Page 22 - Boca ViewPointe - July '23
P. 22
Page 22, Viewpointe July 2023
Jewish Unity Day Welcomes
Hundreds To Become “Partners In Jewish Life”
“Partners in Jewish Life,” an event celebrating Jewish Deepest thanks to Boca Pointe Federation Campaign
Unity Day, welcomed hundreds of participants to the Chairs: Jane and Dan Fishkoff, and to Committee
Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County campus, Members: Rhoda Berkow, Allen Brayer, Richard Glazer
on May 24, 2023. & Elaine Kaplan, Harold Katz, Joel Meisner, Arlene
Hosted by the Deborah & Larry D. Silver Center for Penner, Murray Pitkowsky, Mel Schoen, Doris & Stuart
Jewish Engagement (CJE), a division of the Federation, Zeuner, for their continued dedication and leadership.
the event featured video presentations, celebratory music, If you or a neighbor are in need of help, please
and a carefully curated peer-to-peer learning program that contact Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services
leveled the playing field for both novices and experts to at 561-852-3333. In addition, our main Federation
contribute to the conversations. telephone number, 561-852-3100, is monitored regularly
After a several-year-long hiatus due to COVID, Rabbi for voicemail messages.
Josh Broide, kicked off the program by stating the event’s Learn more about our Federation and how you can
intentions – to unite Jewish people of varying opinions, help at www.jewishboca.org - or contact Shirley Gross
backgrounds and beliefs for a night of conversations in From left to right: Rabbi Josh Spodek, Rabbi Baruch Plotkin, at shirleyg@bocafed.org or 561.852.3182 (leave a
a safe, open environment. Rabbi David Steinhart, Rabbi Rael Blumenthal voicemail).
Approximately 250 Jewish community members were
Reform and unaffiliated beliefs. The vast array of IF YOU NOW HAVE EQUITY IN YOUR
present, including those of Orthodox, Conservative,
backgrounds, creeds, and experiences provided
opportunity for meaningful discussion. HOME, CONSIDER DOING A TRUST
Each guest was paired with another and given a
booklet that provided them with Torah passages and
topics to break the ice. They were followed by discussion By Martin Zevin, Attorney Without equity in your home, it does not make sense
prompts that asked attendees to connect with each other to pay an attorney the fee and costs involved in creating
and accept the possibility of a difference in opinions. In 2012, I wrote an article a Trust, since you would be burdening your heirs with a
“Jewish Unity Day encouraged individuals to recommending against doing property that has a negative equity. However, once that
proactively work towards a more united community and a Revocable Living Trust if equity turns positive, you are doing your heirs a favor
to help create new relationships, rooted in friendship you were “underwater” with by eliminating the time and money involved in going
and respect,” Broide said. The following quote below your mortgage. I wrote that through probate. Remember also that the Trust is called a
was referenced in the video, which opened the evening’s article just before the housing “Revocable Living Trust.” This means that, as long as you
activities: market in South Florida began are alive, the Trust remains with you. You can always sell
“I don’t need you to agree with me; I need you to care to recover. your home and buy a new home as Trustee of your Trust.
about me.” - Rabbi Sacks’ Seven Principles of Peoplehood You do not need to change the Trust unless you want to
For more information about bringing this program The last five years have seen significant increases in change the beneficiaries for the new property. You can
to your community, please contact Rabbi Josh Broide at property values. This has resulted in many homeowners also buy additional properties, in Florida or out of state, as
(561) 702-3864. now having positive equity. In the third quarter of 2015, Trustee of your Trust.
322,701 homeowners in Palm Beach, Broward and Dade
counties owed at least 1/4 more than the market value. Therefore, if you now have equity in your home, you
From The Desk Of from page 21 However, according to a front page article in the May should seriously consider creating a Trust. Transferring
29, 2023 Sun Sentinel, the median sales price of a single your home to the Trust will not change your homestead or
Additionally, the plant nursery provides a tranquil, family home in Broward County rose 2.7% in April to your real estate taxes.
therapeutic environment for members under the direction $575,000. Therefore, most homeowners now have equity
of experienced horticulturists who teach all aspects in their home. In addition, regardless of the equity in your home, it is
of growing and caring for bedding plants. For more extremely important to have current advance care directives
information, visit, habcenter.org. In the article I wrote in 2012, I advised clients to live long to protect you if you are incapacitated. These include the
The nursery produces over one million plants enough to see their properties increase in value to exceed Durable Power of Attorney (which must specifically include
yearly for customers, including municipalities, golf the amount of the mortgage; at that time, they could come the address of your property) as well as the Designation of
courses, country clubs, landscape contractors, property back to me to discuss a Revocable Living Trust. That time Health Care Surrogate and Living Will. New Florida laws
management companies and garden centers. is now here. could mean that your current documents need to be revised.
Local Government 101 Paid Advertisement
Constitutional Officers
Constitutional Officers were established by the Florida
Constitution and are independently elected officials.
Palm Beach County has seven constitutional officers
who manage their departments separately from the Board of
County Commissioners including:
• Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
• Property Appraiser
• Public Defender
• Sheriff
• State Attorney
• Supervisor of Elections Scott Cohen is Here to Help!
• Tax Collector
Additionally, they establish the budgets for their offices, Your fellow Boca Pointe Resident is available to
independent of the operating budget set by the Board of help with Property Insurance Claims to ensure
County Commissioners. your insurance company treats you fairly!
The Public Defender
The public defender is an elected office recognized in the Do You Have an INSURANCE CLAIM?
Florida Constitution. There are 20 elected public defenders
in Florida—one for each judicial circuit. ● Water damage? ● Fire?
All persons charged with a crime who face jail time are ● Roof leak? ● Mold?
entitled to representation by an attorney. The public defender
represents people who cannot afford a lawyer — commonly ● Damaged floor tile? ● Storm damage?
referred to as being indigent (a person with income equal to ● Plumbing leak? ● Kitchen/Bathroom damage?
or less than 200% of the current federal poverty guidelines). ● Cabinet damage?
Carey Haughwout is Palm Beach County’s elected public Scott Will Get You the Settlement YOU Deserve!
defender and has served since 2001. As the office’s leader,
she oversees the $18 million budget and over 50,000 cases Closed, Denied, Underpaid Claim? He can help! Call for a FREE no obligation inspection!
annually.
I recently had an opportunity to meet Ms. Haughwout No recovery? No fee!!
and discuss her challenges and how to enhance effectiveness Your insurance company has experts on their side – SHOULDN’T YOU?
in our justice system, including offering job training, mental Call Scott directly (954) 937-1224 / scohen@tpc.insure
health resources and social services.
For more information, visit pd15.org. www.tpcpublicadjusters.com
If you require assistance, please contact our office at Policyholders who hired public adjusters for non-catastrophe claims received 574% more money than those who did not hire a P.A, Filing a claim can
561-355-2204 or email Mwoodward@pbcgov.org. not legally affect your coverage. This is a solicitation if you have filed a claim and are happy with your settlement please disregard this advertisement.