Annual report 2014 final

2013-2014

ANNUAL REPORT • Local Agencies • Local & International Partners • Financials • Community leadership Awards • Community leadership

CEO LETTER

Joel Marcovitch Chief Executive Officer

Dear all, In these pages, you will find just some of the Federation’s amazing highlights from the past year. From wonderful senior trips and programs to Jewish learning and singing in the preschool, from the meaningful work of Jewish Family Services to educating local school children about the lessons of the Holocaust, our community is alive and proud. The Federation is engaging more and more people and more and more families, and we couldn’t do either of those things without your support.

On behalf of myself and the rest of the Federation staff, it is truly a privilege to serve you and this community. Thank you so much for your generous support.

Warmest regards,

Joel Marcovitch, Chief Executive Officer

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Andy Golding President

Dear Community, Welcome to this year’s Annual Report. I want to start by thanking all of our volunteers on each of our committees who pour their heart and soul into our community. Their work and expertise is directly related to the vitality of our organization. This, coupled with a dedicated and highly professional staff, makes us a cohesive team and allows us to provide for the needs of the community.

Thank you to our partners: Temple Shomer Emunim, Congregation Etz Chayim, Chabad House, Congregation B’nai Israel and the Toledo Jewish Community Foundation for helping to make Jewish life in Toledo vibrant and alive. Your commitment to Jewish values and your acts of Tikkun Olam are testimony to our children and model the meaning of Judaism. We are proud to partner with you and look forward to many years of success and great service for our people.

Our viability would not be possible without our donors. You are the backbone and foundation of the Federation. Your consistent willingness and generosity to help fund our causes and programs have been the nourishment that feeds our work. Jewish Family Services, Gan Yeladim Preschool and Hillel are just a few examples of our outstanding success. Your support does not go unnoticed and is deeply appreciated by our team and the many recipients of your gifts both locally and worldwide.

It is with deep gratitude and appreciation that this Annual Report is presented. Thank you for your continued support, as it provides great hope for the challenges before us. Please revel in the moment as we recognize the outstanding endeavors that have occurred and are actively occurring in our community.

Warmest regards,

Andy Golding, President

LOCAL AGENCIES Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo (JFGT) is guided by the core values of Judaism: “Tzedakah” (justice, charity and righteousness); “Tikkun Olam” (restoring the world) and “Gemulit Chassidim”(acts of loving-kindness). It is our mission to support and enhance the health, welfare, education, spiritual life, unity and continuity of the Jewish community of Toledo,

the surrounding areas and Klal Yisrael, the world community of Israel, with services and programming consistent with Jewish values.

Our vision is one of unity of the entire Jewish people, inspiring a dynamic partnership with a family of congregations, agencies, organizations and individuals locally and throughout the world.

Campaign The campaign department’s mission is to provide funds for JFGT agencies so they can offer programming and services to the Toledo Jewish community and Jewish agencies abroad. Fundraising events throughout the year include community programs and segmented events that

connect donors to the needs of the community socially and in gratifying ways.

The campaign department also offers ongoing and new programs to enable donors to partake in a vibrant Jewish life in Toledo.

Highlights of the past year: Over 250 people attended JFGT’s first “donor thank you” event in August.

The “Fiesta” celebration featured a band, food and fun.

JFGT’s LOJE, Lions and Pomegranates gathered for their annual program at the Toledo Zoo in June. Through their philanthropic endeavors, these women make significant differences to the Toledo community and abroad.

This year, JFGT also re-established two groups: the Cardozo Society for attorneys and the Maimonides Society for health care professionals. More gatherings are set for later this year.

For more information, please contact Wendy Goldstein at 419-724-0360 or wendy@jewishtoledo.org.

Hillel: University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University Toledo Hillel students have taken part in weekly Shabbat dinners, volunteered at “Give Kids the World” during Spring Break, engaged with other campus organizations, delved deeper into Jewish learning, orchestrated a month of Jewish Heritage programs on campus, travelled to Israel on Birthright and made lasting friendships.

Hillel is the center for Jewish life at The University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University. It provides a Jewish home -away-from-home, develops leaders and enhances students’ commitment to Jewish life now and beyond their college years.

Hillel’s mission is to enrich the Jewish people and the world. Together, Hillel and its members are building the next generation of Jewish leaders.

Thank you to the entire community for all of your wonderful support!

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Lane, Hillel Director, at 419-7240377 or visit www.toledohillel.org.

LOCAL AGENCIES Toledo Jewish Community Foundation Creating opportunities to enrich Jewish life in greater Toledo is the cornerstone of the Toledo Jewish Community Foundation’s work. Much more than a collection of funds and gifts, the Foundation is an extended family of individuals and families connected by a shared concern and common vision for the greater Toledo Jewish community.

During the fiscal year 2013/2014, the Foundation approved approximately $100,000 in funding from its Unrestricted Fund. Of this amount, $42,000 was awarded to the three congregational religious school programs as well as an additional line for collaborative religious school programming. The Foundation continued its support of a portion of Hillel Toledo’s operating needs with a grant in the amount of $35,000 as well as funding to support the Alternative Spring Break program, Shabbat Program for breast cancer awareness and a Shabbat program dedicated to Jewish genetics. Other approved grants

included support for a variety of Federation outreach group and the Diversity Program, which provides Holocaust and diversity education.

Through the Foundation’s Supporting Organizations – Jewish Senior Services, Andrea and Gary Family Foundation, Joseph Wasserstrom Family Supporting Organization and the Donald L. Solomon Supporting Organization – over $750,000 in grants was distributed to meaningful programs.

