Page 7 - Jewish News _August 2021_

FEDERATION NEWS August 2021 7A

Howard Tevlowitz’s Community Legacy

oward has worked with hun- and the future of the Jewish people. As Jennifer Rominiecki: I collabo- Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz: Howard
dreds of community and phil- a result, we met with Howard and Rich rated with Howard Tevlowitz to create and I, as a congregation leader, worked
Hanthropic leaders over the past Bergman to see if we could broaden the some dynamic partnerships between together on issues that involved both
21 years. A handful shared their mem- Federation’s work in both the Jewish the Federation and Marie Selby Bo- particular individuals and community
ories. and Christian communities to support tanical Gardens. My proudest achieve- affairs. Howard has an uncanny ability
Randon Carvel: I have worked Israel and the Jewish people. By any ment from working with Howard is the to help single individuals in the same
with Howard in my capacity as board measure, the outreach programs creat- support he provided to enable the very way he approaches the needs of the
president since January 1, 2020. One ed by Howard have become huge suc- first exhibit in Selby Gardens’ Jean community as a whole.
of our proudest accomplishments was cesses. Today, the Federation is one of and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Se- Judy Weinstein: It was my plea-
Howard’s leadership in rallying both the most powerful advocates for Israel ries – “Marc Chagall, Flowers, and the sure to work with Howard as Federa-
professional staff and lay leaders in suc- and the Jewish people in Florida and French Riviera: The Color of Dreams.” tion president. We came on board at the
cessfully lobbying our State Represen- beyond. It has been a privilege to work Howard’s support and championing of same time, established a good working
tatives and our Governor for desperate with him. the project allowed Selby Gardens to relationship and became friends along
funds needed for the securing of our Rev. Dr. Chaplain Tom Pfaff: borrow a stunning Chagall masterwork the way. I was most impressed with
campus. There are too many memories Howard and I met as “communitarians” from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. him because he so strongly believed in
to list. I will remember Howard for his 20 wonderful years ago: he as CEO of The loan of this spectacular painting our community and worked to make it
ability to see a path forward during the the Federation and I as the mother hen built a bridge between Israel and the the best it could be. He is a caring and
early days of the pandemic and create of the newly formed Sarasota Min- U.S., as well as between Jerusalem and compassionate human being. The com-
ways to stay connected, albeit virtually, isterial Association. Collaborators, Sarasota. munity became a much better place
to our growing community. As a result, friends, Tikkun Olam brothers for life Rabbi Michael Shefrin: For the because Howard was and is here.
we are emerging from this pandem- describes our relationship. Our last five years, since I arrived in Sara- Patti Wertheimer: I worked as
ic in better shape than we might have proudest achievement was the bond- sota to be one of the clergy team at a volunteer, board member and board
been. ing between our two organizations. Temple Emanu-El, Howard and I have president. Howard challenged the Jew-
Rose Chapman: Howard and I A Christian community voice that partnered in many ways with our tem- ish community to come up with a
were colleagues during my time as proclaims ‘Never Again’ is always ple, with the local Jewish community game-changing initiative during my
CEO of JFCS of the Suncoast. As two there in solidarity. And today it says, and in important interfaith ways, as presidency that the Federation would
Jewish communal leaders, we shared ‘thank you Howard Tevlowitz… thank well as through civic engagement. Our fund. The LIFE & LEGACY program
®
a great deal in our backgrounds and you Jewish Federation for a lifelong proudest achievements are two: For the was an opportunity too good to pass
desire to care for our Jewish com- friendship.’ One memorable moment rally after the tragic shooting in Pitts- up. Our challenge was to get at least
munity. Howard was committed to occurred on April 28, 2012, in Jerusa- burgh, Howard helped bring thousands 10 local Jewish institutions to work to-
building and strengthening the “J” in lem. Howard told us he was not feel- of people together in an act of love and gether toward a common goal, which
our community. He did so as a collab- ing well as we gathered for the daily healing. He was the guiding light in was building our endowment funds for
orator, bringing people together and breakfast feast. Pastor Bill immediate- connecting hearts and souls that night. the sustainability of the Jewish commu-
educating them about the Federation; ly reached for his anointing oil, laid Second, the community-wide Introduc- nity and our beloved institutions. Five
promoting the importance of Jewish hands on Howard and, in a loud voice, tion to Judaism course, “On One Foot,” years later, we have 667 legacy com-
identity; advocating for Jewish pro- offered healings in the Name; Father that shared the joy of Judaism with mitments from 528 donors resulting
grams; and building the future here in Celestino called home arranging for a dozens of people. My favorite memory, in over $20 million dollars endowed
Sarasota. So many conversations took Mass and lighting of candles; Pastor without a doubt, is crossing the finish to our community! My favorite mem-
place with food involved. Howard ini- Stephen called his Lutheran prayer line together (in slow motion) dressed ories of working with Howard are the
tiated joint luncheons between the staff line; Rabbi Howard left for the phar- in camel outfits during a camel race at numerous community-building trips to
of Federation, JFCS and Aviva. He be- macy. That evening, healed, Howard a recent Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration. Israel. His love of Israel is contagious!
lieved that once we broke bread and joined the Voyage of Discovery pil-
with your unwanted valuables?
offered a motzi, that we could set aside grims for an evening stroll in Jerusa-
our differences and work together to lem’s Ben Yehuda Street. Thank you, DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO
better the community. Federation, and thank you Howard,
Bob and Esther Heller: Esther and Mr. and Mrs. Heller, for taking
and I have been supporters of the Fed- more than 30 members of the Sara- Discreetly dispose of an unneeded or
eration for about 20 years. We have al- sota Ministerial Association to our unwanted diamond ring or an entire collection
ways had an abiding interest in Israel Holy Land. of beloved jewelry, coins, precious metals!

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