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Have you ever wondered about the struggles faced by local families and how you can help? 
The LJD Jewish Family and Community Services, contrary to popular belief, doesn't just cater to the Jewish population, but to anyone in need, with a staggering 85% of their clientele being non-Jewish. Our conversation underscores the agency's all-encompassing approach to servicing the community, including their standing as the largest foster care and adoption provider in the surrounding counties.

The holiday season is around the corner and there's no better way to spread joy than by participating in the gift-giving program at JFCS. Find out how the community rallies together to make a difference in the lives of children in need. Donna walks us through various ways to contribute - from sponsoring a child to organizing collection drives. We round up the conversation by acknowledging the commendable efforts of our community members in engaging more people with the agency. So, tune in, be inspired and discover how you can transform your community.

To contact Donna O'Steen for a Holiday Gift List email [email protected]
www.jfcsjax.org

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Two decades ago I was a city girl living the city life walking distance to everything.  And part of being a city girl living in a city is that its heartbeat and yours start to sync up. You start to care about its streets and sidewalks, the people and purpose that blend together to infiltrate every possibility for potential. 

Because, as a bridge and tunnel girl from birth, always just on the other side, I had never really gotten to know it intimately. Me and the city, we were on a get in, get what you need and get out basis. But can we overcome our fear of the mess we remember and move past it to enhance our relationship and build up trust again?

And that's what we're going to tackle today...

My guest Laura Phillips Edgecombe is the Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships for Build Up Downtown (BUD), a privately funded, nonprofit that facilitates and advocates for preservation, smart development and great public spaces in Downtown Jacksonville through communicating, connecting and informing current and future businesses and stakeholders.  She also served as Co-Chair of Mayor Deegan’s Infrastructure Transition Committee’s Parks and Recreation Subcommittee.

#DTJAX #BuildUpDowntown #Jacksonville

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Prepare to immerse yourself in a profoundly moving conversation with my distinguished guest, Stacey Goldring. As a seasoned journalist and the founder of a nonprofit organization championing storytelling, we embark on an emotional expedition, unearthing stories of survival, resilience, and hope- and the roles they play in shaping our human experience. 

I share that as a third-generation Holocaust survivor, and a global citizen, the importance of historical awareness and the balance of personal activism with self-care. We also explore the dichotomy of shame and pride ingrained in our ancestral languages, reflecting on how these experiences can often be misunderstood or dismissed. This episode culminates with the premiere of Stacey's most recent release, the documentary, 'Traces : Voices of the Second generation.

Please join me on this enlightening journey and, hopefully, find the echoes of your own story within.

#NeverAgain #NeverAgainIsNow #ViewsWithSuze #Holocaust #HolocaustSurvivor #antisemitism #StandUpSpeakOut #BeTheChange #GenerationalTrauma #Sensitive 

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I’m always talking about my start as an immigrant's kid. 
Despite my lack of accent, or so I think, my birthplace in New York City and my American audacity to claim what’s mine- my heart beats in a different language sometimes.

And nuance matters. And so does me being the first in my family, to do some things, along with the importance of reaching back to pull the next person behind me up.

But what about culture that has historically divided us can we use to unite and inspire us?
And that’s what we’re going to tackle today...

Ever felt like you're hiding parts of yourself for fear of not fitting in? Join me as I navigate through the inspiring journey of my guest, Alejandra Amegin, who grappled with this inner struggle after migrating from Mexico. Diving headfirst into a new country, Alejandra hid her Mexican culture in her pursuit to blend in, which led to a journey of self-discovery where she reclaimed her Latina identity and heritage.

In this episode, we peel back the layers of Alejandra's transformation. She takes us through her personal evolution, breaking the barriers she built around her identity and reconnecting with her Mexican roots. Her journey offers a window into the intricate tapestry of the American Dream, reminding us of the power of culture and identity in forging our paths. This isn’t just Alejandra’s story - it’s an exploration of how we can find our purpose and redefine our self-concept.

But that’s not all. Alejandra used her experiences to create pioneering wellness programs for minority communities, tackling accessibility and affordability barriers through her initiative, Vive Yoga. So, tune in for an enlightening chat and a chance to reflect on your own journey.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
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Purpose
is a feeling on the inside
that throbs.

