Archive for March, 2009

Superior in Business and Philanthropy

Richard Berkowitz heads one of the country’s most successful CPA firms, serves on several charitable organization boards and will manage to cycle 400 miles in New England this year for a major cancer fundraiser.

This Jewish leader is awestruck by the response of the community when it comes to facing tough economic challenges. “When there is a great need, the South Florida Jewish community jumps in and meets those needs. It’s encouraging.”

“If you need something done, ask a busy person!” This is how Alan Cohn became one of the busiest leaders in the Jewish community. “I just can’t say no.” As a Jewish Federation of Broward County board member for five years, and Jewish Family Service (JFS) president for three years, and president of Orloff Central Agency for Jewish Education (CAJE) for two years during the same time he was president of Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El in Plantation, there is little doubt of Alan’s tremendous commitment to South Florida’s Jewish community.

Inspiring Young Friends

Part of Bryan Drowos’ upbringing from the very start was based on a strong connection to Jewish life. His dad, Jeff, was president of the synagogue in Wilmington, Delaware where Bryan was born and grew up, and Jeff’s parents were also the presidents of the Men’s Club and Sisterhood.

Learning from those experiences as a child, Bryan has become a great example for others in his South Florida community where he and his wife Joanna are outstanding role models. Bryan was the Broward Federation’s recipient of the Young Leadership Award in 2004.

As a business leader and a wife and mother, Laura Goldblum has achieved success that most of her peers would envy. That success has translated to her role as a leader in the Jewish community as she has become a force in the Women’s Executive Circle of the Business & Professions Division of the Jewish Federation of Broward County.

“I was invited to attend a Women’s Division event a few years ago, but I didn’t really connect to anyone at the time,” Laura recalled. “When I was later invited to join a group on a mission to Poland and Israel in 2005, I had that “ah ha” moment and I suddenly felt there was something more to life.”

“Growing up in Canada, Carolyn Shapir was fascinated with the United States since she was ten years old.

Years later she would immigrate to this country and establish herself as a leader in the South Florida Jewish community. Carolyn was the president of the David Posnack Jewish Community Center for two years and is now the Jewish Federation of Broward County’s Government Relations Chair.