Apr 17, 2012

Federation's 75th Annual Meeting to Celebrate Milestone Anniversary, Honor Leaders

As the Greater Miami Jewish Federation reaches a milestone anniversary, leaders of old and new will gather to honor the past and pave the way for the future at the 75th Annual Meeting on Friday, May 31. The kosher buffet luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Miami Downtown, 1601 Biscayne Boulevard. In commemoration of Federation’s 75 years, this event will be co-chaired by Judy Gilbert-Gould and Robert C. Gilbert, the daughter and grandson of the late Stanley C. Myers, Founding President of the Federation.

“My father is smiling down from above,” said Gilbert-Gould. “He’s smiling because his daughter and grandson are co-chairing this meeting. But most of all, because the Federation has remained and will, I am sure, in the future continue to be the central address of the Greater Miami Jewish community.”

It was out of extreme hardship that Federation was born. In 1938, windows of Jewish businesses throughout Eastern Europe were violently shattered in what would become known as Kristallnacht. A young attorney named Stanley C. Myers and a small group of other Jewish Miamians knew that together, they could make a difference. On May 7, 1938, the first Federation meeting was held at the home of Sam Blank. While these young leaders discussed Miami’s budding Jewish community, they also discussed ways they could help Jews in need around the world.

The Federation began with Myers’ vision for a united Jewish community, and today it continues to thrive because of outstanding leadership. Five exceptional individuals will be recognized at the 75th Annual Meeting for their service to Federation and to Miami’s Jewish community.

The 2013 Stanley C. Myers Presidents’ Leadership Award

This award, named for the late Founding President is presented annually to two dynamic Jewish leaders who have demonstrated outstanding service to Miami’s Jewish community. Myers was an exceptional leader who served the Jewish community of Miami for decades and helped set the standard for Jewish philanthropy in South Florida. The 2013 honorees are Gary Mars and Tracey Spiegelman.

The 2013 Robert Russell Fellowship Award

Named in remembrance of the late Robert Russell, this award is presented to a member of the community who has shown active interest in the Federation, and in particular, Jewish communities overseas. Bob Russell was an extraordinary leader who served as President of the Federation, as a National UJA Chairman, and Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Housing Committee. The 2013 honoree is Lisa Kudish Rosenburg.

The 2013 Sandra C. Goldstein Young Leadership Award

Created by Miriam and Sam Goldstein in 2006 in memory of their daughter Sandra C. Goldstein – a wonderful young leader in Miami’s Jewish community who received the Stanley C. Myers Presidents’ Leadership Award in her lifetime – this award is presented annually to two individuals between the ages of 25 and 35 for leadership and service to Miami’s Jewish community. The recipients of the 2013 Sandra C. Goldstein Young Leadership Award are Sara Bejar and Scott Wagner.

There will be no solicitation of funds, and the $55 couvert is not-tax deductible.

For more information about the 75th Annual Meeting, call Lerida Hernandez at 786.866.8432 or email [email protected].