Isabel Balotin
Jacksonville, Florida
How is your Hero working to make the world a better place?
She is involved in the lives of so many Jews in town and knows their personal stories. If they have a need she finds a way to help connect them to the appropriate Jewish services and ensures they have the emotional support they need too. She makes connections so that no one feels alone. New folks in town, for generations have Isabel stories. We came here alone knowing no one and she put her hand on our shoulder and led us to where we found friends and Jewish life. If you're ill she finds a way to ensure you have food in your refrigerator even shopping for you if needed. Thanks to her efforts Jews here feel they are part of a larger community and never alone. She truly is helping us feel connected to the local and international Jewish community. She has never been able to afford a trip to Israel and she is nearing 70. When she retired as Executive Director of two synagogues she created the Shalom Jacksonville program for our Federation and has expanded the scope of her impact. Now even Jews on the fringes of the community have opportunities to connect, one Jew to another. She is a friend maker. Friending Jew to Jew and Jews to Jewish organizations and Israel.
How has your Hero impacted your life and inspired you?
When I was new in town and attended a High Holiday service alone someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was Izzy. She told me not to sit alone, to come and join her, and introduced me to others in the synagogue. I moved here alone and away from family and she helped me find a synagogue and meet not just new folks but those with whom I had something in common. A year after I arrived I had an automobile accident. Thanks to her my frig was stocked during recovery, I had transportation to doctors, support, cleaning help and more. When my mother passed a year later and my tiny apartment was too small for shiva she held it in her home even ensuring I had a minyon each night. She drove me to medical appointments because I have no family here and needed a driver post procedure. When my engagement ended she was there to offer support and to ensure I was active and involved in social activities. She never forgot a card and even a gift when my son and daughter married, when my grandchild was born, and for birthdays and special occasions. She invited me to join her family for holidays so that the newbie stranger would not spend a holiday alone. I am just one of hundreds in this community with similar Izzy stories. She is a volunteer and part time professional who created our local Shalom Jacksonville program to meet an unmet community need. She found grants to fund the program which is still funded by grants.