Page 4 - Jewish News_August-2020

4 August 2020 FEDERATION NEWS

Where your dollars go

The Yiddish Radio Project This series highlights mission-based programs and projects that are supported by
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. Funding for these initiatives is de-
rived from the Annual Campaign. The series helps to explain where your generous
presented by Baila Miller dollars are spent and features certain initiatives that enrich the lives of Jews living
in Sarasota-Manatee, local projects with area partners, and overseas programs that
support the social and humanitarian needs of Jews in Israel and around the world.
Your generous support is found in our tenet of tikkun olam – repairing the
world!
Religious School

scholarships to be awarded

By Jeremy Lisitza, Director of Innovation and Volunteer Engagement
he Jewish Federation of about our heritage, I found that Reli-
Sarasota-Manatee will award gious Schools here are far from free. In
T$30,000 for need-based Re- fact, without the support of the scholar-
ligious School scholarships in 2020. ship, I do not think it would have hap-
Since 2013, the Federation has award- pened, given the cost of membership
ed a total of $251,390 benefiting 646 and the price of Hebrew School. It is
children. This year the grant cycle by the generosity of other fellow Jews
opened July 1 and will close Tuesday, that our children will have the tools for
September 1, 2020. what it takes to practice Judaism in all
The Federation’s Board of Di- its aspects in the coming generation.
rectors strongly believes that this G-d bless the donors.”
scholarship program is of the utmost “For our family, especially as our
importance to help families with finan- son begins studying for his Bar Mitz-
cial assistance ensuring a strong Jew- vah this year, this scholarship provides
ish foundation for their children. an opportunity we cannot underscore
Responses from families who have enough. When a family has dealt with
received scholarships for their children hardships – unemployment, illness,
reinforce the benefits of this program: etc. – as we have over the past year, it
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 • 7:00 – 8:30PM “Without the help of being granted is comforting to know that the Federa-

ll that survives from the “Golden Age” of Yiddish Radio a scholarship for my family, my two tion is there to lend a hand, and ensure
A are a thousand fragile discs rescued from storerooms, sons would not be able to attend Re- that the next generation of students car-
attics and dumpsters. The Yiddish Radio Project is a ligious School at all. I am a fulltime ries on our educational traditions.”
student in my master’s program and,
“The Religious School scholar-
celebration of these recordings and the geniuses and like many other families, things are ship offered to families by the Federa-
dreamers who created them. We will hear clips from tight. We feel very blessed to have tion benefits everyone. It tells parents
Variety Shows, Man-on-the Street Interviews, been granted this scholarship so that that Jewish education is a community
Commercials and even Editorials in Rhyme. our sons can continue their religious priority and it is a tangible support of
10
$ 10 education and spiritual growth as they the synagogues’ educational programs.
$
PER
To register, go to jfedsrq.org/events. PER learn how to become proud, Jewish This kind of partnership can make a
HOUSEHOLD
HOUSEHOLD young men within our community.” long-term impact on our community
For questions contact “I am grateful as a Jew who has and its institutions.”
Jeremy Lisitza at spent 30 years in Israel where religious For more information about need-
jlisitza@jfedsrq.org studies are mandatory and were taken based Religious School scholarships,
for granted.... Once I moved back to the visit jfedsrq.org/religious-school, or
USA and our children reached the age contact me at jlisitza@jfedsrq.org or
of wanting and needing to know more 941.343.2113.
Mazel Tov to an
RESPONSE
RESPONSE
RESOURCES • RESILIENCE
extraordinary woman

By Marty Katz, Senior Director of Communications & Marketing
e offer our hearty congratu- She is also looking forward to
lations to Simone Knego, bringing back best practices from simi-
Do not separate Wa former board member of lar Federations to our executive staff.
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-
Kim Adler, Chief Operating Officer,
yourself from your Manatee, for being nominated as a says, “Our Federation is so fortunate to
community trustee on the board of The Jewish Fed- have someone like Simone be our eyes
erations of North America (JFNA) rep-
and ears and share the good work we
resenting Intermediate do on a national level. We
Federations. Simone are in good hands!”
recently completed a Simone has a lot on
The Jewish Federation two-year stint on the her plate. In addition to
of Sarasota-Manatee is JFNA National Young this new role, she is in the
RESPONDING to our Leadership Cabinet, final stages of writing her
new normal. with the second year first book, The Extraor-
acting as co-chair. dinary, Unordinary You,
Simone will be to be published in Octo-
RELIEF & RECOVERY •
As the global health part of a cohort of 15 ber. She says, “The book
crisis is changing our trustees representing is about inspiration and
world by the minute, the 45 Intermediate what you are capable of,
we are READY to Federations in the Simone Knego how everyday actions in-
JFNA system. The Jewish Federation
spire you to be better.” Simone bases
provide RELIEF for of Sarasota-Manatee is considered an her writing on her life, volunteer work,
RECOVERY and the Intermediate Federation. and being mother to six children and
necessary RESOURCES Simone says, “I love the Federa- partner to husband Rob.
to get through this. tion, on a local, national and global lev- Simone is sure one extraordinary,
Jews are a RESILIENT el. It does amazing work, so of course, unordinary person. On behalf of the
board and staff of the Federation, we
I said yes. I am honored to represent
people and our spirit Sarasota and bring light to smaller Fed- say Yasher Koach!
JFSM
remains strong. erations which need attention as well.”
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