Page 6 - Boca Club News - April '25

Page 6, Boca Club News
Igor Alterman Named President,

CEO of Jewish Federation South Palm Beach County

The Jewish Federation Previously, as President and CEO of the Jewish multi-million-dollar capital campaign, facility expansion
of South Palm Beach County Federation of Greater Dallas, he spearheaded record- and strategic partnerships with private foundations and
has appointed Igor Alterman breaking annual campaigns, full-scale organizational digital international organizations. He also served at Hillel
President and CEO of the transformation and unified the community in the aftermath organizations at Cornell University and Ithaca College.
organization. He leads a of October 7th. A Wexner Fellow and ROI Schusterman Community
dynamic organization that With dual master’s degrees in Nonprofit Management Member, his professional journey reflects a steadfast
serves as the central address and Religious Education and experience spanning commitment to strengthening Jewish life through strong
for Jewish life in the greater philanthropy, higher education and Jewish communal nonprofit leadership. Born in Russia and having lived and
Boca Raton area. leadership, Alterman has a proven track record of studied in Israel, Igor is deeply connected to the global
“I accepted the advancing mission-driven organizations. Prior to his Jewish community. He resides in South Florida with his
leadership role to not Federation leadership he served as Chief Executive Officer wife, Olga, their two children, David and Alice, and their
only harness the youthful of the University of Miami Hillel, where he oversaw a dog, Quentin, named after a renowned film director.
vibrancy and growing
numbers of Jewish families Igor Alterman “Why I Drive for Road to Recovery
who have recently relocated Photo credit: 4th Avenue
to the region, but also to Photography, 2025
build upon the charitable for the American Cancer Society”
foundation established by long-standing members of Boca
Raton’s diverse Jewish community,” said Alterman.
By Joseph B. Ludwig my three cases, as most patients do, I had much stress and
I consider myself to be the luckiest person that I know. many concerns. Since I had been through it, I might be able
Community and treated at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston. to ease their minds somewhat and give them hope.
In May 2010, I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma
The first person that I drove was Gay Snider, a senior

The melanoma was surgically removed. After, I was given citizen like myself, who lived in Boynton Beach. She had
Effort Helps Close infusions of interferon and then self-injected doses of the many maladies, cancer being only one of them. Gay and I
got along famously and bonded over many things including
same drug. I was declared in remission after the treatments.
In April 2012, I was diagnosed with a malignant the fact that her son and my daughter attended Syracuse
Diaper Gap neoplasm of the tongue. Again, I was treated at the Beth University at the same time, although they did not know each
Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston. The surgical ear nose
other. I have since driven Gay many times and have even
and throat specialist said that he would cut out part of the taken her to lunch once. Although she thinks of herself as a
for Struggling underside of my tongue. He also informed me that the surgery “foodie” and has eaten at almost every restaurant in South
Palm Beach County, I was able to take her to a place of which
might be quite extensive and could require plastic surgery as
a result. The surgery that might have lasted four to six hours she was unaware.
County Families was completed in about 45 minutes. the world from cancer. It invests in lifesaving research,
The American Cancer Society is on a mission to free
The surgeon said that the margins were very clear and he

was quite confident that he had removed all of the cancerous provides 24/7 information and support, and works to ensure
When parents can’t afford the diapers required for lesion. Again, I was declared in remission. that individuals in every community have access to cancer
daycare or preschool they may be forced to miss work, In January 2021, I was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell prevention, detection, and treatment. Part of this mission is
putting their entire family’s well-being at risk. Yet one in lymphoma. This time I was treated at the Massachusetts to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families
two U.S. families cannot afford enough diapers, according General Hospital in Boston. I had six rounds of R-Chop through patient support.
to the National Diaper Bank Network. This urgent need chemotherapy. Two years after the treatments I was again Driving patients to lifesaving treatment is one of the
sparked a massive diaper drive across 12 Palm Beach declared in remission. most meaningful volunteer experiences you can have with
County neighborhoods and organizations over the winter I was now a three-time cancer survivor and had a weighty the American Cancer Society. Last year, more than 3,600
months. Organized by Boca West Children’s Foundation, question. How could I repay my good fortune to others? I volunteers gave about 77,000 rides to more than 4,000
the collaboration resulted in over 435,000 diapers being decided that one way that I could do this was to drive for the patients across the country through Road to Recovery.
donated to The Diaper Bank covering South Florida. American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery. The American Cancer Society is actively working to recruit
“No parent should have to choose between diapers and Through its “Road to Recovery” program, the American more volunteers across Southeast Florida and serve the needs
other essentials for their baby,” says Pamela Weinroth, Cancer Society provides free rides to treatment for people of people with cancer near you. You can change someone’s life
executive director of Boca West Children’s Foundation. with cancer. With this program I would be able to repay my in as little as one hour a week by ensuring a ride is available,
“Thanks to the generosity of our community, thousands good fortune to others. Because I had been through various so care isn’t stopped or delayed. Connect with them at cancer.
of families now have the diapers they need to provide treatments, I could share my experiences with others who org/drive or call them at (800) 227-2345 to learn more about
a healthier, more stable start for their babies. We are so were new to the process. When I was diagnosed in each of Road to Recovery volunteer opportunities in your area.
grateful to everyone who contributed.”
The following groups participated in the 2025 Diaper
Drive Challenge: Broken Sound Club, St. Andrews
Country Club, Boca Grove Boca West Country Club, Boca
Woods Country Club, Jewish Federation of South Palm
Beach County/PJ Library in South Palm Beach County
Club, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Polo Club
of Boca Raton, Polo Trace Philanthropy Club, Spanish
River Church, The Cottone Foundation, and Woodfield
Community Foundation. Do you know a family member,
“Diapers are a necessity, not a luxury, but for many
families they are simply out of reach. Without them, friend or a neighbor in need of
parents often have to choose between buying diapers and
paying for food, rent, or medical care,” said Dre Garcia, Home Health Care?
president of The Diaper Bank Covering South Florida.
“Thanks to this incredible effort, thousands of babies
will have a healthier start, and parents will have one less
impossible decision to make.”
For those who missed the chance to donate, Home Health Aides / Certified Nursing Assistants / Registered Nurses to assist you with:
monetary contributions are still welcome at www.
bocawestfoundation.org/2025-diaper-drive/. • Personal Care • Companionship • Respite Care • Alzheimers & Dementia Care
About Boca West Children’s Foundation. Since its • Medication Management • Transportation • Meal Preparation
inception in 2010, Boca West Children’s Foundation • Light Housekeeping • Grocery Shopping • Post Surgery Care
has been committed to supporting at-risk children and
their families in Palm Beach and Broward counties. The
Foundation collaborates with 36 vetted, local nonprofit Complimentary In-Home Consultation
organizations to address the critical needs of children
facing challenges such as abuse, neglect, hunger and Care provided in the comfort of your Home, Hospital, or Facility
more. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation
has impacted tens of thousands of lives, raising over We accept All Long Term Care Insurance Policies and Private Pay – Affordable Rates
$20 million for local nonprofits. Learn more at www.
bocawestfoundation.org. Family owned and operated. Boca Resident for 30+ years and Boca Pointe Members.

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