Schools students with All Faiths Food Bank staff in front of the Sprout mobile food truck with their harvest

In addition to the corn, beans and squash, students harvested onions, kale, radishes, and several other vegetables that were full grown. Students picked the fresh veggies and loaded them onto the All Faiths Food Bank Sprout truck. The Sprout mobile produce program is the first of its kind in the area, which delivers fresh fruits and veggies to almost 5,000 families in Sarasota County. “We could not be more thrilled to see kids helping kids in the community,” said Sandra Frank, executive director of All Faiths Food Bank, who stopped by to thank the children personally.

TBS Schools look forward to expanding their student service learning projects for the 2014/2015 school year with a generous grant from The Jewish Federation of Sarasota–Manatee. The grant, “Family, School, Community, The World!” will provide an opportunity to expand the connections already developed, as well as foster new service learning projects with additional organizations in our community.

In addition to working with All Faiths Food Bank, the students have provided technology training to seniors at the Kobernick House, led craft and cooking activities for young adults at Easter Seals, tutored children at Everyday Blessings, and baked goods, created Thanksgiving decorations, and donated clothing and household items to the Salvation Army Family Shelter. Now with the support of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota–Manatee, they will be able to impact our community in an even greater way.

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100 Days of Impact from The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

 

100 Days of Impact started on September 22 and will run through the end of 2014. Each week we will demonstrate the the collaborative impact that we and our donors make locally and globally.

MAKE A DONATION

You are the Jewish community. This is your Federation. Together, we do extraordinary things!

100 Days of Impact: Protecting

As of today, there are just 100 days left of 2014.

100 Days of Impact from The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

Each week, from now through the end of the year, The Jewish Federation will highlight different ways our donors impact the lives of others in the Sarasota-Manatee community, in Israel and around the world.  These stories each week will depict the ways in which your donations benefit others and bring meaning to their lives.  It is fitting, that we start our 100 Days of Impact as we begin the Ten Days of Penitence during Rosh Hashanah.

 

Week One: Protecting

Operation Lifeshield

One way The Federation has demonstrated its commitment to its mission of ‘saving Jewish lives’ is by supporting projects like Operation Lifeshield.  This program provides Israel’s threatened communities with protected air raid shelters they so desperately need.  Through an Overseas Grant in 2014 for the project “Concrete Protection for Ashkelon Children,” The Jewish Federation invested in a large, double-portal, 70 ton Lifeshield shelter, capable of safely protecting over 60 students and staff during rocket attacks from Gaza. The school that received the new Lifeshield shelter is very unique.  Five days a week, children come from schools across Ashkelon to learn.

 

This is but one example of the many projects our Federation supports, and now that need is greater than ever. Between television, social media and internet coverage, we can all see, firsthand, the struggles that Israel faces every day and how its citizens so desperately need our help. Our Federation will continue to make contributions to assist Israeli citizens now and in the future. For more information about this project or other important initiatives we support, please contact Marty Haberer at 941.552.6303 or mhaberer@jfedsrq.org.

Learn about the numerous ways we help the community here.

To support the Federation via an online gift, click here.

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THE IMPACT OF A DONATION:

$18 Provides two meals for All Faiths Food Bank
$36  Provides PJ Library media
$75  Women’s Day Ticket
$118  Day of community education
$250  Trains EOD teacher
$500  Sends a kid to religious school
$750  Interfaith program in Sarasota-Manatee
$1,000  Grant for 1st year camper
$2,500  ‘No Place for Hate’ to one school
$6,000  Sends one student on March of the Living
$10,000  Brings Israeli culture to college campuses
$18,000  Holocaust staff JFCS
$25,000  Bomb shelter

 

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MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY 
CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE.  
OUR REGISTRATION NUMBER IS SC-00449. REGISTRATION DOES NOT 
IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

Mensch of the Month – Bunny Skirboll

Bunny Skirboll has been a part-time resident of Longboat Key for ten years. Bunny is an active member of the Federation’s Board of Directors, as well as past co-chair of the Women’s Division and past Vice President of Programming. She  has chaired many Federation programs and events including the Lion of Judah Luncheon, Women’s Passover Celebration, Book Festival and the first ever Purim Masquerade Ball, held in March 2014. She was the 2010 recipient of Federation’s Women of Valor Award. We are thrilled to officially announce that Bunny has been selected as our Federation’s nominee for the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award, which will be presented at the International Lion of Judah Conference in NYC in September.

Among her many community involvements, Bunny is a member of the Board of Directors of the Glasser-Schoenbaum Human Services Center and has co-chaired its gala. A member of its Maestro Society, the Sarasota Orchestra honored her as a “Leading Lady” and she has co-chaired its gala and brunch.

Bunny founded Compeer, Inc. an international non-profit organization that helps adults and children in mental health treatment in recovery through the healing power of supportive friendships in 1976.  She was the Executive Director until 2004 and presently serves on the national board.

