Foundation Programs
ADVISORS PHILANTHROPY INITIATIVE
The Advisors Philanthropy Initiative (API) is comprised of professional money managers, insurance, stock brokers, trust officers, CPAs, and attorneys.
API creates partnerships within the professional community that have the ability to motivate potential donors. Our job is to educate our professionals on the work of the Federation, locally and globally. The objective is to secure planned gifts for the Jewish Community Foundation. Members of API are provided opportunities to connect with their colleagues, fulfill their continuing education requirements through seminars, as well as participate in social gatherings throughout the year. Advisors who secure planned gifts for the Jewish Community Foundation will become members of our Mitzvah Society and will be honored at our bi-annual Cocktail & Awards Reception.
Our Mission is Simple:
Promote philanthropic discussions and giving from clients of professional advisors to the Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Broward County and its beneficiary agencies.
Come Join Us:
Become an official member of Advisors Philanthropy Initiative (API) and help the Jewish Community Foundation promote philanthropic discussions and giving throughout our communities.
Reasons to Join:
Become more proficient at fulfilling the philanthropic needs of your clients
Network with like-minded colleagues
Spread philanthropy
Educate professionals on the work of the Federation, both local and international, and its partner agencies and synagogues
We Cannot Do This Alone:
Thank you for the following advisors who referred their clients to us and helped grow our foundation to the $175+ million that it is today.
David Appel
Jeffrey A. Baskies
Howard N. Bienenfeld
William Blade
Marvin T. Bornstein
Herbert Jay Cohen
Alan B. Cohn
Libo Fineberg
Adrienne Frank
Randy S. Friedlander
Jill Ginsberg
Gene K. Glasser
Adam Goldberg
Thomas O. Katz
Corinne R. Korn
Les S. Kushner
Christy Lambertus
Denise A. Lettau
Jack R. Loving
Bonnie S. Miller
Sheldon Polish
Jack Rosenberg
Richard B. Sabra
Myron Sandler
Jeffrey Saster
David B. Schulman
Sheri F. Schultz
Carl Schuster
Joseph L. Schwartz
David M. Scully
Barbara A. Shore
David A. Shulman
Eric W. Sulzberger
Leonard Suskind
Donald R. Tescher
Benjamin A. Tobias
Denise Walker
Ricky J. Weiss
Kelly Williams
API CHAIR, MARC LOWELL
Marc Lowell, CLU, ChFC Pres/CEO The A.I.D. Group | Financial, Estate, Investment, Insurance, Planning/Co-Founder NYSE Financial Services Co.
- University of Florida BSBA Finance
- 2-year President of the West Broward Estate Planning Council (2018-2020)
- Co-founder of National Financial Partners (NFP) Member Firm (NYSE IPO 2003)
- Educator for Continuing Education in Florida for CPA’s (CPE), Attorney’s (CLE) and Insurance Advisors (CE)
- Selected to appear in the 2020 Top 100 People in Finance Magazine
- Specialist in Estate and Income tax mitigation strategies
- Expertise with HNW Wealth Management
- Founder The A.I.D. Group and its Member Firms - A.I.D. Wealth Management, Advisors Insurance Design, and The 401kompany
- Member of multiple charitable and industry specific Boards of Directors
- Public speaker for professional’s business development training
- South Florida business leader for over 33 years
Your Legacy…Our Promise
An Individualized Concierge Professional Care Management Program for Individual
WHO WE ARE
The story of the Jewish people began with a promise: "Every Jew is responsible for the other." For those individuals who are creating their Jewish legacy and promising impact for future generations by committing a qualified endowment to the Jewish Community Foundation, we promise Chai Care. Chai Care is an individualized care management program for individuals Ages 65+.
The Chai Care program delivers comprehensive advocacy for people confronted with the challenges of aging through individualized care management. Chai Care’s professional team is trained in gerontology, social work, nursing, healthcare, and counseling. The team makes specific recommendations, and they become a part of the individual's extended family, helping to assure advocacy, referral, and support.
HOW WE HELP
Chai Care helps our donors on an individual basis depending on their needs, through initial and ongoing assessment and monitoring, planning and problem solving, education and advocacy and caregiver coaching and support.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
Donors who make an irrevocable endowment of $100,000+ to one or more of our Jewish Community Foundation's Vision Funds may be eligible for our Chai Care program starting at the age of 65.
