Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix announces incoming board members
The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix announced its incoming board chairs. Mark Feldman, chief executive officer and managing partner for MRA Associates; and David Weiner, president of Weiner Insurance. The two men will serve as board co-chairs for a two-year term beginning Jan. 1. Each brings unique experience to the role.
“As a board co-chair, I hope to use my business experience to continue maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of Federation operations so that we can impact more lives,” said Feldman.
“I enjoy sharing our story, how there is no other organization in the world that touches more Jewish lives than the Federation,” said Weiner. “Whether it is the elderly, students on campus, or Jewish communities in Israel and around the world.”
Other incoming officers include Treasurer, Morrie Aaron; Governance Chair & Secretary Barry Markson; and Vice-Chairs Jonathan Hoffer, Joel Kramer, Julee Landau Shahon and Don Schon, M.D. jewishphoenix.org
First Place AZ appoints Joe Cooper
First Place AZ has appointed Joe Cooper as its chief financial and operating officer. In December 2016, First Place AZ broke ground on First Place-Phoenix, an 81,000-square-foot residential property located at 3001 N Third St. in downtown Phoenix. Designed for adults with autism and different abilities, the property represents a one-of-a-kind approach to combining apartments, a residential training program and a national leadership institute to advance more independent and community-integrated living options.
“Joe brings a wealth of executive management experience and expertise in business operations, finance, partnering and organizational development. His leadership will be instrumental to expanding the reach and impact of our nonprofit,” says Denise Resnik, First Place founder, president and CEO. “Joe also brings a long-standing commitment to serving this population as a former and founding board member of First Place AZ and former board member of the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC).”
Spanning a total of 30 years in financial and business leadership roles, Cooper also served as executive vice president of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation in Scottsdale where he was responsible for corporate development and operations. He has consulted with numerous health care and technology companies.
He will oversee the financial management and operational growth of First Place AZ and plans for replication and licensing its curriculum and programs. firstplaceaz.org
Milk+Honey opens at Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus
Restaurateur Dany Marciano has opened a new café on the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus in Scottsdale. Milk+Honey Espresso Bar & Eatery opened on Dec. 20.
The Milk+Honey concept is based on offering homemade breakfast and lunch options while providing a full sit-down service experience for dinner. Imported Italian Bertinelli Parmesan cheese and San Marzano tomatoes serve as testaments to the authentic Italian ingredients that are available in all dishes. Authentic Italian tastes are pervasive in the pizzas and fresh, homemade pastas as well as appetizers and desserts. Open 7:30 am-6:30 pm Monday-Thursday, 7:30 am-3 pm Friday, 10 am-4 pm Sunday; closed Saturday. All dishes are vaad kosher. milkandhoneyjcc.com
The Frutkin Law Firm Rebrands as Radix Law
The Frutkin Law Firm has become the first Arizona practice to take advantage of the state bar’s trade name rule. It announced it will rebrand as Radix Law as of Jan. 1.
There is a long tradition in the practice of law: the name of a firm includes the surnames of the most prominent partners. As law has become such a big business over the past decade, the largest practices in the world are names of partners who have long since passed away.
This tradition was also required by the Arizona Bar until recently. Now, firms can ditch the commas in favor of a more universal trade name.
Radix, in Latin, means “root.” It can mean the root of a tree, the root of knowledge or the root of a number. While the firm’s attorneys come from all over the world, they have decided to be rooted in Arizona.
“Our new name reflects our values,” says Principal Jonathan Frutkin. “We are a business law firm that helps our clients pursue opportunities and fights for them when challenged – and we are rooted right here in Arizona. It is also an acknowledgement that we have grown from being a solo legal practice into a business law firm with almost a dozen lawyers.”
Radix was formed in 2007 and now has 11 attorneys with decades of experience. They serve companies, individuals and families throughout Arizona in business and corporate law and related areas, ranging from taxation and asset protection to bankruptcy and estate planning. Radix Law leads the Valley of the Sun in estate planning and trust administration law. Radix Law’s attorneys are respected sources in their field and contribute to local and national media. radixlaw.com
Fredi Brown joins Jewish Free Loan staff
Fredi Brown has joined the staff of Jewish Free Loan as the organization’s services coordinator. She will be responsible for the administration of Jewish Free Loan’s interest-free loan program, as well as donor services. Fredi will work with prospective and current loan borrowers and guarantors as they access JFL’s services and oversee donor services.
Fredi has a long history working within the Jewish community, both domestically and in Israel. In recent years, she has worked in various capacities for Hadassah, serving in the local, regional and national levels of leadership development. Fredi, and her husband, Howard Treshansky, are members of Congregation Or Tzion. Fredi is the mother of Dr. Jennifer Brown, of Scottsdale and Aaron and Lisa Brown, and their three daughters, Gabrielle, Alexis and Eliana Brown of Houston, TX.
“We are very excited that Fredi has joined the JFL staff. Her extensive experience as both a nonprofit professional and volunteer will enhance the quality of our donor and client services and ensure that Jewish Free Loan continues to offer the highest quality service to the entire community,” says Tina Sheinbein, executive director of Jewish Free Loan.
Toys & Playtime Oasis moves to new location
Toys & Playtime Oasis, owned by Sari and Sam Powazek, recently moved to a new location at 13802 N Scottsdale Road #152 in Scottsdale Towne Square. The couple have been toy store owners for the past 39 years. For many years their store was named “The Doll House & Toy Store” and they still carry a wide variety of dollhouse furniture and accessories. In additions to toys, the store has an indoor play area specially designed for children ages 5 and under called “Playtime Oasis.” They are open 9 am-6 pm Monday-Saturday and 10 am-5 pm Sunday. toysandplaytimeoasis.com
“Inspired by Israel” video contest
The Adam and Gila Milstein Family Foundation announced the details of its second annual “Inspired by Israel” video contest, which it launched in January in partnership with the 12Tribe Films Foundation. Hosted on Israelvideonetwork.com, the contest asks entrants to submit videos that entertain, educate and inspire people about Israel. A total of $20,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the winning videos, including an $8,000 Grand Prize.
The video entries in last year’s competition received more than 500,000 views during the two-week voting period. The winning video for 2016, “Superman’s Got Nothing On Israel,” received hundreds of thousands of views and was featured or shared by many organizations and individuals.
Registration due by Feb. 1 and video submissions are due by March 6. Winners will be announced on April 30. israelvideonetwork.com/enter-our-video-contest
