Federation Star - May 2016 by Jewish Federation of Collier County

The Israel Scouts are coming to Naples! Multiple venues and performances! June 22-23 See page 3 for more details.

Celebrating Jewish Life in Collier County, Israel and the World

Federation Star Published by the Jewish Federation of Collier County serving Naples, Marco Island and the surrounding communities

www.JewishNaples.org INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 4 Women’s Cultural Alliance 5 Men’s Cultural Alliance 8 Community Focus 12 Jewish Interest 14 Tributes 19 Israel & the Jewish World 20 Business Directory 24 Commentary 26 Focus on Youth 27 Synagogues 27 Organizations 30 Community Calendar 31 Community Directory

5 Naples BBYO teens elected to regional board

May 2016 - Nisan/Iyar 5776

Vol. 25 #9

Get ready to celebrate the 68th anniversary of Israel’s independence By Jeffrey Randall, “Celebrate Israel” Event Coordinator

“

elebrate Israel,” a free-admission event, is scheduled to take place on the lawn area of the Mercato on Sunday, May 15 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. This multi-cultural event, sponsored by the Israel Advocacy Committee of the Jewish Federation of Collier County for adults and children of all ages, celebrates the 68th anniversary of Israel’s independence. There is something for everyone, so join with us for Israeli dancing and singing, activities for children, StandWithUs panels highlighting the often overlooked relationship between Jews and Israeli Arabs working together in peace for their common benefit, a Mount Masada Climbing Wall to challenge your physical stamina and skills, and a Magen David Adom ambulance, to name a few. Of course, there will be delicious food sold by the Stage Deli including chicken schwarma-style sandwiches, a vegetarian wrap, and a hummus, cucumber, tahini sauce pita wrap, with all proceeds going to the Jewish

2016 Federation Annual Campaign

Holocaust Museum & Education Center of SWFL

$1,100,000 $900,000 16 Jewish life on the Berkeley campus 2016

$753,051*

Community-wide Yom HaShoah Commemoration Wednesday, May 4 at 5:00 p.m. Temple Shalom, 4630 Pine Ridge Road Yom HaShoah is the internationally-recognized date for Holocaust Remembrance Day. It corresponds to the 27th day of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar, and marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

The community-wide commemoration is collaboratively sponsored by:

$300,000

Jewish Federation of Collier County Holocaust Museum & Education Center of SWFL Temple Shalom Naples Jewish Congregation Beth Tikvah Chabad Naples Jewish Congregation of Marco Island GenShoah SWFL (children of Holocaust survivors)

*as of 4/18

Israel’s Amb. addresses Miami FIDF benefit

Jewish Federation of Collier County Inc. 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109

benefit of humankind; and a representative from our local Hadassah organization speaking about Hadassah Hospital in Israel whose declared mission is to extend a “hand to all without regard for race, religion or ethnic origin.” Don’t miss this exciting event. It has been in the planning stages since last summer. We expect you to enjoy, have fun and find out things about Israel that you never knew before. If you haven’t already done so, mark your calendars now. We look forward to your participation. If you’d like to volunteer at the event or if you have any questions, please contact me at jeffreymrandall@ gmail.com, or Renee’ Bialek (Federation’s Community Program Coordinator) at 239.263.4205.

$600,000 $500,000

$100,000 19

Federation of Collier County. Speakers include U.S. Congressman Curt Clawson (9th Congressional District); U.S. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th Congressional District); our community rabbis – Ammos Chorny, Mark Gross, Adam Miller, James Perman, Sylvin Wolf and Fishel Zaklos; Pastor Gaspar Anastasi, founder of the SWFL Regional Pastors representing the Evangelical Ministers in Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties speaking on the Evangelical’s Stand With Israel Movement; Professor Sam Edelman, adjunct professor of Israel Studies & Zionism at the University of Miami working with StandWithUs; a representative of the Weizmann Institute of Science highlighting Israeli technical and medical accomplishments for the

Prsrt Std US Postage Paid Permit #419 Ft Myers FL

All members of the community are invited to attend this program, which is suitable for anyone above middle-school age. Reservations are not needed.

For more information, call the Jewish Federation at 239.263.4205.

Federation Star May 2016

JEWISH FEDERATION

Renee’s community Thanks program & events corner Jeffrey Renee’ Bialek

Community Program Coordinator

appy May everyone! There are many opportunities to be active at the Jewish Federation of Collier County. Attending a class, event or program will start you off in the right direction. There have been so many events in the past few months and there will be even more events and opportunities for you to become active and involved at JFCC. For all items below, please contact me at rbialek@jewishnaples.org or 239.263.4205. JFCC Office Volunteers are needed to answer the phones at the Jewish Federation office. If you can volunteer a few hours a week and you like to greet people, please contact me today! Come volunteer in a fun and happy atmosphere. JFed Kids Club: Calling all children in Pre-k to grade 5. The JFed Kids Club Youth Group is now forming. All Jewish children are invited to be included in the club. Membership is $36 per year, per person. The JFed Kids Club will have monthly activities. We will go bowling, enjoy a picnic, have game day, play mini golf, and have more activities for young Jewish children to interact in

a fun atmosphere. We need a few parent volunteers to be on this youth group committee. Please contact me for more information. JFed Kids Club will meet at the Federation office on Tuesday, May 24 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Let’s meet, greet and play! The Chanukah Committee is looking for a few volunteers to create and implement a wonderful communitywide Chanukah event that will take place on Monday, December 26 at the Mercato. Meetings will be once a month in August, September, October and November. Please contact me to join this important Chanukah Committee. Adult activities: I’m looking for speakers, lecturers and teachers on all levels to provide one, two or a few lessons to a small group. What do you like to teach? What do you know? What can you offer? Please let me know. I hope to see you at the following free community-wide events: Wednesday, May 4: Yom HaShoah Commemoration at Temple Shalom at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, May 15: Celebrate Israel at Mercato from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Adult classes: Everyone is invited to these free classes. RSVP t o m e b y M o n d a y, M a y 2 3 . Coloring for Adults: Wednesday, May 25 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Crosswords and Sudoku for Adults: Tuesday, May 31 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS THEY HELP MAKE THE FEDERATION STAR POSSIBLE

Advertising Sales Reps needed for the Jewish Federation of Collier County’s publications

The Jewish Federation of Collier County is looking for outgoing, energetic go-getters who can meet goals and create lasting connections with local businesses. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, enjoy speaking to people, and believe in the work of the Federation, then we want you on our team! This position is 100% outside sales, selling the advertising space in the Federation’s publications (Federation Star, Connections, Community Directory, Annual Report) as well as sponsorships. You’ll also have the opportunity to sell advertising space for the Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties’ publications – L’Chayim and Connections. Commission structure based on experience; 15 hours per week minimum.

Make your own hours Be your own boss Supplement your income If you are interested, or for more information, contact Jeﬀrey Feld at 239.263.4205 or jfeld@jewishnaples.org.

Feld

Federation President/ CEO

hanks! We need to express this constantly. What are the things for which we are thankful? At the Jewish Federation of Collier County, we are thankful for a multitude of things. First, we are thankful to be in such a beautiful, vital, vibrant community. Our Jewish community boasts five wonderful congregations, a world-class Holocaust Museum & Education Center, a stellar Jewish Family & Community Services, a very successful BBYO program, and so much more. We are thankful that all of these congregations, agencies and programs are here to enhance our Jewish community. We are thankful for the lay volunteers who lead all of these organizations. Your friends, neighbors and relatives provide their time to make our Jewish community better. We are thankful for all of our volunteers who help in so many different ways: answering phones, being docents, being advisors, teaching classes, organizing trips and so many

more things. It is important for these volunteers to know how significant they are to our community. We are thankful to everyone who gives to the community. I’ve identified in the paragraph above the people who give of their time and energy. We are also thankful for the people who give philanthropically to this community. This is our home. Our responsibility is to continue to invest in our home. We are thankful that people in this community are committed to making this the best possible Jewish community of Collier County and beyond. This month, we observe Yom HaShoah and celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut – Holocaust Remembrance Day and Israel Independence Day. We are thankful for the establishment of the State of Israel. I hope that everyone will join with us for the two community-wide programs in May. We are thankful that as the Jewish community we do come together to remember and to celebrate. We should be thankful that we have this wonderful Jewish community. It takes everybody in the community working together, participating in the Annual Community Campaign, and volunteering in so many different ways, to ensure that we will continue to be a vital, vibrant Jewish community!

Get ready… they’re still coming! Alvin Becker Federation Board Chair

s commented upon in this column previously, this season’s crowded Naples scene may not be going away. Last year’s statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the population of the NaplesImmokalee-Marco Island area grew by 2.5, ranking it 10th on the list of the fastest- growing metro areas by percentage increase in population – in the entire country! And, looking forward, Collier County planners expect Collier’s population to reach 800,000 over the next decade, while the greater Naples Chamber of Commerce points to statistics that estimate Collier County will add another 100,000 residents within the next 15 years. Most recently, a new report named Naples the best place in the Sunshine State to retire. Moreover, as reported in the Naples Daily News, Naples ranked third as the best place nationally according to SmartAsset, a New York financial services company which rated 4,700 communities by factors that affect

quality of life for retirees (tax friendliness, availability of medical care, and recreational and social opportunities for seniors). Since much of the expected growth arises from people moving from the cold North – especially the Northeast – we can estimate that many of the newcomers will be Jewish and that they will be seeking a vibrant, active and welcoming Jewish community, one that properly addresses their quality of life concerns and social and educational goals. One only has to peruse this copy of the Federation Star to note the wide variety of attractive offerings, many of which are sponsored and supported by the Jewish Federation of Collier County, that seek to appeal to a growing Jewish population: book festivals, special interest films, lectures, religious services, sporting events, advocacy programs, social events, community-wide celebrations, interfaith activities, book clubs, charitable pursuits, community relations programs and volunteer opportunities. With your help, your Federation is taking steps to assure that we continue to have the resources – physical, financial and human – to provide support, financial and otherwise, to programs and organizations that will appeal to a growing Jewish population. We intend to be ready!

This month’s advertisers This publication is brought to you each month thanks to the support of our advertisers. Please be sure to use their products and services, and mention that you found them in the Federation Star. AFMDA...............................19 ArtsNaples............................12 Barsky Team, Realtors®..........21 CallSaul-YourPersonalDriver.20 Chellie Doepke, Realtor®.......13 Entertainment Direct..............22 Margot Escott, LCSW............10 FGCU......................................9 Helayne Frankel, Realtor®.......5 Fuller Funeral Home..............13 Dr. David Greene.....................8 Gulfcoast Foot & Ankle..........8 Stacy Hersha, CPA.................20 Hilton Naples.........................17 Hodges Funeral Home...........19 Jewish Museum of FL-FIU....16

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May 2016 Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

Israel Scouts coming to Naples June 22-23 By Ted Epstein

et ready! The Tzofim (Israel Scouts) Friendship Caravan is coming to Naples! And this year, they will be in our community for two days and performing at multiple venues. Look for complete details in the June issue of the Federation Star. The Caravan is made up of five girls, five boys and two Caravan leaders

from all over Israel. In order to be in the Caravan, these teenagers went through a highly competitive selection process and were chosen based on their maturity, fluency in English, and performance skills. Scouting is big in Israel, with over 60,000 members, and those chosen to participate here are selected for their ability to best represent the State of

Israel. As shlichim, or Israeli delegates, these teens have a love for Israel and a desire to share that with North Americans. The Scouts are bright and dynamic performers. Their singing, dancing and storytelling are high-energy and upbeat. They will have you singing and dancing in your seat or, if you are lucky, dancing

with them. The Scouts spend the 10 weeks of summer performing in synagogues and churches, schools and summer camps, even nursing homes – wherever people want to share their love for Israel. The Scouts events in Naples are sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Collier County.

Local families needed to host the Scouts

The 2015 Israel Scouts sang, danced and entertained community members at Temple Shalom

The hosting experience is often the most exciting and meaningful part of the Caravan’s visit. Community members are responsible for hosting the twelve Caravan members. The hosting relationship goes far beyond providing food and a bed – the host families become true surrogate families during their stay. Families love bringing the Caravan into their homes, getting to know the teens and learning more about Israel. It’s a valuable and unforgettable experience.

This year, responsibilities include meals and sleeping arrangements on Wednesday and Thursday nights, June 22-23 and transportation to/from the events on both days. If you have youngsters or teens at home, this would be a real treat for them. If you are interested in hosting one or more of the Scouts or team leaders, contact Ted Epstein at fedstar18@ gmail.com or 239.249.0699 for more information.

2016 Campaign – Where your money goes Neve Michael Children’s Village in Pardes Hanna, Israel

Harvey Brenner Campaign Chair

ere is another in a series of articles about one of our overseas beneficiary agencies who dreceives grant monies as a result of your sgenerous contributions to our Annual Campaign. h Neve Michael is a special home for at-risk children. It is the only place in eIsrael that has so many vital services on -one site. It has been in existence since ethe end of the Holocaust. There is no gother country like Israel that cares more about its at-risk children. s Neve Michael receives about 75% of its basic needs from the Israeli government, and about 43 shekels ($11 eUS) a month for clothes per child. It freceives no money for renovation of yold buildings. , Human suffering has no borders. It lurks everywhere, even in the modern -State of Israel. Depression, disability and depravity all lie in wait just slightly ,below our awareness. These maladies extract tolls of untold magnitude from the most vulnerable and innocent of all – the children. That’s why there is a Neve Michael Children’s Village in Israel. s It is a safe haven for Israeli aterisk children whose biological parents -can no longer care for them. They are ,taken from their homes by the courts sand brought to Neve Michael. Apaproximately 280 needy children from the ages of 4 to 18 are provided with sustenance, education, and a warm and caring environment. Neve Michael serves children from all over Israel who have been brought to them under traumatic circumstances. These unfortunate children were separated from their biological parents, who, in many cases, are afflicted with mental illness, drug and alcohol addiction, prostitution and sexual abuse. The real services provided at Neve Michael are the intangibles: the family atmosphere that brings the children together and teaches them how to interact with one another, the kindness that is expressed in so many ways by the wonderful staff, from the talented teachers and summer counselors to the warm and caring house mothers who tuck the children into bed at night when they’re small. The children live in family homes on the premises so they can learn to live in a normal family setting. Multi-family siblings are kept together. Seventeen families of normative couples with their own children live in Neve Michael Village in “mispoch-

tonim” (family homes). Two hundred children live at Neve Michael Village and 80 come for day care. It is the only children’s village with an on-site children’s emergency crisis center, which began 15 years ago with help from Federations and the Joint Distribution Committee. The trained therapists are dedicated to helping the children overcome their past traumas and guide them back to emotional well-being. It is through your contributions to

our Annual Campaign that gives us the ability to give grant monies for Neve Michael’s therapy enrichment program. This gives them the tools to enable the children to break free of the traumas suffered before they were brought to Neve Michael Children’s Village. Without your generous donations, our Jewish Federation would not be able to help with the ongoing support. Together, we make the difference in the lives of 280 Jewish children.

WWW.NEVEMICHAEL.COM

CELEBRATE ISRAEL ITS CULTURE, PEOPLE & INNOVATION

Sponsored by the Israel Advocacy Committee of the Jewish Federation of Collier County

Sunday, May 15 ~ 1-4 pm on the lawn at the Mercato FREE admission

Join our community in this multi-cultural event celebrating Israel on the 68th anniversary of its independence. Enjoy Israeli dancing, music by Simcha, games, speakers, crafts, art, food by Stage Deli, and a Mount Masada climbing wall. Visit 20 Israel-themed booths covering travel insights, science, medicine, communications and more.

George Rubin, Photographer

For more information, email jeffreymrandall@gmail.com

Federation Star May 2016

JEWISH FEDERATION www.WomensCulturalAlliance.com / 215-820-6697

WOMEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE

The excitement now continues year-round with WCA By Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Director

ven though Season is officially over and many WCA members are heading back home for the summer, planning WCA programs is continuing “full speed ahead.” Last summer, under the leadership of Michelle Levine-Troupp, WCA created the Full Timers group. As a result, women who live in Southwest Florida yearround will now be able to add a wide variety of WCA programs to their daily calendars during the summer months. Michelle commented, “Starting a program for members who live here full time has been hard work – but also very gratifying. I’ve met many interesting women when planning the events. But the very best part of overseeing this program has been that many members have

formance at the Off the Hook Comedy Club. Tea at Brambles and lunch at La Playa have also been scheduled. An important goal of the Full Timers group is to help women get to know other full-time Florida residents. The highly successful Meet and Greet held last year will be held again this summer. There will be a game night featuring a variety of popular games. A unique program, “Around the World and Back,” will give members who have lived abroad an opportunity to talk about their experiences. After their presentation, everyone will enjoy an international potluck lunch. In addition to these wonderful programs, each month here will be two social events – a coffee and a cocktail party – at members’ homes.

WCA “satellite branch” members enjoy dinner at Molino’s Ristorante

told me how very much they appreciate that WCA has so many activities for Full Timers.” Michelle and her committee have planned a wide variety of exciting programs, including visits to interesting places, purely social get-togethers, cultural events and outstanding speakers. These activities are for all WCA members, not just full-time residents, so if you happen to be in Southwest Florida this summer, please sign up for these events. The Full Timers “season” starts with a visit to Shy Wolf Sanctuary, a refuge primarily for wild wolves and wolf/ dogs, followed by a brunch at Skillets. Other field trips being planned include a Sunset Cruise on the Sweet Liberty Catamaran, with dinner beforehand, and a private gathering at Vom Fass to sample a taste of local Florida. Members will have a chance to enjoy an evening at ROW Seafood that will include a per-

with her and other WCA friends over dessert and coffee. WCA Full Timers will have the opportunity to learn about identity theft from Carrie Kerskie; get an inside look at the Collier County Sherriff’s SWAT team, bomb squad and K-9 unit; and find out about “giving back” from the executive directors of three non-forprofit organizations – Champions For Learning, Naples Children & Education Foundation, and the Lighthouse of Collier, Center for Blindness and Vision Services. A presentation by a financial advisor will help women better understand their finances. In addition, members who love theatre and the arts will enjoy a presentation organized by Iris Shur; a special

Members of the WCA Full Timers group

Confirmed speakers include Helene Gaillet de Neergaard, who will share her experience of being a Catholic child in the midst of World II; FSU Professor Dr. Paul Bartrop, speaking about genocide and the Holocaust; and Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, President/CEO of Jewish Family & Community Services of Southwest Florida. Kathy Gumph, a representative from PAWS, will provide information about using skilled assistance dogs to promote independence for people with life changing disabilities; Rabbi Jim Perman will share one of the topics he is passionate about; and Jacob Carpenter, a crime and court reporter for the Naples Daily News, will talk about, as he puts it, “The greatest job in the world.” News-Press writer and WGCU Public Radio commentator Amy Bennett Williams will share her love of Florida with us through the enticing art of storytelling. Afterwards, members may chat

the ones who make it happen for you and we love doing it. So get ready for some new adventures beginning in May!” Writing about some of the programs that Michelle and her committee have planned makes me wish that I were going to be in Naples this summer! WCA members returning up North will be able to keep their ties to WCA through the “satellite branches” that were created several years ago. The branches help women continue the friendships and the fun they had in Florida when they return home. The branches, along with their leaders, are: ¡ Connecticut, Linda Hofbauer ¡ PA/NJ/DE, Judith Belmont ¡ Illinois, Diane Freeman ¡ Metro Boston, Rolly Jacob

Members of the PA/NJ/DE branch

showing of Marina Berkovich’s new film, followed by a potluck lunch; and a talk by the Assistant Art Director of the Sugden Theatre, who will share her insights on theatre and actors. Dan Miller, the leader of the Dan Miller Jazz Band, and Olga and Leeza Arkhangelskaya, the knowledgeable owners of Gallery on Fifth and the East West Fine Art Gallery, have also been scheduled to speak. And if that is not enough, Full Timers will have the opportunity to participate in Readers Theatre. Karyn Conrath, a member of the WCA Full Timers Committee, commented, “WCA has provided me with intellectual stimulation and blossoming friendships during my first year of participation. Working on the Full Timers group with Michelle Levine-Troupp and the other wonderful women who work hard to plan events for full-time Floridians is fulfilling and exciting. We are

¡ Michigan, Ruth Anne Lippitt ¡ NYC Metro/NJ, Judy Isserlis and Carole Weinberg ¡ Oh Canada!, Leslie Springman ¡ Ohio, TBA ¡ Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, Deedee Remenick If you are a WCA member living in one of these areas, send your email address to the appropriate branch leader. (You need to register each year.) You will be notified of events being held in your area this summer. Whether you remain in Florida or go back up North, “The Fun Never Stops at WCA!” Renew your WCA membership today so that you don’t miss a moment of the fun! If you are not already a WCA member, NOW is the time to join. Don’t delay – join today! Fill out the membership form on this page or go to www.womensculturalalliance.com. You will be glad you did!

Women’s Cultural Alliance Membership Form Our Membership year runs from September 1 to August 31. Dues for members who join after March 1st will cover the next season.

Men's Cultural Alliance of Collier County 2M0e1n '6s -C2u 0 17 Membership Form ltural Alliance of Collier County

New Member____ Renewal____ Is there a change in your information from last year? YES___ NO___ ___________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________

Name

Spouse/Partner Name

___________________________________________________________________

Please check ___________________________________________________________________

Email Address (very important) FL Street Address, City, Zip

_________________________________ Community in which you live

The membership year 2 0 1is 6 - 2from 0 1 7 MJuly e m b e1r suntil h i p F June o r m 30 of the next year. The membership year is from July 1 until June 30 of the next year. Dues received after April 1 will be applied to the next season. Dues received after April 1 will be applied to the next season.

