GROWTH: COMMUNITY SERVICE
Democracy was of upmost importance for Jews coming to America in the 1800s and 1900s to escape dictatorships, communism and other forms of tyranny such as antisemitism. They were extremely proud to be citizens and wanted their children to be part of the American dream. Education became a priority, focusing them on a future of public affairs, medicine, law and other professions providing community service.
As Orlando grew, many professionals relocated here. Some started new departments in hospitals, helped create new institutions of higher learning and became leaders for professions such as law, medicine and dentistry. Others were appointed and elected to city and county commissions, state and federal offices and judgeships. Responding to Jewish concerns about public issues, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando formed a Community Relations Committee. This volunteer committee is the watchdog for schools, government and media—acting swiftly when issues arise that affect the Jewish community.
Eddie Titen (second from right) with Senator Bob Graham (far right) as he works the crowd at Kinneret housing prior to his election, 1979.
Titen, son of Harvey and Gloria Titen, moved to the Orlando area in 1960. He has been an architect and ran a construction company. He was appointed to many city and county positions and was elected to the Altamonte Springs City Commission, serving from 1986–1989.
Collection of the Jewish Museum of Florida- FIU, originated by Marcia Jo Zerivitz, LHD, Founding Executive Director
Alan Grayson was no shrinking violet in the US House of Representatives, 2012.
Grayson, a Harvard educated Democrat, clerked for Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg after law school. This colorful politician moved to Orlando in 1996 and represented Florida’s Eighth Congressional District in the US House of Representatives from 2009–2011 and the Ninth District from 2013–2016. He ran in the primary for US Senate in 2016. In 2006, the Wall Street Journal said attorney Grayson was “waging a one man war against contractor fraud in Iraq” when he won a large court settlement. He is known for wearing wild boots.
Julie Tagen
Bill Segal is among Orange County and UCF leaders accepting recognition from Forbes Magazine for outstanding accomplishments in education and business, 2008.
Bill Segal, son of Martin and Beatrice Segal, grew up in a political household. He served as chairman of the St. Johns Water Management Board and two terms as District 5 Orange County commissioner, first elected in 2004. His résumé of community service includes president of Jewish Family Services 1989 1990, founding director of the Coalition for the Homeless, president of Florida Water Management, president of Tiger Bay Club and much more. In his spare time he built a real estate business and Chin China, a chain of seven restaurants, which he later sold. L-R: Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty, Steve Forbes (giving award), Orange County Commissioner Bill Segal and UCF President John Hitt
Bill Segal
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Marilyn Crotty is the “school marm to elected officials,” 2016.
Crotty is also considered one of the most influential people in local government who was not elected. For more than 25 years, she has been the director of the Institute of Government at UCF, training government officials how to do their work, helping to write city charters and facilitating strategic planning statewide. She is also executive director of the Tri-County League of Cities. A past president of the Seminole County League of Woman Voters and former state board member, Crotty transitioned from volunteer to professional, turning a passion into a career, and has volunteered to assist many local Jewish organizations.
Marilyn Ettinger Crotty
Performing the “Royal Flush,” Michele Brennan, director of the City of Orlando’s Office Communications of Orlando and Magic Ambassador Nick Anderson testing the plumbing prior to opening the Amway Center, 2010.
A member of Mayor Buddy Dyer’s leadership team since 2003, Brennan leads the communication efforts for the City of Orlando. This includes events, marketing, graphic design, interactive programs, multi-media and neighborhood relations. She communicates and promotes city services to residents, businesses and neighborhood organizations and employees. Brennan’s office coordinates signature events and manages the city’s social media. Using photography and video, her office is significant in enhancing the quality of life in Orlando’s neighborhoods.
Michele Brennan
Matt Broffman (left) discusses city business with Mayor Buddy Dyer and Deputy Chief of Staff Heather Fagan, 2015.
Matt Broffman (formerly Matt Sokoloff) is a journalist and entrepreneur hired in 2014 as director of innovation for the City of Orlando. He is charged with finding inventive ways to deliver city services and connect with residents using technology. Matt is passionate about making Orlando a better place to live. “We, as a city, need to find out how … to make our lives and our city even better.” When Matt Sokoloff married Shane Bryant, they created a new last name. By using the “Br” from Bryant, the “off” from Sokoloff and “man” from Matt’s stepfather’s last name Feuerman, it became Broffman.
Matt Broffman
Kevin Weiss elected judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in 2015.
Weiss, past president of the JCC, was assigned to the Osceola County bench in civil, probate, guardianship and mental health. Some other Jews who have served as judges include Seymour Benson, Deborah Blechman, Mark Blechman, Arthur Briskman, Jay Cohen, James Hauser, Barry LaBoda, Mark Lubet, Fred Schott and Lionel Silberman.
Heritage Florida Jewish News
Vice Mayor and City Commissioner of Casselberry Sandra Soloman, 2016.
