Norman G. Einspruch, Ph.D., Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Dean Emeritus of the College of Engineering at the University of Miami, delivered the commencement address to the graduates of the Engineering and Technology Management program at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. Norman is a member of the Temple Beth Am Board of Directors.
Matthew Hellinger, son of Nanci & Michael Hellinger, and Jonathan Roth (right), son of Amy & Eric Roth, were Co-Chairs and organizers of the sixth annual Miracle Games in May, a three-on-three charity basketball tournament and raffle to benefit the Transplant Foundation, affiliated with the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. Each year responsibility for the Miracle Games is handed down to young volunteers who want to be active in community service. Matthew and Jonathan will be freshmen at Miami Palmetto Senior High in the fall.
Congratulations to David Goldstein, son of Cheryl & Adam Goldstein, who has been honored with The Miami Herald's 2013 Silver Knight Award in Athletics. David, a student at Ransom Everglades and a graduate of Temple Beth Am Day School, was among the 15 high school seniors in Miami-Dade who were announced on May 22, 2013 as Silver Knight winners.
After suffering his third concussion in four years in a head-to-head collision on a soccer field, David endured months of headaches that forced him to sleep through part of the day in the school nurse’s office. When he recovered, he launched a public safety campaign that helped change state law to require that high school athletes suspected of suffering a head injury be removed from play until they are cleared by a medical professional. He will attend Princeton University in the fall. Read more about David's crusade to provide concussion testing
Among seniors with a Temple Beth Am connection nominated for the Silver Knight Awards were: Grace DeWitt (English/Literature), granddaughter of Jean & Al Leibert; Emily Keyes (Science), daughter of Susan & Michael Keyes; and Lindsay Spiegelman (Drama), daughter of Tracey & Larry Spiegelman.
The Silver Knight recognizes outstanding students who have not only maintained good grades but also have unselfishly applied their special knowledge and talents to contribute significant community service. The program was instituted in 1959 by John S. Knight, past publisher of The Miami Herald, founder and editor emeritus of Knight-Ridder Newspapers and 1968 Pulitzer Prize winner. The program is open to seniors with a minimum unweighted 3.2 GPA in public, private and parochial schools in Miami-Dade and Broward.
Jay I. Kislak has been awarded Spain’s Order of Civil Merit for his work in preserving the cultural heritage of Spain and the early Americas. “This well-deserved distinction is an official recognition on the part of Spain for the extraordinary work Jay Kislak has done to preserve our common heritage and to strengthen the ties between Spain and the United States," Cristina Barrios Almazor, Consul General of Spain, said when the award was presented on May 2, 2013. Jay, 90, is founder and chairman of the Kislak Organization, a diversified Miami-based real estate firm.
Jennifer Deutch, daughter of Debbie & David Deutch, has been named a 2012–2013 All-Miami-Dade Scholar-Athlete finalist by The Miami Herald. Jennifer, a senior at Ransom Everglades, was honored in two sports: basketball and softball. She will attend Vanderbilt University in the fall.
Kudos to Alicia & Mitch Widom and Glenn Widom, co-chairs of the annual Sabadell Keymorada Invitational Fly-Spin Tournament May 7–10, 2013 at the Cheeca Lodge & Spa, for yet another successful event, raising $510,000 to benefit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America and the University of Miami's Elaine & Sydney Sussman Crohn's and Colitis Clinic. The Keymorada fund-raiser was created by the Widoms after Alicia & Mitch's daughter, Taylor, was diagnosed with Crohn's, and has raised over $3.5 million for the CCFA since 2005. From left: Alicia, Mitch and Glenn.
A graduate of Temple Beth Am Day School, now a senior at Ransom Everglades, has won second place in the "High School Track" of The Miami Herald's annual Business Plan Challenge. Winners were profiled on May 6, 2013 in Business Monday. The High School Track is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship.
How Do I Look? is the brainchild of Jonathan Greenwald, far left (son of Amy & Scott Greenwald), and three other students. This app would provide a community for users to receive advice and critique outfits, and puts personal shopping in everyone’s pocket, resulting in a better looking and more self-confident world. Jonathan will enter Tulane University in the fall and is the founder of an organization that supports diabetes research.
Jared Ertel (son of Beth & David Ertel), also a graduate of the Beth Am Day School and a senior at Ransom, had been selected in April as a finalist in the "High School Track." Jared collaborated with another student to develop the plan for Spider, a free website where a user would be able to organize all social media into one concise, neat format, organized based on their own interests. Revenue would be derived from advertising; 35 percent of profits would go to charitable organizations that are most actively supported on the site by the user base.