(PLEASE fill out the form completely and PRINT CLEARLY!) check one: New ☐ Renewal ☐ fill out the form completely and PR one:Please New ☐ Renewal ☐ (PLEASE Is there a change in your information from last year? Yes ☐

No ☐

you checked no, just print your name, fill in payment info, Yes sign event waiverNo and mail to MCA/JFCC. Is there a change in Ifyour information from last year? _______________________________ ☐ below,☐

Print Name:

FL Home Phone

If you checked no, justEmail print name, fill in payment info, sign event waiver below, and mail to (veryyour important): ______________________________ ____________________________________ Cell Phone

Northern Phone

Print Name: ___________________________________________________________________

Local Address: City: State: Florida phone: Cell or alternate phone: Northern Address: City: State: Zip: In Southwest Florida: full-time ☐ part-time ☐ (from to

Zip:

Email (very important): In FL: Full Time______ OR Part Time______ From _________________________ to _______________________ Local Address: ) Membership Dues are $90.00 (US Funds), which includes a $36.00 donation to Federation City:$90.00 State: the year; includes $36 donation to the JFCC.) Membership dues: $70 (US Funds only, Minimum for Cell I am also including a voluntary donation to the Federation in the amount of $_________________ Florida phone: or alternate phone: I am also including a voluntary donation to the Federation in the amount of Northern Address: Total enclosed or authorized $__________________ Total enclosed or authorized ____I will be paying by check. (Please make your check payable to JFCC/WCA.) Please make your check payableState: to JFCC/MCA I will be paying by check. City: Zip: ☐ ____I will be paying by credit card: Card Number_________________________________________________________ I will be paying by part-time credit card. Card Number ☐ full-time In Southwest Florida: (from to ☐ ☐ Northern Street Address, City, State or Province, Zip

Expiration Date

Exp. Date_______________ Name on Card________________________________________________________

$ $ $

Name on Card

70.00

Zip

)

NAME BADGES

You must sign the waiver below, and return this completed form with your check or credit card information. To be included in the WCA Directory, we must have this information by August 1.

name badge be issued to you at no charge for if youthe are ayear; NEW member. (USwill Funds only, Minimum includes $36 donation to the JFCC.) Membership dues:AI want $70 a replacement name badge: Yes ☐ No ☐ Fee: $8. If you checked yes, submit a total fee is $78. name as you want it to appear on theto namethe badgeFederation in the amount of ____I would like to volunteer for WCA by Chairing or Co-Chairing a program. I am also includingPrint a voluntary donation ____I would like to be a speaker or lead a workshop on these topics: If checked, list topic(s)_______________________ Mail with this SIGNED form (with your check, or credit card number) to:or authorized ____I would like to volunteer in some capacity, but I am not yet sure what. Total enclosed MCA/ Jewish Federation of Collier County Rd, Ste. 2201 Please sign Event Participation Waiver: As a participant in a WCA event, I, acting for myself, my executors, Please make your check payable to JFCC/MCA I will that be paying 2500 by Vanderbilt check.Beach ☐whatsoever administrators, heirs, next of kin agree as follows: I waive all rights, claims, courses of action, of any kind Naples, FL 34109

by credit card. Card Number would like to volunteer my services/expertise and would be willing to chair or co-chair a meeting/outing on the ☐ I will be paying Ifollowing topic or topics:

I or my heirs or my legal representatives may claim to have against The Jewish Federation of Collier County, The Women’s Cultural Alliance, or their agents, servants, and/or employees, for any loss, injury, or damage sustained by me while participating in a WCA event. This waiver and release shall be construed broadly, under the laws of the State of Florida. Your membership payment is your permission for Women’s Cultural Alliance to take and use photographs/videos for appropriate purposes in accordance with WCA’s mission

Expiration Date

Signature_________________________________________________ Date__________________________

Name on Card

EVENT PARTICIPATION WAIVER. By signing below, I accept the terms of this waiver.

NAME BADGES

As a participant in an MCA event, I , acting for myself, my executors, administrators, heirs, next of kin agree as follows: That I waive all rights, claims, cause of action, of any kind whatsoever that I or my heirs, legal representatives may claim to have against either The Jewish Federation of Collier County, and or the Men’s Cultural Alliance of Collier County, their members, agents, servants, and or employees, for any loss, injury, or damage sustained by me while participating in an MCA event. This waiver and release shall be construed broadly, under the Laws of the State of Florida.

A name badge will be issued to you Please mail this form (with the signed waiver) and your check or credit card number to: Jewish Federation of Collier County, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd. #2201, Naples FL 34109. I want a replacement name badge:

at no charge if you are a NEW member. Yes ☐ No ☐ Fee: $8. If you checked yes, submit a total fe Signature Date Print If you prefer, you may complete this form online at www.WomensCulturalAlliance.com and then print name off the as you want it to appear on the name badge

form, sign the waiver, and mail it to the Jewish Federation (at the above address) with your payment.

For more information: Contact Les Nizin, mcanaples@aol.com

May 2016 Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

Published by

2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201 Naples, Florida 34109-0613 Phone: (239) 263-4205 Fax: (239) 263-3813 www.jewishnaples.org Email: info@jewishnaples.org Officers

Board Chair: Alvin Becker Vice Chair: Kevin Aizenshtat Vice Chair: Jane Schiff Vice Chair: Phyllis Seaman Secretary: Wallie Lenchner Treasurer: Jerry Sobelman Immed. Past Chair: Judge Norman Krivosha

Board of Directors Joshua Bialek Rosalee Bogo David Braverman Harvey Brenner Dan Carp Stephen Coleman Karen Deutsch Dr. Ed Ezrine Michael Feldman Alan Gordon Neil Heuer James Knafo Joel Pittelman Marc Saperstein Arlene Sobol Michael Sobol Steve Strome Dr. Daniel Wasserman Beth Wolff Edward Wollman

Past Presidents

Gerald Flagel, Dr. William Ettinger, Ann Jacobson, Sheldon Starman, Bobbie Katz, Rosalee Bogo

Board Members Emeritus Hans Levy Shirley Levy

Synagogue Representatives Cantor Donna Azu Sue Baum Rabbi Ammos Chorny Rabbi Mark Gross Phil Jason Rabbi Adam Miller Suzanne Paley Rabbi James Perman Dr. Arthur Seigel Neil Shnider Rabbi Sylvin Wolf Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Federation President/CEO Jeffrey Feld

Staff

Renee’ Bialek, Community Prog. Coord. Julie Hartline, Donor Relations Coord. Federation is the central Jewish community-building organization for Collier County, providing a social service network that helps Jewish people in Collier County, in Israel and around the world. As the central fundraising organization for Jewish communal life in our area, strength is drawn from organized committees of dedicated volunteers. Programs include: • Annual Campaign & Endowment fund • Educational & cultural programs • Israel Advocacy Committee • Israel Scouts • Jewish Book Festival • Jewish Community Relations Council • Jewish Russian-American Cultural Alliance • Men’s Cultural Alliance • Publication of the Federation Star, Connections and Community Directory • Strategic Planning • Women’s Cultural Alliance • Women’s Division • YAD – Young Adult Division • Youth Activities Committee – sponsoring youth education and scholarships for Jewish Summer Camp and the Israel Experience

Have a great summer and get ready for a fantastic MCA season By Jeff Margolis

he Board of Directors of the Men’s Cultural Alliance would like to thank all of the members, group leaders, and event organizers for making this a most successful season. With over 400 members and growing, the word has gotten out about the scope and vibrancy of our organization. As new potential members move into the community, they are learning about the wide variety of programs and activities that are available to MCA members. If you meet new neighbors and friends, please invite them to join MCA. In addition, if you have any ideas for activity groups, field trips or programs, please contact MCA president Les Nizin at

mcanaples@aol.com or Jeff Zalasky at jzalasky@comcast.net. For those MCA members who like to plan ahead, here are four of the dates and locations for next season’s luncheon programs: November 10 at Olde Cypress Country Club, December 8 at Vineyards Country Club, February 9 at Tiboron, and April 6 at Mediterra. More dates and information will be forthcoming. Please also circle the date for our second Sweetheart Dance to be held on Saturday, February 18, 2017. The Israel Advocacy Committee of Collier County is sponsoring “Celebrate Israel,” a community-wide event to pay tribute to Israel’s culture, people and

innovation. This event, which is free and open to the public, will take place on Sunday, May 15 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Mercato. MCA will be manning a booth at this event. Please plan to come and bring your family and friends. Your MCA dues for next season are due. Please complete and return the membership form located on page 4. For those members who are traveling to their northern residences, we wish you safe travels and a pleasant and healthy summer. We look forward to getting back together in the fall.

A message from Dr. Ed Ezrine, Israel Advocacy Committee Chair

am honored to be chairing the Israel Advocacy Committee and to continue the work that we have done to enhance awareness of Israel and its achievements, political and social issues, and its place in the Middle East and the global community. My interest in Israel affairs was developed when I served on the board of the Zionist Organization of America (later the Baltimore Zionist District) in the 1980s. At that time, it was the largest of the ZOA chapters and we were privileged to sponsor a variety of speakers

both from Israel and the U.S. My first trip to Israel in 1989 was followed by five more, and I was privileged to meet dignitaries from the military, the lay press, and politicians from all sides. I traveled to military bases, hospitals, facilities for troubled and displaced children, and met with families in the north during the war with Lebanon. I am amazed that despite the daily tensions – attacks, political unrest, religious and economic problems, Israel flourishes in medicine, technology, ag-

riculture and literature. It is vital that Americans deepen their understanding of the many facets of this unique democracy. For six years, I have been a full-time resident of Naples with my wife, Karen and dog, Ginger. I practiced pediatric dentistry and orthodontics in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and after “retiring,” became a financial consultant part-time until 2013. Suggestions for speakers, topics and films will be most welcome. Email me at docfinance2004@gmail.com.

Naples BBYO kvell

By Skylar Haas, Assoc. Regional Dir. of BBYO’s North Florida Region

n April 3, North Florida Region #52 BBYO elected its 13th Regional board. Naples BBYO has been the home to a few of these leaders. Negev AZA and Sababa BBG are two BBYO chapters that were founded in Naples about four years ago. The program at its beginning was small, but it was able to help past Regional board members Ben Klausner, Zoe Van Slyke and Taylor Bollt reach their true potential in BBYO. Jason Randall, a junior at Barron Collier High School, has been elected for the high and honorable position of 13th Regional Aleph Godol, or Regional President of North Florida Region BBYO #52. Jason has been an active member of Negev AZA since he was in 8th grade and has attended many BBYO Summer Experiences and numerous International Conventions. He has held many chapter board positions in the past and is well known around the Naples community as a strong advocate for BBYO. From all of these opportunities he has grown into an incredible young leader who is ready to guide NFR in the direction that it needs to be going while continuing to help Naples BBYO reach its highest potential. It doesn’t stop there. Zachary Schiller, a sophomore at The Community School of Naples, has been elected as 13th Regional Aleph Moreh, or VP of Membership and Education of North Florida Region #52. Zach has been an active member of Negev AZA since his freshman year of high school and is currently acting as Chapter Godol, or Chapter President. This is the first time ever that Naples has been the home to two regional board members at one time. Naples BBYO is incredibly proud of these two fine young men and all of the hard work and dedication they have put in to making

To reach the editor of the Federation Star, send an email to fedstar18@gmail.com.

Naples BBYO a home to so many young Alephs and B’nai B’rith Girls in our community. One last thing, congratulations Negev AZA #2560 on winning the North Florida Region Spirit Stick! Ruach! For more information about BBYO in our community, email me at SHaas@bbyo.org, or add us on Facebook @ Naples BBYO.

Winners of the North Florida Region Spirit Stick

e n y a l e

Alephs of the 13th Regional Board of North Florida Region #52: Jason Randall, Jordan Greenberg, Zachary Schiller, Joel Zishuk, Aaron Wladis

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Federation Star May 2016

JEWISH FEDERATION

Community-wide Yom HaShoah Commemoration to be held May 4

his year, our community Yom HaShoah Commemoration will take place on Wednesday, May 4 at 5:00 p.m. at Temple Shalom, 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples. Yom HaShoah is the internationally-recognized date for Holocaust Remembrance Day. May 4 corresponds to the eve of the 27th day of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar, and marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The community-wide commemoration is collaboratively sponsored by the

Jewish Federation of Collier County, the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida, Temple Shalom, Naples Jewish Congregation, Beth Tikvah, Chabad Naples, the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island, and GenShoah SWFL (children of Holocaust survivors). All members of the community are invited to attend this program, which is suitable for anyone above middle-school age. Reservations are not needed. For more information, call the Jewish Federation at 239.263.4205.

Unto Every Person There is a Name Unto every person there is a name Bestowed on him by God And given to him by his parents. Unto every person there is a name Accorded him by his stature and type of smile And style of dress. Unto every person there is a name Conferred by the mountains And the walls which surround him. Unto every person there is a name Granted him by Fortune’s Wheel, Or that which neighbors call him. Unto every person there is a name

Assigned him by his failings Or contributed by his yearnings. Unto every person there is a name Given to him by his enemies Or by his love. Unto every person there is a name Derived from his celebrations And his occupation. Unto every person there is a name Presented him by the seasons And his blindness. Unto every person there is a name Which he receives from the sea And is given to him by his death – Zelda

Jewish Community Relations Committee to bring “Jewish Festival of Learning” to Naples By Betty Schwartz

hat is Limmud? Limmud (the Hebrew word for learning) is a program that originated in the United Kingdom in 1980 as a conference for Jewish educators. Today, organized almost entirely by thousands of volunteers, there are over 80 Limmud groups in 40 countries across the world, dedicated to connecting the Jewish community to their heritage by giving everyone the opportunity to participate in learning sessions. Miami, Atlanta and other cities hold multiple-day sessions,

even camps, in order to share knowledge, with lots of choices, with as many people as possible. The Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of Collier County is pleased to announce that the first “Jewish Festival of Learning” (we are calling it that for now as “Limmud” is trademarked) in Collier County will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2017, at Temple Shalom. Our Jewish community is so fortunate to have so many active, engaged and

intellectually curious residents, that this is a perfect event for our area. There are many talented and knowledgeable people who are willing to share their expertise with others, and we will be happy to have them enrich our minds during this wonderful day. In addition to having many presenters from our own community, a nationally-renowned speaker has been

scheduled to give the keynote address. There will be many volunteer opportunities for this event, so please plan to become involved. Stay tuned for more information, but save the date: Sunday, March 19, 2017. If you have any suggestions, please contact Ida Margolis (genshoahswfl@ icloud.com) or me (bettyofnaples@ gmail.com), co-chairs of this event.

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Heading North? If you’re heading north at the end of the season, we’ll miss you! So let’s stay in touch. Please help us update our files by providing us with your northern address.

Please choose one of the following methods to provide us with the information below:

• call us at 239.263.4205 • email your information to info@jewishnaples.org • complete this form and fax it to 239.263.3813 • complete and mail this form to: Jewish Federation of Collier County 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201 Naples, FL 34109 Thank you!

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JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2016 Federation Star

Survey results to help design next season’s Jewish Book Festival By Ted Epstein

hile feedback during and after the first annual Jewish Book Festival was extremely positive, the festival committee wanted to get written feedback about this year’s program as well as insights into what changes we should make for next season’s festival. A survey was emailed to ticket purschasers and committee members. Here are the results based on 70 responses: How many of the 11 events did you attend? The 70 responders attended 241 events for a 3.4 average.

How well was the Festival/event(s) organized? 73% Outstanding 23 Great 4 Good 0 Fair n 0 Poor e ,

@ @

How would you rate the author selections? 27% Outstanding 55 Excellent 12 Good 6 Fair How would you rate the event venues? 70% Great 30 Good 0 Fair What did you like best about the overall Festival or the events you attended? (choose all that apply) 83% Selection of authors 62 Selection of topics 39 Value 30 Availability of books 26 Social aspect 38 Q&A sessions

Would you attend an event that included a meal and book in the ticket price (example: $39 for breakfast, book and presentation)? 37% Yes 15 No 48 Depends on topic & ticket price Do you prefer morning, afternoon or evening events? (choose all that apply) 50% Morning 75 Afternoon 31 Evening Would you attend an event or two in November or December? 3% November only 14 December only 68 Both November & December 15 Neither

Based on these results and a followup meeting with festival committee members, we will be making a few changes to the format next season. These may include having just one event per week during January and February, previewing the festival with an event in November or December, fewer events and authors, but more events with food. Five randomly-selected survey responders received $20 Publix gift cards. Congratulations to Lea Bendes, Alison Goldbaum, Harriett Kleinman, Charlotte Tarr, Sherry Zailer. Committee members Susan Pittelman, Robin Mintz and I will be attending the Jewish Book Council Network Conference in New York City on May 24-26. We will get to hear another 200+ authors make a two-minute pitch for themselves and their books. Most of next season’s festival presenters will come from this group of authors.

Read the Federation Star on your tablet!

Visit www.issuu.com Enter “Federation Star” in the search box and click on the cover image of the issue you’d like to read. Then simply scroll through the pages. It’s that simple!

Evy Lipp People of the Book Cultural Event Wednesday, February 17, 2016

This event is sold out! If you need to cancel your reservation, please contact Renee’ ASAP at rbialek@jewishnaples.org or 239.263.4205 so we can allow those on the waiting list to attend. If you are attending, please be sure to bring your ticket with you.

Celebrating Jewish Life in Collier County, Israel and the World

A BIG THANK YOU

Federation Star Published by the Jewish Federation of Collier County serving Naples, Marco Island and the surrounding communities

www.JewishNaples.org INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

9A Men’s Cultural Alliance 4A Women’s Cultural Alliance 10A Community Focus 14A Tributes 18A Jewish Interest 23A Business Directory 24A Israel & the Jewish World 27A Commentary 29A Focus on Youth 31A Synagogues 32A Organizations 34A Community Calendar 35A Community Directory 1B Jewish Happenings 6B Jewish Book Festival

February 2016 - Shevat/Adar 5776

Vol. 25 #6

“Shop with a Sheriff”

The Jewish Federation and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office partner to make the holidays brighter for 90 deserving children and their families. By Joel Kessler

member of the Jewish Federation of Collier County who wishes to remain anonymous made a generous $9,000 donation so that children could team up with Collier County deputies and shop for their parents and siblings. The donor’s goal was two-pronged: to help families in need enjoy the season and to give children an opportunity to interact and spend quality time with deputies. Federation President/CEO Jeffrey Feld and Federation Board Chair Alvin Becker were in attendance on Monday, December 14, when 45 Golden Gate

to the many talented, caring and energetic Federation volunteers who donated the precious gift of their time

students shopped with deputies. Each child was given $100 to spend at a local Kmart. The children and deputies then enjoyed snow cones and popcorn at the Golden Gate Community Center where volunteers wrapped the gifts. A simultaneous shopping trip had an additional 45 deserving East Naples students accompanied by deputies who serve the East Naples community. Jeffrey Feld was quoted as saying that the anonymous donor was looking forward to continuing “Shop with a Sheriff” each year during the holiday season as an ongoing program.

4A “Dining Out” – a favorite WCA pastime

6A Major Gifts and Lion of Judah event

At the “Shop with a Sheriff” event at the Kmart in Golden Gate: Joel Kessler, Federation President/CEO Jeffrey Feld, Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, Lt. J.J. Carroll, Stephanie Spell (Chief of Community Engagement Collier County Sheriff’s Office), Federation Board Chair Alvin Becker (photos courtesy Ted Epstein)

Phyllis Seaman to receive Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award 16A 20th Annual Women’s Hanukkah Tea

24A 15 Israeli wearable techs that will disrupt our lives

he Jewish Federation of Collier County is proud to recognize Phyllis Seaman as the first Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award recipient from our community. The award, a prestigious, internationally-recognized honor to a Lion of Judah, is given to a woman who demonstrates the highest ideals of women’s leadership and involvement. The award was established in recognition of Norma Kipnis-Wilson and Toby Friedland (z’l), co-founders of The Jewish Federation of North America’s Lion of Judah Program. Phyllis more than exemplifies the

Jewish Federation of Collier County Inc. 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109

Prsrt Std US Postage Paid Permit #419 Ft Myers FL

spirit of the Lion of Judah, far exceedmany board leadership positions including the recommended criterion considing Vice President. erations for the prestigious During the last 22 years, award. Phyllis has chaired or co-chaired When Phyllis Seaman Jewish Federation of Collier relocated with her husband, County campaign events – the Michael, from New York to annual Community Dinner and Naples in 1992, she started Major Gifts/Lion of Judah – volunteering on social funcmany times and has sat on numerous committees. tions at the Jewish FederaPhyllis was Campaign Chair tion. In 1994, her family went from 2010 to 2014, and started on a Federation community Phyllis Seaman family mission to Israel, which sparked writing a monthly article in the Federaher desire to join the Federation board tion Star to keep donors informed as to and her commitment to Federation in continued on page 2A

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in providing wonderful assistance to the Federation staff this season in the office, at events and programs, and in serving on our committees.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Federation, contact Renee’ Bialek at 239.263.4205 or rbialek@jewishnaples.org.

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Federation Star May 2016

COMMUNITY FOCUS

JFCS Holocaust Survivor Program Dr. Jaclynn Faffer

JFCS President/ CEO

ver the past year and a half, JFCS has been called upon to provide our full-range of core services to 16 Holocaust survivors. The survivors are frail and in desperate need, and are turning to us now for assistance for a variety of reasons. For example, a Holocaust survivor is managing well and then her spouse dies. Her benefits are cut and she can no longer pay for food, health care and/or rent. Or, a Holocaust survivor moves to our area from Boston, New York, Cleveland or New Jersey for warmer weather, to live near a friend, or near family. He or she had been getting home care services through their local JFCS through funding provided by the Conference on Material Claims against Germany, known as the Claims Conference. The survivors move here believing they can access the same services through our

JFCS. However, JFCS of Southwest Florida does not receive funding from the Claims Conference because the numbers of survivors in our community, even if we include Lee and Charlotte counties, are too small. The mission of JFCS is to empower individuals and families by giving them tools to address life’s challenges. Addressing food insecurity, preventing homelessness, and providing a decent quality of life to seniors who have suffered the atrocities of the Holocaust are at the core of our mission. We work with each survivor to make sure they live out their last years with the dignity and with the services they deserve. Our case managers work with the Claims Conference to try and access funds on a case by case basis, but when that fails we turn to generous donors in our community for support. Here are examples of a few of the survivors we proudly serve: Mrs. H. is an 80-year-old woman who is the sole caregiver for her 92-year-old husband, a Holocaust survivor who has early dementia. They were only married for two years when he was diagnosed. His children feel that he is

her responsibility and her children want him placed in a facility. She is socially isolated and emotionally stressed. JFCS arranged for her husband to receive a scholarship so that he could attend one of the JFCS dementia respite groups. Through our emergency financial assistance program, JFCS provides two days of home health care which gives Mrs. H. respite and helps Mr. H. with basic needs. Mrs. H. attends the JFCS caregiver support group on one of the days when she knows her husband is at home with his aide. Mrs. R. is a Holocaust survivor

who lost her husband after being married 55 years. With the sudden death of her husband, also a Holocaust survivor, her income dropped by close to 50%, making meeting her basic needs almost impossible. JFCS helped Mrs. R. obtain food stamps and is helping her with food through the JFCS Food Pantry, bereavement support and recent assistance with an FPL bill. For more information about the JFCS Holocaust Survivor Program and how you might help, please contact me at 239.325.4444 or jfaffer@jfcsswfl. org.

The Naples Jewish Caring Support Group Next meetings: Mondays, May 9 & 23 10:30 a.m. to noon at JFCS, 5025 Castello Road, Naples

Call Donna Levy at 239.325.4444 for more information.

Jewish Genealogy Group Meeting Mix & Mingle – Jewish senior singles update The next meeting of the Jewish Genealogy SIG

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need your RSVP in order to arrange for docents. M&M needs you! Please volunteer to serve on a committee or help chair an event. While it is fun to attend our functions, being a part of the planning is very rewarding. We need you to make Mix and Mingle successful. Right now our steering committee members have been responsible for all of the 2016 activities. Let’s see your name on future projects. Email Judi Palay at judipalay@aol.com to volunteer. What are your thoughts about our next activities? Would you like to take

a boat trip to Useppa Island, or take an electric boat tour at the Conservancy? How about experiencing local history with a visit to an Indian museum or working ranch? The choices are endless…casinos, theaters, museums, glass blowing demonstrations, etc. This is our organization. Let’s work together to enrich our lives as Jewish senior singles. Annual dues of $10 are payable to JFCC. Be sure to send your check to the attention of Renee’ Bialek at the Jewish Federation of Collier County, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Ste. 2201, Naples, FL 34109. We look forward to welcoming you.

