Page 1 - The Jewish Voice - March '24

VOL. 14 NO. 3 www.seabreezepublications.com MARCH 2024

$5 Million Gift Fosters Thriving Jewish Future

As the Jewish community in the Palm Beaches emerges services through Alpert among younger families, demand has surged. Her investment
as one of the largest and fastest growing in North America, Jewish Family Service. not only supports our work today, but also enables strategic
Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County announced that Her philanthropy extends planning for tomorrow and forever.”
philanthropist, leader, and former high school biology teacher to the Stacey & Mark Levy Sonkin’s remarkable gift also honors the enduring legacy
Sydelle B. Sonkin of Palm Beach Gardens has made an Center for Israel & Overseas, of her beloved husband, Sheldon, who passed away in 2006,
inspiring gift of $5 million. Sonkin’s generosity is the latest providing sustained aid and symbolizes their shared dedication for Jewish causes.
landmark announcement of Federation’s Campaign for the to Israel following the Currently, Sonkin is one of Federation’s Founding
Future, the boldest fundraising effort in Jewish Palm Beach’s October 7 terror attacks, Community Visionaries and chairs its Commission for Jewish
history with a $250 million goal by 2026 to support the Jewish and supporting Budapest, Education. She is also part of its Campaign for the Future
community’s growing needs today, tomorrow, and forever. Palm Beaches’ partner Cabinet and the Jewish Palm Beach Leadership Circle, and
In recognition, Federation will rename its signature community, once nearly former chair of Women’s Philanthropy.
Women’s Philanthropy event to the Sydelle Sonkin Lions’ decimated but now a Sonkin’s engagement with Jewish Federations began
Pride Event, honoring Sonkin’s remarkable dedication thriving center of Jewish in Detroit in the 1970s alongside Sheldon. Together, they
to Jewish life and female-driven philanthropy. The life. Furthermore, Sonkin’s gift establishes a Priority Fund embarked on a mission to Israel for emerging leaders and,
announcement was made to over 400 philanthropists at the for Education and bolsters Federation’s Annual Campaign, soon after, she became a Lion of Judah, representing the
annual event held last month at the Kravis Center for the addressing urgent needs locally, in Israel, and in vulnerable most dynamic philanthropic Jewish women globally. After
Performing Arts. Jewish communities worldwide. relocating to Palm Beach Gardens nearly two decades ago,
Sonkin’s generous donation, spanning multi-year A former high school science teacher dedicated to she immersed herself in the local Jewish community.
commitments and new endowments, aims to enrich Jewish lifelong Jewish learning, Sonkin emphasizes Federation’s “I’m passionate about many causes in the Jewish
learning experiences across all stages of life. From young focus on providing powerful Jewish educational community, especially education. We need to support our
children at Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches to pre-K- experiences for all ages. This is especially critical amid an youth, provide innovative Jewish experiences for all ages,
eighth grade students at Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Preparatory alarming rise of antisemitism, particularly in environments and expand to meet growing needs,” shared Sonkin. “I’m
School and college students at Hillel of Broward and Palm where younger generations can be dissuaded from proud to call Jewish Palm Beach home and feel responsible
Beach, to young adults through Birthright Israel, her impact expressing their Jewish identity. for its continued impact. Campaign for the Future gives me
is far-reaching. Additionally, Sonkin supports accessible “Sydelle’s generosity elevates our capacity to offer the perfect opportunity to support various organizations I
genetic screening via Federation’s JScreen, enhances the powerful Jewish educational opportunities,” shared Michael believe in with one major gift, which I am proud to make for
local community through the Palm Beach Center to Combat Hoffman, president & CEO, Jewish Federation of Palm our community.”
Antisemitism & Hatred, and champions mental health Beach County. “With rapid population growth, particularly

Holocaust Learning Experience Dedicates Children’s Memorial

The Holocaust Learning Public School District as part of an international memorial canopy and is home to 5,000 ceramic butterflies painted
Experience (HLE), a making effort, The Butterfly Project, to honor the 1.5 by Palm Beach County Public School District students,
non-profit developed by million children who perished in the Holocaust,” said survivors, and community members.
MorseLife Health System Keith A. Myers, MorseLife’s president and CEO. “We “It’s a sculpture, it’s a piece of art, it’s a memorial to honor
in West Palm Beach, were extremely fortunate that artist Bruce Gendelman the 1.5 million children gassed in gas chambers,” Gendelman
recently dedicated the lives in Palm Beach and has a passion for Holocaust art. said. “It is a symbol of what can happen when hate is allowed
Gendelman Children’s His remarkable vision for this work inspired us to expand to fester.”
Holocaust Memorial, our Holocaust Learning Experience, which teaches the Designed to withstand South Florida’s climate and
created by acclaimed artist lessons of the Holocaust, beyond Palm Beach to where it extreme weather events, the memorial is the result of a
Bruce Gendelman. is now available throughout Florida.” massive undertaking of modeling, engineering, and casting
“The genesis for this The only Holocaust memorial in Palm Beach County, that involved more than 200 craftsmen and engineers. Cast
began as we worked with the artwork takes the form of a kapok tree cast from 33,000
the Palm Beach County pounds of bronze that rises 27 feet with a 26-foot-wide Holocaust Learning Experience on page 2
Random Acts of Kindness

Temple Emanu-El of Palm Beach held a Virtual Day of young mother of two little girls. The mother had been sick and
Loving-Kindness, asking congregants and others to show greatly appreciated the gesture as well as the delicious meal.
compassion by providing acts of kindness and service in the A congregant currently in New York made arrangements
community. An astonishing number of participants gave from to shovel the snow-covered driveway of her neighbor who
their heart. Heartwarming acts included: is undergoing chemotherapy.
One congregant cooked a beautiful Shabbat meal for a The neighbor was so grateful.

Random Acts of Kindness on page 2