Jewish Life: April/May 2022 by JewishLife Magazine

Jewish Life JEWISH FEDERATION & FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA

CREATING HOLIDAY MEMORIES WITH

Style APRIL/MAY 2022 NISSAN/IYAR 5782 JEWISHJACKSONVILLE.ORG

Wishing you a happy Passover. Looking for recipes? Find Kosher for Passover favorites at publix.com/passover.

Contents

April/May 2022

COMMUNITY

AM I RICH ENOUGH TO GIVE?

RECONCEIVING INFERTILITY

JACKSONVILLE TEENS REPRESENT

ISRAEL'S NATIONAL DAYS

JFED BUSINESS & PROFESSIONALS

UKRAINE CRISIS

PARTNERSHIP2GETHER

L'DOR V'DOR

FEATURE: PASSOVER

SIX DIMENSIONS OF WELLNESS

65+

AND

THRIVING

B'NAI MITZVAH

NOSH ON THIS: CHOCOLATE TORTE

SEE & BE SCENE

WORTH THE SCHLEP

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

12 15 16

PICK UP NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE AT THESE LOCATIONS.

38 40

LETTER FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Management are the pillars that SCN brings to Jewish communities through their Federations. As an incentive for communities who do not yet have a CSI, JFNA started the LiveSecure Initiative. Over $54 million was raised, including from a couple in Jacksonville, to offer a 1:2 match for three years to Federations to help fund this program. As we witness the rise in antisemitism and hate crimes in the US and throughout the world, and watched in horror the eleven-hour hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, we know that community security must become our number one priority.

By Mariam Feist, CEO Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

Your Board of Directors are working on crafting a succinct Mission Statement for our organization. Several common words and themes have emerged: Safety and Security. These essential protections span beyond our own Jewish community in Northeast Florida and encompass communities in 70 countries and Israel. These were also common words and themes for Jennifer Plotkin, Board President, and me this past month. First, the Federation & Foundation hosted senior staff from Secure Community Network (SCN) and from Jewish Federations of North America’s (JFNA) LiveSecure initiative. Creating and implementing a Community Security Initiative (CSI) is one of the Board’s three priorities for our community. After 9/11, JFNA created security plans for the 146 Federations that make up the system. Partnering with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, they created SCN. SCN has morphed into its own 501c3 nonprofit and continues to work closely with JFNA, ADL, FBI and Homeland Security. Intelligence and Information Sharing, Facility Assessments, Physical Security Solution Support, Training, Exercise and Education, Working with Law Enforcement, and Incident Response and Crisis 4

Over a period of two days, the staff from SCN and JFNA met with our Board of Directors, professional and volunteer leadership of our partner agencies, synagogues and day schools, law enforcement from Jacksonville and St Johns County, and representatives from local FBI. Their visit to Northeast Florida concluded with a community-wide CATT training. This visit launched our exploratory stage for this vital initiative. Just a few days later, Jennifer and I left for a JFNA Leadership Fly-In to Poland. This 30-hour trip included a visit to the Ukrainian border. While representing the Jewish community of Northeast Florida, we saw firsthand in real time the work of our partner agencies, the American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI). With great pride we learned that JFNA’s $20 million extraordinary campaign for Ukraine had reached over $42 million and JFNA widened their support to include Hillel, Hadassah, and Chabad, all organizations working hand in hand with JDC and JAFI. Just as our Northeast community came together during COVID-19, these organizations are collaborating to maximize their resources and impact.

Impossible to be scripted or coaxed as many entered Poland only hours before, after each refugee shared their story, they ended with gratitude and appreciation. They all knew that for years, the Jewish summer camps, Jewish youth groups, Jewish Community Centers, and the care their grandparents received, many of whom are Holocaust survivors, had been provided by JDC and JAFI, and that those organizations received support from their mishpacha (family) in North America.

They asked two things of us when we returned home:

1. To not focus so much on the millions who are fleeing Ukraine, the thousands of Jewish Ukrainians making Aliyah, the hundreds who are being cared for who fled with nothing more than a suitcase or backpack but rather, focus on the fact that behind the numbers are faces and individuals, each with their own harrowing story. They have names. They had a life before. They had control over their life. In one day, that all changed; and, 2. To say "thank you" on their behalf. They feel your support. They are recipients of our annual and extraordinary campaign dollars, and they are overwhelmingly comforted knowing they are not alone or forgotten.

As we celebrate Passover with our own Seders, please don’t forget the faces and stories that are on pages 20 and 21. And, included with those accounts is a suggested reading after we raise the matzah for the first time. Chag Pesach Sameach. Wishes to you and yours for a meaningful and Zissen Pesach and may we all feel secure and safe today and always.

COMMUNITY

W H AT ' S H A P P E N I N G I N N O R T H E A S T F LO R I DA

"AM I RICH ENOUGH TO GIVE?"

By Kellie Smith, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida Recently while meeting with an individual about their legacy giving, they said “I’m just not rich enough to give.” It is a very common sentiment in today’s world to feel that charitable giving is reserved for the wealthy. After all, we see the high-level sponsors listed at events, study and work in buildings named after notable philanthropists, and read national headlines about Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and others involved in The Giving Pledge. Considering that the median household income is just north of $60,000—a far cry from these donors—why should the average person make a commitment to charitable giving? The answer to this is two-fold. First, it’s important to recognize the significant difference that a small amount can have on both an individual cause and repairing the world overall. Giving to a charity that you are passionate about, at any level, helps to propagate the mission of the organization that you support. In fact, small donors make up the greatest number of gifts received by charities, having a large collective influence on these organizations’ abilities to carry out their programs and services. Many of the most critical issues facing our society are being tackled by nonprofit agencies, and without donor funding, even in small amounts, many of the urgent needs of the most disenfranchised groups in our local and global communities would go unmet. This is the idea that helping others is inherently the ‘right thing to do,’ and most of us are familiar with this. Second, it’s important to recognize the profound impact that giving has on you, as the giver. Our modern society has adopted a consumerist mentality, fueled by marketing

and social media, that pushes us to always want more, spend more, and believe that we will never have enough. However, perhaps it is the focus on the wrong kind of spending that creates this lack of gratification. Harvard professor and social scientist, Michael Norton, once said in a TED talk, “If you think money can’t buy happiness, you’re not spending it right. Stop thinking about which product to buy for yourself and try giving some of it to other people instead.” In his book Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending, studies found that the act of giving money to charity—regardless of the donor’s income level—instilled feelings of greater wealth, health, and happiness. This is supported by scientific research which shows that giving activates the pleasure and reward centers in the brain, producing the same chemical response as eating good food or falling in love.

With an understanding of why to give, the next question is how to give, and when your capacity is limited, it is particularly crucial to be intentional with your generosity. The best way to achieve this is by identifying a cause that resonates with you and researching the efficacy and performance of organizations through an established source such as Charity Navigator. When determining an amount to give in a sustainable manner, some individuals choose a fixed percentage of their paycheck. In this way, giving during your lower-earning years helps to establish a powerful habit that puts you in a position to continue to give more as your income increases. As an added benefit, recurring donations—gifts made each week or month rather than in a lump sum—are especially good for non-profits as they provide valuable visibility into future cash flows. It may never feel like you are “rich enough” to give, but if you keep putting off charitable giving until it feels comfortable, you might wake up one day and realize you’ve missed a meaningful opportunity to make a difference in your own life and to the causes that matter most to you. Contact Kellie Smith, Foundation Director, at (904) 512-3796 or KellieK@jewishjacksonville.org to decide how you can best give of your time, talent, and treasure to begin planning your legacy today. 7

COMMUNITY

JELF LENDS OVER $60,000 IN JACKSONVILLE’S JEWISH COMMUNITY 2022-23 Applications Open Now through April 30th! Jewish Educational Loan Fund (JELF) provides interest-free loans to Jewish students, giving them the chance Marie Reitzes, a JELF supporter. to achieve their career goals by helping them fund a portion of their higher education. Sadly, with the cost of college on the rise, many families are unable to afford the financial burden of higher education. In recent years, as many as 94% of all students relied on some financial support. This is where JELF makes a huge difference. With a savings of roughly $3,000 on average per JELF loan, students only pay back what they owe and never accrue interest. Loan repayments begin six months after a student graduates, at which point JELF offers an eightyear, graduated repayment plan. This means that borrowers start repaying their loans gradually over time. Student repayments are then used to help the next student in need. In Jacksonville, Marie Reitzes, an active member of The Temple, is proud to support JELF’s impact on education. “I first learned about JELF when my son-in-law, David Margolis, joined their Board of Directors in Atlanta. As a teacher, I know the importance of completing your college education without the worry of a large, expensive loan. I therefore contribute to this fine organization since 2015. I am so proud to be able to help many young Jewish students successfully complete their college education." In 2021, JELF assisted 12 Jewish students from Jacksonville with a total of $61,058 towards their educational journey. As one JELF alum from Jacksonville, 8

Daniel Miller, put it, “Thanks to the support of JELF, I was able to excel for the first time in my academic career. Without the generosity of JELF’s donors, I truly believe I would not be in the position I am today. I am honored to be a JELF recipient. One of the most gratifying/meaningful moments of my life was to finally pay back my JELF loan, approximately ten years ago. I still have a copy of the “paid-in-full” promissory note, which was co-signed by my late parents when I was 18 years old.” Applications for JELF’s interest-free loans for higher education (college, graduate school and vocational programs) for the 2022-23 academic year are open to Jewish students now through April 30, 2022. JELF, in partnership with Jewish Family & Community Services of Jacksonville and the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida, helps Jewish students reach their academic goals. For more information, visit www.jelf.org.

