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 Here's what's happening around the neighborhood with our Congregants and their families!
 Kenneth C. Hoffman, a Corporate & Securities Law partner at Greenberg Traurig, has named 2010–2011 Chairman of the Board of the Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews, whose mission is to eliminate intolerance. MCCJ is dedicated to making Miami a model of intercultural understanding.  Congratulations to Rob Dubbin, son of Lori & Sam Dubbin, for winning a second straight Emmy award on August 21st for Outstanding Writing for The Colbert Report. Eat your heart out, Danny Segal! Pictured at right with the Emmy, Danny was an intern this summer at The Colbert Report, and since we couldn’t get Rob to send us a photo with his Emmy, we figured this would do. ☺  Sean Emory, son of Mildred & Howard Emory, has been named to the 2010 College Baseball All American team by the Jewish Sports Review. Sean played varsity baseball at Miami Killian Senior High School and is a senior at Stetson University, where he plays both 2nd and 3rd base, and earned first-team honors in the All-Atlantic Sun Conference. Temple Beth Am is proud to recognize our congregants who have been included in the Top 100 of the list of 2010 Florida Super Lawyers: (pictured below, from left–top row) Scott L. Baena, Hilarie Bass, Mark D. Bloom, Milton Hirsch, Judith G. Korchin, John E. Leighton, Wendy F. Lumish and Aaron S. Podhurst. Bottom row–Jack R. Reiter, Martin L. Steinberg, Michael R. Tein, Harley S. Tropin, Robert S. Turk and Mitchell E. Widom. Ilisa Hoffman was listed in the Top 50 Women (along with Hilarie, Judy and Wendy). Super Lawyers identifies the top 5 percent of attorneys in each state, as chosen by their peers and through the independent research of Law & Politics. Congratulations to these members who have been honored by their colleagues!   We also congratulate the many other congregants — too numerous to list here — who also were included (by practice area) in the full list of 1,500 Florida Super Lawyers.Kudos to Brad Sokol, who as an Assistant Coach for the South Florida Xpress travel football team, shared in the title this summer at the Badger Sports Elite 7-on-7 National Championship held at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The South Florida team is made up of many Division 1 college football prospects.  Congratulations to Miami trial attorney J.B. Harris, has been selected by The Florida Bar Journal Editorial Board as the 2009 recipient of the Excellence in Writing award for his article, “Riding the Red Rocket: Amendment 7 and the End to Discovery Immunity of Adverse Medical Incidents in the State of Florida,” which appeared in the March 2009 issue. Each year, a committee of the editorial board selects a recipient for the award based on the writing quality, substance, difficulty and style of the article.  Sue & Ray Fisher, longtime residents of Pinecrest, have donated a “Peace Bird Bath,” which has been placed at the entrance to Pinecrest Gardens. The bird bath was created by artist Pinecrest Gardens. The bird bath was created by artist Don Seiler, whose creations include the oversized concrete nude woman in Dante Fascell Park in South Florida. Also pictured is congregant Cindy Lerner (center), Mayor of the Village of Pinecrest.  Alan K. Fertel, a partner with Pathman Lewis in Miami and head of the firm’s State Court Civil Litigation Division, has been named Vice Chair of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission. The commission promotes youth, amateur and professional sports in Miami-Dade County, and works to secure sports events that will generate economic impact for the community.  John Elliott Leighton, managing partner of Leighton Law, P.A., was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2011 in the field of Personal Injury Litigation, for the fourth consecutive year. A Florida Bar board certified civil trial lawyer with 25 years of experience in litigating and trying complex and catastrophic cases in all state and federal courts, John also is listed as a Top Lawyer in the South Florida Legal Guide and in the Top 50 list of Florida Super Lawyers.  A chance meeting this summer in the Village in New York City between Larry David (center), creator of the long-running TV sitcom Seinfeld, and Danny Segal, son of Cantor Lisa & Jim Segal, and Ali Levin, daughter of Albert Levin. Larry was filming the next season of Curb Your Enthusiasm for HBO. Was it something Danny said?  Ira Leesfield, founder and managing partner of the Florida trial law firm Leesfield & Partners, has been selected as a board member of the Greater Miami and Broward Chapter of the American Jewish Committee. Ira will support the organization’s financial goals, provide direction and guidance on major policy issues and programs, identify and recruit future leaders and supporters for AJC, and serve as an ambassador of the organization in the community. AJC seeks to enhance the well-being of Israel and the Jewish people worldwide, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the U.S. and around the world.  John C. Sumberg, managing partner of Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP, was one of 10 of Miami-Dade's top executives to be honored on June 24th with the South Florida Business Journal's 2010 Ultimate CEO Award, which recognizes CEOs who are both leaders in their organizations and their communities, and who demonstrate outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence. John has served as the firm's managing partner since its inception, and has been practicing in the area of commercial real estate for more than 35 years.  