Jewish Teen Leadership: Learning Social Action from the Founders of Brightway Insurance

This past Sunday, our teens had the privilege of hearing from David, Michael, and Daniel Miller, who shared personal stories about their mother, Sandy Miller, and how she and Judi Greenhut began Feed a Needy Neighbor (F.A.N.N.) at Temple. They spoke about how their mother’s deep commitment to Tikkun Olam (Social Action) inspired their own entrepreneurial journeys.

In 1987, Sandy Miller and Judi Greenhut learned from Rabbi Michael Matuson that many Jewish families in our community were experiencing food insecurity. Determined to make a difference, they launched a campaign to collect non-perishable food from Jewish congregations across Jacksonville. They reached out to many groups, including religious schools, asking students to bring canned goods when they came to class. Collection bags were also distributed on Rosh Hashanah, making it easy for families to return on Yom Kippur.

What began as a grassroots effort grew steadily over time and eventually evolved into what we now know as the Max Block Food Pantry at LJD Jewish Family & Community Services (LJD JFCS).

Sandy Miller’s spirit of social action planted powerful seeds in her sons. Inspired by her example, they pursued their own entrepreneurial ideas and ultimately built a mission-driven business, Brightway Insurance, that serves Jacksonville and communities beyond.

For our teens, the opportunity to hear directly from people who have turned passion into purpose was incredibly meaningful. You could see the curiosity in the room as they listened—intrigued not only by what had been created, but also by how it was built. The conversation offered a real look at the challenges, creativity, and perseverance required to build something that truly impacts a community.

Be on the lookout for more from our teens as they continue F.A.N.N. by collecting non-perishable foods for those in need. Temple always welcomes donations, which are shared with LJD Jewish Family & Community Services to support the Max Block Food Pantry.