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Tom Baugher, Community Security Director It is estimated that 89 billion spam emails are sent each day. Broken down to the individual, approximately 50% of the emails we receive each day are spam. (Incidentally, the word “spam” as applied to unwanted emails is...
Shepard Englander, CEO At our Jewish Federation of Sarasota–Manatee, protecting the community sits first among the Federation's four mission pillars — Protect, Educate, Engage, and Sustain — because none of the others are possible if people don't feel safe when...
By Tom Baugher, Ciommunity Security Director As many of us prepare to set sail for our summer vacations, I wanted to take a few minutes to discuss some tips to help with a safe and secure journey. First and foremost, for those who have taken my trainings,...
Liat Alon, PhD., Chief Learning and Engagement Officer Sirens in the middle of the night, missiles hitting the heart of Israeli cities, shattered buildings, people hurt, families waiting for messages that sometimes arrive but sometimes do not: war has a way of...
By Carly Zenker, Development Manager Every two years, the Giving Challenge brings our community together for a powerful 24 hours of generosity and impact. Hosted by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County with generous support from The Patterson Foundation,...
By Bette Zaret, Holocaust Education Initiative In April, the Ora Gallery will come alive with voices from past and present as sixth and eighth grade students from Buffalo Creek Middle School exhibit artwork inspired by “I Never Saw Another Butterfly.” Their...
By Liat Alon PhD., Chief Learning and Engagement Officer Magic. There is a specific kind of magic that happens when history meets the stage. Recently, the Asolo Repertory Theatre began rehearsals for their upcoming production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” that will...
By Liat Alon PhD., Chief Learning and Engagement Officer As a young child, I used to sit beside my father and run my hand gently over the large scar on the inside of his elbow. There was something calming in the way my fingers traced the uneven skin. At...
By Rachael Feldman, Annual Lion and Pomegranate Luncheon 2026 Co-Chair Earlier this month, I had the honor of co-chairing the 2026 Lion and Pomegranate luncheon with my mother, Ronna Ruben. We welcomed Wendy Sachs, the Emmy award winning, producer, filmmaker,...
by Elyse Ramos, Jewish Community Relations Committee member October 7 left us all in shock. The worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust unfolded before our eyes, with no end to the darkness in sight. I held my breath, as if crystallized in pain. Days,...
By the Chairs, Patrice Dizebba, Lee Smith, Megan Heller, and Dr. Adam Heller On March 28th, something special is happening, and we hope you’ll be part of it. Dice, Diamonds, and Denim Casino Night is more than a fundraiser. It’s a night built on friendship,...
Bryon Hepler, Marketing Manager Each February, we pause to mark a meaningful milestone in the life of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee (JFSM): our anniversary. Founded on February 25, 1959, what began as a small group of committed Jewish leaders...
As of January 26, the body of the last Hamas hostage was recovered from Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). IDF soldier Ran Gvili, was returned home to Israel and laid to rest by his family January 29. For the past 843 days, the Israeli flag at the Jewish...
By Bette Zaret, Holocaust Education Programming As Valentine’s Day approaches, I find myself thinking not about roses or chocolates but about the remarkable Holocaust Survivors who, over the years, have changed the way I understand love itself. It still amazes...
A community update from the Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC) Liat Alon, PhD, Chief Learning & Engagement Officer Starting 2026 strong, the month of January is one of high impact work for our Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC). On January...
By Dr. Liat Alon PhD, Chief Learning & Engagement Officer In our current reality, where public discourse is dominated by the loudest extremes, centrism emerges as a crucial lens for navigating through life and a way of entering and approaching the world. Centrism...
By Rabbi Jennifer Singer, Education and Outreach Manager The Jewish world is in the process of completing the book of Genesis and moving to the next book in the Torah, Exodus. Exodus is a very different kind of book, and the transition is abrupt. We move quite...
