Page 3 - Jewish News_February 2020

FEDERATION NEWS February 2020 3A

A philosophy of giving where you live

By Marty Katz, Sr. Dir. of Communications & Marketing
n the late 1960s, a young couple sat built the Federation’s women’s divi- Along the way, Don and Bobbi LIFE & LEGACY™ committee.
in the audience at a Federation/UJA sion through education and outreach, became major benefactors of the Fed- Rich Bergman said, “We are so
Ievent in Chicago. They were mes- planned and hosted events, served on eration. In addition to annual giving, fortunate to have Don and Bobbi as an
merized by the words of Golda Meir, the allocations committee, chaired the they have made a capital campaign gift integral part of our Jewish community.
who was not prime minister yet but Federation’s first million-dollar cam- for programming needs and an endow- My wife Rebecca and I are blessed to
was sent by the Israeli government to paign, and eventually became the Fed- ment for the new Larry & Mary Green- have them as good friends.”
raise funds. Her speech marked the be- eration’s first woman president. If that spon Family Campus for Jewish Life. The Federation is blessed too. As
ginning of Bobbi and Don Bernstein’s wasn’t enough, Bobbi became Char- While living in Charlotte, the couple Bobbi said about Don, “Once on his
lifelong commitment to the mission lotte’s first Lion of Judah and is known saw firsthand how a multi-acre Jew- list, you are on his list forever. He does
of The Jewish Federation, in Chicago, for growing women’s philanthropy ish campus, called “Shalom Park,” was not lose a friend and doesn’t stop giv-
Charlotte and eventually Sarasota- in that town. As Bobbi said, “Federa- able to bring people together, engage ing.”
Manatee. tion was my home, my identity, my youth and create an exciting, cohesive Thank you Bobbi and Don for
Bobbi and Don Bernstein spent passion. It gave purpose to my life.” Jewish presence in the community. opening your hearts to our local Fed-
the first 15 years of their marriage in When Don retired at 55, it was his “I like the slogan ‘give while you eration’s mission and for not just giv-
turn to make an im- live,’ and I would add ‘give where you ing where you live, but for creating a
pact on the local com- live,’” said Don. “We like the idea of a legacy where you live.
munity. Don’s primary continuing legacy of support long after For more information on how
focus was a Federa- we are gone, and knowing that we can you can support the JFED PROUD
tion Young Leadership make a difference now, and in the fu- & STRONG campaign to expand The
Program that trains ture. We can’t enjoy the fruits of what Larry & Mary Greenspon Family
and encourages young others have done without participating Campus for Jewish Life, contact Ilene
men and women (ages ourselves – and we know the needs are Fox at 941.343.2111 or ifox@jfedsrq.
25-40) to become the not only ongoing, but growing in this org, or Rich Bergman at 941.552.6406
next leaders of the thriving community.” or rbergman@jfedsrq.org.
Jewish community and Don is also on Temple Emanu-El’s
beyond. This is still a
popular, ongoing pro-
gram that has literally Handmade jewelry, art, & gifts made by
trained hundreds of over 300 local artists. Full pottery studio
leaders in the Char- & 30 art classes per month.
lotte community. “This
is the program we are
Bobbi and Don Bernstein most proud of. The
the Chicago area. They became even goal was to replace ourselves and we 1861 Fruitville Road
more committed to the Federation after have!” said Bobbi.
adopting their three children through Don’s other passion was providing Sarasota, FL 34236
the Jewish Children’s Bureau, part of and promoting endowment and legacy 941-388-3700
the Chicago Federation. In 1978, the giving. He helped establish a Jewish artfulgiraffe.com
couple moved to Charlotte, North Car- Community Endowment Fund, which
olina, after Don sold his family’s tex- today has the participation of every
tile and finishing supply company to major Jewish institution in Charlotte.
a North Carolina company. The Bern- Enter Sarasota. The couple be-

steins felt it was important to raise gan vacationing here in 1993 when
their children with other Jews, so they Bobbi’s mom lived on Siesta Key. In Who does the Jewish community turn to for
settled in Charlotte, despite a 56-mile 2006, Bobbi and Don bought their own the most trusted service in real estate?
commute each way for Don. condo and now spend six months of
While living in Charlotte, Bobbi the year in Sarasota. The couple met
became extensively involved with the Major Gifts Officer Rich Bergman, and
A Sneak Peek...continued from page 1A Charlotte Federation, beginning with a as they say, “Once you do, you’re in.”
part-time family programming position Bobbi again joined a Federation board,
with the JCC which gave her entrée this time in Sarasota-Manatee. She also
into the local Jewish community. She chaired Federation’s Lion of Judah
then chaired Jewish Family Services, Luncheon and Major Gifts Dinner.
Contributing to the
prosperity of our
C LU B since 1979!
CLUB
Jewish Community
FED

EXHIBIT HALL  FED Ryan Ackerman Barbara Ackerman

941.780.6045
941.387.1818

Top Producing Team in all of Sarasota and Longboat Key
Thursday, February 20, 2020 www.ackermangroup.net

IMAGINE MUSEUM Owned and Operated by NRT, LLC
1901 Central Ave
THE BLUMENTHAL FAMILY | St. Petersburg, FL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
(leaving Federation at 9:00am)
• Private Docent Tour
We offer our many thanks to our generous • Lunch at Acropolis, St. Petersburg
leadership donors* as early investors in this vision: • $70 per person

Donald & Bobbi Bernstein Bart & Joan Levenson Alex Bernstein, Arched Blue Crystal
Tom & Karen Bernstein Jonathan & Michelle Mitchell Featuring preeminent works from
Mitchell & Colleen Blumenthal The Offutt Foundation  the American Studio Glass Movement
Mitchell & Dawn Epstein Michael Ritter and an extraordinary selection of
contemporary glass sculptures from
Beatrice Friedman (z”l) Gary & Barbara Rodkin around the world. Imagine Museum
Larry & Mary Greenspon Rosenthal Roots has over 500 significant pieces of SHE ALREADY KNOWS YOU LOVE HER
glass works on display from their
Robert & Esther Heller Family Foundation 1,500-piece collection. The artwork is NOW EVERYONE ELSE WILL TOO
Richard, Patti (z”l) & Laura Herbert and Betty Schiff (z”l) dramatically displayed throughout the
Hershorin Tom Shapiro/Stephen 48,000 square feet of gallery space.
Kalin/Malkin Families Shapiro Families

Karen LaMonte, Odoriko To purchase tickets, go to
To learn more about naming opportunities, contact jfedsrq.org/events
Ilene Fox at ifox@jfedsrq.org or 941-343-2111.
*Leadership donors have committed $250,000 or more to the campus project. For more information, contact Jeremy Lisitza
941.343.2113 or jlisitza@jfedsrq.org
1484 Main Street | Sarasota, FL
Join us to learn more at our next Town Hall Meeting, Monday,
February 24, 6:00 p.m. at the Beatrice Friedman Theater. THE LARRY & MARY GREENSPON FAMILY CAMPUS FOR JEWISH LIFE (941) 312-5566 | www.zemil.net
Klingenstein Jewish Center
To RSVP visit JFEDSRQ.org/Events. 580 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota FL 34232