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Jonathan Plutzik

JONATHAN PLUTZIK is, with his wife Lesley Goldwasser, the owner of The Betsy – South Beach, a luxury hotel widely celebrated for its commitment to Community and the Arts. He is former Chairman of the Board of Fannie Mae in Washington DC, a retired Vice-Chairman of Credit Suisse, and Chairman of Firaxis Games, a leading computer game company and home of Civilization, the internationally acclaimed strategy game. 

Jonathan serves as Chairman of the ODA, the organization that represents the Ocean Drive business community to the City of Miami Beach.  He was appointed by both immediately previous Mayors to chair citizen committees developing long term plans for Ocean Drive and to what is now referred to as the Art Deco Cultural District.  He is a graduate of Brandeis University, has an MBA from the Wharton School and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Jonathan has a nearly 50-year record of engagement with communal Jewish Life.   While now a deeply committed Miami Beach resident, he is a former longtime Executive Committee member of the New York Federation where he ultimately served as General Planning Chair as the lay leader overseeing all grant making.  Jonathan now serves on the board of the Miami Jewish Federation and recently was a member of the Federation’s CEO search committee.

Eco-Farming as Therapy

Eco-Farming as Therapy

Federation is helping young adults and teens traumatized by the October 7 attacks through unique eco-farming initiatives.

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June Is Pride Month!

June Is Pride Month!

Jewish Miami stands in ongoing solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and we are committed to supporting LGBTQ+ Jews in a number of ways.

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Accolades Again for Miami Jewish Film Festival

Accolades Again for Miami Jewish Film Festival

For the fourth time, the Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF), a program of CAJE | The Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education, a Federation agency, has been included on MovieMaker Magazine’s prestigious list of the “50 Best Film Festivals in the World.”

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A Helping Hand

A Helping Hand

When Israelis experience life altering rocket attacks that destroy their homes, or even worse, injure or kill their loved ones, Aya helps them navigate the government systems in place, which can often be lengthy and cumbersome.

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