FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Orloff CAJE creates the Abraham J. Gittelson Chair
in Adult Jewish Learning
in Adult Jewish Learning
March 22, 2016 – DAVIE, FL – Orloff CAJE invites the South Florida Jewish community to a Sheloshim Observance as we approach the 30-day anniversary of the passing of Dr. Abraham J. Gittelson. The event will serve to launch the establishment of the Dr. Abraham J. Gittelson Chair in Adult Jewish Learning. The position will be supported by an endowment that will sponsor annual offerings in adult Jewish learning.
The evening of study and observance will be held April 6 at the David Posnack JCC, 5850 S. Pine Island Road in Davie from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event is free, however those wishing to attend should RSVP by contacting Renee Davis at Orloff CAJE, 954-660-2084.
Dr. Gittelson, who passed away earlier this month, was a leader in Jewish education in South Florida for 60 years. He served as principal of Beth Torah Congregation and North Dade Jewish Center (now Temple Menorah). He later served as associate director of Miami-Dade’s Central Agency for Jewish Education and then as executive director of the Central Agency for Jewish Education in Broward (Orloff CAJE).
Danny Siegel, a lifelong student and friend of the Gittelson family, will be the featured speaker for the evening. A lifelong Jewish educator who has impacted generations of American Jews about tzedaka, Siegel is a renowned author, lecturer and poet, as well as a recipient of the Covenant Award for Exceptional Jewish Educators. The evening’s topic will be “The Life of Torah and Tikkun Olam.”
“Abe was an educational leader and master teacher for the Jewish community of South Florida for many years,” said Orloff CAJE Executive Director Rabbi Arnold Samlan. “He touched generations of professional educators and community members who had the privilege of learning from him and using his wisdom to touch the lives of others around him.”
In accordance with his expressed desire, the Dr. Abraham J. Gittelson Chair in Adult Jewish Learning will sponsor annual courses or a day-long institute in adult Jewish learning. Programs will emphasize contemporary American Jewish life in all of its diversity, American Jewish history, and the relationship of American Jews to Israel, all of which were his passions. The position will either be an instructor of an ongoing course, or a scholar-in-residence.
Orloff CAJE expects to raise the funds necessary to generate enough income to begin offering programs in honor of Dr. Gittelson by Fall 2017.
About Orloff CAJE
The goal of the Orloff Central Agency for Jewish Education, a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of Broward County, is to build a stronger Jewish community by working together with synagogue educational programs, day schools, the JCCs, and all Jewish organizations and institutions devoted to Jewish living and learning. Orloff CAJE serves all segments of the Jewish Community - Children, Teenagers, Adults, Special-Needs Children, Jewish Educators through a variety of services and educational programs. For more information, go to orloffcaje.org
About Dr. Abraham J. Gittelson
Dr. Abraham J. Gittelson was a leader in Jewish education in South Florida for sixty years. His career as a Jewish educator began in Miami-Dade County as principal of Beth Torah Congregation and North Dade Jewish Center (Temple Menorah). He served as associate director of Miami-Dade’s Central Agency for Jewish Education, eventually becoming executive director of Central Agency for Jewish Education in Broward (Orloff CAJE).
At CAJE of Broward County Dr. Gittelson led the agency in dynamic growth, introducing programs such as the March of the Living, the Proud and Jewish Program for children and young people with disabilities and expanding Judaica High School to Broward County. During this time, Dr. Gittelson expanded adult Jewish education and and taught ongoing adult learning classes. His reputation as a teacher of teachers grew during these years as he led countless programs to enhance the skills of educators in Jewish schools.
After his retirement in 1999, Dr. Gittelson continued to serve as a consultant and master teacher for adults and Jewish educators. There are few Jewish learners and teachers in South Florida who were not touched, directly or indirectly, by his teachings. Throughout Dr. Gittelson’s life, his beloved wife, Shulamit, was his partner in life and in Jewish education. She, their three children and seven grandchildren, survive him.
The evening of study and observance will be held April 6 at the David Posnack JCC, 5850 S. Pine Island Road in Davie from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event is free, however those wishing to attend should RSVP by contacting Renee Davis at Orloff CAJE, 954-660-2084.
Dr. Gittelson, who passed away earlier this month, was a leader in Jewish education in South Florida for 60 years. He served as principal of Beth Torah Congregation and North Dade Jewish Center (now Temple Menorah). He later served as associate director of Miami-Dade’s Central Agency for Jewish Education and then as executive director of the Central Agency for Jewish Education in Broward (Orloff CAJE).
Danny Siegel, a lifelong student and friend of the Gittelson family, will be the featured speaker for the evening. A lifelong Jewish educator who has impacted generations of American Jews about tzedaka, Siegel is a renowned author, lecturer and poet, as well as a recipient of the Covenant Award for Exceptional Jewish Educators. The evening’s topic will be “The Life of Torah and Tikkun Olam.”
“Abe was an educational leader and master teacher for the Jewish community of South Florida for many years,” said Orloff CAJE Executive Director Rabbi Arnold Samlan. “He touched generations of professional educators and community members who had the privilege of learning from him and using his wisdom to touch the lives of others around him.”
In accordance with his expressed desire, the Dr. Abraham J. Gittelson Chair in Adult Jewish Learning will sponsor annual courses or a day-long institute in adult Jewish learning. Programs will emphasize contemporary American Jewish life in all of its diversity, American Jewish history, and the relationship of American Jews to Israel, all of which were his passions. The position will either be an instructor of an ongoing course, or a scholar-in-residence.
Orloff CAJE expects to raise the funds necessary to generate enough income to begin offering programs in honor of Dr. Gittelson by Fall 2017.
About Orloff CAJE
The goal of the Orloff Central Agency for Jewish Education, a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of Broward County, is to build a stronger Jewish community by working together with synagogue educational programs, day schools, the JCCs, and all Jewish organizations and institutions devoted to Jewish living and learning. Orloff CAJE serves all segments of the Jewish Community - Children, Teenagers, Adults, Special-Needs Children, Jewish Educators through a variety of services and educational programs. For more information, go to orloffcaje.org
About Dr. Abraham J. Gittelson
Dr. Abraham J. Gittelson was a leader in Jewish education in South Florida for sixty years. His career as a Jewish educator began in Miami-Dade County as principal of Beth Torah Congregation and North Dade Jewish Center (Temple Menorah). He served as associate director of Miami-Dade’s Central Agency for Jewish Education, eventually becoming executive director of Central Agency for Jewish Education in Broward (Orloff CAJE).
At CAJE of Broward County Dr. Gittelson led the agency in dynamic growth, introducing programs such as the March of the Living, the Proud and Jewish Program for children and young people with disabilities and expanding Judaica High School to Broward County. During this time, Dr. Gittelson expanded adult Jewish education and and taught ongoing adult learning classes. His reputation as a teacher of teachers grew during these years as he led countless programs to enhance the skills of educators in Jewish schools.
After his retirement in 1999, Dr. Gittelson continued to serve as a consultant and master teacher for adults and Jewish educators. There are few Jewish learners and teachers in South Florida who were not touched, directly or indirectly, by his teachings. Throughout Dr. Gittelson’s life, his beloved wife, Shulamit, was his partner in life and in Jewish education. She, their three children and seven grandchildren, survive him.