 |
Projects In Israel
|
 Rob Mintz |
 Gordon Schwartz |
 Bob Wigoda |
Robert M. Mintz
Rob Mintz is a partner in Holland & Knight LLP. He focuses on corporate and securities, banking and financial institutions, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions. Rob attended Indiana University, where he received a B.S. degree in Accounting. While at Indiana University, he was inducted into the Mortar Board and Arete Honorary Societies. He received his J.D. from IIT's Chicago Kent College of Law in 1986. While at Chicago Kent, Mr. Mintz earned various scholarships and won an American Jurisprudence award in tax law. He has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1982. Mr. Mintz is a member of the corporate and tax law sections of the American, Illinois, and Chicago Bar Associations. He serves on the Board of Directors of ENH Northwestern Healthcare/Highland Park Hospital Philanthropy Committee. In addition, Rob serves on the boards of City of Highland Park Beautification Task Force and Highland Park Giants Club. He is a member of The Standard Club where he serves on the House and Membership Committees and Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest. He has been happily married for 20 years to Sara, and has three children, Mikey, Joey and Phoebe.
Gordon Schwartz
Gordon Schwartz has been actively involved in the Jewish Community for the past twelve years. He has served on the young leadership board of the Jewish United Fund, chaired the Walk with Israel, led a mission to Israel, graduated from the Florence Melton School of Jewish Studies, and worked with HIAS and Jewish Vocational Services servicing new immigrants from the former Soviet Union. He has served on the local board of Jewish National Fund for the past four years. He has also served in volunteer and leadership roles with other social service organizations. Gordon is a partner at Silver, Lerner, Schwartz & Fertel (SLSF), an accounting and consulting firm in Skokie, Illinois. He has a masters in taxation from DePaul University, a B.S. in accountancy from the University of Illinois, is a licensed real estate salesperson, and a member of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers. Gordon and his wife Dawn live in Highland Park with their twin three year old daughters, Isabella and Olivia.
Bob Wigoda
Robert M. Wigoda is an attorney in private practice with his brother, in the law firm of Wigoda & Wigoda. He is the immediate past President of the Midwest region of the Jewish National Fund and serves on its national Board of Directors, in addition to other civic involvements. His wife, Ellen S. Wigoda is the Assistant Director of General Studies at Arie Crown Hebrew Day School in Skokie, in addition to other civic involvements. The Wigodas have two children, Jennifer, age 27, and Jim, age 22. Jennifer teaches social studies at Arie Crown Hebrew Day School in Skokie. Jim is a senior at the University of Illinois.
SAVE THE DATE: GREEN SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2008
Through the generosity of local businessman Larry Kaplan, Northbrook TeleBusiness has donated its space for Green Sunday is a fundraising event with fun for the whole family. We are seeking volunteers willing to make phone calls to raise money for Israel. All we ask is 2 hours of your time between the hours of 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Please call Anna at 847-656-8880 if you would like to volunteer!
MINI-TELETHON NEEDS YOU
On December 12, 2006, we will be making phone calls to raise money for Israel by contacting our wonderful donors who like to make donations at the end of the year.
October Newsletter
LOOP FORUM SPEAKER SERIES SET TO GO!
We’re off to an exciting new year of the Loop Forum Speaker Series. The 2007-2008 roster boasts four prominent speakers you won’t want to miss.
These free events begin at 12:00 (with registration open at 11:45 AM). Kosher lunch is served. Location of events TBA.
Schedule:
Monday, November 12th - Amotz Asa-El
Senior Commentator, former Executive Editor of the Jerusalem Post and columnist, Amotz Asa-El has served until recently as the Post's executive editor, and before that as its business editor, news editor, and editor of its overseas edition, the International Jerusalem Post. Hosted by Rob Mintz at Holland & Knight.
Tuesday, January 15th - Micah Halpern - Expert on Terrorism, the Middle East and Muslim Fundamentalism
His voice is recognized by listeners to talk radio across America and to his weekly feature, A Safer World, on USA Radio Network and to CBS Network, where he is a featured contributing terrorism analyst. His face is familiar to viewers on CBS, FOX, MSNBC and to those who watch documentaries on PBS, The Learning Channel, The History Channel, Discovery and the Food Network
Thursday, March 6th - Jonathan Adiri, Policy Analyst, Director of US Office for the Reut Institute
Lieutenant (res.) Jonathan Adiri is a graduate (magna-cum-laude) of the Tel Aviv University honors masters program of Law, Politics and Society. Jonathan played a key role in the implementation of the Israeli - Hezbollah prisoner exchange for which he was awarded an honorary officer of the year (2004-2005) commendation.