RECONCEIVING INFERTILITY

By Faye Hedrick, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida Did you know…

1 in 8 couples have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy? Age, genetics, other medical conditions, and previous treatments can affect fertility? Rates of infertility are even higher in the Jewish community, according to the Jewish Fertility Foundation, with infertility affecting as many as one in six Jewish couples?

Together the Young Professionals & Families Division of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida and Hadassah Jacksonville are partnering on Reconceiving Infertility. This important topic will include a panel of experts discussing the religious, psycho-social, and medical perspectives of infertility. We will take a look at the history of infertility from Biblical times, discuss some of the factors leading to infertility, who may need fertility treatments, and what some of those treatments entail. In addition, the program will examine the many emotional feelings that arise from and psychological consequences caused by the diagnosis, treatment options, as well as the high cost of family building. As we know, fertility doesn't only affect intended parents, but extended family and communities as well.

Hadassah’s Fertility Treatment Clinic is considered one of the leading units in Israel. Hadassah physicians have been at the vanguard of infertility treatments for decades and pioneered the use of preimplantation genetic testing. We will learn more about this and much more! Dr. Ellen Goldstein, a double board-certified OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist, as well as one of our evening’s panelists, asserts, "I'm looking forward to "zooming in" to this special program with my hometown community to educate everyone about normal and abnormal fertility and options for treatment. Since you all last saw me when I was growing up in Jacksonville, I have built my career working at the intersection of intimate human connection and the most advanced

science and technology. Together, let's continue to build the next generation of warm, supportive family networks in Northeast Florida!" The Reconceiving Infertility panel also includes Rabbi Mona Decker and Colleen Rodriguez, LCSW and Executive Director of Jewish Family & Community Services. A group that is sure to have the answers to the questions we may have. There will be a follow-up program to Reconceiving Infertility on June 15, 2022. During the second gathering, a variety of personal stories from our community will be shared.

Please register at https://events.idonate.com/ ReconceivingInfertility. This program is free and open to the community.

COMMUNITY

NEW EXHIBIT OPENS IN JFCS FRISCH FAMILY HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL GALLERY By Donna O'Steen, Jewish Family & Community Services

The Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery’s latest exhibit, Art in the Holocaust, is officially open!

The Art in the Holocaust exhibition contains digital images of works in the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum Collection and stories of the 20 artists who created them. Depicting the Holocaust in ghettos, camps, forests, and while in hiding, the artworks reflect the tension between the artists’ need to document the terrible events they endured and their desire to break free through art and escape into the realms of beauty and imagination. It stands as testimony to the strength of the human spirit that refuses to surrender and our innate need to create, even during times of trauma and destruction. While visiting the gallery you may also view the work of the Mayo Clinic Lyndra P. Daniel Center for Humanities in Medicine program as it intersected with the Holocaust Memories project at Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS). This collaborative installation uses words and art 10

to shine a light on the power of the humanities to heal in times of trauma.

The Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery provides a space dedicated to learning the lessons of history by exploring human rights, individual courage, and the search for peace. The gallery features exhibitions, public programs, and educational tours. The changing art on the walls serves as a platform for reflection and conversation. It is funded thanks to generous donors, Florida Blue, The Larry and Kathy Kanter Art Fund, and the Theodore and Pauline Cohen Charitable Trust. Location and Hours: 8540 Baycenter Road, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm For more information, visit JacksonvilleHolocaustMemorial.com.

JFCS is a beneficiary of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida. Their funding helps support the programs and opportunities we provide for the Jewish community.

THE DUBOW PRESCHOOL'S GARDEN IS GROWING MENSCHES By Lisa Ansbacher, Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

A large part of what makes the DuBow Preschool so unique is the school’s focus on teaching students how to nurture themselves, others, and the world. From the time the children enter the pre-school, they are immersed in a comprehensive Jewish gardening curriculum with the underlying theme of Tikkun Olam (healing the world). While the students are growing plants, the school is growing mensches, people who care about making the world a better place. The Jewish value of healing the world by performing mitzvot is instilled through meaningful gardening techniques implemented daily and at special events held on Jewish holidays. This curriculum is designed and taught by Morah Karen Morse, who enthusiastically embraces the opportunity to teach DuBow Preschool students how to apply commandments from the Torah to gardening. Morah Karen’s Jewish gardening curriculum is derived from Ginat Ha’Yeladim and Jewish Court of All Time.

The preschool students learn about the commandment bal tashchit - do not destroy or waste. They apply bal tashchit to the garden by planting leftover produce, making salads from the crops they grow, watering the plants with rainwater they collect in barrels, and composting with a Martin J. Gottlieb Day School student-made composter. One of the garden’s six beds is currently unplanted to honor the commandment of shmita - allowing the fields one year to rest. The students also learn about sustainable and organic gardening, two additional tools for healing the world. The garden at DuBow Preschool is a magical place where a love for performing mitzvot and a love for Israel is instilled and cultivated at an early age. For more information about DuBow Preschool or to arrange a garden tour with Morah Karen, please call (904) 268-4200.

DuBow Preschool is a beneficiary of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida. Their funding helps support the programs and opportunities we provide for the Jewish community.

An Even Brighter Future Recent years have taught us that life is fragile, a hug is priceless, and that a virtual visit is good but being together in person is the best. Throughout our 76 years of continuous excellence, we’ve learned many things. Importantly, that by working together with an unwavering commitment to our mission, we’ll ensure an even brighter future for our community’s seniors.

For more information, call (904) 260.1818 or visit RiverGarden.org

A not-for-proﬁt agency sponsored by the organized Jacksonville Jewish community.

COMMUNITY

JACKSONVILLE TEENS REPRESENT AT INTERNATIONAL SHABBATON By Dini Sharfstein, Chabad at St. Johns County

Teens traveled to New York for the annual CTeen Shabbaton, an international gathering of close to 3,000 Jewish teens. Led by Dini Sharfstein of Chabad at St. Johns County, teens were treated to a thrilling, non-stop program with tours of NYC and the Jewish community, inspiring Shabbat meals, talks by renowned speakers, and a highly anticipated closing ceremony.

Last year, the pandemic forced CTeeners online for a virtual Shabbaton. Auri from Creekside High School was glad to join in person this year. “It was amazing to meet so many teens from all over the world,” she says, “and that we have one thing in common, we are all Jewish!” The highlight of CTeen’s INTL Shabbaton is always Saturday Night’s concert and havdalah ceremony in Times Square. This year featured a live CTeen Tanya-printing along with a guest performance by Jewish music sensation Berri Weber. Times Square came alive with Jewish messages, as the billboards of American Eagle, Express, Clear Channel and Nasdaq were overtaken by CTeen’s customized videos. In the spirit of this year’s “Whenever, Wherever” theme, images of teens doing mitzvot were broadcasted across Time Square.

With over 600 chapters around the world, teens traveled from as far as Morocco and Argentina for last week’s international experience. With immersive Jewish experiences focused on social, educational, and humanitarian elements, CTeen is also a way for local Jews to stay connected to each other and their heritage yearround. “With very few Jewish friends, Cteen really brought the Jewish community to me,” says Gabby, from St. Johns. “It gives me a boost of Jewish pride.” Rabbi Mendel Sharfstein and his wife Dini run a local chapter of Cteen bringing new life to the area’s programming for Jewish teens.

For more info, contact Dini@JewishSJohnsCounty.com or call (904) 701-4422 12

Jax teens enjoy the Cteen International Shabbaton.

SOCCER UNITES!

