It was an evening of graceful elegance and celebration, of enlightenment and style for 300 top Federation donors. But, even more, the Major Gifts Event at St. Andrews Country Club on December 1, 2011 was a night of Federation family reunion and rededication. From the warm welcome and photos with Dan Rather in the cocktail reception, to the powerful case for giving and exciting naming gift announcement, to a keynote from one of the world’s most renowned broadcast journalists - the evening’s inspiration and impact will be sure to stay with our most generous donors and drive the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s campaign throughout the season and beyond.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating our most generous donors with a night of substance and sophistication amid the warmth of our Federation family, at the largest and most prestigious fundraising event of our season,” said Wendy Pressner, chair of the Major Gifts Event, which brought together donors with individual or combined gifts of at least $10,000 to the UJA/Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County.

 Honoring the strongest branches of the Federation’s family tree, the Ketubah Society Hall of Fame was on proud display, and new members were inaugurated (see a list of members below).

“Named for the traditional, beautifully decorated Jewish marriage contract, the Ketubah Society pays tribute to the dedicated and generous individuals, couples and families who have made cumulative financial commitments of one million dollars or more during the Federation’s 32-year history,” said Ellen R. Sarnoff, Chair of the Federation."We are thrilled to honor our Ketubah Society members tonight, led by the most generous Larry Phillips, and Phyllis and Harvey Sandler," said Sarnoff. "We welcome new members William Newman, Dollsey and Seymour Rappaport, and Ruth Weinberger, and I could not be more proud to join them as a member this year.” Sarnoff also honored recognized Debra and Jerry Kramer, who became a Prime Minister Council family last year.

Turning her focus to the Federation’s collaboration with the Jewish Community Foundation, Sarnoff further recognized: Meryl Gallatin, who received the Jewish Federations of North America Endowment Achievement Award and was recognized for her commitment and involvement to the Jewish Community and Federation for over 30 years; Toby Weinman Palchik, “a true role model in our community,” who paved the way for others nearly five years ago when she helped us create our Federation's Center for Jewish Philanthropy; Dotti Seaman for naming the Department of Women's Philanthropy; Marleen Forkas for creating her Chair for Contemporary Jewish issues, ensuring quality speakers every year for the Lion of Judah luncheon; and the Pechter Family, for creating the Sarah and Max Pechter Center for Local Safety Net Services, named for Jack's parents who taught him so much by their examples of tzedakah.

A true highlight of the evening was David Pratt’s announcement of a new name and an extraordinary gift for the Federation’s Jewish Community Foundation.

“I am elated to share with you that, with incredible generosity, Anne and Norman Jacobson have made a gift that will allow our Jewish children and grandchildren, and future generations, to continue to thrive in our  small but growing Jewish community of Boca Raton that we call home,” said Pratt, Chair of the Foundation. “They are significantly helping to ensure that our Jewish community continues to prosper for generations to come. 

“As Co-chairs of our Create a Jewish Legacy Campaign, Anne and Norm truly lead by example,” Pratt continued. “In recognition of this remarkable gift, I am so proud to be the first to let you know that our Jewish Community Foundation will be renamed the Anne and Norman Jacobson Jewish Community Foundation of South Palm Beach County.” 

Joseph Mishkin, 2012 Campaign Chair and Anne Jacobson, Financial Resource Development Chair, presented a powerful, poignant and inspiring case for giving.

“I’m fortunate to personally witness the results of your generosity,” said Mishkin during a multimedia presentation of the importance of vital needs and the responses enabled by our major donors’ contributions. “Not only the tangible things like the food packages, wheelchairs, special education resources and medication; or the services like home care for Holocaust survivors, or emergency counseling for neighbors in crisis and our Israeli family in the aftermath of missile attacks. But also the grateful smiles, tears, hugs and the warmest welcomes you can ever imagine from those we help in our own community and across the globe.”

Mishkin and Jacobson were joined onstage by some very special guests whose stories told on video could not have made more clear the profound differences the Federation is able to make on individual lives, thanks to donors. Local Holocaust survivors Rosalyn and Lucy met as children in Eastern Europe, survived a concentration camp together and were reunited after 60 years of searching for each other at a Café Europa event in Boca Raton. JARC resident Sara, age 52 and challenged with developmental disabilities, is now sustained, secure and happy through community support after losing both her parents.

The night’s keynote speaker, former CBS News Anchor and 60 Minutes Correspondent Dan Rather, may be the best-known journalist in the world, having covered virtually every major event around the globe over the past 60 years with unparalleled broadcast and field work.  Interspersed with vignettes from his background, in his most familiar strong, confident and reassuring voice, Rather provided what he called, “a wide shot of the global geopolitical picture at this moment.” He scanned the globe, noting “a shift of the 20^th century center of gravity in the Atlantic to the 21^st century center in the Pacific,” and calling attention to China, Japan, Russia, Turkey, Mexico and Brazil as countries to watch.

With regard to Israel, Rather affirmed that, “Ever since President Truman advocated for Israel’s independence, every U.S. President of whatever party has stood rock solid on Israel for over 60 years. Those who perceive fluctuations need to keep in mind what we call in television the wide shot, but there continues to be the friendship and alliance that will remain strong regardless of who takes office here.”

The Federation’s Major Gifts Program is generously sponsored by Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, LLC; Proskauer; and Steinberg Global Asset Management, Ltd. The Boca Raton Observer was Exclusive Magazine Sponsor of the Major Gifts Event.

 

Click here to view a gallery of photos from the event.