By Shepard Englander, Chief Executive Officer This summer, for the first time, Camp Yonnie has the full campgrounds we built for it. Campers will gather in the sunny, flexible Stone Lodge, our camp’s bright, open home. They’ll run, play, learn, and compete on the new...
From The CEO’s Desk
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee welcomes new Director of SafeSRQ
Shepard Englander, CEO At our Jewish Federation of Sarasota–Manatee, protecting the community sits first among the Federation's four mission pillars — Protect, Educate, Engage, and Sustain — because none of the others are possible if people don't feel safe when...
L’Shanah Tovah from CEO Shepard Englander
On Rosh Hashanah, we remind ourselves of what matters most. What matters most to our Jewish Federation is ensuring we live in a secure, confident, thriving Jewish community. Sadly, today we watch antisemitism and hatred spike senselessly around us. We see...
Local Jewish Dads Inspired by MoMENtum Trip to Israel
By Shep Englander Core to The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee’smission is to “promote supportfor Israel.” There is nothing morepowerful than experiencing Israel firsthand. Over the decades, our Federation has led countless trips to Israel for a broad range of...
How Hurricane Ian Tested Us
How Hurricane Ian Tested Us by Shep Englander Whether it’s a security threat, antisemitic vandalism or a natural disaster, emergencies are frightening, disorienting and isolating. They test the strength of a community. You may not think of The Jewish Federation of...
Remembering the Holocaust on Our New Campus
by Shep Englander Never during our lifetimes has it been more urgent to share the lessons of the Holocaust. The American values of moderation and tolerance are straining as weaponized partisanship and social media echo chambers starve American society of broadly...
Federation’s Work on the Ground in Israel and Poland
By Shep Englander They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I never felt that more than I did in July, when I joined Jewish Federation leaders from our community and 20 other communities for an up-close look at the impact that the Jewish Federation system is...
Take a Walk With Me Through Our New Campus
By Shep Englander I am delighted to share the below images of The Larry Greenspon Campus for Jewish Life under construction. It is so exciting to see the transformation of our front 16 acres into new interior and exterior spaces for our community to learn, reflect,...
Supporting Israel on Our New Campus
by Shep Englander Our Jewish community has always made our connection with Israel a top priority. So it is fitting that Israel is prominent in the vision for The Larry & Mary Greenspon Campus for Jewish Life. This month we want to tell you more about how the...