Nina Malinak

Jewish organizations in the community are asked to nominate a woman who exemplifies the mission of their organization through her leadership and commitment. Awarded annually the ‘Women of Distinction’ Program honors exemplary volunteerism and leadership. Congratulations to Donna Weiner, Beth Israel’s Woman of Distinction 2022, who was honored at a ceremony at Temple Rodeph Shalom in Tampa on Thursday, December 1^st..

Donna has been dedicated to Beth Israel for four years.  Since joining the congregation, Donna has become an active and valued member of our community.  No task is too large or small for Donna to undertake. She currently serves as Co-President of Sisterhood. From 2020 until 2022 she served as Membership Co-Chair, orchestrating High Holy Day, Chanukah, and Purim gift bags for the entire congregation during COVID (packed bags, created delivery routes, and assigned “Delivery Elves” to distribute them), so congregants could continue to feel connected to Beth Israel.

Donna combines her creativity and computer skills as editor of the Temple newsletter, a position she has held since 2020.  She is a valued member of Beth Israel’s Technology Team, responsible for streaming weekly Shabbat services and other Temple events.

She served as the Treasurer of the Business Educators of Philadelphia from 1984 to 1986. Donna’s skills as a successful educator transferred easily to “Take Stock In Children” a program run by the Hillsborough Education Foundation through which she has mentored a high school student for the past four years.

Donna’s husband is Fredric Weiner and she has one son, Lee, daughter-in-law, Charlotte, and grandsons Michael and Matthew.

Donna’s willingness to volunteer and offer her assistance in any way, makes Donna a special asset and a true woman of distinction.

Front Row: Bill Schaefer, Ralph Shaw, Joe Sheff

Back Row: Rolly Ford, Peter Sobel, Barry Schwartz, Michelle Atkins Schaefer, “Bud” Rosenberg

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2022

INTERFAITH COMMUNITY HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL SERVICE

7:00 pm, Sun City Center United Methodist Church.  The interfaith service honoring those who died during the holocaust will include readings, prayer, and memorial candle lighting. An interfaith community choir led by Jeff Jordon will sing melodies that reflect the times of the Holocaust.  As a community we will come together to remember what happened to the victims of Hitler, and to honor the heroes who did not live to tell their stories.  The community is encouraged to attend.

Joanne A. Sudman    513-519-6897

Robin has been a part of the Beth Israel family for over 13 years and is the behind the scenes “go to” person. Whether it is drafting a flyer to advertise a temple event, editing over 1,000 visual t’filah slides for the High Holy Days or running the control computer to stream services, she takes on the task at hand effortlessly.

Robin has served as sisterhood recording secretary; editor of the temple’s newsletter and currently presides as their co-webmaster. Most recently she played a meaningful role as part of Beth Israel’s “tech team” to help bring the congregation together through live streaming Shabbat services via Zoom. Robin’s technical skills, coupled with her willingness to volunteer and offer her assistance in any project large or small, makes Robin a special asset and a true woman of distinction.

Outside of Jewish leadership, she is involved with Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation and was a teacher in special education and vocation education for 35 years. Robin and her husband of 40 years have three children, 10 grandchildren and four great grandsons.

Jewish organizations in the community are asked to nominate a woman who exemplifies the mission of their organization through her leadership and commitment. Awarded annually the ‘Women of Distinction’ Program honors exemplary volunteerism and leadership. Congratulations to Diane Posner, Beth Israel’s Woman of Distinction 2021, who was honored at a ceremony on Thursday, December 9^th.

From the time Diane joined Beth Israel in 2014 she has been a valued member of the Temple leadership team.  She has served on the Board of Directors of the Temple as well as Sisterhood.  She has brought her financial acumen to the positions of Financial Secretary of the Temple as well as Treasurer of the Temple and Sisterhood and currently serves as membership Chair of Sisterhood.  Her understanding of finances and attention to detail contributes to the successful financial operation of the Temple.

Diane has been an active member of the Temples in her previous places of residence (St. Petersburg, FL and Hauppauge, NY) and has been involved in numerous community organizations including serving as a volunteer at Good Samaritan Hospital, East Islip, NY, Nottingham HOA, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, World Jewish Congress, American Section, and several Veterans and K9 Groups.

Diane has two adult children, Hal and Robert Posner and two grandsons Andrew and Sean Posner.

Diane is an invaluable member of the Beth Israel family, and her dedication and commitment makes her deserving of the title “Woman of Distinction.”

LEST WE FORGET

VETERANS/REMEMBRANCE DAY 2021

On behalf of the Rabbi, Board and Membership of Beth Israel we would like to thank the following individuals for their service:

Dan Barwick Navy, Jeff Beller Army, Alan Berkov Army, Ed Berkun Air Force, Harvey Berman Army, Marty Beverly National Guard, Arthur Chausmer Public Health Service, Bob Cobe Army, Michael Cohen Army, Bob Conti Coast Guard, Gil Daniels Army, Joel Danzig Army, Dan Ehrenfeld Navy, Lou Einhorn Air Force, Jon Gamson Navy, Martin Goodstein Army, Joe Graff Marine Corps, Martin Hurwitz Army, Harrie Jones Air Force, Raymond Kalef Army, Bernard Katz Navy, Fred Levine Army, Jerome Levy Army, Seymour Lichenthal Navy, Marvin Lutzger Army, David Markowitz Navy, Helen McAninch Royal Air Force, Michael Meyer Army, Bob Michelson Army, Bernie Mogil Army, Donald Mostov Air Force, Gary Natbony Army, Les Rapkin Army, Ronald Rosenberg Army, Bill Schaefer Air Force, Michelle Atkins-Schaefer Army, Jerry Schare Air Force, Ralph Shaw British Army, Joe Sheff Navy, Paul Silk Air Force, Marvin Silverman National Guard, Peter Sobel Navy, Gary Stern Army, Sam Sudman Army, David Unterlack Army, Sam Zians Army, Don Zion Navy.

Beth Israel Honors Marlene Spiegal

Marlene Spiegal was honored on November 14, 2019, when she received the 2019 Bobbe Karpay Woman of Distinction award.

Jewish organizations in the community were asked to nominate a woman who exemplifies the mission of their organization through her leadership and commitment.  Awarded annually, the “Women of Distinction” program honors exemplary volunteerism and leadership.  Marlene Spiegal was honored as the Woman of Distinction representing Beth Israel, the Jewish Congregation of Sun City Center.  These Women of Distinction give their time and their enthusiasm to help make the community and the world a better place.

The women honored have worked diligently in creating a long list of accomplishments.

Marlene Spiegal exudes kindness, generosity and commitment in all that she does.  She has been a proud and happy member of Beth Israel of Sun City Center since 2010.  Marlene never backs down from a task asked of her and she performs that task with grace.  Marlene’s quiet leadership embraces all who work with her.  Over the last four years she has taken a number of leadership positions including co-chair of the Membership Committee, recording secretary of Sisterhood, a member of the Board of Directors and she also is an active participant on their fundraising committee.

With a passion for singing and community involvement, Marlene has participated in the choir at all previous temple affiliations, and currently is a choir member of the Yom Hashoah Choir of Sun City Center.

Marlene has not only volunteered for Jewish causes and organizations; she has been a Jewish educator for over 30 years teaching religious and Hebrew school and Jewish curriculum at Jewish day schools.  She has also held directorship positions at JCC’s outside of Florida within their day camp and early learning education programs.  Locally Marlene is a formed Lead Teacher at the Tampa JCC Preschool North.

Marlene and her husband Paul have two children, Seth and Sheri, and four grandchildren.