Lani Kahn Drody, President of Lowell International Realty, served as Co-Chair of the Beaux Arts 2011 Ball on October 29, 2011 at the Riviera Country Club. The Beaux Arts Ball — "Ghouls and Glam" — celebrated its 60th anniversary and holds the distinction of being the oldest costume ball in South Florida. Beaux Art is a volunteer organization that supports The Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami.
The Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews (MCCJ) will honor Rabbi Herbert Baumgard, Beth Am's founding Rabbi Emeritus, with its Clergy Medallion Award on March 3, 2012 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Miami. Rabbi Baumgard will be recognized at MCCJ's annual Humanitarian Dinner along with two other area outstanding religious. MCCJ was established on the premise that if we engage in dialogue, our understanding of our differences will allow us to work together on an infinite number of common interests.
Sherry Bernstein, Debbie Deutch, Ellen Genet and Susan Kaufman served as Co-Chairs of the Cancer Link “Stars in Pink” Luncheon on October 13, 2011 at Jungle Island as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A record number 700 women and men attended the event, to raise awareness and funds for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Cancer Link has raised funds that directly benefit breast cancer research through auctions, raffles, luncheons and other fundraising activities.
An article in The Miami Herald on October 11, 2011, entitled "Yoga for kids spreading in South Florida," features Zoe Zadan, daughter of Susanna Tamkins-Zadan & Joshua Zadan. At left, Zoe, a second grader at Temple Beth Am Day School, chants during a Yoga Kids session in the After School Program at Beth Am on Monday afternoons.
Richard A. Gotterer, CFP, Managing Director Florida of Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC, has been published in the October 10, 2011 issue of The Miami Herald/Business Monday. The "My View" column poses the question: "Should election year change investment strategy?," and reviews why the stock markets hate uncertainty and how the 2012 election process is sure to bring confusion.
Ed Beiner and his retail stores, Edward Beiner-Purveyor of Fine Eyewear, is being featured in a new advertising campaign focusing on Coconut Grove's restaurants and retailers, emphasizing the funky personalities who populate Miami's historic, arts-heavy neighborhood. The first-time marketing effort by the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District features 27 merchants in ads in newspapers, cable TV, buses and online.
Julian Harris, son of Susan & J.B. Harris, was profiled in The Miami Herald's Neighbors edition of October 6, 2011, focusing on his participation in a 5-week summer program at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. Julian, a senior at Miami Palmetto Senior High, has been playing guitar since he was five years old. He originally was drawn to the electric guitar and rock music until he found something more fulfilling in his strings. Now he prefers jazz. For 25 years, Berklee has inspired young musicians to extend their musical boundaries and connect with their passion on a much deeper level. In November 2010, Julian was featured on NBC6 Miami News; view YouTube video.
Leslie Saiontz (left), along with her mother, Sue Miler, co-chaired the 11th annual United Way Women's Leadership Breakfast at the BankUnited Center on September 28, 2011. Also pictured is the event's keynote speaker, designer Donna Karan, who is helping to build Haitian commerce by bringing local artisans' work to a larger audience through her Urban Zen Foundation.
The Florida Chapter of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) will host its annual “An Evening of Hope” on Friday, November 18, 2011 — honoring this year's recipients of the Hope Award, Mitchell & Alicia Widom and Glenn & Ellen Widom. The event, at the Hollywood Beach Marriott, will raise funds for research and services for children and adults affected by Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Mitch and Alicia became involved with CCFA when their nephew was diagnosed with Crohn's disease almost 13 years ago. In 2004, their own daughter, Taylor, was diagnosed with Crohn's. Not only have the brothers been long-standing members of the board for the Florida CCFA Chapter, but Mitch and Glenn also organize the foundation's largest annual fundraiser, the Keymorada Invitational Fishing Tournament, raising more than $2.5 million over the last seven years. The dinner also will raise funds for the Widom Family Research Scholar Award, a three-year study of the immune system and bowel disease, being conducted at the UM Miller School of Medicine.
Mark Schusterman, Athletic Director and Softball Coach at Gulliver Preparatory School, has been named ESPN RISE "National Softball Coach of the Year." ESPN RISE is a magazine dedicated to high school sports around the country. In May 2011, Gulliver became the first Miami-Dade County softball team to win back-to-back state championships, and finished with a #3 national ranking. Mark's teams at Gulliver have won four state titles, and he was selected to the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2009.
