A pioneering entity of Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach Center is committed to finding practical solutions to antisemitism confronting our local community.
The Palm Beach Center brings together community stakeholders with the authority and resources to act and offers strategic, monetary and advisory support to grantees and partner organizations.
The Center targets two proven priorities:
Antisemitic incidents in Florida were acts of harassment, totaling 292 cases and placing the state fifth in the nation for this category.
Florida is ranked seventh highest for antisemitic incidents in the United States.
Antisemitic incidents in Florida targeted Jewish institutions, twice the national average, including 50 bomb threats made in one day across South Florida.
The Center serves as the Jewish community’s convener, enabling direct collaboration with nonprofit organizations, government entities, businesses and communities, alongside Federation programs and Jewish partner organizations, to develop and execute strategies that directly confront local antisemitism and hatred.
The Palm Beach Center is made possible by the foresight and generosity of donors committed to the following objectives:
We address rising local hatred toward the Jewish community through sustainable solutions and community engagement.
We work with existing programs, while encouraging new partners to join the cause.
We focus on substantial improvements for immediate and long-term impact.
We share initiatives with other Jewish communities to create a positive global impact.
If you encounter antisemitic activity, report the incident on our J-Secure form. Our partners at Secure Community Network (SCN) and law enforcement will follow up on reported incidents
In emergency situations, call 9-1-1.
Explore the many forms of antisemitism in today’s world and learn effective strategies to confront them.
Leverage your influence by requesting support from your elected representatives or expressing gratitude by thanking them for standing with the Jewish community.
Our partner Hillel International offers free legal services for Jewish college students facing antisemitism.
Tune in to ‘mosaic,’ a Jewish public affairs show on WPBF 25 and, and ‘Hate Rising,’ a CBS 12 special series.
Richard A. Friedman
Co-Chair, Palm Beach Center
Steven Tananbaum
Co-Chair, Palm Beach Center
Barry S. Berg
Board Chair, Jewish Federation
Michael Hoffman
President & CEO, Jewish Federation
Josephine Gon
Executive Director, Palm Beach Center to Combat Antisemitism & Hatred and Public Affairs
The Advisory Committee comprises leaders in the Palm Beaches who bring a deep commitment to the Palm Beach Center. Committee members provide strategic counsel to professional leadership and promote the Center’s mission in Palm Beach County and beyond.
Neil Exter
James Foster
Jason T. Kalisman
Allison Kanders
Terry Kassel
William Mack
Susan Shulman Pertnoy
Lynn L. Peseckis
Linda A. Teitelbaum
Kerry Vickar
Jane Wilf
David Windreich
Peter May, Ex officio
Jonathan Tisch, Ex officio
Thank you, Palm Beach Center Founders, for ensuring local Jews can live openly and securely. Founders are recognized for their generosity to the PBC above and beyond the Federation Annual Campaign, and most commit for five years, allowing for enhanced planning and sustained impact. Founders are listed based on annual commitment to the Palm Beach Center.
Questions? Contact Kate Lester, VP, Major Gifts, at kate.lester@jewishpalmbeach.org or call at 561.242.6668.
Cornerstone Founders contribute $25,000 or more annually for five years, receiving recognition for their total multi-year contribution, which exceeds their support for the Federation Annual Campaign.
The Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund
Susan & Richard A. Friedman
Elena & Scott Shleifer
Lisa & Steven Tananbaum
Linda & Myron z”l Teitelbaum
Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch
Christine Hikawa & David Windreich
Mickey & Lawrence Beyer
Diane & Neil Exter
Allison & Warren Kanders
A. Alfred Taubman Foundation
Darian & Zachary Ablon
Judy & Howard Bernick
Sara & Charles Fabrikant
Elizabeth & Matthew Feuer
Lori Kramer & Stephen Fraidin
Ann & Robert Fromer
Ellen S. & Robert Jaffe
Gretchen & Jay Jordan
Sheila & Bob Josephberg
Karen & Jay Kasner
Fran & Jack Levy
Nicola & Jeffrey Marcus
Susan & Darrell Ross
Harriet & Eric Rothfeld
Barbara & Richard Rothschild
Heidi & Scott Schuster
Joan Serchuck
Sydelle B. Sonkin
Janet & Lawrence Tietz
Judy & Ronald Baron
Kay & Peter Bernon
Vanessa & Anthony Beyer
Kristin & Jason Brauth
Marjorie & Stephen Fiverson and Kathy & Mitchell Jacobson
Audrey & James Foster
Alice & Nathan Gantcher
J. Ira z”l & Nicki Harris Family Foundation
Anne E. Koons
Mindy Schneider & Michael Lesser, M.D.
