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• June/July 2016
federation news
Rachel Cohel Gerrol shares her inspiring Birthright to re-birth story at annual Girlfriend Connection
Guest speaker Rachel Cohen Gerrol Photos by Larry Tallis
BY ERIN COHEN
Women’s Division Director erinc@jewishjacksonville.org In mid-May, more than 100 women came together for the 11th Annual Women’s Division Girlfriend Connection. Hosted at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, and co-chaired by Marjie Rogozinski and Diane Rothstein, the evening was filled with laughter, learning and love. Guests were educated and entertained by speaker, Rachel Cohen Gerrol, who has a remarkable gift for storytelling. Her presentation entitled, ‘From Birthright to Re-Birth: My Unexpected Journey to Judaism’, tells a story of the personal and professional journey she has been on ever since traveling to Israel with Birthright Israel in 2000. She made audience members laugh,
Zina Sohaney, Allison Jacobs and Adrienne Zimmerman
Blair Sisisky Sherman, Kimberly Sisisky and Kendall Sisisky Valliere
Event chairs Marjie Rogozinski and Diane Rothstein
cry and most importantly, think of the limitless possibilities they all have as philanthropists in the community. During the event, Kimberly Sisisky was presented with the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award certificate and will receive the actual award at the International Lion of Judah Conference this September for her exemplary leadership and philanthropic commitment to the Jacksonville Jewish community. The certificate was presented by her daughters, Blair Sisisky Sherman and Kimberly Millrood, Haley Trager, Paige Wajsman, Nancy Davis & Rachael Bunnell Kendall Sisisky Valliere. A big thank you goes out the Pargman, Debbi Pataky, Lauren Plotkin, Barbara Resnick, Jeanine event committee who helped put Rickoff, Melanie Setzer, Talie Zai- Rogozinski, Marjie Rogozinski on the evening, who along with fert and Eunice Zisser. Additionaland Christy Rosen. For more Rogozinski and Rothstein made ly thanks is given to the Girlfriend information about getting involved the night so special. Event comConnection patron sponsors, with the Federation Women’s mittee members include Arlene Arlene Adelson, Beth Angelo, Division, contact Erin Cohen Adelson, Shirley Bielski, Stacey Shirley Bielski, Merle Cherry, at(904) 448-5000 x205 or erinc@ Blum, Wendy Efron z’’l, Lynn Linda Franzblau, Risa Herman, jewishjacksonville.org. Maiman, Jenn Neuman, Michelle Marilyn Mass, Jenn Neuman, Jen
rGEN hosts ‘a night not to pass over’ second night Seder for young pros
BY ARIEL FRECHTMAN rGEN Director arielf@jewishjacksonville.org
In what has become a long standing tradition in the Jackson-
Conversations as well as kiddush cups were overflowing
ville Jewish Community, rGEN hosted its popular second night Seder for young professionals to ensure that everyone from
Plates and stomachs were full during rGEN’s second Seder
that demographic had a place to celebrate the holiday. This year, 35 young adults from the community gathered in Jacksonville Beach
to continue the tradition in what was tabbed ‘A Night Not to Pass Over’.