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84th Annual Meeting Award Winners

KEITH GINSBURG was raised in South Dade with a deep sense of connection to Miami’s Jewish community. These experiences sparked his personal dedication to preserving a vibrant cultural and recreational environment in our community for the next generation of young Jews. Keith first stepped into the Alper JCC Miami when he was only a toddler as a student in its Early Childhood program. He continued to participate in Alper JCC Miami sports and camping programs throughout his adolescence, eventually becoming a coach of the roller hockey program.

Today, Keith serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Alper JCC Miami, following other leadership positions on the Alper JCC Miami Board, including Treasurer, Athletics Chair and Maccabi Games Chair. He also is a Board member of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and is active in Federation’s South Dade Branch. Keith is a Financial Advisor with the Barkow Ginsburg Wealth Management Group of Raymond James. He lives in Coral Gables with his wife, Melissa, and three daughters, Hailey, Sydney and Rylee.

JACLYN BERGMAN believes in the power of tzedakah and in our shared obligation to make a transformational difference in the lives of those in need. She dedicates her time and resources to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and other vital causes because she understands the power of volunteerism and its role in building a better world.

Jaclyn is extremely proud to serve as Chair of the Hebrew Free Loan Association of Miami, a Federation program that provides grants and interest-free loans to families and individuals in need. Her enthusiasm is fueled by the fact that “the program has made such a difference in so many lives,” particularly during COVID-19 when food insecurity and economic challenges have been so rampant. An active volunteer for the Lehrman Community Day School, she also serves on Federation’s Board of Directors and on Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy Board. The Founder of IRA Financial Group, Jaclyn lives in Miami Beach with her husband, Adam, and their two sons, Aven and Ever.

YOSEF SHWEDEL became involved in Jewish community service at a very young age in his native Mexico, where his personal direction was influenced by his parents and the Bnei Akiva Zionist youth movement. Today, he maintains his family’s tradition of Jewish activism as a leader in Miami’s Jewish community.

Yosi has served Federation as Campaign Chair of the Young Leadership Division, Education Chair of the International Division, Chair of the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center Allocations Committee, and as part of the Israel and Overseas Committee and the Ethiopian Israel Initiative Committee. A member of the incoming Executive Team of The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) National Young Leadership Cabinet, he also is on the Board of Directors of CADENA Foundation, which supports disaster rescue and humanitarian services worldwide. He is an attorney and partner in the firm of GS2 Law, practicing in multiple jurisdictions in the US and Mexico. He lives in Aventura with his wife, Rosy, his son, David, and daughter, Esther.

LECIA ROTHMAN moved to Miami in 2015 to further her career and be closer to family. Throughout her childhood, Lecia watched her family’s synagogue involvement grow and expand into other organizations, while she attended Jewish summer camp and participated in USY. During college at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Lecia became involved with Hillel and participated in Birthright Israel. Upon returning to Miami in 2015, Lecia knew she wanted to engage with a community of young Jewish professionals. She immediately found it with Federation and has been passionately growing her involvement ever since. 

  Traveling on Federation’s Israel 70 Miami Mega Mission was a life-changing experience and Lecia is enthusiastically waiting to return next year during the Israel 75 Miami Mega Mission. A graduate of Federation’s Leadership Development Institute, this will be her third and final year serving as Executive Co-Chair of YLD. Lecia previously held the positions of Campaign Chair and Social Action Chair. Lecia is the Director of Digital Engagement for Lennar. She lives in Brickell. 

DR. JAIME GHITELMAN became active in the Greater Miami Jewish Federation after participating in its 2012 Mega Mission and Pre-Mission to Poland. The emotional overseas journey and his renewed awareness of Federation’s purpose reinforced Jaime’s belief that diaspora Jews with financial means have a responsibility to support the needs of the worldwide Jewish community. Since then, he has been setting the example for his family and community.

Born in Venezuela, Jaime is the Incoming Chair of Federation’s International Division, after serving as the division’s Education Chair, Campaign Chair and Co-Chair, and Chair of Federation’s Super Sunday event. He is involved in the David Posnack Jewish Day School and serves as Chair of the Venezuelan American Medical Association, which provides free healthcare services to Venezuelan citizens in need. Jaime is a board-certified cardiologist with special expertise in the treatment of complex coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular interventions. He lives in Aventura with his wife, Stefany, and three daughters, Rachel, Alexandra and Naomi.

In Solidarity With the Women of Israel

In Solidarity With the Women of Israel

A group of eight women spent five days touring Israel, bearing witness to the aftermath of October 7 and visiting many beneficiaries of Federation’s Women’s Amutot Initiative to share their individual support.

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Thanking Miami Beach

Thanking Miami Beach

With tremendous gratitude to the Miami Beach Police Department for its unwavering commitment to protecting the Jewish community – particularly since October 7 – Federation, its Office of Community Security and Jewish Community Relations Council have written a letter of appreciation to Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner and the Miami Beach Commissioners.

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Apply Now to Study in Israel


Apply Now to Study in Israel


Students entering their sophomore and junior years of high school are invited to apply for the Stephen Muss Impact Fellowship, a program that offers $15,000 scholarships to Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI).

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HaOgen Volunteers Help Families of IDF Reservists

HaOgen Volunteers Help Families of IDF Reservists

As thousands of IDF reservists continue to report for duty, HaOgen (The Anchor), a nonprofit founded by female social activists immediately after October 7, has deployed thousands of women volunteers to provide vital support for families separated by the war.

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