Page 2 - Jewish News_December 2021

2A December 2021 FEDERATION NEWS

Shep Englander...continued from previous page Lynn and Randon Carvel...continued from previous page
Holocaust Education and Pro- the Federation’s important engagement Their son Baron was a competi- include the Chaifetz Family Holocaust
gramming is another important pillar and programming work with our teens tive baseball player and had attended Remembrance Park, the Michael Ritter
to advance our CRC goals. Bette Zaret, and families. She recently told me, “I a baseball camp at IMG Academy in and Nancy Wolk Training Center, and
who manages our Holocaust education, love that in my new role I get to use Bradenton. Seeing his potential, IMG the Joel and Gail Morganroth Event
and her team of volunteers have vastly my CRC skills to help arm our teens asked him to come down and board Center. Beyond that, we need to have
expanded our Holocaust education im- against antisemitism and anti-Zionism there. “My wife and I looked at each a safe, fun summer camp space where
pact in our local schools as you can see when they reach college and beyond. other and decided that he wasn’t going we can engage our younger families.
on page 5A. I have an incredible responsibility to to move to Florida unless we were able Because of our location, we feel this
We have built deep relationships lead our next generation of Jewish to move to Florida,” Randon said. Very will be a magnet for all families, both
with our local, state and elected offi- leaders.” In a short amount of time, quickly, they sold their Memphis home Jewish and non-Jewish,” he said.
cials, including the Sarasota County Jessi has already arranged for the teens and Lynn’s business and
bought a home on Lido
“By building partnerships and mutual under- Shores.
“We came down for
standing with civic and opinion leaders, the Heller a year and let him go to
CRC helps the Federation meet one of its strategic high school there on the

goals: Ensuring a Safe, Secure and Inclusive campus, and one year has
Jewish Community. ” – Shep Englander now become nine years,”
Randon said. Their son
is now 24, out of college,
Sheriff’s Office and the Sarasota Po- in our Shapiro Teen Engagement Pro- and living and working
lice Department. We are proud of their gram (STEP) to participate in an essen- in Tampa. Their daughter
understanding and support of the Jew- tial-items drive for Afghan refugees. Zoë, 27, is working for
ish community in Sarasota-Manatee. They are also scheduled to volunteer Jewish National Fund.
During my first 90 days, I have met with All Faiths Food Bank. Both Lynn and Ran-
over 25 public officials and seen how Although the Jewish community don were very involved
they value and respect our community. has been growing quickly in our region, as lay leaders in the Jew- Randon and Lynn Carvel (photo credit: Karen Arango)
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we are still a minority that is vulnera- ish community in Memphis. “I was on “The fact that we live in one of the
Federation leadership decided to wait ble to misunderstanding and prejudice. the Federation board and executive fastest growing Jewish communities
to hire a new Community Relations Di- By building partnerships and mutual committee in Memphis, and my wife in the nation – 35,000 people living
rector. We are so fortunate that board understanding with civic and opinion was on the board of Jewish Family Ser- in Jewish households and growing –
member Mary Collier has continued to leaders, the Heller CRC helps the Fed- vices. Our son went to a Jewish Day makes the need for these services for
chair our Heller CRC, even without a eration meet one of its strategic goals: School. So, we were pretty involved in the entire family even stronger.”
professional director. I have promised Ensuring a Safe, Secure and Inclusive a Jewish way in our hometown,” Ran- “I take great pride that during my
her and our leadership that we will Jewish Community. don said. tenure as board president, we went
have an expert community relations di- Thank you for contributing to that “It was my buddy Howard Tevlow- from the drawing board to actual con-
rector in place during the first quarter goal. I look forward to hearing your itz who actually introduced us to the struction, and now our new board chair,
of 2022. thoughts. Please feel free to contact Federation here in Sarasota,” Randon Bruce Udell, and CEO Shep Englander
I also want to recognize my col- me at shepenglander@jfedsrq.org or explained. “We had been here less than will carry the project forward,” he said.
league, Jessi Sheslow. Jessi moved into 941.343.2110. 90 days when I got a phone call from The decision for Lynn and Randon
a new position late last year, leading Howard asking me to come in for a vis- to donate to the campus project was an
it. Shortly thereafter I became a board easy one. “Others before us stepped up
member. I then became a member of and built the Federation. So, now it is
the executive committee as treasurer, up to us. As the next generation, we
2021 – 2022 and was elected incoming board pres- have to step up and do what we can to
ensure that there are always Jewish to-
ident to follow Mike Ritter. It’s been a
crazy two years, but my term will ex- morrows. The way to do that is to cre-
pire at the end of this year. ate safe, inspiring places where people
TORCH
TORCH
TORCH uary 2020, we already had a long-term can convene, enjoy programming and
“When I became president in Jan-
educational events and so much more.
vision for how we were going to repur- It is our turn to make that a reality,” he
N
SORS
SPO
SPO N SORS
SPO N SORS pose and redevelop the campus. Initial said.
plans called for the Hershorin Schiff The boardroom in the Klingenstein
Community Day School to move to Jewish Center-Federation Administra-
Howard Berman our campus (the administration build- tive Offices was very important to the
and Sharon Sexter
ing and the old JCC gymnasium space) Carvels. “Everybody has been affected
Edie and David Chaifetz as a tenant. However, with Covid and on some level by Covid. The inabili-
the ensuing construction shutdowns, ty to shake hands, hug and be face-to-
Leon R. and Margaret M. Ellin we had to inform the school that we face with people has been just terrible.
could not meet its timetable. Fortunate- But I knew if we could get the admin-
Debbie and Larry Haspel
ly, the school was able to find its own istration building built out and have a
Rosenthal Roots Family Foundation property and is now thriving on its own boardroom where we could start con-
campus. Because of that, we had to go vening as soon as it was safe to do so,
Sylvia and Norman Samet back to the drawing board and rethink that would be the first step in getting
how we were going to utilize our own people back together. It made sense for
Bunny and Mort z”l Skirboll
spaces,” Randon explained. us to help make that happen,” Randon
Hadassah and Martin Strobel It became clear the campus would said.
be developed in phases. Phase I was to “Covid exposed the vulnerabilities
Lois Stulberg get staff in a space where they could of a lot of people in our area and I am
be productive, creative and continue to so proud of our community and staff
engage with the community. This in- for continuing to support those in need.
We offer our very deep appreciation
to our 2021-22 Season Torch Sponsors! cluded the front part of the campus and We were able to help them in meaning-
the new administration building. Staff ful ways and help get them through this
They support our Federation’s efforts to will soon move into that space. crisis. The work of this Federation is
bring quality events and programs to our local Randon says he believes the next never done, but I believe the future is
community and help fund crucial services phase will include the Beatrice Fried- very bright, and I’m very optimistic,” Your fairytale might look a little different than
for people in need here in Sarasota-Manatee, man Theatre space, which will be con- he said. you once dreamed. Truth is, it’s even more
in Israel and around the world. verted into a state-of-the-art event and For more information on how you magical with real royalty by your side. Tidewell
conference center open to the entire can support the JFED Strong & Proud Hospice helps ensure that you have the
journey of a lifetime with the ones who matter
community. It should be completed by campaign to reimagine The Larry & most. Because a life shared is a life fulfilled.
the first quarter of 2023. Mary Greenspon Family Campus for
jfedsrq.org “My wish – but I am only one Jewish Life, please contact Ilene Fox Learn more at TidewellHospice.org or call 855.843.3935
voice – is that the next phase would at ifox@jfedsrq.org or 941.343.2111.