For these reasons and many more, we thrilled to honor Bunny as our Mensch of the Month for April!

Pride of the Lion

Helen Glaser, Susi Steenbarger and Julie Green proudly wear their Lion of Judah pins

While having lunch with a brand new Lion of Judah recently, she broke out in tears as I presented her with her Lion of Judah pin.  The decision to make a substantial gift to Federation came after a summer visit to Israel during which she described herself as “transformed.” Never a donor before, she realized that she was part of a global Jewish community and the importance and vulnerability of Israel.  The effect upon her was nothing short of profound.

Long a symbol of strength and majesty in the Jewish world, and in the world at large, the Lion of Judah is a dramatic reminder that each woman can make a significant difference in the lives, vitality and continuity of her family and her people. Being a Lion of Judah and wearing the Lion pin is a special way to connect with the Jewish community.  You proudly show that you recognize the meaning of tzedakah.

This new Lion feels that she has taken responsibility for Jews here in Sarasota-Manatee, in Israel and around the world.  She has joined a sisterhood of women who, no matter what their age, hometown, political leanings or other differences, are passionate and committed to a thriving and caring Jewish present and future.  She related the feelings of a cousin in Boston who is also a Lion. When her cousin sees another woman wearing a Lion pin, they immediately connect and realize that they are like-minded, and although they may be strangers, know that they will be there for each other and Jews throughout the world.

Yes, as a Lion of Judah, you are invited to attend a nice luncheon and participate in other special activities.  But together, through caring and passion, women who wear the Lion of Judah pin are able to transform the concept of tikun olam from an abstract dream to a concrete reality.

Ilene Fox is the Director of Women’s Philanthropy at The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. For more information about the Lion of Judah, please contact her at 941-343-2111 or ifox@jfedsrq.org. 

Mensches of the Month – Howard and Naomi Adelman

Whenever our Jewish Federation is in need of volunteers, the Adelmans are there! Not only do Howard and Naomi offer to help with almost every Federation event, they do it with great enthusiasm and humility.

One of our most beloved biblical phrases is “Mah tovu o’halecha ya’akov mishkino techa yisroel,” which translated means, “how good are the tents of Jacob, the tabernacles of Israel…” What this means is that as Jews, we attempt to be “a light upon the nations.” Certainly the Adelmans are a light onto us and an example for all of us, teaching how to give back to others, how to volunteer and how to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Kim Mullins, Director of Operations at Federation, brags that “the Adelmans are wonderful volunteers!  They always arrive with smiles on their faces, ready to greet Federation’s guests.”

In addition to their incredible volunteerism with The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, Howard and Naomi are also very involved with many nonprofit organizations in our community. We couldn’t pick just one Mensch for January…these two are too great to separate! Thank you so much to Howard and Naomi Adelman for being the amazing Mensches that they are!

Mensch of the Month – Terry Blumenstein

Terry Blumenstein is an unassuming but extremely vital member of our Jewish community. From chairing key committees to serving on the Federation’s Board of Directors, Terry has seen almost every side of our Federation. He has graciously served as Communications Chair, Education Scholarship Chair, Overseas Teen Travel Chair, Finance Committee member and more.

Not only has Terry chaired and participated on committees, he has also made significant changes and additions that will continue to shape the future of our Jewish community. One of the most notable things that Terry accomplished was during his time as Communications Chair, when he completely revamped the production of The Jewish News. The changes that he championed increased the quality of the newspaper, while saving our organization significant dollars.

Terry first appeared on our radar screen when he agreed to participate on a mission to Ethiopia and Israel with our Federation. Good friend and past Federation President, Nelle Miller, was on that mission as well. After returning from that powerful mission, Terry was committed to give back to the Federation and to the Jewish community – he certainly has delivered!

Terry has always had a strong connection to his Jewish roots. His father is a Holocaust survivor, and when Terry was young, he thought that “everyone’s dad was a survivor!” A few weeks after the 1967 war, Terry and his family moved to Israel, where they lived for close to one year. This only helped to strengthen his connection to Israel and the Jewish people. Terry and his family then returned to Canada, where he was raised, educated and ultimately met the love of his life, Eileen. They then moved to Sarasota in 1993 with their first son Sam, and in 1997 Ethan was born.

In addition, Terry is very committed to the Blood Bank, where he is a member of the 26 gallon club, as well as Temple Sinai, where he served as a board member and Vice President of Facilities during the transition from old to new building, and has been on a number of committees. Terry also takes pride in being able to “use his hands.” If a sprinkler head breaks or a ceiling fan needs to be installed, friends call Terry, who comes right over with his well-stocked set of tools. His fee? An ice cold beer when the job is completed.

For all these reasons and so many more, Terry Blumenstein is our mensch of the month. Mazel tov, Terry!