Page 6 - The Jewish Voice - June '23
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Page 6, The Jewish Voice
Local Happenings from page 5 Other sponsors of the Precious Gift exhibit include with drafting, development, and advocacy. Federation also
LocaliQ, Loreen Beisswenger Farish Charitable Foundation, helps to secure state and national funding to bolster security
HSPBC President and CEO Jeremy Johnson agreed. The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation, The Palm Beach Post, and at local Jewish institutions, with $1.13 million awarded to
“Given the rise in antisemitism in our community and around Pat Moran Family Foundation. Federation, local synagogues, and Jewish organizations to
the world, it is more important than ever to educate and Precious Gift: Rescue and Shanghai will be on display in support security training, equipment, and resources at local
embolden present and future generations against bigotry and the historic 1916 courtroom through August 25, 2023. centers of Jewish life in 2022.
hate. The Historical Society of Palm Beach County stands
together with our friends in the Jewish community to ensure Experienced Law Enforcement Rotenberg Receives
we never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust.”
Leader Joins Federation to Leadership Award from
Strengthen Security National Network of Jewish
Human Service Agencies
Jewish Federation of
Palm Beach County has The Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Services of
hired experienced law Palm Beach County announced that Chief Clinical and
enforcement professional Impact Officer Elaine Rotenberg, PhD, was recognized by
Carson Nightwine Jr. as the Network of Jewish Service Agencies (NJHSA) with a
Director of Community Professional Leadership Award.
Security. Nightwine
brings more than two
decades of service for
the U.S. government in
various security and law
enforcement positions. His
hire reflects Federation’s
continued commitment and
investment to its top priority Carson Nightwine
of ensuring the safety and
security of the Jewish community, including synagogues,
other Jewish institutions, and community events. In this
position, Nightwine will offer strategic direction and
security oversight to more than 40 local organizations.
Nightwine’s experience with the U.S. government was
focused on domestic and international security programs,
intelligence, investigations, and safeguarding federal
personnel. In 2022, he retired from the U.S. Department of
State’s Diplomatic Security Service as one of the assistant
special agents in charge of the Miami field office. Prior to
that, Nightwine served as the regional security officer in
Cape Town, South Africa. His overseas service included
roles in the U.S. Embassies in Baghdad, Iraq, and Dhaka,
Bangladesh. According to the FBI, two in three religious Dr. Rotenberg was recognized for the exceptional work
hate crimes are against Jewish people, who make up just she has done at Alpert JFS throughout her 30-plus year
2 percent of the U.S. population. A recent report from career with the nonprofit. The NJHSA is the leading voice
the ADL found that Florida has seen a staggering 42 for the Jewish Human Service sector and connects and
percent increase in antisemitic incidents over the last year, supports its 156 member agencies by providing capacity-
including harassment, vandalism, and assault. Florida building assistance and fostering professional development
ranks #4 among all states for the most incidents targeting and innovation. According to the NJHSA, Rotenberg was
Jews in the country. recognized for reflecting the themes of the PowerNet
“As the Jewish community faces a disturbing rise in Conference: Jewish, Human, Service, and Agency.
acts of hatred, Federation is providing vital resources “I’m honored to be among the many exemplary
and leadership to prepare against security threats and professional leaders who have distinguished themselves
emergency situations,” shared Michael Hoffman, President in the Jewish human service field and have been previous
ATTENTION READERS & CEO of Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. “We recipients of this recognition from the NJHSA,” said
Rotenberg. “My goal at Alpert JFS has always been, and
are proud to offer Carson’s incredible security expertise to
this our community of organizations and synagogues with always will be, to improve the lives of others.”
This Jewish Community newspaper is monthly free trainings, consultations and resources.” “Dr. Rotenberg’s leadership, wisdom, and dedication to
Nightwine will oversee Federation’s community
direct mailed to 8,000 homes. Please support security and preparedness programs — notably J-Secure, Alpert JFS have been essential to the services and programs
our agency provides to our community,” said Marc Hopin,
your Jewish businesses and newspaper by aimed at ensuring the safety of partner organizations, CEO of Alpert JFS. “We are thrilled that the NHJSA has
advertising and sending your events and synagogues, community events, and other Jewish selected her for this prestigious national honor, which she
is more than deserving of.”
institutions. He will also liaise with national and local law
photos! We appreciate your business. enforcement agencies and community stakeholders; lead
presentations and trainings for schools and synagogues on Temple Judea Participates in
561-741-7770 how to prepare and respond to emergencies and threats; Interfaith Ramadan Dinner
conduct security assessments for Federation, partner
www.seabreezepublications.com agencies, synagogues, and other community organizations; Rabbi Feivel Strauss and members of Temple Judea were
review security plans; and serve as a community liaison
with law enforcement for emergency events. honored to be included in an interfaith Ramadan dinner at
Over recent months, the Palm Beaches has seen the Al Amin Center in Boynton Beach. The annual interfaith
a rash of antisemitic incidents. Leaflets containing gathering at Al Amin Center helps people come together to
antisemitic tropes and images were distributed in love, respect, honor, and accept each other not only for what
several local neighborhoods. Letters were sent to Jewish is common but also for our differences.
organizations throughout Florida spewing hatred against As the Torah teaches in Leviticus 19:18, we should “Love
Jews. Threatening voicemails were left at several local our neighbor as ourselves.” Temple Judea is dedicated to
synagogues. Perhaps most publicly, an image of a swastika building relationships and connections with our Christian
was projected on a building in downtown West Palm Beach. and Muslim brethren to better our world and our community.
“The world is changing every day and so are the threats
faced by the Jewish community. I am honored to lead the
effort to protect the physical security of Jewish people
and our sacred institutions,” shared Nightwine. “I’m here
to support our entire community — from religious school
teachers and directors, to clergy, to CEOs — with the goal
of enabling people to feel safe and comfortable enjoying
the beauty of Jewish life.”
Nightwine will work alongside Federation’s national
partner, Secure Community Network (SCN), benefiting
from SCN’s national security advisors, intelligence
analysts, and other professionals.
In addition to strengthening physical security in the
community, Federation advocates to legislators to stand
up to hatred — exemplified by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
recently signing H.B. 269 into law, of which Federation’s
Jewish Community Relations Council played a leading role Local Happenings on page 7
