In recognition of its 20th season, community leaders and philanthropists, Alan and Diane Lieberman, were recognized by the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center in North Miami Beach, for their support of the annual Alan and Diane Lieberman Children’s Cultural Arts Series.
The presentation was made by the JCC’s Chairman of the Board, Paul Kruss, along with David Surowitz, the JCC’s Assistant Executive Director (who has been responsible for the development and implementation of the Series since its inception). On Wednesday morning, January 20, 900 students and teachers from area elementary schools attended the event at North Miami Beach’s Julius Littman Performing Arts Theater, where they enjoyed the third production of this season’s series.
“The Series,” according to David Surowitz, “was conceived to enhance the cultural opportunities available to families and children in North Miami-Dade community, by presenting Sunday afternoon family oriented series featuring professionals specializing in music, dance, and theatre. ” Soon thereafter, it was decided that the Series could reach a far greater audience if presented during the week as a school field trip.
“For the Liebermans” said Surowitz, “it was important that there would be no admission charge for any of the presentations in order to ensure that all segments of the community, regardless of socio-economic background, could be introduced and gain an appreciation to the world of the arts. In its twenty-year history, the Series has reached an audience of more than 50,000.
In its early years, the JCC in North Miami Beach was the location for the Series, where its Scheck Family Gymnasium was converted into a theater-like setting. Eventually, the Series was relocated to the Julius Littman Performing Arts Theater, which not only provided an enhanced theater ambience for the audience, but also allowed the Series to present more technically demanding shows.
Said Paul Kruss, “Our JCC and our community are enormously grateful for the friendship and generous support of Alan and Diane Lieberman during the course of the past twenty years. They have helped us fulfill our mission to make a significant impact upon young audiences who, otherwise, would not have had the opportunity to enjoy a high quality theatre experience that was both entertaining and educational. We look forward to continuing to benefit from the generosity of the Liebermans and further impacting upon the cultural lives of young audiences here in North Miami-Dade.”