CHAI CARE'S IMPACT
Chai Care has raised over $12 million for needy Jews in Broward County, Israel and around the world. Since inception, Chai Care has touched the lives of 36 donors and their families, and currently there are 179 donors that are eligible to be part of the program.
The Newsletter for Chai Care, a program of the Jewish Community Foundation of Broward County
AGING & CAREGIVER SUPPORT
Appointment times are limited. No drop-ins, please. To schedule a session, call Esther Cohen at 954-252-6952.
Esther Cohen Chai Care Director
(954) 252-6952 | ecohen@JewishBroward.org
Susan Chusid Professional Care Manager
schusid@jewishbroward.org
Who We Are:
The Jewish Women's Foundation (JWF) Trustees are a group of philanthropic women who are committed to transforming the lives of Jewish women and girls and fostering life-long social change, one woman at a time. Through our generous allocation of innovative grants, programs here in Broward County and Israel are making a real difference by providing educational opportunities, crisis relief, and advocacy. JWF Trustees are decision-makers—analyzing needs, comparing grants, voting on grant applications, and evaluating outcomes.
Our Guiding Values:
JWF has proudly allocated over $248,400 in grants to help transform the lives of women and girls in Broward County and Israel.
JWF Trustees & Membership Information
MEMBERSHIP
Individual membership shall be through a financial contribution in one of five categories:
TRUSTEE
Trustees make a $10,000 commitment, payable over five (5) years. Trustees in good standing are those who have paid a minimum of $2,000 per calendar year. At the completion of five (5) years, Trustees may renew their membership by making a $5,000 commitment, also payable over five (5) years.
YOUNG WOMAN TRUSTEE (UNDER 40)
Young Woman Trustees make a $5,000 commitment, which may be payable over five (5) years. Young Woman Trustees in good standing are those who have paid a minimum of $1,000 per calendar year. At the completion of five (5) years, Young Woman Trustees may renew their membership by making a $5,000 commitment, also payable over five (5) years.
LION OF JUDAH TRUSTEE
Current Lions of Judah make a $5,000 commitment, which may be payable over five (5) years. LOJ Trustees in good standing are those who have paid a minimum of $1,000 per calendar year. At the completion of five (5) years, LOJ Trustees may renew their membership by making a $5,000 commitment, also payable over five (5) years. LOJ Trustees must maintain their LOJ status in order to be considered a LOJ Trustee.
LIFETIME TRUSTEE
Lifetime Trustees make a one-time commitment of $50,000, which may be payable over five (5) years. Lifetime Trustees in good standing are those who have paid $10,000 per calendar year.
MULTI-GENERATIONAL TRUSTEE
Multi-Generational Trustees make a one-time commitment of $100,000, which may be payable over five (5) years. The original member may appoint additional family members to join them as Multi-Generational Trustees. Original Multi-Generational Trustees in good standing are those who have paid $20,000 per calendar year.
JWF TRUSTEES*
Lori Adelson
Arlene Backman
Jane Basch
Terry Breitbord
Karen Dombey
Goldie Dropkin
Wandy Druss
Adrienne Frank
Agnes Gray
Sheryl Greenwald
Laura Gordon
Gladys Hirschman
Bette Hochberger
Marcy Hoffman
Joan Kuriansky
Carol Lasek
Denise Lettau*
Jami Levy**
Audrey Meline
Gina Stelnik
Elissa Mogilefsky
Robbin Newman
Karen Roberts
Susan Samrick
Karen Saster
Stephanie Saunders
Susan Schneider
Ibby Schulman
Esther Shacket***
Nicole Shacket**
Merryl Shapiro
Gina Shull
Gina Stelnik
Corina Waldman
as of September 2020
JWF Grants Awards & Application Information
2022 Grant Co-Chairs:
Sheryl Greenwald & Robbin Newman
Jewish Women’s Foundations Grants as of June 2021: $248,400
2021/2022
MICRO-ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE FACE OF COVID - $20,000
Awarded to YOZMOT ATID, this program focuses on unemployed or underemployed women from Israel’s geographic periphery and will give them the skills to run their own businesses. Following the participant's preparatory coursework, they will begin an 8-week training session which includes marketing, financial management, taxation, and more. Following the training sessions, there will be personalized business mentoring and coaching, loans at friendly rates, business networking opportunities, enrichment workshops, and much more.
