Federation News

	Dedicated philanthropist and longtime Federation lay leader Dorothy P. “Dotti” Seaman of Boca Raton.

The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Chair Stewart Harris announced this week that dedicated philanthropist, longtime Federation lay leader and current Lion of Judah Endowment (LOJE) Chair, Dorothy P. “Dotti” Seaman of Boca Raton committed a gift of $1 million to the Federation that will rename its department of Women’s Philanthropy in her honor in perpetuity.

Now called the Dorothy Seaman Department of Women’s Philanthropy, this division of Federation’s Toby Weinman Palchik Center of Jewish Philanthropy (CJP) has been at the forefront of women’s giving, accounting for 49% of Federation’s Annual Campaign of more than $20 million and leading the nation with 207 Lion of Judah Endowments, which represent women who have committed a planned gift of $100,000 or more to Jewish causes through Federation.

Seaman, who has been involved with Federation’s Women’s Division since 1993 and served as its chair from 2003 to 2005, says the inspiration for her gift was simple: “I’m dedicated to Federation’s mission of furthering the welfare of Jews. I want to make sure that the children, who are our future, grow up to be caring, involved and dedicated to Jewish causes.”

As Campaign Chair for the Women’s Division, Seaman had the opportunity to visit Eastern Europe and to take part in three overseas missions. “I met with the people who receive help and assistance through programs funded by Federation, and I was literally blown away,” she said. “To see the children’s schools and summer camps and the many people in need... changed my life. Those experiences can never be duplicated. Federation gave me a very clear meaning and purpose: to help others and to ensure Jewish continuity. And the close relationships I have made — the friendship that I enjoy with so many people through Federation — feel like family to me.”

According to Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County President and CEO William S. Bernstein, “Dotti has created an incredible legacy in this community in terms of philanthropic giving and her commitment to Jewish needs.”

Last year, Federation presented her with the coveted Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award, honoring her extraordinary service to the community through women’s philanthropy. Said Bernstein: “We are profoundly grateful for her active involvement and many years of dedicated lay leadership. She has left an indelible mark on the hearts of so many people here.”

Bernstein also points out that this is the second million dollar donation from a woman in this community this year. “Toby Weinman Palchik’s million dollar gift helped us open the doors to Federation’s Center for Jewish Philanthropy in March. And now, to have another woman donor make a contribution at this level, within only six months, is unique for any community. It sets a new standard for Women’s philanthropy and the incredible things it can accomplish.”

Federation Director of Supplemental Philanthropy Anita Shalley, who has worked with Seaman for many years, says “Dotti is a true role model and has been instrumental in solidifying women’s philanthropy in South Palm Beach County.

“When Dotti learned of our need to grow our Lion of Judah Endowment program, she immediately stepped up to the plate and made arrangements to fully fund her gift,” reports Shalley.

Seaman was also the first to make a major gift to the Jewish Day School Scholarship Endowment through the Community Foundation, and she established the Seaman Family Scholarship Fund for the Jewish Education Commission to benefit the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School.

Shalley says Seaman honored the legacy of her beloved late husband Larry by endowing his annual gift with a $100,000 tax-free distribution from her IRA, thanks to the short-lived Katrina Emergency Relief Act of 2005. “And she also took advantage of the subsequent Pension Protection Act of 2006 to create a $100,000 memorial fund in his name that will support the cultural arts program at the Jewish Association of Residential Care (JARC), one of Federation’s four primary beneficiary agencies.

To Federation Campaign Chair Ellen R. Sarnoff, “Dotti is a genuine friend and true mentor.” Sarnoff proudly holds up a book given to her by Seaman, titled Friends to the End; The True Value of Friendship. She opens to a quote that says ‘genuine friendship is founded on a shared vision.’ “That is absolutely the truth with Dotti,” says Sarnoff. “Dotti has made my life better in every way. She has been a huge role model for me. She is always calm, always patient, and she always invigorates and inspires me. We are so lucky to have her in this community, and I am so fortunate to have her as a friend and a role model.”

Seaman said her “big hope” is that her gift may inspire other women to give as well.

“The women in this community are true leaders,” she said. “They are empowered, they are involved and they have the money. They’ve already make a huge impact, and I expect them to step up to the plate and even surpass men in their giving levels.”

“I don’t need too much,” concludes Seaman. “And my philosophy is if you have it, share it. Do something meaningful with it. I have received so much by giving, more than I can ever express.”