An open message to Dick and Dottie Appelbaum

This is the speech from Faye and Paul Jeser's video honoring Dick Appelbaum at the J Soiree, held May 8.

Hey, Dick & Dottie – do you miss us yet?

We are Faye and Paul Jeser, and we are so pleased to be asked to make this video, Rachel [Greenspan] asked us to speak for about 15 minutes ... but I'll make it much, much shorter than that.

Dottie, we know that this evening is in honor of Dick, but truth be told, you were the wife behind the husband telling him what to do ... and should also be honored.

It was December 1984, 41 years ago, when we arrived in Orlando.

I was the new JCC and Federation director and Faye began teaching in the JCC nursery school.

Orlando had only 4000 Jews then- over 50,000 now. Not one in South Orlando.

The only Jewish agencies were the Fed and JCC.

In the next 6 years we grew the JCC, and developed a JFS, Hebrew Day School, very pro-active JCRC, Holocaust Center, TOP, CAP, Kinnerert. it was quite and special time – and you, Dick, played a very, very major role in this exciting growth.

I know that during this evening your many accomplishments will be highlighted. SoI'd like to do something else.

I want to remind you, and share with those here honoring you, the names of those in our community, from those days, who either developed the foundation on which your successes were built, or were mentors, colleagues, partners-in-crime. many of these wonderful people are no longer with us but their memories are certainly blessings. I apologize if I left anyone off of this list.

Rita & Jerome Bornstein

Harriett & Hy Lake

Gloria & Bill Goodman

Marlene & Norman Rossman

Sunny & Lester Mandel

Tess And Abe Wise

Bobbi & Zelig Wise

Barbara & Bob Weinrich

Joe Wittenstein

Dick & Louise Weiner

Marvin & Bonnie Friedman

Debbie & Sy Israel

Mark & Roberta Cooper

Arnold & Susan Bierman

Byron Selber

Betty & Ira Monroe

Lynn & Chas Schwartz

Sheryl & Julian Meitin

Phyllis & Ed Zissman

Marcia Kerstein

Ina & Eli Porth

Rabbi Larry Halpern

Pearl & Howard Lefkowitz

Murray Schwartz

Elliott Zerivitz

Ron & Mardi Shader

Bob & Elaine Gamson

Mel Pearlman

Barbara & Burt Chasnow

Rachel & Jim Shipley

Gene Starns

Now, my better half would like to say a few words...

(Faye)

Hi to both of you. Paul has said it all. I wish you both a yasher koach for all that you have accomplished. You should live and be well until 120.

(Paul)

Dick, and Dottie, this special evening is so well deserved.

To you and the orlando jewish commmunity, y'shar koach, kol hakavod, mazal tov!