Congratulations to Bob Price, recipient of the 15th annual Talmud Torah Award, honoring a congregant who has contributed significantly to the Temple by engaging thoughtfully in our adult education programs, presented on May 3, 2013. Read more...
Leo Henkin, son of Susan & Ed Henkin, competed in the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2013 Essentially Ellington Competition & Festival in May 2013 in New York City, as one of 17 members of South Florida's Community Arts Program (CAP) All-Star Jazz Ensemble, made up of high school musicians from eight schools in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Leo, a junior at Gulliver Preparatory School, plays the bass and had the opportunity to "jam" in New York with Wynton Marsalis. Leo and the members of CAP were featured in "All That Jazz" in The Miami Herald/Neighbors on May 2, 2013. Says Leo: "It’s like meeting the people you see on records. You think, ‘Wow, they are cool, they sound so good.’ It’s hard to believe they play like that and you’re playing in the same place as them. This blows me away.”
Also participating in CAP's All-Star Jazz Ensemble was Hunter Nash, grandson of Barbara & Norman Nash. Hunter, who plays guitar, is a junior at Miami Palmetto Senior High School.
Congratulations to David Deutch (left) and Dan Koffsky, 2012–13 recipients of The Harry Gunther Service Award, which is presented to a deserving Beth Am member who has worked for the benefit of the Temple community in a way which would be considered "above and beyond." The award was presented at the Temple Beth Am Annual Meeting on April 30, 2013. Read more...
Tracey Spiegelman was named a recipient of the 2013 Stanley C. Myers Presidents’ Leadership Award of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, which annually honors two dynamic Jewish leaders who have demonstrated outstanding service to Miami’s Jewish community. This award is named for the late Founding President Stanley C. Myers and was presented at Federation's 75th Annual Meeting May 31, 2013. Tracey, a member of the Temple Beth Am Board of Directors, serves as Vice President, Outreach and Development for Women’s Philanthropy of Federation.
Judy Gilbert-Gould and Robert C. Gilbert served as Co-Chairs of the 75th Annual Meeting of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation on May 31, 2013 at the Hilton Miami Downtown. Judy is the daughter of Federation's first president, the late Stanley C. Myers, and Bobby is his grandson. “My father is smiling down from above,” said Judy. “He’s smiling because his daughter and grandson are co-chairing this meeting. But most of all, because the Federation has remained and will, I am sure, in the future continue to be the central address of the Greater Miami Jewish community.” It was out of extreme hardship that Federation was born. In 1938, windows of Jewish businesses throughout Eastern Europe were violently shattered in what would become known as Kristallnacht. Myers, a young attorney, and a small group of other Jewish Miamians knew that together, they could make a difference.
Congratulations to Tiffany Zientz Heckler, who has been named to the inaugural Honor Roll of The Women's Fund of Miami-Dade, which was introduced at the annual Power of the Purse luncheon on April 19, 2013 at Jungle Island. Tiffany, Chief Financial Officer of LSN Partners, LLC, is one of 24 women who were inducted in the inaugural Honor Roll, which recognizes individuals who have made unique contributions to The Women's Fund.
Each year, Temple Beth Am is proud to recognize an outstanding family of volunteers. Congratulations to the Leathes — Jeremy, Mindy, Dylan, Jessica and Connor — who have been selected as recipients of the Committee of 100’s 2013 “Family of the Year” Award, for their continued participation in our Temple community and their ongoing commitment to congregational leadership. The award was presented at the annual Committee of 100 Brunch on April 14, 2013. Read more...
John Leighton, a trial lawyer with Leighton Law, P.A., is featured in a cover article in the April 2013 issue of Attorney at Law magazine (Greater Miami edition). The article discusses how John, for more than 27 years, has represented victims in a wide range of negligence cases. Attorney at Law is a tightly focused business-to-business trade magazine providing targeted information to key decision-makers in the local legal community.
Shelby Loeb, daughter of Andrea & David Loeb, was selected to the Florida state All Star Cast for her acting skills in the One Act category. Shelby, an eighth grader at Miami Palmetto Middle School, was honored at the Florida Junior Thespian Festival in Melbourne, which drew some 3,000 Florida middle school students.
Kudos to Gulliver Prep Athletic Director and Softball Coach Mark Schusterman, who reached a milestone in his career on April 3, 2013 — he coached his 600th victory! Mark, who is in his 28th year season coaching the Raiders' softball program, never expected to reach 600 wins in any sport, let alone one he never intended to coach. "When I decided that softball would be my primary sport, people were shocked," said Mark, who began his coaching career in basketball.