By Emily Rosenbaumn, Torah Academy of Jacksonville Response to Intervention (RTI) specialist at MJGDS, and often plays in the games with Yosef and the boys. The league plays on Thursdays after school at the Jacksonville Jewish Center soccer field.

This past December, parents from the Torah Academy of Jacksonville (TA) and the Martin J Gottlieb Day School (MJGDS) joined forces to create an after-school middle school boys’ soccer league. The group consists of six, 5th-8th grade boys from TA and seven, 5th-8th grade boys from MJGDS. Originally from El Salvador, the league is led by head coach Yosef Rocca-Marquez, father of a 7th-grade student at TA, Aaron Rocca-Marquez. Yosef’s assistant, Daniel Smith, husband of Jennifer Smith (director of the Jacksonville Jewish Center), is a math

The league, which started as a four-week experiment, was so successful that it is likely continuing until the end of the school year. It is not only special because the coaches are both volunteers, but because each week the teams change. This allows the boys to work together as teammates regardless of which school they attend. It is inspiring to see the two Jewish schools collaborating to provide their students with a healthy and fun after-school activity!

Torah Academy of Jacksonville and the Martin J Gottlieb Day School are beneficiaries of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida. Their funding helps support the programs and opportunities we provide for the Jewish community.

COMMUNITY

JFCS TO ROLLOUT TRIBUTE PROGRAM By Donna O'Steen, Jewish Family & Community Services

has just the opportunity for you to do all of those things and more.

JFCS announces a new tribute program, scheduled to roll out just in time for Mother’s Day – because what better way to honor your mother than a tribute in her name? The JFCS Tribute cards can be purchased for a donation of $18 or more to support the JFCS program of your choice – and can be personalized with a message you create and mailed to the person you designate. Want to thank someone special in a meaningful way? Make a tribute in memory of a loved one to a cause they were passionate about? Celebrate a wedding or Bar/Bat Mitzvah? Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS)

For more information and to view all of the available cards, visit: www.JFCSJax.org/tribute. JFCS is a beneficiary of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida. Their funding helps support several of the programs and opportunities we provide for the Jewish Community.

CHILDREN’S LIVES IMPROVED BY LOCAL ORTHODONTIST By Donna O'Steen, Jewish Family & Community Services Since 2016, Dr. Jason Rice, DDS has been providing orthodontic care to Jewish Family & Community Service’s (JFCS) foster kids.

Jason first got involved with JFCS through the Holiday Gift Dr. Jason Rice, DDS. Giving program. Although the program allowed him and his Rice Orthodontics staff to help a number of children, he wanted to do more. He contacted JFCS CEO, Colleen Rodriguez and offered his services as an orthodontist to help improve the lives of children in the foster care system. 14

When asked why he decided to do this, Jason responded with, “My office staff and I wanted to give back to a community of children whose lives had been turned upside down. Doing this has been life-changing for us and the children. We help transform them both dentally and emotionally.” Jason added, “Our office is beyond fortunate to be able to have the resources and staff that consistently commit to serving those in need in partnership with JFCS. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences in all of our lives and we look forward to helping many more children in the years to come.”

Jason is grateful for the many blessings in his professional and personal life where his successes are many. He has a wonderful wife and two sons, with whom he lives in Jacksonville, and he was recently able to open up a second office in the Nocatee area. JFCS is thankful for Jason and his staff’s commitment to JFCS and our children.

FEDERATION LAUNCHES BUSINESS & PROFESSIONALS DIVISION By Lauren Rickoff, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida is proud to announce the formation of a Business & Professionals Division (B&P), chaired by Daniel Miller, Agency Owner, Brightway Insurance – Riverside. The B&P Division will create opportunities for local Jewish professionals to grow their business, broaden their networks, and do good in the world by helping others. All professions are welcome to participate. Plans are being developed for a marquee event in the fall, as well as a networking series for the spring of 2023. Daniel shared his enthusiasm for initiating this group, “I’m thrilled to help champion the Business and Professionals Division for the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida. Our newly formed group will build bridges between local community professionals and business leaders, deepen our connections and foster

leadership opportunities. With the Federation’s mission as our guide, we will focus on cultivating relationships while investing in each other, our businesses, and our community.”

Daniel Miller, Agency Owner.

Contact Lauren Rickoff at laurenr@jewishjacksonville.org or (904)224-1406 to get involved!

COMMUNITY

ISRAEL’S NATIONAL DAYS

Honoring Yom Ha’Shoah, Yom Ha’Zikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut with Community Shaliach Stav Brener By Beth Milograno Berry, Jewish Community Alliance

Forgetfulness leads to exile, while remembrance is the secret of redemption. – Ba’al Shem Tov

As the people of Israel join in remembrance and celebration in honor of Israel’s National Days - Yom Ha’Shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day (April 27 - 28), Yom Ha’Zikaron, Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism (May 3 - 4), and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day (May 4 - 5) – we are privileged to learn from and share in these historic Israeli holidays with our community Shaliach Stav Brener.

“Where I grew up in Tel Aviv and throughout Israel, our observances and celebrations during the National Days are very significant. Each of the holidays, Yom Ha’Shoah, Yom Ha’Zikaron, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, begin at sunset and end at sunset the following day,” explains Stav Brener who has served as community Shaliach - an Israeli emissary for the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida since September 2020. “This time of year is somber as we remember lives lost on Holocaust Remembrance Day and the soldiers who died for Israel. However, Israel’s National Days become celebratory on Yom Ha’Atzmaut – Israel’s Independence Day. I love how much respect Israelis give to every national holiday.”

In addition to providing us important education about Yom Ha’Shoah, Yom Ha’Zikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut - Stav has planned some very special events in association with 16

Israel’s national holidays for our entire community.

“On Yom Ha’Shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Israel’s flag is lowered to half-staff, the President and Prime Minister deliver speeches and Holocaust survivors light six torches symbolizing the six million Jewish people who perished,” explains Stav. “At 10 a.m. on Yom Ha’Shoah, an air raid siren blows throughout Israel. That air raid sound calls for Israelis to be still and stop everything they are doing, including driving, to observe two minutes of solemn reflection.” On Monday, May 2 at 10 a.m., we join our partners at the Jewish Family & Community Services in honor of Yom Ha’Shoah to tour the Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery. The gallery was created to remember the past and represents a place in Jacksonville for speaking, understanding and telling the stories of the Holocaust. “A week after we recognize Yom Ha’Shoah in Israel, Yom Ha’Zikaron opens at 8 p.m. with a siren which lasts for one minute. During that time, we stop everything and stand in silence to commemorate the fallen and show respect,” explains Stav, who will lead a Yom Ha’Zikaron Ceremony at the JCA at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, to remember the fallen soldiers of Israel and victims of terrorism. To help us honor the fallen, please wear white to our Yom Ha’Zikaron Ceremony on May 3. “By law, all places of entertainment are closed on the

evening of Yom Ha’Zikaron. Regular television programs cease for the day so the names of every soldier who died for Israel are displayed in a 24-hour period,” says Stav. “The next day, on the day of Yom Ha’Zikaron, a twominute siren is sounded at 11 a.m. which marks the beginning of all official memorial ceremonies and private remembrance gatherings at cemeteries where soldiers are buried.”

As Yom Ha’Zikaron ends in Israel, Yom Ha’Atzmaut begins with an official ceremony held for Israel’s Independence Day on Mount Herzl. “The Yom Ha’Atzmaut ceremony includes a speech by the speaker of Knesset (Israeli Parliament), performances by artists and Israeli soldiers who march in unison to form elaborate structures like menorahs or Magen David (Star of David),” says Stav. “There is also the ceremonial lighting of twelve torches, one torch for each of the Tribes of Israel. Cities hold outdoor performances, streets are closed to cars, allowing people to sing and dance in the streets. After the all-night celebration, families travel and have picnics in the park to continue the festivities the next day.”

To kick off our Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebrations during Israel’s National Days, Comedian Joel Chasnoff, author of The 188th Crybaby Brigade, will join us at the JCA on Thursday, May 5 at 7 p.m. for a Yom Ha’Atzmaut Comedy Show. Then, on Sunday, May 15 at 12 p.m., our Jacksonville community will gather in a familyfriendly Yom Ha’Atzmaut Community Celebration at the Jacksonville Jewish Center’s Beth Shalom Park. This unique celebration of Israel is designed as an opportunity to “visit” Israel without a passport.

We hope you will join us! Our planned events for Israel’s National Days are free and open to our entire community. If you have questions or would like more information about our celebrations of Israel’s National Days, please email our community Shaliach Stav at jaxshlichut@jewishjacksonville.org. Thanks to the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida and the Jewish Community Center Association of North America, our Yom Ha’Atzmaut Community Celebration at the Jacksonville Jewish Center on May 15, is proudly supported by the Israel Engagement Fund - A JCCA Program Accelerator.

