Page 1 - The Jewish Voice - June '21
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VOL. 11 NO. 6 www.seabreezepublications.com JUNE 2021
Board Members, New Leaders, Men’s Club
Award Recipients Announced at Cigars and Scotch
Federation’s Annual Meeting of Palm Beach Gardens was able to meet in person for its
For the first time in over a year, the Men’s Club at Chabad
monthly Cigar & Scotch BBQ.
Set outdoors in the beautiful new pavilion in the shul
gardens, nearly three dozen members of the Men’s Club
gathered for an evening of friendship and camaraderie.
Throughout the pandemic, Men’s Club meetings have been
taking place virtually on Zoom, but this meeting was a
well-received opportunity to meet each other face to face
in the spirit of love and friendship that is the hallmark of
Chabad. Members who have recently joined the shul during
the pandemic had the opportunity to introduce themselves
to the community as well.
Pamela Comiter Brett Sandala Hope Silverman Michael Hoffman
During Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s annual award recognizes the outstanding achievement of a
recent annual meeting, nearly 400 guests came together via Federation professional who exemplifies Roshfeld’s legacy
Zoom to hear about the state of the Jewish community as of professional leadership, excellence, and commitment to
well as congratulate several new Board members and new enhancing Jewish community.
appointments and honor distinguished award recipients. Virtual guests to the annual meeting also heard a community
The following individuals have been appointed and added update, highlights from the past year, and reports from both
to Federation’s Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 term: Board Chair Hope Silverman, and CEO Michael Hoffman.
Nancy Beren, Barry Berg, Roslyn Leopold, Betsy Sheer, Scott Silverman shared, “I always believed our community to be
Holtz, and Amy Terwilleger. Additional key appointments at a strong one. But this past year has proven beyond a doubt that
Federation include: Susan Shulman Pertnoy, to Board Chair we are not only fiercely strong, but we are also fiercely resilient.
Elect, who will then serve as Board Chair in 2022; Lynn Federation’s focus on making connections during this challenging
Peseckis and Charles Gottesman to Vice Chair; Lynn Kaston time reflects the collective responsibility we have to make our Rabbi Leibel Krinsky, Malcolm Franks
as Human Resources Chair; and Amy Terwilleger as Business entire community whole, to care for the vulnerable so that no
& Professions Chair. Hope Silverman is beginning the second one is left behind, and to prevent withdrawal from Jewish life.”
year of her term as Federation’s Board Chair. During 2020-2021, the community surpassed its fundraising
The following awards were also presented: goal to meet the growing needs locally, around the country,
• Community leaders Pamela Comiter and Brett Sandala and around the globe, and a record number of nearly 10,000
received the Robert S. & Ceil N. Levy Young Leadership guests attended more than 100 high-quality virtual events and
Award for their dedication to the Jewish community. The award programs, reiterating the local desire to connect to Jewish life
is given annually to two exceptional community members and community. Through community support, Federation
under the age of 45 who have demonstrated continued service provided thousands of dollars in emergency assistance, ensured
to Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, as well as growth humanitarian aid for global communities in need, expanded
and potential for future leadership. Comiter serves as Chair emotional health support, and provided much-needed meals
of the Emerging Leadership Program (ELP), the first female and assistance through Jewish Volunteer Center and partners.
chair in ELP’s 11-year history; and Sandala, who serves as “Federation does all the work you’re hearing about
Chair of Federation’s Israel Program Center and has been an tonight, on behalf of all of us, so that we can meet today’s
instrumental force in the Jewish Community Relations Council challenges, even the unexpected ones, while still planning
(JCRC) since 2009. As part of this honor, both recipients for the future,” Silverman said. “This year has been like none Rabbi Dovid Vigler, Howard Rensin
receive a stipend for travel to Israel. other we’ve ever had and I am extremely proud of how our
• Frank Mandrell, Federation’s Director of IT, received the community has come together in ways we could never have
prestigious Debbi Roshfeld Professional Leadership Award. imagined. This is truly the meaning of resilience.”
He leads the nonprofit’s expansive technological networks, Michael Hoffman, president and CEO, said, “It is your
data, and cybersecurity and his work creating a seamless resilience that has enabled us to care for so many in need. It is
transition while working remotely the past year has been vital your resilience that is helping our community emerge stronger
to the productivity and results Federation has achieved. The than ever. And it is your continued resilience, strength,
and commitment to one
another that is exactly what
our family in Israel needs
right now. We are already
working on next year’s plans,
continuing to innovate and
create meaningful events and
experiences. Together we
have overcome so much, and Dr. Ron Collins, Marty Knopf
our community is stronger
than ever.” Men’s Club Cigars and Scotch on page 3