Harlan Selesnick, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at the Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Doctors Hospital, was selected as a candidate for The Miami Herald's "25 most influential people" in Miami Heat team history, which is celebrating its 25th year. He has been the team physician for the Miami Heat since 1988.
Alyssa Baron, daughter of Karen & David Baron, a junior at the University of Pennsylvania and starting guard for their basketball team, was featured on ESPN Sportscenter's Top 10 on March 23, 2013, with a game-winning 3-point shot with one second left, sending the Quakers into the quarter-finals of the WBI tournament. Alyssa was a unanimous First Team, All-Ivy selection, and as a junior became the fourth leading scorer in Penn history. In July 2013, she will compete in Israel in the International Maccabi Games. She began her basketball career in the Beth Am league.
April Rohan, daughter of Andi Rohan and Perry Rohan, departed in March 2013 for Jamaica, where she will spend the next two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer Youth Literacy and Special Education Advisor. April, who graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor's in English and Creative Writing, worked in Temple Beth Am's YAD Experience and Religious School before leaving for the island. Read her Blog online...
Congratulations to Valerie & Michael Katz, who were honored by the Children's Bereavement Center on March 16, 2013 at the annual Rockin' on the Green at Ransom Everglades School. The Katzes were honored for their inspirational support of the Center's mission to restore a sense of hope for the future to children and families who have lost a loved one. A festive dinner was catered by our own Chef David Schwadron.
Richard Fain, Chairman & CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., has been honored as the recipient of the prestigious Jay Malina Award, presented on March 14, 2013 at the 11th annual Beacon Awards sponsored by The Beacon Council, Miami Dade County's economic development partnership. The Jay Malina Award recognizes the business executive contributing the most to the growth of their industry in Miami Dade. It is named in honor of the late founder and co-chair of the original One Community One Goal initiative.
"Miami Stories," a column presented on Sundays by HistoryMiami in The Miami Herald's Neighbors section, recently featured the recollections of Molle Grad. In the article "Memories of happiness, hearty meals" published on February 24, 2013, Molle outlined her journey to Miami Beach in 1952, her parents, meeting her husband, her kids and a tour of Miami Beach, Miami and Coral Gables of the 1950s and 60s. At left, Molle with her husband in the 50s.
Rachel Seymour-Newton, daughter of Jaime & Rupert Seymour-Newton, was profiled in the January 28, 2013 edition of the Pinecrest Tribune's "Positive People in Pinecrest." Rachel has been raising money for Friends Forever Rescue since she was nine years old, mostly through her birthday parties when friends and family are asked to bring their family pet, and, for a donation, her professional photographer mother will take their photo. For her Bat Mitzvah this year, Rachel is planning a service project involving homeless and unwanted dogs.
Julian Harris, son of Susan & J.B. Harris, a freshman at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, has been profiled in an online Berklee blog. Julian entered his first year at Berklee with a coveted Artist sponsorship from the St. Blues guitar company in Memphis, Tennessee.
Zach Grossman, son of Shelley & Bob Grossman, has created a smartphone app called "My HappY Place," your own personal app for storing music, pictures, quotes, videos and journal entries. Zach earned a degree in entrepreneurship and marketing from Northeastern University in Boston, and created the 99¢ app to help people change their mood around as quickly as possible.
Kelly Fertel, daughter of Alan Fertel, was selected to The Miami Herald's All-Dade Swimming & Diving Girl's First Team. Kelly, a freshman at Miami Coral Reef Senior High School, finished 12th in the Florida state competition in the 200 meters Individual Medley event.
Alan S. Fine, Esq., who has served as Beth Am's Temple Counsel for the past four years, has been appointed as a judge by Florida Governor Rick Scott, and will serve Miami Dade's Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, effective February 1, 2013. Alan has been in private practice since 1984, and has more than 20 years experience in the resolution of complex international commercial disputes through litigation in federal and state courts, arbitration and mediation. He was President of the Colombian-American Bar Association at the time of appointment.
Pioneer member Jay I. Kislak discovered a Fountain of Youth of sorts that springs from an inquisitive and acquisitive mind. The patriarch of The Kislak Organization marked 74 years in real estate this year, 59 spent in Miami. A cover article in The Miami Herald Business Monday on December 24, 2012 reviews how, at age 90, Jay still is wheeling and dealing in real estate, and he’s exploring history and art with the fervor of a man generations younger. He also is busy chairing a blue-ribbon Federal Commission named by the U.S. Interior Secretary to orchestrate the 450th Anniversary Celebration in 2015 of the founding of St. Augustine.
Steven J. Solomon, a shareholder in the Miami office of GrayRobinson, P.A., has been appointed to the Board of Directors at Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, where he will provide leadership and support to the organization, the oldest and largest private agency of its kind in Florida. Steve also serves on the Board of Directors of Temple Beth Am.
