Who We Are | Tallahassee Jewish Federation

The Tallahassee Jewish Federation exists to:

Serve as a central hub for the local Jewish community, supporting and connecting Jewish organizations across the region, helping foster collaboration, shared purpose, and a stronger collective impact.

Strengthen and enrich Jewish life through community leadership, partnership, and philanthropy locally, in Israel, and around the world.

These efforts are made possible through the generosity of donors and community members who together ensure a strong Jewish future for generations to come.

Our mission for 2026-2027:

Grow a stronger Israel-connected Jewish community through expanded cultural, educational, and intergenerational programming.
Increase community engagement and fundraising through stronger social, digital, and personal outreach.
Enhance Jewish security and resilience through education, preparedness, partnerships, and antisemitism awareness initiatives.

“If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?" Rabbi Hillel, Ethics of the Fathers, 1:14

Executive Committee

Karen Cyphers

President

Ashley Cavallo

Vice President

Seth Miller

Treasurer

Mona Markell

Secretary

History

Federation Presidents:

Bruno Linder (1983-1985)

Art Cooper (1985-1987)

Irwin Kantrowitz (1987-1989)

Lois Friedman (1989-1991)

Bob Cohen (1991-1993)

Alvin Stauber (1993-1995)

Rhea Schwartz (1995-1997)

Richard Greenberg (1997-1999)

Al Sulkes (1999-2001)

Maurice Levy (2001-2003)

Wayne Hosid (2003)

Irwin Kantrowitz (2003-2005)

Bill Kaufman (2005-2007)

Dave Markell (2007-2009)

Jodi Chase (2009-2011)

Allen Grossman (2011-2013)

Marshall Kapp (2014-2015)

Mark Goldman (2016-2018)

Ellie Simon (2018-2020)

Meg Yaniv (2020-2022)

Ashley Cavallo (2022-2024)

Joseph Gerstenfeld (2024-2026)

Karen Cyphers (2026-present)

The 1980s: Founding and Early Growth

The Tallahassee Jewish Federation began in 1983 as the Apalachee Federation of Jewish Charities. Its first president, Dr. Bruno Linder, took office that year. As Dr. Linder later wrote in a 1993 article, the Federation made its debut with a gala at Florida’s newly restored old Capitol Building.

Also in 1983, Miss Ruby Diamond made a generous bequest to the Federation, beginning decades of exemplary support from the Ruby Diamond Foundation.

From its earliest years, the Federation focused on helping Jewish families, supporting Jewish education, and building community. In 1983, it partnered with Catholic Social Services (CSS) to provide emergency assistance, including rent and utility payments, to eligible members of the Tallahassee Jewish community. That partnership continued for many years.

Also beginning in 1983, the Federation began providing scholarships for area Jewish youth to attend Jewish camps and participate in Jewish educational opportunities locally, nationally, and internationally. That commitment continues today.

In 1984, the Federation began holding Parlor Meetings to launch its annual fundraising campaigns. These gatherings continue today, with speakers generally provided by UJA, the Jewish Federations of North America, and other sources.

On January 26, 1985, the Federation sponsored a gala testimonial dinner at the Civic Center honoring Al Block for his involvement in Jewish charities, love and support for Israel, fight against bigotry, and strong Jewish identity. Among the 400 attendees were Congressman Claude Pepper and Governor Leroy Collins.

On March 26, 1985, the Federation received its official 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS.

Throughout the 1980s, and continuing today, the Federation has hosted the Israel Consul General on several occasions.

The 1990s: Resettlement, Education, and Community Building

In 1990, the Federation participated in Operation Exodus, part of a North American Federation effort that raised $1 billion to help more than a million Soviet Jews resettle in Israel and North America. Through this effort, the Apalachee Federation brought two Jewish families from the former Soviet Union, the Bayevskys and the Bergmans, to Tallahassee in June 1990. A third family arrived later that year.

Beginning in 1993, the Federation issued position statements and met with school officials on Religion in the Schools, with a focus on fair and respectful treatment of Jewish students. The Federation also began preparing and distributing a two-year calendar of Jewish holidays and observances to local schools and colleges.

Also in 1993, Federation Focus debuted as the Federation newsletter.

On September 12, 1993, the Federation held its 10th Anniversary Dinner and Annual Campaign Kickoff at Annella’s Restaurant. Congressman Pete Peterson served as the keynote speaker.

In February 1994, the Federation partnered with the Tampa Holocaust Museum to bring the art display “And There Was A Train Full of Children” to Governors Square Mall.

Throughout the 1990s, and continuing today, the Federation provided significant financial support to local organizations and institutions, including the FSU Holocaust Center, the Holocaust Educational and Resource Center, and FSU Hillel.

Beginning in the 1990s, the Federation also began donating educational materials on Jewish subjects to the Leon County Library System, a practice that continues today.

From 1995 to 2000, the Federation sponsored An Evening of Jewish Study.

In 1996, the Federation created and sponsored Camp Shalom, the brainchild of Drs. Rhea and Louis Schwartz. The camp began as a one-week Jewish summer day camp for preschoolers through high schoolers, held at Temple Israel, and was later expanded to a two-week session.