Someone can
pick, plan, program, participate, protest, protect, patronize, philosophize, philanthropy any
Purpose.

The throb can be
Activated.

But

When you’re born INTO
Purpose
YOU grow around IT
Like scar tissue.

The throb comes
before you can even pick yourself apart from the
Purpose.

And

Plenty of people
dull, dilute, diminish, discourage, derail, deny, defame, disconnect, deactivate 
Purpose
That overpowers them.

Yet

I have never been more determined to
Display MY
Purpose

Because

I’m not scar tissue.
The throb since birth is a weight to
Empower MY
Purpose

And

I am determined to
Expose MY
Purpose
To the world.

So

They can SEE I’ve been
Muscle
growing ON my
Purpose
All this time.

How does your personal story shape your purpose? And what happens when your personal purpose fuels your public impact?
And that's what we're going to tackle today...

My guest, Lakesha Burton, is a woman of courage, conviction and character.
Her courage comes from her deep faith in God.
Her conviction is reflected in her determination to consistently do the next right thing.
And her character... Well, that has been built by a lifetime of facing insurmountable challenges and overcoming them.  

In this episode, we find out how having institutional knowledge, then combining it with compassion for community, can reframe the game for someone who developed a playbook at the Police Athletic League.

#BorrowMyBinoculars #ViewswithSuze   
#LakeshaBurton #Jacksonville #Compassion 

Lakesha's heart is in helping others in need, especially children, which is the basis for her work in establishing “Tesha’s Hands,” a 501C(3) nonprofit that she created in memory of her deceased twin sister. You can find out more at www.teshashands.org .

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze
 
Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... 

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Do you ever ponder the power of your voice and how it can impact your community? Join us for an enlightening conversation with community stakeholder, David Miller, the SwS Director of Optimism. Together, we’ll navigate through the complex terrains of culture, values, and global citizenship. We shed light on the pivotal role that your voice plays in shaping other's thoughts, and why community reactions often carry more weight than individual actions. We also reflect on recent events in Jacksonville and the commendable efforts of our citizens in uniting our community for change.

Finally, this segment echoes a resounding stand against hate. We stress the importance of listening to- and respecting- each other's stories, while highlighting the influential role of initiatives like The First Coast Relief Fund, which was established following the PULSE nightclub shooting, and mobilized immediately to receive and utilize contributions to address immediate needs following the New Town shooting motivated by anti-Black racism that took the lives of three victims. 

The First Coast Relief Fund welcomes the Together Strong Community Fund, founded by David Miller on behalf of the Miller Families as the newest partner in the collaboration, focused on combating the root causes of bias and long-term systemic racial inequities. The Together Strong Community Fund was formed to advance community-wide conversation and education following the display of hate speech in downtown Jacksonville in 2022. 
 
"My family is fiercely devoted to making the greater Jacksonville community a place where everyone can feel safe and reach their personal potential,” said David Miller, founder of the Together Strong Community Fund, which includes lead gifts from VyStar Credit Union, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Florida Blue, CSX and Haskell. “The time is now to forge alliances and promote healing, conversation, and education.”
 
A generous gift from the Together Strong Community Fund has already been pledged to the Relief Fund to support this effort. The founding partners in the collaboration include the United Way of Northeast Florida, United Way of St. Johns County, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, and now, the Together Strong Community Fund, based at the Jewish Federation & Foundation.
 
The partners in the collaboration share a longstanding commitment to racial equity and promoting understanding across religious differences, among other dimensions of diversity. 

To find out more about donating to the Together Strong Community Fund, visit https://www.jewishjacksonville.org/togetherstrong

#TogetherStrong #TogetherJacksonville

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
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Back in the 1900s, I was no different than any immigrant kid lucky enough to have parents with jobs. Both of my parents worked long hours and my sister and I were what is known as “latchkey kids.” When we got off the school bus, we let ourselves in. But the difference between the latchkey kids in our neighborhood was that we had the Ditmas Avenue branch of the Brooklyn Public library around the corner. Literally. 

So if libraries are a free resource, and they exist... Why do we even have to collect books for kids? Can’t they just “go to the library” like I did for literacy exposure? And that’s what we’re going to tackle today...