Photographer Sharon Socol's black and white photo book, Plus One: An Outsider's Photographic Journey into the World of Fashion, will be released by B&B Press in December 2012, and was featured in December Vogue. The "Outsider" reference comes from accompanying husband Howard, former CEO of Burdines and Barneys New York, to fashion shows and other events where she found her best accessory was always her Leica camera. She was quoted as saying, "Fashion is fantasy, but when you look closely you see it's also, surprisingly, very ordinary." sharonsocol.com
Miami trial attorney J. B. Harris has been published in the November 2012 issue of The Florida Bar Journal. In an article entitled "Engle v. Liggett: Has Big Tobacco Finally Met Its Match?," he reviews the Florida Supreme Court's 2006 Engle III decision, which is considered by many to be the most important opinion in the history of Florida products liability litigation.
Larry Spiegelman, M.D., a Kendall-area obstetrician, was featured in a "Health Report: Special Section on Diabetes" in the November 11, 2012 edition of The Miami Herald. The article, "Pregnant women with diabetes risk developing the lifelong condition," discussed how eating healthy and exercising more can minimize gestational diabetes for pregnant women. Through universal screening and new knowledge about aggressive treatment, moms and babies can all end up healthy. “It’s all about patient compliance,” noted Larry, who works out of Baptist Hospital.
Pam Wolofsky served as Chair of The Women's Event on November 28, 2012 at the Hilton Miami Downtown. The event, sponsored by Women's Philanthropy of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, featured renowned sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer and humanitarian and educator Alina Gerlovin Spaulding, and celebrated the power of extraordinary women. "All the women in the room were amazing, not just the speakers," Pam noted. "These are leaders in our community, women who are passionate about living our most valued Jewish ideals." Laura Koffsky, Women's Philanthropy President, added, "It is so important to come together and to be part of the energy of this dynamic group."
Melissa Buckner served as South Dade Chair for the 4th annual Everything but the Turkey event. Temple Beth Am hosted one of the two sessions sponsored by the Jewish Volunteer Center of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation on November 20, 2012. More than 250 volunteers sliced, diced, chopped and stirred over 1,500 servings of food for the hungry in South Florida, and lent a hand in preparing thousands of kosher meals.
Elliot Harris, son of Susan & J.B. Harris, was featured in the November 5, 2012 edition of the Pinecrest Tribune's "Positive People in Pinecrest." A junior at Palmer Trinity School, Elliot spent summer 2012 at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel, six weeks that he says changed his world. "I feel more accepting and tolerant and I feel like I've created a bond not only with my religion, but with my friends, and even my friends who aren't even religious or Jewish." He is active in Beth Am's YAD Experience and last year travelled to Washington, D.C., where the group met with senators and congressmen to discuss local Florida issues.
Tony Ciminero, Ph.D., recently published iCope: Stress Management for Teens and Young Adults, a self-help book on stress management. In addition to other textbooks in psychology, this is his second book on coping with stress. The first, One Minute Stress Management, was geared to a more mature adult population. The book is available in paperback from Amazon, and as an ebook for electronic devices. Tony also has developed a website — icope.co — with multimedia materials to help readers learn the basic skills taught in the book.
Gregory Hoffman, son of Hillary & Kenneth Hoffman, has launched a company — Raffle For Good, an “online fundraising platform for organizations to raise money through an interactive, skill-based raffle system. Gregory, a sophomore at Claremont McKenna College in Pomona, California, interned last semester in Congress in Washington, D.C., where he started to develop an idea for a new start-up business. The company is unique because it allows for-profit companies, non-profits and consumers to interact. Read more
More than 700 guests attended the Cancer Link “Let’s Rock” 50s-themed luncheon and auction on October 11, 2012 to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. The luncheon at Jungle Island featured swing dancers and pink Cadillacs, and a fashion extravaganza with the Mayda Cisneros Couture Collection. Among the Co-Chairs were Barbara Berg, Sherry Bernstein, Debbie Deutch, Ellen Genet and Susan Kaufman, who shared their conviction that “every dollar raised brings us closer to conquering this disease.” Cancer Link is an organization dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer by creating community awareness, educating the public and holding special events that raise much-needed dollars for breast cancer research at Sylvester.
Jackson Lamb, son of Lisa & Adam Lamb, became a Bar Mitzvah on October 6, 2012, and as his mitzvah project, he combined his passion for the environment with his love of making and editing videos. His video spotlights the Natural Resources Defense Council and outlines tips on how you can be eco-friendly every day. Jackson is a seventh grader at Palmetto Middle School. Watch video
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