COMMUNITY

SECURE COMMUNITY NETWORK MEETING IN NE FLA Community-wide CATT training with more than 100 in attendance

Brad Osini, Senior National Security Advisor, addressing the Jewish Federation & Foundation Board of Directors CEO’s, Executive Directors, Clergy, Security Professionals, and Board Presidents from seven organizations, synagogues and schools meet with SCN

A NIGHT OF GENEROSITY - INSPIRES AND ENGAGES By Faye Hedrick, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

The next generation of Jewish philanthropists gathered at the home of Jen Plotkin for an evening designed to help our community expand and reshape engagement in Jewish life in Northeast Florida and across North America.

During the evening Sarah Eisenman, Chief Community and Jewish Life Officer for the Jewish Federations of North America, led the group in a conversation surrounding the most current and important topics this generation will face over the next ten years. The group also heard from long-time philanthropic leaders and up-and-coming leaders as well.

Find out more about how you can become involved in the next generation of philanthropic leadership in both our local and overseas Jewish community by reaching out to Faye Hedrick at fayeh@jewishjacksonville.org or (904)512-3797.

It’s not manna from heaven, but this Passover, provide something just as crucial to the survival of the Israeli people.

Whether it’s a missile attack, a new Covid variant, or serious car crash, your gift to Magen David Adom ensures its 30,000 emergency medical technicians and paramedics have the supplies and resources they need to save lives. So this Passover, while you recount the story of the Jews’ redemption from slavery, your gift will help modern-day Israelis survive the threats they face today. Make a gift to Magen David Adom today. Pesach kasher v’sameach.

afmda.org/passover

UNITY WITH UKRAINE This is Bella. In 1941, at the age of seven, she had to flee Odessa with her mother and three-year-old brother. She remembers the fear, the bombs and leaving all of her possessions behind. At 87, she is reliving this nightmare. After a four-day drive to the border with no bathroom or food stops (there are none), her son dropped her off, alone and with only one half-empty suitcase, and returned to the Ukraine to rescue more family members. She was transported six hours to Warsaw where we met her at the Focus Hotel, just one of the many hotels that the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) have rented as temporary housing for refugees. Confined to a wheelchair, Bella is cared for by JAFI volunteers, receives three meals a day, clothing, and hygiene supplies. Bella will be making Aliyah (moving to Israel) before the month’s end.

This is Lilli, a surgeon and mother of two. She is from Harkov, the second largest city in Ukraine and home to 20,000 Jews. She and her daughters and two dogs spent the first days of the war in a shelter. They believed the attack would end in a day or two, but it didn’t. They stayed in the shelter despite having no electricity, no food and no heat. One day at 6:00 a.m., she heard a huge explosion and knew it must have been their home and made the decision to leave immediately. They took her small car packed with three people and two very large dogs and began their seven-day journey to the Rumanian border. Their travel was not easy, with stops every 20 km to show documents, resting at 14 different locations. They now have temporary room and board provided by JAFI. She and her daughters and dogs will be making Aliyah as soon as she can find crates large enough for her dogs to be transported by plane. This is Janna. She is and has been the Executive Director of the JCC in Harkov for over 20 years. They had over 10,000 participants at the JCC and more than 500 in their early childhood programs. She waited 15 days before leaving because she couldn’t believe what was happening. Harkov has been cut off, as all bridges and roads have been destroyed. Most of whom are left are elderly and homebound. The three members of the JCC staff remaining in Harkov are working with the JDC to deliver food and medicine. She is now continuing programming at the hotel, as most of the refugees staying there are from Harkov. She and her staff are continuing to provide online programming and services as many of the participants are now spread across Europe. She is continuing to build community even though most are displaced, because she plans to return to her life, to her community and to reopen the JCC. 20

Our community responded with not only a quarter of a million dollars for the extraordinary campaign for Ukraine, but also with over �� lbs of donated OTC medicine.

As he loaded supplies, Ron Rettner, a very generous financial donor, said, "I just can't sit here and do nothing. Thank you (Federation) for giving me the opportunity to help."

THE JOURNEY: 1. & 2. Supplies for Refugees from JFED. 3. Donations waiting at border crossing. 4. Border 5. Crossing the border. 6. First stop for refugees 7. Refugee orientation. 8. Daily schedule at JAFI hotel in Warsaw. 9. Trying to provide some normalcy for children.

REMEMBERING LEGACIES

Irene Sloat of Blessed Memory 1926 - 2022

On Sunday, March 27, 2022, Irene Goldin Sloat passed away at the age of 95, our second Forever Lion to pass in Northeast Florida. Irene is survived by her daughters Lisa Sloat (Hank Klein) of Miami, Florida and Lauren Sloat, of Waltham, Massachusetts, and many nieces and nephews who she enjoyed. She was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 56 years, Dr. Roy Julius Sloat, and adored older brother, Dr. Jerry Goldin of New York.

Irene was born in the Astoria section of Queens, NY to Nathan and Rae Goldin, immigrants from Russia who owned a 24/7 convenience store at the bottom of an elevated train station. The taxi drivers who lined up in front of the store would take Irene to school if she was late, as well as taught her to drive. Her parents saved up to send her to summer camp every year where she excelled in sports and theater productions. Irene was an excellent student. Knowing that she would get a far superior education at Julia Richmond High School in Manhattan than in her neighborhood school, unbeknownst to her parents, she took the entrance exam and told her parents only after she was accepted. After graduating from New York University, Irene took a trip south to visit her Kipnis aunt and uncle in Jacksonville where she met her future husband. Irene’s first impression of Roy was that he was a bit conceited, but just like in a rom-com movie, she was soon won over by his charm, intelligence, and sense of humor. They married a mere five months after they met and enjoyed a long and happy marriage with many fun and 22

laugh-filled times among family and friends. They shared numerous interests in common including golf, travel, entertaining, creating mosaics, taking dance lessons, golfing trips with other couples, their stock group, playing bridge, taking in a Broadway play and giving one another surprise birthday parties. Irene was an excellent golfer, and had many trophies to show for her tournament successes, including those for her 3 holes-in-one.

“We are proud of the institutions that have been started and promoted by the leadership in the Jacksonville Jewish community. Inspired by the example of our parents, Rae and Nathan Goldin and Rose and Joseph Sloat, my wife, Irene, and I have established a fund that upon our demise will support in perpetuity the same Jewish institutions that we supported while living. This fund will be administered by the Jacksonville Jewish Foundation. Someday, when and if people read our story in the Book of Life, we hope they will remember us as having lived with honor, dignity and reﬂected positively on the Jewish community.” - Quote from the Book of Life

Chief among Irene and Roy’s common interests was their dedication to the Jacksonville Jewish community and support of the organizations that sustained it. Irene embodied every attribute of the Forever Lion: compassion, strength, leadership, and a deep commitment to the Jewish community. Together, Irene and Roy were engaged and active members of the Jewish community serving as founding board members of the Jewish Foundation and Irene’s husband serving

as a member of the Investment Oversight Committee. Roy and Irene established the first endowment fund of the Jacksonville Jewish Foundation and were also one of the first to inscribe the Book of Life. While Irene volunteered with several local Jewish agencies, her most active participation was with River Garden Hebrew Home for the Aged where she served as President of the board of the River Garden Auxiliary, providing support to River Garden through financial contributions and hundreds of volunteer hours. She also served as an ombudsman between River Garden’s residents and staff, where her knowledge of Yiddish was put to good use when language was a barrier to communication between these two groups. Irene valued a good read, stimulating conversation, a visit to a museum, a night at the symphony and her independence. Irene and Roy will fondly be remembered by many in the Jacksonville Jewish

community as true tzaddiks and friends.

Irene’s daughters, Lauren and Lisa, described her as “her authentic self and a hard act to follow.” They said she was also fiercely independent and credit the oustanding care and attention she received from the Home Health group for allowing allowed her to live out her life in her own apartment exactly as she desired. They are eternally grateful to The Home Health group, along with the staff of the Coves, for their support in ensuring that their mother’s last years were the best that they could be. Contributions in Irene’s memory may be made to the “The Dr. Roy and Irene Sloat Endowment Fund” at The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida.