By Deb Kabinoff, JFSM Board Chair As I complete my term as Board Chair of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee (JFSM), I want to share what an honor it has been to lead our Board during such a transformative period. Growing up in Cleveland, my parents raised me...
Rabbi Jennifer Singer, Rabbi It happened again. And again I felt the familiar combination of being heartbroken and not in the least surprised. Jews have always been a target. And we always will be. It's as simple as that. From simple indignities to outright...
Bethany Leinweber, Camp Yonnie/Youth Engagement Director We know you miss your grandchildren. We know your kids are busy, and maybe hesitant about the cost or logistics of summer camp. We know the distance can make it hard. What if you could have quality time with...
By Carol Dierksen, Program Manager According to Merriam-Webster, a challah is an egg rich yeast leavened bread that is usually braided or twisted before baking. It is traditionally eaten by Jews on the Sabbath or holidays. The name Challah comes from the Hebrew Bible,...
By Bette Zaret, Holocaust Education Initiative As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself pausing to reflect on the deeper meaning of gratitude and the many blessings, both great and small, that shape and enrich my life. This season not only reminds me of what I hold...
By Lisa Feinman, Director of Campus Operations When the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee voted to develop our 32-acre property, a powerful vision took shape. In partnership with the Capital Campaign Committee, the Development Team, and...
By Dr. Liat Alon Ph.D., Chief Learning and Engagement Officer None of us will ever forget that two years ago, on October 7, 2023, during the Jewish holidays of Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, we saw what we never thought would happen. Hamas terrorists charged over...
To serve one of America’s fastest growing Jewish communities, the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee (JFSM) continually innovates new ways to connect. Next month, we are proudly opening the Larry Greenspon Sports Complex, which will be the home of SunCourt Sports,...
By Tom Baugher, Community Security Director Safety must be a component of every organization’s culture, especially a house of worship. With regular services and holidays, organizations have an opportunity to revisit safety and security plans and procedures and...
We are so grateful for your support of our Insights & Inspirations event series this past season. Our programs, which included: films, authors, celebrities, Jewish and Israeli thought leaders, and more attracted just shy of 5,000 unique participants, including...
As students prepare for college this fall, many do so with unease. The events of October 7 and the rise in antisemitism across the United States have shaken our sense of safety, both as individuals and as a community. Some feel physically unsafe, others are...
Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee (JFSM) is proud to announce a new initiative: AdultEd@JFed. The new adult education program is designed for adults who want to know more about their Jewish heritage, Jewish prayer, and all things Jewish. “Our goal is both...
The Ora is even more successful than I anticipated, and I wouldn’t change a thing!” Phil Mancini, Co-Proprietor of Michael’s On East, shared with me recently. “Thanks to The Ora at the Morganroth Event Center, the big groups came back ‘home’ to Michael’s. I had to...
We are proud that the Jewish Federation of Sarasota Manatee quick action and advocacy helped prevent a damaging budget cut to essential local education. In early April, parents and educators from Sarasota and Riverview High Schools raised urgent concerns over a...
By Kim Adler, Chief Operating Officer I am pleased to share that Rabbi Jennifer Singer has re-joined the Federation staff after a two-decade hiatus. She came to Sarasota in February 1998 to serve as a development officer. She is delighted to be returning to the...
I’ve enjoyed leading many community missions to Israel over the years, but our recent Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee (JFSM) leadership mission was very different. With no end to the war, we invited a group of seasoned JFSM leaders, mostly past and present board...
By Hermione Gilpin, Chief Development Officer Dan Murphy of Great Lakes Private Wealth recently sat down with Rod Zeeb of The Heritage Institute® and Genacy Group to ask a few questions about the legacy of wealth. Murphy: Rod, you’ve worked with ultra-high-net-worth...
By Shepard Englander, Chief Executive Officer First 2 Days In the first two days of our community leaders' Israel Mission, we immersed ourselves in this very challenging moment in Israel’s history, to gain real insight into the ongoing ravages of October 7 and the...