APP2U EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT FOR JEWISH TEENAGE GIRLS AT RISK - $10,000
Awarded to MACHSHAVA TOVA, this program focuses on Jewish girls in grades 7 – 9 from 4 underserved communities in Israel’s geographic periphery and seeks to bolster Jewish girls’ confidence in their abilities and future accomplishments. APP2U combines learning new tech tools and girl power. The girls are introduced to inspirational women around the world and meet local women mentors. The 40-hour course includes 20, 2-hour sessions and at least one special event. The program is based on a project-based learning approach – learning a new tool, researching using that tool, building a product using that tool, and sharing with the group.
WOMEN’S WELLNESS RETREATS - $8,500
Awarded to JAFCO, this program focuses on Jewish Moms raising a child or children with developmental disabilities and will include four wellness retreats that will support and empower moms to decrease their stress levels while increasing their social interactions and self-care. For many of the moms, the retreats are the only time they will be away from the care of their child. The retreats will include yoga, drumming circles, spa services, and more and will allow them to renew, relax and refresh. Childcare will be provided by JAFCO, as these moms report feeling safe leaving their children with the JAFCO well-trained staff.
2020/2021
Goodman Jewish Family Services - $7,500
The program Your Voice Your Choice is a series of workshops geared to promote safety, security, strength, and self-esteem for teens and young adults. The workshops include topics such as safe dating, healthy relationships, and consent, bullying, identifying abuse, speaking up, how to get help, and debunking myths about abuse in the Jewish community.
Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach - $5,800
The program Women’s Jewish Leadership Fellowship is a 10-week theme-based seminar led by the Hillel Rabbi and NSU Engagement Associate with study of rabbinic texts alongside contemporary analogs, learning skills to express and defend themselves, leadership skills, weekly dinners together, and including Hillel JLF interns to enhance the social interactions in and outside of class, and Shabbat experiences together as a cohort.
Be’er Sova - $5,000
The program The Recipe for Success Project provides culinary training, skill-building and emotional support to help southern Israeli women who suffer from nutritional insecurity and unemployment to break free of the cycle of poverty, eventually becoming financially independent and ensuring long-term job retention in the food industry
Eretz-Ir - $10,000
The program Tech Training with Guaranteed Jobs for Negev Women is a holistic 4-month comprehensive training program, followed by a 4-month paid internship program that will teach young women to build websites using the WIX platform. Graduates will be able to work from home, with guaranteed 2-year job placements with TribeStudio and Eretz Ir will continue providing support for program graduates for the first 6 months
JWF COVID Emergency Grants – This includes a generous match from the Sam Berman Charitable Foundation
$10,000 JWF Emergency Grant
Awarded to the Goodman Jewish Family Services (GJFS). Funds will be distributed to single moms who are clients of GJFS. These funds will go to rent emergency assistance and other immediate needs such as electricity and other bills. Additionally, GJFS will distribute gift cards to these same moms, $100 per adult and $50 per child as needed. The distribution of gift cards may be made over a 2-month period.
$10,000 JWF Scholarship Fund
This is a scholarship fund for women, regardless of age, who have been affected by the COVID pandemic and who need to re-train, re-direct their careers, and/or return to the workforce.
The Jewish Women’s Foundation Scholarship Fund awards dollars (a minimum of $500) to prospective Broward Technical College ("BTC") female students who have been affected by COVID-19. Those awarded scholarships would enter the “Career in a Year” Program(s) and participate in its online platform beginning on August 1st.
2019/2020
WOMEN FOR FUTURE LEADERSHIP $5,000
Awarded to WEPOWER in Tel Aviv, Israel, this grant helps to identify and train women to become leaders in their local area, promote change, and take on public roles. WePower is the only NGO in Israel which proactively focuses on advancing women to top influential positions at the highest decision-making levels in government and in the public arena, thus propelling social change leading to a more equal, civic society.
PROMOTING HEALTHY SEXUALITY WITH GIRLS AT RISK $8,000
Awarded to ORR SHALOM FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH AT RISK in Beit Shemesh, Israel, this grant focuses on the damage caused by sexual abuse and educates the girls towards healthy sexuality. Orr Shalom is a non-profit organization that rescues Israel’s children who have been removed from their homes by the social welfare services following severe abuse, neglect, and tragedy. By providing safe loving homes, educational, psychological, and material support, Orr Shalom enables the children in its care to break the cycle of abuse, overcome their past and prepare for life as independent adults.