Mitchell Widom, a partner at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP, has been named Practice Group Leader of the firm's Litigation Group. A partner in the Group for over 13 years, Mitch concentrates his practice on civil matters in areas ranging from class actions and construction to real property disputes and insurance coverage. He He currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the Florida Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation America.  Congratulations to Alexander Ades, son of Rebecca & Harvey Ades, who has been selected as the 2009–2010 Co-Salutatorian of Gulliver Preparatory School. Alexander, who earned a grade point average of 5.75, will enter the University of Miami in the fall.  Richard Lampen was profiled in the June 7th issue of The Miami Herald’s Business Monday section. As President and CEO of Miami-based Ladenburg Thalmann Financial services, an investment banking and brokerage firm, Richard manages 1,300 people and discussed how he helped steered his financial services company though the recent economic meltdown.  Staci Green (right), daughter of Lisa Heller Green, was featured in a front-page article in the May 29th issue of The Miami Herald's Tropical Life — “Student fashion designers learn the runway ropes.” An aspiring fashion designer, Staci is a senior at the Design and Architecture Senior High (DASH) in the Miami Design District, and this fall enters the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, the school that launched the career of Hannah MacGibbon, the creative director of Chloé.  Alyssa Baron, daughter of Karen & David Baron, has been named by The Miami Herald as a 2009–2010 Dade Scholar-Athlete. A senior at Gulliver Preparatory School, Alyssa was honored in 2007–2009 as The Miami Herald’s Girls’ 1A-4A Basketball Player of the Year. She will attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.  The Women’s Department of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation on May 17th installed its new officers for 2010–2011. Among our congregants who are serving during the next year are: Campaign Chair, Laura Koffsky; VP-Campaign Development, SW Dade, Tracey Spiegelman; Secretary, Ilene Kossman; Members-at-Large, Karen Zinn, Sabrina Weiss Robinson and Pam Wolofsky.
 Congratulations to Mitch and Glenn Widom, co-chairs of the 2010 Sabadell United Bank Keymorada Invitational Fishing Tournament to benefit the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. This year’s tournament, held May 4-7, 2010, raised more than $400,000 for the third year in a row, with the participation of numerous sponsors and many law firms throughout Florida and the United States. The Keymorada tournament is the brainchild of the two brothers, and has been held since 2005 after Mitch’s daughter, Taylor, was diagnosed with Crohn's. They have raised over $2.1 million for the CCFA.  The Daily Business Review has announced its Top Dealmakers for 2010, with finalists selected in 14 categories from a field of more than 200 nominations from law firms, brokerages, readers-at-large and The Review’s editorial staff. Two congregants were named as Top Dealmakers: Scott L. Baena, a Restructuring & Bankruptcy partner at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP, was selected in the Distressed/Restructuring category, and Marshall R. Pasternack, a Corporate & Securities partner at Bilzin Sumberg, was chosen in the Hotels category. After 41 years as a South Florida high school and college baseball coach, Steve Hertz is winding down his career at Miami Dade College's Kendall Campus. Steve has spent 41 years as a local baseball coach, both on the high school level and at MDC. His career was profiled on May 3rd in The Miami Herald. He will finish his 26 years at MDC with roughly 950 career wins, and a winning percentage near .750. Along with his coaching, he has also helped solidify Southwest Miami-Dade as a must-stop for Major League scouts.  For those of us who lived in Miami during the ’70s and ’80s, the “Miami Sound” is synonymous with a band that put the Magic City on the map long before Gloria and Emilio Estefan reached their success. That band was KC and the Sunshine Band. On May 2nd, The Miami Herald ran an article — “They put Miami on the map” — which profiled KC and Hialeah’s TK Records, founded by congregant Henry Stone, who helped KC and the Sunshine Band with their Grammy-award winning career.  Kudos to Sarah Davidoff, owner/chef of Fare to Remember Creative Catering, and Matthew Greer, CEO of Carlisle Development Group, for being named to The Miami Herald's Top 20 Under 40 list. The Herald asked readers to nominate people under 40 who have distinguished themselves in their fields — or who are on the verge of making significant contributions to South Florida's business, economic and civic life.  Hilarie Bass, Global Operating Shareholder of Greenberg Traurig and a member of the firm's Executive Committee, has been named state delegate for Florida for the American Bar Association. She is currently serving as the Chair-Elect to the ABA Litigation Section.  Stephen Bittel, Chairman and founder of Terranova Corporation, has been named to the Board of Directors of the Florida International University's FIU Foundation, which encourages, solicits, receives and administers gifts for scientific, educational and charitable purposes for the advancement of FIU and its objectives.  Jonah Bookman, son of Karen Sobel & Rabbi Terry Bookman, was honored in February with the "Outstanding Soldier Award" in his unit in the Israel Defense Forces. Jonah made aliyah to Israel in 2009.  On March 21st, Jewish Community Services of South Florida held its annual Matzah, Mitzvah & More project, to distribute Passover holiday food packages to 1,900 seniors in their homes and in nursing homes. Serving as 2010 Co-Chairs were Beth Am congregants Martine & Eduardo Stern, Janet & Sarah Tralins and Pam & Howard Wolofsky.  