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ur group of 80 Jewish senior singles, sponsored by Jewish Federation of Collier County, invites you to enjoy a variety of events with us. Are you AARP age? Jewish? Single? Mix and Mingle offers you an opportunity to join others for fun activities, lectures, events and community service projects. Whether you are a seasonal resident or are here year round, M&M will be planning activities monthly for you throughout the year. For example, in April, Trendy Tours presented a variety of future travel opportunities for our members. They included both preplanned and customized local day-trips, as well as information on longer tours and cruises. Members enjoyed pizza, cold drinks, and just mingling as we learned about the many new sites available. Sunday, May 1 brings a return visit to the Baker Museum for a docent-guided tour of the spectacular exhibit Naples Collects. The exhibit is comprised of 111 works of art collected by Naples residents. Of the 23 exhibitors, 11 are Jewish. We will meet at noon at Café Intermezzo. Bring a brown bag lunch or grab a bite from the café. Your check for $10 payable to JFCC is your reservation. Please mail it to Bill Kaye, 670 Lalique Circle, #104, Naples, FL 34119. Even if you are a museum member, we

Goodlette Road N.

(Shared Interest Group) at the Jewish Federation of Collier County offices (2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201, Naples) is on Tuesday, May 10 at 10:00 a.m. Seating is limited. RSVP to genresearch13@yahoo.com. You will receive an acknowledgement that you have a reservation. Bring a notebook and pen with you to the meeting.

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COMMUNITY FOCUS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & ED CTR OF SWFL

f , , t n

May 2016 Federation Star

www.holocaustmuseumswfl.org / 239-263-9200

Museum update Amy Snyder

Executive Director

e d t

ay is the month we welcome spring flowers and enjoy longer days. It is also the month of remembrance and appreciation when we mark Yom HaShoah, VE and VJ Day, Mother’s Day and, of course, Memorial Day. Some of these are familyoriented days, others patriotic events. However, each is special and invites a range of emotions depending on your circumstances. Some are joyful, some

are somber. We have the opportunity to pause and reflect on those we love, those we’ve lost, and all the things we have to be grateful for in our lives and in this country. We honor the sacrifices made for the good of others during war, as well as the sacrifices made by so many mothers as they raised their families. We invite you to stop by the Museum this month as we display the thoughtful materials created by the students who have participated in our Education programs this school year. You will be amazed at the student creativity along the walls in our classroom. Following their tours, 8th grade students were asked to reflect on what they learned from their visit and what message they would take away and share with others.

The students were then given art materials to create a “badge” which was to contain a positive and uplifting theme. These would stand in stark contrast to the message of the yellow stars worn by Jews in Europe during World War II that the students saw in the Museum. The final products are as individual as the students themselves. Some are quite cheerful, and others reflective. We would like to again thank Elliott Katz and his “Research Assistant,” Sy Stadtmauer, for the incredible job they did this year creating new presentations for the Elliott Katz Lecture Series. The popularity of this series grows bigger each year. More than 100 people were in attendance at each of the six lectures this

Badges created by 8th grade students following a Museum tour

year. We are reaching capacity at the venues available, which is quite a testament to the thirst for information on the Holocaust and related topics. Elliott and Sy, thank you for all your hard work, and we look forward to next year’s topics! Please join us at the Museum this summer as we will present a new exhibit developed in-house. The subject is politically-themed Calypso music from World War II. We have expanded the display materials and associated events from the popular exhibit we presented several years ago on the subject. We promise you a lively and interesting experience!

East Naples Middle School students create badges

Holocaust Week at Florida SouthWestern State College included survivor stories and exhibits By Cindy Campbell

lorida SouthWestern State College (FSW) observed the 20th annual Dr. Talbot Spivak Holocaust Memorial Week, March 21-25, with a series of events. The mission of the Dr. Talbot Spivak Holocaust Memorial Week at FSW is to educate students and the community about the Holocaust, to honor its victims and survivors, to cultivate tolerance, and to promote awareness of modern-day genocide in support of the world’s promise of “Never Again.” In partnership with the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of South-

west Florida, the Holocaust Boxcar was on display for educational tours and will be at the FSW Hendry-Glades Center until May 31. A major feature of Holocaust Memorial Week at FSW continues to be firsthand commentary by Holocaust survivors. Our local community has been blessed to have a number of residents who are Holocaust survivors and are willing to share their personal Holocaust experiences with students and the community. Steen Metz, Eva Sands, Rene Beddouk, Marcel Faschler, Irene Skolnick and Curtis Sittenfeld presented their individual Holocaust survivor stories. Steen also presented his heartrending story to the FSW Collegiate High School students. All of the survivor stories help our students realize how tragic the Holocaust was and to put a face to the victims. Steen Metz, Eva Sands, Marcel Faschler, Renee Beddouk and Rob Nossen participated in a Ida Margolis and Cindy Campbell with a poster of Steen Metz Round Table Lunch where

they were able to talk to students in a more intimate setting to tell their stories. This was a unique opportunity to meet and get to know our local Holocaust survivors. We were able to expand our firsthand accounts to include Fred Balfour, a World War II veteran, who shared his experiences as a WWII soldier, and Van Der Geest, who presented his father’s autobiographical story. Ida Margolis give a talk on the book The Sunﬂower. She also told her mother’s story and how much the tragedy of the Holocaust cost the victims. Other presentations included FSW student Michael Berube II, who spoke about his great grandfather’s experiences as an American soldier in Germany, and FSW student Eduardo Santana, who discussed the Rwandan

Genocide. Dr. Sandi Towers, professor, First Year Experience, spoke about her recent visits to Krakow and AuschwitzBirkenau. Dr. Bruno Baltodano, professor, Political Science, presented the lecture “Pluralistic Innocence in Genocide and Extreme Forms of Violence.” Artwork by renowned Sanibelbased artist Myra Roberts was exhibited. Roberts has created more than 200 Holocaust-related paintings, collages and sculptures. The Holocaust Committee of Florida SouthWestern State College and Co-Chairs JoAnn Lewin, Rona Axelrod and Cindy Campbell thank the Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties, the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida, and GenShoah for all their support.

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Federation Star May 2016

COMMUNITY FOCUS

Why remember the Holocaust? It is a moral challenge Ida Margolis GenShoah President

he United States Congress established the Days of Remembrance as the nation’s annual commemoration of the Holocaust. Each year, state and local governments, military bases, workplaces, schools, religious organizations, and civic centers host observances and remembrance activities for their communities. These events can occur during the Week of Remembrance, which runs from the Sunday before Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) through the following Sunday. Our community is commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day on Wednesday, May 4 at 5:00 p.m. at Temple Shalom, 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples. As the chair of GenShoah SWFL, a group of children of Holocaust survivors and others whose mission includes

promotion of Holocaust education and human rights, people often tell me that they are tired of hearing about the Holocaust, or “Get over the Holocaust already and move on,” or “This is a different time, let’s not make every week Holocaust Week,” and they show me articles that support them. Perhaps this is because as Rev. Dr. Chris Leighton from the Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies has said, the Holocaust is “so mind-boggling that the temptations to forget and to repress, to just put it out of mind, are very real.” Living in the U.S., some people feel we have the luxury of putting the Holocaust out of mind. Certainly, there are so many reasons why we are fortunate to live in the U.S., a democracy where people are entitled to express their own opinion, whatever it may be. However, while many say we should “get over the Holocaust,” so many others feel that now, more than ever, it is important to remember the Holocaust. Sara Bloomfield, Director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, has stated that the important thing to understand about the cataclysmic

event known as the Holocaust is that it “happened in the heart of Europe. Germany was respected around the world and was a very civilized, advanced country. It was a young democracy, but it was a democracy. And yet it descended not only into social collapse but world war and eventually mass murder.” Memory is what shapes us. Memory is what teaches us. We must understand that’s where our redemption is. Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig of the Washington Hebrew Congregation said that the “Days of Remembrance is an opportunity for us to remember the suffering that was and the efforts that were made to put an end to such suffering, and it’s a call to conscience today in our world to make sure that we aren’t the silent ones standing by, contributing to the suffering of others.” According to Genocide Prevention Educator Bridget Conley-Zilkic, we can honor those who suffered and died in the Holocaust by not being silent. Remembering ties the past and the present together. This relates to a Holocaust survivor’s admonition that one should never become indifferent to

the suffering of others, that one should not stand by and say, “There’s nothing I can do, I’m just one person,” because what everyone of us does matters. When we remember the Holocaust, and the millions of Jewish victims and non-Jewish victims, we should also remember the rescuers who risked their lives and the American soldiers and liberators. Sara Bloomfield along with many Holocaust survivors, including my own mother, have said that it is a moral challenge to do more in our own lives when we confront injustice or hatred or genocide, and that on the Day of Remembrance the most important thing is to remember the humanity that is in all of us to leave the world better for our children and for posterity. Please consider attending the community Yom HaShoah commemoration and watch for announcements of future GenShoah programs. Information about GenShoah meetings and events are now emailed in a monthly newsletter. For information or to receive the newsletter, email genshoahswfl@icloud.com or call me at 239.963.9347.

FGCU conference looks back at Berlin Olympics By Jeff Margolis

he 1936 Summer Olympic Games held in Berlin, Germany, have come to be known as the “Nazi Games.” These were the first games with Hitler in complete control in Germany and he wanted to showcase both his country’s might as well as his “Aryan Athletes.” These were the games of the well-known Jesse Owens, and of lesser-known Jewish athlete Marty Glickman, who was not permitted to race, which provided a distinct contrast

of racism and bigotry among the participating nations. Since World War II broke out three years later, these were to be the last Olympics until 1948. Dr. Paul Bartrop, Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University, assembled an international panel of scholars to take an in-depth look at the significance of these games, the undercurrent of themes and the aftermath. Ms. Elizabeth Snyder, a graduate student at FGCU, presented a

MARGOT ESCOTT

COMPASSIONATE COUNSELING

paper about the financing of the Games. From her research, Ms. Snyder suggested that the International Olympic Committee was encouraged to award the games to Germany to help them out of the economic depression and hyperinflation that engulfed the country at that time. Two other presentations were quite unique. Dr. Emanuel Hubner, from the University of Muenster in Germany, provided original research about how the local populace viewed the Games. Huebner acquired over 2,000 amateur photos on eBay and used them as part of his doctoral dissertation. Huber had them made into a poster exhibit providing the viewer a look at the Games from the ground, rather than the photojournalistic heights of Leni Riefenstahl. Hubner also built a cutout replica of the Olympic Village, pointing out the vari-

three projects that were to create “Counter-Olympic” Festivals in 1936 for those who chose for political or religious reasons not to go to Berlin. One such festival, “The World Labor Athletic Carnival,” was held on Randall’s Island in New York and was sponsored in part by a Jewish labor organization. A second festival, to be held in Barcelona, Spain,

Family on their way to the 1936 Olympic Games

1936 NYC World Labor Athletic Carnival poster

In practice in Naples for 30 years specializing in mood disorders, addictions, co-dependency and anxiety.

ous venues and how a good part of the village became military barracks both during and after the games. Dr. Hubner was also able to acquire an Agfa box camera used to take many of the photos in his exhibit. Dr. Kevin Witherspoon explored

never took place since the Spanish Civil War broke out on the day the Games were supposed to begin. The disappointed American team headed back to the U.S. without ever having a chance to compete. Dr. Bartrop gave an impassioned presentation about the 1972 Munich Games entitled “36x2: The Munich Games of 1972 in the Shadow of Berlin,” and the murder of 11 Israeli athletes by Palestinian terrorists. As a teenager growing up in Australia, Bartrop noted “Not THESE Games, not in this country!” Look for other presentations in our area next season to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Berlin Games.

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Send your letters and comments to fedstar18@gmail.com Include your name, full address and daytime phone. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. We reserve the right to edit for length and/or accuracy. Letters do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the Jewish Federation of Collier County, the Federation Star or its advertisers. We cannot acknowledge or publish every letter received.

May 2016 Federation Star

COMMUNITY FOCUS

Temple Shalom events open to the community For more information on these events, call 239.455.3030. Torah Talk Join us the first Shabbat morning of the month for a volunteer-led discussion of the week’s Torah portion. On May 7 the portion is Acharei Mot. There will be a light breakfast at 8:15 a.m. with discussion to follow at 8:30 a.m. There is no charge and all are welcome. *** The Congregation of Temple Shalom cordially invites you to attend a service of Confirmation for the Year 5776 when our tenth grade children will confirm their commitment to the faith and heritage of the Jewish people. Join us on Friday, May 27 at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome. *** Camp Shalom & Camp Einstein at Temple Shalom Preschool On Monday, June 6, fabulous summer fun officially begins at both Camp Shalom and Camp Einstein. Camp Shalom

BROWNSTEIN JUDAICA GIFT SHOP AT JCMI Looking for the perfect gift? Choose from our many items: Mezuzahs Menorahs Travel bags Jewelry Gifts for pets Novelty aprons Designer Hand Bags Silk and Handmade Kippot Mah Jongg Jewelry, Cards & Supplies

991 Winterberry Drive Marco Island (239) 642-0800 Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:30 - 1:30 Friday Evening: Before & After Shabbat Service

is a fun-filled 7-week summer camp program for children ages 2-4. Camp Einstein is an outstanding academic camp for children ages 5-8. Both programs have been developed with children’s needs and interests in mind, offering a welcoming place for little ones to come and enjoy the hot Naples summer. There’s something to peak everyone’s interest. Campers participate in water play, dancing, science, arts and crafts, performing arts, foreign language and music. Returning campers look forward to exciting experiences, and new campers will be surprised by the treat in store for them. Each week of camp introduces a new theme. Camp hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with flexible early pick-up times and daily drop-off programs. Sign up soon. Space is limited. We don’t want anybody to miss out on these amazing summer programs! Call 239.455.3227.

*** The Temple Shalom Judaica shop is open for business. The End of Year sale runs May 1-22. All holiday-related merchandise will be 30% off. All other items in stock will be 20% off. Some items are 50% off! From May 23 until September, the shop will only open by

appointment. The Judaica Shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:15 p.m. (when Religious School is in session), and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (when Sunday School is in session).

Live theater at the Federation ofﬁce

ollier County Repertory Theatre (www.ccrtfl.com) is pleased to present a live performance on Wednesday, June 29 at 2:30 p.m. in the David G. Willens Community Room at the Jewish Federation of Collier County. The name of the selected play will be listed in upcoming Federation eblasts. Tickets to the performance are $35.

Ticket purchases may be made by calling Collier County Repertory Theatre at 239.231.3741. If you reach voice mail, please leave your name and phone number. You may also reserve your tickets by emailing rbialek@jewish naples.org. A portion of the proceeds from the performance will benefit the Jewish Federation of Collier County.

Temple Shalom Si sterhood Ju dai ca Shop Year End Sale Sunday, May 1st through Sunday, May 22nd LAST DAY SHOP IS OPEN UNTIL SEPTEMBER EXCEPT BY APPOINTMENT

30% off all holiday merchandise 20% off all other items in stock Some items 50% off! Store hours: Sundays 9:30AM to 12:15PM Tuesday - Friday 10:00AM to 12:30PM Wednesday , May 6th 4:00PM to 6:00PM Sunday & Wednesday hours when Religious School is in session

Sign up for The PJ Library and you’ll receive a FREE, high-quality children’s book or CD each month. The PJ Library will enrich your family’s life with Jewish stories and songs – and it’s absolutely FREE for families with children from six months up to eight years of age in Collier County.

The PJ Library is brought to the Collier County community by JFCS of Southwest Florida. For more information, call 239.325.4444.

Photo courtesy of The PJ Library

Federation Star May 2016

JEWISH INTEREST

Stars of David

By Nate Bloom, Contributing Columnist Editor’s note: Persons in BOLD CAPS are deemed by Nate Bloom to be Jewish for the purpose of the column. Persons identified as Jewish have at least one Jewish parent and were not raised in a faith other than Judaism – and don’t identify with a faith other than Judaism as an adult. Converts to Judaism, of course, are also identified as Jewish. Inside Stuff on Amy Schumer Here’s an interesting sidelight about AMY SCHUMER, 34, who has become a major cultural figure in the last year. Recently, a friend referred to me a July 2015 article on the Religion News Service website: “Confessions of Amy Schumer’s Childhood Rabbi.” The author is Rabbi JEFFREY SALKIN. From 1988-1995, he was the rabbi of a Long Island Reform synagogue that Amy and her family belonged to. He presided over Amy’s bat mitzvah, as well as the bar mitzvah of her older half-brother, JASON STEIN (Amy’s mother, SANDY, was divorced from Jason’s father when Jason was quite young). The rabbi recalled liking the whole family very much, including Amy’s father, GORDON SCHUMER. As for Amy, he says: “I remember [her] as a sweet, funny kid, who often asked probing and humorous questions in religious school.” About Sandy Schumer, the rabbi writes: “[Sandy] was on the temple board, and chaired the education committee.” My friend and I were a little confused by this statement. He’s a family history expert and he traced Amy’s mother’s family and found no Jewish ancestry. Amy has at least once referred to herself as “half Jewish” (more on that below). I know that some Reform temples have non-Jews on their board, but it is still pretty rare – and wouldn’t chair of the education committee be an “odd fit” for a non-Jew? Well, I wrote the rabbi, who now serves a Hollywood, Florida, temple as a senior rabbi, and asked the awkward questions:

“Is Sandy Schumer a Jew-by-Choice?” – and, if not, “I think it is worth telling my readers that non-Jews do serve on temple boards (many of my readers, I know, don’t know this).” The rabbi replied in one sentence: “Sandy Schumer is Jewish.” I guess you can see where I’m going – it’s apparent that Amy’s mother is a Jew-by-Choice and those bios that describe Amy as “half” have to be re-written. As for Amy describing herself as “half Jewish,” well, it was in the context of a jocular exchange in which that comment made “comic sense.” (Amy Schumer’s Comedy Central series, Inside Amy, began its fourth season on April 21.) The End of an Idol and Shalom, Garry Shandling Well, the once powerhouse Fox talent show ended on April 7. Entertainment Weekly interviewed some show biggies and here’s part of what former judge PAULA ABDUL, 53, and contestant ADAM LAMBERT, 34, had to say. Abdul: “[When the show started] I felt terrible for these kids. There were these brilliantly delusional ones, but there were these total standouts…I take a lot of pride in the fact that there were legitimate groundbreaking careers that launched from it.” Lambert says: “After I completed the first auditions…I had to quit my job in order to move on. That was my income, my health insurance. It was a big risk. So when it came to go out in front of the [main] judges, I thought ‘If this doesn’t work, you’re screwed.’…The show came along right after the country needed some hope – right after 9/11. It was inspiring for

Interested in Your Family’s History? Ten years of doing a Jewish celebrities column has turned Nate Bloom (see column at left) into something of an expert on finding basic family history records and articles mentioning a “searched-for” person. During these 10 years, he has put together a small team of “mavens” who aid his research. Most professional family history experts charge at least $1,000 for a full family tree. However, many people just want to get “started” by tracing one particular family branch.

So here’s the deal:

Send Nate an email at nteibloom@aol.com, tell him you saw this ad in the Federation Star, and include your phone number (area code, too). Nate will then contact you about doing a “limited” family history for you at a modest cost (no more than $100). No upfront payment. people to come together and root for the underdog.” I can’t add much to the coverage of GARRY SHANDLING’s death on March 24, at age 66. I can urge you to watch the January 16, 2016, episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, which was eerily entitled, “It’s Great That Garry Shandling Is Still Alive.” I watched it when it first aired, and I found the episode funny, touching and very Jewish. I viewed it again the day Shandling died, and it is now a remarkably intimate (if sometimes sad) tribute to Shandling’s life. Shandling and host JERRY SEINFELD, 62, discussed their parallel careers and visited many of their old haunts, like a famous comedy club. I won’t spoil the Jewish moments by reciting them here. The series is on Crackle, which is a free website (but you must register). Crackle can

also be accessed free on Roku and other streaming devices. The Tribe on the Diamond The new baseball season has begun and here are the Jewish players on a major league team roster as of opening day: RYAN BRAUN, 31, outfielder, Milwaukee; CRAIG BRESLOW, 35, relief pitcher, Miami; SCOTT FELDMAN, 33, pitcher, Houston; NATE FREIMAN, 29, first baseman, Washington; SAM FULD, 34, outfielder, Oakland; IAN KINSLER, 33, infielder, Detroit; JOC PEDERSON, 23, outfielder, Los Angeles; KEVIN PILLAR, 27, outfielder, Toronto; DANNY VALENCIA, 31, outfielder, Oakland. Danny, a Miami native, who had a bar mitzvah, is the son of an American Jewish mother and a Cuban father who became Jewish, too.

Stay connected at www.jewishnaples.org

Celebrate the

BEST OF ALL WORLDS!