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT FOR THE ACTIVE ADULT $11,000
($5,000 plus a $5,000 match from the Sam Berman Foundation and a $1,000 from an anonymous donor)
Awarded to the DAVID POSNACK JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER in Broward County, this grant focuses on personal safety, including cyber theft and scams, financial stability and planning, and mental and physical wellbeing for women. The mission of the DPJCC is to enrich lives by connecting people through cultural, educational, social, recreational, and wellness programs in an environment of fun, friendship, and unity.
2018/2019
Production of Movies for Sexual Abuse Prevention Workshops for Young Adults and to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace - $8,000
Awarded to Tahel – Crisis Center for Religious Women and Children, this grant will go to help produce 2 films to prevent sexual abuse and harassment in the workplace. The films will be used in workshops and a digital campaign and will be available on USB so they can be discreetly distributed. Most noteworthy, the films are suitable to the sensitivities of the ultra-Orthodox community.
Women's Mentorship Initiative - $8,000
Awarded to Southern NCSY, this program pairs teenage women in the 9th – 12th grades with successful, accomplished women who have made an impact in their community. During the yearlong program, the mentors will show and teach the teenage cohort that it is possible to be strong influential women in today's world who can be heard and affect change to make their communities a better place.
Change the Culture $20,000
($5,000 plus an additional $15,000 from a partnership with the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, JWF of South Palm Beach, and JWF of the Greater Palm Beaches)
Awarded to Jewish Women's International JWI, this multifaceted program for Jewish college students tackles the epidemic of campus sexual assault with the goal of changing attitudes, supporting survivors, empowering women, and engaging men as allies JWI will partner with the University of Miami Hillel and Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach on their NSU and FAU campuses. The program will include training for peer leaders and professional staff, film screenings and discussion, a Shabbat dinner program, workshops, and a public awareness campaign.
2017/2018
Wellness and Retreat for Mom's Raising Children with Special Needs - $15,000
$12,000 plus a $3,000 match from the Sam Berman Foundation
Awarded to JAFCO, the Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Organization, this grant supports and empowers Jewish mothers of children with developmental disabilities through weekly support groups, monthly parent education services, social activities, a special wellness retreat, all geared to support women in making positive change for themselves, their children their families and the community as a whole.
Generating Occupational Horizons for Girls at Risk - From Risk to Resilience $8,000
Awarded to Israel Sci-Tech School in Israel, this grant is geared to girls ages 14-19 who come from high-risk situations, including poverty, domestic abuse & violence. This program will address body image, couples and family communication skills, eating disorders, healthy lifestyle through low-cost healthy nutrition, sports, leadership skills, technological and computer training, and much more.
2012 – 2016
Alma Derech Eretz - $30,000
($10,000 plus a $20,000 double match from the Jewish Community Foundation)
Awarded to Alma Derech Eretz, this grant enabled young Jewish women from disadvantaged backgrounds in Israel to experience the personal growth and preparation that will pave the way for meaningful army service and is key to lifetime success in Israeli society.
Money Management for Moms - $20,000
Awarded to JAFCO and the Soref JCC, this grant provided for series of workshops to women and girls dealing with basic economic literacy including topics such as budgeting, credit, legal documents, mortgages, and savings.
Alma Derech Eretz - $15,000
($5,000 plus a $10,000 double match from the Jewish Community Foundation)
Awarded to Alma Derech Eretz, this grant enabled young Jewish women from disadvantaged backgrounds in Israel to experience the personal growth and preparation that will pave the way for meaningful army service and is key to lifetime success in Israeli society.
Just Us Girls - $3,600
Awarded to Chai Lifeline, this grant provided for a series of workshops to help mothers and daughters who are grappling with a critically ill child or sibling.
Bringing Women to the Fore - $10,000
($5,000 plus a $5,000 match from the Jewish Community Foundation)
In partnership with 17 other Jewish Women's funds, awarded a two-year grant to Itach-Makki, the lead agency of feminist organizations that combat against discrimination of women in Israel. This grant provided for services that addressed women's exclusion and discrimination in wages, employment, education, and public resources.
Denise A. Lettau, Esq.
Ms. Lettau joined National Care Advisors in October 2020. She graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from Pacific Lutheran University and subsequently a juris doctorate from Seattle University. After graduation, Ms. Lettau worked as a Research Assistant at the Institute of International Law in Kiel, Germany and later after the fall of the Berlin Wall, she worked as a Senior Lecturer at Humboldt University in Berlin.
