Page 3 - Jewish News_August-2020

FEDERATION NEWS August 2020 3

A kinder way of life
anti-Semitism at its core. More educa-
tion is key! By Marty Katz, Senior Director of Communications & Marketing
‹ We work closely with the Sara- hen I turned off Zoom af- sylvania Optometric Association in the we did. It made both Trude and me feel home at Glenridge. In addition to often
sota Ministerial Alliance, Sarasota ter spending an hour with early 1950s, just as the optometry in- really good.” visiting his wife, who is in the memo-
County and Manatee County W97-year-old Irving Bennett, dustry was growing. Irving’s giving nature has had ry care unit at Glenridge, he writes a
school systems, the Diocese and I was flooded with a feeling of warmth. In addition to building and running a major impact on the work the Fed- monthly newsletter about health con-
private schools What a kind and generous soul. If we a successful practice, Irving began his eration does in the Sarasota-Manatee cerns, called Be Well. So far, he has
‹ We build alliances with local me- could learn anything from Irving, it journalistic pursuits. He became editor community. For each of the last 40 written 75 newsletters, which he sends
dia, faith community and commu- would be the importance of kindness of the Journal of the American Opto- years, Irving has generously supported to all Glenridge residents and another
nities of color and being nice to one another, espe- metric Association and later appointed the Federation’s annual fund. Major 100 friends, now including me.
And finally, I’d like to announce cially in today’s troubled world. to the Editorial Board of Optometric Gifts Officer Rich Bergman said, “I If only we could have more Irving
that we have officially hired our new Irving, who has been a devoted have known Irving for many years. Bennetts in our lives. Imagine the kind-
Community Security Director thor- supporter of The Jewish Federation He is bright, pleasant and tells good ness the world would see! Thank you,
ough SCN. He will provide security of Sarasota-Manatee since he and his stories about his past professional and Irving, for sharing your story and for
assessments and critical training to all wife Trude began snowbirding here in personal life. He has a strong sense of being a mensch for 97 years.
Jewish institutions and work with lo- 1980, said everything I needed to know justice along with a love of Israel and For information on how you can
cal, state and federal law enforcement about him was in his autobiography, our Jewish people. My wife Rebecca support The Jewish Federation of Sara-
to keep our community safe. In the which he wrote when he turned 92. I and I consider Irving a good friend.” sota-Manatee, please contact Ilene Fox
next issue of The Jewish News, you poured through the 288-page manu- Irving keeps himself busy at his at ifox@jfedsrq.org or 941.343.2111.
will have an opportunity to learn more script and read it as if I were reading
about him in depth. a novel.
All of the above takes money. As he wrote, “I was taught to give Who does the Jewish community turn to for
There is a cost to keeping our commu- to needy people and organizations by the most trusted service in real estate?
nity safe and it’s not cheap. We need watching my father handle the travel- Irving Bennett with former Israeli Prime Minister
your support to do so. To see how ing beggars that found their way from Ehud Barak at Federation’s Major Gifts Dinner
in 2016
you can help, please visit jfedsrq.org/ New York City to our little community Management. Eventually, he purchased
keepussafe.org. in the Adirondacks. They went from that magazine and became its publish-
As Rabbi Hillel famously said, “If town to town seeking out Jewish fami-
not now, when?” NOW is the time to lies for a soft touch. My father, with er. He’s most proud, however, of The
Visionary, a four-page newsletter that
take action against anti-Semitism and the little money he had, never turned included a once-a-year “State of the
keep our community safe and secure. any away. This, I think, more than Industry” report that gave inside in-
For more information on the Fed- anything, was the source of my philan- sight into what was happening in the Contributing to the
eration’s efforts to keep all of us safe, thropy.” entire optical/ophthalmic field. prosperity of our
please contact me at 941.343.2110 or ish background other than being born he would become a teacher, and in Jewish Community
Irving said he did not have a Jew-
Irving said he originally thought
htevlowitz@jfedsrq.org.
since 1979!
to Jewish parents. He wrote, “I was the
many ways, he did. With his role as a
Barbara Ackerman
Ryan Ackerman
a bar mitzvah. Being Jewish was to eat
traveled and lectured around the world,
941.387.1818
941.780.6045
we are FED only Jewish boy in high school and not publisher and leader in optometry, he #1 Small Team in the State of Florida - 2019
kosher food and being a good, giving
with Trude in tow. The couple has been
and compassionate person.”
married 75 years.
Irving’s favorite charity has always
Irving began his optometry practice
www.ackermangroup.net
been the United Jewish Appeal and its
in the late 40s in Beaver Falls, Pennsyl-
vania. Over the years, his practice grew
JFEDSRQ.ORG
as he became more involved in the lo- successor, the United Jewish Federa-
tion. Irving wrote, “I recall that my ac-
Educating Jewish Minds Engaging Jewish Lives Enriching Jewish Hearts
cal community, the Jewish community, countant twice told Trude and me that
and the local school board. Irving had we were her ‘heroes’ because there was
a knack for running his business and no client for whom she ever prepared
became a leader in optometry nation- income tax forms who ever gave away
ally, becoming secretary of the Penn- as much money to as many causes as 4 Years in a Row
Lakehouse West t
Lakehouse Wes
WINNER!
WINNER!
4 Years in a Row
TABLES TURNED ON THEM R E T IR E M E N T E S T A T
R E T IR E M E N T E S T A T E E
JOIN US for a conversation
with Michael J. Greenberg,

author of “Tables Turned

On Them – Jews Guarding ank you to our staff and residents
Nazi POWs.” during these difficult times.

2017
Our Lakehouse West Family
is stronger than ever!
Presented by the Heller CRC via Zoom, Greenberg
examines a subject that is not widely known – 3435 Fox Run Road | Sarasota, FL 34231
(941) 923-7525
Jewish soldiers with the United States Army in charge www.lakehousewest.com
of German prisoners of war. His book chronicles his Assisted Living Facility License #5850
father’s experience as a Jewish GI assigned to guard
German POWs at Camp Clinton, Mississippi and
New to the includes interviews with other

Sarasota-Manatee area? Jewish soldiers showcasing
their diverse experiences.

We Welcome You
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 • 10:30AM

Shalom! Welcome to paradise! To register, visit jfedsrq.org/events.
We hope you feel at home and become active
members of the Sarasota-Manatee THE BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FOR $18. SHE ALREADY KNOWS YOU LOVE HER
Jewish community. NOW EVERYONE ELSE WILL TOO

This event is free, but we would appreciate your
Please contact Ilene Fox • 941.343.2111 • ifox@jfedsrq.org consideration of a donation to The Jewish Federation’s

Get Newcomer information: STRONGER TOGETHER: Coronavirus Relief Fund
to help people who are impacted by this crisis.
jfedsrq.org/new To make a contribution, please visit
jfedsrq.org/relief. For more information about the event and/or
the Heller CRC, contact Jessi Sheslow at
jsheslow@jfedsrq.org or 941.552.6300.
1484 Main Street | Sarasota, FL

The Larry & Mary Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life • Klingenstein Jewish Center (941) 312-5566 | www.zemil.net
580 McIntosh Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232

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