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Apr 11, 2011

Greater Miami Jewish Federation to Honor Outstanding Individuals at 73rd Annual Meeting

Members of Miami’s Jewish community will come together on Thursday, May 26th for the 73rd Annual Meeting of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation to elect new officers and Board members and honor five special individuals for their dedication to the Jewish people. Chaired by Isaac K. Fisher, the buffet luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Miami Downtown, 1601 Biscayne Boulevard.

In addition, the Federation will elect new leadership.

The 2011 Stanley C. Myers Presidents’ Leadership Award

This award, names for Stanley C. Myers, the late founding president of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, is given annually to two dynamic young Jewish leaders who have demonstrated outstanding service to Miami’s Jewish community. This year’s honorees are Ariel Bentata and Amy Berger Chafetz.

A native of Venezuela, Bentata understands the importance of unifying all elements of Miami’s Jewish community and is committed to involving other Latin Jews in the Annual Federation/UJA campaign. Bentata currently serves as the Vice Chair for the 2012 Mega Mission and plays an active role in the International Committee. He is also a member of UJA’s National Young Leadership Cabinet and is positioned to lead the Michael Ann Russell Jewish Community Center as its incoming president. Bentata plays a vital role as a board member of the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education. He is a rising star in the Miami Jewish community who is able to juggle responsibilities and achieves results on behalf of those in need at home and abroad.

Chafetz continues to impress Federation with her enthusiastic dedication to serving others and her passionate advocacy of educating Jewish youth. She has chaired Federation’s North Dade Branch, and has co-chaired Federation’s Miami/Yerucham Partnership Education Committee. Chafetz has also been a member of the Women’s Department for Excellence Board since 2009 and is a member of Israel and Overseas Committee. Nationally, she is a Co-Vice Chair of Education and Leadership Development for The Jewish Federations of North America.

The 2011 Robert Russell Fellowship Award

Names in remembrance of the late Robert Russell, a part president of the Federation, this award is presented to a community member who has shown active interest in the Federation and, in particular, Jewish communities overseas. Hedy Whitebook is the 2011 honoree.

Whitebook is a community activist who has dedicated her time, her energies and her resources to making this a better world. A graduate of Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School, she quickly became involved as a member of UJA’s National Young Leadership Cabinet. Today, she serves as a Vice Chair of Board of Directors and has co-chaired Pacesetter Event and has served on the Israel and Overseas Committee. She lives a truly purposeful life, bringing happiness and comfort to others through her endless dedication and work.

The 2011 Sandra C. Goldstein Young Leadership Award

Created by Miriam and Sam Goldstein in memory of their daughter, Sandra C. Goldstein, this award is presented annually to two individuals for leadership and service to Miami’s Jewish community. This year’s recipients are Amanda Adler and Adam Lustig.

Adler is passionate about sharing the rich Jewish heritage with the next generation. She started participating in Federation activities in 2007 and has since been an outstanding volunteer and great asset. She is active in the Young Leadership Division, has served on its Board and will be the next Campaign Chair. She also serves as a member of the Women’s Amutot Committee and on the Super Sunday Committee. Adler is currently the Co-Chair of Federation’s PJ Library Committee.

In addition to being a well-known attorney, Lustwig devotes much of his time to the Jewish community. He has demonstrated his leadership by participating in many face-to-face solicitations and encouraging others to become more involved in Federation. He has been actively involved in the Young Leadership Division serving as the Co-Chair and on the Young Leadership Division’s Real Estate Committee. In addition to the Young Leadership Division, Lustwig serves on Federation’s Executive Committee and its Board of Directors.

A kosher buffet lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m. There will be no solicitation of funds, and the $45 couvert is not tax-deductible. For more information about the 73rd Annual Meeting, call Irene Hershkowitz at 786.866.8411 or email [email protected].

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