Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County

Charity Volunteer 

For Rani Garfinkle, taking care of others has been a guiding principle all of her life. It is what led her, more than 50 years ago, to become part of the fabric of the Jewish Federation, an organization that addresses existing and future needs of the Jewish community locally, in Israel and around the world.

Garfinkle has held many roles and broken through many glass ceilings by taking leadership positions on Federation committees previously held only by men.

“I was a young woman during the women’s lib thing and people would say ‘if you are working this hard, why don’t you go to work and get paid?’ I said I do get paid, I just don’t cash the check,” says Garfinkle, who serves on the executive committee of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. She also is on the Board of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, a Jewish relief organization based in New York City.

She lives by the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam. “That expression means repair of the world. It doesn’t just mean the Jewish world, but the greater world,” says Garfinkle. “As a Jewish woman, we have always organized to take care of the vulnerable, an important precept in Judaism.”

Those who know Garfinkle say it’s her commitment to helping others that drives her. “Her passion, her energy, her commitment to the Jewish community make her our ambassador and an authority for why it’s important to support Jewish causes, locally and worldwide,” says Anne Jacobson, a past chair of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. 

Garfinkle says the more she gives, the more she realizes how much more is needed. “The more you open your eyes to the world, the more you see how needy the world is,” she says.

Marla Weiss Egers, Executive Vice President of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, says Garfinkle embodies generosity.

“Rani is that unique and wonderful leader who always wants to bring others along.  She gives of her time, attention, and skillset so graciously. I am always reminded of how much we can all learn from her generosity of spirit!”

Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, 9901 Donna Klein Blvd., Boca Raton, 561-852-3142, jewishboca.org

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