VIRTUAL CELEBRATION 2021 JWF GRANT AWARDS
May 6, 2021
JWF Leadership Award
RACHEL SAPOZNIK President of Sapoznik Insurance a World Insurance Company
OF BROWARD COUNTY
The Jewish Women’s Foundation gratefully acknowledges our
PATRONS
Sam Berman Charitable Foundation And Roger and Esther Shacket Family Fund
Thankou Y
TO OUR SHOP FOR A CAUSE
Boutiques
“Your greatness is not in what you have, but in what you give.”
–Alice Hocker
JWF Leadership Award
Rachel Sapoznik Rachel A. Sapoznik is the Founder and President of Sapoznik Insurance, a World Insurance Company, and is an industry leader in employee benefits solutions. In a male-dominated industry, Rachel relentlessly pursued her entrepreneurial vision to revolutionize traditional employee benefits through education. In doing so, she rapidly expanded the company from her home office into one of the largest independently owned agencies in South Florida. Now, 34 years later, Sapoznik Insurance has been acquired by World Insurance Associates (WIA), which has been named one of The Most Successful Companies in America by Inc. 5000, a Top 100 P/C Agency by Insurance Journal and Business Insurance, and a five-time honoree of NJBIZ Fast 50. Rachel is recognized as one of South Florida’s leading healthcare experts. She has been featured in several national networks, including CNBC.com, Yahoo! Finance, MarketWatch, Reuters, MorningStar, Employee Benefits Advisor, Automotive News, and TheStreet.com. Locally, she has been interviewed by Invest Miami, The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel, The South Florida Business Journal, Crain’s Miami, South Florida Business & Wealth Magazine, Miami Today, and the virtual talk show On Point with Rachel Tourgeman. Rachel has constructed a roadmap to navigate today’s healthcare challenges and provide expert solutions for tomorrow. A true visionary, Rachel has always emphasized the value of education, wellness, and building strong programs for her clients. Driven by these guiding principles, Rachel has helped hundreds of companies across the country improve their employees’ health while positively impacting her clients’ bottom line. Her book, A Passion for Wellness: Healthy Employees, Healthy Bottom Line, was featured on Amazon’s bestseller list for new releases upon its publication. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Rachel has made it her mission to help the communities around her. As a devoted philanthropist, she is deeply involved in many charities, especially those dedicated to improving children’s lives. Whether spearheading a fundraiser for developmentally challenged adults or children, mentoring future business leaders, or educating children about the importance of healthy eating, Rachel derives the greatest pleasure from supporting her community. Rachel has been awarded several accolades, speaking to both her professional and philanthropic accomplishments. Recent honors include: • South Florida Business Journal’s Power Leaders, 2021 • Honoree for the South Florida Business & Wealth Apogee Awards, 2020 • Philanthropy Miami Donor Next Door Award, 2020 • South Florida Business Journal’s Top Insurance Agencies in South Florida, 2015 - 2019 • The Commonwealth Institute Top 50 Woman-Led Businesses in Florida, 2015-2019 • South Florida Business Journal’s Top Women-Owned Businesses, 2015 - 2019 • South Florida Business Journal’s Top Corporate Giving/Corporate Foundations, 2015, 2017, 2019 • Employee Benefit Adviser Top Women in Benefit Advising, 2018 • The Silver Stevie Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year, Business Services, 2017 • Enterprising Women of the Year Award Honoree, 2017 • South Florida Business Journal’s South Florida Ultimate CEO, 2016 Additionally, Rachel is actively involved in her community and currently serves as: • Jackson Health Foundation, Board Member • The Education Fund, Board Member • JAFCO, Board Member • Florida Funders, Board Member • South Florida Business Journal, Leadership Trust Member • Strategic Forum, Member
TRUSTEES Lori Adelson Arlene Backman Jane Basch Terry Breitbord Karen Dombey Goldie Dropkin Wandy Druss Adrienne Frank Randi Grant Agnes Gray Sheryl Greenwald Laura Gordon Gladys Hirschman Bette Hochberger Marcy Hoffman Stephanie Houser Joan Kuriansky Carol Lasek
Denise Lettau* Jami Levy** Audrey Meline Elissa Mogilefsky Robbin Newman Karen Roberts Susan Samrick Karen Saster Stephanie Saunders Susan Schneider Hanita Schreiber Ibby Schulman Esther Shacket*** Nicole Shacket** Merryl Shapiro Gina Shull Gina Stelnik Corina Waldman
