Greater Miami Jewish Federation Women’s Event Celebrates and Inspires
Women’s Event Co-Chair Lindsay Schottenstein, Women’s Philanthropy President Sara Bejar, Women’s Event Co-Chair Robin Jacobs and Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair Ilene Kossman
Nearly 800 women from across Miami’s Jewish community gathered for a morning of inspiration and empowerment on Tuesday, October 31, at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Women’s Event at the Hilton Miami Downtown.
Chaired by Robin Jacobs and Lindsay Schottenstein, the event raised $1.6 million for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign to care for those in need, support vital programs and strengthen Jewish life in Miami, in Israel and in more than 70 other countries around the world. Headlining The Women’s Event was the “First Lady of Nails,” Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Co-Founder and Brand Ambassador of OPI Products Inc. She shared her Jewish journey as the daughter of Holocaust survivors growing up in Communist Hungary. The challenges she faced as a child gave her a work ethic second to none and an unyielding drive to succeed. She yearned to add color to her life, which she would eventually share with women around the world.
A highlight of the day was the specially named nail polish that Weiss-Fischmann donated. Each guest took home a bottle of Federation-inspired Chai From Miami OPI nail lacquer. Guests brought health and beauty items to donate to Shalom Bayit, a domestic abuse prevention program of Jewish Community Services (JCS), a partner agency of Federation.
Federation Board Chair Amy N. Dean with her daughter, Lisa Jerles
Sara Bejar is Women’s Philanthropy President, and Ilene Kossman is Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair.
Federation gratefully acknowledges its 2018 Proud Business Partners for their generous support. Platinum Sponsors were Bilzin Sumberg, Attorneys at Law; The Collection; Greenberg Traurig, P.A.; The Laquer Foundation; The Miami Herald; and Wells Fargo. Gold Sponsors were Akerman; City National Bank; Crystal & Company; Kaufman Rossin; Kent Security Services; Sapoznik Insurance & Associates; and South Florida Legal Guide. Silver Sponsors were Meland Russin & Budwick, P.A. and The Meltzer Group. Bronze Sponsors were Carlton Fields; Houlihan Lokey; Iberia Bank; and J.P. Morgan. Pearl Sponsors were Apollo Bank; BDO; Dacra; Element Pointe Advisors; Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra, Certified Public Accountants; Northern Trust Bank of Florida, N.A.; Omnia Family Wealth; Perry Ellis International; and Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
For more information about the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, please visit JewishMiami.org or call 305-576-4000.
Co-Founder and Brand Ambassador of OPI Products Inc. and keynote speaker, Suzi Weiss-Fischmann
Stephanie Schwartz, Maxine Schwartz and Elizabeth Schwartz
Norma Kipnis Wilson and Mikki Futernick
Gloria Scharlin and Judy Bittel
Rosa Rok, Raquel Scheck, Elise Scheck Bonwitt, Deahni Kipnis, Norma Kipnis Wilson, Sara Bejar, Sheree Savar and Mojdeh Khaghan Danial
State Senator Daphne Campbell, Director of the Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board, Shirley Plantin, and Nancy Zaretsky
Adrienne and Jeffrey Scheck, Federation Campaign Chair
Jolie Whitebook Rivner, Hedy Whitebook, Susan Sherwood, Rita Collins, Alison Cohen, Patty Breakstone, Ellen Kushner, Lishka Wittels and Ilene Weinkle
Tobi Ash and Ruchie Gross-Berger
Lisette Goldstein, Judy Abrams and Jane Sabet
Nadine Pertnoy, Teri Hirschberg, Linda Lieber, Rooney Brodie, Shelly Brodie, Jodi Orshan, Nadine Foldes and Roberta Parness
Leah Messing, Michal Hertzmann, Lecia Rothman, Melanie Litzer and Maty Beraja
Yochi Gold and Sydney Schaecter
Zina Abraham, Rosita Zelcer, Johana Abraham, Shifra Gad, Madelaine Kattan and Rebbitzen Chani Lipskar
Rachel Sapoznik and Gracie Weberman
Gail Harris, Sandi-Jo Gordon and Jayne Shapiro
Cindi Avila, Lauren Schwartz, Michelle Kramer, Kerri Stone, Melanie Kluger and Elizabeth Schaul
Jodi Katz and Amy Wildstein
Community clergy sing the anthems
Hagit Fefferman and Miriam Zadok
(Sitting) Mirit Hirsch, Evelyn Faigenblat and Rachel Dagan; (Standing) Anita Murciano, Keila Stiberman, Amy Shoshani and Karen Klein
Lauren Weider and Fran Hollander
Terri Bachow and Abbe Bunt
Clarita Kassin and Mytyl Simancas-Bister
Adena Newman, Rachel Grover-Bittman, Michelle Ohev-Zion and Nicole Gorin
Judith Hofman, Deborah Benoliel, Caroline Bidermann, Leslie Benitah, Allison Rosenfeld, Lori Zerbib and Netta Shaked
Janet Bochner and Kelly Fodiman
Moni Cohen, Adrienne Pardo, Debra Leibowitz and Sara Moriber
Women Philanthropy's personalized OPI color, Chai from Miami