Page 17 - Jewish News_November-2020

FEDERATION NEWS November 2020 17A

The Extraordinary, UnOrdinary Simone Knego COVID Caring Project

By Michela Hazan, Gustavo Trope-Mayer and Lucy Thomas Temple Beth Sholom
organization from 2018-2019. ver the summer, several Shap- supplies needed. Pastor Sedacca agreed Sarasota's Conservative Synagogue
“At the national level, when I went iro Teen Engagement Program to distribute the care packages once as-
to the Young Leadership Conference, it O(STEP) high school students sembled. Toiletries and clothing were welcomes you!
was the first time I walked into a room worked together to design a handful of among the highest priority needs. Over
and I felt like I was where I needed to volunteer projects, with a two-fold ad- a two-week period, a large collection
be,” Simone said. “No matter who I vantage of helping students earn com- of donated supplies was dropped off at
sat down next to, we had an authentic, munity service hours, while learning the Federation, thanks to the generosity
meaningful conversation. It was a real- the lessons of tikkun olam, repairing of our amazing community.
ly meaningful experience. the world. The teens met twice to sort and
“In Sarasota, what I love about our We decided to help a population assemble 50 packages, and with addi-
Federation is, although it is The Jew- of individuals very vulnerable during tional blankets, shoes and bags, packed
ish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, our current pandemic by organizing a everything up for Pastor Sedacca. Fill-
we care for the entire community. We community collection of donations and ing time over the summer with a mean-
don’t support the Food Bank just to then assembling care packages for dis- ingful project and helping others in the
give food to people who are Jewish. tribution to local homeless individuals process was a great way to complete
We really focus on humanity and car- in need. our summer break!
ing for every person, and for me that Partnering with Pastor Mark Se- For more information on STEP,
was a big deal. When we talk about dacca from the Remnant Café, the team contact Trudi Krames at tkrames@ At Temple Beth Sholom, everyone is welcome!
tikkun olam, we are talking about re- worked together to finalize a list of the jfedsrq.org or 941.706.0037.
pairing the whole world, not just the Now, as always, TBS is your home.
Jewish world,” she said.
Simone started doing quite a bit Daily morning Minyan 8:00 a.m.
of public speaking as co-chair. “Every Friday Shabbat meal pick-up 11:00 a.m.
time I would speak, someone would in-
evitably say to me that I should write a Friday night service 6:30 p.m.
book,” she said. “While I didn’t real- Saturday morning service 10:00 a.m.
ly feel I was a writer, I was at a good Various classes and special events
place – finished with my co-chair role and more!
and done with my medical sales – and I Visit our website or Facebook page for more details
thought if I am going to do it, now was
the time.” COVID Caring Project donation sorting and care package assembly
Her actual inspiration for the book (pictured: Gustavo Trope-Mayer, Michela Hazan and Lucy Thomas) "Where community is family and egalitarian Conservative Judaism
came as she was sitting at a luncheon thrives in Sarasota through prayer, learning, and community service.”
one day, listening to amazing women 1050 South Tuttle Avenue Sarasota, FL
speak, and thinking how inspirational 941.955.8121 TempleBethSholomFL
they were. “And I thought, do I feel Info@TempleBethSholomFL.org
better about myself, or do I not? I’ll Temple.Beth.Sholom
never be that woman on the stage. And www.TempleBethSholomFL.org

Gustavo Trope-Mayer, Lucy Thomas and Michela Hazan complete the care package assembly

Simone Knego...continued from page 16A
then I thought to myself – but that’s the that person anymore. I just need to be
whole point. You are inspirational, not the best version of me, so I can do the
because you are the rock star on the most good for those around me.” Community Celebration
stage or a famous actress, but because Simone believes that we need to
you are you. I don’t believe in trans- recognize that it is the small things A virtual evening to thank, honor
forming yourself. Instead, I believe we do every day that inspire the peo- and celebrate legacy donors
in changing how you view yourself. ple around us. “The way you approach and partnering LIFE & LEGACY organizations.
When you change how you see your- your day, helping your neighbor, hold-
self, you feel more empowered,” she ing the door open, smiling at someone,
said. all these small acts really do make a
So, in September 2019, she started difference,” she said. It then inspires Thursday, November 12, 7:00 pm
the book. “There is always something those on the receiving end of your acts via Zoom
crazy happening in my life,” Sim- of kindness to do the same, which in- Guest Speaker
one said. “If I spires even more people.”
don’t schedule What’s next for this most UnOrdi- Rabbi Daniel Cohen
author of
my time like a nary woman? She recently began her “What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone - Creating a Life of Legacy”
workday, it is term as a trustee on the board of The
just not going Jewish Federations of North America,
to happen. So representing intermediate Federations.
that’s what I did. As for her book, Simone says, “I want
It would have to be able to share this message with as
been so easy to many people as possible. I would love Sarasota-Manatee
linger over this to go on a speaking tour, because I do
for years and think there is an important message in Chabad
years and years. Instead, I decided to this book – that each of us is extraordi-
sit down, make a schedule for myself nary, just by being who we are.”
and make it happen.” For more information about Fed-
“Self-help books tell you to change eration events, visit jfedsrq.org/events. TO REGISTER
this and change that. Why? Why ar- For more information about the Sim- Contact Gisele Pintchuck
941.707.0029 or
en’t I just good enough right where I one Knego talk on The Extraordinary gpintchuck@jfedsrq.org
am? That’s my whole thing. When I UnOrdinary You on November 30, con- Event Chair:
Nelle S. Miller
changed the way I looked at myself, tact Gisele Pintchuck at 941.706.0029
the world around me did change. I or gpintchuck@jfedsrq.org.
didn’t need to impress this person or