During the past fiscal year, over $300,000 in grants from donor advised funds have been dedicated to support

the 2014 Annual Campaign, and approximately $100,000 in PACE (Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment) Funds provide a critical stream of support.

These collective streams help develop, sustain and ensure the social welfare, cultural heritage and continuity of our Jewish community.

The Foundation’s direction in the upcoming years is to focus on the development of the Unrestricted Fund within the Foundation. Only 6% of funds are without restrictions or designations, and 94% of funds are restricted in some fashion. Growth of the Unrestricted Fund will allow for greater discretionary funds to meet innovative and critical needs.

The Foundation provides an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy – a permanent imprint that will enrich the lives of generations to come.

For more information, please contact Arleen R. Levine, Director, at 419-7240355 or arleen@jewishtoledo.org.

Department of Jewish Programs Department of Jewish Programs (DJP) provides Jewish programs, events and opportunities for Jewish youth, adults, seniors, families and young professionals.

DJP senior programs include day trips, extended travel, live theatre, leisurely dining, thoughtprovoking speakers and sessions with community service-based organizations that advise seniors of the tools needed to stay strong and self-sufficient. Anyone over the age of 60 is welcome to join these programs.

Partnership2Gether is more than just a phrase, it is an action. This past year, local teens had the incredible opportunity to engage on a regular basis with teens from Youngstown, Ohio and students from the Sulam Tsor School in Akko. This friend-

ship culminated in a week-long visit to Youngstown and Toledo. The students brought Israel to the Glass City with a moving and emotional Yom HaZakiron service followed by a group celebration of Israel.

DJP cultural art programs continue to grow and thrive as well. The ninth annual Northwest Ohio Jewish Book Fair featured several outstanding authors, and the second annual Jewish Film Festival brought a unique series of films to our community.

DJP events for family, youth and children over the past year included educational and fun “In a Box” events; a Young Families Potluck Dinner; Babies, Bibs & More (Toddlers Too) daytime and evening programs; Mitzvah Day activities; a Skyzone adventure for Sunday’s-a-Fun Day, Kids Klub and Club 678; a Spa Day for Moms and much more.

Young Jewish Toledo continues

to focus on engaging post-college to pre-family community members as well as young couples, singles and families.

Events include bar nights, outings to various sports venues/local attractions and other avenues for networking.

For more information on senior programs, Partnership2Gether or community events, please contact René Rusgo at 419724-0365 or rene@JewishToledo.org. For more information on family, youth and children’s programs, please contact Sherry Majewski at 419-724-0386 or sherry@ JewishToledo.org. For more information on Young Jewish Toledo, please contact Hallie Freed at 419-724-0362 or hallie@ JewishToledo.org.

LOCAL AGENCIES Jewish Community Relations Council It has been a fantastic year for Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC).

Close to 200 people attended this year’s Seder for the Interfaith Community at Temple Shomer Emunim; it was one of the largest programs we have ever had!

Additionally, nearly 1,000 Toledoans attended events organized by JCRC to commemorate this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day ( Yom HaShoah).

Holocaust survivor, Martin Lowenberg, spoke to over 200 people at the Temple in the evening as well as 600 local school children in two morning sessions at Toledo-Lucas County Public Library downtown. Toledo Mayor D. Michael

Collins and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur also spoke to the students about lessons to be learned from the Holocaust.

JCRC also represented the Toledo Jewish community at the Compassion Networking Convention at Seagate Convention Center, meeting with other organizations who advocate for various causes around the city. The Jewish

The Ruth Fajerman Markowicz Holocaust Resource Center of Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo, housed at the Federation, provides information, materials, workshops, speakers and scholarships to teachers, students and the general public. The Resource Center includes a lending library of books, periodicals, curricula and audio-visual materials (oral histories) dealing with the Holocaust and anti-semitism. The Resource Center also supports community events including the Diversity Program for area high school students (expanded

community was also represented at an interfaith banquet at Lourdes College, attended by over 250 people. Attendees visited the JCRC/Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo table to pick up copies of Toledo Jewish News and other information about Jewish Toledo.

For more information about JCRC, please contact Joel Marcovitch at 419724-0372 or joel@JewishToledo.org. this year to two days of programming to accommodate demand) and the annual Toledo-area Yom HaShoah Observance.

Martin Lowenberg, the featured speaker for the community Yom HaShoah events this year, spoke to 800 people over the course of his visit, 600 of which were high school students. He delivered a powerful message of hope and tolerance overcoming hate.

For more information on the Holocaust Resource Center, please contact Hindea Markowicz, Resource Center Director, at hindeallen@gmail.com.

Toledo Board of Jewish Education Toledo Board of Jewish Education’s (TBJE) mission is to provide a variety of educational formats for the Toledo Jewish community. Gan Yeladim Preschool, a joint

partnership between Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo and Chabad House of Toledo, teaches children in ways that are not quantifiable, but have lifelong positive

rewards and is housed under TBJE. For more information about Gan Yeladim, please contact Raizel Shemtov at 419-724-0402 or raizel@JewishToledo.org.

LOCAL AGENCIES Jewish Family Service Jewish Family Service (JFS) has been providing caring, professional services to the greater Toledo area since 1949, helping people in need by enveloping them with a range of services to enhance their quality of life.

This past year, over 1,900 people benefitted from JFS programs and services.

Seniors received a full range of in-home services, from homemaker to nursing, provided by partner agencies and subsidized by Jewish Senior Services Supporting Organization. These critical services enabled them to remain in their homes with enhanced quality of life.