Congratulations to Cantor Rachelle Nelson, who received a 2010 “Breaking the Glass Ceiling” award by the Jewish Museum of Florida. Rachelle is one of six recipients who was honored on March 24th at the Jewish Museum, 301 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach. This award is given to outstanding women in our community who have become successful pioneers in fields generally dominated by men, and also is based on their activities in the Jewish community and their service as role models for other women.  Cantor Lisa Segal was chosen by the Children’s Bereavement Center as its 2010 Honoree, and was honored at the 11th Anniversary Benefit, "Rockin' on the Green," on March 13th at Ransom Everglades Upper School. The benefit featured an auction followed by dinner catered by our own Chef David Schwadron. Last year’s honorees — Rachel, Brian, Adrian & Ken Dubow — also are members of Temple Beth Am.  Rabbi Joui Hessel, daughter of Jodi & Frank Hessel, will assume the position of Associate Rabbi and Director of Religious Education and Jewish Engagement at Washington Hebrew Congregation, effective July 1, 2010. Rabbi Hessel, who has Rabbi Hessel has been serving as Acting Religious School Director since Winter 2007, will assume primary responsibility for the Religious School.  Miami eyewear designer Edward Beiner has been selected as a Vice Chair for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s largest community gathering, The Main Event, on Thursday, February 4, 2010, at the Hilton Miami Downtown. More than 1,200 supporters of the Miami Jewish community will come together for one important evening, featuring keynote speaker Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel and honoring Miami philanthropist Isaac Olemberg.  Congratulations to Colleen & Richard Fain who were honored on January 24th by United Way of Miami-Dade County. They received the Alexis de Tocqueville Award for Outstanding Philanthropy at a reception at the Miami Beach home of famed film director Michael Bay (far right). United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society contributed nearly $20 million to the Miami-Dade community last year. The award is presented annually to individuals who have rendered outstanding service as a volunteer, demonstrated sustained philanthropy and inspired others to do likewise.  Steve Hertz, longtime coach of the Miami-Dade College baseball team, has announced his retirement and has been profiled in the January 23rd issue of The Miami Herald. Over the 26 years that he has coached the MDC Sharks, Steve has seen his teams ranked in the Top 10 nationally on 10 occasions. In 2001, he led the Sharks to the Florida State and Gulf District Championships, and finished fifth at the Junior College World Series.  Rebecca Kravetz, daughter of Lisse & Jeffrey Kravetz, won the Song Leading Award at the NFTY-STR Winter Regional held in Orlando December 27–30. NFTY’s Southern Tropical Region
brings together Reform Jewish teens from central Florida to the Keys.
Rebecca is a 10th grader at Miami Palmetto Senior High School.  Adrienne & Steven Messing served as Co-Chairs of The Pacesetter Event of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation on December 15, 2009 at the InterContinental Miami. Keynote speaker was Ambassador Dore Gold (right), President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and was Israel’s 11th Permanent Representative to the United Nations.  Michelle McClaskey, an attorney with Cohen & Bobotas, has been named to the Miami City Ballet’s Upper Room Host Committee. Michelle is a member of the Miami-Dade County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section.  Matthew S. Greer, chief executive officer of Carlisle Development Group, a multifamily affordable housing developer in Miami, has been named to the Board of Directors of the South Florida Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Matthew is active in the Hold the Line campaign to protect Miami-Dade County’s natural habitats from development.  Congratulations to Dr. Mark Oren, who has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Miami Art Museum, which has begun building a new Museum and resource commensurate to Miami's position as a hemispheric hub and creative capital, one whose impact extends nationally and beyond.  Don Rosenthal, State Manager for Florida of Republic Mortgage Insurance Company, has been named a Director of the Mortgage Bankers Association of South Florida, a nonprofit trade organization composed of loan origination companies, servicing companies and affiliated industry service providers.  Hadassah Blum, Sheliach Kehila of Beth Am’s Hispanic Division of Outreach, was honored on November 22nd by Seniors Hispanic Coalition USA, an organization which represents Spanish-speaking seniors in this country. Hadassah, a native of Argentina, was recognized at a musical concert for her acts of kindness toward people in need.  Lt. Shane Sablotsky, USN, son of Noreen Gordon Sablotsky and Steven Sablotsky, has received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal from the Secretary of the Navy. Shane was recognized for heroism in responding to the scene of a boating accident in the Bahamas, where he led the rescue effort, treatment and evacuation of four critically injured people near Exuma. Shane is stationed in Charleston where he is the COO on a nuclear teaching submarine  .Alissa Blank Meyers, daughter of Rita & Felix Blank, has been named “Employee of the Month” for December 2009 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Alissa began her career with the Department’s Office of General Counsel in Tallahassee in 2003 as an attorney in the Water Enforcement Group. She now is the group’s lead attorney managing her own cases and also is a resource for the other attorneys in her section.   |
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