Apr 7, 2016

North Dade Jewish Campus Leaders Talk Synergies

CAPTION: Pictured left to right – Dr. Ezra Levy (Hillel), Rafael Quintero (Hillel), Judy Mendelsohn (Sinai), Toni Weissberg (Sinai), Gary Bomzer (JCC), Mark Weber (Sinai), Paul Frishman (JCC) and Shai Habosha (JCC).

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Professionals and volunteers from the Michael-Ann Russell JCC on the Sanford L. Ziff Campus, Scheck Hillel Community School and Jacobson Sinai Academy met recently to discuss opportunities to grow and strengthen North Dade’s community of more than 70,000 Jews.

Located within close proximity of one another, the three institutions are anchors on the “North Dade Jewish Campus,” which is populated by multiple Jewish organizations. All three receive annual support from Federation.

According to the 2014 Greater Miami Jewish Federation Population Study, 54.5 percent of Jewish households in Miami-Dade County reside in North Dade. This area also has the highest percentage of foreign-born Jewish adults (41 percent) in Miami-Dade County. To support this population, Federation maintains a North Dade Branch office – which is also home to its International Division – at the Michael-Ann Russell JCC.

At the meeting, representatives shared ideas about the following topics, among others:

Israel Advocacy and Education – Working together to share resources, speakers, and combining Israel celebrations and holidays

Security – Coordinating efforts to ensure the safety and security of constituents and clients, and working together with Homeland Security on grants and sharing the newest technology

Cooperative Purchasing – Supplies and other contracts could be collectively purchased using economies of scale

Marketing – Pulling together ideas to market the special North Dade Jewish Campus and create awareness for people moving into the area. Using joint marketing to show all the programs and educational tracks available.

Gary Bomzer, President and CEO of the Michael-Ann Russell JCC, said, “The goal is to continue to foster community-building, synergies, cooperation, and create an alliance that keeps North Dade one of the most vibrant Jewish communities in the world. I have been lucky enough over the last 22 years to see the growth of our dynamic and caring Jewish neighborhood. This cooperation will just make us stronger.”

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation is proud to provide major financial support of these agencies – and many others – through the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign. Click here for a full list of funded agencies for 2015-2016. For more information about the Michael-Ann Russell JCC, please visit marjcc.org; to learn about Scheck Hillel Community School, visit ehillel.org; and to find out more about Jacobson Sinai Academy, visit jsamiami.org or tsnd.org.