April 25 – May 8, 2016 Maestro William Noll, Artistic Director

Join us for the 5th Annual ArtsNaples World Festival! The Festival wants to express its appreciation to the Jewish Federation for the successful partnership that brought the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra to Naples. 2016 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS Tchaikovsky Violin & Piano Concertos with the Festival Orchestra featuring Philipp Kopachevsky and Nadir Khashimov The 2 pm afternoon concert series featuring virtuoso works for piano, violin, lyric soprano and string trios & quartets A Big Band evening at the Naples Zoo Latin Jazz with the Cuban Virtuoso, Nachito Herrera

To purchase tickets please visit www.StayInMay.com or call 239.390.2788 A R T O RC H E S T R A C I N E M A C U L I N A RY DA N C E O P E R A FA S H I O N T H E AT E R C H A M B E R M U S I C

May 2016 Federation Star

JEWISH INTEREST

Where they ﬁrst burn books… By Paul R. Bartrop, PhD

n May 10, 1933, in an event that took place 83 years ago this month, a phenomenon unseen since the Middle Ages took place in the heart of Berlin, when students from the National Socialist German Students’ League, the SA, the SS and the Hitler Youth, in the presence of Propaganda Minister Joseph GoebDr. Paul Bartrop bels, burned around 25,000 books which they considered to be “un-German.” Some 40,000 people had gathered prior to the burning, as Goebbels made an inflammatory speech to the youth of Germany in which he declared: “The era of extreme Jewish intellectualism is now at an end. ... The future German man will not just be a man of books, but a man of character. It is to this end that we want to educate you. … And thus you do well in this midnight hour to commit to the flames the evil spirit of the past. … Here the intellectual foundation of the [Democratic] Republic is sinking to the ground, but from this wreckage the phoenix of a new spirit will triumphantly rise.” He continued: “No to decadence and moral corruption! Yes to decency and morality in family and state! I consign to the flames the writings of Heinrich Mann, Ernst Gläser, Erich Kästner.” This latter writer, Erich Kästner, was present among the crowd. The speech, and the book burnings which followed, were accompanied by the singing of Nazi songs and anthems as well as an abundant use of the Nazi salute. Berlin radio broadcast the occasion triumphantly to listeners throughout Germany live as it happened. On that awful night, books of all kinds were publicly and symbolically burned. German-language authors, re-

gardless of whether they were from Germany or not, included Walter Benjamin, Ernst Bloch, Bertolt Brecht, Friedrich Engels, Lion Feuchtwanger, Sigmund Freud, George Grosz, Jaroslav Hašek, Franz Kafka, Erich Kästner, Egon Kisch, Karl Kraus, Theodor Lessing, Karl Liebknecht, Georg Lukács, Rosa Luxemburg, Heinrich Mann, Thomas Mann, Karl Marx, Carl von Ossietzky, Erwin Piscator, Erich Maria Remarque, Joseph Roth, Nelly Sachs, Anna Seghers, Arthur Schnitzler, Ernst Toller, Kurt Tucholsky, Jakob Wassermann, Franz Werfel, Arnold Zweig and Stefan Zweig. Foreign writers were not exempt. These included Victor Hugo, André Gide, Romain Rolland and Henri Barbusse (France); Joseph Conrad, D.H. Lawrence, H.G. Wells and Aldous Huxley (Britain); James Joyce (Ireland); Ernest Hemingway, John Dos Passos, Jack London and Helen Keller (United States); and Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Maxim Gorki, Isaac Babel, Vladimir Lenin, Vladimir Nabokov, Leo Tolstoy and Leon Trotsky (Russia). The works consigned to the flames included those of pacifists, liberals, socialists, communists and anarchists; those whose writings were viewed as subversive or somehow opposed to Nazism; those considered to be traitors; all historical writing deemed as disparaging to the spirit and culture of the German Volk, or antithetical to Aryan racial ideals; writings which praised so-called “degenerate art;” works relating to sexuality and sexual education opposite to the principles of Nazi racial ideas; literature by Jewish authors, regardless of the field; and many other areas to which the Nazis were opposed. The book burnings were the culmination of a series of events that had begun a few days earlier on May 6, when students began gathering books and dragging them into the square for

a purpose still yet to be established. Even then, however, it was clear that the intention was to purge local places of learning of works deemed to be unacceptable to the new Nazi regime, installed only a little over three months earlier. The location of the book burnings was a square in the heart of Berlin, first known as Opera House Square (Platz am Opernhaus or, colloquially, Opernplatz). On August 12, 1910, it was named Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Platz in honor of Emperor Francis Joseph I of Austria. After the war, on August 31, 1947, the square was given the name it has to this day, Bebelplatz, in honor of August Bebel, one of the founders of Germany’s Social Democratic Party. Situated on the south side of the majestic Unter den Linden, it is bounded to the east by the State Opera building, to the west by Humboldt University, and to the southeast by St. Hedwig’s Cathedral. The large square is dominated on one side by the library of Humboldt’s Law School. May 10 in Berlin was just the beginning of a spate of book burnings that took place in many German university cities over succeeding weeks. In 34 university towns across Germany the movement to purge those whose writings opposed “the German Spirit” took place with the seeming consent (or at least, acquiescence) of those observing. Nationalist and Nazi-inspired students marched in torch-lit parades

throughout Germany, enjoining their professors and student leaders to address the crowds. Some professors, from what were the finest universities in the world, were incapable of joining in. Many were dismissed; some took their own lives in despair at what Germany had become. The works of those whose books had been burned were from this point on no longer permitted in university curricula or on the shelves of libraries. It is sobering to reflect on that terrible night. We have a reminder of it still, in the very square where the events of May 10, 1933, took place. A memorial in Bebelplatz, consisting of a glass plate set into the cobblestones, opens onto a hollow in the ground showing row after row of empty bookshelves. At the site is an engraving of words from Heinrich Heine’s 1821 play Almansor. Here, he wrote a much-quoted line: “Das war ein Vorspiel nur, dort wo man Bücher verbrennt, verbrennt man auch am Ende Menschen” (“That was but a prelude; where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people as well”). Heine’s works were also among those burned by the Nazis 83 years ago this month. Dr. Paul Bartrop is Professor of History and the Director of the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. He can be reached at pbartrop@fgcu.edu.

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Federation Star May 2016

Tributes

Tributes to the Jewish Federation Campaign To:

Family of Judy Rosenthal In memory of Judy From: Maxine & Harvey Brenner

Tributes require a minimum donation of $18.

To:

Peter Klein In honor of your birthday From: Pauline & Murray Hendel Nancy Kaplan To:

To:

Nancy & Hank Greenberg In honor of grandson’s Bar Mitzvah From: Phyllis & Steve Strome To:

David Fisher In honor of your special birthday From: Linda & Jordan Derby Gracia Kuller Marcy & Jerry Sobelman Pauline & Murray Hendel Nancy Kaplan Eleanor & Walter Angoff To:

Roslyn Schneider In memory of Bernard Schneider From: Ari Schneider To:

JEWISH INTEREST

Randi, Pat, Bibi Barrett, Becky In honor of B’nai Mitzvah From: Linda Rossman & Florence Hertzman

Susie & Ron Goldsmith In appreciation of your friendship and warm hospitality From: Rosalee & Jerry Bogo To:

Paulette Margulies In appreciation for WCA Spanish teachings From: Evelyn & Larry Hecht

To:

Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Dezen In honor of the birth of your great grandson, Lev From: Gracia Kuller Nancy Kaplan

Tributes to WCA To:

Elaine Soffer In appreciation for your wonderful leadership of WCA From: The WCA Board of Directors

The Jewish Federation of Collier County extends condolences to: • Iris Sissler on the passing of her mother, Martha Holm • Ron & Arlene Klein on the passing of Ron’s sister, Vivian Fitts

To place a Tribute in the Federation Star in honor or memory of someone, please contact Julie Hartline at the Federation office at 239.263.4205 or jhartline@jewishnaples.org. Tributes require a minimum donation of $18. A note will be sent to the person you are honoring. Tributes help further the work of the Jewish Federation of Collier County.

Two recent books provide valuable perspectives on the Holocaust and its representation Book review by Philip K. Jason, Special to the Federation Star

Holocaust Icons: Symbolizing the Shoah in History and Memory, by Oren Baruch Stier. Rutgers University Press. 239 pages. $29.95 Stolen Words: The Nazi Plunder of Jewish Books, by Mark Glickman. The Jewish Publication Society. 312 pages. $29.95

ow are individual and collective memory and understanding of a significant historical event shaped, especially for those who have no firsthand experience of the event? Professor Oren Baruch Stier explains how memorialization depends significantly upon icons, charged symbols that capture and Phil Jason express formative meanings, judgements and even emotions. Stier begins his study with erudite definitions of his key term and a patient explanation of his methodology. Building upon the work of previous scholars, he reaches across disciplines to analyze four highly distinctive icons of the Holocaust. These items, like other icons, do the work of “simplifying, condensing and distilling... [Holocaust] narratives and producing meanings for cultural consumption.” Railway cars of the Holocaust period, especially those that resemble the specific vehicles that brought people to their deaths, may be thought of as “arti-

fact” or “relic” icons. They are authentic either historically or by association. Stier compares and contrasts the ways in which these material icons are used in the displays and strategies of various Holocaust museums, explaining how they compress and release a part of the Holocaust ur-narrative. Stier’s other selections mix materiality with other expressive dimensions. He explores the phrase “Arbeit Macht Frei,” found as signage on the gates of several concentration, work and death camps, though his main focus is Auschwitz. Stier elaborates upon how the phrase and its placement play off the stereotype of Jews as people who don’t value work. The invitation to become workers that they are ostensibly accepting will lead (with a sick irony) to their freedom. The icon’s history has turned it into an invitation to annihilation. The author treats Anne Frank as both a literary and a visual icon. His overview of the various states and editions of Frank’s diary shows how the icon has gone through a series of shadings and shapings, slowly becoming Americanized and then universalized through the successful drama and film based upon it. Stier considers the way

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in which Frank’s diary has become a sort of sacred Holocaust test. He explores as well the impact of the familiar and less familiar photographs of Anne Frank with equal rigor and creativity. The final Holocaust icon that Stier discusses at length is the number “six million.” He reviews the historical basis for this powerful iconic figure and its legitimatization, through use in judicial proceedings and other institutional settings, as the grand signifier of “Nazi destruction of European Jewry.” Stier is in top form as he distinguishes between “six million” and “the six million,” the latter formulation an intensifier of the icon’s significance. Though a bit jargon-heavy, Stier’s work is stimulating in its erudition, especially its critical eclecticism.

hough written in a more playful style than one might expect, Mark Glickman’s study is important for locating in one place a sufficiently thorough and eminently readable treatment of its subject. Glickman begins by setting his immediate subject into a few larger ones. These include the long association of Jewish culture and civilization with the written word, which stresses the primacy of scribed and printed text in shaping Jewish life and identity. The suggestion is that no other people would be as damaged as the Jewish people through the destruction of its literature, both sacred and profane. Another important context developed by the author is the Nazi plundering of the larger category: all Jewish cultural production, notably including artworks. The annihilation of the Jewish people, under Hitler, required as well the disappearance or appropriation of its creative expression. Glickman also provides a history of Jewish books and religious scrolls: their making over the centuries of

changing materials and technologies, their methods of ownership and distribution, their privileged place in the transmission of peoplehood. The heart of the book, of course, is the holocaust within The Holocaust. Rabbi Glickman traces the transition from destroying Jewish books to hoarding and hiding them. The raiding of homes, libraries and Jewish institutions in general led to a dispersed accumulation of enormous numbers. However, even before the war was over, the effort to rescue and reclaim was underway. Jewish leaders recognized the need to rescue and rehouse the treasure of the Jewish mind, spirit and history. Perhaps the most interesting material in Stolen Words has to do with the role of U. S. military forces and of specially established institutions for the rescue, repatriation and allotment of Jewish books as part of rebuilding Jewish community life after WWII. There are several heroes of this effort whose contributions Glickman treats in detail. These include Army Captains Seymour Pomrenze and Isaac Bencowitz; Salo Maron, who oversaw the system-building that would “determine the fate of millions of Europe’s Jewish cultural treasures,” including books; and such instrumental figures as Judah Leon Magnes, Cecil Roth and Hannah Arendt. Rabbi Mark Glickman’s vivid and meticulous presentation of these efforts, instrumental to cultural continuity in what he calls the “New Jewish Landscape,” will be a revelation to most readers. This book is a must-read for every Jewish library and every university library as well. This article is a modiﬁed version of reviews that were originally published on the Jewish Book Council website. They are reprinted with permission. You can ﬁnd them by searching the website at http://www.jewishbookcouncil.org. Philip K. Jason is Professor Emeritus of English from the United States Naval Academy. He reviews regularly for Florida Weekly, Jewish Book World, Southern Literary Review, and other publications. Please visit Phil’s website at www.philjason.wordpress.com.

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May 2016 Federation Star

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Federation Star May 2016

JEWISH INTEREST

Jewish life on the Berkeley campus 2016 By Goldie Wetcher

hat is going on at American campuses and how are our Jewish youngsters dealing with what appears to be a surge in antiSemitism, radical leftist professors, and the harassment from the BDS movement? Are they in danger of becoming disengaged from our Jewish heritage, values, and the support of the Jewish homeland, Israel, that we proudly watched emerge as a nation in our generation? My husband, Ken, and I recently visited our two oldest grandchildren, Aliza Jane, a sophomore, and her brother, Sean, a freshman, who both attend the University of California at Berkeley. While we were pleased that they were accepted to this outstanding institution, we were also concerned for their Jewish identity. We remembered Berkeley from

the era of student demonstrations, the Free Speech movement of the 1960s. We knew that the university maintains a reputation for student activism, and this past Fall we read about a BDS rally on campus. While we wanted to check out the campus, our main objective was to enjoy being with our grandchildren at this milestone in their lives, attend their classes, tour the campus and eat at some of the spectacular restaurants in the area like Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse. In retrospect, our most memorable meal was at the Hillel Foundation, where we helped our grandchildren and their colleagues prepare the Wednesday night kosher barbecue at the Hillel. Sean and his friend, Jordan Rosenbloom, with Ken’s assistance prepared over fifty pounds of chicken, multiple hamburgers, veggie burgers, and hot dogs for

Susan Miller: Testament in Stone

On View Through September 11, 2016

Susan Miller “sees” through stone. She has the ability to perceive and reveal, through the density of weighty blocks of marble, a form that communicates human dignity and energy. Miller’s sculptures express her spirit and the beauty of the human body. The subjects of the pieces are connected to names from history, mythology and the Old Testament. Biblical passages, poetry, and prose accompany the works.

Susan Miller, Leah Rejected, 20 x 15 x14”

Cinema Judaica: The Epic Cycle (1947-1971) On View Through October 23, 2016

Hollywood films in the three decades after WWII portrayed 4,000 years of Jewish historical identity and, in some of the biggest box office hits of all times, transformed the image of the Jew from embattled to triumphant. Flamboyant posters and bold advertising materials for films are featured in this blockbuster exhibition. Sins of Jezebel (1953), 16 x 38”

Exhibition sponsored by the Robert Arthur Segall Foundation. On loan from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Curated by Laura Kruger.

to present them with alternative views. over one hundred and fifty hungry students. They accomplished this despite There were no anti-Israel tables that day. a sudden rain storm. In the kitchen, the When looking at the Berkeley camladies made salads, couscous, roasted pus it is important to consider its huge cauliflower, and desserts. The hungry size, diversity and immense opportunistudents devoured the food while they visited, listened to the rabbi and made plans for future events at Hillel. Ken and I enjoyed the upbeat atmosphere and being with the students. That night we met some of the nine members of the Hillel staff, Executive Director Rabbi Adam Naftalin-Kelman, and Assistant Director Lauren Schuchart, and I later spoke to Development Director Dalia Shapiro, who filled me in on the multiple Sean McHugh, Ken Wetcher, Aliza Jane McHugh, Jason Rosenbloom activities that Hillel provides for the ties. The campus spans 1,232 acres and more than 3,000 Jewish students on the 2015 freshman class alone with a campus. Dalia noted that their records 16.9% admission rate registers 13,332 indicated that over 1,200 Jewish stuincoming students. The students in that dents participated in activities this year. class are 3.3% black, 38.9% Asian, 26.6% non-Hispanic white, 13.5% HisIn addition to the weekly barbecue, panic, 0.7% Native American, 13.5% Hillel sponsors regular Friday night International and 3.5% other. Berkeley Shabbat dinners and the Berkeley Hilwas the first University in the California lel Fellowships which they describe system, founded in 1868. Interestingly, as “some of the richest educational Hillel is the second oldest affiliate on opportunities at Hillel. They are microcampus, now in its 90th year, and its communities within the larger Hillel House dates from the 1940s. community and provide the opportuSo what do our grandchildren say nity for students to learn in a smaller about Berkeley and the Jewish comcohort of their peers. The fellowships munity on campus? Sean writes, “I think cover a variety of focus areas and each Hillel is an extremely important Jewish fellowship provides professional develorganization because it truly brings Jewopment training including community ish students together in a community organizing, Jewish text learning and building. It gives students a feeling volunteering.” of home and cultural heritage that we Back to student activism and the could be missing while we are away BDS demonstration, I spoke to Lauren from our families. I have to add that about the subjects of anti-Semitism and the free kosher food provided for our BDS on campus, and learned that she community meals allows for a special warm atmosphere and the opportunity to build friendships.” Aliza says, “I enjoy being at Berkeley and in particular the Jewish community that Hillel offers. Someone is always there to answer your questions, help you plan a program, or give you food. It is a warm, welcoming place and I am proud and thankful to be part of it.” Back to the concerns about the welfare of our collective grandchildren, we felt reassured by our campus visit. Certainly it is essential to maintain awareness of the current problem of growing anti-Semitism and to persuade legislators to enact laws against it. The University of California system recently Rabbi Adam Naftalin-Kelman declared that “anti-Semitism and antiSemitic forms of anti-Zionism have no attended the Fall demonstration. Acplace in the University of California.” cording to Lauren, the media exaggerIt is equally as important to support ated its impact. Rabbi Naftalin-Kelman Hillel and other Jewish organizations described it “as no more than an episode that support our Jewish students on camwhich does not represent what is happus. The Jewish Federation of Collier pening in Jewish life on campus.” Country participates in this. Every year Ken and I later toured the campus almost 100,000 Jewish freshmen enter with prospective students and their famcolleges all over the country. They are ilies. We passed the Peace Movement exposed to so many opportunities and Cafe dedicated to the 1964 student demcultural diversity as part of college life. onstrations and returned later to read Feeling grounded in their own Jewish the newspapers from all over the world identity and heritage helps students to outside the Cafe including Haaretz. Innavigate this new landscape with more side the modern student gathering place filled with students, we heard little more comfort. than clicking computer keys and soft voices. We visited some of the student advocates on Sproul Plaza, one of the main entrances to the campus, including the students at the Tikvah table to ask about their experience with people who stop by to talk. They said people who stopped at their table offered both positive and negative views of Israel. Those who express negative views toward Israel and Israeli products give them a chance Goldie Wetcher (at right) on the Berkeley campus

May 2016 Federation Star

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Federation Star May 2016

JEWISH INTEREST

Soaring on wings of song… Jerusalem Post Crossword Puzzle the art of the cantor “Tribal Men” By Yoni Glatt

Difficulty Level: Manageable

By Arlene Stolnitz

he role of the hazzan, an ever expanding one, encompasses a wide range of duties. As the “Shaliach Tzibbur,” the representative of the congregation in prayer to God, the hazzan has the rather daunting task of balancing the demands of tradition with the needs of the community. Perhaps one of the most poignant moments Arlene Stolnitz for a hazzan is Kol Nidre. In the chanting of Hineni, the hazzan is able to interpret the prayer in his or her own personal, creative and poetic manner. From earliest times, Hazzanut represented the focal place in the spiritual life of our people. An integral part of our heritage, it was the creative force that gave strength and substance to Jewish survival. It was the cantors who, with their divine song, maintained the hope and faith of the Jewish people during their most bitter and dark days by singing of the Messianic era. In the early Israelite religion, musicians and singers from the tribe of Levi were part of the sacrificial ritual accompanied by instruments including the lyre, harp and cymbals. With the destruction of the Second Temple, a ban on instrumental and vocal music was instituted as a sign of national mourning. The word “hazzan” means overseer or director. In the Temple, the hazzan had charge of the Temple utensils, aided the priests in disrobing, brought out the rolls of the Torah, opened them to the appointed readings and put them away, and announced the Shabbat and Holy Days with trumpet blasts from the roof of the synagogue. It was his duty to read from the Torah and teach the children. In Rabbinic times (first century BCE to the end of the Talmudic period in the 6th century), many people were unfamiliar with the prayers. In public worship, any member of the congregation well-versed with the liturgy could recite the prayers aloud with the congregation responding “Amen,” as if they themselves had said the prayers. Often it was someone who had special musical abilities. After the advent of prayer books, the practice was continued as we know it today with prayers being recited by the congregation and cantor or reader. Throughout the centuries, cantors often had other roles in addition to prayer services. They performed as shohets (ritual slaughterers), mohels (performer of circumcisions), teachers and government officials. In ancient times, cantors were required to have a “spotless” reputation, living a life free of any moral reproach. A cantor was required to be “married, with a pleasing appearance, and a flowing beard.” Today, in more traditional synagogues, credentials with a degree in sacred music are required. The role of cantor in non-Orthodox Judaism in modern times includes

A Q

women. Erika Lippitz, cantor at Congregation Ohab Shalom in South Orange, New Jersey, was trained at the Jewish Theological Seminary and received her ordination in 1987. She is one of the first female cantors in Conservative Judaism. In Sarasota, Hazzan Diane Nathanson was the first female cantor on Florida’s West Coast. She served as hazzan at Temple Beth Sholom for 27 years. As of 2011, Hebrew Union College had ordained 208 women cantors in the Reform Movement. Phyllis Stoltz of Venice served as cantor at the Jewish Congregation of Venice for many years. Presently, Cantor Marci Vitkus officiates at the JCV as cantor. She and her father, Cantor Joel Reznick, hazzan in N.W. Suburban Jewish Congregation in Morton Grove, Illinois, before coming to Florida, often work together at Shabbat services at the JCV. They are part of a consortium of cantors known as the Bay Area Cantors Association, performing regularly in our area. The period between the two World Wars is often called the “Golden Age” of cantors in Europe. Many of our greatest synagogue singers perished in the tragic events of the Holocaust. Legendary names such as Cantor Gershon Sirota, known as the “Jewish Caruso,” whose matchless voice made him unique in the profession, were among the renowned cantors who lived during this time. Caught in Warsaw during the Nazi invasion of Poland during World War II, Sirota spent his final years living in the Warsaw Ghetto, and died in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in 1943. Joseph “Yosselle” Rosenblatt (known as the greatest cantor of his time), Moritz Henke and Zavel Kwartin, a high baritone, are but a few of the names that we remember from the “Golden Age.” In the post-WWII period, considerable effort was made by cantors worldwide to return synagogue music to its former glory. After the loss of so many great singers during the Holocaust, a number of wonderfully creative and liturgical artists came to America. Names such as Moshe Koussevitzky, Richard Tucker and Abraham Cardoza are among those who became the heirs of our tradition. Contemporary cantors of today include Alberto Mizrachi, Yitzchak Meir Helfgot and Shmuel Barzilai. They are among those who have taken over the mission of preserving the heritage of great synagogue and religious music, not to mention the countless others who serve in synagogues throughout the world. The information presented is not meant to be all-inclusive. Future columns will continue to explore this topic in contemporary times. Arlene Stolnitz, founder of the Sarasota Jewish Chorale, is a member of the Jewish Congregation of Venice. A retired educator from Rochester, New York, she has sung in choral groups for over 25 years and also sings in Venice’s Chorale (formerly Exsultate!). Her interest in choral music has led to this series of articles on Jewish folk music in the Diaspora.

How do I get items into the Federation Star? Email your articles and photos to fedstar18@gmail.com. What are the Federation Star deadlines? Items are due the 1st of each month. If the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the next business day. Where can I get a copy of the Federation Star? If you’re not on our mailing list, send an email to fedstar18@gmail. com with your name and address. Copies are also available at several local synagogues and the Federation office. How do I place an ad in the Federation Star? Send an email to fedstar18@gmail.com or call Ted Epstein at 239.249.0699. For a media kit, visit the Federation Star page at www.jewishnaples.org.

Editor: YoniGlatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com Across 1. National Park 8 km west of Jerusalem 7. Singer Elbaz 10. Eshkol of note 14. Singer Solomon or Green 15. Where an Aussie might go after graduating Mount Scopus Jewish day school 16. Caesar and Magilla Gorilla 17. Esther might have worn one on her head 18. Tref digs 19. Early biblical survivor 20. Wicked Judean king 22. “Tell ___ About It” (Joel hit) 23. Carlebach’s “___ Einai” 25. Many Jews in Boynton Beach, FL 26. It can be high or low on Hapoel Tel Aviv 29. Start of the new year? 31. Rivlin who is Israel’s current President 34. Kind of lithium battery manufactured by Israel’s Meircell 35. Hip hop artist Roth 37. Bake in Eilat? 38. Concern of many an Israeli car buyer: Abbr. 39. Rabbi Frand with many lectures available online 43. Harrison’s breakout role 46. ___ date (planned a simcha) 47. Tried for the Knesset again 51. “I ___ Rock” – Simon and Garfunkel hit 52. Maggie’s “The Dark Knight” costar, and others 55. What Ivanka Trump has along with her fortune 56. Lenient with, like Jacob to Joseph 58. Tree that grows in Israel 60. ___air 61. What you might get when you 37-Across 62. Israeli politician and war hero Orlev 65. “Maher!” 67. “A Bridge Too ___” (William Goldman adaptation) 68. One looking for the Ark, perhaps 71. “Kosher” eatery 72. Uris hero ___ Ben Canaan 73. Like Jacob and Rachel 74. Commotion 75. Steely of music 76. Poker Hall-of-Famer Erik

Solution on page 25

Down 1. Charisse who danced with Gene and Fred for MGM 2. Davening vowel sequence? 3. Notable Chanukah 50-Down 4. Chutzpah, for short 5. Paradises 6. Actress Hedy 7. Notable hesder school 8. Some chips for 76-Across 9. Inits. for making a sukkah alone 10. Kirk might shoot one 11. Rav Buchwald who founded AJOP 12. English letter at the start of many Parshas 13. Suffix with Marx 21. Lakewood, PA to Lakewood, NJ dir. 22. Schnozzola 23. Koufax’s was lowest the last year he pitched 24. Letters for a savior? 26. Material for some tzitzit 27. Cut off (willow branches) 28. Lang. often heard in Ra’anana 30. “Yo!” 32. German sub 33. Device that might be used before Shabbat, for short 36. A kohen should receive it 40. Had some shiduch dates with 41. “Come ___?” (Italian for “Mah shlomech?”) 42. “Zebra” on the court with Casspi 43. “Elvis ___ left...” 44. Say “I love” to an original Sephardic Jew 45. Politician Bennett 48. Baal was considered this kind of false deity 49. Tefillin hrs. 50. See 3-Down 53. Lane for a big mishpacha 54. They don’t let Israelis in 57. Tref Brazilian animal with a real 22-Down 59. “Dave” star 62. Avodah ___ 63. Winkler’s “Happy Days” co-star Moran 64. Jamaican fruit similar to a citron 65. They power this paper 66. Match part for Dudi Sela 67. Furby’s or the Israeli Army Diet 69. Former rib 70. Theology subj.