By Shepard Englander, Chief Executive Officer and Hermione Gilpin, Chief Development Officer Five years ago, the Brandeis University community study that our Jewish Federation commissioned revealed a huge unserved need and opportunity. The study showed that there are...
By Liat Alon, Chief Learning & Engagement Officer A great delegation of lay leaders travelled to Tallahassee to join members from seven Federations and thirty-one Jewish organizations from across the state. We met with our elected officials, shared the issues at...
By Kim Adler, Chief Operating Officer and Lisa Lurie, Guest Writer On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Jewish Federation will welcome Emmy Award-winning television host, producer, and author Andy Cohen to the Ora. As part of our outstanding Insights and Inspiration season, Mr....
Shepard Englander, CEO At our Jewish Federation of Sarasota–Manatee, protecting the community sits first among the Federation's four mission pillars — Protect, Educate, Engage, and Sustain — because none of the others are possible if people don't feel safe when...
By Bette Zaret, Holocaust Education Initiative, and Joseph Baker, Educator from Buffalo Creek Middle School Joseph Baker, Survivor Rifka Glatz, and student and poem author, Naythan Dameus. Joseph Baker teaches Pre-Advanced International Certificate Education...
By Jeremy Lisitza, Individual Giving Officer Hut HaMeshulash’s Drop-In Center Hut HaMeshulash’s Open Space Drop-In Center in the heart of Jerusalem attracts over 1,200 young people every year, of whom 600+ are under the age of 18. The center provides three hot meals a...
By Shepard Englander, Chief Executive Officer I was not expecting such an emotional experience when I walked into last months’ Manatee County School Board to accept their proclamation recognizing Holocaust Education Week in Florida. The School Board had asked our...
By Roz Bokoff Venice, often dubbed the “City of Canals,” is renowned for its stunning architecture, winding waterways, and vibrant cultural heritage. Within its winding streets and canals lie a long and rich Jewish history that has experienced both flourishing periods...
By The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee This year, we experienced two of the most powerful storms to hit our area in over a century. We were awed and frightened as Hurricanes Helene and Milton passed through leaving behind destruction and devastation. Yet, at the...
By Shepard Englander The three hurricanes that struck the Sarasota-Manatee region between August and October 2024 caused the most severe damage of any hurricane in over a century. The most recent storm, Hurricane Milton, destroyed the homes of dozens of community...
By Jeremy Lisitza, Individual Giving Officer Neve Michael’s Emergency War Response Program, which is a lifeline for Israel’s children at risk, was awarded $10,000 by the Federation’s Women’s Giving Circle. October 7 will forever remain a day of unimaginable grief for...
By Jeff LaHurd In 1914, when Sarasota was still more of a fishing/agricultural village than a destination for snowbirds, its fortunes were enhanced by the arrival of a gentleman named Philip Levy who came to a very small community to open the New York Store. Phil Levy...
By Bette Zaret The Holocaust began when Hitler came to power in 1933, however, the night of November 9, 1938, marks a major turning point when the growing hostility against Jews and the increasingly repressive anti-Jewish laws in Germany and surrounding countries...
Project Pride SRQ, the area’s largest LGBTQ Pride organization, is incredibly proud to partner with the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee (JFSM) to welcome Hen Mazzig and R. Derek Black as speakers at separate events on November 6, 2024, and February 11, 2025,...
By Tom Baugher As you know, hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. I therefore wanted to take this time to talk about safety during hurricane season. Before we get into hurricane-related specifics though, I think it is important to review a foundational...
By Hermione Gilpin, Chief Development Officer and Liat Alon, Chief Learning and Engagement Officer Photo: Ronan Horesh This month, we mark a year since the horrific attacks on October 7. We have watched from that moment onward as a nation was tossed into a chaotic war...
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee is pleased to announce that Deb Kabinoff has been elected to succeed Bruce Udell as its next President, effective April 1. As President of the Board since January 2022, Bruce has inspired and presided over comprehensive...