Upon her return to the United States, Ms. Lettau practiced law before entering the banking industry. Her banking career has been entirely focused on servicing the disabled and/or elderly. She worked for an eight- year stint at SunTrust Bank as a trust advisor in the Special Needs Trust department followed by nearly five years at Wells Fargo as a Senior Advisory Specialist in the area of Life Management Services which catered to the needs and concerns of older clientele. From 2018 – 2020, Ms. Lettau served as Vice President of Advancement at Secured Futures.
Ms. Lettau is a board member of both the Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Broward County. Denise is currently serving as the co-chair for the Strategic Impact Teams for the Jewish Federation. She also currently serves as the Chair for the Jewish Women’s Foundation and is also a Lion of Judah. Denise has served a number of roles within the Jewish Federation as a lay leader. She is the founder of the Hearts of Gold Society, a women’s circle to support the goals of Ann Storck Center in Fort Lauderdale. The Ann Storck Center provides education, daycare and residential housing for individuals with special needs.
Esther Shacket
Esther Shacket was born in Poland and raised in Israel, where she served in the IDF before immigrating to the US in 1974. As a child of Holocaust survivors, it guided and shaped the direction she would take in life. After arriving in the US, she met her husband Roger. Together with their two children, Kevin and Nicole, they have built a life of philanthropy. Since 1978 Esther has been involved in the Broward Jewish Community and held a multitude of positions at many Jewish organizations, including her role as B’nai Brith Women’s Regional Chair of 11 States (D.C. - Florida), and Past National Board member of Jewish Women International. She is a founding member of the KOLOT coalition at Jewish Family Services of Broward County,
Continuing her endeavors, she began her involvement with the Jewish Federation of Broward County in the early 2000s with Women’s Division and served as N. Area Campaign Chair. She chaired the Israel and Overseas committee where she flourished as the 1st Steering Committee Chair of the Broward / Nesher, Israel Partnership. In 2007, Esther & Roger Shacket founded the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Broward County, where she formed a group of philanthropic women who are committed to transforming the lives of Jewish women and girls and fostering life-long social change, one woman at a time.
Expanding her involvement, she has held positions such as Broward Jewish Women’s Division Nominating Committee Chair, Jewish Community Foundation of Broward Governance Chair, Broward Jewish Federation Missions Chair, Broward Jewish Federation Major Gifts Chair, and from 2017 - 2019, she held the position of Board Chair of the Jewish Community Foundation of Broward.
Today, she sits on the Israel & Overseas Impact Team, is the Life & Legacy Chair, Vice Board Chair for the Jewish Federation of Broward County, and is a Board Member for Women’s Philanthropy.
Outside of her tumultuous philanthropic endeavors, she owns R.N.S. Associates, Property Development & Management Company and is a Certified Florida Supreme Court, Appointed, Family, Mediator. She is the proud recipient of the Jewish Federation WD Lisa Shulman Leadership Award, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Mother of the Year Award, Jewish Family Services Women of Valor Award, Soref JCC Alvin Gross Community Service Award, Jewish Federation Dedicated Leadership Award, and Jewish Community Foundation Outstanding Leadership Award.
For more information, please email jwf@jewishbroward.org
About LIFE & LEGACY®
Community Partners
Each participating organization selects a team of dedicated volunteers who work with professional staff to secure legacy gifts for their organization and the community. The Jewish Community Foundation of Broward supports the team members and works to coordinate this community-wide initiative to build a sustainable Broward Jewish community through endowments. Click the logo below for more information.
Getting Started
Ways to Give
There are many different ways to leave your own legacy. Your legacy gift can be designed to match your personal circumstances.
Forms
Ready to begin? Download the 2021 Declaration of Intent and contact your organization or organizations of choice today. If you would like to digitally sign the document, please open in Adobe Acrobat.
Testimonials
News
LIFE & LEGACY Incredible 1st Year in Broward County
Local Jewish Organization Secures $15 Million in Endowment-Building Initiative Nationally, LIFE & LEGACY Program Tops $1 Billion Over 300 donors in the Broward Community have made personal commitments to provide future financial stability. These commitments totaling an anticipated $15 million are a part of a collaborative endowment building effort that includes 13 local Jewish organizations…
Judy Levenson Director of Educational Excellence and Life & Legacy, Senior Relationship Manager
(954) 660-2076 | jlevenson@jewishbroward.org
Chai Care has raised over $12 million for needy Jews in Broward County, Israel and around the world.
