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Jill Riola is a JNF gem

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For Jill Riola, wife of Congregation Beth Am President Jim Riola and shareholder with the law firm Carlton Fields, being "pinned" was something she had not planned for in 2009. But in a special reception in Orlando in September, JNF representatives Valerie Shapiro, Lois Tannenbaum and Debbie Meiten presented her with the Sapphire Pin from the Jewish National Fund. This achievement was further recognized on Dec. 3 at the JNF Tree of Life Dinner.

According to JNF, The Sapphire Society is the women's major gift division of Jewish National Fund. Sapphires share a special bond through their commitment to Zionism and are part of an exclusive group of leaders helping to strengthen the homeland-- one community, one project, one family at a time. The Sapphire Society has raised over $20 million in 10 years for a wide variety of projects in Israel. Riola is the first recipient of the pin in Orlando.

The distinguished 14-karat gold Sapphire Society pin, designed by women for women, is in the shape of a Star of David and portrays a Tree of Life with a teardrop-shaped sapphire. As a member of The Sapphire Society one has the opportunity to fulfill David Ben Gurion's vision of developing the Negev with diversity and opportunity. Pin recipients can direct their funds toward essential projects supported by The Sapphire Society that have an immeasurable impact of the quality of life for the people of Israel. Over the past 107 years, JNF has evolved into a global environmental leader by planting 240 million trees, building over 200 reservoirs and dams, developing over 250,000 acres of land, creating more than 1,000 parks, providing the infrastructure for over 1,000 communities, bringing life to the Negev Desert and educating students around the world about Israel and the environment.

Riola currently serves on the board of the JNF in Orlando. She is the chair of Carlton Fields' Intellectual Property and Technology Practice Group. Riola specializes her legal practice in domestic and international complex intellectual property and technology transactions. She received her J.D. from New York University School of Law and her B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Rochester.

Responding to the recognition, Riola stated, "Jim and I are passionate about Israel and the work of the JNF. I've always felt a connection with Israel. We were in Northern Israel in 2007 with Congregation Beth Am, six months after the Lebanese bombings. I really understood how resilient the Israelis are, and was so impressed with the incredible things JNF has done there to support them for so many years. Now as a member ofthe local JNFboard, I'm involved in those projects, and I know that I can really make a difference. Receiving the Sapphire Pin was not a goal in itself but my way of expressing my commitment to Israel. The Sderot Indoor Recreation Center, which officially opened last May, is one JNF project supported by the Sapphire Society that particularly moved Jim and me. While I may have been the first Sapphire Pin recipient in Orlando, I know I will not be the last. I hope that I can encourage other women to rally behind the extraordinary work JNF is doing to strengthen our homeland in Israel."

The Board of Directors, Rabbi Rick Sherwin and the entire congregational family at Beth Am offered the traditional statement of appreciation, "Y'yasher koach to Jill Riola for her work on behalf of the Jewish National Fund."



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© 2010 Heritage Florida Jewish News Fern Park, Florida. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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