JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER PHOENIX ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND CHAIR
The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix elected attorney Robert Roos as its new chair, in addition to two new board members and a new slate of officers at its annual meeting held on May 15.
Robert is a partner in the law firm of Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie and has been a member of the Jewish Community Foundation Board of Directors since 2012. He chaired the Foundation’s grants committee from 2014 through 2017 and served as the board’s vice chair for the past two years. Robert is a past chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council and served on the Executive Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix from 1994 through 1997.
Robert succeeds Beth Jo Zeitzer, who served as board chair from 2015-2017. Beth Jo will continue to serve on the Board of Directors.
Foundation President and CEO, Richard Kasper said, “Under Beth Jo’s leadership, JCF launched the LIFE & LEGACY program, which has engaged 12 community partner organizations and secured end-of-life commitments with an estimated value of $22 million for the community. The Foundation adopted and is implementing its first comprehensive, long-term strategic plan. We thank Beth Jo for her dedication, and we are looking forward to our next chapter under Robert’s leadership.”
Newly elected board members are Neil Goldstein and Jake Miller. Neil is a retired investment professional with extensive volunteer leadership experience, including service as board president of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey. Jake is a junior at Brophy College Preparatory, who has served on the Foundation’s grants committee and has been a member of the JCF Youth Philanthropy Board since 2015.
Board member Lee Eisinberg, a managing partner with ABLE Financial Group, was elected Vice Chair; Alan Gold, a partner with MGKS retirement plan administrators, was re-elected Treasurer and Jonathan Hoffer, a partner with SMS Financial Services, was re-elected Secretary. Other board members re-elected to new terms were Brad Dimond, Lory Fischler, Vicki Harris and Dean Scheinert.
BOB ROTH IS AWARDED SEAT ON ARIZONA GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL ON AGING
Serving the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan area since 1994, Cypress HomeCare Solutions has fulfilled the mission to provide quality, individualized and compassionate care to clients so they can age successfully and independently in their own homes. Bob Roth, Managing Partner of Cypress HomeCare solutions has accepted the highly regarded seat on Governor Doug Ducey’s Advisory Council on Aging. Bob is now one of 11 people appointed by Governor Ducey to advise policymakers on all matters relating to the aging population in Arizona.
Established by state law in 1980, the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging (GACA) is a statewide body of 15 members appointed by the Governor to serve three-year terms. The Council’s purpose, by statute, is to “advise the Governor, Legislature and all State Departments which the Council deems necessary on all matters and issues relating to aging, including the administration of the State Plan on Aging.” The GACA mission is to enhance the quality of life for older Arizonans. The council is currently addressing Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, legislation affecting aging adults and more accessible and affordable transportation options.
Bob is pleased to draw upon his experience and knowledge to work toward solutions. “I have been the flag bearer for older adults’ rights and an advocate at the state level for change and consistency of the fastest growing population in the world,” he says.
Bob currently serves on multiple boards, writes monthly columns for several periodicals and hosts the radio show “Health Futures” heard across the valley every Friday on Money Radio KFNN
His columns and radio show focus on the issues affecting the aging adult community and how they can live a happier and healthier life.
DUET RECEIVES IMPACT AWARD
Duet: Partners in Health & Aging was awarded the IMPACTful Nonprofit Award by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce at its 30th Annual IMPACT Awards ceremony held May 10 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa.
Duet, an interfaith organization with strong support in the local Jewish community, helps and supports homebound adults, grandparents who are raising their grandchildren and family caregivers. It also trains nurses to work in faith communities. Duet has been serving older adults in the Valley since 1981.
More than 200 churches and synagogues partner with Duet and more than 1,000 people volunteer their time and services to the organization.
Other finalists in the nonprofit award category were the American Red Cross of Greater Phoenix, Arizona Community Foundation and Arizona Forward.
REALTOR JEFF FIELDS RECEIVES HONORS
The Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors (SAAR) has named Jeff Fields to its 2017 prestigious 40 Under 40 group. A committee selected the group after rigorous examination of candidates’ demonstration of business success, professional leadership, and community and industry involvement. Formed in 1963, SAAR has earned the reputation of being the Voice for Real Estate™ for the Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree and Cave Creek communities. Rebecca Grossman, chief executive officer at SAAR, says, “It’s by far quite an amazing accomplishment to be at the top of your market with sells and community involvement, which is why we like to celebrate their (40 Under 40) accomplishments.”
Jeff has also been named to the President’s Club at Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, a company that controls over 30% of the Arizona luxury market. He was also named a top 5% producer.
He attributes his success to his caring about clients. They appreciate his careful attention to detail, clear communication, and creative marketing. Jeff’s previous work in film and commercial production has enabled him to create superb videography and photography of clients’ homes.
Jeff also has a strong belief in giving back to the community. He is serving his second term as the President of Teen Lifeline. Last year, the organization provided outreach to 135 schools, and 19,000 teens reached out to its crisis hotline. During his presidency, Teen Lifeline has gained more national visibility. As the board liaison to Connections of Hope, the annual gala, Jeff helped donations go from $300,000 to $500,000. He continues to find other service opportunities including providing a little library for a Scottsdale community.
CHABAD IN FOUNTAIN HILLS BUYS BUILDING FOR PERMANENT HOME
Chabad Lubavitch of Fountain Hills has purchased the former Gridleys building to create a worship and cultural center. Gridleys, located on the Avenue of the Fountains, specialized in office supplies, framing and gift items. They closed their doors at the end of May after 43 years in business.
The property will go through an extensive renovation during the summer and fall. Rabbi Mendy Lipskier, co-director of Chabad of Fountain Hills with his wife, Tzipi, plans to open in December.
In addition to a worship facility, a Jewish cultural center, library and classrooms will be created. Jewish educational programs will be available to both those of the Jewish faith and not of the Jewish faith.
Each Chabad center is supported by the community it serves. All funding for programming is solicited locally. Volunteers raised more than $300,000 online in 24 hours for the building fund.
Chabad of Fountain Hills opened in 2010 with three members. Membership now numbers about 100 families. The congregation has outgrown its current leased space at 11010 N. Saguaro Blvd.
Chabad of Fountain Hills is one of more than 2,500 branches of the largest international organization involved with Jewish education and outreach programs.
ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY NAMES NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR
The Arizona Theatre Company Board of Trustees has named Billy Russo as full-time managing director to complete the executive management team following the announcement that David Ivers will assume responsibilities as artistic director beginning July 1.
Billy has served as acting managing director since 2015, collaborating with Artistic Director David Ira Goldstein, staff and the Board of Trustees to help ATC navigate through a period of serious financial challenges in 2016 and helped plan and executute the critically and financially successful 50 anniversary season.
“Billy not only brings an incredible depth of theater company and artistic management experience to ATC, he already knows the Arizona cultural landscape and community and has a first-hand understanding of Arizona Theatre Company. He doesn’t need to hit the ground running because he’s
already covered so much ground,” says Lynne Wood Dusenberry, chair of the ATC Board of Trustees. “We head into our next half century extremely confident and excited about the future of Arizona Theatre Company, buoyed by a highly experienced and motivated management team, a tremendously dedicated staff and committed board, and a solid financial base.”
Billy assumed executive management duties in October 2015. He came to ATC as part of a consulting team from Albert Hall & Associates, a full-service consulting and executive recruiting firm that assisted the company in conducting the national search resulting in Ivers’ hiring. Previously, Billy had been managing director of the award-winning American Repertory Theater, managing director of New York Theatre Workshop and general manager of Playwrights Horizons, a major off-Broadway company.