Brad Sokol – In His Own Words
As a yeshiva boy growing up in Miami Beach, I attended Hebrew Academy through 9th grade. I was surrounded by all things Jewish and insulated from the realities of the secular Jewish world. That changed as I got older. I attended Miami Beach Senior High School and then the University of Florida where I met my wife Lauren, a Miami native and an unaffiliated Jew. It was at this point that I began to understand the breadth of Judaism and the different ways people expressed their Jewish identity.
As I entered adulthood and watched many of my peers disappear from the Jewish scene, I chose to stay connected through my children. The Alper JCC Miami Glen Greenstein Early Childhood Development Center, Temple Samuel Or Olam Religious School and Temple Beth Am Day School and Religious School inspired me and my wife to continue instilling in our children strong family Jewish traditions and values. In high school and college, they participated in the March of the Living and Birthright Israel, which they found extremely meaningful and life-changing.
My involvement in Jewish communal work began at Temple Beth Am, where I served for eight years on the Executive Committee as Treasurer, Vice President of Administration and Vice President of Membership. Here, I saw, firsthand the passion and deep commitment of Jewish lay leaders. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the finest Jewish souls. For that, I will always be grateful.
My experience at Temple Beth Am gave me the confidence to assume the role of Board Chair at the University of Florida Hillel. Here at my alma mater, the school where I met my beautiful wife and best friend and educated two of my three children, I would have the opportunity to reach over 8,000 young Jewish students trying to find or connect to their Judaism.
Lauren and Brad Sokol with Norman and Nancy Lipoff
I met Norman Lipoff, who would become my close friend and mentor, through my involvement at UF Hillel. Norman has enriched my life in the most meaningful ways. His continuous involvement in Jewish causes inspires me every day to do my part. His love for all things Israel is contagious. His commitment to our local Jewish community and Jewish communities around the world is unparalleled. I strive to live up to the example he has set.
Through Norman’s guidance and leadership, I began to understand the role of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and its impact on my Jewish identity. Federation has touched so many aspects of my Jewish life, from my Hebrew Academy days, to coaching Maccabi Girls soccer for eight years, to my involvement in our local Jewish community and to my continued commitment to Israel. It is a privilege to be serving as Chair of the South Dade Board.
Inspired by our dear friend, Nancy Lipoff, Lauren became a Lion of Judah and a Forever Lion. We both increased our legacy commitment to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, becoming Forever Pacesetters.
Now as I reflect on the importance of l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation, my legacy gifts to Temple Beth Am, Greater Miami Jewish Federation and University of Florida Hillel allow me to fulfill my Jewish responsibility and pay tribute to those who have mentored me in this ongoing process. By following in their footsteps, I hope to inspire others to do the same.
