Sidney Friedman
Tuesday, Sept. 10, 6:30 pm
As Campaign staff members of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater began planning one of the biggest events of the year, they found themselves continuously drawn to the idea of presenting something or someone “out of the box.” They wanted an extraordinary happening that would reflect the exceptional people and dedicated community efforts that make Jewish Tidewater a great place to live.
The staff began calling colleagues at Federations throughout the country to see if they had any unusual ideas for speakers appropriate for the venerable Annual Campaign Kickoff. One name was repeated over and over: Sidney Friedman.
You’d think Friedman had hypnotized these contacts, but that’s not one of his “shticks.” Rather, Friedman is best known for releasing a list of predictions on TV news at the beginning of the year, he is a mind reader with words, pictures and music, and he is a much lauded performer who is promoted as “Master of all Things Psychic” and “Mentalist to the Stars.”
Spoiler alert! One of the illusions Sidney may demonstrate while here includes choosing a random person out of the audience, having that person draw something on a piece of paper, while Friedman also draws on a piece of paper. On his count, they turn around and, by golly, Friedman drew almost the exact same thing as the audience member!
Head scratching exhibitions like that abound during Friedman’s performance, awing and surprising audiences—but for the Kickoff, he’ll also use some of his artistry and talent to weave in the message of the Federation and how important this organization is in the lives of so many people.
“Some of the people we spoke to who had scheduled him to talk to their Federations were skeptical at first, but after his performance they were sold, and every single person said he just blew them away,” says Alex Pomerantz, Men’s director of the UJFT.
“We decided for the 2014 Campaign Kickoff, we’d provide a new and fresh arena that will leave people energized to go out and have an extraordinary year,” says Pomerantz. “This will be unlike any other campaign kickoff we’ve ever had—people will be talking about it for years.”
The purpose of the Campaign Kickoff event is to officially invite the community to be a part of the Federation, and to see all of the ways it impacts lives here, across the United States, in Israel and overseas.
“The event is open to everyone who is involved, has been involved in the past and wants to be involved again, and to those who have never been involved and want to find out more,” says Pomerantz. “Everyone is welcome.”
Cocktails begin at 6:30 pm. A few community leaders will briefly speak, and then its time to find out what predictions and great unknowns could be in the community’s future. Friedman will perform for about an hour.
This Campaign Kickoff will be held at the Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community and is free and open to the public. Friedman predicts you’ll want to come, “so RSVP already:” email pmalone@ujft.org. Visit www. JewishVa.org for more information, and Like UJFT’s Facebook page: UJFTidewater, to get updates.
by Laine M. Rutherford