Stanley C. Myers OF BLESSED MEMORY
Presented by The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation
Stanley C. Myers OF BLESSED MEMORY
As the Founding President of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, the late Stanley C. Myers had a vision to build an inclusive and dynamic Jewish community. In 1938, the night of his installation as president, Stanley recognized that the task had only just begun. Over the next five decades, Stanley carefully nurtured and committed himself to the organization
Stanley Myers and family – back row far left – Stanley Myers with his wife, Martha
that he helped found. In his later years, his hand directed us and helped to guide and shape our community’s dreams for the future. Stanley dedicated his life’s work to the Federation and to Jews in need from Miami to Or Akiva, Israel and beyond. When this history of Miami’s Jewish community is recorded, the man who wrote the opening chapter of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Stanley C. Myers, will be remembered as the most important force in organizing and uniting Jewish life in Miami. His visionary leadership and guidance illuminated
each succeeding chapter in the development of our community and his accomplishments transcended the boundaries of Dade County, touching the lives of Jews in Israel and around the world. He served four terms as president of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
As Founding President of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Stanley set the standard for an inclusive and united Jewish community. Serving in every significant capacity, he was among the pioneers who defined Jewish philanthropy in South Florida. His legacy is a lifetime of community service for which he is remembered. He was the only Miamian ever elected to the presidency of the Council of Jewish Federations (the forbearer of today’s Jewish Federations of North America — JFNA) and served in this capacity during the very difficult and crucial years of 1946-1950 as Europe’s Jewry was emerging from the Holocaust and the infant modern State of Israel was struggling for its existence.
Maurice “Jimmie” Kopelowitz, Campaign Chairman (left) with Stanley C. Myers, President (right)
The concept of an organized campaign of central fundraising was at the heart of Stanley’s quest to form a federated system. The desire that Jewish organizations should not compete for funding led him to serve as general campaign chairman twice.
In 1948, during a radio teleconference with Golda Meir, Stanley made a national plea for help on behalf of the people of Israel. His devotion to our spiritual homeland never waned. In 1987, his ongoing support for the people of Or Akiva, Miami’s Project Renewal Sister City, prompted that community to rename its major street as Stanley Myers Boulevard. Today, his sprit shines through in the souls of the people of Or Akiva and his vision for a better quality of life for its residents has become reality. Stanley’s outstanding commitment to preserving a strong and dynamic Jewish community led to his involvement in many of our beneficiary agencies. He served as a trustee of Mount Sinai Medical Center, a past president of the Jewish Community Centers of South Florida, which operated under one centralized structure and president of the Jewish Welfare Bureau of Miami, precursor to Jewish Community Services. He also provided the inspiration for many to follow in his footsteps. That is why, in 1957, Federation created the Stanley C. Myers Presidents’ Leadership Award, which is presented annually to two young leaders from our Jewish community who exemplify extraordinary dedication to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, its partner agencies and the overall Jewish community. Stanley’s children, Judy Gilbert-Gould and Kenneth Myers (of blessed memory) endowed the Award in his memory. Stanley Myers’ dedication to building community extended beyond the boundaries of Miami’s Jewish community. Myers led the Community Chest in Miami and its “Red Feather” fundraising campaign, a forerunner of the United Way. He also took leadership roles in the American Red Cross, the Dade
Community Relations Board and helped organize the Dade County Bar Association. Myers received numerous awards in Miami’s Jewish and secular communities. In September of 1992, he was recognized by The Miami Herald with the Spirit of Excellence Award. He received the Silver Brotherhood Medallion Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Nationally, he was recognized for distinguished service to American Jewry by Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity and honored as the fraternity’s “Man of the Year” in 1943. Phi Epsilon Pi recognized him in 1949 for “the richest contribution to essential Jewish life in America.” “My father’s love of family was his deepest and most abiding love, which spilled over to the community – making the community his family,” said his daughter Judy. “We learned about community service just by his deeds and actions. He never told us what to do.”
Presented by The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation
1938-9 Miami Jewish Federation of Welfare Funds (From left): Abe Goodman, Sam Blank, Stanley C. Myers, Herbert Scher, Jacob Sher, Carl Weinkle
Temple Beth Am AND Rambam Day School
Presented by The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation
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