Judy Elikan of Blessed Memory 1939 - 2022

Judy was always a phone call away from her friends and family and had close and unique relationships with everyone she loved. She made friends everywhere she lived and kept in touch with many of them, from Akron, Pittsburgh, Lakeland, Columbia, Cincinnati, and Ponte Vedra Beach over the years. She was very friendly, talkative, and always had “room to love one more person.” She was funny and had a dry sense of humor, was artistic, was intelligent, loved to read and always had an interesting perspective on a book, movie or world event. Judy continually spoiled her family with delicious homecooked meals ranging from Chicken Kiev, to paper bag chicken, to her potato salad that she tinkered with all day. For entertainment, she liked attending symphony performances, playing bridge in her early years and

Judy Elikan and Jill Metlin at the CJL Thank You brunch.

Mahjong in her later years.

Judy was cherished by her loved ones and will be dearly missed by her husband of 64 years, Len; her children, Lynn Elikan (Mark Stinson), Francie Moon (Lyle), Sharon Elikan (Binem Dizenhuz); her beloved grandchildren, Laura Van Metre Baum (Aaron), Emily Krinsky (Jordan), Sam Van Metre, Elina, Anneliese and Clarissa Moon, Joe and Nina Dizenhuz; and her cherished great-grandchildren, Mira, Yael and Miles; and her

Len and Judy Elikan extensive circle of love that included many other family members and friends.

For three decades in Northeast Florida, Judy gave of her time, talent, and treasure to the Jewish Community. Judy was a founding member and president of Yamit, Hadassah’s chapter at the beach, and was a founding member and served on the board of Beth El Synagogue. She devoted herself to the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida where the Len and Judy Elikan Young Leaders Scholarship is managed. Judy always took an active role in the scholarship process and volunteered countless hours to Women’s Philanthropy, Super Sunday, and the Create a Jewish Legacy programs. Contributions in Judy’s memory may be made to the “The Judy & Len Elikan Young Leaders Scholarship Fund” at The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida.

PARTNERSHIP2GETHER CONSORTIUM March 20-23 was a meaningful three days of conversation and discussion, allocating $340,000 to programs and initiatives to drive longstanding and impactful relationships between Israel, Richmond and Southeast US. Allison Jacobs is the Chair for the Northeast Florida Delegation. This is how we build and sustain our Global Jewish community!

Partnership2Gether Hadera-Eiron-SE Consortium Jewish Community Federation of Richmond The Jewish Agency for Israel

L'DOR V'DOR

LION OF JUDAH 50TH ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON By Lauren Rickoff, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

Joan Levin presenting Iris Kraemer with the 2022 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award.

Over 45 Lions came together for the first time in three years, where they honored Iris Kraemer with the 2022 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award. The Kipnis-Wilson/ Friedland Award, named for Norma Kipnis-Wilson z”l and Tobie Friedland z”l co-founders of the Lion of Judah, honors women who have shown leadership by making a significant impact in their local Jewish community, in Israel, and/or abroad; has given other women encouragement, motivation, and opportunity to further their own leadership; and embodies the spirit and vision of the Lion of Judah through a commitment to tzedakah and tikkun olam. Joan Levin, the first recipient for Northeast Florida presented Iris with her award and acknowledged the previous award recipients, Sue Eaglstein, Debra Setzer, Judy Silverman, Kimberly Sisisky, and Phyllis Vandroff z”l.

Compassion, strength, leadership, a deep commitment to our Jewish community, this is a Lion of Judah. Last month, the Lions gathered to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Lion of Judah. Fifty years ago, when the Lion of Judah came to Norma Kipnis-Wilson z”l in a dream it was because women were looking to have their philanthropic voices heard. And now, 50 years later the Lion of Judah, synonymous with women’s giving, is the most widely recognized symbol of women’s giving in the world.

Jackie Goldman and Meryl Rittenberg

The afternoon also included a meaningful presentation for the Forever Lions, women who have committed to their Lion of Judah gift in perpetuity. At that time, two new Forever Lions were announced, bringing the total to 27.

Featured Guest Speaker, Carolyn Gitlin, with Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida President Jennifer Plotkin and Women's Philanthropy Chair Diane Rothstein.

During the event, Annual Campaign Chair Haley Trager said, “your light shines bright for our community and will shine even brighter in the future. Your Lion of Judah Endowment ensures that the values and priorities you hold dear today, will continue forever.” There was also a special tribute to Phyllis Vandroff z”l, the first Northeast Florida Forever Lion to pass away. Once again, ensuring that endowed Lions of Judah will forever

be recognized and remembered.

The lunch culminated with the featured guest speaker, National Women’s Philanthropy Chair Carolyn Gitlin. She spoke on the power of the collective and women’s leadership, highlighting her own personal journey.

“My Jewish community was there for me during a time of my life when I could have become most disconnected.

Guests Stacie Wilf, Judy Silverman and Fran Selevan

And because they were there for me, I am there for the Jewish community. Helping to build a Jewish community to me is a responsibility. I want to pay it forward and ensure it’s flourishing for my children and grandchildren.” For more information on becoming a Lion of Judah, contact Lauren Rickoff at laurenr@jewishjacksonville.org, or to discuss becoming a Forever Lion, contact Kellie Smith at kelliek@jewishjacksonville.org.

Haley Trager introducing Monique Miller as one of the newest Forever Lions.

l’dor v’dor spring celebration May 22, 2022 12 - 4 pm Beth Shalom Park

honoring

Liat Walker Edith Horovitz River Garden, Community Partner join us for an afternoon of fun, games, & music ... for all ages! for more information about tickets, tributes, & to RSVP,

www.jaxjewishcenter.org/ldvd to honor Liat Walker & Edith Horovitz’s commitment to service, the Center will host a drive collecting swim suits, towels, goggles & sunscreen for kids in need. For more information, www.jaxjewishcenter.org/drive.

“WHY IS This Year Different FROM ALL OTHER YEARS, Again?” By Faye Hedrick, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida “Why is this night different from all other nights?” Reflecting on this question has offered new meaning over the past few years, as the world came together to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as we work through a gradual return to normalcy, there is a new challenge facing many in our community, directly and indirectly: the war in Ukraine. The circumstances presented by this conflict can mirror much of what the world has been facing for the past two years. This includes uncertainty, fear, isolation, and a collective ability to come together and find opportunity to be thankful and support one another. As you prepare for this year’s Passover seder, it becomes clear, there’s no need to be overwhelmed. Passover is an evening for your guests to feel welcomed, relaxed, and most importantly, to remember. After all, this is what the seder is designed to help us do — remember — remember the story of the Exodus and our place in it. Seri Kertzner, a local event planner, encourages those preparing for Passover to incorporate sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine, into their tablescapes this year. Additionally, take time to remember and recognize all that we have been through since the start of the pandemic, and also to express gratitude for all the freedom in your life and to pray for those not as fortunate, in Ukraine and around the world.

One reason a seder is special is due to the array of multi-sensory methods of transmitting the messages of the evening. The evening is filled with symbolic foods, elaborate rituals, words, songs, and most importantly, questions. Questions designed to keep even the youngest attendees interested and engaged and leave them with lasting memories and traditions. Have fun this year. Incorporate props, 29

use jumping frogs during the ten plagues, include a Pharaoh costume, a basket with baby doll Moses, or a bag full of plagues. Get creative. Let children and adults incorporate the plagues into their readings. Many families base their conduct of the seder on a model we knew as children — each person taking turns to read a paragraph out of the Haggadah. Maybe shake it up a bit this year. Everyone from Mimi and Zade to the little ones who are celebrating their first Seder will remember this year’s seder with a smile. The most important words of the Haggadah are, “B’khol dor va-dor hayav adam lirot et atzmo k’ilu hu yatzah mi-Mitzrayim” — “All people, in every generation, should see themselves as having experienced the Exodus from Egypt.” Our seders can be more than a history lesson. They

are our yearly re-enactment of the liberation and continuity of the Jewish people. This year, we may talk about refugees and asylum seekers in our world today. We ask the same questions we do when thinking about the Hebrews leaving Egypt: Were they in a rush? What did they take with them? Were they scared? In this way, the traditions of the Passover seder can help us, and our children, develop empathy and compassion for those in less certain circumstances. Use this year to remember, to relax, and to be grateful. Chag Pesach Sameach.

Cover photo: by Emlyn James

READY, SET, Passover

Whether you’re hosting your first Passover Seder or your 50th, whether it’s for two guests, or for fortytwo guests, the main thing to remember is why we are gathering in the first place.

We asked Seri Kertzner, CPO (Chief Party Officer) of Little Miss Party, an event planning and styling company that focuses on the special details tailored to each of their clients, to share her top tips for setting the table and prepping for a dinner gathering. Before she went into detail, she was quick to reply, “Prep as much as you can in advance. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Your guests will feel your energy so keep it positive no matter what. Spilled milk? Cry about it when everyone goes home!” Clean up: Don’t go crazy with cleaning your home before a party. Save that for after. One area to focus on is the bathroom. Make sure it’s wiped down and spotless, a fresh trash bag in the can, a soap pump, a fresh towel or hand towels, and light a candle.