Simone & David Levinson
Phyllis & William Mack
Leni & Peter May
Hilarie & Mitchell Morgan
Ellen & Richard Richman
Leslie & Thomas A. Rosin
Liz Lange & David Shapiro
Judy & Robert Snyder
Cindy Levine & Marc Solomon
Simone & Kerry Vickar
Beth & Leonard Wilf and Jane & Mark Wilf
We are currently compiling our roster of Palm Beach Center Founders, and recognition will be based on the giving levels of Cornerstone Founders and Annual Founders within the Palm Beach Center. We proudly recognize all donors in the Federation Honor Roll.
Our Annual Founders significantly impact our mission through their annual commitment of $25,000 or more, surpassing their support for the Federation Annual Campaign
David & Nicole Tepper and The Tepper Foundation
Pamela & Edward S. Pantzer
Harold D. & Annette Price Family Foundation and Ron Price
GMR Foundation, the Herzog and Leob Families
The Paul E. Singer Foundation
Sara & Charles Fabrikant
Florida Department of Education
JFNA LiveSecure Match
Dorothy & Martin Bandier
Penny & Harold Blumenstein
Rita & Charles Bronfman
Phylis Fogelson
Lori & Bruce Gendelman
Marina & Andrew Jacobson
Roberta & Paul Kozloff
Susan & Morris Mark
Myrna & Spencer Partrich
Lynn & Frank Peseckis
John Raggio & Dr. Donna Kesselman Raggio
Debbie & Cliff Robbins
Barbara & Randall Smith
Diane & Marc Spilker
Robbi & Bruce Toll
Herbert Bearman Foundation
Marjorie G. & Barry S. Berg
Roberta & Stanley Bogen
Gail & Alfred Engelberg
Judi & Steven B. Fader Family Foundation
Susan & Alan z”l Fuirst
Linda & Ray Golden
Mindy & Andrew Heyer
Judith & Stanley Hoffberger Family Foundation
Wendy & Larry Levy
Vicki & Arthur Loring
Carol & Paul Mendez
Elaine & William Miller
Lisa & Michael Rome
Madeline & Arnold Schuster
Diane & John Sculley
Ryan Serhant and John Serhant
Marsha & Jerry Seslowe
Lynne Tarnopol
Susan & Benjamin Winter
Anti-Defamation League, Florida Region (ADL)
American Jewish Committee, Palm Beach Alums for Campus Fairness
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA Florida)
Hadassah Florida & Florida Atlantic Herizon (formerly, Jewish Women’s Foundation)
Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach
Insight Through Education
Jewish Family Service (Alpert JFS)
JCC (Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches)
Dorothy & Sidney Kohl Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC)
Kramer Senior Services, a Subsidiary of MorseLife Health System
Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Preparatory
NCJW Palm Beach (National Council for Jewish Women)
Na’amat Southeastern Area
Teach Florida
Stand with Us Southeast
Students Supporting Israel (SSI)
South Florida Zioness
The Palm Beach Center is the county’s foremost leader, strategist, and practical problem-solver in the fight against antisemitism.
The Center was established to proactively address the escalating local antisemitism, the Palm Beach Center plays an integral role within Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. Its primary purpose is to offer strategic, financial, and advisory support to grantees and partner organizations, with a focus on fostering tolerance, ensuring safety, and taking the lead.
Building upon the substantial efforts of Federation’s J-Secure Community Safety & Security (J-Secure) and Community Relations in combatting antisemitism, discrimination, and bigotry, the Center assumes a significant leadership role within and beyond the Jewish community.
The Palm Beach Center leads a county-wide strategy to counter antisemitism, ensuring a secure Jewish future and nurturing a tolerant community. Through collaboration, we provide strategic and financial assistance to Jewish partners and others, exemplifying local leadership.
The Palm Beach Center is sponsored and operated by Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. The leadership of the Center includes:
We’ve joined forces with the executive search firm DRG for a nationwide search to find the Center’s inaugural director. The director leads the Center’s comprehensive planning and program execution.
These leaders benefit from the steadfast support of a robust Advisory Committee, composed of influential figures in the Palm Beach community. Drawing upon their invaluable insights and unwavering dedication to the Center, Advisory Committee members offer strategic guidance to the organization’s leadership. They play a vital role in shaping the Center’s priorities and advancing its mission, both within the county and in wider-reaching spheres. Advisory Committee members include:
Neil Exter
James Foster
Jason T. Kalisman
Allison Kanders
Terry Kassel
William Mack
Lynn Peseckis
Kerry Vickar
Jane Wilf
David Windreich
Peter May, Ex officio
Jonathan Tisch, Ex officio
The Center’s impact, fueled by support from the Palm Beach Center and facilitated by its partners and other grantees, is structured around the following key areas: Building Relationships and Enhancing Community Security. These efforts encompass a range of initiatives, including but not limited to:
The Palm Beach Center to Combat Antisemitism & Hatred was created with the aim of becoming a beacon for addressing antisemitism and hatred within Palm Beach County. Its establishment gains significant relevance when considering reports released by the FBI and ADL concerning Florida:
The Palm Beach Center is a pivotal initiative by Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, aimed at intensifying efforts to combat the pressing challenge of rising local antisemitism. The Center empowers leaders and the community’s residents to proactively address antisemitism head-on.
