Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

The Jewish Academy of Orlando is launching a special fundraising opportunity to strengthen its school and mission of providing the community with a program of academic excellence while at the same time instilling a sense of Jewish pride in its students.  During the Harriett Lake/Weiner Family 2016 Matching Gift Challenge, which will be taking place between February 19 and April 15, all gifts to the Jewish Academy of Orlando's annual campaign will be matched on a 1:2 basis up to $50,000! A huge debt of gratitude goes to the generosity of Harriett Lake and the Weiner families (Louise and Dick, Maura and Ben) for making this possible. Any size gift, whether it be made online, via mail or by phone, will have an impact. For every $2 of donations, a match of $1 will be made, up to $50,000. This gift makes $150,000 in annual campaign gifts attainable.

"The Harriett Lake/Weiner Family 2016 Matching Gift Challenge is an exciting opportunity for our school," said Dr. Jordan Steinberg, Board President.  "It's a great chance to see $100 do $150 worth of good, or convert $500 into a $750 impact."

"The generosity of Mrs. Lake and the Weiner families is a tremendous opportunity and we can't thank them enough for all they have done over the years for our school and our community," said Alan Rusonik, Head of School. "Our day school could not exist without the financial support of our community and major donors like Harriett Lake, Louise and Dick Weiner and Maura and Ben Weiner. We are so grateful that we have the chance to leverage their gifts to have a real impact on our fundraising goals."

The Harriett Lake/Weiner Family 2016 Matching Gift Challenge will have a transformative impact on our school, and the critical role it plays in our community. Our Jewish community needs a sustainable Jewish day school; our Jewish community needs the Jewish Academy of Orlando. Our graduates continue to excel in the best high schools and colleges, becoming leaders in their academic, philanthropic and Jewish communities. The Jewish Academy enables its students to grow academically and spiritually. The Jewish Academy makes memories for our families by teaching our students the customs and traditions of our heritage. The Jewish Academy develops the Jewish leaders of tomorrow. And the Jewish Academy ensures the continuity of the Jewish people. In these difficult and trying times in which we live, maintaining Jewish identity through Jewish continuity must remain a critical priority for our community.

To have your gift matched, simply make a donation between now and April 15. Click here to donate online, or call 407-647-0713 during regular school hours.

PS-Increase your impact today! Thank you for your support of the Jewish Academy of Orlando.