Jonathan Plutzik and Lesley Goldwasser Family Foundation Inc

The Plutzik Poetry Series celebrates the life and poetic achievements of Hyam Plutzik (1911-1962), critically-acclaimed poet and UR faculty member, by bringing the Rochester community readings by the finest contemporary literary artists. The Plutzik Series is one of the most prestigious and is longest-running collegiate reading series in the country. Over the years, the Plutzik Series has featured a vast array of poets including winners of every major (possible) award - Pulitzer, National Book Awards, MacArthurs and more - totaling 500 in all in 50 years. In keeping with Hyam Plutzik's generosity of spirit and commitment to bringing poetry to the community, the Plutzik Series readings have always been open to the public and offered free of charge. The PG Family Foundation has endowed the Plutzik Poetry Series to ensure its mission-driven program in perpetuity.
hyamplutzikpoetry.com
www.sas.rochester.edu/eng/plutzik/

The Bulawayo SPCA is a non-profit organization that operates to address animal welfare issues in Bulawayo and the surrounding southern region of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is located in sub-Saharan Africa. It is the only organization providing vaccinations and spay/neutering in the region, dealing with over 90 cases of abandoned animals and animal cruelty each month.

The Betsy Writer’s Room (betsywritersroom.com) that has hosted over 800 artists, thought leaders, poets, and creators in residence since its creation in 2012. It is located at The Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, buoyed by the legacy of three-time Pulitzer-Prize finalist, Hyam Plutzik, and programmed in partnership with more than 150 collaborative non profit organizations, including major national partners like the Academy of American Poets and Cave Canem Foundation. The O, Miami Poetry Festival and Miami Classical Music Festival are important South-Florida regional partners. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is a funding partner in the project.

PG Family Foundation has supported JAHLIT (JAHLIT.com) since 2009. This is an enclave of Jewish studies scholars from around the world that meet at The Betsy Hotel annually to share research and celebrate Jewish culture. Dr. Holli Levitsky is principal partner and project director. JAHLIT celebrates its 25 conference in 2019, and its tenth with support of PG Family Foundation. Jonathan Plutzik serves on the JAHLIT board of directors.

PG Family Foundation has supported a number of important Holocaust Remembrance events including a commission of a major work by composer Robert Cohen, with a performance in Carnegie Hall where survivors were championed alongside rescuers. This includes an annual event at The Betsy Hotel, in Miami Beach in partnership with The Exile Studies Program at Florida International University, and featuring The Amernet Quartet,

PG Family Foundation has supported the re-emergence of Yiddish language programming in Miami and the Beaches, through a partnership with the Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies, The Jewish Studies and Exile Studies Programs at FIU, Next at 19th, and the Yiddishkayt Initiative.

Jonathan Plutzik and Lesley Goldwasser (co-Presidents of PG Family Foundation) are active members of the Jewish philanthropic community, supporting Federation initiatives in both NY and Miami, serving on the Executive Committee, and providing leadership to the Wall Street Dinner.

PG Family Foundation has supported the The (New) Beethoven Quartets Project, a re-imagining of the 32 Piano Sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven for string quartet transcribed and arranged by composer Jeffery L. Briggs (jefferylbriggs.com) . The complete cycle will be performed by the award winning Amernet String Quartet (amernetquartet.com), the FIU professional ensemble-in-residence, in Miami. Project goal is to complete a recording and publication of scores, by 2021.

PG Family Foundation has supported The Miami Classical Music Festival (MiamiMusicFestival.org) since its inception, a project created by social entrepreneur and conductor, Michael Rossi, a member of the Kennedy Center Orchestra - with a vision to bring classical music to South Florida in the summer months. Now a year round program with a home-base in Miami Beach, the project presents almost 100 performances, pop ups, and public celebrations of opera, orchestral music and chamber music every summer. Co-present of the PG Family Foundation Board, Lesley Goldwasser serves on the Board of Directors.