The relationship between the Palm Beach Center to Combat Antisemitism & Hatred and the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is one of collaboration and mutual support.
One of the key roles of the Palm Beach Center is to provide strategic guidance, financial support, and advisory assistance to various grantees and partner organizations. In this capacity, the JCRC stands as one of the primary beneficiaries of the Center’s support. Through this partnership, the JCRC can more effectively carry out its mission and work towards combating antisemitism and promoting tolerance within the community. This collaboration underscores the shared commitment to addressing these critical issues and the synergy between the two entities in achieving their common goals.
The Palm Beach Center chose to include both “antisemitism” and “hatred” in its name to highlight their interconnected nature. This emphasizes that when hatred targets one group, it can easily spread to harm others. This naming choice serves as a reminder not to assume safety based solely on one’s identity, as hatred can impact multiple communities. Our approach goes beyond a generic condemnation of hate; we acknowledge the existence of various forms of hatred. We concentrate on identifyingand explaining antisemitism specifically, demonstrating how it fits into a broader pattern of hatred.
Many of the programs supported by the Palm Beach Center are dedicated to promoting tolerance and enhancing the safety of various communities. For instance, we provide funding for an intelligence analyst working with J-Secure, who investigates all forms of hatred in the county.
This crucial work contributes to the safety and well-being of our community.
The Palm Beach Center actively engages in collaborations with Jewish Partner Organizations and existing Federation Programs dedicated to addressing issues related to antisemitism and hatred. Additionally, we welcome new partners from all corners of Palm Beach County to join our cause. Among our esteemed partners is the Jewish Community Relations Council Assembly, a coalition comprising local Jewish organizations, synagogues and Chabads. These partnerships are instrumental in our collective efforts to combat antisemitism and hatred in Palm Beach County. Below is a list of key partners and organizations collaborating with the Palm Beach Center to further our mission:
Our network of partners includes members of the Jewish Community Relations Council Assembly, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County (JCRC), listed below:
The Palm Beach Center is made possible due to the foresight and generosity of donors committed to the following objectives:
By doing this, the Palm Beach Center is working towards creating a safer, more tolerant future for all.
Our Tax ID number, also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is 59-0948696.
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE 1.800.435.7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR AT WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM/DIVISIONS-OFFICES/CONSUMER-SERVICES.
Yes, the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, which includes the Palm Beach Center, is a 501(c)(3) organization.
To receive communications from us, kindly send an email to PBC@jewishpalmbeach.org, expressing your interest in joining our mailing list. In your email, please provide your name, phone number, email address, and mailing address. We will ensure that you receive our updates and communications promptly.
The #StandUpToJewishHate campaign has been among the largest U.S. campaigns to combat antisemitism, with television, social media, billboards, digital and partner organizations. It launched the Blue Square as the universal symbol for fighting antisemitism and all hate, and the hopeful, empowering message inspired people to stand up on behalf of the Jewish community.
#StandUpToJewishHate 🟦 – Uniting to Combat Antisemitism
We’ve initiated community-wide education on reporting such incidents, providing a streamlined reporting process on our website.
Local organizations can inquire to learn more about the Palm Beach Center’s Grants Program, for both building relationships and enhancing security, by contacting PBC@jewishpalmbeach.org.
You can engage with the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County and the Center in various ways, and membership in the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is not a prerequisite for involvement. To volunteer, visit the webpage for the Kohl Jewish Volunteer Center (jewishpb.org).
The concerning rise of antisemitism on college campuses prompts our action. The Palm Beach Center to Combat Antisemitism & Hatred, in partnership with our Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, is committed to creating safe spaces for Jewish college students. Select initiatives include:
For additional student resources, please click on the following link: jewishpb.org/studentresources.
The Palm Beach Center is intricately linked to the Campaign for the Future, which stands as the largest fundraising effort in our community’s history. The Campaign offers donors a unique opportunity to have their generosity recognized over multiple years in a comprehensive manner. It encompasses support for both the Annual Campaign and additional funding for community priorities, including the Palm Beach Center to Combat Antisemitism & Hatred. For more information on how you can get involved or contribute to the Campaign for the Future, reach out to your Federation representative or contact Kate Lester: Kate.lester@jewishpalmbeach.org or 561-242.6668
Jack, Joseph & Morton Mandel Building
1 Harvard Circle, Suite 100
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
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© 2025 Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. All rights reserved.
Jack, Joseph & Morton Mandel Building
1 Harvard Circle, Suite 100
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
(561) 478 – 0700
info@jewishpalmbeach.org
Receive updates, resources and community events to your inbox.
By subscribing you agree to with our Privacy Policy and provide consent to receive updates from our company.
© 2025 Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. All rights reserved.
