George Feldenkreis

2016 Greater Miami Jewish Federation Friend of Israel Humanitarian Award Honoree

Guided by the strength of his convictions about the welfare of the State of Israel, George Feldenkreis has been one of Miami’s most steadfast and respected Jewish leaders and philanthropists for decades. His support of the Jewish people, his unwavering sense of Jewish unity and peoplehood, and his advocacy and activism have truly distinguished him as the 2016 Greater Miami Jewish Federation Friend of Israel Humanitarian Award honoree.

The son of Russian immigrants, George was born in Havana, Cuba. At age 8, he joined Hashomer Hatzair and in his teens started Betar. George went on to organize and become President of the first Federation of Jewish Youth Organizations in Havana at age 20. George came to Miami in 1961, fleeing communist oppression. He began building his business and was motivated by his early experiences as a youngster in Cuba to become involved with Jewish life and support of Israel in Miami. In 1965, he helped lay the foundation for the Cuban Division at Federation, which eventually became the Latin Division. He began to financially support Israel before the 1967 Six Day War, and since then has continued to deepen his involvement in the Jewish community and in philanthropic causes. Now in his 40th year of leadership on the Federation Board of Directors, George is one of the longest serving Board members and was the first Cuban Jew to take on this role.

George’s instrumental leadership and his defining voice led to the creation of Federation’s Cuban Division, where he served as President for seven years. He provided inspired leadership on behalf of the Federation/UJA Campaign, guiding the early and dramatic growth of the Cuban Jewish community’s participation in Federation and in the Jewish community at large. He and his family continue this legacy of generosity toward the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign through their participation at the highest giving levels.

George’s involvement throughout Miami’s Jewish community is far-reaching, from his deep dedication to Temple Menorah to his significant gifts to the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center and to the creation of the George Feldenkreis Program in Judaic Studies at the Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies at the University of Miami. He is also a Board member and supporter of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. George’s passion for Israel is evidenced by his numerous missions and trips there, and his very meaningful support of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. In addition, his major gifts to institutions in Israel include endowments at Rambam Medical Center and Technion Israel Institute of Technology. He is also a member of the United Way’s Million Dollar Roundtable. George’s great success as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Perry Ellis International has earned him countless professional honors, and his concern for the welfare of others makes him a precious asset of the entire Miami-Dade community.