Recognizing Local Contributions during Jewish American Heritage Month

By Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz

(Washington, DC)  —  May is the month the nation recognizes the contributions made by American Jews. Jewish American Heritage month was first recognized in 2006 after legislation was adopted that U.S. Senator Arlen Specter and I initiated. For the 3rd annual Jewish American Heritage Month, I’d like to recognize the great contributions in our community by some who may not be household names.

The fact of the matter is that there are many Jewish leaders in South Florida creating their own legacy by helping others. In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, I want to identify three leaders worthy of special recognition.

Rabbi Cheryl Jacobs serves as the Rabbi for Jewish Family Service (JFS) in addition to other roles. She’s the spiritual leader for all the Jews who are not affiliated with a Temple or Synagogue.

Rabbi Jacobs is also the Director of the Jewish Healing Center and provides counseling and care for those in need. One of her key responsibilities for this prestigious position is to serve the Jewish Aids Network. Rabbi Jacobs councils AIDS patients while they are in the hospital and also provides emotional support to their families.

Her husband, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, says sometimes when people call for his wife, he tells them, “She’s in prison.” That’s because Rabbi Cheryl Jacobs is also a Chaplain with the Broward Sheriff’s Office and spends time working with inmates.

Another local person making a difference is Evan Goldman. Evan is an advocate for children who have no parents in their lives. Since 2002, the 38-year old has worked as the Public Affairs Manager for the Children’s Services Council (CSC), an organization that provides leadership, coordination and funding for services on behalf of children.

Evan’s two passions are supporting kids raised by family members besides their parents and youth who are aging out of foster care. Last year he took some of the foster care children on the “Trip of a Lifetime.” Evan brought about a dozen teenagers to our nation’s capital for several days. They toured the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court and the Holocaust Museum. For this invaluable experience, Evan raised all the money privately. It was my honor to meet with these students and commend Evan on the wonderful job he does for children and our community.

Lindsay Abbondandolo is only 16 years old but says there is no doubt in her mind that she is a future leader for our community and is establishing the path to make a difference.

When this National Honor Society student is not in school, Lindsay spends time helping others. Two years ago, Lindsay told her parents to forgo buying presents for her and her younger sister for Hanukkah, and instead help brighten the holidays for a single mother and her five children. Led by Lindsay, the whole family bought gifts and prepared a big, festive meal for this single mother and her children.

In addition, in her spare time, Lindsay mentors younger students. She teaches Hebrew to 5th graders at her Temple and volunteers with a child with Down’s syndrome.

But helping others is nothing new to Lindsay. When she was 6, she donated all the gifts she received for her birthday to Toys for Tots.

Several days ago, Lindsay left for Poland to take part in the “March of the Living.” The March of the Living is an international, educational program that brings Jewish teens from all over the world to Poland on Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, to march from Auschwitz to Birkenau, the largest concentration camp complex built during World War II.

For a 16 year-old, to say the least, Lindsay is one extraordinary person.

The stories of Rabbi Jacobs, Evan and Lindsay are what Jewish American Heritage Month is all about—learning about the heritage and the many contributions American Jews have made to our community and our country.