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ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

May 2016 Federation Star

Israel’s Ambassador addresses Miami FIDF beneﬁt for Israeli soldiers amid Mideast tensions FIDF Greater Miami Solidarity Gala raises over $2.5M to support Israeli soldiers.

on Dermer, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, addressed the dynamic Mideast security situation in Israel on Thursday, March 3, at the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Greater Miami Solidarity Dinner. More than 900 supporters from across Florida gathered for the gala, one of the Miami Jewish community’s largest events, raising more than $2.5 million to support educational and well-being programs for the brave men and women of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). “The FIDF is a great organization whose important work helps support those who are on the front lines defending the one and only Jewish state,” said Dermer. “Israel faces great challenges from Iran’s terror proxies, from almost daily Palestinian terror attacks, and from a rising tide of militant Islam throughout the Middle East. So I’m proud that so

many in my home community came out to support our troops. It’s a testament to how strong support for Israel is in South Florida. May you continue to go from strength to strength.” Also attending were Israel Border Police Cpl. “R,” who was stabbed in the neck by a terrorist in Jerusalem’s Old City this past June, but managed to shoot and kill his attacker before collapsing; Sgt. Gilad, a Lone Soldier – serving in the IDF without any immediate family in Israel – originally from Miami who commands a squad in the elite Golani Brigade; FIDF IMPACT! Scholarship recipient Sgt. (Res.) Shai; Staff Sgt. (Res.) Sahar, a Lone Soldier originally from Orange County, California, who was awarded a Chief of General Staff Citation for his outstanding gallantry during Operation Protective Edge in 2014; and Israeli Air Force 1st Lt. Shir. The evening paid tribute to Isaac

IDF Sgt. Gilad, a Lone Soldier originally from Miami; Israeli Air Force 1st Lt. Shir; FIDF Greater Miami Solidarity Co-Chairs Jacky and Jeanette Bibliowicz; Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer; Ellen Feldenkreis; FIDF Miami President Oscar Feldenkreis; IDF Staff Sgt. (Res.) Sahar; FIDF Florida Executive Director Dina Ben Ari; Israel Border Police Cpl. Raz

Olemberg, who was honored with the FIDF Lifetime Achievement Award for his generous support of Israel’s soldiers. Co-chairing the event were Jeanette and Jacky Bibliowicz. Other distinguished guests included FIDF National Chairman Emeritus Nily Falic; FIDF Miami President Oscar Feldenkreis; FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir KlifiAmir; and FIDF Florida Executive Director Dina Ben Ari. “Israel’s courageous men and women in uniform put everything on the line to protect the Jewish homeland – and Jews around the world,” said Ben Ari. “While their job is to look after Israel, ours is to look after them.” About Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF): FIDF was established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with the mission of providing and sup-

porting educational, social, cultural and recreational programs and facilities for the heroic men and women of the IDF. Today, FIDF has more than 150,000 loyal supporters, and 15 regional offices throughout the U.S. and Panama. FIDF proudly offers its support to IDF soldiers, families of fallen soldiers, and wounded veterans through a variety of unique and innovative programs. These opportunities reinforce the vital bond between the communities in the United States, the soldiers of the IDF, and the State of Israel. For more information, please visit www.fidf.org.

FIDF Miami President Oscar Feldenkreis; FIDF National Chairman Emeritus Nily Falic; Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer; FIDF Florida Executive Director Dina Ben Ari; FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir (photos by Carlos Chattah)

This Yom HaAtzma’ut, celebrate red, white, and blue.

Magen David Adom, Israel’s largest and premier emergency medical response agency, has been saving lives since before 1948. And supporters like you provide MDA’s 27,000 paramedics, EMTs, and civilian life guardians — more than 90% of them volunteers — with the training, equipment, and rescue vehicles they need. So as we celebrate Israel’s independence, make a difference in the health, welfare, and security of the Israeli people with your gift to MDA. Please give today. AFMDA Southeast Region 3300 PGA Blvd., Suite 970 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 Toll Free 561.835.0510 • southeast@afmda.org www.afmda.org

Federation Star May 2016

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

Is Europe ready to adopt Israel’s approach to security? Following attacks in Belgium, Israeli security experts say Europeans can learn much from Israel’s intelligence-driven methodologies. By Abigail Klein Leichman, ISRAEL21c, www.israel21c.org, March 23, 2016

n the wake of deadly terrorist attacks at Zaventem Airport and Maelbeek metro station in Brussels yesterday that killed 34 people and injured about 200 others, law-enforcement agencies in Europe’s major cities are scrambling to beef up security at airports and transport hubs. This latest horrific incident – and the revelation that the Islamist suicide bombers were known to police and yet still managed to access the airport’s departure hall – has intensified speculation that European countries will get serious about adopting tough Israeli screening methodologies long considered the world’s best practices. Pini Schiff, a former security director at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, told the Associated Press that the attacks in Brussels point to “a colossal failure” of Belgian security and that “the chances are very low” such an attack could have happened in Israel. Col. (Res.) Eran Lerman of BarIlan University’s Begin-Sadat (BESA) Center for Strategic Studies agrees with that assessment. Although several European countries have started using Israeli security technologies, hardware alone isn’t enough, Lerman tells ISRAEL21c. “There is an impressive body of knowledge in Israel, which is recognized internationally, on how to counter this type of incident by creating multiple rings and envelopes of security around airports,” says Lerman, former deputy chief of Israel’s National Security Council and senior IDF Military Intel-

ligence division director. “However, the key to successful security has to be intelligence, in the broader sense of the word. For too many years, for very good reasons, Europeans have neglected the need for effective intelligence measures.” This is mainly due to wariness of any practices that could be seen as unfairly targeting Muslim travelers. However, Lerman argues that profiling accomplishes the opposite result when it is applied intelligently. “Intelligence is actually the alter-

airport insiders. “There were a few cases of this in the UK. They do employee checks on workers, but reality shows it’s not working so well.” She echoes Lerman’s assertion that Europe needs to implement Israeli-style intelligence despite concerns about balancing security against individual rights. “I don’t know how long it will take for Europe to make changes in legislation and policy, or if they will be able to do it. In terms of intelligence, Israel can do a lot to help the Europeans do what they have to do,” says Halperin. Europe turns to Israeli expertise Many Israeli companies are already quietly aiding European governments with security products. Israel’s security exports totaled $6.5 billion in 2013, according to a Ynet report in January. Itamar Graff, a senior official at SIBAT, the international defense cooperation agency of the Israeli Defense Ministry, told Ynet: “Israeli products have already been sold to counterterrorism agencies abroad and to foreign police forces, in Europe too. The recent events, coupled with the concerns about Islamic State fighters returning to Europe from the Middle East, will prompt the Europeans into equipping themselves. The orders won’t be coming in this week, but additional budgets will now be allocated to this end.” Graff added, “For the Europeans, this is a new challenge; but we’ve been dealing with lone terrorists with a Kalashnikov for years, and Israel has a lot of know-how when it comes to early detection and coping with a terrorist incident.” The large Israeli company SB Shmira Ubitahon (Guarding and Security), established in 1938, has a German subsidiary, SB Europe Security and Logistics, offering services to Europe’s airports, ports, power stations and other sensitive installations.

have invested resources and public trust – are the key to preventing terror attacks as well as preventing “poisonous politics of racist groups” in reaction to such attacks. This will require a shift in thinking that he already perceives taking place among European policy-makers, who in the past tended to dismiss Israeli security experts’ advice to focus on identifying the enemy. “The capacity to differentiate and monitor the activities of people you have reason to worry about requires a fairly different mindset “For the Europeans, this is a new challenge; than has prevailed many years in but we’ve been dealing with lone terrorists for much of Europe,” with a Kalashnikov for years, and Israel has a explains Lerman, also lectures lot of know-how when it comes to early detec- who at Shalem College in Jerusalem. tion and coping with a terrorist incident.” “Now this is native to painting all Muslims with the changing and I think it will create same brush and making racist generalmore openings for intelligent dialogue izations,” he says. between us and European security ser“People tend to confuse anti-Musvices. The Israeli defense establishment lim attitudes with effective intelligence, can play a role here.” but if you have effective penetrating A larger problem capabilities to enable you to discern Amira Halperin, a researcher at the what the really bad guys are doing Truman Research Institute for the and to foil them, then you can actually Advancement of Peace at the Hebrew have a normal relationship with minorUniversity of Jerusalem, says that ity groups that otherwise increasingly while European airports are now more become the target of indiscriminate interested in Israeli security methods, suspicion.” implementation is just beginning. Lerman maintains that strong, wellFormerly a London-based investifinanced and well-staffed intelligence gative journalist specializing in Islamist services – like those in which Israelis terrorism in Europe and Israel, Halperin says that passenger screenings are only part of the equation. “In Europe the problem is larger because there are sometimes radicalized Muslims working in the airports. They have information about what happens inside and they operate [with accomplices on the outside],” she tells ISRAEL21c, speculating that the Belgian bombers could have been aided by

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ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

May 2016 Federation Star

continued from previous page In Israel, Shmira Ubitahon helps its clients secure airport and border crossings, IDF headquarters, defense installations, government ministries, hospitals, water infrastructure, university campuses and several major public and private companies. “Israel is willing to help,” says Brig. Gen. (Res.) Mena Bacharach, CEO and partner in SB Europe. Bacharach, an international expert on aviation security, testified to a U.S. Congressional subcommittee on upgrading American procedures after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, and in the late 1980s headed a multiyear project to build a security network in Europe, the Far East and Middle East

on behalf of several U.S.-based airline carriers. “The major problem is that European leaders did not realize that in the last five years there is a huge change. There are one million immigrants from very problematic locations entering, and they must change their attitude,” Bacharach tells ISRAEL21c. “Israel, with all our unfortunate experience, can give them all kinds of methodologies from a professional point of view. They can take a lesson from us not to deal with the mosquitoes but with the swamp. They need to drain the swamp.” Not just about tools Among other Israeli companies gain-

BRIEFS ISRAEL RECORDS STABLE GROWTH, LOWEST JOBLESS RATE IN DECADES

In 2015, Israel recorded economic growth of 2.5% and its lowest unemployment rate – 5.3% – since the mid1980s, the Bank of Israel announced recently. It projects 2.8% economic growth for 2016. (Times of Israel)

APPLE’S CHIEF CHIPMAKER IS AN ISRAELI ARAB

Johny Srouji, 51, is the senior vice president for hardware technologies at Apple. He runs the division that makes processor chips for the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Srouji is a Christian Arab born in Haifa, Israel, who learned at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, one of the world’s top engineering schools. After graduating, Srouji got a job with IBM, which had placed its largest non-U.S. research facility in Haifa, then moved to Intel, and joined Apple in 2008. (Brad Stone, Bloomberg)

eNEW INTERNATIONAL

AIRPORT TO OPEN NEAR EILAT IN 2017

Flights at the new Ramon International Airport in Timna, north of Eilat, are expected to begin taking off in 2017, the Transportation Ministry said recently. It will serve as the alternative to Ben-Gurion International Airport during emergencies, and will replace the current Eilat airport. The airport is named after Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, who was killed in the Columbia space shuttle explosion in 2003, and his son Assaf, who was killed in a fighter jet crash in 2009. (Michelle Malka Grossman, Jerusalem Post)

ISRAEL SEES TOURISM GROWTH FROM CHINA, INDIA

Israel is looking east to China and India to help drive tourism, Tourism Ministry Director-General Amir Halevi said. In 2015, tourism grew 43% from China to 50,000 visitors and will be helped by the start of nonstop flights next month by Hainan Airlines from Beijing to Tel Aviv that will add 35,000 extra seats to Israel a year. Tourism to Israel from India rose 13% last year to nearly 40,000. (Reuters)

ISRAELI DEVICE SLOWS PROGRESSION OF ALZHEIMER’S

Based on a just-completed study involving 131 patients, Israel’s Neuronix medical device company will apply for U.S. FDA approval for its neuroAD system to slow and even reverse the progression of Alzheimer’s. The novel technology combines transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and cognitive training of specific brain regions to slow the rate of mental deterioration

in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders. The treatment is commercially available in Europe and Asia, including in Israel. Neuronix CEO Eyal Baror said, “Our previous successful six clinical trials have shown that neuroAD is safe and effective in treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer patients, significantly improving their cognitive performance and day-to-day activities, and slowing down their mental deterioration for about one year.” In 2015, Korean researchers said a clinical trial showed that neuroAD “was remarkable in the memory and language domains, which are severely affected by Alzheimer’s disease.” (Abigail Klein Leichman, Israel21c)

WHAT ISRAEL IS GIVING ME: THE VOICE OF AN ARAB DOCTOR

Faiza is the head of the intensive care unit at a major private hospital in Israel. She lives in Shuafat, an Arab neighborhood in Jerusalem where there are frequent disturbances. She comes from a family of eleven, most of them graduates of Israeli universities. “I love my life. I love living in Israel. I thank Allah every day for having given me the opportunity to grow up here,” she says. “I know that if it was not for this country, I would never be what I am.” “Here you can choose,” she says. She turns her head toward the Arab doctors and nurses. “Israel gives you the opportunity to express your human potential.” In all Israeli universities there are guaranteed places for ArabIsraeli citizens. “Have you seen how Israeli soldiers are helping Syrians? Have you seen how they are putting their own lives in danger crossing the border in order to take the wounded Syrians to Israeli hospitals?” (Gheula Canarutto Nemni, Times of Israel)

MOODY’S CONFIRMS ISRAEL’S A1 STABLE RATING

International credit rating agency Moody’s, the most conservative of the three major international rating agencies, recently confirmed Israel’s A1 rating with a stable outlook. Moody’s economists explained that the rating was supported by the great effectiveness of the government, which is constantly working to improve Israel’s debt and financing figures. Were it not for Israel’s geopolitical risks, its credit rating would be higher. Moody’s describes Israel’s economy as very strong, with growth supported primarily by high-tech exports. This sector rests on a highly educated population and high R&D expenditure. Israel’s debt is low by international standards, and Israel dealt effectively with the crisis that engulfed the world’s economies. (Sonya Gorodisky, Globes)

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ing prominence in European security circles is BriefCam, whose technology enables security authorities to sift quickly through large amounts of security-camera footage – looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack – in much the same way as a search engine sifts quickly through text. “Belgian authorities are using our product, but I can’t say more,” BriefCam CEO and President Dror Irani tells ISRAEL21c. “We are very active in assisting government agencies in France and Belgium and in some areas of Eastern Europe with law enforcement and broad safety issues – much more in the last year or so due to an increase in their understanding of the problem and their willingness to cut bureaucratic red tape and introduce new technologies,” he says.

“The first area in the world that was aware of this need was China and then the U.S., and recently we’ve seen a major change in Europe in their awareness and budget and willingness to move faster.” However, Irani stresses, “Security technology is not only about the tools. You have to put the people and the understanding behind it. Just having a system in place does not make it effective. You have to understand how to use it and how your processes are going to be changed due to the fact that you have this system.” Abigail Klein Leichman is a writer and associate editor at ISRAEL21c. Prior to moving to Israel in 2007, she was a specialty writer and copy editor at a daily newspaper in New Jersey and has freelanced for a variety of newspapers and periodicals since 1984.

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BRIEFS

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FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN ISRAEL UP 90 PERCENT IN 2015

Foreign direct investment in Israel totaled $11.6 billion in 2015, a 90% increase over 2014. More than 270 multinational companies have set up shop in Israel, establishing over 320 world-class R&D centers. Israel’s workforce has the highest concentration of PhDs and engineers per capita in the world, and Israel invests more than any other country in R&D as a percentage of GDP - 4.2%. (Ziva Eger, Times of Israel)

THE OPTOMETRIST IN YOUR iPHONE

The Israeli medical technology start-up 6over6 has developed a technology to enable anyone to “self-prescribe” eyeglasses via a smartphone app. “With our technology, a user could put their phone in front of their eyes for a few minutes, and get as accurate a reading as they could at the optician,” said CEO Ofer Limon. “The app will give you a completely accurate prescription within a range of +/- 0.25D error for near and farsighted vision.” With the iPrescribe function, “it’s just like being in an optometrist’s office. iPrescribe manipulates the optical and perceptual phenomena to give you a completely accurate prescription for nearsighted vision, including astigmatism.” (David Shamah, Times of Israel)

EGYPT’S LEADERS VIEW ISRAEL AS AN ALLY

¡¡ Egypt’s higher stratums view Israel as an important, powerful ally in regional struggles. Egyptian President Sisi, in an interview with the Wash-

¡¡

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

ington Post in March 2015, said he speaks to Prime Minister Netanyahu frequently, sometimes several times a month. In reality, Sisi talks to Netanyahu even more than that, and not only to Netanyahu. On the list of Egypt’s close allies, Israel is a front-runner. Many of the interests of the two countries have converged and complement one another. Even the list of enemies held by Israel and Egypt includes the same names, more or less. “Sisi understands the situation,” said a high-ranking Israeli security source. “He knows exactly whom he can trust in the region and whom he can’t. He knows what’s good for Egypt and, under the correct circumstances, what’s good for Egypt is also good for Israel.” Sisi is also well-acquainted with Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot. They once served in parallel positions in the Israel Defense Forces and the Egyptian army and their cooperation extends over many years. Intelligence information is almost totally shared between the sides with regard to the struggle against the Islamic State (IS) branch in the Sinai Peninsula. Israel and Egypt also rely on one another in their joint struggle against Hamas. According to a high-placed Israeli military source, “The efficacy of the Egyptian army in its war against IS is gradually improving. This is true for intelligence, for preciseness and for rapid response. The Egyptians know that Gaza’s Hamas provides IS with military experts, they know that wounded Sinai IS operatives are treated in Gaza, they know that there is a direct, close connection between the sides. Thus, they try to block all passageways between the Gaza Strip and Sinai.” (Ben Caspit, Al-Monitor)

Look Like You Spent A Lot!

U.S. GOVERNMENT TO STOCK ISRAELI BIOTECH CURE FOR LETHAL RADIATION IN 2017

Israel’s Pluristem Therapeutics has developed an anti-radiation therapy that the U.S. government will likely begin stocking next year, and which is able to cure nearly all patients exposed to lethal doses of radiation from incidents such as “dirty” bombs or attacks on nuclear power plants. Within 48 hours of someone receiving the injections, bone marrow blood cell production levels return to normal. (Yaakov Lappin, Jerusalem Post)

JAY LENO RAISES $50K IN ONE MINUTE FOR ISRAELI EMS SERVICE

Comedian Jay Leno may have broken a record when he raised $50,000 for Israeli EMS organization, United Hatzalah, in just one minute. The former Tonight Show host also donated $36,000 out of his own pocket to buy a fully equipped ambucycle for the organization to use to save lives in Israel. Leno’s latest philanthropic pursuits came about at a special concert fundraiser for United Hatzalah at the Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York on April 10. Leno performed a comedy set at the event. He then called Eli Beer, founder and president of United Hatzalah, to the stage. “What you guys are doing is so special I am so proud to be here and be part of it,” Leno told Beer. “I have 117 motorcycles in my collection but none of my motorcycles save lives. I want to donate an ambucycle with all of the trappings.” The organization says it will put Leno’s name on the new ambucycle. United Hatzalah has a fleet of over 400 ambucylces used by the volunteer EMS organization to provide free treatment to anyone who needs it.

Leno also challenged the audience to join him in supporting lifesaving activities in Israel by donating on the spot to the organization. He said anyone who donated at least $1,000 would receive a free tour of his rare car and motorcycle collection. An additional $50,000 was raised in one minute. “People want to do good deeds,” said Beer. “So, for those who cannot physically come to Israel... but still want to help, the concert was a golden opportunity to come out and support the country while performing one of the greatest gifts of loving kindness that there is, saving lives. What Jay Leno, Lipa, 8th Day and the audience did here tonight is an act of charity that keeps on giving for generations and generations to come.” In 2013, Beer and Arab-Israeli United Hatzalah-East Jerusalem leader Murad Alyan were chosen to receive the Victor J. Goldberg IIE Prize for Peace in the Middle East from the New York-based Institute of International Education. At the end of his set, Leno told the crowd, “See you next year in Jerusalem.” Whether he was just saying the Jewish refrain or actually hinting at another visit will only be known when his plane touches down at Ben-Gurion airport once again. (Viva Sarah Press, ISRAEL21c)

EXPERT: ONE IN FOUR LIFE SCIENCE INNOVATIONS HAS ISRAELI ROOTS

“Research in Israel is present in between 25% and 28% of the world’s successful biotech-based solutions,” according to Ruti Alon, a general partner at Pitango Venture Capital. “Many of the patents in pharmaceuticals that are now being used to treat cancer, heart problems, and much more were developed at Israeli institu-

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ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

May 2016 Federation Star

Israel launches flagship project with JWRP to bring thousands of Jewish women worldwide to Israel

t o a JWRP e

and Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs announce historic $12.5M pact to provide Israel experiences for women from 26 countries including Argentina, Cuba and France

he Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project (JWRP) and Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, headed by Minister Naftali Bennett, nlaunched an unprecedented initiative ton Sunday, March 20 to provide 5,600 fwomen from 26 countries around the world with life-changing nine-day trips ,to Israel that will inspire them as fameily and community leaders to make a ngreater impact. The ministry and JRWP unveiled s the historic $12.5 million global expansion of the JWRP’s Momentum Israel rexperiences for women at a special cereemony during the American-Israel Pubrlic Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual w l

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policy conference in Washington, D.C. The landmark partnership for 2016 and 2017 will also allow JWRP and the ministry to involve women from Jewish communities facing increased threats of anti-Semitism and economic hardship, including Argentina, Cuba, the former Soviet Union, France, the U.S. and Canada. “This historic agreement allows us to continue to build a global movement united in the mission of empowering women to change the world through Jewish values,” said Lori Palatnik, founding director of the JWRP. “Our philosophy from the beginning has always been: inspire a woman,

n n ,

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At the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.: Ministry of Diaspora Affairs Senior Division Head Hagay Elitzur; JWRP Executive Director Ben Pery; JWRP Co-Founder and incoming Board President Cindy Zitelman; JWRP President Emeritus and Co-Founder Jeanie Milbauer; Director-General of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs Dvir Kahana; JWRP Founding Director Lori Palatnik; JWRP Co-Founder and outgoing Board President Manette Mayberg; JWRP Co-Founder and Board Member Dana Sicherman; JWRP Co-Founder and Secretary Michelle Leader; and JWRP Board Member Andrea Shlipak Mail (photo by Shmulik Almany)

you inspire a family. Inspire enough families, you can change a community. Inspire enough communities, you can change the world. This partnership is key to making this a reality.” “This important partnership with JWRP will provide outstanding women from different backgrounds and different places with the opportunity to strengthen their identities and connection to Israel,” said Bennett. “This revolutionary project demonstrates the commitment of the Israeli government to the Diaspora.” Since 2009, more than 7,300 women from 150 partner organizations in 26 countries spanning several continents including Australia, Africa, Europe, North America and South America have participated in “Momentum” trips. The trips strengthen these global communities and their bonds with Israel – and promote local leadership. This “flagship project” is part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen Israel’s relationship with Diaspora communities around the world, said Dvir Kahana, director-general of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. “We are extremely proud of our strategic partnership with the JWRP. We share the vision of empowering Jewish women worldwide as leaders of the next generation with the ability and drive to raise children who are proud of their identity and strongly connected to Israel. I am hopeful that

this partnership will grow and become a monumental game changer in the Jewish world.” Momentum trips, which stretch from the mystical Galilee city of Safed to the ancient desert mountaintop fortress Masada, feature extensive itineraries and curated curricula encompassing everything from Jewish values to contemporary Israeli society. The trips inspire women to connect deeply with their Jewish heritage, and transform themselves, their families, and ultimately their communities and the wider world. Participants also commit to get involved in programs when they return home from Momentum, including community activities, Israel engagement programs, Jewish education, global learning, leadership development and Momentum Israel missions for their husbands. About JWRP: The Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project (jwrp.org) was founded in 2008, with the mission of empowering women to change the world through Jewish values. Its major project is “Momentum,” a nine-day, highly subsidized life-changing journey to Israel, experienced by over 7,300 women from 150 partner organizations in 26 countries worldwide. Since 2014, the JWRP has partnered with Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.