Solomon was first elected to office in 2006. She serves on the Seminole County Redevelopment and Planning Agency and is the alternate representative for Casselberry on the Council of Local Governments in Seminole County. She taught at Seminole Community College, is actively involved in the Casselberry Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club and is cofounder of The Zionistas, a Jewish and Christian Zionist Organization.
Sandra Soloman
Gregor Alexander, MD holds a premature baby in the world’s largest neonatal intensive care unit under one roof, Winnie Palmer Hospital, 2015
Neonatology pioneer Dr. Alexander has treated premature infants since 1975 in Orlando. Opening at ORMC, moving to Arnold Palmer Hospital in 1989, then Winnie Palmer for Women and Children in 2006, the Alexander Center for Neonatology has cared for more than 40,000 critically ill newborns. Dr. Alexander believes success is based on treating both the physical and emotional needs of these babies and their families.
Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies, Neonatology Department
Clifford B. Dubbin, MD, is first known Jewish physician to be elected as president of the Orange County Medical Society, 1994.
Dr. Dubbin founded Florida Otolaryngology Group in Orlando in 1983. He has been a respected leader in the local Otolaryngology community and recognized on numerous occasions by other physicians as one of Orlando’s Top Docs. His leadership and service qualities were further demonstrated by his volunteer activities with the Orange County Medical Society (OCMS) where he served as president 1994–1995. In 2015, the Network of Florida Otolaryngologists elected him “Otolaryngologist of the Year.” Dr. Dubbin retired from his private practice in 2015 and continues to serve the Orange County Medical Clinic patients. Other Jews who have served as president of the OCMS are Drs. Victor Roberts, Harold Greenberg, Arnold Einhorn and Steve Rosenberg.
Heritage Florida Jewish News, March 4, 1994
Dr. Richard and Helaine Signer at Florida Hospital for Children, Walt Disney Pavilion, 2015.
Arriving in Orlando in 1976, Richard Signer was Orlando’s second pediatric surgeon. The influx of young families stretched available resources for quality pediatric medicine. While working an ever-increasing surgery schedule in 1989, Signer helped found Arnold Palmer Hospital for Women and Children. In 1997, he was founder and president of Kid’s Doc, an association of more than 60 pediatric subspecialists. In 2008, he became chief medical officer of Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children. He is a clinical professor at FSU and associate professor at UCF, in addition to maintaining a board position at the Orlando Science Center.
Richard Signer
Arnold Einhorn, MD makes rounds at Orlando Regional Medical Center, 2016.
In 1990, cardiologist Dr. Einhorn came to Orlando with his family as the area’s extreme population growth increased the need for medical specialists. Exhibiting leadership skills, he was chief of staff at ORMC fr om 2007–2009 as well as president of the Orange County Medical Society in 2009. Many other medical and professional specialists in fields such as oncology, orthopedics, ob-gyn, pediatrics, surgery, dentistry and more helped grow a sophisticated and excellent medical community.
Dr. Arnold Einhorn
Attorney Jim Grodin accepts a football and plaque from Lake Brantley High School, 1991.
Recognized as an outstanding litigator, Grodin arrived in Orlando in 1988. Representative of many outstanding Jewish attorneys, he saw opportunity here. Besides their full-time jobs, many provide pro bono work, often helping new organizations with contracts and bylaws. In one of Grodin’s cases, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) sought to disqualify Lake Brantley High School’s football games that included a disabled student because he lived out of the school district. The student had received an exemption to attend the school because of their special-education accommodations. Grodin successfully sued the FHSAA, overturning their ruling for Lake Brantley to forfeit games.
Jim Grodin
Dr. Leonard Dreifus and his wife Seline in front of the sculpture they commissioned, “Man Helping Man” by Harold Kimmelman, at the dedication of Heart House, headquarters of the American College of Cardiology, Washington, D.C., 2006.
Dr. Leonard and Seline Dreifus moved to Orlando in 1995. Former president of the American College of Cardiology, with an international reputation for his expertise in electrophysiology, cardiac arrhythmias, pacemakers and electrocardiography, Dreifus joined the Central Florida Cardiology Group and taught at the University of South Florida. He volunteered at the Orlando Health Care Center for the Homeless, Grace Medical Home and, with his wife, at Shepherds Hope. Patrons of the arts, Leonard and Seline were principal founders of the Orlando Philharmonic’s Genius of Youth program, bringing talented musicians from the Juilliard to perform with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
Seline Dreifus
Harry Rein, MD, JD conducts an interview with the US Justice Department, 2012.
A native Austrian, Rein believes he is the only physicianlawyer- judge in the US. Dr. Rein started a family practice in Orlando in 1960. He joined Temple Israel, soon becoming president. While practicing medicine, he became a builder, then started teaching, became a lawyer and was subsequently appointed judge with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He and wife Rhea are major supporters of the State of Israel, Temple Israel, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and UCF Medical School. He has visited 102 countries and worked in five countries and 30 states. He continues lecturing and recently published his autobiography, From Stethoscope to Gavel.
Harry Rein