Jewish Federation 2010 Campaign Kickoff

From left, Ilona Kossoff, Sheldon Scheinert, Toni Rinde, Margot Benstock, Joan Benstock, Adam Lopatin (second row), comedian Freddie Roman,, Steven Klein (second row), Dan Frenden, Jonathan Bowman and Brian Fox. Photo by BOB COLMER PHOTOGRAPHY Irene Sendler was unknown to most of the world for the majority of her life, but in recent years her story and her memory have become a symbol for humanity and taking care of one another. And it’s not that Sendler sought noteriety. Instead, until her death in 2008, she grieved that she should have done more. But what she did do as a Polish Catholic social worker during World War II was work to save 2,500 Jewish children in the Warsaw Ghetto from certain death. For that she was ultimately caught by the Gestapo, tortured and sentenced to death by firing squad. It was only because co-workers/ resistance members bribed a guard that on the way to the execution, she was dumped, arms and legs broken, in the woods and later rescued.

Some of the 100 guest at the Federation Campaign Kickoff included (L-R) Herb Levy, Reva Kent, Arlene and Stan Berger. Sheldon Scheinert, chair of the Jewish Federation of Pinellas and Pasco Counties 2010 Annual Campaign, recalled Sendler’s story for the 100 guests attending at the Dec. 2 Campaign Kickoff.

“If Irena Sendler can do so much and sacrifice so much for a people who were not her own, what should we do as Jews when the circumstances cry out for help among our own?”

“Can we look someone like Irena Sendler in the eye and say, ‘Well, this is a tough year, you know’,” he said. “It is in your power to help. It is in your power to make a huge difference in changing lives for the better, to ease suffering, to ease hunger and to bring meaning back to lost and lonely souls.”

“Yes, perhaps giving to Federation does hurt more now than it might in a better year,” Scheinert said. “But this excuse ignores the consequences of that recession on the much less fortunate among us and how the hurt we might feel is so much more magnified among the more afflicted and the more desperate in our community.”

(L-R) David and Jeanie Abelson, Terri and Lane Zeigler The 2010 Campaign’s goal is to raise $1.36 million to fund local, national and international programs, according to Stuart Berger, the Federation’s Financial Resource Director.

This year’s campaign includes a challenge to match any increases in pledges from last year or new pledges up to a total $18,000. A donor who increased a pledge by $100 from $500 to $600 dollars, for example, would see that donation increased to $700.

The recently announced challenge is being funded by Federation leaders and board members, campaign committee chairs and committee members and major donors.

“With everyone’s help, we will assist those who need our support,” Federation President Joan Benstock said.

Legendary Borscht Belt comedian Freddie Roman closed the Campaign Kickoff Program with a classic stand-up routine on a wide range of subjects including life in Florida.

“The state bird of Florida is the early bird special,” Roman said. “Why pay more for a meal just because it’s dark outside.”

For more information or to pledge, call the Federation at 530-3223, or go online to www.jewishpinellas. org.

Jewish Press staff writer Robert Green contributed to this report.