The historic end of Yemeni Aliyah: Final group of Yemenite Jewish immigrants arrives in Israel

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he final group of Yemenite Jewish immigrants landed in Israel on Sunday, March 20 following a complex covert operation coordinated by The Jewish Agency for Israel, thus bringing the historic Yemeni Aliyah to a close. Some two hundred Jews have been secretly rescued from Yemen by The Jewish Agency in recent years, including several dozen in recent months, as attacks against the Jewish community have increased and the country has descended into civil war. Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel Natan Sharansky said: “This is a highly significant moment in the history of Israel and of Aliyah. From Operation Magic Carpet in 1949 until the present day, The Jewish Agency has helped bring Yemenite Jewry home to Israel. Today we bring that historic mission to a close. This chapter in the history of one of the world’s oldest Jewish communities is coming to an end, but Yemenite Jewry’s unique 2,000-year-old contribution to the Jewish people will continue in the State of Israel.” Nineteen individuals arrived in Israel in recent days, including fourteen from the town of Raydah and a family of five from Sanaa. The group from Raydah included the community’s rabbi, who brought a Torah scroll believed

to be between 500 and 600 years old. The father of the husband from Sanaa was Aharon Zindani, murdered in an anti-Semitic attack in 2012. The Jewish Agency arranged for Zindani’s remains to be brought to Israel for burial and also coordinated the immigration of his wife and children at the time. More than 51,000 Yemenite Jews

BRIEFS

arms race, as Iran plans to spend $20 billion to finance the procurement of advanced weapons systems, primarily from Russia. Iran’s neighboring countries fear its massive procurement and its transformation to a nuclear power, sooner or later. For this reason, they also acquire weapons, mainly from France and the U.S. These weapons may one day be directed against Israel. Because the U.S. is committed to maintaining Israel’s qualitative edge (under a law passed years ago in Congress), Israel is expected to receive increased aid, to allegedly ensure this advantage. (Amir Rapaport, Israel Defense)

continued from previous page tions like Hebrew University or the Weizmann Institute.” (David Shamah, Times of Israel)

U.S., ISRAEL DISCUSS NEW DEFENSE AID AGREEMENT

The new U.S. defense aid agreement is considered as compensation for the nuclear deal with Iran. However, the truth is that the compensation is not for the nuclear deal, but for the massive arms sales of American companies in the Persian Gulf. The entire region is in an intense

Shoshana Damari; Olympic medalist Shahar Tzuberi; former Knesset Speaker Yisrael Yeshayahu; and noted rabbi Amnon Yitzhak. Attacks against Jews in Yemen have risen sharply since 2008, when Jewish teacher Moshe Ya’ish Nahari was murdered in Raydah. In 2012, Aharon Zindani was murdered in Sanaa and a young Jewish woman was abducted, forced to convert to Islam, and forcibly wed to a Muslim man. As Yemen has descended into civil war and the humanitarian situation in the country has worsened, the Jewish community has found itself increas-

ingly imperiled. As a result, The Jewish Agency has undertaken numerous covert operations to spirit Jews out of Yemen and bring them to Israel, rescuing some two hundred in recent years. Some fifty Jews remain in Yemen, including approximately forty in Sanaa, where they live in a closed compound adjacent to the U.S. embassy and enjoy the protection of Yemeni authorities. They have chosen to remain in the country without Jewish communal or organizational infrastructure. The Jewish Agency will continue to assist any Jew who wishes to make Israel his or her home.

CELEBRATE ISRAEL ITS CULTURE, PEOPLE & INNOVATION

Ancient Torah scroll from Yemen (photo credit: Arielle Di-Porto, The Jewish Agency for Israel)

have immigrated to Israel since the country’s establishment in 1948. The majority of the community – nearly 50,000 individuals in total – was brought to Israel in Operation Magic Carpet in 1949 and 1950. Today, hundreds of thousands of Jews of Yemeni origin live in Israel, and many have had a profound impact on Israeli society, including singers Ofra Haza, Achinoam Nini (Noa), Gali Atari and

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Federation Star May 2016

COMMENTARY

Dissent shouldn’t mean incivility By Jerry Silverman, President & CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America

he language is painful to hear, particularly coming from fellow Jews. Knesset Member Moshe Gafni called Reform Jews “a bunch of clowns who stick a knife in the holy Torah.” MK Yisrael Eichler criticized an Israeli Supreme Court decision allowing non-Orthodox Jews to use public mikvaot, likening it to permitting a “mentally ill person” to “come to the operating room and decide the rules of medicine and force the hospital to have an operation by whatever way works.” Israeli Tourism Minister Yariv Levin called Reform Jews “a dying world” that would assimilate and disappear in another two or three generations. We’ve seen women who were holding liberal prayer services at the Kotel pelted with rocks and debris, and the police who tried to protect them called “Nazis.” The scars of such invective are often longer-lasting than physical wounds, searing into our consciousness. The language also betrays something about the speakers and provocateurs, that they seem to have forgotten Jewish teachings about courtesy and civility, beginning with the Torah commandments to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18) and “You shall not hate your sibling in your heart” (Lev. 19:17), and including the Pirkei

Avot guidance to “judge every person favorably” (1:6). Rather than judging favorably, these critics of liberal Judaism and its adherents are speaking harshly of others without any true understanding themselves of non-Orthodox Judaism; they ignore that even Jewish practice as they know it has evolved throughout the centuries. As just one example, look at photos of the Kotel in the 1800s and early 1900s – you’ll see no mechitza to separate men from women. That was a later addition. Because of compromises that the non-Orthodox streams of Judaism were willing to make, that mechitza will remain, and women’s and mixed prayer groups will have a separate prayer space on the southern end of the Western Wall, ensuring that the Kotel remains a symbol of Jewish peoplehood, however individuals define that peoplehood. But will we also be able to separate hate speech from political speech? Sadly, we saw similar, sometimes even harsher, vitriol during the debate over the Iranian nuclear agreement, with some Jews not even wanting to go to their local Shabbat services lest they get into an uncomfortable debate on the accord. Rabbis have shared that speaking about Israel from the pulpit has become difficult due to the polarization of con-

gregants. In fact, a Jewish Council for Public Affairs report found that nearly half of the 500 mostly Conservative and Reform rabbis surveyed “hold views on Israel that they won’t share publicly, many for fear of endangering their reputation or their careers.” Yehuda Kurtzer, president of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, suggests in a recent blog that, rather than being fearful of taking a stand on an important political situation, Jewish leaders and organizations should instead take a position and – just as in the Mishnah – also present an opposing view. “Very simply,” Kurtzer writes, “Publish the dissent. Make the decision, make the case for it, and then publish the dissenting viewpoint or viewpoints.” Publishing the dissent, he explains, “gives voice to the losing arguments and to those articulating them, and signals confidence, humility, and a wholesale embrace of the dissenters, even in light of the failure of their dissent to become policy.” We need to be open to listening to one another no matter what background or opinions one has. I worry most that we have lost the concept of “love they neighbor as thyself” – that is unless you practice or you share similar standings on issues. A record 18,000 attended AIPAC’s

recent policy conference, more than half of them non-Orthodox. Would the political parties and those speaking out against the non-Orthodox movement rather those thousands instead had stayed home? I doubt it. Israel is a promise to all Jews, a gift for all Jews everywhere, not based on where you reside or what you think. Many Orthodox movements understand this, and have found great success in reaching out to non-Orthodox Jews – discussing, sharing, debating and educating on the big and small issues of the day. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid and too few Orthodox leaders have condemned some of these remarks, but more needs to be done. We are too small a people for those unwilling to recognize liberal Jews as part of the Jewish people to close the shtetl gates to our love of Israel. We will come to Israel, and we will continue to push to celebrate the good and to be there in crisis. To those who don’t want to listen and sling arrows, we say: Put down your arrows, come to the Shabbat table and have a dialogue. Let’s debate and argue, but let’s stop with the awful tone.

ZOA SWFL applauds anti-BDS supporters By Gene Sipe, VP SWFL Chapter

olorado and Arizona recently enacted “anti-BDS” bills and joined Illinois (the first state, in July 2015) and South Carolina. More and more states, 21 at last count, have presented bills to the U.S. Congress as positive action to prevent economic warfare against the Jewish state. This could not come at a more critical at a time, with the BDS movement so zealously infiltrating the mindset of the uninformed American public. Despite the purported objective, BDS is not about justice for Palestinians. If it were, the BDS movement would also be opposed to the Palestinian Authority, Fatah and Hamas, who actually oppress and impoverish their own people while consuming a huge percentage of international aid for indoctrination of their children to become terrorists, build up

illegal armies and offensive weaponry stockpiles, and construct “terror tunnels.” Instead;,the BDS movement is just another enemy of the Jewish state rooted in traditional anti-Semitism. In reality, BDS is extinguishing what had remained of peaceful co-existence, by inciting hatred and needlessly damaging the economic well-being of Arab Israelis. The most obvious example is its forced relocation of SodaStream, costing the loss of 500 well-paying Arab jobs last October. PLO leadership agreed, by the signing of the Oslo accords in 1993, to cooperate economically with Israel. Instead, PA leadership and anti-Israel hate groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine, Friends of Sabeel-North America, and Jewish Voice for Peace have mounted anti-Semitic econo-war-

fare against Israel and Jews worldwide, including here in the U.S. As recently as February 2016, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and ten other House members requested that the State Department investigate claims that Israel has committed “gross violations of human rights,” with the intent to force cuts in military aid to Israel. Not surprisingly, this investigation was not released until after a frenzied media outbreak about an Israeli soldier shooting a “stabbing” terrorist. At that time, according to Magen David Adom, the latest form of intifada tallied 33 Israelis killed and more than 300 wounded in 222 terror attacks. A number of far left-wing Jewish groups have been actively working to stop the passing of anti-BDS legislation. It is important to know and share this list of groups, which includes Partners for Progressive Israel, J Street (by honoring, featuring and sponsoring BDS leaders at conferences and college campuses), Jewish Voice for Peace, Open Hillel, Americans for Peace Now, The Third Narrative (subsidiary of Ameinu), and the New Israel Fund (funds BDS groups, including the groups that built BDS infrastructure). These groups, along with Students

for Justice in Palestine and Friends of Sabeel-North America, are using university campuses as primary indoctrination centers. The ZOA, working with regional partners to monitor and identify extreme anti-Semitism that Jewish and pro-Israel students are facing in light of BDS activities, has developed statements and provided information to Campus Regents to assist them in identifying specific incidents that college students have been facing. Campus Regents are beginning to recognize and acknowledge that anti-Israel events and BDS campaigns contribute to an atmosphere of hostility on campus, which incites individuals to commit hate crimes against, and target Jewish students. The ZOA applauds Congress and House representatives and college administrators for their efforts to oppose the anti-Semitic econo-warfare of the BDS movement and support the right of Israel to self-determine. The goal of our ZOA chapter, like that of the national organization, is to educate the community, the general public, elected officials, and the media about the truth of the ongoing Arab war against Israel. We invite you to visit www.zoaswfl.org to learn more, to register to attend our programs and to get involved.

COMMENTARY BRIEFS “EXCUSES” FOR TERRORISTS

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The day after the Brussels terror attack, landmarks in the UK were lit up in the colors of the Belgian flag. But after 67 years of terror, the UK still has not found the blue and white lights it would need to project the flag of Israel onto any public place. When Israel is attacked, the steps of the Israeli embassies in London and other European capitals are not littered with flowers, teddy bears or candles, or scrawled notes of sympathy. Indeed, whenever Israelis are attacked and murdered, the response at Israel’s embassies tends to consist more of crowds roaring in rage against Israel. When Israel is attacked by terrorists, it is seen by a great number of people in the West not to be an innocent victim. It

is seen as a country which might have in some way brought the violence upon itself. Supposed excuses for this view may include Israeli “settlements” in the West Bank, while at the same time disregarding that to most Palestinians all of Israel is one big “settlement” – to be exterminated, as openly set forth in both the Hamas and PLO charters. If you look at any map of “Palestine,” it is actually a map of Israel. This piece of land, however, has been home to the Jews for nearly 4,000 years. If you allow an “excuse” for one false narrative of Islamic extremists, you will have to allow it for the others. You will, for example, have to accept the word of ISIS that Belgium is a “crusader” nation, deserving to be attacked. You will have to accept that Islamic

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May 2016 Federation Star

COMMENTARY

All Jews are responsible one for another Rabbi Ammos Chorny

ith revolutions, conflicts and crises simmering around the world, it is hard not to stay glued to the news. These concerns serve to bring into sharper focus our responsibility as Jews and as Americans to work for a better world: to come to the aid of our neighbors wherever they are in peril. The celebration of Passover underscores two timeless truths. First of all, the struggle for freedom is one that has been fought continuously throughout human history. We cannot hide from the troubles of the world and hope that they will simply go away. We must remain vigilant and engaged to confront the evils that occasionally threaten our world. Secondly, throughout history the Jewish people have often been targeted as scapegoats. And so, the words of our Passover Haggadah that we just read continue to ring true, namely, “b’chol dor vador omdim alenu l’chalotenu” – “In every generation some tyrant has arisen to try and destroy us.” But as the Haggadah continues, “The Holy One has always rescued us from their hands.” So while our survival has often been threatened, somehow the Jewish people have managed to endure with God at our side. And our perseverance, despite all gthe evils that have been thrust upon us, -has always been viewed as evidence of gGod’s protective love for the Jewish people. t Sometimes the dangers we encoungtered in our past stemmed from fractures within our own community. The Talmud teaches us that it is only because of such ndivisiveness that the Second Temple -in Jerusalem was destroyed in the first century, C.E. And when one reads Israeli dnewspapers today, it is clear that we Americans have nothing on Israel when s

BRIEFS

dcontinued from previous page extremists have the right to attack the people of Belgium, France, Sierra Leeone, Canada, the U.S. and Australia. tYou will have to accept that Europeans can be killed for publishing a cartoon, esimply because a foreign terrorist group esays so, and then accept that the cartoondists brought it on themselves. h The enemies of Israel and the en.emies of the rest of the civilized world ghave some minor differences, but there ris far more that they have in common. It may take a while to realize it, but we are all in the same boat. (Douglas Murray, associate director of the Henry Jackson Society in London, Gatestone Institute)

KUWAITI COLUMNIST: ISRAEL HAS OUTDONE US IN EVERYTHING – WE MUST LEARN FROM IT

Columnist Ahmad Al-Sarraf wrote in the Kuwaiti daily Al-Qabas on February 1: “Israel has outdone us in all fields – military, scientific and cultural – but despite this we have refused to consider the reason for its obvious superiority to us, and have never stopped calling it ‘the monstrous entity’....Since its founding, Israel has been committed to democracy, while we refuse to even speak of it, let alone adopt it....Israel has given its minorities rights that most citizens in most Arab countries do not even dream of. Furthermore, the freedom of worship there exceeds that in any Arab or Islamic country.” “Israel has managed to unite people

it comes to internal dissension or nasty political rancor. As Jews we must be mindful of the fact that our internal struggles can sometimes prove to be as dangerous to our survival as the external threats which have plagued us throughout history. As the old joke goes: Two Jews, three opinions (if not three synagogues)! Instead of trying to build ourselves up, sometimes we are too busy tearing each other down. The book of Genesis recounts the first stories of brothers fighting brothers. In later times there was the division Israel into two kingdoms after the death of Solomon. Rabbinic sources tell us of the disputes of the Pharisees and Sadducees. And in the nineteenth century there was great animosity between the Hasidim and the Mitnagdim (those who opposed Hasidism). In our own day, we sometimes witness the same discord in our community, with some Jews believing that they alone possess the authentic path toward the true understanding and fulfillment of the Torah. If there is anything we should learn from our history and current events, it is how dangerous such a fundamentalist mindset can become. There is certainly nothing wrong with Jews disagreeing with one another over ideology or halacha. Every page of the Talmud records such disputes, and it is in the very nature of Judaism to encourage such debate. Nevertheless, if we endlessly squabble with one another, it can only lead us down a dangerous path and weaken our collective strength. Despite the sometimes vigorous debates within our community, we have always found a source of strength from our shared history and from the Torah itself. And as long as we retain our mutual respect for one another and understand that kol Yisrael arevim zeh lazeh, that all Jews are responsible one for another, then we will continue to persevere and thrive as a people. Rabbi Ammos Chorny serves at Beth Tikvah in Naples. emigrating to it from 50 countries, and to forge a single people from them, while we have not managed to create a [joint] army out of the [Arab] people.... Israel has known law and order since its first day, while we still try to comprehend the meaning of both these words.... Israel has developed its technologies and developed its agriculture, industry and military, becoming an advanced and respected country, while we currently occupy the bottom slot in every field.” (MEMRI)

ANTI-ZIONISM IS THE NEW ANTI-SEMITISM

¡ On March 27, speaking to the Sunday Times, former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams expressed his concern at rising levels of anti-Semitism on British university campuses. There are, he said, “worrying echoes” of Germany in the 1930s. Two days later, in The Times, Chris Bryant, the Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and a senior member of the British Labour party, warned that the political left was increasingly questioning the right of the State of Israel to exist, a view he called a “not too subtle form of anti-Semitism.” ¡ A survey in 2013 by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights showed that almost a third of Europe’s Jews have considered emigrating because of anti-Semitism, with numbers as high as 46% in France and 48% in Hungary. ¡ In the Middle Ages, Jews were hated because of their religion. In the 19th and 20th centuries they were hated because of their race. Today

May is a strange month Rabbi Mark Gross

his is the season when winter loses its tenacious grip on the earth and life affirms itself riotously. The pagan Celts celebrated May 01 as Beallthain, an earthy ritual of fertility and rebirth, so that (at least according to Lerner and Loewe) people rejoiced that It’s May, it’s May, the month of “Yes, you may,” That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray.... The time for every frivolous whim, Proper or im-. Yet in many folk traditions this warm bright season is marred by dark and fearsome associations. The pagan Celts saw Beallthain as a time when the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds were blurred, when fairies and witches roamed free. In Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the innkeeper’s wife warns Jonathan Harker “when the clock strikes midnight, all the evil things in the world will have full sway.” Sir Walter Scott adduces this proverbial warning about the unfortunate consequences of scheduling auspicious celebrations at such an inauspicious season: “Marry in May, rue for ae.” We Jews have a deeper perspective on all this, informed by our staggeringly long history (and by the penchant of the Talmudic rabbis for confronting perplexing situations with the blunt question ma’i ka mashma lan, “what does this teach us?”). Our ancestors were farmers in the land of Israel, so we understand completely why you wouldn’t do a wedding in May. The monster job of reaping, threshing, winnowing, sifting and storing the grain that began to ripen at Passover, in mid-April, occupied every able-bodied person over several weeks, and wouldn’t be

concluded until late May or even early June. Who had time to make a wedding! But just try to tell a love-besotted adolescent (and remember that our ancestors married very young): “Darling, we’re just too busy with the harvest.” The petulant response would be: “You care less about my happiness than you do about a bunch of dumb wheat!” Aim instead at the irrational, and gravely inform the kid that it’s bad luck to marry during this season (as if people of faith believe in “luck”), and the ardent bride or groom would be willing to hold off a few weeks so as not to put a kibosh on their future happiness. This tradition about not holding weddings in May is of great antiquity and long standing (this one-month-intwelve backlog is the reason for the equally traditional “June bride”). The practice originated in Rome, and overflowed into every subsequent culture in Europe (you don’t think Walter Scott made it up himself, do you?). In the Jewish tradition, we are also accustomed not to hold weddings during the seven-week s’ﬁrah countdown from Pesach to Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks. There is clearly a tie here to the harvest season, as evidenced by the fact that our ancestors used to bring to the Jerusalem Temple the first sheaf of ripe grain on Passover, and a tenth of the finished grain crop on Shavuot. However, at a deeper level the s’firah is a re-enactment in mythic dreamtime of our people’s long-ago plodding journey through the desert from Egypt to Sinai. Until Shavuot arrives, at a symbolic level we have not yet received the Torah and become the Jewish people; in the larger sense of the time-beyond-time in which Jewish life is lived, if we have not yet made the central Covenant with God how can we yet make a marriage with each other? May every day in May be a step bringing you closer to Sinai, finding you not just feeling the desert sand in your shoes, but also dreaming of holy affirmation. Rabbi Mark Gross serves at the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island.

Opinions and letters printed in the Federation Star do not necessarily reflect those of the Jewish Federation of Collier County, its Board of Directors or staff, or its advertisers. they are hated because of their nation state, Israel. Anti-Zionism is the new anti-Semitism. ¡ Israel – the only fully functioning democracy in the Middle East with a free press and independent judiciary – is regularly accused of five crimes against human rights: racism, apartheid, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and attempted genocide. This is the blood libel of our time. ¡ When bad things happen to a group, its members can ask two different questions: If it asks, “What did we do wrong?” it has begun the selfcriticism essential to a free society. If it asks, “Who did this to us?” it has defined itself as a victim. It will then seek a scapegoat to blame for

Jerusalem Post Crossword Puzzle Solution to puzzle on page 18

all its problems. Classically this has been the Jews. ¡ The hate that begins with Jews never ends with Jews. People of all faiths and none must stand together, not just to defeat anti-Semitism but to ensure the rights of religious minorities are defended everywhere. (Jonathan Sacks, Britain’s chief rabbi, 1991-2013, Newsweek)

What if there was one place…  to meet the needs of Jews and non-Jews, young and old, wherever they live?  inspired by bold, often daring pursuits of social justice and human rights?  you could make stronger by rich traditions of advocacy, education, responsibility and tzedakah?