Eighteen Friendly Visitors provided 897 hours of visiting and outreach to 53 seniors, connecting them to the outside world and creating strong, genuine bonds of friendship. Fifty members of our aging Russian-speaking Jewish community received translation and support services. Case management ser-

vices provide coordination of care from multiple sources for individuals and a lifeline to some who are overwhelmed by life’s complexities. The Senior Adult Center kept our older community members on the move with the Prime Movers Workout, art classes, day camp and transportation.

The Food Pantry provided food and sundries to 360 people, many of whom also received fresh vegetables through our partnership with Shared Legacy Farms, a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. The Farm to Food Pantry Program was also enhanced by produce from the community garden at Congregation B’nai Israel. The community’s participation in the Meijer Simply Give Program resulted in $10,910 in gift cards for the food pantry!

Approximately 1,350 people contacted JFS for information and referral.

Financial assessments were conducted for Gan Yeladim, camp and college scholarship requests, as well as indigent burial requests and emergency assistance.

Services to children with special needs and their families included consultation to the Friendship Circle and participation in the Jewish Disability Awareness Month Program.

The JFS Board of Directors and staff participated in the development of a strategic plan, which will guide the Agency for the next 3-5 years. The Board also initiated the successful Celebration of Art fundraiser, co-chaired by Alix and Dick Greenblatt and Gail and Jay Mirrow.

For more information, please contact Nancy Newbury at 419-724-0408 or nancy@jewishtoledo.org.

Jewish Senior Services of Toledo The mission of Jewish Senior Services of Toledo is to serve the cultural, emotional, physical, social and religious needs of older Jewish adults residing in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, in accordance with the precepts of Judaism.

For more information, please contact Nancy Newbury at 419-724-0408 or nancy@JewishToledo.org.

Pelham Manor Pelham Manor is a tobacco-free, 100-unit affordable senior apartment community for persons age 62 and older.

Rent is based on income, and all utilities are included. Residents of Pelham Manor live amongst their contemporaries while retaining the privacy and selfsufficiency they treasure. The onsite Jewish Family Service Senior Adult Center programming allows residents to stay active and involved. A Service

Coordinator assures that residents are linked to specific supportive services to assist them in living independently.

The dedicated staff is highly trained and adheres to the high ethical standards of Pelham Manor. There are currently 36 Jewish residents living at Pelham Manor.

For more information, please contact Eileen Gates at 419-537-1515 or eileen@ JewishToledo.org.

LOCAL & INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) operates in more than 70 countries around the world, rescuing Jews in distress, providing relief for Jews in need, reconstructing and rebuilding Jewish communities and helping Israel address its social challenges by serving as a force for innovation and reform.

Birthright Israel provides the gift of first time, peer group, educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults ages 18 to 26. The organization was created to diminish the growing division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world; to strengthen the sense of solidarity among world Jewry; and to strengthen participants’ personal Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people.

Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) is a humanitarian organization committed to the highest ideals of freedom and equality. JAFI has been pivotal to Israel’s remarkable story of immigration, renewal and growth. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Jewish Agency has been the driving force behind the unique bond between Jews worldwide and Israel.

Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) represents 157 Jewish Federations and over 300 independent Jewish communities. The Federation movement, collectively among the top 10 charities on the continent, protects and enhances the well-being of Jews worldwide through the values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (philanthropy and social justice) and Torah (Jewish learning).

Partnership2Gether (P2G), an extraordinary global platform connecting some 550 communities around the world in 47 partnerships, is a program of the Jewish Agency and the Jewish Federations of North America. Our Partnership promotes personal relationships between the Central Area Consortium (14 U.S. Jewish communities) and Israel’s Western Galilee (Akko and Matte Asher) through cultural, educational, social, medical and economic programs. P2G builds living bridges among our communities through the sharing of ideas, strengths, challenges and models of success and empowering ALL communities to generate waves of change. The impact of these programs goes far beyond the community level. Each of us has the opportunity to become directly and personally involved.

World ORT is one of the largest non-governmental Jewish education and training organizations in the world with activities in more than 100 countries past and present with current operations in Israel, the CIS and Baltic States, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific.

FINANCIALS JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER TOLEDO AND AFFILIATED AGENCIES CONSOLIDATED REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013/2014

REVENUE

UNAUDITED 10-MONTH ACTUALS 7/1/2013 - 4/30/2014

CAMPAIGN $1,188,198 CONTRIBUTIONS/OTHER FUNDRAISERS

$178,903

TOLEDO JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANTS/OTHER GRANTS & ALLOCATIONS

$406,325

BINZER FUND ALLOCATION

$119,342

JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION ALLOCATION & JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES ALLOCATION

$406,031

PROGRAM FEES/EVENT INCOME/NET TUITION/TOLEDO JEWISH NEWS ADS/MANAGEMENT FEES

$509,550

INTEREST INCOME $48,932 TOTAL REVENUE

EXPENSES

$2,857,281

UNAUDITED 10-MONTH ACTUALS 7/1/2013 - 4/30/2014

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE

$596,290

REPLENISHMENT OF RESERVES

$570,449

ADMINISTRATION

$383,615

TOLEDO JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION UNRESTRICTED

$216,876

ISRAEL, NATIONAL & OTHER ALLOCATIONS

$211,185

DEPARTMENT OF JEWISH PROGRAMS

$208,512

TOLEDO BOARD OF JEWISH EDUCATION

$194,995

OCCUPANCY COSTS

$141,455

TOLEDO JEWISH NEWS/MARKETING

$114,894

TOLEDO HILLEL

$104,438

CAMPAIGN DEPARTMENT

$88,521

JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT $26,051 TOTAL EXPENSES

$2,857,281

A copy of the full financial statements with the Independent Auditor’s Report for the year ended June 30, 2013 may be obtained upon request by contacting Tina Stieben, CFO at 419-724-0371 or tina@JewishToledo.org.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AWARD ILANA DOLIN (BBYO)

