Weather can’t deter walk honoring late Jewish community leader
It was a touching moment City’s Steven Schwartz.
A recent rainy Sunday morning simply would not deter people from walking along wet streets andwaving flags all in an effort to benefit Boys Town Jerusalem in honor of his late father, Kenny Schwartz, a long-time South Florida Jewish community leader.
Before losing his battle to pulmonary and cardiovascular disease in August 2014, Schwartz was the driving force for a charity bike ride for Boys Town Jerusalem, one of Israel’s premier institutions for educating the country’s next generation of leaders whose mission is to help almost 900 youth-at-risk. Boys Town, in collaboration with the Schwartz family, plans the annual ride, which now includes a walk, to honor his legacy of helping those less fortunate and to raise awareness and funds for the institution.
Although the bicycle riding portion for the third annual Kenny Schwartz Bike Ride and Walk in Aventura was rained out, the event for Cooper still drew a record and, at press time, raised.
Steven Schwartz said his father would’ve been proud of everyone for coming out to walk in the rain.
“He would’ve never quit, no matter what the weather conditions were,” he continued. “Hewould’vemadesure therewas something to do.”
“Our increased numbers of attendees and dollars raised this yearweredueto the tireless efforts of this year’s co-chairs Jon and Shira Mayer and their committee,” said Gary Arnowitz, executive director of Boys Town JerusalemFoundation of America’s Southeast Region. “This year, our lay leadership had the vision to add our Israel SolidarityWalk to our bike ride to engage those whowant to make a difference and don’t bike ride.”
Arnowitz continued, “I know that Kenny would be beaming from cheek to cheek if he was here to see howhis ride has grown.”
Schwartz’ widow, Maxine, called the event “a very nice tribute” to her late husband.
MorrisFuternick, whowas a good friend of number of 67 attendees $46,889 has so far been Schwartz also added, “It’s a tribute to Kenny that people arewalking in the rain. Rain never stopped him.”
Futernick’s son, Frank, said: “It gives me great satisfaction to be apart of any groupthat cares about something, especially if it’s aligned with things I care about.”
“I’m a big Kenny Schwartz supporter. He’s knownmesince Iwas an infantandhealways shared withmethe love and care Iwould love to return.”
Participant Ilene Sosenko, who walked with her husband Jay, said: “Anything that Kenny supported with his heart is something we’ll support.”
Sharona Whisler, executive director for ZionistOrganization of America’s FloridaChapter said, “Anything that has to do with Israel is obviously close tomy heart and I’ve participated in this since the first year and every year it’s something I really like to be a part of.”
“It’s a really special event, for a special cause, with a special group of people,” she continued.
scarmona@tronc.com