Thursday, May 1st - Thomas Hoekstra, PhD, Co-founder and President of the Board for The Sustainability Institute
Dr. Hoekstra was selected International Program Manager for the Middle East, with responsibility for forest and rangeland research, technology transfer and education. Among other accomplishments, he administered a multinational study to monitor and evaluate Middle Eastern watersheds in several Middle Eastern countries including Israel, Turkey, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.
In addition, this year we are offering sponsorship opportunities to companies interested in hosting the series, and/or contributing to its ongoing availability to the public. For more information on sponsorship contact Ilan Huberman, Loop Forum Co-Chair, at (312) 542-1121.
For those interested in attending any event listed above, please rsvp to Anna Korzhenvich at 847-656-8880 or email at AKorzhenevich@jnf.org
EDUCATION UPDATE by Marjie Shapiro, JNF Education Chair
The education committee is developing a slide presentation for the "Passport to Israel" program. This new interactive program, originally started by the National Council for Jewish Women, is intended to supplement the City of Chicago's 6th grade curriculum which covers ancient civilizations. The presentation will take the kids from ancient times to modern day Israel, highlighting the similarities between the US and Israel, as well as teaching the kids a bit about the culture, the geography and the technologies developed in Israel that they use everyday. The goal is to present a positive first impression of Israel, encouraging further learning. Of course, the presentation would not be complete without highlighting the Maccabbi Tel Aviv basketball team and the new professional baseball league supported by JNF. Once completed, the committee will be looking for volunteers to help with the presentations. Look for more information in next month's newsletter.
NEW CHICAGO OFFICERS AND BOARD
At its August meeting, the Chicago Region Board approved the slate presented by the Nominating Committee. The following individuals will serve a two-year term:
Chicago Region
Board of Directors
Chairman of the Board
Seymour H. Persky
President
Scott N. Schreiber*
Vice-Presidents
Robert M. Mintz*
Gordon Schwartz*
Robert M. Wigoda*
Secretary
Kenneth F. Berg*
Treasurer
James A. Kach*
Immediate Past President
Theodore L. Banks*
Chicago Region Board
| Jonathan A. Azulay Karen K. Budin Richard A. Chesley Steven M. Elrod Jason Feldman Michael Froman Scott H. Gendell* Michael S. Goodman Rosalie Har-El Bernard Hasten Ilan Huberman Charles Kafenshtok Harold L. Kaplan Howard G. Kaplan Richard A. Kaplan Robin B. Katz Robert W. Matanky |
Aaron M. Mayor Adi Mor Audrey Holzer Rubin Donald B. Saltz Joseph Sameh Marjorie Shapiro John Shear Alon Stein Loren Stone Yvette Stone Michael H. Traison Max Wasserman Harvey P. Weintraub Bruce D. Werner Jeffrey K. Wohlstadter Dr. Yigal Yahav |
The following have been elected Lifetime Directors:
Esther Hirsh
Miriam Goldberger
Joseph L. Matz
MEET THE PRESIDENT
Throughout the next few newsletters, we will be introducing you to our new slate of officers for the Chicago Region Board of Directors. These dedicated individuals devote their time and effort to the mission of JNF on a voluntary basis.
JNF’s newly elected President is Scott N. Schreiber, an attorney and principal at Stahl Cowen Crowley LLC where he is Chair of the Bankruptcy Reorganization & Creditors' Rights practice group. Scott serves as lead counsel to business debtors, creditors, creditors' committees and equity holders in a wide range of bankruptcy matters, including domestic and international bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings, and out-of-court workouts. He also represents numerous clients who acquire assets out of bankruptcies and other distressed situations. Before joining Stahl Cowen Crowley LLC, Scott spent 17 years with a top Chicago law firm where he was Chair of its Bankruptcy practice group.
Scott is an active speaker on business insolvency issues, appearing before a variety of professional organizations. He is also General Counsel to the National Packaged Products Suppliers Credit Group and the National Coated Paper & Film Manufacturing Credit Group.
Scott and wife Robbie have two children, Ilana (9) and Aaron (15). They both enjoy gardening, bicycling and travel. Scott and his family and are headed to Israel this winter on a mission with their synagogue (BJBE) and to see family and friends. Scott is also a new member of JNF’s speaker’s bureau, Makor. Whenever possible, he plays a round, or two, of golf.
