Page 3 - Jewish News_June-July-2021

FEDERATION NEWS June/July 2021 3A

Training Center to bring security education

An elective is when a camper can
choose between two or three activities. to Sarasota-Manatee
The older the campers are, the more
electives they have the opportunity to By Marty Katz, Sr. Director of Communications & Marketing
choose. Our electives will range from
drum circles to sleight-of-hand magic, ichael Ritter keeps it very such as safety training on a national company. Throughout Nancy’s career, Mike on the Federation’s Development
and from cheerleading to junior life- simple when he answers scale for all Federations and other Jew- she has served as a mentor to up-and- Committee, says “We are so honored to
guarding. Mwhy he and Nancy Wolk de- ish organizations that want to partici- coming leaders. She currently serves be the recipients of Mike and Nancy’s
One major highlight of CML is cided to make a lead gift to support the pate,” he says. on the Advisory Council for the Heinz generosity, and can’t wait for the Train-
going to be the new, reimagined Larry & Mary Greenspon Both Mike and Nancy have been College at Carnegie Mellon Univer- ing Center to be operational. Think
sparkling swimming Family Campus for Jewish Life. “To impressed with Jeff’s work in the com- sity and as a consultant and program about how many in our community
pool, where campers keep our community safe,” he said. munity since his arrival last fall. “In his director for the Conference Board, a will reap the benefits of learning how
will get to swim twice The couple has funded and named short time here, Jeff is already making a business think-tank and research group to keep themselves and others safe!”
per day. The mornings the new campus training facility – organization. Having been board chair when the
will be structured with The Michael Ritter and Nancy Wolk The couple’s value of tzedakah is Federation’s Community Study was
group swim lessons Training Center. Mike, who serves as being carried on in the four adult chil- conducted in 2019, Mike knows, per-
taught by certified immediate past-president on the Feder- dren they have between them. They haps more than most, what a diverse
aquatics staff, and the ation’s Board of Directors, says “Given say, “Our children are very aware of and growing community the new cam-
afternoons will be free the ongoing threats to Jews and Jewish how important it is to help others less pus will serve. He says, “Nancy and
swim. organizations in Sarasota-Manatee, we fortunate through active volunteering I are both committed to the present
While we aren’t strongly believe that security related and philanthropy, and are already en- and future well-being of our Sarasota-
yet ready to start camp training and education programs are gaged in their own meaningful activ- Manatee community. The reimagined
trips to Israel, we will critical for our safety.” ities in other communities. They also campus will be a tremendous asset for
bring Israel to CML through The Jewish Nancy concurs, saying, ”Growing realize that education and involvement meaningful Jewish and non-Jewish in-
Agency for Israel’s summer shlichim up and living many years in the Jewish are critical components for sustaining volvement for persons of all ages and
(ambassadors) program. These young, communities of Pittsburgh, Cleveland the Jewish people, including under- interests.”
post-Army Israelis will be trained, and Chicago, we have both witnessed standing our traditions, values and To learn how you can join Mike
full-time camp staff, teaching campers antisemitism and hateful behavior first- customs. This behavior should also and Nancy and become involved in the
about Israeli food, dancing and games, hand. Everyone in our community has Nancy Wolk and Michael Ritter influence our grandchildren in a posi- JFED PROUD & STRONG campaign
and creating connections to Israel. a responsibility to proactively address significant impact in making our com- tive way, even beginning at relatively to reimagine The Larry & Mary Green-
They will also be teaching a Hebrew this difficult environment, and training munity safer,” they say. “He is clearly young ages.” spon Family Campus for Jewish Life,
word of the day each morning, running is a critical component of this.” a national expert in security with many Barbara Mazer, Chief Develop- contact Ilene Fox at ifox@jfedsrq.org
an all-camp special event (Israel Day) In their past careers, Mike was a years of relevant law enforcement ex- ment Strategist who works closely with or 941.343.2111.
and participating in helping lead our senior partner and CPA at global pro- perience. To deal with this ongoing
weekly full-camp Shabbat program led fessional services firm Ernst & Young, threat, it was critical that we hire a Who does the Jewish community turn to for
by our song leaders. I can almost hear and Nancy ran global technology at very talented professional in this area
“Hinay Ma’Tov” being sung as I type! Alcoa, serving as the company’s Chief and we are fortunate to have Jeff lead- the most trusted service in real estate?
Music will be a big part of CML and Information Officer. They both have ing our campus and many community
we hope to make some of our camp experienced the growing challenges security related initiatives.”
songs available for download. around personal safety and cybersecu- As to why the couple felt inspired
With digital so prevalent now, rity, and the necessity to protect our- to make such a large gift, they point-
camp registration will be online only. selves and our institutions from these ed to the way they grew up and the
We even have plans for a CML app! and other threats. responsibility of giving back to one’s
Don’t worry – we’ll be happy to assist Mike says, “Although the Training community. “We both grew up as Con- Contributing to the
along the way. Center will be available for all types of servative Jews in traditionally Jewish prosperity of our
Helping others and being inclusive education related programs, the cor- homes and lived our adult lives in com- Jewish Community
will be ongoing camp themes through- nerstone of the training to be provided munities that benefitted greatly from since 1979!
out each summer. CML believes all will be directly and indirectly related the generosity and hard work of many
campers can ben- to the Federation campus and commu- people. Over the years, we both had Ryan Ackerman Barbara Ackerman
efit from camp, nity-wide security. The Training Cen- firsthand opportunities to know and 941.387.1818 941.780.6045
from each other ter will also be available to train law work with many of these individuals #1 Small Team in Sarasota and Manatee County
and even more so enforcement professionals and elected and we have both been positively in- www.ackermangroup.net
from those who officials relative to the unique threats fluenced by their philanthropy and ac-
are different. CML the Jewish community faces.” tivities. Our parents and grandparents
values inclusion Jewish Community Security Di- had strong work ethics and taught us
of all campers re- rector Jeff Solomon, who will be lead- about the importance of education and
gardless of abil- ing the efforts of the new Training tzedakah at early ages.”
ity, background, Center, describes plans that call for, They are both ardent volunteers,
religion and so- among other things, a state-of-the-art as well as consultants. Over the years, WE BUY GOLD,
cio-economic sta- multimedia classroom to host weekly, Mike has held numerous leadership DIAMONDS AND JEWELRY.
tus. In addition, our camp is proudly monthly and annual training events. roles at both for-profit and not-for-
committed to providing financial as- “The goal would be to not only pro- profit organizations. Currently, in ad-
sistance to families who cannot afford vide our Federation and community dition to his Federation related work,
camp, and also committed to creating partners with local training opportuni- he is on the boards of Perlman Mu-
programming and a physical camp that ties, but to be nationally recognized for sic Program/Suncoast and Parkwood
is inclusive of all who enter our camp hosting larger events and conferences LLC, a diversified financial services
Jewish
gates.
Being a Camp Director is both a Je wish
massive responsibility and an awe-
some opportunity, and I want to thank
Camp Marci Lynn Committee and co-HappeningsHappenings
the community for welcoming me to
Sarasota-Manatee to bring this collec-
tive dream to life. Many thanks to the

chairs Tom Bernstein and Jaime Mar-
co, along with the amazing Federation
staff. Let the countdown begin! Looking for something Jewish- EST. 1979
Have a favorite camp tradition,
camp song or camp memory you want related to experience? See the 1484 Main Street | Sarasota, FL
to share? Have CML questions? Please Jewish Happenings section for more
contact me at retzkin@jfedsrq.org or (941) 312-5566 | www.zemil.net
941.552.6308. than 60 events in June and July!