Adam Goldstein, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, was one of eight professionals profiled on September 5, 2011 in Business Monday/The Miami Herald in an article — "Hobbies key to combating job stress" — where they shared their solutions for combating job stress. Adam said his passions are running and table tennis. Read profile
Ronald L. Kammer, Partner-in-Charge of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP’s Miami office, has been named Co-Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Litigiation's Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee, on which he represents the insurance industry. Previously Ron served on the ABA's Long-Range Planning Subcommittee and Programming Committee.
Congratulations to Carol G. Brooks, President and Co-Founder of Continental Real Estate Companies, who has been recognized as one of the region's "25 Most Influential Women Business Leaders" for 2011 by the South Florida Business Journal.
Leo Henkin, son of Susan & Ed Henkin, has been featured in an article in the July 28th edition of the Southampton Press (NY). Entitled "Young Bassist Has Huge Talent," the article talks about Leo's musical gigs this summer in the Hamptons area, where the Henkin family summers in Water Mill. Leo, a sophomore at Gulliver Preparatory School, plays here locally with the group "The Domino Affect." Watch video of Leo's interview
Miami attorney David Forman has been named lead legal counsel of the Lingerie Football League (LFL), a nationwide women’s 7-on-7 tackle football league with 12 franchise teams. David previously served the LFL as a legal consultant, and works closely with the owner of the league in negotiating business options, drafting contracts and continuing to work on LFL television appearances.
Alexander Benjamin, son of Linda & Rodney Benjamin, has been named recipient of the Award for Excellence in Technical Communication from Washington University in St. Louis. Alex's winning paper discussed audio compression techniques and fundamental tradeoffs in selecting a situationally-optimal algorithm, and was based on a report he wrote following a study-abroad trip to the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in May 2010. Alex is a senior at Washington University, where he is majoring in Electrical & Systems Engineering.
Brian Dubow, son of Adrian & Ken Dubow, was profiled in the July 4th issue of "Positive People in Pinecrest" in the Pinecrest Tribune. Brian was cited for his volunteer work with the Children's Bereavement Center, one of the ways he gives back to the community. "I enjoy it a lot; I work with the kids," says Brian, a senior at Miami Palmetto Senior High School. "I just hear their stories and talk to them."
Temple Beth Am is proud to recognize our congregants who have been included in the Top 100 of the list of 2011 Florida Super Lawyers: (pictured below, from left–top row) Scott L. Baena, John E. Leighton, Aaron S. Podhurst. Jack R. Reiter and Martin L. Steinberg. Bottom row–Michael R. Tein, Harley S. Tropin and Mitchell E. Widom. Hilarie Bass and Judith G. Korchin were included in the Top 50 Women list. Super Lawyers identifies the top 5 percent of attorneys in each state, as chosen by their peers and through the independent research of Law & Politics. Congratulations to these members who have been honored by their colleagues!
We also congratulate the many other congregants — too numerous to list here — who also were included (by practice area) in the full list of 1,500 Florida Super Lawyers.
Congratulations to William Grossman, Senior Vice President at Seitlin Insurance & Advisory Services, who was honored in June for his many years of service to the Dave and Mary Alper Jewish Community Center in Kendall, including President during 2010–11.
The Association of Jewish Libraries has honored Beth Am Library Director Etta D. Gold with its 2011 Fanny Goldstein Merit Award. Named for the noted librarian, social activist and founder of National Jewish Book Month, the award was bestowed in recognition of loyal and ongoing contributions to the association and to the profession of Jewish librarianship, and was presented at the AJL Annual Convention in Montreal, Canada on June 22, 2011.
Mazel tov to our Beth Am congregants who have completed two years of intensive study in The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School of Miami. Judy Gilbert-Gould, Patricia Gurkin, Shelley Payne, Alan Stein, Samuel Steiner and Daniela Zanzuri were honored at a graduation ceremony on May 22, 2011, and received a Certificate of Jewish Studies from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The Melton School is funded by the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education, as well as by generous donors, many of whom are current or former Melton students themselves, and is co-sponsored and supported by a collaborative partnership of local Jewish groups.