Ilana Dolin was born in 1996 in Toledo. Her parents are Deborah and Steven Dolin, and she has one sibling. She will be a Southview High School senior and also plans to work with her dad at his pharmacy, learning the ropes of the business. She has been in Southview Interact

each year of high school; she was active in Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo’s Club 6,7,8; and she has been a BBYO member for almost 5 years. In BBYO, she has held different positions on chapter board: S’hlicha (Vice President of Judaism, Stand-Up, and Advocation), Katvanit

HANNAH LOESER (TEMPLE SHOMER EMUNIM) Hannah Loeser, born and raised in Toledo, is an incoming Senior at Ottawa Hills High School. Her family includes mother, Demi, older brother, Jacob, and older sister, Rachel.

Hannah is currently a teacher’s aide at Temple Shomer Emunim and a three-year

member of B’not Shalom BBG, serving as the chapter’s 2012-2013 Fall/Winter Gizborit (Treasurer). She recently participated in the High School Advanced Anatomy Cadaver Lab at The University of Toledo, received a language award for her knowledge of Chinese

(Vice President of Taking Minutes), Gizborit (Vice President of Fundraising), S’ganit (Vice President of Programming) and now N’siah (President) of B’not Shalom BBG #407.

III, worked in her school’s production of Oliver! and had a successful year on the Ottawa Hills Quiz Bowl team.

SAM ZACK (CONGREGATION B’NAI ISRAEL) Sam Zack is a senior at Sylvania Northview High School. He is currently active with the Quiz Bowl and Science Olympiad teams, also participating in Interact, Northview Leadership Academy and Northview Student Government (as Treasurer). He also regularly volunteers with the Friendship Circle.

Last year, Sam was the president of B’nai Israel Toledo United Synagogue Youth

(BITUSY), and he will continue this upcoming year as well. He is also one of Central Region United Synagogue Youth’s (CRUSY) two senior programmers.

Sam loves to hang out with friends and play with his dog. For the past nine years, he attended Camp Ramah in Canada, but this year he will be spending his summer in Poland and Israel. In early June, he was sent as a delegate to

the American Legion Buckeye Boys State to represent Sylvania and American Legion post 468. According to Sam, he made many new friends, learned tons of information about the logistics of Ohio’s government and would recommend the program to anyone he meets.

DR. LOUIS RAVIN MEMORIAL EMERGING LEADER AWARD JODI BARR

Jodi Barr and her husband, Ross (Senior Council for The Andersons, Inc.), relocated to Toledo two years ago from New York City.

Jodi graduated with high distinction from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in political science and psychology. She then earned her Juris Doctorate from Western New England University School of Law and was

ERIC LAUBER

Eric Lauber is from Sylvania, and his parents are Steve and Elana Lauber. He has two older sisters, Dorothy [Hildebrand] and Natalie. Eric attended Northview High School and graduated in 2006; he then went on to The University of Toledo where he participated in Hillel’s recruitment, event planning and student awareness initiatives.

He graduated in 2010 with degrees in Elec-

admitted to the New York Bar in 2003.

Jodi worked at a boutique real estate firm located at the Empire State Building in New York. She represented buyers and sellers, banks, as well as mortgage companies in residential real estate matters. She is currently in the process of gaining reciprocity to waive into the Ohio Bar without examination.

Jodi joined both the Department of Jewish Programs board and the Campaign Cabinet in 2013. Additionally, she is a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Jodi and Ross have three children: Elijah (5), Lana (3) and Sadie (8 months).

trical Engineering and Computer Science Engineering.

Eric has been with Matrix Technologies, Inc. in Maumee since 2011, where he works on computer network design, custom software solutions, business workflow and process improvement, mobile technology and employee mentoring. He is also a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electron-

ics Engineers (IEEE), a founding member of the current Young Jewish Toledo (YJT) professionals group, and a player with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra ProAm and Maumee Community Band.

HARRY LEVISON YOUNG LEADERSHIP AWARD IAN KATZ

Ian Katz, son of Randy Katz and Nancy Katz, lives in Ottawa Hills, Ohio. His son, Cobin (4), is a student at Gan Yeladim Preschool. Ian attended Ottawa Hills High School and went on to graduate from The Ohio State University’s Max M. Fisher College of Business in 2000. He then attended Syracuse University College of Law, earning his Juris Doctor and admission to the Ohio Bar in 2003.

Ian has worked for his family’sToledo-based, multi-generational Midas Auto Service & Tire

Experts franchise organization since 2005 and takes great pride in the organization’s accomplishments and perseverance. He has been an at-large Director for the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo since 2011 and is proud to serve on the Toledo Hillel committee. He cites the 2011 Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo’s Men’s Mission to Israel as inspiration to become more involved in the community. Ian credits his parents and loving grandparents, Seymour (z”l) and Betty (z”l) Forman and Calvin (z”l) and

Bernice Katz for instilling a strong Jewish identity and affinity for Israel.

Ian celebrated his confirmation and Bar Mitzvah at B’nai Israel and continues as a member there today, though he spent many formative years and was consecrated at Etz Chayim.

