Visionary leadership for our collective Jewish future
Jewish Palm Beach Leadership Circle celebrates the visionary leaders of Jewish Palm Beach who provide the steadfast support needed today. Members create transformative philanthropic impact through their ongoing commitment of $50,000 or more to Federation’s Annual Campaign.
The inspirational philanthropy of the Leadership Circle sets an example for leadership giving, which is critical to our collective Jewish future. Members exemplify the Jewish value of K’lal Yisrael (a shared commitment to one another) while embracing and responding to the anticipated and unforeseen needs of the community.
2022-2023 Honorary Chairs
“It is our responsibility and duty as Jews to offer support to the most vulnerable among us.”
– Richard A. Friedman
“I have a philosophy which I refer to as ‘engaged philanthropy,’ which means I like to be actively engaged in the organizations I support. The Palm Beach Jewish community needs that support.”
– Peter May
“Partnering with local organizations such as the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is even more critical during this unprecedented and uncertain time. We have a responsibility, wherever and however possible, to continue to support their primary role and mission of being there for you, us and our community.”
– Jonathan Tisch
Members are acknowledged annually on Federation’s website and in several publications, including the Palm Beach Daily News, and Federation’s Honor Roll, in addition to being listed as the H. Irwin Levy Founders Event Committee. Leadership Circle members also benefit from Federation’s VIP concierge service to arrange curated site visits and family volunteer opportunities.

Our Community is Growing
While some of us have enjoyed life in Palm Beach for years, we are now seeing a significant migration of new and younger residents from all over the country. This community is now recognized as “Wall Street South,” with many employees of financial services firms establishing roots here. As we continue to flourish as a center of Jewish life, we anticipate 200,000 people will live in local Jewish households by 2026.
The Jewish Palm Beach Leadership Circle plans for this growth in a way that sets an inspirational example for Jewish communities worldwide.


- Mental health services for people of all ages, with special attention to young parents
- Financial assistance for families so they can participate in Jewish life
- Nutritious meals for those facing economic uncertainty
- Programs to proactively combat antisemitism and anti-Israel activity
- Security resources for local Jewish organizations and life-saving emergency preparedness training

Your commitment is making it possible to help thousands of people like Jennifer and Abe. |

Jennifer is a single mom supporting her two children on a $50,000 annual income as a teacher. Although she is a professional, the high cost of living in the Palm Beaches is preventing Jennifer from addressing anything but her family’s most basic needs such as housing, food and utilities. She cannot make her budget stretch any further to have her children attend Jewish preschool or religious school, nor can she afford synagogue membership.
Jennifer knows the Jewish community is there for her.
She received emergency cash assistance to help offset the cost of her rent, and scholarships are now covering a large portion of childcare expenses at a Jewish preschool. Jennifer’s children are now exposed to the beauty of Jewish life and learning, and Jennifer is connected with our Jewish community.
Abe knows the Jewish community is there for him.
His overall health is improving since he started receiving meal deliveries, nursing services and volunteer visits. Abe has also been fitted for hearing aids and eyeglasses.

We then distribute funds to the nonprofit organizations and programs listed below, which are located in the Palm Beaches, Israel and 70 countries around the world. Each provides critical services and demonstrates measurable outcomes.
You can find descriptions of all of our partners and programs at jewishpb.org/partners

Jewish Palm Beach Leadership Circle Members
Mindy & Gene Aaron
Earl Abramson & Sheila Schlaggar
Leonard Abramson
Marilyn & Bruce Alexander
Daris & Martin Alloy
Arlene I. Kaufman z”l & Sanford M. Baklor
Herbert Bearman Foundation
Robert M. Beren
Marjorie G. & Barry S. Berg
Judy & Howard Bernick
Kay & Peter Bernon
Jill & Jay Bernstein
Mickey & Lawrence Beyer
Vanessa & Anthony Beyer
Penny & Harold Blumenstein
Tina & Jeffrey Bolton
Rita & Charles Bronfman
Clo & Charles S. Cohen
Julie F. & Peter D. Cummings
Christine & Alan Curtis
Barbara & Harold Danenberg
Tootsie & Mark Eisenberg
Natalie & Edward Emerson
Sheila Engelstein z”l
Lynn & Stuart Epstein
Vickie & Jack z”l Farber
Susan & Leonard Feinstein
Beth & Richard Fentin
Phyllis & Paul Fireman
Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Margie & Steve Fiverson
Maddie & Sidney Forbes
Susan & Richard Friedman
Susan & Alan Fuirst
Alice & Nathan Gantcher
Lori & Bruce Gendelman
Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin
Linda & Ray Golden
Merrill & Charles Gottesman
Helaine & Fred Gould
Jeff & Mei Sze Greene
J. Ira z”l & Nicki Harris Family Foundation
Nancy & Joel Hart
Carol & James Herscot
Bowie Jacobson
Kathy & Mitchell Jacobson
Sheila & Bob Josephberg
Allison & Warren Kanders
Francine & Steven Katz
Marilyn L. & Stanley M. Katz
Elaine & Henry Kaufman
Angelica Klebanoff
Dorothy & Sidney Kohl
Anne E. Koons
Roberta & Paul Kozloff
Mindy Schneider & Michael Lesser, M.D.
Syndie T. Levien
Claire M. Levine
Ellen & H. Irwin Levy
Stacey K. & Mark F. Levy
Wendy & Larry Levy
Vivian Lieberman
Cynthia & Peter Liebman
Sam & Erna Liebovich
Vicki & Arthur S. Loring
Bente S. Lyons
Phyllis & William L. Mack
Sondra & David S. Mack
Jack, Joseph & Morton Mandel Foundation
Leni & Peter May
Tiffany & William A. Meyer
Barbara Mines & Susan Mines
Terry & Claude Oster
Stacy & Keith Palagye
Pamela & Edward S. Pantzer
Susan & Ronnie Pertnoy
Ina & Murray Pitt
Mimi Rieder z”l
Lyn M. Ross
Robin & Mark Rubenstein
Dundi & Lyon Sachs
Eva & Marvin Schlanger
Betsy & Richard Sheerr
Bonnie Osher & Peter Sherman, M.D.
Shirley & Jack Silver
Hope & Gene Silverman
Lainey & Beryl Simonson
Sydelle Sonkin
Abigail Klem Spector & Warren Spector
Lisa & Steven Tananbaum
Robyn & Leonard Tannenbaum
Carol Solomon & Charles Tapiero
Linda & Myron Teitelbaum
Nicole & David Tepper
Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch
Robbi & Bruce Toll
Kerry & Simone Vickar Family Foundation
Penni & Steve Weinberg
Christine Hikawa & David Windreich
Marilyn Winer
For more information, contact Matt Kernkraut, Chief Development Officer, at matthew.kernkraut@jewishpalmbeach.org or 561.242.6640.
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