Page 4 - Jewish News_December 2021

P. 4

4A December 2021 FEDERATION NEWS

The Chai Society honors long-term Federation donors

By Lisa Feinman, Resource Development Manager
ynthia Wright, the inaugural need in our local community, in Israel to the 1990s. While many have also Chai Society Committee by fellow
chairperson of Chai Society and around the world. supported other Jewish organizations members Marcy Kennelly, Linda Lip-
Cof The Jewish Federation of Second, their gifts have a cumu- through us, the Chai Society is reflec- son, Sue Rosin, Kim Sheintal and Deb-
Sarasota-Manatee, introduced this se- lative impact that is greater than any tive of the support of these donors for bie Yonker, all of whom thank our Chai
lect group of donors to our community one gift could be. More than 500 do- the Federation’s annual campaign, Society members for all they do, and
at the yearly Federation Celebration in nor households contribute annual gifts program sponsorships and granting have done, for our community. Their
November. The Chai Society honors that range from $10 to thousands of initiatives. The list, published on pag- gifts are the wind beneath our wings,
and recognizes donors who have been dollars, and together average more es 18A-19A, recognizes donors who and we are honored that they have cho-
supporting the Federation with contri- than $450,000 each year. Chai Soci- reached or surpassed this 18-year mile- sen us, year after year, to translate their
butions for 18 or more years. ety donors have been giving for as few stone in 2020. generosity into mitzvot.
Our tradition teaches Mitzvah as 18 and as many as 57 years. Since We look forward to inducting new If you have a tale to share about
Goreret Mitzvah, one good deed leads the 1960s, we count more than 12,500 Chai Society members each year, to what inspired you to begin supporting
to another. Chai Society members ex- years of giving, raising close to $30 hearing their stories, being inspired by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-
emplify this concept in several ways. million in support for the mission and their loyalty and ongoing faith in us, Manatee, or if you have information
First, the many years of support work of the Federation. and to updating our records to more that will help us more accurately re-
our Chai Society members have given These figures only account for accurately reflect the longevity and flect your own giving history, please
the Federation have allowed us to bring those contributions we can see in our breadth of their generosity. contact me at lfeinman@jfedsrq.org or
countless acts of kindness to Jews in computerized records, which date back Cynthia Wright is joined on the 941.706.0034.

Will you be there to help?

By Ilene Fox, Senior Philanthropic Officer
lthough we hoped the Covid factor, with many unable to attend Fed- As we approach our “new nor- If you have already made a gift and
pandemic would not be so eration programs and Sarasota’s cul- mal,” we hope you will continue to en- are able to give more, your community
Adebilitating in 2021, we con- tural events. Thanks to you, our virtual joy our many virtual program offerings would be profoundly grateful. Federa-
tinued to experience many of the un- programming helped to fill that void, and, if you feel safe, attend some of our tion’s critical work will continue due to
knowns and heartaches associated keeping us all connected, educated, en- in-person events. There is nothing like your generosity.
with it. The Jewish Federation of tertained and hopeful. seeing you in person! With hopes that the pandemic is
Sarasota-Manatee responded by ad- Along with meeting new challeng- Our Jewish community has experi- subsiding, the future is bright for our
dressing pressing community concerns es, your Federation continues to do enced unprecedented growth, and with Jewish community. Let’s make mira-
such as food insecurity and physical, the work that it always does: awarding this growth, necessities are increasing cles together!
emotional and spiritual needs. As a religious school scholarships, support- exponentially. If you are able to help, You can donate at jfedsrq.org or by
result of your generosity, Federation ing the vulnerable and at-home care please consider making a year-end gift sending a check to JFSM, 580 McIn-
was able to bring joy into the homes for Holocaust survivors, promoting to Federation. Gifts of any size are wel- tosh Rd., Sarasota, FL 34232.
of those who were suffering due to job support for Israel, providing security come and will be used to benefit those On behalf of all who benefit from
loss, illness and isolation, with Shab- training to keep our community safe, who need it most and to continue to your generosity, thank you for opening
bat meals and engagement through our combatting antisemitism and so much build a vibrant, resilient and growing your heart. I can be reached at ifox@
local partners. Loneliness was also a more. Jewish community. jfedsrq.org or 941.343.2111.

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AN EVENING WITH NOA TISHBY

Israeli-American actress, activist, and author

CHAIR
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