Of course, the Federation is a fundraising organization, but I argue that that’s not the most important thing we do. The Federation provides countless opportunities for people to come together and work toward common goals. In so doing, folks feel like they’re a part of something bigger – something important. Ensuring that Jewish people feel part of the community is one major key to ensuring the continuity of Jewish life and culture.
One person in our local Jewish community who figured this out long ago is Linda Goldfarb – a consummate networker and real mensch with an inspiring story. I’m pleased to share it with you.
Linda has made a life out of connecting people. In both her career and her personal life she works hard to help form connections for others and for herself.
After graduating from USF, she worked for a local bank before moving on to a 20-year career in real estate. Today, she combines her knowledge and expertise in these areas as a consultant for small businesses and real estate professionals. All are careers that rely on creating relationships and helping others find a place in our community.
“I try to make people feel welcome in the community. People contact me because they feel I can connect them with others who share social or professional interests and make them feel comfortable coming here.” said Linda.
Linda remembers what it was like to be a newcomer. She came to the Tampa Bay area from Chicago almost 36 years ago and quickly set out to find her place in the community.
“When I first came here, it was very hard to feel accepted. As a transplant from Chicago, I was looking to meet other young Jewish people who had similar interests and goals. I remember finding the JCC one day while on a bike ride when my husband was out of town. I realized a younger Jewish community existed,” she said.
Linda soon became active in Jewish community organizations including ORT (the world’s largest Jewish education and vocational training nongovernmental organization) as its co-president, The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), and former Seminole synagogue Congregation Beth Chai where she served on the board of trustees and was an active member of its sisterhood. “At Beth Chai we met people who made me feel welcome. Many of them became lifelong friends and provided my initial inspiration to become a Jewish connector in our community.”
Later she became involved with the Jewish Federation and was active on the PTA of the Pinellas County Jewish Day School, serving as its treasurer.
Linda continues to be active both in the Jewish community and the Tampa Bay secular community. She is a leadership coach for University of Tampa’s MBA program, serves as a judge for St. Petersburg College’s annual entrepreneur competition and mentors the finalists, and is a director of Florida Realtors®. She has served as a trustee for the TOP Jewish Foundation since 2010, is an active member of Hadassah, the Pomegranate Chair for the Jewish Federation of Pinellas & Pasco Counties, and a long-time member of Congregation B’nai Israel.
“My father always said, ‘raise your kids to be good human beings.’” She and her husband, Jack, have taken this advice to heart with their two sons, who live in Washington D.C. and San Diego. “We’ve sowed the seeds in both our boys about the importance of giving back to the community,” said Linda.
Linda also gets a lot back from being involved in the community, noting, “I know the good feeling that I get from the work I do to help others. You touch somebody and made them think about something differently. We all have a purpose here. I’ve been very blessed. I like getting people connected and to the next level in their business or their lives.”
What are you doing to help grow and strengthen our Jewish community? Please contact the Jewish Federation and we’ll help you find the best way to do so.
Know a mensch? Contact marksegel@jewishpinellas.org or call the Federation office, (727) 530-3223.
Source:
https://www.jewishpresspinellas.com/articles/marks-mensches-3/
Community. It’s a word we hear very often and possibly take for granted.
What is community and why is it important? There are numerous definitions, but the ones that ring most true for me reference fellowship, common interests, and shared goals. Especially for the Jewish people of the world – estimated at somewhere around 14 million on this planet of more than 7 billion – we wouldn’t stand a chance without community.
Due in part to our common interests, it’s only natural to want to help other members of our community. Connecting with people, lending a hand, offering advice, and serving as a mentor are some examples of what contributing members of a community do. In turn, these efforts grow and strengthen our community. This is the essence of what the Jewish Federation is all about and we are committed to making this happen.
Of course, the Federation is a fundraising organization, but I argue that that’s not the most important thing we do. The Federation provides countless opportunities for people to come together and work toward common goals. In so doing, folks feel like they’re a part of something bigger – something important. Ensuring that Jewish people feel part of the community is one major key to ensuring the continuity of Jewish life and culture.
One person in our local Jewish community who figured this out long ago is Linda Goldfarb – a consummate networker and real mensch with an inspiring story. I’m pleased to share it with you.
Linda has made a life out of connecting people. In both her career and her personal life she works hard to help form connections for others and for herself.
After graduating from USF, she worked for a local bank before moving on to a 20-year career in real estate. Today, she combines her knowledge and expertise in these areas as a consultant for small businesses and real estate professionals. All are careers that rely on creating relationships and helping others find a place in our community.
“I try to make people feel welcome in the community. People contact me because they feel I can connect them with others who share social or professional interests and make them feel comfortable coming here.” said Linda.
Linda remembers what it was like to be a newcomer. She came to the Tampa Bay area from Chicago almost 36 years ago and quickly set out to find her place in the community.
“When I first came here, it was very hard to feel accepted. As a transplant from Chicago, I was looking to meet other young Jewish people who had similar interests and goals. I remember finding the JCC one day while on a bike ride when my husband was out of town. I realized a younger Jewish community existed,” she said.
Linda soon became active in Jewish community organizations including ORT (the world’s largest Jewish education and vocational training nongovernmental organization) as its co-president, The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), and former Seminole synagogue Congregation Beth Chai where she served on the board of trustees and was an active member of its sisterhood. “At Beth Chai we met people who made me feel welcome. Many of them became lifelong friends and provided my initial inspiration to become a Jewish connector in our community.”
Later she became involved with the Jewish Federation and was active on the PTA of the Pinellas County Jewish Day School, serving as its treasurer.
Linda continues to be active both in the Jewish community and the Tampa Bay secular community. She is a leadership coach for University of Tampa’s MBA program, serves as a judge for St. Petersburg College’s annual entrepreneur competition and mentors the finalists, and is a director of Florida Realtors®. She has served as a trustee for the TOP Jewish Foundation since 2010, is an active member of Hadassah, the Pomegranate Chair for the Jewish Federation of Pinellas & Pasco Counties, and a long-time member of Congregation B’nai Israel.
“My father always said, ‘raise your kids to be good human beings.’” She and her husband, Jack, have taken this advice to heart with their two sons, who live in Washington D.C. and San Diego. “We’ve sowed the seeds in both our boys about the importance of giving back to the community,” said Linda.
Linda also gets a lot back from being involved in the community, noting, “I know the good feeling that I get from the work I do to help others. You touch somebody and made them think about something differently. We all have a purpose here. I’ve been very blessed. I like getting people connected and to the next level in their business or their lives.”
What are you doing to help grow and strengthen our Jewish community? Please contact the Jewish Federation and we’ll help you find the best way to do so.
Know a mensch? Contact marksegel@jewishpinellas.org or call the Federation office, (727) 530-3223.
Source:
https://www.jewishpresspinellas.com/articles/marks-mensches-3/