With his career in banking, Ray Leightman has a tremendous background in finances and investments.  Ray is the president of Broward County Northern Trust, and is also the chair of the Jewish Federation of Broward County Community Foundation.   “I want to create a Jewish legacy in Broward County, “Ray explains.  “Too many people feel connected elsewhere, and we need to create an allegiance to this community.”

Ray settled in the south Florida area over 30 years ago when he took a position with the University of Miami and immediately fell in love with Florida.    Ray had met his wife Ida on the campus of Purdue University while they were both students.  “We were both attending an outdoor candlelight memorial service for the victims of the 1972 Munich Olympics and it was pouring rain, and this wonderful girl offered to share her umbrella with me,” Ray fondly recalls.

Ida and Ray have been married 34 years, with some of their best memories surrounding their visits to Israel.    The first trip the couple made to Israel was during summer school and Ray decided to propose to Ida on the top of Masada during a beautiful sunrise.    They returned a second time, in 1995 for the bar mitzvah of their son Eric on the exact same spot.  

Ray and Ida have made Hollywood their home for the past 30 years, raising their two children, Diane and Eric.    Ray credits Ida for sparking his interest in the Jewish community and volunteering.    “If there was a role model for getting involved with the community,” Ray notes, “Ida has been mine for the past twenty years, if you ask her to do something, she just does it.  She started with the Temple Solel board of Directors, and just last year she was Co-chair of the Israel 60 event.”

Ray is an avid sports fan and compares the loyalties of the home teams to the Jewish community.   “We need to develop local ties to our community and we need to get our people to support our programs and to retire in Broward County.  It’s important for Broward for people to believe this is their home, and we want to create a legacy for the Jewish community as well.”

Challenged by the economy, Ray admits the sad part is that no one is immune from what is happening.   “The need is heightened for food, day care and there are less resources around, but we have to try to manage as best as we can, establish priorities and be disciplined.” 

As the current chair of the Foundation, Ray is optimistic about the future of the Federation in Broward, “we are still making strides in our fundraising efforts, focusing on future and longer range needs of the area, and establishing a legacy for years to come.  I have a passion to see our community move forward and we have to potential to do so much.”

Tags: Jewish Federation of Broward County, Ray Leightman

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