Raquel Scheck
Raquel Scheck Presented by The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation
Yo era una refugiada cubana judía. I was a Jewish Cuban refugee. My Jewish story begins in Havana, Cuba. My father, Isaac Berezdivin, was a leader in the Cuban Jewish community. He was always raising money for Israel and our synagogue, El Patronato. Extremely Zionistic, he was elected President of the Cuban Zionist Organization. My mother, Berta Gronstein, was involved with WIZO (Women’s International Zionist Organization). They both taught me the importance of family, hard work, and living Jewishly.
Raquel Scheck was Women’s Division President, Greater Miami Jewish Federation
Once Fidel Castro came into power, my parents became fearful for my future. On May 18, 1961, I came to Miami on the Pedro Pan airlift, at the age of 16. I was a Jewish Cuban Refugee, and as such, I was thankfully under the watchful care of the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society
(HIAS), an agency of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. HIAS required me to check in every month or so to monitor my physical and mental health. I met my husband, Michael, on a blind date and we were married on August 31, 1963. Our four children, Jeffrey, Marty, Elise and Steven, are all actively engaged in the Miami Jewish community. They each
married wonderful spouses and have blessed us with 17 grandchildren. For Michael and I, nothing is more important than family and living a Jewish life. I
spent my days working at our family-owned business, Sweet Paper. At night, I would focus on my volunteer responsibilities, working on ad journals and holding meetings and fundraisers in my home. Our first involvement in the Jewish community began with Scheck Hillel Community School (originally named Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School, in memory of Michael’s father). In 1970, we became one of the school’s founding families and our son, Jeffrey, became one of the first 60 children who attended. Eventually I was privileged to become the President of the school. Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus became the synagogue where our family celebrated all of the Jewish holidays and life cycle events together. I was proud to serve as its President. Through the Federation, I was primarily involved in Women’s Division and was a Past President.
In 1995, I went back to Cuba with Michael on the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee’s (JDC) first mission to Cuba. I was heartbroken to see the how much my synagogue had deteriorated. Through the JDC, we made a gift in memory of my parents, to help repair it. I am living proof that the work we do through the Federation helps build a strong Jewish future. If it weren’t for HIAS, and the Federation, my life could have turned out very differently. It gives me great pleasure to be able to give back through my time and resources, and leave a lasting legacy to the Federation, Scheck Hillel, Beth Torah, and Michael-Ann Russell JCC. I remember how proud I was to make my first Lion of Judah gift. I also remember the emotion I felt on a Prime Minister’s Council mission to Israel. Here I was, a Jewish Cuban refugee, sitting amongst the most powerful Jewish leaders in the country, having dinner with Yitzchak Rabin in the Knesset. I knew my parents would be so proud of me as I continued their legacy. I am equally proud of my children and grandchildren as they continue to expand that legacy. From generation to generation…
Temple Beth Am AND Rambam Day School
Presented by The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation
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