Step 1

Place settings: If you don't have a full set of plates to set the table for all the people you've invited, then mix and match. It makes for a unique and fun look on the table and saves you from having to buy new tableware that you don’t necessarily

Step 2

need. Make sure you have enough place settings to accommodate all items you’re serving on the menu. Lighting: Set the tone with soft lighting. Candles are always a nice touch, but you can also dim the lights to create a relaxing vibe for your guests at the dinner table. If you’re reading prayers and need extra light, keep the lights turned all the way on until you’re ready to eat, then dim them down to relax for mealtime.

Step 3

Place cards: There are so many creative ways to mark your place settings, so you don’t hear “Where do you want me to sit?” when your guests get to the table. Place cards make for a GREAT activity for your children to do in advance of setting the table.

Step 4

Know your guests: You’ll want to accommodate guests by knowing if they have allergies or food sensitivities. If there are young ones on your guest list, Jewish holidays are filled with many opportunities for entertaining them. Set out easy crafts games like cards and/or Uno, and a signature mocktail will make the them feel welcome and help to keep them entertained so the adults can enjoy conversation and their meal.

Step 5

EXPERIENCING

Six DIMENSIONS OF WELLNESS AT RIVER GARDEN By Kari Bell, River Garden Senior Services

At River Garden, we define ‘wellness’ beyond just clinical or physical measures. Generally, we strive to have an interconnected and balance of six dimensions of wellness that were initially identified by Dr. Bill Hettler, co-founder of the National Wellness Institute. These dimensions can be remembered as the acronym PEPSSI: physical, emotional, purposeful, social, spiritual and intellectual. At River Garden this dimension is not just diet, exercise and health screenings; it is a matter of lifestyle. When a healthy lifestyle meets a healthy environment, it’s the recipe for wellness. It doesn’t have to be weightlifting in the gym. Sometimes it’s a beautiful walk on our campus. TL: Naomi Lazar joins a dance class at The Coves for physical, social and emotional connectedness.

Physical

During the past two years, we’ve all learned the value of socialization, and thankfully we have tools like Zoom and video phone calling to help us. No doubt, life is significantly better with others. The social dimension of wellness emphasizes the importance of connectedness with people. ML: Dale Newman is happy to be able to visit her mother, Lorraine, inside River Garden once again for weekly Mahjongg games.

We all deserve to feel valued and loved. The emotional dimension of wellness focuses on activities that deliver that inner sensation. These activities bolster optimism and create inner calm so that we can manage life’s ups and downs. TM: The Straceners, who recently celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary, have developed emotional fortitude over the years.

Emotional

Spiritual

Purposeful (Occupational)

Intellectual

What makes you feel fulfilled? The purposeful dimension of wellness leads you to explore ways you can serve and share. Sometimes, that includes accomplishing a task or doing a project that delivers a sense of achievement and satisfaction. TR: Here, volunteer Rita Gare helps prepare ceramics for residents to glaze and sell.

Social

The search for meaning continues throughout life. At River Garden, we are fortunate to have robust Jewish Life programs for residents to enjoy, including weekly Shabbat traditions.

Keeping one’s mind sharp is achieved in many ways. The intellectual dimension of wellness encourages mind-expanding adventures, problem-solving and hobbies. MR: Teola Hawkins, an Adult Day client, is one of our most active readers.

The six dimensions of wellness are woven into the fabric of life at River Garden. The care and programs are a blend of physical fitness, creative pursuits, spiritual activities and volunteer opportunities. Shared meals in the dining room provide both a healthy meal and an opportunity for socialization. For those at home, we encourage activities with family or friends, joining a book club, or using services at a local gym, synagogue or senior center. How is your PEPSSI balance? Using the PEPSSI model can help everyone – young and old - live well-rounded lives. Healthy aging begins with these basics. Spring is here and you can do it! 32

JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES EXPERT SERIES: 65+ AND By Nicole Andrews, Jewish Family & Community Services

Are you over 65 and fabulous? Do you know that people over 65 make up the fastest growing age demographic in the United States? People in this age group are living longer, better and younger than ever before. However, as with any life stage, late adulthood brings changes and challenges and this group is designed to explore them all. The monthly group will bring in the experts to educate, then together the group will break it down. The goal is to explore, empower, support and make the most of the retirement years!

The inaugural meeting of the “Expert Series” kicked off in the Chartrand Tolerance Education Center at Jewish Family & Community Services on March 8. Attendees (both in person and virtual) learned about the Psychology of Aging: 65 and Better with Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS) therapist Karen Hanson, LMHC. The series is designed to be an informal presentation with attendee participation encouraged, but not required.

Karen educated participants in psychological theories surrounding the late adult stage to help our participants understand some of life’s expected changes. She also shared plenty of tips and tricks to empower and celebrate how wonderful aging gracefully can be and how to make the retirement years the best they can be.

In addition to introductions to mindfulness, meditations and gratitude, participants were taken on a visual trip to Okinawa, Japan, home of the greatest aggregate of centenarians in the world. Researchers have studied the aging population in Okinawa for decades and learned that while they seem to live the longest, they also live the fullest and happiest. This is due to the concept of Ikigai. Ikigai translates to “reason to live.” Researchers have concluded the Okinawan people have a strong desire to live because they have a strong sense of purpose and a strong commitment to doing what makes them happy. Okinawans avoid societal pressures and dial in on identifying and feeding their inner needs to reach peace and happiness. Karen provided an opportunity for participants to identify their own Ikigais and provided

Thriving

short and long-term strategies to implement them into the retirement years.

The next installment in this series, “Stress Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful: Incorporating Jewish Values and Cognitive Behavioral Methods to Diminish Stress and Amplify Happiness,” will be on April 10 at 10 a.m. in the Stein Boardroom located at JFCS’s 6261 Dupont Station Court, 32217. Rabbi Nadia Siritsky, BCC, RSW will be the guest speaker and will discuss all things stress-related and learn valuable practices and techniques based in Jewish tradition.

Rabbi Nadia is a Reform rabbi and psychotherapist, who has served at several synagogues, most recently Temple Bet Yam in St. Augustine, and has extensive experience working in capacities including community-based counseling, hospice and palliative care, community organizing, health care leadership and administration and education. Her doctoral research is in compassion fatigue and burnout for health care workers. Rabbi Nadia is a second-generation Holocaust survivor, and is committed to doing everything possible with fighting prejudice and injustice in all of its forms.

On May 10 at 10 a.m., the group will take a different approach and embark on The Debrief, led by Nicole Andrews, MS. The Debrief is designed to be a group-led conversation about the previous experts, but to also delve deeper into how to apply this knowledge to our day to day lives in order to ensure we are living our best lives while also building a toolbox to tackle life’s challenges. We recognize our peers can provide a great deal of expertise and understanding that cannot be offered elsewhere and we will use this opportunity for peer discussion and support. Attending previous sessions of the “Expert Series” is not a prerequisite for attending the Debrief. We will also devote some time to discussing the types of experts desired by the group for future sessions. Please email Nicole Andrews at nandrews@jfcsjax.org or visit our website at www.JFCSJax.org/Expert-Series for more information on “The Expert Series."

CAPTURING STORIES BY

Word, Roots, and Seeds Searching for Identity

Five years ago, Searching For Identity presented “Focus on the 2nd Gen,” an insightful and revelatory program that addressed topics germane to the experiences of Holocaust survivors’ children and grandchildren. The panel featured Dr. Serena Bloomfield and Kathy Triebwasser, LCSW.

out for removal. She sees no one about. She can't bring herself to rashly accuse. Her heart is beating wildly and she wants to flee.

Roots and Seeds by Naomi Chase

The first question practically assails her. The moderator reads the question anonymously from a card, "Why do I keep looking for survivors, even now, long after the hope of telling my father I found them is gone? Will it ever end?"

In commemoration of 2022 Yom Hazikaron laShoah velaGvurah, the following essay offers you a glimpse of the works created in the workshop, designed and created for the 2nd and 3rd Gen -Stacey Goldring, Searching For Identity Founder (SFI). She turns to twist the key in the lock. She clumsily braces herself, one knee against the door, the other supporting the heavily laden bags she has packed with dinner. Her dog tugs at his leash wrapped dangerously tight around her wrist. The lock clicks, she backs away from it, adjusts her burden. Then she sees it. Her breath quickens, her eyes sting with hot tears. She lets go of the bags, the leash, the keys. She bends to see the broken vine bearing one dying blue morning glory and she begins to weep in huge, gasping sobs of horror and shock. Her grief defies logic. Its ferocity exceeds the boundaries of this seemingly inconsequential loss. "Who would do this?" Her voice shrill and implausibly plaintive. It's a plant, after all. She looks at the vine, its single dying bloom the color of a Florida May sky. Its limp, darkening petals transform into claws that scrape at her memories. She has planted this glorious flower in each of the gardens of the six homes she's made over the last decade; a gesture of staying put, if only for a while. Her precious, undemanding Blue Morning Glory, fit to thrive in the poorest of soils, even periodic neglect.

Someone had pulled her Blue Morning Glory right out of the ground.

Her composure restored by compassion and a glass of wine, she leaves for a session with her Second Generation Holocaust Survivors’ writers group. She enters the room where two psychologists sit primly in their seats. Their faces are anxious, despite their training, their professional composure taxed by the group they face. The panel discussion tonight is to explore questions prepared in advance for these experts.

The psychologists' lips form mirthless, pained smiles. One speaks. "It is the human condition to seek connection, to form roots, to know one's origin and to have a sense of belonging." She doesn't hear the rest, for the pounding in her ears. She closes her eyes and imagines the stealth and the cruelty of the Morning Glory killer. The magnitude of the crime against her garden now creeps and expands like a vine around her heart. Her plant's death is the death of her father's entire family, the seeds it will no longer produce gone, like their names and stories, stolen by evil and reasonless brutality.

Her chest heaves. The woman in the chair to her left reaches for her shoulder. Their eyes meet. And in that single beautiful exchange she knows what she will do. She will start over. She will buy new seeds. She will leave this garden and plant a new one. It will never be the same, but what it represents will never die. Life goes on. ©copyright Naomi Chase and Searching For Identity 2022

“Roots and Seeds,” is an excerpt from SFI’s upcoming book, 2nd Gen Anthology. SFI’s work is made possible in part by Her grief turns to anger. She recalls sitting at her desk Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida earlier in the day, irritated by the sound of the allocation funding. For more info contact landscaper's weed-wacker. No. The vine had been singled info@searchingforidentity.org or call (904)419-9915 35

B ' N A I M I T Z VA H

R E M E M B E R T H E PA S T A N D E D U C AT E F O R T H E F U T U R E

Joseph Morgenthal for B'nai Tzedek, Chain of Memory, and Gift of Israel

home, synagogue, and community including building a sukkah, attending morning and evening minyan, and studying Torah with his uncle Jack. Joey felt that constructing a sukkah with his uncle Alan and learning with his uncle Jack were the most meaningful because of the quality time they shared. Joey will also be donating a portion of his bar mitzvah gifts to help vulnerable Jews in Ukraine. In gratitude for dedicating time to tutor Joey in preparation for his Bar Mitzvah, family members created the Jack Mizrahi Jewish Education Fund of the Jewish Foundation to honor Jack’s commitment to Jewish education. To give to Joey’s B’nai Tzedek Fund or The Jack Mizrahi Jewish Education Fund, please email your intent to Jennifer Rensch, Foundation Manager, at JenniferR@jewishjacksonville.org or call (904)224-1401.

Mazel Tov to Joseph Morgenthal on becoming a Bar Mitzvah! Through his participation in Chain of Memory he demonstrates the importance of remembering the past as well as educating the future. Chain of Memory makes it possible for B’nai Mitzvah to remember one of the 1.5 million children who were murdered by the Nazis before being able to fulfill the mitzvah of learning Torah. The B’nai Tzedek Program, with the support of Mel and Debbie Gottlieb, helps young people learn about leadership, service, financial literacy, and long-term investing to use their tzedekah for good. The Gift of Israel Program, designed in cooperation with the Levin family, was established to encourage teens to visit Israel by providing them with a $700 subsidy towards an accredited travel program. On March 5, Joseph (Joey) Morgenthal became a Bar Mitzvah at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Joey attends the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School where his favorite subjects include math, science, and Israeli studies. In his free time, Joey enjoys playing football and basketball, as well as video games and his bass guitar. As part of the Center's B'nai Mitzvah program, Joey chose 13 mitzvot that engaged the family in strengthening their Jewish

Joey chose to dedicate his bar mitzvah to the memory of Josef Ajdelman. Josef Ajdelman was born on August 6, 1939. Prior to and during WWII he lived in Lodz, Poland. His name can be found on the list of Lodz ghetto inhabitants from the years 1940-1944. The overwhelming majority of the Jews imprisoned in this ghetto were murdered during the Shoah. Although his exact date of death is unable to be determined, it can be presumed that Josef would have been between the ages of one and five during this time.

Joey Morgenthal at the Federation oﬃce donating a portion of his Bar Mitzvah gifts to the Extraordinary Ukraine Campaign.

NOSH ON THIS

SHARING RECIPES

PAREVE CHOCOLATE TORTE FOR PASSOVER DIRECTIONS

By Margo Ruby, Margo's Catering

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

INGREDIENTS

10in Round spring form pan

10oz Semi-sweet 2. Melt chocolate chips and margarine in the microwave until smooth, then set aside to cool. chocolate chips 3. Using an electric mixer, whip together eggs and 1 Cup of margarine sugar until slightly thickened. 5 Eggs 4. Add the potato starch and baking powder to the egg mixture. 1 1/4 Cups of sugar 5. Fold the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. 6. Pour into a greased and paper-lined spring form pan.

7. Bake at 300 degrees for approximately 45-60 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. 8. Let cool completely before removing it from the pan.

9. Top with powdered sugar, chocolate ganache, fresh berries, or whipped cream.

2 ½ TB Potato starch

1 ½ tsp. Baking powder

SEE & BE SCENE Women's Philanthropy recently held two Connections programs, events designed to bring together women throughout Northeast Florida to build camaraderie and educate on the work of the Federation. On March ��, Suzie Becker hosted over �� women in her beautiful home where they learned the history and relevance of Yiddish, while sipping on the "Shayna punim-tini" and the "chutzpa-tini". On April �, Andrea Mail and Jeanine Rogozinski hosted a group of women in an interactive and thought-provoking discussion revolving around their personal combination of involvement.

At Suzie's

From left to right: Dara Marsh, Suzie Becker, Eunice Zisser, Sherrie Saag, and Betsy Korzyniowski

Hosts, Andrea Mail and Jeanine Rogozinsk

Guests, Efrat Harel and Natalie Halpern L-R: Erin Rogozinski Weintraub, Jessica Kaye, Bonnie Yegidis and Samantha Holtzman

Mitzvah Makers joined together at the beautiful home of Nicole Brown to create toiletry bags for kids and teens in foster care through our partner, Jewish Family and Community Services. The items packaged were collected at the Women's Philanthropy Champagne Brunch. Thank you to those who donated items and to those who helped create the special bags.

L-R Michelle Pargman, Lauren Setzer, Rebecca Cooper, Ellen Cottrill, Samara Maloney, Marcy Sandler, Wendy Popkin, Jodi Seitlin, Nicole Brown, Emmett Brown, Grayson Brown, Gabrielle Levy, and Sandy Shapiro

Jodi Seitlin and Lauren Setzer

Ellen Cottrill and Gabrielle Levi

Michelle Pargman and Marcy Sandler

Congregation Ahavath Chesed's Purim Carnival included games, art projects, facepainting and food. It was attended by almost 300 people and everyone had a blast.

Jacksonville Jewish Center's Purim event was a hit! Congregants dressed up, enjoyed festivities, and food.

A turtle, a lizard, and a snack creep into a gazebo…the Bernard & Alice Selevan Religious School enthusiastically welcomed special visitors from the Jacksonville Zoo! Students learned all about trees and the animals who depend on them to survive and thrive. We got “up close and personal” with the animals, and heard directly from educators from the Jacksonville Zoo.

SEE & BE SCENE The Jewish Womens Circle is a place where local Jewish connect, regardless of background or affiliation. It's where we make a new friends and leave a little more inspired as a Jewish woman living in St. Johns County. The event pictured is called Charcuterie & Champagne, where we designed charcuterie boards, and took fruit personality tests to celebrate Tu B'shvat, the new year for trees!

The GROW After School Enrichment Program, a project of Chabad of St. Johns, is where kids dive deep into their Jewishness and discover their Jewish pride. Each session consists of interactive Jewish learning that feature engineering, drama, art, cooking, dance and the unique Aleph Champ Hebrew reading workshop. For more info contact Dini Sharfstein at email Dini@JewishSJohnsCounty.com or call (904) 701-4422

At the Bernard & Alice Selevan Religious School, we got ready for Purim by baking hamantaschen and learning about the customs and mitzvot of the holiday. We look forward to preparing for Passover after Spring Break.

Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year coming soon. Contact info@basrs.org for more information! 42

Some joined in person and some joined from home, but everyone kicked off Purim making delicious hamantaschen! The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida, JCA, and PJ Library feel very fortunate to collaborate on special programming like this one for our community. This partnership program was done in conjunction with Etz Chaim Synagogue. Save the date for our next one, in honor of Shavuot with an ice cream social, at Beth El- the Beaches Synagogue on June 5, 2022!

WORTH THE SCHLEP JCA Chocolate Seder for Passover April 19 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 8505 San Jose Blvd. Please register by visiting https://jcajax-rec.force.com/s/login or by calling (904) 730-2100 ext. 228.

“There is Another Way” The Story of Adina and Eli Tal April 20 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. 8505 San Jose Blvd. Register by visiting jcajax.org or by calling (904) 730-2100 ext. 228.

JCA Diabetes Empowerment Education Program Apr 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17 and 24 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. 8505 San Jose Blvd. Free to the community! For more information, please contact Rachel Sandler at rachel.sandler@jcajax.org or (904) 730-2100 ext. 271.

JCA Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia April 21 11:45 - 1:00 p.m. 8505 San Jose Blvd. For more information, please contact Rachel Sandler at rachel.sandler@ jcajax.org or (904) 730-2100 ext. 271.

JCA Murray Hill History and Mural Tour April 20 9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 8505 San Jose Blvd. For more information, please contact Laura Anderson at laura.anderson@jcajax.org.

Drive-in Movie Night at Beth El the Beaches! April 23 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. 288 N. Roscoe Blvd Ponte Vedra Beach, 32082 Visit https://bethelbeaches.org for more information.

Congregation Ahavath Chesed Parent-and-Me Playdate! April 24 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. 8727 San Jose Blvd. RSVP to: Garad@thetemplejax.org JCA Israel Film Series April 25 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 8505 San Jose Blvd. For more information, please contact Rachel Sandler at rachel.sandler@jcajax.org or (904) 730-2100 ext. 271. Reconceiving Infertility April 26 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 8540 Baycenter Rd. This program is free and open to the community. Register at https://events.idonate.com/ ReconceivingInfertility Community-Wide Yom Ha'Ashoah Observance April 27 7:00 a.m. 8727 San Jose Blvd. Congregation Ahavath Chesed Anti-Semitism on Campus May 1 10 a.m. 8727 San Jose Blvd. RSVP jacksonvillehadassah@gmail.com and indicate whether you are attending the breakfast and program or program. There will be a breakfast prepared by the Temple Brotherhood at 10 AM. The deadline for breakfast reservations is April 28. The program is free; the cost of breakfast is $10 at the door.

PJ Library and Chabad of St. Johns Challah Bake May 1 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Durbin Creek Elementary School 4100 Racetrack Road St. Johns, FL 32259 For more information, contact Melissa Williams at mgwilliams@jfcsjax.org or visit http://www.jfcsjax.org Torah Academy: A Holocaust Documentary Project May 1 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Jewish Family & Community Services 8540 Baycenter Rd. Please RSVP by April 25 to blazor@torah-academy.com

JFCS Holocaust Memorial Gallery Tour May 2 10 a.m. 8540 Baycenter Rd. For more information visit jcajax.org Yom Ha’Zikaron Ceremony -Israeli Memorial Day May 3 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Jewish Community Alliance 8505 San Jose Blvd. For more information visit jcajax.org YPF Quarterly Cocktails May 5 5:45 - 6:30 p.m. JCA Donzinger Library 8505 San Jose Blvd.

For more information, contact Faye Hedrick at fayeh@jewishjacksonville.org Yom Ha’Atzmaut Comedy Show May 5 7:00 p.m. 8505 San Jose Blvd. For more information visit jcajax.org Temple Bet Yam's Pizza and Bingo Night for the Entire Community May 7 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. 2055 Wildwood Dr. St. Augustine, FL For more information contact Jacqueline Witte at jackie1701@gmail.com

WORTH THE SCHLEP

Tuesdays Together: Community, Conversation, & Coﬀee May 10 10:00 a.m. 8540 Baycenter Rd. For more information, contact Faye Hedrick at fayeh@jewishjacksonville. org PJ Library Jewel Society Event May 12 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Location TBA For more information contact Melissa Williams at mgwilliams@jfcsjax

Yom Ha’Azmaut Community Celebration May 15 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. Beth Shalom Park 3662 Crown Point Rd. For more information email Stav Brener at jaxshlichut@jewishjacksonville.org

Jacksonville Jewish Center Lag B'Omer Music, Menschs and Mitzvot May 22 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. 3662 Crown Point Rd. For more information visit https://www.jaxjewishcenter.org/engage/ full-calendar

Society of Healers: "How to be an Expert Witness" May 17 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. For more information contact Faye Hedrick at fayeh@jewishjacksonville.org

Society of Healers: "What to do if You're the Defense" May 24 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. For more information, contact Faye Hedrick at fayeh@jewishjacksonville.org

May Women's Philanthropy Connections! May 25 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. For more information contact Lauren Rickoff at laurenr@jewishjacksonville.org

JCA Clergy in a Circle May 26 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. 8500 San Jose Blvd. Free to the community Please register by visiting https://jcajax-rec.force.com/s/login/ or by calling (904) 730-2100 ext. 228. For more information, please contact Rachel Sandler at rachel.sandler@jcajax.org or (904) 730-2100 ext. 271.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

HELP ACROSS NORTHEAST FLORIDA

JEWISH FEDERATION & FOUNDATION STAFF River Garden is the go-to resource for high-quality adult care in Jacksonville. Honoring our Jewish traditions, the dedicated staff, leadership and volunteers are all committed to a best-in-class experience. Whether it is for you, your spouse, parents or friend, be sure to request River Garden.

Admissions (904) 886-8420 Adult Day (904) 288-7858

Home Health Care (904) 288-7851 Outpatient Rehab (904) 886-8454 The Coves (904) 292-2683

Volunteers (904) 886-8429

Foundation (904) 886-8430 MAIN (904) 260-1818

JFCS, in partnership with Margo's Catering, is pleased to bring you our meal program Meals4You. Meals are delicious, nutritious, convenient and delivered right to your door. Jewish dietary laws are observed. Call Nicole Andrews at (904) 394-5810 for more information.

Through a partnership with GO GO Grandparent and a grant from the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, JFCS is now offering immediate rides through our Call2Go program. Riders will no longer have to call to book transportation. They will now be able to use an "on demand" service available at their fingertips! GO GO Grandparent will have booking agents available 24/7. When a client calls, the agent will book, monitor and stay available to the client until the ride is complete. Riders MUST pre-register with Nicole Brown at (904) 394-5724 and have a cell phone (texting is not necessary) to use this service. Call2Go is available to those in need of transportation to attend synagogue, medical appointments and other important outings. A sliding fee scale is available. Don't be deceived by the name. . .you don't have to be a grandparent to use the program. Call Nicole today!

Searching for identity hosts writing workshops for second and third generation holocaust survivors. Meet monthly in a confidential and judgement-free setting, in-person/ online, to explore experiences, capture important stories and explore identity. RSVP at www. searchingforidentity.org/writingworkshops.

Mariam Shpeen Feist Chief Executive Officer mariamf@jewishjacksonville.org

Stav Brener Community Shaliach jaxshlichut@jewishjacksonville.org Pat Burke Director, Finance & Administration patrickb@jewishjacksonville.org Amy Lyn D'Alesio Freelance Graphic Designer

Faye Hedrick Director, Young Professionals & Families fayeh@jewishjacksonville.org

Rachel Heiser Campaign & Donor Relations Coordinator rachelh@jewishjacksonville.org

Jennifer Rensch Foundation Manager jenniferr@jewishjacksonville.org Lauren Rickoff Director, Campaign & Women’s Philanthropy laurenr@jewishjacksonville.org Kellie Smith Director, Foundation kelliek@jewishjacksonville.org Zahni Thuzar Marketing Manager zahnit@jewishjacksonville.org

T ORAH A CADEMY OF JACKSONVILLE

Every Tuesday from 3:15 to 4:15, Torah Academy hosts a free kosher food program sponsored by the USDA for children under 18. The program helps provide food during these trying times. For more info, contact shorowitz@torah-academy.com.

8505 San Jose Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32217

NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID JACKSONVILLE, FL PERMIT NO. 146

Jewish Life: April/May 2022

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