Last year, Ian was honored with the Federation’s Dr. Louis Ravin Memorial Emerging Leader Award.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS SPIRIT OF JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE AWARD ALIX & DICK GREENBLATT

Alix Greenblatt, a lifelong Toledo resident, graduated from DeVilbiss High School and The University of Toledo and also attended The University of Arizona and Nevada Southern College. Over the course of her professional career, she was Public Service Director at WDHO-TV, worked at Temple Shomer Emunim, served as associate as well as Executive Director of the Federation, and owned/operated Tiny Doubles Photography Studio.

Alix’s extensive volunteerism includes service as Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo Campaign Chair as well as membership on the Congregation B’nai Israel Board, The Victory Center Board, Sylvania School Board, Sylvania Academic Excellence Foundation, Sylvania

Rotary, Sylvania Joint Recreation District, Sylvania Arts Commission, Sylvania Area Family Services, and The Flower Hospital Foundation Board. She has also tutored at McKinley Elementary and Highland Elementary.

Dick Greenblatt came to Toledo in 1964 after growing up in Brooklyn, New York and Wausau, Wisconsin. He is a graduate of Wausau High School and The University of Toledo also having attended the University of Wisconsin, Adelphi College and Hofstra University. He is a retired CPA who worked at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co.; Kleinman, Feldman & Nathanson CPAs; Feldman, Nathanson, Kennedy & Nasser CPAs; Arthur Young & Company; and The Lublin Sussman Group.

Dick has volunteered with The Ohio

Society of CPAs (Treasurer of the Toledo Chapter, Chair of the State Urban Affairs Committee, and service on the State Ethics Committee); as President of Jewish Family Service; as President of the JCC; as Treasurer, Secretary and Vice President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo’s Board; as President of The Toledo Jazz Society; with the Sylvania Arts Commission; on the Sylvania Community Services Board; and with Baskets of Care. He has also mentored at Sherman Elementary and McKinley Elementary.

Doctorate at UT. She worked for Sylvania Schools as a counselor, assistant principal, then Southview High School principal. Gail retired in 2007 as Superintendent of Ottawa Hills Schools with 37 years in education. Jay retired in 1998 with 35 years at Owens Corning.

Along the way, both were active in the community. Jay worked with United Way, Junior Achievement, Leadership Toledo and Leadership Ohio while with Owens Corning.

Gail was active in Rotary and started Sylvania Rotary Interact. She was active in women’s and educational issues.

After retiring, Jay joined the Temple Board and started the McKinley Mentors program, which has expanded into Mentors in Toledo Schools. He won Retiree of the Year in 2013 from Owens Corning and a Jefferson Award for Public Service for that project. Gail is active in retirement also, on the YMCA/JCC Board,

The Toledo Ballet Board, as a CASA volunteer and as a glass artist founding the Giro Glassworx company.

She helps at The Te m p l e w i t h cooking, rummage sales, cantor selection committees, auction committees, and the cantor installation committee. Last year, along with Dick and Alix Greenblatt, Jay and Gail chaired the Israeli Art Show to benefit Jewish Family Service.

Jay and Gail have four grandchildren, two girls and two boys. Joe and Monica have three children in Centerville, Ohio, and Art and Stephanie have one daughter who lives with them in Arlington, Virginia.

JAY & GAIL MIRROW Gail and Jay Mirrow met at Drexel University in Philadelphia about 54 years ago when Jay was an engineering student and Gail was in the business school. They were Drexel sweethearts and married in 1963. Gail finished undergraduate school and went to work as a teacher at Overbrook High School.

Jay started his first job right out of Drexel with Owens Corning Fiberglas in New Jersey.

Gail enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania and obtained her Master’s degree while Jay went to Drexel at night and earned an MBA. Their two sons, Joe and Art were born in Philadelphia. When Owens Corning transferred the family to Toledo in 1971, they left everyone they knew and loved and headed west. The family immediately joined Temple Shomer Emunim on Collingwood Avenue and are still members today.

Gail continued school and received her

BOB WICK JEWISH COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD JOHN ELLIS - MEIJER John Ellis was born and lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business at Western Michigan University then started his career in retail management. He has worked at Meijer for almost 36 years and has held various leadership positions throughout the Detroit, Ann Arbor and Toledo areas. He also spent time as a retail specialist and opened several new stores in the Columbus and Cincinnati areas. John’s first store director position was in Southgate, Michigan, after which he was transferred to Monroe, Michigan, where he was store director for eight years. In 2009, when the store director position opened in Sylvania, it allowed John the opportunity to work in the community where he has

resided for over 30 years.

John has been working closely with Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo to keep an assortment of kosher meats and cheeses available in the Toledo area at the Central Avenue Meijer location. Additionally, for several years, John and the Sylvania Meijer have partnered with Jewish Family Service to help keep the JFS Food Bank shelves full.

Last year, thanks to community members and Meijer’s matching donations, $10,910 in Meijer gift cards were contributed to the JFS Food Bank.

John has been married for 33 years to wife, Renee, and they have two children: Nick (29) and Lauren (26). Nick and his wife Alexandra work and live in Cincinnati;

Lauren lives and works in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Ellis family is very active in its church community at St. George Orthodox Cathedral on Woodley Road. John has served in leadership positions for over 10 years and currently holds the position of Parish Council Chairman.

According to John, his team at the Sylvania Meijer prides itself on living up to Fred Meijer’s famous quote: “Customers don’t need us, we need them.”