In 1999, the Federation raised more than $25,000 for Flights to Freedom, an effort to rescue Jews from the former Soviet Union and help them resettle in Israel.

In November 1999, the Federation sponsored the creation of the Big Bend Jewish Genealogical Society.

On October 31, 1999, James Streem, Professor of Piano at FSU, presented an all-Chopin recital to benefit the Federation’s Flights to Freedom project. In later years, Professor Streem continued presenting recitals for the Federation to benefit a variety of Israeli charities.

Also in 1999, the Apalachee Federation of Jewish Charities was renamed the Tallahassee Jewish Federation.

2000 to 2014: Expanding Programs and Partnerships

In 2002, the Federation co-sponsored Senior Shmooze, which offered monthly discussion groups and cultural programs until 2011.

That summer, the Federation’s Israel Emergency Campaign raised $22,000.

In 2003, the Federation began co-sponsoring the annual Israeli Independence Day celebration with Congregation Shomrei Torah and Temple Israel. That celebration continues today.

From 2005 to 2008, the Federation sponsored the annual Purim Ball, inviting the broader Jewish community to participate.

Around 2006, the Federation began co-sponsoring, with Temple Israel and Shomrei Torah, an Annual Fund Drive to Help Needy Children in Israel. By Chanukah 2013, the drive had raised more than $12,000.

In 2006, the Federation helped create the Tallahassee-Ramat Ha-Sharon Sister City relationship. The Federation has continued to support this partnership by helping underwrite the costs of Israeli science teachers visiting Tallahassee for the summer to work and study at the FSU Mag Lab, and by providing hospitality to the teachers.

In 2007, under the leadership of president David Markell, the Federation created the Teen Philanthropy Initiative, supported by a grant from the Rintels Foundation. The initiative empowers Jewish teens to help meet community needs while developing decision-making and collaboration skills. By spring 2014, the end of its sixth year, the Teen Board had awarded more than $60,000 in grants to local and Israeli organizations.

From 2008 to 2013, the Federation organized the Next Generation Initiative to engage younger members of the Jewish community. In addition to social and educational activities, the group undertook several initiatives and made grants totaling several thousand dollars to local and Israeli organizations.

In 2008, in partnership with the Tallahassee Film Society, the Federation began sponsoring the Jewish Film Series. Each year, four to six films were shown at the cinema at Railroad Square. Since its launch, the series has featured more than 35 films.

In 2009, the Federation led a major fundraising initiative for the Ethiopian National Project in Lod, Israel, raising more than $50,000.

In 2010, the Federation hired Sasha Bayevsky as its first summer intern.

In 2011, the Federation created the Big Bend Jewish Social Club (BBJSC) to provide social activities for the 50+ community. The group gathers for “luncheons with a program,” including joke telling, storytelling, songfests, movies, and musical presentations.

From 2011 to 2013, the Federation sponsored the Distinguished Lecture Series, featuring programs on topics such as “Jewish Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court” by Al Sulkes and “The French and Anti-Semitism” by Dr. Jan Tanenbaum.

2014 to Present: Continuity, Connection, and Resilience

The Tallahassee Jewish Federation continued building on the foundation created by earlier generations. During this period, the Federation’s long-running programs remained central to its work.

The Rhea Schwartz Camp Shalom continued serving Jewish children in the Tallahassee area, and the Al Sulkes Camp Scholarship program has awarded record numbers of stipends to families.

The Dave Markell Teen Philanthropy Initiative continued empowering local Jewish teens to become thoughtful grant-makers, practice tikkun olam, and support needs locally and in Israel.

The Jewish Film Series, developed in partnership with the Tallahassee Film Society, remained part of the Federation’s cultural programming.

In 2018, during Ellie Simon’s presidency, the Federation helped monitor and support the local Jewish community during Hurricane Michael with volunteers including students at Florida State University.

In 2019, after the synagogue shooting in Poway, California, the Tallahassee Jewish community joined Jewish communities across the country in confronting the growing reality of antisemitic violence.

In 2020, under Meg Yariv’s presidency, the Federation supported a Temple Israel program featuring Mark Weitzman of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, in partnership with the Florida Holocaust Museum, focused on modern and historic antisemitism.

In 2022, under Ashley Cavallo’s presidency, the Federation created a special emergency fund to support Jews in Ukraine after Russia’s invasion. Funds raised through the effort were directed through the Jewish Federations of North America emergency campaign to support Jews in Ukraine and neighboring countries.

After the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, the Federation’s role in keeping the Tallahassee Jewish community connected to Israel became even more visible.

In 2024, Joseph Gerstenfeld spoke as part of Tallahassee’s local remembrance of the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attack, reflecting on grief, memory, resilience, and the responsibility to keep moving forward until the hostages come home.

In 2025 Jewish community members from across Florida came to Tallahassee for Jewish Community Advocacy Day and Israel Day at the Capitol, with 175 participants representing 35 Jewish organizations, including seven Florida Jewish federations and six Hillels.

In 2026, Federation president Karen Cyphers presented to the Jewish Community and Israel Day at the Capitol. She and board member Ryan Cox now join regular calls with Federation leaders from around the state regarding current affairs and Jewish community advocacy.

Year after year, the Ruby Diamond Foundation makes a significant contribution to the Federation, enabling so much of our local programming and services.

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