Tenikka Smith Hughes is a 3x Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist with 20 years of experience. Over the course of her career, Tenikka has garnered a reputation for being a key contributor and compassionate newsroom leader. She has a passion for storytelling and community engagement. Tenikka is a youth literacy advocate. She's the driving force behind “Tenikka’s Books for Kids,” an annual book collection initiative that’s put nearly 30,000 free books into the hands of local children. 

"You give me a book and I'm going to find it a home."
- Tenikka Smith Hughes
Raised by her mom Doris,
her Aunt Fay, 
and her Grandmother Martha, of blessed memory.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
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Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... 

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Culturally, I used to be tzemisht- which is one way in Yiddish to say confused. Born in this country, but English wasn’t my first, or even my second, language. 

My family was confident that I would learn to speak it the old-fashioned way, by watching Sesame Street and General Hospital… And by going to “programs in the Y.” In my childhood neighborhood, the center of Jewish life was the Boro Park Y.  By high school I had gotten certified as a lifeguard and my first referral was to the Bensonhurst J.

 And when I went anywhere, I looked for a Y OR a J. And while I no longer felt  tzemisht as in confused- I became an alternate definition for tzemisht, COMBINED.

So, why is combining communities to exponentially grow our platform as global citizens necessary in making a difference?
And that’s what we are going to tackle today…

I sit down with Adam Chaskin, CEO of the Jewish Community Alliance and  Eric Mann, CEO and President of the First Coast YMCA  as they share their personal journeys, revealing how their paths led them to these significant roles. They also talk about why they work relentlessly to build communities and provide life-enhancing opportunities like Together Against Hate: Promoting Unity in Our Community-  an initiative designed to actively educate and inspire our neighbors to build a more inclusive Northeast Florida.

Together Against Hate: Promoting Unity in Our Community is a speaker series that will address topics impacting our area including prejudices in faith, race, antisemitism, ethnicity, LGBTQ+, gender, and diverse abilities. Starting in September, influential speakers from 904Ward, JASMYN, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), The Arc Jacksonville, The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services, OneJax, and Interfaith Center, will empower the community with the knowledge needed to have a voice in taking a stance against bias.

As a visual representation of this partnership and the efforts made to unify the community, the series will culminate with the first-ever Racing Against Hate 5K Run/Walk at the Winston Family YMCA on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at 1 pm.

Click here to learn more about the Together Against Hate speaker series and the first-ever Racing Against Hate 5K Run/Walk in February 2024.

The educational speaker series begins on Thursday, September 14 and continues through January 2024. 
 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
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I always had a lot of words. Probably the byproduct of being raised surrounded by non-English speakers. There was a language barrier. It separated them- so it separated me. But not just the words- the nuance, the inflection. Also the frustration, resentment, despair, shame— all of my discomfort stifled by the sounds that made up their sentence fragments. 

And when they struggled or sputtered, they turned to Suzie- Speaker at Large. It also made me the conduit. For the translation. But also for the sometimes not very friendly, or patient- and on occasion outright hostile- responses. So I found my words early and used them often. And stood at the ready to protect and defend.

But what happens when you only find your VOICE after nearly half a century of SO many words? 
And that’s what we’re going to tackle today...

Ready to challenge your perceptions of leadership and communication? Join us as we sit down with the insightful Commander Alexa Jenkins of the US Navy. She opens up about the nuanced dynamics of leadership, underscoring the essence of authentic communication during transitional times. Discover the pivotal difference between a boss and a real leader, and ponder if true leadership lies in genuine care for your people. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze
 
Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... 

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Why does the ‘why’ behind historical events matter in shaping our present and future? How are we, as parents and citizens, responding to the responsibilities of raising the next generation with strong values and cultural identity, especially amidst the explosion of the information age? 

I want to delve into the significance of context in portraying history and the risks of misrepresentation. Listen in as I advocate for being protectors of truth, fostering empathy and character in our children, and facilitating their growth into responsible global citizens. 

So buckle up! Find out why I stand up and speak out- so that MORE of us can feel LESS alone in this journey. #viewswithsuze 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze
 
Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... 

Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!