CF Hillel celebrates 20 years

Central Florida Hillel has been shaping Jewish leaders for the last 20 years and is now taking the time to reflect and celebrate at a special dinner: "Honoring the Past, Charging into the Future: an Evening Celebrating 20 years of Central Florida Hillel." The event will highlight CFH's many achievements throughout the years, as well as the leadership, vision and generosity of the Ginsburg family and Hank Katzen and past CFH presidents.

From 2001 to 2013, Central Florida Hillel occupied spaces in apartments, living rooms and rented buildings. During this time, the University of Central Florida continued to grow and expand, becoming the largest university in the state of Florida and one of the largest in the country. Community leaders Alan Ginsburg, Marc Katzen and Hank Katzen recognized the impact the growing Hillel organization could have on the future of Jewish life, and came together to create NorthView, a 600,000 square foot, 600 bed resort living student residential facility. In addition to serving as CFH's home and student housing, NorthView houses the Catholic Campus Ministry and the 20,000 square foot Jeffrey and Diane Ginsburg Center for Jewish Student Life. Thanks to the vision of Ginsburg and the Katzens, NorthView provides partial annual funding for CFH's operations and serves as a model for non-profits across the country.

Alan Ginsburg and the Ginsburg family have championed Central Florida Hillel from the beginning. A successful, self-made Orlando philanthropist and businessman, Ginsburg has made it a habit of investing both his time and his money where his passions lie. He, along with his family, officially dedicated the CFH space as the Jeffrey & Diane Ginsburg Center for Jewish Student Life, in memory of Alan's son Jeffrey, a founding CFH board member, and Jeffrey's wife Diane, who also served on the board.

Hank Katzen, along with his father, Marc, teamed up with the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando to establish CFH in 2001. Since then, Hank has been an extremely active lay leader, serving on the boards of Hillel International and CFH. He took a year off from his job to manage the building project on-site, and took an active role in raising funds to ensure the financial stability of the organization, sharing his father's and Alan Ginsberg's commitment to NorthView and the Jeffrey and Diane Ginsburg Center for Jewish Life.

"Community leaders with vision and passion such as Alan Ginsburg and Hank Katzen are rare, so when an organization is fortunate enough to have the guidance of both these amazing individuals it's truly a blessing. Both Alan and Hank know how to make things happen, and they have made CFH happen. And by doing so they have given young Jews the opportunity to make life-long Jewish connections with each other and their community. The Jewish world is better for having their leadership and wisdom."

"Honoring the Past, Charging into the Future: An Evening Celebrating 20 years of Central Florida Hillel" will take place on Thursday, May 19 at the CFH NorthView building, at 3925 Lockwood Blvd, Oviedo 32819. There is still time to make your reservation or tribute.

For more information about this or any other CFH programs, please contact CFH Development Manager Jacqui Drazin McGrail or go to https://www.centralfloridahillel.org/20th-anniversary.