Kevin E. Packman, a partner at Holland & Knight, has been recognized by the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis with its Distinguished Young Law Alumni Award for exemplary achievement abd commitment to the ideals embodied in a legal education. Kevin is Chairman of the ALS Recovery Fund, committed to creating public awareness, promoting research and education, and raising funds for patient care and research to find a cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
We are proud to spotlight the following high school seniors from Temple Beth Am, who were nominated for The Miami Herald's 2011 Silver Knight Awards, presented on May 18, 2011, honoring the finest high school seniors in 15 categories, and recognizing their record of service to school and community — Tori Cohen (Art-Palmetto), daughter of Robin & Gerald Cohen; Madeline Henkin (Art-Gulliver), daughter of Susan & Ed Henkin; Michael Hoffer-Hawlik (Science-Ransom), son of Diane Hoffer & Joseph Hawlik; Rebecca Medvin (English/Literature-Ransom), granddaughter of Etta & Don Gold; Alexander Rubin (Math-Gulliver), son of Jeff Rubin; and Ivy Sokol (Speech-Ransom), daughter of Patricia & Alan Sokol. Among the judges who helped select the 2011 Silver Knights were congregants Joanne Harvest Koren, Esq. (General Scholarship) and Justin Koren (Drama).
Congratulations to Marty & Shirley Levinson, recipients of the 13th 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 13, 2011. Read more...
Kudos to Glenn and Mitch Widom, co-chairs of the 2011 Sabadell United Keymorada Invitational fishing tournament on May 10-13 at the Cheeca Lodge & Spa, which raised over $472,000 to benefit the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, and has helped create the new Crohn's & Colitis Center at the University of Miami. The Keymorada tournament was created by the two brothers after Mitch’s daughter, Taylor, was diagnosed with Crohn's. The tournament has raised over $2.5 million for the CCFA since 2005.
Max Bochner (pictured far right), 14, son of Janet & Mark Bochner, is one of the Gulliver Preparatory School students who participated in one of several Robotics competitions among South Florida high school students. Max's project was a robot which distributes hot dogs. Read more...
More than 500 breast cancer survivors were inspired and inspirational during a day-long event Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the InterContinental Miami. Dubbed the Day of Caring for Breast Cancer Awareness, the event culminated with a survivors’ "Models of Hope" Fashion Show that had the audience hooting and hollering and cheering and crying. Adrian Dubow, a two-year breast cancer survivor, wore a plum gown while Stephanie Hauser modeled a gown from Priscilla of Boston. Stephanie, 27, daughter of Patricia Young, also is a two-year breast cancer survivor, and will graduate shortly from the University of Miami Law School. [Marsha Halper/Miami Herald Photos] Read more...
Evan Goldman and his mother, Hazel, were featured in a front-page article in The Miami Herald on Mother's Day, May 8, 2011, in "The bonds that inspired sons to pursue mothers’ careers." The article discussed sons who followed their mothers into the same line of work and what inspired them in their career choices.
Justin Koren, a teacher at South Dade Middle School in Homestead, has been nominated as a finalist in the Clear Channel Radio "Cash for Teachers" contest, where four Miami-Dade teachers will compete for the title of outstanding teacher and $11,000 in cash, both for the school and the teacher. “I actually didn’t have any idea about the competition until someone sent me an email telling me to vote,” Justin said. “I was totally surprised when I logged onto the website and saw my name and the beautiful essay that had been written about my work as an educator in this community.”
Carly Klein, daughter of Tammy & Steven Klein, was profiled in the May 9, 2011 "Positive People in Pinecrest" in the Pinecrest Tribune. Carly, a senior at Gulliver Preparatory School, is co-captain of the Gulliver Girls basketball team which in December participated at the ESPN Wide World of Sports winter tournament. Carly is a coach of a Boys 10–14 team in the Beth Am Basketball League, where she played for many years.
Michael G. Lefkowitz, son of Sherilyn Adler & Robert Lefkowitz, has received an "I Make a Difference Award" from the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, presented by Northwestern Mutual Financial Network to outstanding student philanthropists. Michael, a freshman at Gulliver Preparatory School, was honored at Miami Children's Hospital's 12th annual Hugs & Kisses Children's Fashion Show on May 1, 2011 for his community service work.
Congratulations to Lawrence S. Forman, 2010 recipient of The Harry Gunther Service Award, which was presented on April 22, 2011, and recognizes 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." Read more...
Dr. Lenore Kipper, Judaic Studies Director Emeritus of Temple Beth Am Day School, was honored on April 22, 2011 with the PARDeS Legacy Award. Lenore, a founder of PARDeS (Progressive Association of Reform Day Schools), has been a leading force of Beth Am's Day School since 1970. Making the presentation was PARDes Board Member Jodi Hessel, a past President of Temple Beth Am. Watch video
Robert Berrin has been named "Philanthropic Volunteer of the Year" by the South Miami Hospital Foundation, and was recognized at its 51st annual Mercury Ball. Bob also served as Co-Chair of the third annual Advocacy Mission to our Nation’s Capitol March 2–3, 2011, sponsored by the Major Gifts Division and Jewish Community Relations Council of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. The trip included meetings with key officials in the White House and Congress.
Joanie Leeds, daughter of Mark Leibowitz, performed on April 3, 2011 at the Alper JCC, along with her band "The Nightlights." Joanie, who grew up at Temple Beth Am and now lives in New York City, plays guitar and is best known for her work as a children's musical artist.
Jason Schmidt, son of Dianne & Ed Schmidt, has been profiled in the March 28th "Positive People in Pinecrest." A junior at Miami Palmetto Senior High School, Jason was spotlighted in part because of his efforts to encourage his fellow students to earn money to pay for a child in Haiti to go to school. "He's currently in pre-school," Jason says of the Haitian student. "I plan on keeping up the sponsorship throughout his education."
Bruce Berkowitz (right), Managing Member of Fairholme Capital Management and President of the Fairholme Funds, was profiled in The Miami Herald Business Monday on March 28, 2011 in "Bruce Berkowitz: Saving St. Joe." The article focuses on Bruce's efforts to turn around the St. Joe Company, one of Florida's largest real estate development companies and Northwest Florida's largest private landowner. In December 2010, Bruce was featured in FORTUNE magazine in an article entitled "The megamind of Miami." Also pictured is congregant Charlie Fernandez, President of Fairholme Capital Management.
Robert Behar and his family were out for a leisurely day of boating on March 27, 2011, when they happened across a helicopter floating about 20 miles off the coast of Miami Beach. While the chopper's pilot already had made a distress call to the Coast Guard, Robert was able to assist by giving the Coast Guard the precise location. “We gave the coordinates of the downed chopper and within a few minutes the rescue helicopter arrived on the scene.” Watch the CBS Miami news report below (including Robert's video)
Bari Gold, a 5th grader in the Beth Am Day School and daughter of Roberta & Matthew Gold, has been featured in the Spring 2011 issue of Reform Judaism, the magazine of the Union for Reform Judaism. In an article entitled "Young Minds," Bari is one of several students around the country who were asked about their heroes in Jewish life.
Jonathan Kislak, a partner in the private venture capital firm Antares Capital Corporation, and Melissa Krinzman, managing director of Venture Architects, served as judges in The Miami Herald 2011 Business Plan Challenge. The Challenge, now in its 13th year, seeks individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit who have a great idea for a business or product, and it exists only on paper. Beth Am congregants who have won the Challenge in past years include Jerome Poliacoff and Jake Nolan.
Michelle McClaskey, an attorney with Campbell & Malafy, was presented with a Leadership Award by the Junior League of Miami for serving as Co-Chair of the 10th Annual "Women Who Make a Difference" luncheon. Over 400 women — many of whom were wearing hats in keeping with the theme of Hats Off! — attended the luncheon on February 27, 2011 to raise funds for the Junior League, which supports charities dealing with issues for women and children in our community.
Tori Cohen, daughter of Robin & Gerald Cohen, has been appointed to the Miami-Dade County Youth Commission. A senior at Miami Palmetto Senior High School, Tori was sworn in on March 15, 2011. The mission of the Youth Commission is to gather input from local youth and teens on County issues affecting them, and it serves in an advisory capacity to the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners.
Stephanie Levine, daughter of Susana & Jack Levine, has won a writing competition sponsored by the Jewish Museum of Florida in connection with their newest exhibit, “Seeking Justice — the Leo Frank Case Revisited.” Stephanie, an eighth grader at Palmetto Middle School, was inspired to write her poem — “The Road to Equality” — in part by her experiences last fall on the Southern Civil Rights Journey.
Congratulations to Alyssa Baron, daughter of Karen & David Baron, a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, who has been named Ivy League Rookie of the Year, only the second Penn women's basketball player to garner this award. Alyssa, the first freshman to lead the Ivy League in scoring since 1978, was a seven-time Rookie of the Week during the 2010–11 basketball season and helped her team to its largest single-season turnaround.
Brian Kerr, son of Abbe & Larry Kerr, has won the DJ Spin Off Beat Matching Competition at the 2011 Winter Music Conference March 8–12, 2011 in Miami Beach, one of the most publicized annual music gatherings in the world. Brian, a senior at Gulliver Preparatory School, was selected from a pool of DJs throughout the world as one of 15 finalists, engaging in a battle of skills and testing the techniques of the foremost DJs as they beat-match.
Congratulations to Hilarie Bass and Richard D. Fain, who have been honored as recipients of the 2011 Silver Medallion Award by the Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews (MCCJ), which presented the awards on February 26, 2011 at its annual MCCJ Humanitarian Awards Dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel, Miami. Since 1946 the MCCJ has recognized those South Floridians whose lives reflect its mission — to promote understanding and respect for all faiths, cultures and races.
Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., was profiled in the Sunday New York Times Business section on February 27, 2011. In an interview entitled “Want Clarity? Learn to Play Devil’s Advocate,” Richard talked about his early career, his mentors, leadership and his 23 years at the helm of RCCL.
Les Standiford, Professor of English and Director of the Creative Writing Program at Florida International University and author of some 20 books, has released Bringing Adam Home (The Abduction That Changed America), an account of the kidnapping of six-year-old Adam Walsh in 1981. Les' new book was featured on The Today Show and Nightline on March 2nd and on The View on March 3rd. Read an excerpt in The Miami Herald.
Risa Berrin, Founder and Executive Director of the Health Information Project (HIP), was one of five 2011 nominees honored by the Junior League of Miami for its "Women Who Make a Difference" award Sunday, February 27, 2011, at the JW Marriott Marquis. HIP is not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to educate adolescents and young adults about their health care and to help them in accessing existing community resources.
John Sumberg, managing partner of Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP, has been profiled in The Miami Herald's Business Monday in a new series entitled "Digital Debriefs," where South Florida executives are asked to share insight into their work habits, corporate personas and career philosophy. In this February 14, 2011 article, John talks about his partners, profits and some scary moments in 2008
The Miami Herald has spotlighted past winners of its annual Business Plan Challenge, including Jake Nolan, who won the high school track in 2009 for his application for flash-card style study on the go. Now a freshman at Syracuse University, Jake, son of Debbie & James Nolan, is pursuing a triple major — Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Supply Chain — but still finds time for his many entrepreneurial ventures. Jake also has started Social Magazine with a fellow student, with plans to launch a magazine called SU Social at Syracuse and then expand to other campuses.
David Baron was pictured on the front page of The Miami Herald on February 10th for his role as one of the attorneys fighting for the Michael Krop Senior High School Boys Basketball Team’s right to play in the Boys’ District Championships. The team had been denied a place in the tourney by the Florida High School Athletic Association, which ruled that Krop must forfeit all of its games because star player Brian Delancy (left), a Bahamian national here on a student visa, and the school failed to file the necessary paperwork to be eligible to play sports.
Chef David Schwadron has been featured by Buick on YouTube in a video promoting their campaign, Quest For The Keys Miami Scavenger Hunt. In the video, David talks about Miami and his culinary relationship with our hometown. His firm, Chef David Schwadron Catering & Event Design, is one of Temple Beth Am's onsite caterers.
Arthur J. England, Jr., Co-Chair of the National Appellate Practice group at Greenberg Traurig, has joined the Advisory Board of the Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists, a group for professionals in the private and public sectors who work in the field of e-discovery. Judge England is a former Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court.
Doreen Marx Krulewitch is celebrating her 30th year as founder and executive director of the “Sunday Afternoons of Music” series, which presents recitals and chamber-music concerts at the University of Miami’s Gusman Hall. “Sunday Afternoons” began at Temple Beth Am in 1981. Doreen is pictured with her husband, Byron, in a profile article January 26, 2011 in The Miami Herald.
Janet & Richard Yulman served as Chairs for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s largest community gathering, The Main Event, on February 24, 2011, at the Hilton Miami Downtown. More than 1,200 supporters of the Miami Jewish community came together for this important evening, featuring keynote speaker Dan Senor, co-author of the best-seller Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle, and honoring Stephen & Sandra Muss with the 2011 Friend of Israel Humanitarian Award.
Congratulations to Leslie Saiontz, who was honored by the NCJW Greater Miami Section with their "Woman of Valor" Award on January 27, 2011 at a luncheon at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Leslie was recognized for making a significant impact in the education of Miami’s children through her leadership with Teach for America. For more information, contact the NCJW office, 305.538.4744.
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