*Chair **Past Chair ***Founding Trustee
2020 to 2021: … There is no such thing as a lost year! BY DENISE LETTAU
“Your greatness is not in what you have, but in what you give” —Alice Hocker Many have referred to 2020 as a lost year, but I beg to differ. I think we all gained in 20/20 crystal clear vision as to who and what mattered to us and we aligned our actions to support this newfound awareness. We learned to pivot, quickly, and risked hosting the first, virtual Zoom Grant Wishes. In 2021, we again found ourselves on Zoom but with the belief that next year, we will be in person. COVID-19 rallied our trustees to do something more and to focus more on existential matters. We provided funds with a generous match by the Sam Berman Foundation to Jewish Family Services to provide rental assistance/gift cards and created a scholarship fund to assist women that have lost their jobs or who need to hone new skills. The pandemic also caused us to think more seriously about entrepreneurship. Women starting, owning, and running businesses. We provided a $20,000 grant to Yozmot Atid in Israel, that is assisting women, with success, to start sustainable businesses. We introduced JEWELS (which originated at the NY JWF), Jewish Entrepreneurial Women Executives and Leaders as part of our Expert Series. Here, we celebrate our trustees that are running businesses or holding leadership positions as evidence that women can and do excel in the business world. This theme carried over to this year’s JWF Leadership Award winner a.k.a. our Crown Jewel, Rachel Sapoznik. Rachel founded Sapoznik Insurance in 1987 and has been recognized as a leading female entrepreneur in Broward County. As my chairmanship is winding down, I have so many people to thank. First and foremost, Esther Shacket, a mentor and dear friend to me, who really put me on track to land here—something that I am still astounded by. It has been the honor of a lifetime. A special thank you to Sheryl Greenwald and Robbin Newman for tirelessly chairing our Grant Committee during my chairmanship. I especially thank Sheryl for contributing to JWF, not only with her time, but also through her stewardship of the Sam Berman Foundation. On numerous occasions, she has made it possible for us to help even more women/girls by providing funds that we lacked. It is never enough to say “thank you” but we continue to do so. Finally, I want to say that we are all born a “promise” to humanity and with immense capabilities. I hope that everyone will find the time, use their talent and part with some of their treasure so that JWF can continue to do its tremendous work. This way, we can fulfill our promise.
2021 Jewish Women’s Foundation Grant Awards
$38,500
The JWF gratefully acknowledges the generous support and partnership of the Sam Berman Charitable Foundation and the Roger and Esther Shacket Family Fund.
Broward County Programs JAFCO Children’s Ability Center Women’s Wellness Retreats
This program is for four wellness retreats for Jewish moms raising a child(ren) with developmental disabilities that will support and empower the 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 (ren). The retreats will include yoga, drumming circles, spa services, food, drinks and more and will allow them to renew, relax and refresh. Childcare will be provided by JAFCO with qualified staff for all program activities as these moms report feeling safe leaving their children with the JAFCO well-trained staff.
Israeli Programs Yozmot Atid Micro-Entrepreneurship in the Face of COVID
This program focuses on unemployed or underemployed women between the ages of 25 and 65 from Israel’s geographic periphery. Specifically, the program will target women who were salaried employees for their entire professional lives prior to COVID19 and have not previously considered running a small business. Following the participants 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.
Machshava Tova APP2U Educational Empowerment for Jewish Teenage Girls at Risk
This program focuses on at-risk Jewish girls in grades 7 – 9 from 4 unserved communities in Israel’s geographic periphery. 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 project based learning (PBL) approach – learning a new tool, researching using that tool, building a product using that tool, and sharing with the group. To increase engagement with each other, each section is paired with an inspiring song. APP2U seeks to bolster Jewish girls’ confidence in their abilities and future accomplishments.
