From the Desk of: Mariam Feist, CEO - The Aftermath of Hurricane Ian

Last week, we emerged from our homes and returned to our daily routines feeling extremely blessed that we were spared the wrath of Hurricane Ian. Although some damage and power outages occurred in St. Johns County, it certainly was not as bad as what it could have been. Our neighbors to the…

What's Your Why Wednesday: Featuring Board President Jennifer Plotkin

Holocaust Survivor’s Diary Inspires LaVilla School of the Arts Student

     Naomi Alcantara, an 8th-grade student at the LaVilla School of the Arts in downtown Jacksonville has always been an artist. Since she was four years old, she drew on grocery lists, doodled on scrap pieces of paper, and expressed herself through illustration wherever and whenever she…

Parashat Beha’Alotecha - Shabbat Message from Iris Kraemer

Do you remember standing as a congregation, in front of an open ark and reciting:

“Vayehi Binso’a Ha’aron vayomer Moshe…”

This verse in Numbers refers to the moving of the Ark of the Covenant, leading the way as the Israelites moved from camp to camp in the desert.  When we stoo…

Father's Day Tribute: The Neil Presser Legacy

When my sister and I were asked to write about our Father’s legacy and how it has affected our lives, it was not only an honor, but an incredible gift.

Born in New York City to Mac & Lillian Presser, Dad and his older brother, Edwin, moved to Jacksonville when he was 3. He was a graduat…