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS SILVER CIRCLE LEADERSHIP AWARD FAGIE BENSTEIN

Fagie Benstein is one of the most wellknown members of the Toledo Jewish community. With more than 40 years of devotion to Jewish Toledo, she is a congregant of all three local synagogues and has spent countless hours as a lay leader and professional in the community. Fagie was Jewish Federation

of Greater Toledo Campaign Director for numerous years, is a past president of Congregation B’nai Israel, served as Congregation B’nai Israel Sisterhood President and taught religious school for more than four decades.

Additionally, her undying support of Israel is evident through her involvement in numerous

missions and visits to the country, for which she was once a volunteer IDF member.

“Bubbe” Fagie and her husband, Eli, have several children and grandchildren (biological and “adopted”) throughout the world.

Emunim as Brotherhood President on the Executive Board. He is also highly involved with Israel Bonds, The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and the Toledo Jewish Community Foundation (TJCF) board.

Last year, Paul was honored with the TJCF National Endowment Achievement Award. He has also joined the 2015 Jewish Federation of

Greater Toledo Campaign Cabinet.

Paul’s wife, Linda Beth Bender (z”l), passed away on Memorial Day in 1998.

drawn into positions of leadership and worked her way up to president of the Women’s Board, chairman of the drive when starting Lion of Judah in Toledo, winner of the Young Leadership Award and, ultimately, Exodus fundraiser, which she co-chaired with her husband, Larry.

Joan is proud to be a member of the Toledo Jewish community and thanks Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo for this honor.

who spends at least one or two nights per week donating his time. He enjoys the challenge and interaction and expects it to be a lifelong pursuit. Most of Steve’s volunteer experience has involved dental activities as well as Temple Shomer Emunim and Jewish Federation activities. He started volunteering at the Toledo Dental Society committee level early on in his practice and ultimately became president of the society in 1997.

Currently, he is chairman of the CPR committee and Miles for Smiles committee. He was also active at the Ohio Dental Association and the American Dental Association levels serving on various committees. He served on the board of the Dental Center of

Northwest Ohio, for which he is a past president.

Steve started his Federation experience at The Darlington House, serving on its board in the late 1980s when the Darlington House Foundation was created, helping to collect a $1 million goal.

Since then, he has been chairman of the Federation Annual Campaign, has served on the Toledo Jewish Community Foundation board, and currently serves on the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo board. He has also been active at Temple Shomer Emunium and is immediate past president of its board.

PAUL GOLDNER

Paul Goldner was born in Toledo, as were his parents, Leo and Marian. He has been active in the family business, Parker Steel, since 1955.

Paul has three children, Andrea Demar, Mark Goldner and Sharon Goldner. His two grandchildren, Lauren and Noah Demar, attend the Pardes Jewish Day School in Phoenix.

Paul has been active at Temple Shomer

Photo: Grand Lubell Photography

JOAN KRIPKE As a mother of three children and a grandmother of eight, Joan Kripke has always been concerned about the future of Judaism and the state of Israel. When she moved to Toledo almost 49 years ago, she became involved in the Jewish Federation as well as ORT. She was

STEVE SHALL

Steve Shall, born in Toledo in 1953, is the oldest of four boys who all went to Sylvania schools and Ohio State University.

He attended dental school at Ohio State University and took his oral and maxillofacial surgery training at The University of Kentucky in Lexington. Steve opened practice in 1981 and at that time moved back to Toledo with his wife, Nancy, and oldest son, Michael. Their youngest son, David, was born in Toledo and is currently in oral and maxillofacial surgery training.

David will be joining his father’s practice in a few years. His wife recently had Steve and Nancy’s first grandchild, Noah.

Volunteering is very rewarding for Steve,

TOLEDO JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WILLIAM BARKAN

William I. Barkan was born in Detroit to parents Max (z”l) and Sally Barkan (z”l). Married to Louise H. Barkan, Mr. Barkan has three children: Jan M. Barkan (z”l), Marci L. Barkan (z”l) and Andrea S. Barkan-Liebenthal. He has six step children, four grandchildren, two great grandchildren, 13 step-grandchildren and three step-great grandchildren.

Mr. Barkan has been involved in all aspects of Federation life for over 50 years. Having served as legal counsel for Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo and later as counsel to the Toledo Jewish Community Foundation, he has played an integral part in the development of the structure and governance of the Foundation. He is a

wonderful supporter and friend to the Toledo Jewish community, which can always rely on his wise and careful consideration of issues.

Mr. Barkan attended The University of Toledo and graduated from the University of Michigan receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1951. He graduated magna cum laude fromThe University ofToledo College of Law in 1955, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi. He was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1955. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Prior to his commencing to practice law in 1965 with Barkan & Robon’s predecessor firm, he practiced public accounting in the Toledo area with a large independent accounting firm.

Mr. Barkan is a member of the Toledo and Ohio State Bar Associations, in addition to being a member of the Section on Taxation of the American Bar Association. He also belongs to the Toledo Estate Planning Council. He has been and continues to be actively involved in community affairs, including a community foundation, a residential facility for mentally handicapped and developmentally disabled persons and an adolescent substance abuse agency.

Mr. Barkan focuses his practice in the areas of tax law, corporate law, estate planning and employee benefits law.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS MARJORIE SIEGEL JEWISH COMMUNAL SERVICE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE MUSHKA MATUSOF Mushka Matusof was born in Toledo to Rabbi Yossi and Raizel Shemtov, who were sent as Chabad Lubavitch emissaries to Toledo by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, OBM. After having gone to school in Detroit and Chicago, she spent a year studying in Israel and returned to the United States, settling for a year in Milwaukee where she coordinated

the local Friendship Circle. Her passion for working with children with special needs and teenagers led her to help launch an initiative to create a Toledo chapter of Friendship Circle, which came to fruition in 2009.

In 2010, Mushka married Shmouel Matusof, a native of Toulouse, France. Together they are responsible for Camp Gan

Israel, Women’s Circle, the Gan Izzy Club, Hebrew classes, Chabad House holiday events, The Friendship Circle in partnership with Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo and two beautiful children, Mendel and Chana.

Community involvement has always been very important to Steve; he has served on and chaired many community service and development boards in both the Jewish and non-secular communities. A highlight was his work on the task force responsible for building the Veteran’s Glass City Skyway, which he chaired for 20 years until completion.

Within the Jewish community, Steve is cur-

rently Jewish Senior Services Chair and a member of the boards of Pelham Manor, Jewish Senior Services Supporting Organization (JSSSO) and Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo. He also serves on several ad hoc forums providing strategic planning support.

Co-Chairman for PTA. She was also chairman for the 125th anniversary of Temple Shomer Emunim and in 1999 was awarded Volunteer of the Year by The Darlington House, for which she served as President of the organization’s auxiliary, opened a gift shop and was the first woman President of the board of trustees for three years. Additionally, she was Co-Chairman of Festival By the River in downtown Toledo, volunteered with in-house patients at Hospice of Northwest Ohio and served as Recording Secretary of

the Academy of Medicine Auxiliary, President of the Pelham Manor Trustees (more than six years), President of the Corey Woods Garden Club (two years) and Board of Trustees member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo (two years). She also coached the Glengarry Country Club swim team (2 years).

Sandy has three sons, nine grandchildren and two married grandsons.

STEVE NATHANSON Steve Nathanson was born in Toledo to parents Phyllis and Stanley Nathanson.

He met his wife, Patricia, in college and was married shortly after being discharged from the army. They have two married daughters and two grandchildren. Steve enjoyed a 40+ year career in healthcare starting in the clinical laboratory and ending leading corporate strategic planning.

SANDY SCHAFER Sandy Schafer was born in Brooklyn, New York. She has an identical twin sister and grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee from the age of three. She graduated from Chattanooga High School where she joined many service clubs and was a member of the cheerleading and marching squads.

Sandy attended The University of Toledo, where she studied science and wanted to work with seniors. In 1966, she began her volunteering career, including service as President of Lilah Group Hadassah and

TOLEDO BOARD OF JEWISH EDUCATION

BEN SOLOMON OUTSTANDING TRUSTEE AWARD LIZ PLATSIS

Liz Platsis grew up in New Jersey. She graduated from Princeton University with a BA in English in 1996. After graduation, she taught ESL in Thailand for two years. In 2000, she earned an MFA in Creative Writing from The University of Michigan. From 2001-2008, she taught high school English at the Frankel Jewish Academy in West Bloomfield, Michigan.

Since moving to Toledo in 2009, Liz has focused on her children and volunteer work.

She served on the board of directors for the Department of Jewish Programs from 20112014, and she was president of the Gan Yeladim Preschool PTO. Liz is married to Zach Platsis, who worked as an energy consultant at SSOE until this spring,

when he accepted a position as Energy Manager at the University of Delaware.

The family will be relocating this summer. Liz and Zach’s two children are Sophia (7) and Miriam (5), who will both attend Albert Einstein Academy in Wilmington, Delaware.

DEPARTMENT OF JEWISH PROGRAMS PROGRAM OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

TOLEDO HILLEL - ”GIVE KIDS THE WORLD” ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK “Give Kids the World” is a 70-acre, nonprofit storybook resort in Florida where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to week-long, cost-free family vacations. Founaded by Holocaust survivor, Henri Landwirth, the resort is a place where children and their families are immersed in non-stop fun for a few unforgettable days.

Toledo Hillel spent its 2014 Spring Break waking up at 7 a.m. to work at the resort

serving food, helping kids onto rides, painting faces and entertaining the kids during parties at night. Hillel students helped to make a huge difference in the lives of so many families facing unimaginable challenges.

Toledo Hillel is so proud to be inspiring Jewish college students to give their time and efforts to serve those in need; thank you to everyone who helped us along the way, including Repair the World and the Toledo Jewish Community Foundation.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP Your Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo board for 2014-2015 EXECUTIVE BOARD

Andy K. Golding President

Elliot H. Feit Immediate Past-President

Richard P. Greenblatt Vice-President

Gary Delman Treasurer

Eric Dubow Secretary

Steven D. Nathanson President, Jewish Senior Services

Donna K. Pesin President, Jewish Family Service

Joanne Rubin President, Toledo Board of Jewish Education

Lauren A. Sachs President, Department of Jewish Programs

Daniel N. Steinberg Chair, Toledo Jewish Community Foundation

DIRECTORS

Jeff Bauer President, Congregation B’nai Israel

Scott Rothstein Chair, Jewish Community Relations

Frank Jacobs President, Temple Shomer Emunim

Thomas J. Jaffee

Steve Marcus Interim President, Congregation Etz Chayim

Richard D. Rusgo

Dr. Stephen M. Shall

Judge Charles Wittenberg

David Beckmann, Ian Katz, Ron Wachsman and Meira Zucker will leave the Board June 30, 2014.

Their service is appreciated, and we wish them well.

JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER TOLEDO REPRESENTATIVES TO JEWISH SENIOR SERVICE SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION

The Honorable David A. Katz

Jon M. Levine

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO HILLEL* Joel S. Beren – Chairman Gary Delman – Gary and Andrea Delman Supporting Organization Ian Katz – At Large Madeline Levinson – Honorary Committee Member Jerome Phillips – Wasserstrom Family Supporting Organization Rollie Romanoff – Donald L. Solomon Supporting Organization Nancy Shall – Toledo Jewish Community Foundation Patti C. Tuschman – At Large Judith Wahrman – At Large Judge Charles Wittenberg – Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo

Karen Driggs and Peter Silverman will leave the Board June 30, 2014. Their service is appreciated, and we wish them well.

TOLEDO BOARD OF JEWISH EDUCATION Executive Committee Joanne Rubin – President Stephen A. Rothschild – Immediate Past-President Kate Theise – Treasurer Dena Eber – Secretary

Directors Kim Brody – Congregation B’nai Israel Wendy Payne – Temple Shomer Emunim Marjorie E. Siegel Phyllis Wittenberg – Congregation Etz Chayim

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE Executive Board Donna K. Pesin – President Richard D. Rusgo – Immediate Past-President Anita Levin – Vice-President Harvey Wolff – Treasurer Thomas R. Kasle – Secretary

Directors Leslie Aronoff Audrey Brookfield Ross Chaban Marilyn Fine Alida Forshaw Dr. Jeanine Huttner Dr. Julie Kalniz Marilyn Levine Debbe Skutch Dr. David Zack

Ann Albert will leave the Board June 30, 2014. Her service is appreciated, and we wish her well.

DEPARTMENT OF JEWISH PROGRAMS Executive Board Lauren A. Sachs – President Michael Forshaw – Immediate Past-President Directors Jodi Barr Dawn Goldstein Marshall Goldstein

Renee Jacobson Chad Kripke Jill Kripke Lil Perlman Leslie Podolsky Janet Rogolsky Stephanie Levitt Shaulskiy Dorian Slaybod Diane Treuhaft

David Freed and Liz Platsis will leave the Board June 30, 2014.

Their service is appreciated, and we wish them well.

JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL* Scott Rothstein – Chairman Kathryn Gallon – JCPA Representative Thomas Klein – Interfaith Programming Coordinator Hindea Markowicz – Ruth Fajerman Markowicz

Holocaust Resource Center Director Joanne Rubin – Church/State/Civil Liberties Coordinator Devorah Shulamit – Coordinator of Interfaith Programming Robert K. Vincent – Israel Programming Coordinator Joel Marcovitch – Director

TOLEDO JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION Directors Daniel Steinberg – Chair Gary Delman Andy Golding Paul Goldner Mark Greenblatt Inge Horowitz Lynn Jacobs Tom Jaffee Linda Liber Scott Liber

Jon Liebenthal Stephen Rothschild Nancy Shall James Swartz Frederick J. Treuhaft Ex-Officio Harley Kripke Gordon Levine Donald L. Solomon

JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER TOLEDO 2015 CAMPAIGN CABINET* Rich Rusgo – Chair Alix Greenblatt – Past Chair Jodi Barr Paul Causman Michael Forshaw David Freed Kathryn Gallon Paul Goldner Jason Levine Gail Mirrow Jay Mirrow Melvin Siegel Debbie Thaler Dena Zack Wendy Goldstein – Director

Stephen Lamb, Allan Miller, Ilene Miller, Diane Treuhaft and Kate Theise will leave the Cabinet June 30, 2014. Their service is appreciated, and we wish them well. * Members are appointed and not selected through a community vote.

JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER TOLEDO

Professional Staff Joel Marcovitch – Chief Executive Officer Arleen Levine – Toledo Jewish Community

Foundation Director Tina Stieben – Chief Financial Officer Paul Causman – Marketing Manager/Editor, TJN Wendy Goldstein – Campaign Director Sherry Majewski – Director, Family, Youth and Children’s Programs * René Rusgo – Incoming Director, Senior Adult Center Rochelle Barchick – Preschool Teacher Joshua Brody – Intern Cindy Feldstein – Toddler Preschool Teacher Hallie Freed – Young Professional & Couples Programming Associate ** Barb Hager – Toledo Jewish Community Foundation Associate Abby Hoicowitz – Marketing Associate/Staff Editor, TJN Colette Lundberg – Executive Assistant Debra Mitchell – Toddler Preschool Teacher Raizel Shemtov – Director, Gan Yeladim Sydney Stieben – Data Clerk Julie Szyskowski – Finance Associate Carol Toney – Lead Teacher Chris Ullom – Finance Associate Dawn Wagner – Afternoon Preschool Teacher Beth Youngpeter – Afternoon Preschool Teacher Jewish Family Service Nancy Newbury – Executive Director Ruth Franzen – Older Adult Services Coordinator Elizabeth Witter – Senior Services Case Manager Deb Damschroder – Support Services Coordinator Barbara Levison – Friendly Visitor Program Coordinator ** Tanya Borochin – Refugee Services Coordinator Mary Lou Whittaker – Outgoing Director, Senior Adult Center Diane Hall – SAC Transportation Coordinator Patty Paczkowski – Administrative Assistant

Pelham Manor Eileen Gates – Executive Director Rick Flores – Maintenance Manager Shelly Becker – Administrative Assistant Joyce Moran – Service Coordinator Toledo Hillel Elizabeth Lane – Hillel Director W. Kyle Ingle – Bowling Green State University

Hillel Advisor Cindy Feldstein – Hillel Office Manager * Celebrating 10 years with Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo

** Celebrating 20 years with Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo