Photo: Sandy Zimmerman and family

By now, I imagine most members of the community are aware that our Jewish community is the only one in which the Jewish Federation and our local Jewish agencies - the Jewish Community Alliance, Jewish Family & Community Services, River Garden Hebrew Home and the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida - share an annual meeting. For 23 years, we have demonstrated our collaborative and supportive partnership by inviting the community to such an important and unique event.

Please join us on Tuesday, June 17, 7 p.m. at River Garden for this year's Annual Meeting. We will enjoy a cocktail party reception! The focus of the evening will be the Jewish Community Foundation and the Create a Jewish Legacy program. We will also elect, install and recognize the officers and board members of our respective agencies. Ellen Rosner (JFCS), Adam Frisch (JCA) and Marsha Pollock (River Garden) are beginning terms as new presidents; while Hal Resnick, (Federation) and Mark Green (Foundation) continue in their leadership positions.

I also wanted everyone to know that this July 14-20, Dr. Scot Ackerman will serve as one of the chairs of a first-ever national workers mission to Israel. This Jewish Federations of North America mission is based on our Jacksonville model. Our contingent will number eight of the over 60 participants representing 17 communities.

Our annual campaign stands at $2,260,000. We are basing allocations on a final campaign projection of $2,472,000. If you have yet to make your gift for the 2014 campaign, please contact us today at 904-448-5000. Your support of the agencies we share the June 17 annual meeting with, our two day schools, and our overseas partners is important and we need you to continue to be a part of our family of donors.

- Alan Margolies, Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

 

In their words

Hal and Barbara Resnick recognize that synagogues and agencies survive year-to-year through the good will of current membership. "A legacy provides a financial foundation, even in difficult times, for programs and services that are needed," said Hal. The couple shared, "It's important to begin the legacy process." "We didn't know how to think about a legacy, and felt overwhelmed," said Barbara. "But the Foundation made it easy. They made it clear that everybody approaches it differently. They shared options for us to consider," she continued.

"Our legacy plan is in place, and can always be modified in the future. We have peace of mind knowing that."

Sandy Zimmerman said: "I suppose creating my legacy is, 'Paying it backwards.' Those who came before me created this community I get to be a part of. I am ensuring it will be here for future generations. Doing my part to ensure we have a Jewish community 100 years from now is how I am paying it forward. I hope that in 100 years others will experience what I have - a vibrant, welcoming Jewish community that is open to diversity.

"Thanks to the Create a Jewish Legacy program, anyone can leave a legacy gift based on what he or she is able to give. It's a great way to pay it forward and backward."