OF BROWARD COUNTY
It is a great pleasure to congratulate the Jewish Women’s Foundation (JWF) on their 5th annual Grant Wishes Celebration. Tonight’s event provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate an incredible year of accomplishments and reward three programs whose mission is so critical to the success and survival of many women. For the past thirteen years, JWF has had a home within our Jewish Federation of Broward County and has worked directly with our Jewish Community Foundation. It is imperative that we have a strong and vibrant JWF that is committed to transforming the lives of women and girls while fostering lifelong social change, one woman at a time. The JWF Trustees are the decision makers and we admire their dedication, passion and commitment. It is crucial that we continue to inspire philanthropy to invest in Jewish life in Broward County, Israel and around the world by connecting people and igniting passion. A special congratulations to this year’s grants recipients, JAFCO Children’s Ability Center, Yozmit Atid, and Machshava Tova. May these grants help you propel your programs forward and bring education and awareness to your communities. Mazel tov to Rachel Sapoznik, President of Sapoznik Insurance - A World Insurance Company for the well-deserved honor of receiving the JWF Leadership Award. What are we without a good leader who will guide and educate us throughout the process? Denise Lettau, thank you for your unwavering support and guidance as the Chair for JWF, your work and heart are always in the right place. Thank you to Sheryl Greenwald and Robbin Newman for your leadership as the Grant Chairs and to the members of the Grant Committee - Jane Basch, Karen Dombey, Randi Grant, Laura Gordon, Denise Lettau, Karen Roberts, Ibby Schulman, Susan Schneider, Esther Shacket, Gina Stelnik and Corina Waldman for this year’s process. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Broward County and the Jewish Community Foundation Board of Trustees, we wish you all much success and thank you all for your ongoing generosity to the well-being and future of our Jewish Community. Bob Schneider Michael Balaban Board Chair, JFBC President & CEO, JFBC Bill Gross Board Chair, JCF
Keith Goldmann Chief Philanthropy Officer, JCF
Chair of the Board ISAAC K. “IKE” FISHER Chair of the Board e Board ISAAC K. “IKE” FISHER Immediate Past Board Chair KE” FISHER JEFFREY SCHECK Immediate Past Board Chair Past Board Chair JEFFREY SCHECK Vice Chairs CHECK ARIEL BENTATA Vice Chairs ELISE SCHECK BONWITT ARIEL BENTATA MOJDEH KHAGHAN DANIAL TATA ELISE SCHECK BONWITT STEVE FOLDES ECK BONWITTMOJDEH KHAGHAN DANIAL STEVEN GRETENSTEIN HAGHAN DANIAL STEVE FOLDES DR. BRUCE KOHRMAN LDES STEVEN GRETENSTEIN ILENE KOSSMAN RETENSTEIN DR. BRUCE KOHRMAN SIDNEY M. PERTNOY E KOHRMAN ILENE KOSSMAN BARBARA SHRUT SMAN SIDNEY M.WEINSTEIN PERTNOY STANLEY
PERTNOY
SHRUT
WEINSTEIN
TEBOOK
BARBARA SHRUT HEDY WHITEBOOK STANLEY WEINSTEIN TAMMY WOLDENBERG HEDY WHITEBOOK RICHARD YULMAN TAMMY WOLDENBERG
RICHARD YULMAN OLDENBERG Secretary RAY ELLEN YARKIN
YULMAN
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Secretary AR
DIENER
Treasurer BEN-AVIV
Secretary Associate Secretary RAY ELLEN YARKIN SARA BEJAR Associate Secretary Treasurer SARA BEJAR MICHELLE DIENER Treasurer Associate MICHELLETreasurer DIENER MICHELLE BEN-AVIV Associate Treasurer President MICHELLEand BEN-AVIV Chief Executive Officer JACOB SOLOMON President and Chief Executive Officer
and JACOB SOLOMON utive Officer
LOMON
Dear Friends: On behalf of the Officers, Board of Directors and Staff of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, we congratulate Jewish Women’s Foundation of Broward County (JWF) on its 2021 Virtual Celebration. We are particularly pleased to join you in recognizing the many achievements of Rachel Sapoznik, recipient of your 2021 Leadership Award. In addition to founding one of Florida’s top-50 women-led businesses, Rachel generously supports and is actively involved in many of South Florida’s most vital cultural, civic and community organizations and causes. We are grateful for Rachel’s longtime devotion to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, where she has ensured her company is counted among our Proud Business Partners year after year. She personifies the modern definition of “A Woman of Valor” by dedicating her time and resources to improving the quality of life in South Florida, in Israel and around the world. The Jewish Women’s Foundation addresses many of the most pressing issues facing women and girls in Broward County and Israel with an innovative array of grants that promote gender equality, educational opportunity and advocacy. Guided by their shared commitment to philanthropy and volunteerism, JWF Trustees change lives, promote gender equity and advance the concept of social justice. In selecting Rachel as this year’s Leadership Award recipient, JWF has recognized an individual whose personal values and priorities aligns perfectly with the mission of the organization. As your partner in Jewish philanthropy and tikkun olam, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation commends Jewish Women’s Foundation of Broward County and encourages women of compassion and conscience to share its vital mission.