Caption: Scott Schreiber
Upcoming Issues: Meet The Vice Presidents: Robert Mintz, Gordon Schwartz, Robert Wigoda
THE RETURN OF GREEN SUNDAY
Where in the world was Green Sunday last year? The case of the missing telethon has yet to be resolved but not to fear! This year it has returned in full swing!
Through the generosity of local businessman Larry Kaplan, Northbrook TeleBusiness has donated its space for this community event on Sunday, February 10th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. This will be a fundraising event with fun for the whole family. We are seeking volunteers willing to make phone calls to raise money for Israel. All we ask is 2 hours of your time between the hours of 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Please call Anna at 847-656-8880 if you would like to volunteer!
NEGEV NIGHTS DINNER PHOTOS
Pic1: (L to R): JNF President Scott Schreiber with Ambassador Dore Gold
Pic 2: JNF Vice President and Negev Nights Dinner Chair Rob Mintz with wife Sarah, sons Michael, Joey and daughter Phoebe
Pic1: (L to R):Rabbi Sam Fraint with JNF Herzl Society members Karen and Ethan Budin
Pic 2: Honoree Ted Banks with wife and Sapphire Society member Cheryl and daughters Mimi, Rebecca and Sara
Pic 1: (L to R): Honoree Steven Elrod with Marilyn Elrod, Audrey Lakin, Ron Lakin, Donna Elrod and Richard Elrod (in center)
Pic 2: Over 650 people filled the Navy Pier Ballroom
July Newsletter
AMBASSADOR DORE GOLD TO SPEAK AT NEGEV NIGHTS BENEFIT
Ambassador Dore Gold
On Wednesday, September 5, 2007, at 6:30 p.m., Jewish National Fund will host an exciting benefit at Chicago Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom with special guest speaker Ambassador Dore Gold.
Ambassador Gold is President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. He was the eleventh Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations, served as an advisor to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who asked him to accompany his entourage to Washington, and also served at the 2003 Aqaba Summit with President George W. Bush. He was a member of the Israeli delegation at the 1998 Wye River negotiations between Israel and the PLO and negotiated the Note for the Record, which supplemented the 1997 Hebron Protocol. In 1996 he concluded the negotiations with the U.S., Lebanon, Syria, and France for the creation of the Monitoring Group for Southern Lebanon and in 1991 he served as an advisor to the Israeli delegation to the Madrid Peace Conference.
Different from the typical annual dinner, this benefit will have an Israeli wine tasting, a buffet filled with Israeli food and music from Shakshuka, an exciting five piece Jewish Jazz band.
This year's Tree of Life Honorees, Steven Elrod, Partner at Holland & Knight and Ted Banks, Chief Counsel -Global Compliance at Kraft Foods, exemplify the commitment and passion for Israel that supports and compliments the work of Jewish National Fund. We are proud to have them as this year's honorees.
Invitations should arrive next week. For further information or to buy a table, sponsorship or tribute, please call Rick Kruger or Susan Levin in the Chicago Regional office. Also, anyone interested in volunteering to help with the dinner is encouraged to call the JNF offices at 847-656-8880.
The Executive Dinner Committee includes Dinner Chairman Rob Mintz, Jason Feldman and Audrey Lakin along with new board member Yvette Stone and veteran board member and Herzl Society member Karen Budin.
SPECIAL MISSION TO ISRAEL
Rick Krosnick, JNF National Campaign Coordinator and Midwest Zone Director, escorted several Chicagoans recently on a special fact-finding trip to Israel. The group explored JNF programs and projects from Eilat to Lake Kinneret and learned about JNF's Blueprint Negev project to build new communities in the Negev. Among the group was Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley on his first trip to Israel to gain a better understanding of the geo-political situation in Israel.
(L to R) Pictured at the Ramon Crater are Rick Krosnick of Deerfield, Bruce Werner of Lincolnshire, Mike Quigley of Chicago, JNF President's Council Member Daniel Cohan of Wilmette and David Cohan from Portland, Maine.
MEET THE STAFF:
SARI SIEGEL - THE VOICE BEHIND JNF
Pictured on the left: Sari Siegel
BAR-MITZVAH BOOK BOY
Bruce & Laura Zimmerman of Deerfield recently commemorated the milestone of their son Doran's bar-mitzvah by adding his name to the B'nai Mitzvah Honor Book housed at JNF's Jerusalem office. Initiated in 1936, the book holds more than 100,000 names and photos celebrating the B'nai Mitzvahs of children around the world. Congratulations to Doran and his family!
Pictured in right: Midwest Zone Director Rick Krosnick presents Bar-Mitzvah book plaque to Doran Zimmerman
