Greater Miami Jewish Federation 2010 Pacesetter Event

Features Syndicated Columnist George Will

More than 450 of Miami’s most committed Jewish philanthropists came out in full force for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation 2011 Pacesetter Event at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.

This annual event, which regularly draws large crowds, was one of the largest Pacesetters in the community’s history, thanks to an extraordinary number of new Pacesetters. Together, these philanthropists donated more than $2.8 million to the 2011 Federation/UJA Campaign, with the average donor increasing his or her commitment nearly six percent over last year.

The 2011 Pacesetter Event was co-chaired by Lily and David Serviansky and Ray Ellen and Allan Yarkin. The evening featured remarks from a number of community leaders, including Federation Board Chair Barbara Black Goldfarb and Federation General Campaign Chair Brian L. Bilzin. Both spoke movingly about the important work accomplished by the Annual Campaign – in Miami, in Israel and around the world – and how Federation’s overseas partner agencies, such as the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), were able to quickly help Israelis affected by the devastating Carmel Region fires.

The evening also featured a keynote address by Washington Post syndicated columnist and ABC News analyst George F. Will. Peppering his remarks with humor, historical analogies and personal reflections, the media icon offered a stirring defense of the State of Israel’s right to exist and asserted the Jewish people’s historic and cultural claims to the land. Summing up his remarks to the crowd, Will said: “Israel was not made by flimsy people, it was made by sturdy people, and it continues to be sustained by sturdy people – people like you.”

The Federation gratefully acknowledges its Corporate Sponsors for their financial support of the Pacesetter Event. Platinum Sponsors were: Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod, LLP; The Collection; Greenberg Traurig, P.A.; and Wachovia Wells Fargo. Gold Sponsors were: Akerman Senterfitt Attorneys at Law; Kent Security Services; and Sapoznik Insurance & Associates, Inc. The Silver Sponsor was Meland Russin & Budwick, P.A., and Bronze Sponsors were Carlton Fields Attorneys at Law; Frank Crystal and Company; Goldstein Schecter Koch; and Kaufman, Rossin & Co., P.A., Certified Public Accountants. Podhurst Orseck, P.A., Trial and Appellate Lawyers was the Pearl Sponsor.

For more information, please call 305-576-4000 or visit JewishMiami.org.