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The Mission of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation is to mobilize human and financial resources to care for those in need,
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Thank You to our
SILVER Sponsors
Congratulates
Rachel Sapoznik
on receiving the 2021 JWF Leadership Award. We want to take this time to thank the Jewish Women’s Foundation for their continued dedication to the community and women across the world. United Claims Specialists is a licensed public adjusting firm, who has represented thousands of property owners. While headquartered in Miami, UCS has coverage across the entire state of Florida, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Texas, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. We provide a committed team of experts to each case: licensed public adjusters, building engineers, construction and contents specialists, lawyers, and others if necessary. We pride ourselves on our proactive approach to each client’s claim, crafting a customized solution to maximize each settlement and taking swift action on behalf of our clients. Insurance Companies hire experts so should you! Contact our team at United Claims Specialists for more information at (855) 321-LOSS or visit www.UCSFL.com. or direct inquiries: to Stephanie Saunders Director of Business Development, 561-320-2979, stephanie@UCSFL.com
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Itʼs also the reason we are proud to support the Jewish Women's Foundation of Broward County and the Grant Wishes Celebration. We are honored to be involved with an organization that recognizes all the strong and dedicated women in our community. A special congratulations to Rachel Sapoznik on receiving the JWF Leadership Award.
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Congratulations Rachel Sapoznik JWF Leadership Award recipient And to my Fellow JWF Trustees…
Another amazing round of grants!
Changing Women’s lives, One Woman at a time Karen Roberts, Proud Trustee, Current Vice-Chair Owner of The Emerald Financial Group
Mazel Tov RACHEL SAPOZNIK
on receiving the JWF Leadership Award and to my fellow Trustees on an excellent grant awards. -SHERYL GREENWALD-
Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence
2020
ROBBIN NEWMAN, ESQ. NEWMAN LAW OFFICE, P.L. COMMERCIAL AND LUXURY RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES FLORIDA SUPREME COURT CIRCUIT-CIVIL MEDIATOR
954.817.5511 rnewmanatty@gmail.com
Congratulations to RACHEL SAPOZNIK on receiving the JWF Leadership Award
Denise Lettau, Esq. VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT
267.327.4087 dlettau@securedalliance.org 2875 NE 191 St. STE 500 Aventura, FL 33180 SECUREDFUTURES.ORG
LITTLE GIRLS WITH DREAMS BECOME WOMEN WITH VISION
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CONGRATULATES Jewish Women's Foundation 2021 Leadership Award Recipient
RACHEL SAPOZNIK
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401 East Las Olas Blvd., Suite 1400 | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 www.HRLawPRO.com | Info@HRLawPRO.com | 954-302-8960
HERE’S TO STRONG WOMEN. MAY WE KNOW THEM. MAY BE THEM. MAY WE RAISE THEM.
Laura Gordon, MSW, E-RYT, AEA 773-383-2481 laura@yoga-tonic.com www.yoga-tonic.com
Thank you for everyone that joined us for such a spectacular evening. It was a such a pleasure to share our
Grant
Wishes Celebration with you.
Congratulations once again to Rachel Sapoznik.
‘Your greatness is not in what you have, but in what you give.’ – Unknown Please
join us in our mission to improve
the lives of Jewish women and girls in
Broward County and Israel. The Jewish Women’s Foundation Trustees
Denise Lettau
Chair, Jewish Women’s Foundation
Karen Zemel
Director, Jewish Women's Foundation & Horizons Young Leadership Program
954-252-6978 | kzemel@jewishbroward.org
@JWFBROWARD WWW.JEWISHBROWARD.ORG