October 3, 2023 -- The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee is thrilled to announce a gift from community philanthropists Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth which brings their total investment to more than $6 million, making it the largest combined gift in the...
On Rosh Hashanah, we remind ourselves of what matters most. What matters most to our Jewish Federation is ensuring we live in a secure, confident, thriving Jewish community. Sadly, today we watch antisemitism and hatred spike senselessly around us. We see...
By Tom Baugher A computer hack can feel like your whole world just stopped. If your device has been compromised, follow these first steps from our Community Security Director Tom to get you safely back online. 1. Disconnect the computer from WiFi and turn it...
Good evening Sarasota! Distinguished guests, dear community, ladies and gentlemen, it's an honor and an immense pleasure to be here today, because this 'Atzmaut celebration is different - both in meaning and in magnitude. Israel's 75th Independence Day! But don't make...
by Gayle Guynup While I generally do not discuss politics in public, today, it seems, almost everything has a political slant to it. So, I am going to skirt the issue by noting that in this world where everything and everyone is so terribly divided, perhaps it is...
by Jessi Each year, The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee awards education scholarships to qualified applicants attending College, Community College, Vocational/Technical School or University. Chaired by Laura Briefman, this year the Education Scholarship...
by Jessi While sending kids back to school is a hectic time for parents, we have a lot to look forward to. Our yeladim (children) are going to learn so much, meet new teachers, reunite with friends and make new ones. Even though most of our little ones attend...
By Gayle Gynup Lisa Eisen, co-President of Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, will be the featured speaker at this year’s Women’s Day event sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. The luncheon will be held on March 8 at 11:30 a.m. at...
2021-2022 A Season of Programs with a Purpose--Tikkun Olam by Trudi Krames When you hear the Hebrew phrase, Tikkun Olam, what initially comes to mind? Most folks think of this Jewish value as healing, repairing, or rebuilding the world. Their call to action is...
By Shep Englander Core to The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee’smission is to “promote supportfor Israel.” There is nothing morepowerful than experiencing Israel firsthand. Over the decades, our Federation has led countless trips to Israel for a broad range of...
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee and The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast are proud to present “Violins and Hope,” a unique event marrying photography, storytelling and the performing arts, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at Michael’s On East, 1212 S. East St.,...
How Hurricane Ian Tested Us by Shep Englander Whether it’s a security threat, antisemitic vandalism or a natural disaster, emergencies are frightening, disorienting and isolating. They test the strength of a community. You may not think of The Jewish Federation of...
Holocaust Memorial Garden: A Place to Learn, Reflect, Grow by Shep Englander The heavy equipment I can see from my office window is moving us toward the much anticipated opening of our Larry & Mary Greenspon Campus for Jewish Life. The campus will be an oasis of...
By Shep Englander They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I never felt that more than I did in July, when I joined Jewish Federation leaders from our community and 20 other communities for an up-close look at the impact that the Jewish Federation system is...
By Jessi June was a spectacular month for the future of the Jewish people as our Bob Malkin Young Ambassador Program (BMYA) teens returned from their life-changing Israel experience. BMYA is a monthslong leadership program that provides opportunities for local teens...
By Shep Englander I am delighted to share the below images of The Larry Greenspon Campus for Jewish Life under construction. It is so exciting to see the transformation of our front 16 acres into new interior and exterior spaces for our community to learn, reflect,...
by Shep Englander Our Jewish community has always made our connection with Israel a top priority. So it is fitting that Israel is prominent in the vision for The Larry & Mary Greenspon Campus for Jewish Life. This month we want to tell you more about how the...
by Jessi June was a spectacular month for the future of the Jewish people as our Bob Malkin Young Ambassador Program (BMYA) teens returned from their life-changing Israel experience. BMYA is a monthslong leadership program that provides opportunities for local teens...
by Shep Englander While it may be summer here, we at the Federation have been at work finalizing designs, securing critical financing, and starting construction for The Larry & Mary Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life. In 18 months' time, we will be welcoming...
by Shep Englander We are delighted to announce that construction has begun on the next phase of The Larry & Mary Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life. The campus will open in phases next winter, spring and summer. The seminal act of the first Jews, Abraham and...
