On Thursday, February 12, I had the great honor of being part of Woodfield Steps Up, a gala event hosted by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County at Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton. The organizer, Major Gifts Officer Shirley Gross, had a vision for an evening that would inspire and motivate the approximately 200 people in attendance. It once again gave me a glimpse of the good that is done by this Federation and by Jewish Federations across the country.

My Bram’s Violin presentation was a centerpiece of the evening, with the actual violin having an impact that extended beyond the story itself. The event began with Shirley’s twin son and daughter, Eden and Jordan, beautifully singing Hatikvah and The Star-Spangled Banner, accompanied by the violin played by Steffen Zeichner on the very instrument that belonged to my uncle. To hear it played together with two beautiful young voices singing Hatikvah was a moment I will never forget. In every presentation and lecture I give, growing Bram’s legacy is my priority. At that moment, hearing this beautiful rendition of the anthem of the State of Israel supported by the violin that belonged to my lost uncle, I was helpless to prevent the tears that welled up in my eyes.

The President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, Igor Alterman, offered an inspiring message about the importance of being there for the community in which you live, encouraging attendees to support their city of Boca Raton at a time when we all need to stand by one another.

Steffen and I then told the story of Bram’s Violin—he through music, and I through words. He played a beautiful rendition of Sunrise, Sunset, and we concluded with Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold), accompanied, as the anthems had been, by the very talented brother and sister.

The evening culminated with keynote speaker U.S. District Court Judge Roy Altman, who in 2019 became the youngest federal district court judge at the time, at just 36 years old. He shared powerful stories about taking non-Jewish judges to Israel each year so they can see firsthand the beauty and magic of the land. He is doing what all of us should strive to do: combat the growing hatred toward Israel and the Jewish people with knowledge and firsthand experience.

Over the years of telling the story of Bram’s Violin, I have often found myself moved by the environments I am in and the people with whom I share this story. Nothing moves and empowers me more than being among allies—or dare I say, teammates—fighting on the same side for the common good. On this night, I felt as though I was sitting in a room filled with like-minded people, people who do what they can, each filling whatever role they are able, to help us become a more unified force. That is what we need today more than ever.

We say in our own lives that if we focus on doing the right things within our own world, we can accomplish the most. The same applies to the Jewish people. If we remain united and supportive of one another, we grow strong. And with that strength, we do the only thing we truly can to stand against those who hate us.

I thank the Federation and all who attended for inviting me to be part of something so meaningful.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)