Tampa, Orlando, Pinellas, Jewish Foundation officers, 1988–1989.
Sy Israel and David Ritt conceived the Tampa, Orlando, Pinellas, Jewish Foundation (TOP) in 1977. Established in 1980, the Foundation helps Jews in Central Florida make their commitment to tzedakah go further to support a variety of local, national and international not-for-profit causes in both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities. Individuals and families create endowments enabling them to leave a legacy reflecting their values and hopes. The first trustees included: David Ritt, Hyman Lake, Elliott Zerivitz, Louis Feinberg, Sol Schick, Joe Wittenstein, Abe Wise and Sonia Mandell. In 2015, total assets were nearly $40 million. Seated L-R: Louis Feinberg, Abe Wise; back L-R: Jack Oppenheimer, Marc Katzen, Joel Breitstein and Al Capouano
Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando
TOP ad reflects diverse beneficiaries of the Foundation, 2016
Community members Louis Feinberg, Debby Gendzier, Jim Grodin, Jack Oppenheimer, Richard (Dick) Weiner, and Abe Wise have served as TOP presidents, and Burt Chasnov has dedicated countless hours to TOP since its inception. In 2007, the Florida Legislature adopted the Iran Divestment Bill (SB2142) requiring state pension divestment from companies doing business in Sudan and Iran. Other states followed this strict and forward-thinking antiterror investment policy. TOP followed that model in 2012 to ensure that none of this community’s resources are used to support companies that have terrorist ties.
Heritage Florida Jewish News