There is! Federation. It starts with you! To learn more, call 239.263.4205.

Federation Star May 2016

FOCUS ON YOUTH

Naples BBYO update

By Skylar Haas, Assoc. Regional Dir. of BBYO’s North Florida Region

uring the month of April, Naples BBYO hosted its very first Smile Summit, a day focused around advocacy for cancer. Members packed hundreds of Bottles of Smiles to support children recovering from, and living with, serious illnesses. They were able to bring back a sense of normalcy into the lives of pediatric patients and make them feel like kids again. The goal for the project is to take the children’s minds off of treatments and surgeries when we deliver the bottles filled with toys, activities and a personalized message. Aside from the hands-on project, members wrote letters to chemotherapy patients and heard from an array of guest speakers. Over Memorial day weekend, Naples BBYO comes together for the

City Convention Overnight at the Jewish Federation of Collier County. This teen-led lock-in will consist of fun programming, an evening social, elections for the next group of executive chapter officers, and so much more. It is an event that every Jewish teen in Collier County will want to be part of, so don’t miss out! This event is for members only. To find out more information on how to join BBYO, please visit www. bbyo.org/azabbg/membership/. For more information about service, advocacy and philanthropic opportunities for Naples teens, contact me at SHaas@bbyo.org. Follow us on Instagram @Naples BBYO and Like us on Facebook @ Naples BBYO.

i G v e o Naples BBYO members at a recent Thursday Night chapter meeting f w s h c taking registrations for the 2016-2017 interest. Campers participates in Waterj school year. Enrollment is now open to Play, Dancing, Arts and Crafts, Perform-a the general public and we are almost full ing Arts, Foreign Language, Technol-e to capacity. TSP is known for providogy, Science Experiments and Music. ing a nurturing, caring, academicallyChildren attending Camp Shaloma challenging program, state-of-the art have fun sharing a special breakfast withf equipment, and experienced, educated their dads, performing science experi-m teachers. Those interested in learning ments in our Science Lab, celebratingW more are invited to call the preschool our planet and learning all about recyoffice at 239.455.3227 and ask for Glocling, creating magnificent art pieces, ria, Administrative Assistant, or Seyla cooking, gardening and learning about Cohen, Preschool Director, to receive healthy eating as well as mixing, meainformation or set up a tour. suring and enjoying yummy goodies, Camp Shalom & Camp Einstein and of course, lots of music! On Monday, June 6, fabulous summer Camp Einstein’s children use their fun officially will begin at both Camp creative minds and writing skills to B Shalom and Camp Einstein. Camp Shadevelop their own play script, learn lom is a fun-filled seven-week summer to become an entrepreneur, broadcast camp program for children ages two a weather report, illustrate their own through four, and Camp Einstein is an book, create their own artistic masteroutstanding academic camp for children pieces, and learning about technology ages five through eight. Both programs through Legos! are run by Adult Preschool Teachers and Now that’s what we call having have been developed with children’s a blast at camp. Don’t you wish you needs and interests in mind, offering were part of our amazing TSP camp a welcoming place for little ones to family? come and enjoy the hot Naples summer. There’s something to peak everyone’s

Temple Shalom Preschool update By Seyla Cohen, Preschool Director

here’s nothing like tradition and holidays to let us know where in the year we are. Children thrive on structure and repetition so it’s no wonder that the festivals we celebrate each year create lasting memories. Such rituals can be started at an early age and that is our intention at Temple Shalom Preschool. On Passover, another much-loved celebration, children become familiar with the different foods offered and the meaning behind their presentation. As on many Jewish holidays, the menu plays an important part. We celebrated Passover with our TSP families at our annual Passover Seder where traditional dishes were savored. In our Storyland, the story of Moses is told and acted out on stage; in art class, traditional Seder plates are crafted; in music, customary songs are sung and danced to; and in our classrooms, creative Haggadahs are constructed; all making for a fun learning experience, especially for our little ones. As these children progress through Temple Shalom Preschool year after

year, these customs are repeated, forming a constant reminder of where they come from and instilling in them a sense of belonging. Those students who are not of the Jewish faith are exposed to

TSP students dressed up for Purim

practices that other religions follow, broadening their horizons. In just a few short days, on Thursday, May 5, the Annual Temple Shalom Preschool Art Show will take place. This year promises to be the most sensational Art Show ever. The planning committee has gone above and beyond, and promises a new and incredibly exciting experience. Please call the Preschool office for more information on attending or supporting this event. Now that we are approaching the last quarter of the school year, we are

Preschool of the Arts update By Ettie Zaklos, Preschool Director

ratitude is one of the trickiest concepts to teach toddlers and preschoolers, who can be selfcentered by nature, but it is also one of the most important. Thankful children are more polite and pleasant to be around, but there is more to it than that. By learning gratitude, children become sensitive to the feelings of others, developing empathy and other life skills along the way. Grateful kids look outside their one-person universe and understand that their parents and other people do things for them – prepare dinner, dole out hugs, buy toys. Giving children the tools to express their thanks allows them to develop deeper, more wholesome relationships with those around them. Indeed, instilling grateful feelings now actually benefits young children later in life. A recent study has proven that grateful people report higher levels of happiness and optimism, along with lower levels of depression and stress. The catch? No one is born grateful. Recognizing that someone has gone out of their way for you is not a natural behavior for children – it is learned. But wait! It’s not Thanksgiving! Why are we talking about gratitude? Well at Preschool of the Arts, our “attitude of gratitude” is not saved for once a year – it is part of everyday philosophy. This month, we will have the opportunity to take that to the next level with various events that showcase the sincere appreciation we have for so many in-

credible members of our Preschool of the Arts community. On Tuesday, May 10 we will celebrate Teacher’s Appreciation Day. Our team of loving professionals are carefully selected for their warmth and passion for early childhood education. Every day they expertly model the values of friendship, kindness and gratitude that make up the ethos of our school. Throughout the year, they strive to not only educate but love our students, guiding them to reach their full potential. Our annual Teacher’s Appreciation Day is a chance for our entire POTA family to come together and express heartfelt thanks for everything our educators do. This year, as a token of appreciation, our parent representatives

organized a special trip to the spa for all of our incredible educators. While parent volunteers will fill in in the classrooms, our beloved POTA teachers will get to relax and be pampered at the Woodhouse Day Spa around the corner. Our teachers will come away refreshed and rejuvenated, and our parents will hopefully gain a renewed appreciation for our incredible teachers who make managing a classroom of little learners look so easy! The theme of appreciation will continue with another event that celebrates our incredible parents, who are a vital element of our school’s success. It is POTA’s special school-home connection that creates the perfect environment for our children to thrive. The most impor-

Students partake in an egg experiment

tant ingredients in the recipe for our children’s success will be highlighted with a very special Mother’s Day event: Muffins with Moms. The event allows our young students to express their appreciation for the most important woman in their lives: their moms! At POTA we know that the mothers in our parent body give their all to our children every single day, long after pick-up time, and deserve all of the recognition in the world. Want to find a reason to say thanks? B Join our community! Our innovative programs and incredible staff are an open Naples secret, and our award-winning preschool is growing exponentially every year. Our classes have almost reached capacity enrollment for the 2016-2017 school year. With high demand and limited availability, we encourage prospective families to enroll today! We only have a few remaining spots for Fall. Get a taste of what makes Preschool of the Arts so popular at our unique Summer of the Arts experience. Our acclaimed program integrates various creative arts and educational themes in a safe, multi-sensory and Jewish-spirited setting. Our Minors program (18 months - 4 years) is currently wait list only but we still have a few spots available in the B Majors program (5-11 years). Call our office at 239.263.2620 to schedule a tour and see why everyone is talking about POTA!

The Federation Star is a monthly nonprofit newspaper supported by generous readers, committed advertisers and the Jewish Federation of Collier County.

May 2016 Federation Star

SYNAGOGUES / ORGANIZATIONS

www.bethtikvahnaples.org / 239-434-1818

BETH TIKVAH

Beth Tikvah update Phil Jason President

eth Tikvah is now ten years old. It was rekindled out of the ashes of earlier Conservative initiatives going back at least to 1999. Growing out of a merger of Beth Tikvah’s predecessor and Ma’ayan, the new entity filed its documents with the State of Florida in May 2006. However, before that merger the existing synagogues were careful to rehearse; that is, to make sure the people being brought together had a compatible worship style and a compatible vision. We began holding joint services – a kind of engagement – and found ourselves comfortable with each other. We married. The ten-year journey was not always smooth. Hard work and good fortune allowed us to resolve disputes, move forward, and continue to grow. When we worked together to do a year-

long search after our first rabbi decided to relocate to his home base in Toronto, we sought the best possible match. In hiring Rabbi Ammos Chorny several years ago, having already moved from the space above the insurance company to a much more attractive home, we put Beth Tikvah on the road to permanence and vastly expanded possibilities. Happy tenth birthday! May activities Sunday, May 8 – Rosh Chodesh Women’s Study Group meets at 10:00 a.m. Sue Hammerman and Lee Henson will facilitate a session focusing on “Supporting our Strengths: Disability and Judaism.” For information, contact Elaine Kamin at elaine_kamin@hotmail.com. Wednesday, May 11 – Israel Night. We combine the moods of Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut into one gathering at which we celebrate the birth of the modern State of Israel and remember those who have fought and died in Israel’s founding and defense. RSVP to bethtikvahnaples@aol.com. Sunday, May 15 – From 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., we join with the entire community at the Mercato for “Celebrate

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION

Israel.” Join in this free multi-cultural event celebrating Israel on the 68th anniversary of its independence. Enjoy Israeli dancing, music by Simcha, games, speakers, crafts, art, food by Stage Deli, and a Mount Masada climbing wall. Visit 20 Israel-themed booths covering travel insights, science, medicine, communications and more. Monday, May 23 – Our Book Discussion Group will meet at 7:30 p.m. to explore Don’t Let My Baby Do Rodeo by Boris Fishman. “The novel begins with the disappearance of 8-year-old Max Rubin. He is discovered miles from his New Jersey home sitting calmly with his face in a river, counting pebbles. His frantic parents, Maya and Alex, have noticed inexplicable behavior before – the boy insists on sleeping on the floor; deer and hornets gather peacefully around him; he eats grass. This is not the behavior of a nice ex-Soviet Jewish boy, and the novel follows the Rubins’ attempts to discover why their adopted son resembles a woodland creature. His Belarusian grandparents shake their heads. They have come to love the little blond boy they once considered a sign

of failure (back home ‘everyone was fertile’), but they worry still about his foreign, which is to say gentile American, ancestry.” – New York Times Book Review. Thursday, May 26 – Lag B’Omer Picnic beginning 5:00 p.m. at Veterans Park. $15 brings you a kosher picnic feast. Join in and support by bringing salads, other side dishes, beverages, condiments and paper/plastic goods. RSVP to bethtikvahnaples@aol.com. Religious services schedule Friday services begin at 6:15 p.m.; Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude with a Kiddush luncheon. Sunday 9:00 a.m. minyan resumes in late fall. We regularly convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request. Please join us at any service. Our participatory worship services and most other events are held at 1459 Pine Ridge Road, just west of Mission Square Plaza. For more information, call 239.434.1818, email bethtikvahnaples@aol.com or visit www.bethtikvahnaples.org. You can reach Rabbi Chorny directly at 239.537.5257.

www.naplesjewishcongregation.org / 239-234-6366

Naples Jewish Congregation update By Suzanne L. Paley, President

here is a saying that often the best things come in small packages. We, at Naples Jewish Congregation, like to think that this applies to our synagogue. We are not a large congregation and we don’t have our own building, but the warmth and compassion that our members have for each other, our guests and our community is HUGE! We have had a very successful year in terms of the programming we have provided and the new members and friends who have joined our temple family. This year, we tried some new innovations, one of which was holding a couple of Saturday morning Shabbat services, something we had not done before. This was so well received that serious consideration is being given to hold several more during the coming

year. Everyone, without exception, enjoyed the morning services, the mood of which was enhanced by the delightful sunshine pouring in the windows, and the upbeat and inspirational music led by Cantorial Soloist Jane Galler, assisted by our choir and directed by Alla Gorelik Stadnik. A light Kiddush lunch is held following services, and with the weather being so pleasant we are able to sit outside, relaxing and spending quality with each other. Our Artist/Scholar-in-Residence program was extremely successful, and our Program Committee is working hard planning another event that our community will enjoy as much if not more in 2017. Our Dixieland Jazz Night was so successful that people immediately were asking for a repeat performance next year! We were very

JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND

proud to be a sponsor of the first annual Collier County Jewish Book Festival. As always, in the spirit of tikkun olam, NJC members contributed financially and with their time and effort to several local charities, including the Weekend Meals Program for Homeless Children in Collier County, and the Senior Center and food pantry at Jewish Family & Community Services. Sisterhood and Men’s Club provided a variety of activities throughout the year and Rabbi Sylvin Wolf continued his Adult Enrichment classes twice a month during season. As I stated at the beginning of this article, we are a “small package” but we are huge in what we offer. NJC is a Reform congregation providing a variety of services to adult congregants. We are known for our warmth, friendship and

compassion, and to tie up the package we are also affordable! I want to remind everyone that as of the month of May, we begin our “summer season” and only hold Shabbat services the last Friday of the month through August. In September we will resume our weekly worship services. Our Shabbat services begin at 7:30 p.m. and we gather at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples. Please join us for a Shabbat service and find out why “NJC is a place for you to belong!” An Oneg always follows our services, which gives everyone a chance to greet, meet and chat. For further information about Naples Jewish Congregation, please call 239.431.3858 or visit us at www. naplesjewishcongregation.org.

www.marcojcmi.com / 239-642-0800

JCMI update By Sue R. Baum, President

ay is here. The season seems to have passed quickly. Many of our Congregants have left for their northern homes. We wish them a safe, healthy and enjoyable summer, and look forward to their return next season. We have a goodly number of mem-

bers who are full-time residents. The synagogue is active during spring and summer, the period leading up to the High Holy Days. Wednesday Bridge continues as does Mah Jongg on Thursdays. Friday evening Shabbat services are conducted, followed bythe Oneg Shabbat. We will commemorate Yom

HaShoah and celebrate Shavuot, the time of the giving of the Torah. The officers, directors and program chairs work diligently during this period strategically planning the budget and fundraising events. The calendar will be finalized for Shabbat dinners, the 23rd year of the Cultural Series, the 18th

year of Monday Night Bingo, the 16th year of the Jewish Film Festival, the 4th year of the Jewish Deli Fest, the Mah Jongg Tournament, the 9th year of the Literary Group, Rabbi’s Adult Education Classes, the 16th year of Duplicate Bridge and more.

ORGANIZATIONS JEWISH WAR VETERANS

239-261-3270

Jewish War Veterans update

By Harvey Sturm, Commander Post # 202

il Block has relinquished his position as Commander of Post 202, Jewish War Veterans of America, Collier County, effective April 3. For the past ten years, Gil has served loyally and with distinction in perform-

ing his duties. Upon his retirement as Post Commander, he will still remain an active member of the Post. On April 3, the Post held an election for new officers and the results are as follows: ¡ Harvey Sturm, Commander

¡ Joel Treewater, First Vice Commander ¡ Marty Rubin, Second Vice Commander All veterans who served in peace or in war time who wish to join and help veterans through the Jewish War

Veterans of America may contact Commander Harvey Sturm at imlfashions@ gmail.com. Our next meeting will be on Sunday, May 15 at 9:30 a.m. at the Jewish Federation office, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201, Naples.

Federation Star May 2016 HUMANISTIC JEWISH HAVURAH

ORGANIZATIONS www.hjhswfl.org / 239-495-8484

Our topic in May: The Holocaust / Yom HaShoah Paula Creed HJH President

n Friday, May 6, the Humanistic Jewish Havurah hosts Ida Margolis, President of GenShoah SWFL, who will speak after our Shabbat dinner. GenShoah is open not only to children of Holocaust survivors (the Second Generation), but to all those who are interested in GenShoah’s mission: Preservation of the history and memories of the Holocaust, promotion of Holocaust education and human rights, connection of members of the Second Generation with one another, and support of the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida. Our potluck Shabbat begins with appetizers at 5:00 p.m. at the Pelican Marsh Community Center, 1504 Pelican Marsh Blvd., Naples. A $10 per person

charge enables us to cover the costs for this event. To attend, contact Dena Sklaroff at 239.591.0101 to determine what to bring for the dinner. Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) on the 27th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan (a date chosen by the Israeli government), is an important commemoration for Humanistic Jews. This day commemorates the systematic murder of six million Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II and the destruction of their culture, the most devastating assault ever experienced by the Jewish people. There have been many genocides in human history, but none as methodical and ruthless as the Nazi extermination of the Jews. Humanistic Jews dedicate their observance of Yom HaShoah to the murdered six million, lighting candles in their memory, and honoring the courage of all who suffered and resisted. Some secularists prefer to commemorate the Holocaust on April 19, the date of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, one of the most dramatic examples of Jewish

JEWISH WOMEN INTERNATIONAL

resistance. A band of several thousand Jews, unwilling to passively accept deportation and extermination, fought back for weeks in the face of certain death. Their martyrdom was an act of heroic defiance. Not only does the Holocaust raise the issues of human evil and human responsibility, it also dramatized the question of divine justice. This Holocaust was not inevitable. It was the result of Hitler’s madness. Half of Ashkenazic Judaism was destroyed. The Yiddishspeaking ethnic Jewish nation in Poland and Eastern Europe disappeared. The tragedy was the greatest tragedy of Jewish history, a loss so great that the numbers of the victims defy comprehension. How could a good God allow six million innocent victims to die if he had the power to intervene? The Holocaust is painful testimony to the difficulties that the theistic/rabbinic view of Jewish history presents. The concept that the Jewish people is a “Chosen People” giving witness to the existence and power of a just and loving

God, is difficult to sustain in the face of the Holocaust. On the contrary, the Holocaust serves as witness to the absence of a just and loving providence governing the affairs of humanity. There are physical laws of nature. But they are indifferent to the welfare of men and women. In the end, the only power available to resist human cruelty is human power. The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was not a manifestation of divine intervention. It was a sign of human determination to defend human dignity, even in the face of a merciless “destiny.” Therefore, the Holocaust can be viewed as the ultimate testimony to the absence of a divine plan. Belief in a just God controlling a well-ordered world is impossible in the face of such implacable horror and brutality. The most appropriate response to the Holocaust is to intensify the quest for human dignity, which can provide meaning and order in a chaotic, uncaring universe.

www.jwi.org / 239-498-2778

JWI to bring comfort to women living in domestic violence shelters on Mother’s Day

Millie Sernovitz JWI Past International President

his Mother’s Day, Jewish Women International (JWI) will send bouquets of flowers and financial literacy resources to the 45,000 women and children spending Mother’s Day in more than 200 battered women’s shelters nationwide. For the women living in the shelters, urgent concerns like housing, safety and employment make Mother’s Day just another day to

survive. JWI’s Flower Project lets them know they are remembered and loved, and provides financial literacy resources to help them rebuild their lives and create safe homes for their children. Through initiatives supported by the Flower Project, JWI works to educate communities, empower women, and break the cycle of abuse. Proceeds from the sales of cards are used to send bouquets of flowers and specially developed financial literacy resources to domestic violence shelters. For each $25 contribution, JWI will send a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day card to any honoree the donor chooses, thanking them for the inspiration to help women in need.

ORT AMERICA – GULF BEACHES CHAPTER

To make a donation and send a card, visit www.jwi.org/flowerproject or call 800.343.2823. Locally, women living in the Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Naples will be recipients of the Flower Project. Please email Meredith Jacobs at mjacobs@jwi.org if you are interested in being connected to shelter staff. “Gifts of this kind raise the spirits of women who are trying to move forward toward a second chance at a better life,” said Beth Burns, director of Chelsea House in Tallahassee, Florida, a flower project recipient. “Our heartfelt thanks to JWI for the beautiful flowers for Mother’s Day. Throughout the year, JWI works

on behalf of victims of abuse – building libraries in shelters, advocating for domestic violence legislation, and preventing abuse by teaching young people about healthy relationships. The Flower Project is an opportunity to reach these women personally; to tell them that we care about them as much as the issue. To learn more about the JWI’s Mother’s Day Flower Project or other JWI endeavors locally and nationally, please contact Millie Sernovitz at 239.498.2778 or millie@sernovitz.com. Also, please visit the JWI website at www.jwi.org or its companion website for Jewish Woman magazine at www. jwmag.org.

www.ort.org / 239-649-4000

ORT to eternity

Marina Berkovich ORT Gulf Beaches President

RT has influenced the Jews and the World since 1880 in many unheralded ways. Part VIII. Post-War ORT (continued from the April issue) “The only bright rays in the gloomy existence of the DP,” wrote Samuel Gringauz. At the end of World War II, ORT’s primary goal of the army administration of the camps was to return DPs to their home countries as quickly as possible. The repatriation of all the DPs was estimated to take about six months. The idea that many DPs may not want to return to their country of origin was not initially taken into account. Two million DPs, including 50,000 Jews, refused to return to their homeland. From September 1945, groups of Jews fleeing from anti-Semitic violence in Poland began illegally entering the American Zone of Germany. Later, they were joined by

Jewish refugees from Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Romania. In November 1945, Dr. David Lvovitch made an agreement between World ORT Union, which he chaired, and UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration), for vocational schools to be opened wherever possible. The first school in the large camp of Landsberg had already opened in August 1945. Once ORT became the recognized vocational agency, machines and equipment were brought in, hundreds of instructors were recruited from among surviving ORT personnel, and DP engineers, educators and craftsmen, then classes and workshops sprouted. By the end of 1945, there were 1,895 persons enrolled in ORT in Germany. Two years later, the number had swelled to 10,624, when the Jewish DP population reached about 250,000 people housed in hundreds of DP centers: about 185,000 in Germany, 45,000 in Austria and 20,000 in Italy. In late 1946, ORT programs were opened in Austria within the camps, as in Germany; and schools in Vienna, Salzburg and Linz for residents in nearby camps and DPs living outside the camps. Then the program was extended

to Italy for those who planned to get to Palestine. Fields were chosen with an eye to what would be useful there, like an agricultural training program near Turin and a center for construction workers in Milan. ORT reported: “Delay in the opening channel of emigration produced a mood of desperation… Conditions in the camps were bad enough. But the enervating effects of idleness and waiting worked a terrible attrition of the spirit.” By the end of 1947, ORT had become a network of over 700 courses located in the DP camps of Europe. The phenomenal number of 22,620 persons was enrolled that year, almost one-tenth of the DP population of the time. Samuel Gringauz, President of the Congress of Liberated Jews in the U.S. Zone, wrote: “The importance of the school centers is the fact that they gave a valuable ideology to thousands of young people; that they helped thousands of young people in a heroic self-assertion; that they created the spirit admired by the whole world at the attitude of the DPs on the Exodus; that they inspired an ideology which will become the foundation of the national rebirth of the Jewish people.”