Shape the Past, Present, and Future of Federation Programming by Trudi Krames That's a Wrap! The 2021-2022 season is in the books – and once again, our Federation’s program department provided a range of meaningful engagement opportunities to meet our community...
Last month, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released its annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, which reports that antisemitic incidents throughout the United States grew by 34%. The number of incidents in 2021 – 2,717, more than seven per day – is at the highest...
by Shep Englander During the more than 2,000 years that Jews have lived in Diaspora (outside the Land of Israel), no society has been a better host than America. American democracy--with its emphasis on pluralism, moderation, education, personal responsibility and...
by Hermione Gilpin This year marked another tremendous day for The Jewish Federation of Sarasota—Manatee. From April 26 to 27, we took part in a 24 hour community philanthropy event—The Giving Challenge 2022. Presented by The Community Foundation of Sarasota County,...
by Shep Englander In April, the Jewish Federation Board and committed donors celebrated that we are starting construction on the next phase of our 21st century campus--the Larry & Mary Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life! Together, we said a shehachianu, the...
Giving Together for our Safe and Secure Future by Hermione Gilpin Each of us yearns to be involved with someone, something, outside of ourselves. Philanthropy provides that linchpin to our humanity. We recently announced an exciting matching challenge for security....
Feminism, Finance, and the Power of Women's Philanthropy by Hermione Gilpin When high profile women like Mackenzie Bezos and Melinda Gates make news for their charitable giving, they bring the issue of women and philanthropy into the mainstream. In the Jewish...
Ukraine, Israel and Jewish Freedom by Shep Englander Nothing is more central to Jewish identity than Passover--our Festival of Freedom. For over two thousand years, we were the wandering Jews -- a people with no country, no army. Every year at Passover, we said,...
The goal of CRConnect is to bring you information to help understand difficult questions we all face concerning both Israel and antisemitism. This month we address a complex question which distinguishes between an “antisemitic act” and “antisemitism.” As Deborah...
CRConnect provides information to help you understand difficult questions we all face concerning Israel and antisemitism. This post explores something a little different, and talks about the issues facing families with children in the public schools during the month...
Israel as a modern state was founded on the basis of the Zionist dream of the late 19th century, advanced and promoted by Theodor Herzl. For Herzl, Zionism was a nationalist movement for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in the historic land of the Jewish...
by David Millstone PHOTO: Aerial view of the Palestinian Shu’afat Refugee Camp in Anata, north of Jerusalem. QUESTION: Did Israel Create the Palestinian Refugee Issue? ANSWER: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East...
by David Millstone jerusalem-post-headline-june-6-1947 QUESTION: Are Israeli Settlements in the West Bank Illegal Under International Law? We read in the news on a regular basis that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal. In 2019, the Trump administration...
Why does Israel Oppose the U.S. reentering the nuclear agreement with Iran? QUESTION: Why does Israel Oppose the U.S. reentering the nuclear agreement with Iran? ANSWER: President Biden has announced (February 2021) his intent to return to the Nuclear Agreement with...
QUESTION: Isn’t it true that Israel is an apartheid state, just like South Africa was? Doesn’t that justify the same type of boycotts, divestment, sanctions and isolation from the civilized world? ANSWER: Simply stated, NO. “Apartheid” is: “a system of...
By David Millstone QUESTION: The Palestinians were in Israel first, then it was flooded with European Jews from the Holocaust. I have sympathy for someone fleeing the Holocaust, but they shouldn’t be able to just take over someone else’s land, should they? ...
By David Millstone An antisemitic cartoon by Brazilian cartoonist Carlos Latuff. There is a sentiment among some that criticism of Israel will automatically draw the ire of Jews making the claim that such criticism makes one anti-Semitic. Thus, the question posed is...