ORT in DP Camp Schools in Germany

The last camp to remain open, Fohrenwald, functioned until 1957. WAO was a vital element in funding ORT’s postwar vocational training in the DP camps, as well as the rehabilitation of DPs in the United States, in free Europe and Israel. (to be continued in June 2016 issue) *** ORT provides scholarships to 300,000 students annually in over 60 countries. GulfBeaches ORT Chapter 2016 fundraising efforts benefit ORT in Israel. Please help us with our financial challenge by mailing your renewal or donation check, payable to ORT America, to Hella Amelkin, 3200 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., #307, Naples, FL 34103.

May 2016 Federation Star

ORGANIZATIONS

www.hadassah.org / 239-370-6220

COLLIER/LEE CHAPTER OF HADASSAH

“Why can’t people just be nice?” Gayle Dorio

t e l t

Collier/Lee Hadassah Co-President

ight now our world is rocked with terror. Right now reason. able people wonder: What can a we do? t Dr. Emanuel Tanay, a well-known respected psychiatrist who is a Hoe locaust survivor has this to say about today’s fanaticism: “History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason, we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated -of points. Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence. s Very few people were true Nazis; , many enjoyed the return of German n pride, and many more were too busy to care…the majority just sat back and let it all happen. We are told again and again by ‘experts’ and ‘talking heads’ that Islam is the religion of peace and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make

us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the specter of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam. The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march... It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter… and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave… The hard, quantifiable fact is that the peaceful majority, the ‘silent majority,’ is cowed and extraneous.” In the middle of all of this is Israel, a tiny country that is a shining democracy surrounded by countries that wish it to disappear. Israel exists and works toward a better world. In the midst of despair, bombings and terror, Israelis persevere. Hadassah’s chair for American Zionist Affairs, Marsha Goldfine, recently wrote: “Science and technology in Israel is one of the country’s most developed sectors. The percentage of Israelis in scientific and technological inquiry, and the amount spent on research and development in relation to gross domestic product, is the second highest in the world. Israel boasts the highest number of scientists, technicians and engineers per capita in the world with 140 per 10,000 employees. In comparison, the number

is 85 per 10,000 in the United States and 83 per 10,000 in Japan. Israel is home to major players in the high-tech industry and has one of the world’s most technologically literate populations.” Ever wonder how many Nobel Prize winners come from Israel? Twelve at last count. Only Yasser Arafat won representing the Palestinians and that was not for any scientific achievement. Look this up on the Internet and you will find: “Israel’s success in producing Nobel laureates is part of a larger trend that demands explanation… Jews have long been wildly over-represented in Nobel and similar prizes.” In the words of the American Enterprise Institute’s political scientist, Charles Murray, “In the first half of the 20th century, despite pervasive and continuing social discrimination against Jews throughout the Western world, despite the retraction of legal rights, and despite the Holocaust, Jews won 14 percent of Nobel Prizes in literature, chemistry, physics and medicine/ physiology. In the second half of the 20th century, when Nobel Prizes began to be awarded to people from all over the world, that figure rose to 29 percent. So far, in the 21st century, it has been 32 percent.” Jews constitute about 0.2 percent of the world’s population.”

www.jhsswf.org / 239-566-1771

JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SWFL

r e

My grandmother used to ask, “Why can’t people just be nice?” We never had an answer for her. Today, in our country, people are angry and polarized. Instead of being open to different opinions, ideas and ways – there is dysfunction. Our political situation is cause for worry. If you are a member of one political party, you are told everyone else is wrong if they don’t agree with you. You hear criticism of the President. We, who should be working together as Americans, are instead, party members – resorting to violence in our own country when others disagree with us. I can think of no other time to be more passionate about being a Hadassah member. Hadassah is not supposed to be the “FUN” organization – we do have fun; but we are the “FUNDRAISING” organization because our funds are so important to Israel and to the important work here in the United States. Karen Cohn, my co-president, and I are so proud to encourage everyone to join us in supporting the excellent work of Hadassah. Hadassah does more! Israel does so much more! Israel needs all of us. We need one another, too. I hope you will join Hadassah and other local organizations on Sunday, May 15 at the Mercato as we celebrate Israel at 68! Please, let’s all just be nice!

Virtual Museum becomes 2016 reality

e e

Marina Berkovich

s JHSSWF r President t . ne of my favorite science-fict tion writers, Stanislaw Lem, the e author of Solaris, wrote, “Man . has gone out to explore other worlds and other civilizations without having explored his own labyrinth of dark passages and secret chambers, and without finding what lies behind doorways that he himself has sealed.” We have been talking about a Virtual Museum since the embryo days of our organization, and in 2016, virtual will become quite real to all who want to learn about the Southwest Florida Jewish history. The Virtual Museum will become possible due to the generosity of many individuals who understand the impor-



e n

tance of preserving the local Jewish history and educating the rest of the world about it. The JHSSWF Virtual Museum will include documents we received from many individuals and organizations, photographs, films we received from local residents, interviews, and films the Society has produced, like the “Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers” series. We hope it will become the online home for anyone interested in learning, in particular, history and Jews. Beginning in late May, the Society’s volunteers will start preparing its archives for transferring into the Virtual Museum. Then, over the summer, the Virtual Museum will begin to take shape, so that by the time the snowbirds return to Florida later this year, we can all give it a festive launch. In the cyber universe we all reside in now, being virtual is both vital and viral. With many options open, the Virtual Museum’s reach will hopefully become like that of Star Trek. Like, when the

Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida Membership Form

r T

Please send your check (payable to JHSSWF) and this form to: Jewish Historical Society of SWFL 899 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 116 Naples, FL 34108

r e

Phone: 239.566.1771 Email: jhsswf@gmail.com Online: www.JHSSWF.org

series initially aired, it was only a threeyear run, but now, a mere fifty years later, there are Trekkie Conventions, the next one, incidentally, in August. We hope that our Society’s passion for local Jewish history preservation and our efforts to create the JHSSWF Virtual Museum will generate a faithful following like theirs. I am odd, in a way, like Spock of the Starship Enterprise, having come from a totally different kind of beginning than most of you, but maybe that is exactly why I fight so hard to save what I found here in Southwest Florida on my voyages to record Jewish history of a place where no Jew has gone before. Or maybe they came, but were hiding their Jewish origins to fit in with the other Vulcans. Alright, you may laugh all you want at this comparison, but in all seriousness, when we first started planning the Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida, you probably could not even fathom why, right? And now it’s here for five years and we have done some

important work, but most of it is still ahead. The Jewish Historical Society invites you to join us in our explorations of local Jewish history before the passage of time or lack of researchers will seal that door. If there is a story we should capture, please contact us 24/7/365. To become a member of JHSSWF, a sponsor, business associate and/or donor: The Jewish Historical Society of SWFL 899 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 116, Naples, FL 34108 239.566.1771 www.jhsswf.org Today is the right day to opt-in for the Jewish Historical Society’s mailing list. The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida is a section 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions are deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Membership Application 2016 Membership Level:

 Student - $18  Individual - $36

 Family - $54  Sponsor - $180

Name(s): _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Company (if applicable): _________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________ City: _____________________________ State: _____ Zip Code ____________ Florida home phone:____________________________________________ Cell phone: ___________________________________________________ Email: _________________________________________________________

The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida, Inc. is a Section 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Federation Star May 2016

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

May 2016 – 5776Get the Service you Deserve SUNDAY

MONDAY

1:00pm HDH Board Mtg 5:30pm JCMI Bingo

10:00am BBYO Board Mtg 10:00am TS-S Board Mtg 12:15pm BT Torah Study 1:30pm CJD Committee Mtg 4:00pm JFCC Exec Comm Mtg 7:00pm JFCC Community Calendar Meeting

8 Mother’s Day

9:00am BT Sunday School 9:30am JWV Meeting 9:30am TS Sunday School 1:00pm “Celebrate Israel” at the Mercato

12:00pm NJC-S Book Club 1:00pm HDH Daytime Study

30 MEMORIAL DAY

9:00am BT Sunday School 9:30am TS Sunday School 10:00am TS Annual Meeting 1:00pm JFCC Mix & Mingle

9:00am BT Sunday School 3:00pm BBYO City Convention

FRIDAY

1:00pm JCMI Bridge 6:30pm BBYO Youth Activity 4:30pm BT-CHA-TS Hebrew Sch 5:00pm TS Yom HaShoah Commemoration 7:30pm BT Torah Study

11 Yom HaZikaron

9:00am TS Preschool Lions’ Mother’s Day Show 5:30pm TS Table Shabbat 6:15pm BT Services 6:30pm TS Shir Joy Shabbat 7:30pm TS Services 8:00pm JCMI Services

12 Yom Ha’Atzmaut 13

6:15pm BT Services 2:00pm NJC Board Meeting 3:00pm HM Exec Comm Mtg 7:30pm TS Services 6:00pm TS Preschool Art Show 8:00pm JCMI Services 6:30pm BBYO Youth Activity

11:00am JCMI Book Club 12:15pm BT Torah Study 7:00pm TS Exec Comm Mtg

1:00pm JCMI Bridge 12:00pm NJC-M Meeting 4:30pm BT-CHA-TS Hebrew Sch 1:30pm TS-S Book Bag 7:30pm BT Torah Study 4:00pm BT Board Meeting 6:30pm BBYO Youth Activity

10:30am JFCS Naples Jewish 12:15pm BT Torah Study Caring Support Group 3:30pm JFCC JFed Kids Club 11:30am JCRC Comm Meeting 7:00pm TS Board Meeting 4:30pm JFCC Stand Up for Justice Awards 7:30pm BT Book Group

9:00am BT Sunday School 9:30am TS Sunday School

THURSDAY 5 Yom HaShoah

9:30am HJH Board Meeting 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 1:30pm IAC Committee Mtg 4:30pm BT-CHA-TS Hebrew Sch 6:00pm BT Israel Night 7:30pm BT Torah Study

10:30am JFCS Naples Jewish 10:00am Jewish Genealogy Caring Support Group 11:30am TS-S Luncheon 12:15pm BT Torah Study 5:00pm CHA Circle of Hearts & Partners 7:00pm JFCC Board Meeting

9:00am BT Sunday School 10:00am BT Rosh Chodesh

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

10:30am JFCC Coloring for Adults 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 4:30pm CHA Hebrew School 7:30pm BT Torah Study

26 Lag B’Omer

9:30am CHA Pre-K Graduation 3:00pm HM Board Meeting 5:00pm BT Lag B’Omer Picnic 6:30pm BBYO Youth Activity 7:00pm JCMI Board Meeting

SATURDAY 7

8:30am TS Torah Talk 9:30am BT Services 10:00am CHA Services 10:00am TS Services

9:30am BT Services 10:00am CHA Services 10:00am TS Services

8:30am TS Pre-K Graduation 6:15pm BT Services 7:30pm TS Services 8:00pm JCMI Services

9:30am BT Services 10:00am CHA Services 10:00am TS Services

9:30am BT Services 10:30am TS Preschool Last Day Celeberation 10:00am CHA Services 10:00am TS Services 6:15pm BT Services 7:30pm NJC Services 7:30pm TS Services 8:00pm JCMI Services

Candle lighting times:

10:30am JFCC Crosswords & Sudoku for Adults 12:15pm BT Torah Study

May 6: 7:44 May 13: 7:48 May 20: 7:52 May 27: 7:55

Throughout the year, some holidays fall within the normal work week. The Federation office will be closed in observance of those holidays which are listed in all CAPITAL LETTERS.

Key: • AJC: American Jewish Committee • ATS: American Technion Society • BT: Beth Tikvah • CHA: Chabad Jewish Center of Naples • CHA-M: Chabad Men’s Club • CJD: Catholic-Jewish Dialogue • GS: GenShoah of SWFL • HDH: Hadassah • HJH: Humanistic Jewish Havurah • HM: Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida

Federation Star Publication Policy The Federation Star is a subsidized arm of the Jewish Federation of Collier County (JFCC). Its purpose and function is to publicize the activities and programs of the Federation, and to publicize the ongoing activities of the established and recognized Jewish organizations within Collier County. The mission of the JFCC is to reach out and unite all Jews of the greater Collier County area. While offering opinions and points of view do, and will continue to, exist about many issues of importance to Jews, the Federation Star will confine itself to publishing ONLY items that report the facts of actual events of concern to Jews and will only offer commentary that clearly intends to unite all Jews in a common purpose or purposes. Critical or derogatory comments directed at individuals or organizations will NOT be published in the Federation Star.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE ADVERTISERS WHO HELP MAKE THE FEDERATION STAR POSSIBLE. Be sure to mention you saw their ad in the Federation Star.

• JCMI: Jewish Congregation of Marco Island • JCMI-M: JCMI Men’s Club • JCMI-S: JCMI Sisterhood • JCRC: Jewish Community Relations Council • JFCC: Jewish Federation of Collier County • JFCS: Jewish Family & Community Services • JHSSWF: Jewish Historical Society of SWFL • JNF: Jewish National Fund • JRCA: Jewish Russian-American Cultural Alliance • JWV: Jewish War Veterans (Adopted by the Ofﬁcers and Board of Trustees of the Jewish Federation of Collier County 1/98) To avoid misunderstandings, controversies and destructive divisions among our people, the Officers and Board of Trustees of the “Federation” have adopted the following publication policy: Advertisements: All advertisements, regardless of their sponsor, shall be paid for in full, at the established rates, prior to publication. The contents of all advertisements shall be subject to review and approval of the Federation Board or its designee. Commercial advertisers may make credit arrangements with the advertising manager, subject to the approval of the Federation Board. Regular Columns: Regular columns shall be accepted only from leaders (Rabbis, Presidents, Chairpersons) of established and recognized Jewish organizations within Collier County and the designated Chairpersons of the regular committees of the Jewish Federation of Collier County.

Create a Jewish Legacy I give, devise and bequeath… Create a legacy to benefit the Jewish Federation of Collier County and our overall Jewish community in your will or trust. Call 239.263.4205. "I did not find the world desolate when I entered it. And as my parents planted for me before I was born, so do I plant for those who will come after me." -The Talmud

• MCA: Men’s Cultural Alliance • NJC: Naples Jewish Congregation • NJC-M: Naples Jewish Congregation Men’s Club • NJC-S: Naples Jewish Congregation Sisterhood • ORT: Organization for Rehabilitation/Training • TS: Temple Shalom • TS-M: Temple Shalom Men’s Club • TS-S: Temple Shalom Sisterhood • WCA: Women’s Cultural Alliance • ZOA: Zionist Organization of America

Special Announcements: Special announcements shall be accepted from established Jewish organizations within Collier County and may, at the discretion of the Federation Board, be subject to the conditions applicable to paid advertisements, as set forth above. News Items: Only those news items pertaining to matters of general interest to the broadest cross-section of the Jewish Community will be accepted for publication. Note: Items of controversial opinions and points of view, about political issues, will not be accepted for publication without prior approval of a majority of the Federation Officers and Trustees. All persons and organizations objecting to the actions and rulings of the Editor or Publications Committee Chairman shall have the right to appeal those rulings to the Officers and Board of Trustees of the JFCC.

May 2016 Federation Star

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY TEMPLE SHALOM OF NAPLES (Reform) 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34119 Phone: 455-3030  Fax: 455-4361 Email: info@naplestemple.org www.naplestemple.org Rabbi Adam Miller Cantor Donna Azu James H. Perman, D.D., Rabbi Emeritus Neil Shnider, President Eli Montague, Executive Director Dr. Anna Salomon, Dir. of Cong. Ed. Seyla Cohen, Preschool Director Peter Lewis, Organist/Choir Director Shabbat Services: Shabbat Eve - Friday 7:30 p.m. Shabbat - Saturday 10:00 a.m. Sisterhood • Men’s Club • Adult Education Havurot • Youth Groups • Religious School Judaic Library • Hebrew School • Pre-School Adult Choir • Social Action • Outreach Naples’ only Judaica Shop

CHABAD NAPLES JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER serving Naples and Marco Island 1789 Mandarin Road, Naples, FL 34102 Phone: 262-4474 Email: info@chabadnaples.com Website: www.chabadnaples.com

JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION

BETH TIKVAH

991 Winterberry Drive Marco Island, FL 34145 Phone: 642-0800  Fax: 642-1031 Email: mgr.jcmioffice@embarqmail.com Website: www.marcojcmi.com

Services are held at: The Unitarian Congregation 6340 Napa Woods Way Rabbi Sylvin Wolf Ph.D, DD 431-3858 Email: rabbi@naplesjewishcongregation.org www.naplesjewishcongregation.org

1459 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34109

Rabbi Mark Gross Hari Jacobsen, Cantorial Soloist Sue Baum, President Shabbat Services Friday 8:00 p.m. Saturday Talmud-Torah at 9:30 a.m. and Shachrit at 10:30 a.m. Sisterhood • Men’s Club Brownstein Judaica Gift Shop

(Reform)

Shabbat Services Friday evenings at 6:15 p.m. Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m.

Sisterhood • Men’s Club Adult Education • Adult Choir Social Action • Community Events

Youth Education Adult Education Community Events

Play Ball Runs. Hits. Errors. That’s what they tally in the score box.

Here’s our pitch.

Volume 25, No. 9 May 2016 32 pages USPS Permit No. 419 Publisher: Jewish Federation of Collier County Editor: Ted Epstein, 239-249-0699 fedstar18@gmail.com Design: Federation Media Group, Inc. Advertising: Melody Klein 239-633-2895 June Issue Deadlines: Editorial: May 2 Advertising: May 6 Send news stories to: fedstar18@gmail.com

Phone: 434-1818 Email: bethtikvahnaples@aol.com Website: www.bethtikvahnaples.org

Shabbat Services Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. May - August: services once a month

Shabbat Services Shabbat - Saturday 10am

2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road Suite 2201 Naples, FL 34109-0613 Phone: 239-263-4205 Fax: 239-263-3813 E-mail: info@jewishnaples.org Website: www.jewishnaples.org

(just west of Mission Square Plaza)

Rabbi Ammos Chorny Phil Jason, President Sue Hammerman, Secretary

Rabbi Fishel Zaklos Dr. Arthur Seigel, President Ettie Zaklos, Education Director

The Federation Star is published monthly, September through July, by the Jewish Federation of Collier County.

(Conservative)

Suzanne Paley, President Jane Galler, Cantorial Soloist

In the game of estate planning, striking out is not an alternative. We don’t want to see you sitting on the bench or out in left field in the late innings. The single most important thing you can do to triple your satisfaction is to redouble your efforts to include a lifetime gift or bequest to benefit the Jewish community through the Endowment Fund of the Federation.

• Camp Gan Israel • Hebrew School • Preschool of the Arts • Jewish Women’s Circle • Adult Education • Bat Mitzvah Club • Friendship Circle • Smile on Seniors • Flying Challah • Kosher food delivery

We’ve dugout a number of seasoned estate planning hits on which we can coach you, and on which you can base your decisions. Go ahead and bat this ball around. There’s no easy out if you want to hit a home run with your estate plan. Keep your eye on the ball…after our umpire asks you to play ball!...we’ll be cheering as you cross the plate a winner. Hot dog! For information on planning and charitable giving, call Jeffrey Feld, President/CEO, at 239.263.4205.

Jewish Organizations to Serve You in Collier County

(All area codes are 239 unless otherwise noted.)

Jewish Federation of Collier County Phone: 263-4205  Fax: 263-3813 Website: www.jewishnaples.org Email: info@jewishnaples.org • Federation Board Chair: Alvin Becker • Federation President/CEO: Jeffrey Feld

American Jewish Committee

• Regional Dir: Brian Lipton, 941-365-4955

American Technion Society

• Chapter Dir: Kelley Whiter, 561-395-7206

Collier-Lee Chapter of Hadassah • Co-President: Karen Cohn, 370-6220 • Co-President: Gayle Dorio, 530-8992

Friends of the IDF • Exec. Dir.: Dina Ben Ari, 305-354-8233

Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida • President: Joshua Bialek, 263-9200

Humanistic Jewish Havurah of Southwest Florida • Paula Creed, 495-8484

Israel Bonds

• Reva Pearlstein, 800-622-8017

JFCS of Southwest Florida

Please note our email addresses: Jeffrey Feld, Federation President/CEO – jfeld@jewishnaples.org Renee’ Bialek, Community Program Coordinator – rbialek@jewishnaples.org Julie Hartline, Donor Relations Coordinator – jhartline@jewishnaples.org General information requests – info@jewishnaples.org Melody Klein, Advertising Account Rep – mklein@jewishnaples.org Ted Epstein, Editor, Federation Star – fedstar18@gmail.com

Like us on Facebook!

ConneCt with your Jewish Community

www.facebook.com/ facebook.com/jfedsrq JewishFederationofCollierCounty

Phone: 325-4444 • Chairperson: David Rutstein • President/CEO: Dr. Jaclynn Faffer

Jewish National Fund

• West/Central FL Office, 800-211-1502 Uri ext 8910, Beth ext 8911

Jewish War Veterans Post 202,Collier Co. Chapter

• Commander, Harvey Sturm, 261-3270 • Senior Vice Commander, M/Gen. Bernard L. Weiss, USAF Ret. 594-7772

Men’s Cultural Alliance

• President: Steve Brazina, 325-8694

Naples Friends of American Magen David Adom (MDA)

• SE Reg Dir: Joel Silberman, 954-457-9766

ORT - Gulf Beaches Chapter

• President: Marina Berkovich, 566-1771

Women’s Cultural Alliance

• President: Elaine Soffer, 431-7905

Zionist Organization of America • President: Jerry Sobel, 914-329-1024

Federation membership

According to the By-Laws of the Jewish Federation of Collier County, members are those individuals who make an annual gift of $36 or more to the Annual Federation Campaign in our community. For more information, call the Federation office at 239.263.4205.

Federation Star May 2016

SHOW YOUR SOLIDARITY

Through Federation, you stand shoulder to shoulder with Jews everywhere.

Through Federation, you stand shoulder to shoulder with Jews everywhere. Europe,where whereJews Jewsare arefacing facingattacks attacks on on schools schools and and businesses. businesses. On North InInEurope, American college campuses, where Jewish students are all too often encountering On North American college campuses, where Jewish students are all a hostile environment. too often encountering a hostile environment. Donate. You are standing up for any Jewish community in need of support, protection and You are standing up for any Jewish community in need Volunteer. solidarity. Please give to <<NAME.>> today. of support, protection and solidarity. Please give to Get involved. the Jewish Federation of Collier County today. 239.263.4205 www.jewishnaples.org

YOU MAKE IT POSSIBLE!

Everything Federation does is made possible through the generous donations from members of the community. Please consider making a gift today!

FS0516

 I hereby pledge and promise to pay my Federation for the 2016 JFCC/UJA Annual Campaign a contribution of:  $36  $72  $180  $540  other $_________  Contribution enclosed (Check #__________)  Please charge my:

 MasterCard

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 Please bill me  American Express

Jewish Federation may add a 3% donation to my payment to offset credit card service fee _____ (initials or √ denote authorization)

Account #___________________________________________________ Exp. Date____________ ccv#__________ Name: ____________________________________________________ Signature:__________________________________________ Billing Address:______________________________________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________ ST: ______ Zip: _______________ Phone: __________________________________ Please send to: Jewish Federation of Collier County, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Suite 2201, Naples, FL 34109-0613 JFCC/UJA CAMPAIGN OF THE JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA