Federation Star - November 2014

Fed Cup VI

Sunday, December 21 at The TwinEagles Club Shotgun Start 9:00 a.m.

A golf event for all skills and ages to benefit young Jewish children and teens to experience Jewish Summer Camp and travel to Israel.

For more information about the event and hole sponsorships, contact Kevin Aizenshtat at kevin@gcipnaples.com.

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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

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November 2014 - Cheshvan/Kislev 5775

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Vol. 24 #3

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 4 Women’s Cultural Alliance 5 Men’s Cultural Alliance 6 Community Focus 14 Jewish Interest 16 Tributes 22 Commentary 24 Israel & the Jewish World 27 Business Directory 28 Focus on Youth 30 Rabbinical Reflections 30 Synagogues 32 Organizations 34 Community Calendar 35 Community Directory

4 WCA bus trips bring fun, adventure and friendship

Change Jeffrey Feld Federation Executive

C

hange is a word that creates a myriad of responses from people. I love change! I hate change! Personally, I have gone through many changes – I was a kid and then at my Bar Mitzvah, I was an adult in the eyes of the Jewish community. Sometime later, I reached the age of majority and became an adult in the eyes of the law.

I was single and then I was married.

I was married with no children and then married with children. And now, I am

still married, but we are empty-nesters.

I am from Pittsburgh, but I have moved to Baltimore, then Nashville, back to Pittsburgh, to Passaic, Savannah, Memphis and now Paradise! Each move was a major change for a whole host of different reasons, but nonetheless, change.

In moving to Naples, I have accepted the opportunity to be the Chief Professional Officer of the Jewish Federation of Collier County. This is a great change for me! But what does this change mean to others?

We should recognize the successes that David Willens, my predecessor, and his volunteer partners have had over the past 15 years. Clearly, the Federation and the Jewish community today are vastly different than the one David came to 15 years ago. In other words,

change has been constant.

There is every reason to expect that the Jewish Federation of Collier County will continue this process. We will look at how and why we evolved to this point, a very good point, and determine how we should utilize the past to create goals for our future.

We do have certain constants in who we are and what we do. The Jewish Federation of Collier County has a commitment to the local Jewish and general communities, as well as Israel and global Jewry. Together, we support important humanitarian and community-building endeavors which enhance and enrich the quality of Jewish life in Collier County and globally. Together, we will continue to change in order to succeed in our mission.

Reserve your spot for 11th Annual Evy Lipp People of the Book event

By Carole J Greene

6 Local teens speak about JFCC subsidized trips

25 Jewish National Fund’s solidarity mission to Israel

29 Temple Shalom Preschool update

F

ebruary 25, 2015, lies nearly four months in the future, so you may be surprised to learn it is imperative that you waste no time to reserve your free seat for this season’s alwaysa-sellout cultural event.

Founder Evy Lipp established the People of the Book event as an annual thank-you for your support of the Jewish Federation of Collier County.

If this is your eleventh time to attend, you already know it will be an informative, entertaining and inspiring evening.

If it’s your first, you’ll discover why it always attracts a full house.

The committee – co-chairs Stan Lipp and Teri Kampmeyer, Alvin Becker, Susan and Art Bookbinder, Harvey Brenner, Susie Goldsmith, Carole Greene, and Arlene Sobol – can hardly contain their excitement. Never before has the guest speaker for this event presented such a unique personal perspective: how the son of a Nazi officer left his family, his heritage and his homeland to do the bidding of his

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

heart and become a Jew. Look for your personal invitation In his book A German Life: Against by mail in early November. Or you All Odds Change is Possible, can clip, complete and Bernd Wollschlaeger, M.D. mail the reservation described his journey from form in this issue of the a family firmly entrenched Federation Star. Then in Nazi life to his choice to mark your calendar become a Jew. His story will for Wednesday, Februleave you spellbound. ary 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Dr. Wollschlaeger was Temple Shalom. Only born in Germany in 1958 members of the Jewish to a father who had served Federation of Collier as a Leopard Panzer comCounty may attend.

Bernd Wollschlaeger, M.D. mander in an elite unit of If you are not a memthe World War II Wehrmacht. Hitler ber, phone 239.263.4205 to join. All himself awarded our speaker’s father it takes is a donation to the annual with the Iron Cross. As he grew, Bernd campaign. Minimum contribution is asked his father what happened to Jews $36 per person. There is no maximum at the hands of the Nazis. His father’s contribution. denial of the Holocaust and his blatant anti-Semitism only spurred Bernd’s desire to know more. In time, Bernd discovered that within his German body lived a Jewish soul. He defied family and friends to become a Jew by choice.

See page 16 for the Evy Lipp People of the Book event order form.

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Federation Star November 2014

A connection?

Alvin Becker Federation President

M

uch may be written about the confluence of two events that occur this month: the solemn commemoration of the 76th anniversary of Kristallnacht and the happy American holiday of Thanksgiving.

On November 9-10, 1938, Nazi paramilitary forces and German and Austrian civilians attacked Jews and Jewish businesses on what has become known as the Night of Broken Glass, or Kristallnacht, and which marked the beginning of the Holocaust. The message of Kristallnacht remembrances in

early November is to never forget the massive destruction of life and property during the Holocaust.

A few weeks later, we will celebrate Thanksgiving – a holiday declared in November 1863 by a wartime president.

Thanksgiving is a time that we set aside to acknowledge the incredible blessings granted us and our families.

Is there a connection between these two events which occur just weeks apart? I think so. Both the commemoration of Kristallnacht and the celebration of Thanksgiving should make each of us appreciate our current circumstances and to commit to tikkun olam – repairing the world – by supporting those who need our assistance. That is a job with which we are tasked every year, individually and as a community. And that is a job your Federation stands ready to accomplish.

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JEWISH FEDERATION

Catholic-Jewish Dialogue update

By Marv Weisberg, co-Chair

O

n September 17, 1787, 40 deeply religious men signed what was going to become one of the most powerful, famous and longest lasting governing documents in the world, a document which had been written

by Thomas Jefferson, a man who governed himself with theology, biblical study and strict morality.

On December Marv Weisberg 15, 1791, having been ratified by the required number of states, Amendments One to Ten became part of the United States Constitution.

These amendments, collectively, have become known as the Bill of Rights.

What is now one of the most debated amendments is the first. The text is simple and seems clear: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” But over the past two centuries our courts have defined, redefined and modified what I believe is the intended meaning of this relatively straightforward sentence.

What is the “free exercise” of religion? Congress seems to have “gotten it right” for themselves. Every session begins with a prayer offered by either a priest, minister or rabbi. Those who choose to listen, do so. Those who choose not to listen, leave. Nobody gets offended because they practice a different religion, practice no religion, or do not believe in G-d. Nobody stands up and screams that Allah is great while a rabbi is speaking. Even though they may not respect each other’s opinions on many topics, these 535 men and women respect each other’s religious rights as spelled out in the First Amendment.

When I was a child in grade school, I remember the day that our principal called us into an assembly to tell us that two new words had been added to the Pledge of Allegiance. We would

now recite “...one nation, under G-d, indivisible...” every morning as we saluted our nation’s flag. Nobody got offended. Nobody said that they did not believe in G-d. We were children. We did what we were told. But our parents had no problem with the insertion of that phrase. In fact, many thought that it was long overdue.

“In G-d we trust” was adopted as the official motto of the United States in 1956 as an alternative or replacement to the unofficial motto of “E pluribus unum.” It first appeared on U.S. coins in 1864 and has appeared on paper currency since 1957. Again, Congress got it right. (I have never heard anyone say “Don’t pay me in American money because I don’t believe that there is a god.”)

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” is commonly known as the “Establishment Clause.” The Establishment Clause is a limitation placed upon the United States Congress preventing it from passing legislation respecting an establishment of religion. The second prohibition, inherent from this specified prohibition, is no preference by the U.S. government for one religion over another; an aim desired by the Founding Fathers necessary to accommodate all of the many denominations in the United States. By inference, this includes those who believe in no religion at all. Until the late 1960s, our populace seemed to see things that way. Nobody complained if a Jewish organization chose to erect a menorah in a town square on Chanukah or if a Christian organization displayed a nativity scene on Christmas.

When Kwanzaa became a recognized holiday in 1965, there was no outcry if an African American group displayed a kinara in public, or if someone erected a maypole to celebrate the vernal equinox.

But now, the pendulum seems to have swung in the opposite direction.

There are court cases that want the Pledge of Allegiance changed back to the pre-1954 wording because hearing the word “G-d” might offend an atheist. Various organizations have brought

continued on next page

Catholic-Jewish Convocation In Commemoration of the th

239.777.1451

707 12th Avenue South Naples, Florida 34102 | www.gcipnaples.com

76 Anniversary of Kristallnacht

This month’s advertisers

“The Night of Broken Glass”

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.

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Sunday, November 9, 2014 2:30PM Temple Shalom of Naples 4630 Pine Ridge Road Speaker: Hon. Rositta Ehrlich Kenigsberg Sponsored by: Catholic-Jewish Dialogue of Collier County Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Collier County Diocese of Venice in Florida Holocaust Museum & Education Center of SW Florida Temple Shalom of Naples

3 Federation Star November 2014 JEWISH FEDERATION

November 2014 Federation Star

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Israel Advocacy Committee announces season of events

By Jeff Margolis

T

he Israel Advocacy Committee (IAC) of Collier County welcomes everyone to participate in its 2014-2015 programming. The purpose of the committee is to conduct symposiums, forums and seminars to inform and educate the community on issues related to the future well-being of our fellow Jews in Israel. The committee also monitors newspaper articles and editorials on topics pertaining to Israel. To these ends, the Israel Advocacy committee is excited to announce the following upcoming events.

On Wednesday, December 10, the IAC is honored to present Dr. Sabi Shabtai, an internationally-recognized authority on terrorism. Born in Israel, Dr. Shabtai served in the IDF’s intelligence branch and was a member of the Israel Foreign Service. He has also acted as a consultant to the motion picture industry in the productions of Passenger 57 and The Assignment, a riveting story about a CIA-Mossad sting operation. Dr. Shabtai has also been a professor of Political Science and was appointed a Senior Fellow at the Adlai Stevenson Institute of International Affairs. This event will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Shalom. A large turnout is expected. Please make reservations at israeladvocacycommittee@gmail.com.

The IAC is also pleased to present the film The Prime Ministers. This outstanding documentary, produced

in 2013 by Moriah Films, is based on Ambassador Yehuda Avner’s bestselling book of the same name. Avner used his expertise as a speechwriter and insider to chronicle the lives of Israel’s first Prime Ministers. The first of this excellent two-part series focuses on Levi Eshkol, Golda Meier and Yitzhak Rabin, and features new details about the Six-Day War and the relationship between Israel and its closest ally, the United States. The Prime Ministers is part of Israel 201, the IAC’s ongoing educational program, led by the committee co-chair Steve Brazina. This event will be held on Wednesday, December 17 at 2:00 p.m. in the Federation’s Community Room.

Finally, committee members invite the entire community to participate in the BIG program! On Sunday, March 29, BIG (Buy Israel Goods) Day will celebrate the many products that are made in Israel. A large number of area vendors will be offering a wide variety of Israel goods. Come and support the economy and people of Israel. This event will take place at the Vineyards Community Park from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

For more information about any of the above events or to learn more about the Israel Advocacy Committee, please contact co-chairs Betty Schwartz at bettyofnaples@gmail.com, or Steve Brazina at sbrazina@aol.com.

Catholic-Jewish Dialogue...continued from previous page suit against several state governments to remove monuments containing the Ten Commandments, Stars of David, or crosses. There are guidelines which state that teachers may teach about religious holidays but may not “celebrate” them.

(I find that line too fine to know when it has been crossed.)

For some reason, our population has become much too thin-skinned. I know that if something offends me, I stay away from it. I can walk into a church and appreciate the surroundings and ritual without actually taking part in it. I can listen to a speech with which I disagree and not rise up in protest. If I feel THAT strongly against something, I either ignore it or walk away. I don’t need a court order or Supreme Court decision against that which I don’t like.

If a group is reciting a poem with which I disagree, I just keep my mouth shut!

Why can’t everyone deal with things that they disagree with the same way?

Yes, when it comes to freedom of religion, the pendulum has swung. Now

I’m waiting for it to swing back. *** Please remember to join us at the Kristallnacht Commemoration on Sunday, November 9. Our guest speaker will be the Hon. Rositta Kenigsberg, President of the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center, Inc. in Hollywood, Florida, and author of the legislation mandating Holocaust education in our state. For more information on this event, see the article on page 6. *** The Catholic-Jewish Dialogue of Collier County is joining GenShoah of Southwest Florida as a co-sponsor of “One Book, Southwest Florida.”

Please read Gertruda’s Oath, a riveting true story about a Catholic nanny who promises her Jewish employer to save her son from the Nazis and bring him to Palestine. The book is available through many outlets in the area as well as the Collier County Library. For more information on this event, see the article on page 10.

“Serving the Jewish Community for Over 14 Years” Traditional Jewish Services

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WW EDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 7:30 - 8:30PM EDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 7:30 - 8:30PM ATAT TEMPLE RIDGE IDGERRDD.,.,NN APLES TEMPLESHALOM SHALOM,,4630 4630 P PINE INE R APLES RECEPTION PRESENTATION RECEPTIONFOLLOWING FOLLOWING PRESENTATION

“Jewish communities were preventativesecurity securitymeasures. measures.

“Jewish communities wereraising raisingfunds funds for for preventative Anti-Semitism lackof ofeducation. education.

Anti-Semitismand andracism racismcome come from from lack WeWe were striving forforsocial trying,”said saidRabbi RabbiDukhovny.

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ADMISSION IS FREE ADMISSION FREE D ONATIONS ARE SUGGESTED IN SUPPORT OF RESCHOOL DONATIONS ARE SUGGESTED IN SUPPORT THE THEHHATIKVAH ATIKVAHPP RESCHOOL OF THE P ROGRESSIVE R EFORM S YNAGOGUE IN K IEV , OF THE PROGRESSIVE REFORM SYNAGOGUE IN KIEV, A GRANT RECIPIENTOF OFOUR OURJJEWISH EWISH FFEDERATION EDERATION OF A GRANT RECIPIENT OFCCOLLIER OLLIERCOUNTY COUNTY

ISRAEL ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO A SPECIAL LECTURE EVENT WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10 at 7:30PM TEMPLE SHALOM, 4630 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples FEATURING

SABI H. SHABTAI WHO WILL DISCUSS

"The Global War on Terror: Are We Really Winning It?"

SAVE THE DATES FOR THIS SEASON’S TWO BIG EVENTS: Federation’s Annual Community Celebration

Dr. Shabtai is an internationally recognized authority on terrorism who served as a consultant to numerous corporations, airlines, police departments, SWAT teams, and the U.S. Army and Navy, and several governments.

Born in Israel, he served in the intelligence branch of the IDF and was a member of the Israeli Foreign Service.

Earning his Doctorate at the University of Chicago, Dr. Shabtai taught political science at several universities and was a Senior Fellow at the Adlai Stevenson Institute of International Affairs – specializing in problems of political violence and terrorism.

Dr. Shabtai has worked for the Israeli government in various capacities and as an undercover trouble-shooter on five continents. He also served as the director of counter-terrorist operations for the California-based Office of Special Services. He is the author of the international bestseller, Five Minutes to Midnight, which foresaw the growing threat of nuclear terrorism already back in the early eighties.

Saturday, January 31, 2015

A sought-after consultant in the film industry, Dr. Shabtai sold several scripts based on his expertise to the major studios. The hit movie, Passenger 57, is based on his personal hijacking experience. The Assignment is the suspenseful story of a CIA-Mossad sting operation. Starring Aidan Quinn, Donald Sutherland, and Ben Kingsley and is based on Dr. Shabtai's hunt for the master terrorist, Carlos the Jackal.

* * * * *

Having written safety-guide videos such as Travel Without Terror, Dr. Shabtai teamed up with Tom Clancy to write sophisticated and reality-based video-games about terrorism.

Evy Lipp People of the Book Cultural Event Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Dr. Shabtai, who is on the faculty of the National Institute Against Hate Crimes and Terrorism in Los Angeles, has been working closely with various law enforcement and intelligence agencies in preventing global terrorist attacks by utilizing a preemptive strategy originally initiated by him. Constantly on the move, he resides in four different countries. One of them is Colombia, where his clandestine efforts contribute to its recent emergence as one of Latin America safest countries.

RSVP requested to: israeladvocacycommittee@gmail.com

For a continuously updated community calendar, visit the Federation’s website at www.jewishnaples.org.

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Federation Star November 2014 WOMEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE

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

Hop aboard the WCA bus for adventure, fun and friendship!

By Andrea Panda, WCA Board of Directors

“

B

us trips” may be one way to describe the variety of outings WCA offers each year, but I think of these adventures as much more.

From the moment everyone gathers to embark upon the adventure for the day, a sense of community begins to permeate the group. Of course, not everyone will become lifelong friends and some women may not even have an opportunity to visit with everyone on the trip, but the feeling of “we are in this together” is strong and seems to be generated on every trip – no matter how simple or complex the adventure may be.

This season, the outings are very diverse. From attending art fairs to tour-

ing an orange grove production facility, from walking in a swamp to seeing the Florida Grand Opera, it is fair to say the WCA trips will be a great place to be this year!

We are taking in two large art festivals. The Coconut Grove Arts Festival brings in artists from all over the country – and the village alone is worth a day of exploration! We will also be traveling to St Petersburg for the Mainsail Art Festival, which has been named as one of the “100 Best Fine Art & Design Shows” in the nation.

We have plans to visit an orange grove, tour the processing plant, and complete our outing by exploring the quirky shops in a small town nearby.

The Festival Flea Market is back on our calendar – just in time for the holiday shopping season!

Given the beauty around us in Southwest Florida, WCA will have several trips that focus on exploring Do you enjoy talking to people? Are you outgoing? nature. We are going Volunteer to answer the phones, take messages and on a catamaran trip, direct calls for a couple of hours a week – Monday taking boat rides to through Thursday – at the Federation office. shelling adventures, Requirements: visiting a teaching A desire to help with the Jewish Federation goals; aquarium, heading out an interest in donating a few hours of free time each on nature walks, and week; the obligation to maintain confidentiality. taking photo excursions that highlight If you are interested, the wonder of nature around us. The swamp or for more information, will be something call Jill Saravis at 239.263.4205. walk that I know we all will

Volunteer Opportunity Phone/Receptionist

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Women’s Cultural Alliance Membership Form Please check one: r New r Renewal For more information: Linda Simon, lgsimon2947@yahoo.com

Please make your check payable to: Jewish Federation of Collier County and mail with this form to: WCA Jewish Federation of Collier County 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109

be talking and laughing about for years excited thinking about all of the adventures that lie ahead! to come!

We will be heading up to Sarasota From my own experience, I can for a visit to the botanical garden, havassure you that while you may not ing lunch on St. Armand’s Circle, and know anyone when you arrive at your bus pick-up location, you will undoubtthen shopping/browsing in the galleries edly return to that same spot later in the nearby before returning home. Trips to day having made many new friends. a fantastic NYC-style cabaret in Palm That’s the way it is with WCA – it is a Beach and to the justifiably acclaimed beautiful community of personalities, Florida Repertory Theatre in Fort Myers interests and talents. Please join us on are also on the schedule. one or more of the “bus trips” this year Our excursions this season will and share these adventures with this close with a trip to see The Consul, delightful group of women. produced by the Florida Grand Opera in Miami. This opera is not often proWhile some of our bus trips may be open to guests, if you are not already a duced, but the talent and quality of the WCA member, join WCA today and find Florida Grand Opera is second to none, out firsthand about these fabulous trips and it will undoubtedly be a wonderful and other WCA programming. You will evening. enjoy being part of this wonderful comWCA members really enjoy our munity of women. Joining is easy – simtrips! A member who went with us to Matlacha this past winter commented, ply fill out the membership form below.

“What a treat! Without these WCA orFor more information about WCA, including the benefits of membership, ganized trips, I would not have known please visit www.womenscultural all that is here. It’s all just below the alliance.com. surface, but you have to know how to find it!” And a member who participated in our summer trip to the Festival Flea Market said, “What a fun, easy-going day! Delightful!

Cannot wait to head out on another trip!”

What I am sharing is just a “broad stroke” sampling of some of the trips WCA members and guests proudly show off the whimsical paintings WCA will be offerthey created during the WCA trip to Matlacha earlier this year ing this year. I am (photo courtesy Leoma Lovegrove)

Membership: $60 for the year includes all programming

and Federation membership. r My information below contains new items.

In Southwest Florida: r full-time r part-time (from ________ to ________) Name: _________________________________________________________ Spouse or Partner Name, if applicable: ______________________________ Local Address: _________________________________________________ Community: ___________________________________________________ City: _____________________________ State: _____ Zip Code ____________ Email: _________________________________________________________ Florida home phone:____________________________________________ Cell phone: ___________________________________________________ Northern Address: ______________________________________________ City: _____________________________ State: _____ Zip Code ____________ Northern home phone: __________________________________________

Your membership check is your permission for Women’s Cultural Alliance to take and use photographs/videos for appropriate purposes in accordance with WCA’s mission.



MEN’S Cultural Alliance Membership Form Please check: r New

r Renewal

r I want to be listed in the MCA membership roster For more information, email Steve Brazina at sbrazina@aol.com Please make your check payable to: Jewish Federation of Collier County and mail with this form to: MCA Jewish Federation of Collier County 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109

Membership: $56 or $64 (includes name badge) minimum

donation for the year, and includes Federation membership.

Additional donation to the Federation is voluntary and encouraged.

Name as you’d like it to appear on badge: ____________________________ In Southwest Florida: r full-time r part-time (from _______ to _______) Name: __________________________________________________________ Spouse or Partner Name, if applicable: _______________________________ Local Address: __________________________________________________ City: ______________________________ State: _____ Zip Code ____________ Email: __________________________________________________________ Florida home phone:_____________________________________________ Cell phone: ____________________________________________________ Northern Address: _______________________________________________ City: ______________________________ State: _____ Zip Code ____________ Northern home phone: ___________________________________________

5 Federation Star November 2014 JEWISH FEDERATION

November 2014 Federation Star

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WOW! And the Lions roared 2014 Lion of Judah Conference 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 President: Alvin Becker Vice President: Kevin Aizenshtat Vice President: Phyllis Seaman Vice President: Berton Thompson Secretary: Wallie Lenchner Treasurer: Jerry Sobelman Immed. Past President: Judge Norman Krivosha

Board of Trustees Joshua Bialek Harvey Brenner Stephen Coleman Amanda Dorio Michael Feldman Alan Gordon Neil Heuer Ben Peltz Joel Pittelman Dr. Tracey Roth Jane Schiff Arlene Sobol Michael Sobol Dr. Daniel Wasserman Beth Wolff Barry Zvibleman

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 Roger Blau Rosalee Bogo Rabbi Ammos Chorny Stuart Kaye Rabbi Edward Maline Rabbi Adam Miller Suzanne Paley Rabbi James Perman Dr. Arthur Seigel Neil Shnider Rabbi Sylvin Wolf Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Federation Executive Jeffrey Feld

Phyllis Seaman Federation VP & Campaign Chair

I

write this article four days after the final evening of the 2014 Lion of Judah conference in New York City.

One of the many words that can describe this fabulous event is in my article’s title.

There were 1,400 strong, fabulous women in attendance for this three-day conference. The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) consists of 153 communities and most were represented.

We started the conference with an elegant cocktail party to meet, greet and renew old acquaintances with Lions from all over the U.S., Canada and Israel. Our Collier County group was represented by Marcy Aizenshtat-Bigel, Jane Schiff, Debbie Smith and me. We also had a dual-citizenship attendee with Susie Goldsmith representing Collier County and Kansas City.

Every time I attend a Federation conference I come home more energized, committed and determined to get the information out about all we are doing in our community, nationally, in Israel and in more than 60 countries worldwide.

Our opening plenary gave us the opportunity to hear some extraordinary, uplifting and brilliant speakers, engaging us with stories of women and issues they’ve encountered. We were honored to hear Dr. Jill Biden, the second lady of the United States. Dr. Biden works to bring attention to the sacrifices made by military families.

Rabbi Sharon Brous from Los Angeles was our scholar-in-residence and guided us through all our meetings by educating and inspiring us by bringing the biblical to our everyday lives and experiences as Jews, and our commitment to social justice. Rabbi Brous has been recognized by Newsweek, the Daily Beast and the Forward.

Every day there were breakout sessions and forums with subjects so compelling it was hard to pick one, especially when there could be four at

out the three-day conference were so the same time that I wanted to attend. inspiring – from the Israeli soldier who During the forum titled “The Modwent with a Birthright group and graduern Middle East: Exploring the new ated with a master’s degree from MIT, normal of war and peace,” Jerry Silverto the young woman who just graduated man, JFNA President/CEO, spoke about from the University of Michigan and his five special missions to Israel during stood up against anti-Semitism on camthe recent 50 days of conflict. In Sderot, pus. These young adults represent our Israel, 12- and 13-year-olds have lived next generation and we should be proud their lives with sirens and 30 seconds to of them and their accomplishments. take shelter from rockets. It’s no longer In the end, I’m more committed to that a rocket only travels 7 kilometers; our Federation and what we stand for they now can travel 40-50 kilometers. and do for our Jewish family everyThree days after one of his missions left where...we connect and we feel.

Kibbutz Nir Am, terrorists came out of Our Lions do roar. Over the three a tunnel and killed three IDF soldiers. days, $27 million was raised through How frightening to think that someone continued gifts and increases. I’m so can open the earth and come into your proud and blessed to be a part of this home. pride.

Our Federation and JFNA respondNow I ask you, if 1,400 strong pased within 48 hours of the start of the sionate women could do that, shouldn’t conflict with the STOP THE SIRENS our community easily reach our $1.5+ Campaign. $50 million was raised by million? Please make a commitment and the U.S. and Canada. Our Federation gift NOW! If you have already done so, raised nearly $65,000. Thank you!

Thank You. There are only eight weeks Funds raised provided trauma relief left to our 2014 Campaign. for the elderly and handicapped, as well To our 39 Collier County Lions, as financial crisis-relief to shop for food, the next Lion of Judah Conference will since many could not go to work and had be in Washington, D.C., on September not received their paychecks. Camps 11-13, 2016. were opened in the north and interior of We Are The Strength of a People – the country to give children relief from The Power of Community living in the bomb shelters.

I attended a Small City Campaign Chair working lunch to share Youth Programs & Youth Education ideas, experiences and ● Beth Tikvah - Adult & Youth Education ● BBYO Naples challenges of fundrais● Chabad - Camp Gan/Preschool of the Arts/Hebrew School ing in our communi● Temple Shalom - Preschool & Religious School Scholarships ties. After that meeting ● Hillel at Florida State University I realized how much Local Humanitarian & Social Services we have accomplished ● Jewish Family & Community Service in comparison to some Israel & Overseas Humanitarian & social services of the other small cit● JFNA - Overseas Core Assessment ● Neve Michael Children's Village ies. We are growing in ● Yad LaKashish - Lifeline for the Old comparison to some ● Sapir Community Center - Kfar Saba that are stagnating or ● World Union - Preschools in Kiev, Ukraine losing their Jewish ● Taglit-Birthright Israel populations. ● ORT - school transportation in Eastern Europe Our last morning, Cultural Programs & Adult Education ● Holocaust Museum & Education Center we were honored and ● Jewish Congregation of Marco Island - Jewish Film Festival humbled by a surprise ● Jewish Congregation of Marco Island - Cultural Series visit from the parents Unmet Needs of Gilad Sha’ar, one ● Greater Naples YMCA - Disaster Relief of the three slain ye● JFCS - Developing Healthy Socialization Skills shiva students. The ● Collier County School - "Check It Out: Let's Stop Bullying" father spoke mov● Typhoon Haiyan Relief Efforts National Jewish Advocacy Organizations ingly about his son. ● The Israel Project The speakers through-

WHERE YOUR DOLLARS GO

Staff Jill Saravis, Community Program Coord.

Iris Doenias, Administrative Assistant Deborah Vacca, Bookkeeper 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 • Community Relations Committee • Educational & cultural programs • Long Range Planning for expected community growth • Publication of the Federation Star, our monthly newspaper; Connections, our annual resource guide; and Community Directory • 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

The work of the Jewish Federation of Collier County represents both our community and our community’s most generous tradition – to give to others even in the most difficult times.

Debbie Smith, Phyllis Seaman, Jane Schiff and Marcy Aizenshtat-Bigel at the International Lion of Judah Conference in New York City

● Anti-Defamation League ● American Friends of Magen David Adom ● Jewish National Fund ● American Jewish World Service Federation Committees and Activities ● Jewish Community Relations Council ● Fund for Human Needs ● Stand Up for Justice Grant ● Catholic-Jewish Dialogue ● Israel Advocacy Committee ● Camp Scholarship Committee ● Evy Lipp People of the Book Event ● Women's Cultural Alliance ● Men's Cultural Alliance

MCA goes live

By Jeff Margolis

T

he Men’s Cultural Alliance of Collier County is pleased to announce that its 2014-15 Program Guide is now available online with synopses of upcoming luncheons, lectures and group activities. Members and prospective members can check out all of the great programs the planning committee has worked on during the summer to have an exciting and informative season. You can view the Program Guide at www.jewishnaples. org/mca.

Here is a sampling of some of the wonderful events taking place this season There is still time to sign up for our Welcome Back Luncheon. The featured speaker will be Carrie Kerskie, President of the Kerskie Group. She is the founder of the Association of Certified Identity Theft Investigators. Ms. Kerskie will be speaking about identity

theft prevention. The luncheon will be held at Vasari Country Club on Tuesday, November 11 at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $26. For more information and reservations, please contact Meir Kehila at meirkehila1@me.com Our December meeting will feature author Neville Williams, who will speak about solar power. He is the author of Sun Power, which takes an introspective look at the energy revolution and how solar power can help save the planet.

This luncheon will take place on Thursday, December 11 at the Cypress Woods Golf and Country Club.

Join your fellow MCA members to take a peek into the economic crystal ball for the New Year. We are pleased to bring back Stu Schweitzer, Vice Chairman and Global Strategist for J.P. Morgan Private Banking. Dr. Schweitzer will provide members with his insights and views on the U.S. economy

and financial markets at our luncheon meeting on Thursday, January 8 at the Club at Olde Cypress.

New for the 2014-2015 season, MCA will present an informative fourpart lecture series. The first program, on Wednesday, December 10 at 10:30 a.m. in the Federation Community Room will be “Plant-Based Lifestyle and the Reduction in Risk of Heart Disease, Cancer and Diabetes.” The presenters are Drs. Robert T. Lampert and Anthony London. Since space is limited, reservations are required for all lectures. Please contact Mark Cohen at mcalectures@ markcohenlaw.com.

One final reminder: The deadline for MCA dues, which includes membership in the Jewish Federation of Collier County, is Sunday, November 30. Please complete the form on the previous page.

We look forward to welcoming you this season.

6

Federation Star November 2014

Fed Cup VI

Sunday, December 21 at The TwinEagles 20 Club

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A golf event for all skills and ages to benefit young Jewish children and teens to experience Jewish Summer Camp and travel to Israel.

Shotgun Start 9:00 a.m.

For more information about the event and hole sponsorships contact Kevin Aizenshtat at kevin@gcipnaples.com.

COMMUNITY FOCUS

Kristallnacht memorial

By Jack Conroy, Past co-Chair, Catholic-Jewish Dialogue

T

he Catholic-Jewish Dialogue Steering Committee of the Jewish Federation of Collier Count has announced that the Twelfth Annual Kristallnacht Commemoration will be held on Sunday, November 9 at 2:30 p.m. at Temple Shalom. This annual memorial brings Catholics from the Diocese of Venice in Florida and Christians of other denominations together with their Jewish “elder brothers and sisters in faith” to express their solidarity in thought and prayer so that the horror of Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, might not be forgotten.

The featured speaker will be Ms. Rositta Kenigsberg, President of the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center, Inc. in Hollywood, Florida.

She is the daughter of Holocaust survivors who were born in a displaced persons camp in Austria. Her family immigrated first to Montreal and then moved to Miami in 1981. She has played an important role in the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center for nearly 30 years.

“My goal is to ensure that the authentic memory of the Holocaust will never be denied or destroyed, and that the efforts of the Holocaust Center will focus on the documentation, education and preservation of the lessons and legacy of the Holocaust,” Kenigsberg said.

The Diocese of Venice and Temple Shalom invite everyone in Southwest Florida to this memorial service.

At the Federation’s board meeting in September, Adam Roth spoke about his Alexander Muss High School in Israel experience this summer (while the rockets rained down), and Zoe Van Slyke spoke about her March of the Living experience last April. Both experiences were subsidized by scholarships from the Jewish Federation of Collier County.

Jewish Family & Community Services update Dr. Jaclynn Faffer JFCS President/ CEO

C

an it be that Thanksgiving is just around the corner? When I think of Thanksgiving I can’t help but think about friends and family sitting around the table and enjoying a delicious feast. Thanksgiving is a holiday with a cornucopia filled not only with foods of the season but of good memories, as well.

Here, at JFCS, we have a “cornucopia” of good food and we are creating positive memories for those in the community who are served by the JFCS Food Pantry. We are grateful to all the religious congregations, organizations and good friends in the community who used the High Holy Days to collect food for the JFCS Food Pantry. From almost empty shelves in late August to early September, creating the necessity for us to go shopping for staples, the JFCS Food Pantry is now well stocked with the items most needed by the families we serve. Usage of the Pantry is on the rise, and we are ever so grateful to all of you who are helping us address food in-

HUGE DISCOUNTS! OFF-SEASON DEALS Huge Discounts on Entire Inventory We carry only Hand-Knotted Rugs

security in our community. We just can’t say “thank you” enough! And, once again, JFCS will be providing turkey dinners for our Food Pantry recipients!

With the cooler weather and “season” just around the corner we are busy finalizing the plans for our third annual fundraiser, “An Evening for Better Tomorrows.” The event will take place on Tuesday, January 20 at the beautiful Naples Sailing and Yacht Club. Chaired

by Susan and Dr. Nathaniel Ritter, and co-chaired by Scott Hansen, the evening promises to be a warm and welcoming event. JFCS will debut a video celebrating and highlighting the programs and services that help so many in our com-

munity. Tickets are $250 per person.

And speaking of debuts, JFCS debuted our new website in September. Please be sure to check it out, and find out more information about “An Evening for Better Tomorrows.” The address is www.jfcsswfl.org.

JFCS welcomes the following new members to our Board of Trustees: Phyllis Barolsky, Henry Cohen, Prentiss Higgins, Jeff Lytle and John Passidomo.

We are thrilled that they have joined our team to help us give our community “better tomorrows.”

Best wishes to all for a wonderful Thanksgiving, and thank you for helping us help so many!

The Naples Jewish Caring Support Group Next meetings: Mondays, Nov. 10 & 24 10:30 a.m. to noon at JFCS, 5025 Castello Road, Naples

Call Donna Levy at 239.325.4444 for more information.

Read the Federation Star on your tablet!

Visit www.issuu.com.

Monday - Saturday am to 5:30 pm SUMMER HOURS: 10:00 MONDAY - FRIDAY or By Appointment

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!

You can also read Connections on your tablet. Search for “Collier Connections”.

7 Federation Star COMMUNITY FOCUS November 2014 HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & ED CTR OF SWFL

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November 2014 Federation Star www.holocaustmuseumswfl.org / 239-263-9200

Holocaust Museum update Shaara has also written about World War II. Copies of selected works will Amy Snyder be available for sale and signing at the event. For ticket prices and to RSVP, Executive call the Museum at 239.263.9200 or Director email danielle@holocaustmuseumswfl. org.

The 76th Anniversary of Kristallnacht will be commemorated on Sunday, n November, we honor our veterans, November 9 at 2:30 p.m. at Temple giving thanks for their past service Shalom in Naples. The speaker will be and remembering those who paid the Honorable Rositta Ehrlich Kenigsthe ultimate price for our freedom. We berg. The Museum is a co-sponsor of the also remember those serving in our event, along with the Catholic-Jewish Armed Forces today. The Museum Dialogue of Collier County, the Jewish will offer free admission to all veterans Community Relations Council of the and active duty personnel on Tuesday, Jewish Federation of Collier County, November 11. the Diocese of Venice in Florida, and We invite you to join us on ThursTemple Shalom of Naples. day, November 6 for The Last Album ex“An Evening with Jeff hibit continues through Shaara.” This special Sunday, November 30 event with the New York at the Museum. This inTimes bestselling author ternationally-acclaimed will support the eduexhibit features a selection cational efforts of the of the thousands of preHolocaust Museum and Holocaust family photothe Museum of Military graphs confiscated in 1943 Memorabilia. The event at Auschwitz-Birkenau, will be held at the North Collier Regional Park Jeff Shaara (photo by Slade Downs) and found in 1986 by Ann Weiss in a storeroom. Ms. Weiss, Exhibit Hall from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. author of The Last Album, on which the Known for his books on the American exhibit was based, recently spoke at the Revolution and the Civil War, Mr.

I

Museum about her accidental discovery of these precious photos, and her efforts to follow up with surviving family members shown in the photos. Copies of The Last Album are available for sale at the Museum.

Coming up in December: On Wednesday, December 3, the Museum will host a Cookbook Luncheon at Quail West, featuring samples of recipes from the Holocaust Survivor Cookbook and the Miracles and Meals cookbooks edited by Joanne Caras. A local Holocaust survivor will be on hand to share one of her family’s favorite recipes.

Please contact the Museum for ticket information. Copies of the cookbooks

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JCMI presents the 21st Annual Saul I. Stern Cultural Series

table follows the program with a sampling from Starbucks.

On Wednesday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m., JCMI is proud to present Harry L. Ettlinger, one of the original Monuments Men. Mr. Ettlinger escaped to America from Germany with his family shortly before the war. He returned as a G.I. Because of his knowledge of German, he was sent to Munich to join the Monuments Men. He will tell us how he assisted in rescuing five million works of art and returned them to their rightful owners.

Patron Series tickets are $75 per person. Series tickets are $50 for JCMI members and $60 for nonmembers.

Single tickets are $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. All performances are at JCMI, 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island.

For more information, call 239.642.0800. Please make your reservations early as seating is limited.

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From a Coin Toss Into Politics: The Life of a Senator On view through March 22, 2015 Sen. Richard B. Stone served as Florida’s second and most recent Jewish U.S. Senator (1975-1980).

This colorful exhibit, including photographs, articles, and artifacts, illustrates the Senator’s fascinating story!

Sponsored by Congregation Beth Jacob, The Stone Family, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami Mikki & Morris Futernick, Isabel Bernfeld Anderson, Kenneth & Barbara Bloom and Pinnacle Housing Group.

Senator Richard B. Stone at Work in His Washington, D.C. Office, c. 1975.

The Chosen:

Guest Curator, Bernice Steinbaum

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he Jewish Congregation of Marco Island in conjunction with Jewish Federation of Collier County is proud to present its 21st year of the Saul I. Stern Cultural Series.

This season’s program kicks off on Tuesday, January 6 at 7:30 p.m. with Rabbi Marvin Tokayer, retired rabbi of China, Japan and India. Rabbi Tokayer will present “The Jews of the Far East, Part II - Pepper, Silk & Ivory.” You will hear fantastic stories of Jewish life in the Far East, known to few. The rabbi has written 20 books on the subject, including The Fugu Plan, about a plan virtually unheard of before the book was published in 1979. A sale and book signing of his latest book, Pepper, Silk & Ivory, will be available following the presentation.

On Saturday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m., the Naples Philharmonic Brass Quintet returns for its ninth consecutive year with a delightful variety of classical and popular music. A fabulous Viennese

are available for sale at the Museum.

On Wednesday, December 10, the Museum will host an encore book discussion, led by Collier County Librarian Denise McMahon, of the “One Book, Southwest Florida” book selection, Gertruda’s Oath by Ram Oren. The event will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the Museum. Admission is free, but reservations are required due to space limitations. To RSVP, call the Museum at 239.263.9200 or email danielle@ holocaustmuseumswfl.org. Copies of Gertruda’s Oath are available for sale at the Museum.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!

Selected Works From Florida Jewish Art Collectors November 4, 2014 - March 8, 2015 Members’ Preview Reception: November 3rd Art Basel Brunch: December 7th Call 786.972.3164 to join today!

Sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables, Biscayne Bank, Kenneth & Barbara Bloom and Elliot Stone & Bonnie Sockel-Stone.

Do you have a similar photo in your home? Who are these people? Are they related to you? Do you know where your forebears came from? How do you find out? Do your grandchildren know who these people are? Researching your family genealogy can help you find the answers to all these questions.

And the answers to questions you don’t even know to ask yet.

Want to find out how to get started? Come to the next meeting of the Jewish Genealogy SIG (Shared Interest Group) at the Jewish Federation of Collier County offices (2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201, Naples) on Tuesday, November 11 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.

This groundbreaking exhibit will showcase a prominent work chosen from a cadre of Florida’s preeminent Jewish art collectors, representing their varied passions and prized collections.

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8

Federation Star November 2014

COMMUNITY FOCUS

Second Annual Naples Jewish Film Festival to build on inaugural year’s success

By Carole J Greene

C

heck with anyone who sat in last year’s sellout audience for Beth Tikvah’s Naples Jewish Film Festival. They’ll tell you it’s a not-to-bemissed treat rivaling any similar festival in any big city. When subscription and single tickets become available, they’ll go fast. It’s a small theatre. Sorry.

The movies themselves will offer chances for every conceivable emotion.

Bring a supply of tissues to dab tears, a forgiving heart to counteract anger, a sense of pride to underscore Jewish accomplishments, and a large dollop of hope to fight despair.

Last year’s co-chair, Rosalee Bogo, remarked that the films screened in the 2014 inaugural season touched people in unanticipated ways. “We researched and reviewed many films so we could deliver a balance between showing unknown stories that amaze and must-see movies that offer hope.” She promises the same commitment for the 2015 series. Let’s take a quick look at the Festival’s offerings, which take place on Monday evenings.

On March 2, expect to see Above & Beyond. In 1948, a group of WWII pilots volunteered to fight for Israel in the War of Independence. The members

Ahmed has been ordered to suicidebomb a Buenos Aires synagogue. David, an Israeli special agent, is determined to prevent the attack. His investigation leads to violent, if unexpected, consequences.

On March 23, Belle & Sebastian comes to the screen. In the French Alps during WWII, lonely Sebastian befriends “the beast” the local farmers

of “Machal” – volunteers from abroad – not only turned the tide of the war, they also laid the groundwork for the Israeli Air Force.

God’s Slave, based on actual events, is on the marquee for March 16. Trained since childhood as an Islamic terrorist, think is killing their sheep – an enormous yet gentle sheepdog. With Nazis rooting out resistance fighters, Belle and Sebastian’s loyalties are put to the test.

The final Monday night, March 30, the festival will show Under the Same Sun. Set in the near future, the story develops the struggle of two business-

men – a Palestinian and an Israeli – to set up a solar-energy company. Their attempts to overcome hostility from

their families and the people around them ultimately change the political map. This film won an international humanitarian award.

Mark your calendars now, then snap up your tickets as soon as they are available in December.

Make sure you are on the Festival’s email list for priority news and tickets.

Email the Festival at info@Naples JewishFilmFestival.org with your contact information and any questions, or call 239.434.1818. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Award-winning documentary Six Million and One to be screened at Holocaust Museum transmission of trauma.

This award winning film has been screened by film festivals, museums, universities and by the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting Media Workshop.

GenShoah of Southwest Florida is presenting this film especially for children of Holocaust survivors. However, members of the public are invited. The film will be presented on Sunday, November 16 at 5:00 p.m. at the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida, 4760 Tamiami Trail North.

Local psychiatrist and author Dr. Marlene Steinberg will be available to answer questions during the discussion that will follow the film. She has a great deal of expertise on the subject of

surviving and healing from traumatic experiences.

Space is limited and reservations are required. RSVP to ida.margolis2@ gmail.com or 239.963.9347.

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David meets American WWII veterans who participated in the liberation of his father and the Gunskirchen camp, David convinces his siblings to join him on a trip to Austria. They cannot understand how anyone would want to dig into their past instead of enjoying the present. This film, which reminds us that history and memory require active discussion, is an eloquent and instructive documentary on many levels, especially for those with an interest in intergenerational

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ast and present mix in Six Million and One, a fascinating and intense portrait of documentary filmmaker David Fischer and his siblings as they retrace the footsteps of their late father, Joseph Fischer.

Joseph, a Holocaust survivor, was interned at Gusen and Gunskirchen, Austria. He moved to Israel, and his memoir was discovered after his death.

His children, except for David, refuse to confront their father’s past. After

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9 Federation Star COMMUNITY FOCUS November 2014

Opening Day at the JCMI Jewish Film Festival

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he Jewish Congregation of Marco Island in cooperation with the Jewish Federation of Collier County is proud to present the 14th season of the Sidney R. Hoffman Memorial Jewish Film Festival.

On Sunday, December 14, the Jewish Film Festival opens with The Jewish Cardinal. Born the son of Jewish parents in Poland, young Aaron later became Jean Marie Lustiger, first a parish priest and then appointed by the Pope to Cardinal of Paris. But personal conflict and soul searching plagued him all his life as an obedient son of the Catholic Church, yet clinging to his Jewish heritage. This is a superb film enhanced by discussion leaders Father Tim Navin of San Marco’s Catholic Church and Rabbi Edward Maline of the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island. Join us at the Opening Day Reception at 1:30 p.m. and for the film at 2:00 p.m.

The film series continues on Sunday, January 18 at 2:00 p.m. with the sensational new flick, The Outrageous Sophie Tucker, a documentary focusing

on the tumultuous early days of the superstar who ruled the 1920s Flapper Era. On Sunday, February 8 at 2:00 p.m. the festival will screen Disobedience. As France was being overrun by the Nazis, Aristides de Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese General Counsel in Bordeaux, gave visas to thousands of refugees, Jews and non-Jews, so they could cross the border into neutral Spain and Portugal. The speaker will be Robert Jacobvitz of the Sousa Mendes Foundation.

On Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 p.m., Yiddle With His Fiddle will be presented.

This film reflects the joy of Yiddish life before the Holocaust in Poland. Arye, an impoverished man, and his daughter, Itke, played by Molly Picon, decide to become traveling Klezmorim.

All screenings will be at JCMI, 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island.

Please call 239.642.0800 to reserve your tickets, or visit www.marcojcmi. com for more information. Patron series tickets are $85 and regular series tickets are $70. Individual films are $25 each.

See you at the movies!

November 2014 Federation Star

9

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ZOA Southwest Florida Chapter event update

By Gene Sipe, VP, ZOA Southwest Florida Chapter

T

he November ZOA SWFL Chapter meeting will include a lecture on the Middle East by Jonathan S. Tobin, Senior Online Editor of Commentary magazine with responsibility for managing the editorial content of the website as well as serving as chief politics blogger. The program will be held on Tuesday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Shalom, 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples.

This presentation is cohosted by Temple Shalom and the ZOA SWFL Chapter. The lecture is open to the public and the charge for attendance is $20. RSVP to info@zoaswfl.org or reserve your seats by prepaying with a check payable to ZOA SWFL mailed to 7550 Mission Hills Dr., Ste. 306, Box 90, Naples, FL 34119-9607.

This program will be followed in December with a presentation of the film Killing Kasztner, about the controversial life of Rudolf Kasztner, a Jewish-

Hungarian lawyer and journalist, who was involved in smuggling Jews out of occupied Hungary during the Shoah.

Additional speakers on the schedule for this season include Ambassador Yoram Ettinger, Ret. on Wednesday, January 14; Nonie Darwish on Tuesday, February 17; and Robert Spencer on Tuesday, March 17.

For more information about any of our other programs, visit www.zoaswfl. org. Here you can learn more about the ZOA SWFL Chapter, how to get involved in Zionist activities, and preplan to attend the program of top-caliber speakers and educational programs. You can read commentaries by local supporters of Zionism and check the top headlines of the day with links directly to the Jerusalem Post. The site is interactive and you are invited to register and participate with your thoughts and comments.

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10

Federation Star November 2014

COMMUNITY FOCUS

Be a part of “One Book, Southwest Florida” by reading Gertruda’s Oath

By Ida Margolis

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outhwest Florida has joined the successful “One Book, One Community” programs by selecting Gertruda’s Oath: A Child, a Promise, and a Heroic Escape During World War II by Ram Oren for the inaugural “One Book, Southwest Florida.”

Throughout the U.S., communities have been reading and discussing what has been selected as their “One Book” with the goal of engaging individuals in dialogue, and to serve as a springboard for discussion of universal topics such as loyalty, justice, family and faith.

Gertruda’s Oath is an ideal choice to promote discussion of these topics.

In addition, Dr. Paul Waibel, author and professor of history at Belhaven University, noted that in this exceptionally well-written book, Ram Oren, “raises very serious moral and ethical issues that will stimulate the reader’s mind or act as fuel for group discussions of the

book itself or the history it personalizes.”

Gertruda’s Oath is a page-turning true story of Michael Stolowitzky, the only son of a Jewish Polish family, who was just three years old when WWII broke out, and Gertruda Bablinska, his Catholic nanny devoted to the family, who promises Michael’s dying mother that she will raise Michael as her own son.

There will be discussions of Gertruda’s Oath throughout the entire Southwest Florida area as follows: ¡¡ Tuesday, November 18 at 2:00 p.m. at the Naples Regional Library, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway ¡¡ Wednesday, December 10 at 10:00 a.m. at the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida, 4760 Tamiami Trial North, Naples ¡¡ Wednesday, December 17 at 6:00 p.m. at the Jewish Federation of

Stressed Out?

Discover your playful inner child at “Everything I Know About Managing Stress I Learned in Improv Comedy” We all have to improvise when life throws curve balls – none of us operate from “scripts” in our everyday lives. Improv Comedy games teach us how to improvise with creative solutions to difficult situations and help us cope with daily stressors.

Improv Comedy is a fun and healing medium for people experiencing stress or sadness, or for those who just need to laugh out loud.

This two-hour workshop will help increase your communication skills, boost your self-confidence and reduce stress.

You don’t have to be funny to have fun! Participants can get up and play or just watch.

The workshop is presented by Margot Escott, LCSW, a psychotherapist in practice in Naples for 30 years. She speaks locally and nationally on “The Healing Power of Humor.”

Friday, November 21 from 1:00 to 3:00pm Unity of Bonita, 28385 imperial Pkwy, Bonita Springs Fee: $20

To reserve your seat: Phone: (239) 434-6558 Email: margotescott@mac.com SIXTH ANNUAL MARCO ISLAND COMMUNITY CHANUKAH CELEBRATION Sponsored by Jewish Congregation of Marco Island and Jewish Federation of Collier County

Residents and Guests on Marco Island and Vicinity are invited to CELEBRATE on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2014 TIME: 5:45 PM Jewish Congregation of Marco Island 991 Winterberry Drive Marco Island, FL 34145 (239) 642-0800 www.marcojcmi.com Join us for a Candle Lighting Ceremony and Chanukah Music Lots of holiday spirit for the Entire Family

Light Refreshments

Lee & Charlotte Counties ¡¡ Thursday, December 18 at 2:00 p.m. at Lakes Regional Library, 15290 Bass Rd., Fort Myers For additional information about Collier County discussions, email ida. margolis2@gmail.com. For Lee-Charlotte information, email lenibsack@ jfedlcc.org.

In addition to book discussions, Southwest Florida is very fortunate to have Michael Stolowitzky agree to make three local appearances. He is scheduled to speak at: ¡¡ Lakes Regional Library on Tuesday, January 6 at 6:15 p.m. ¡¡ Temple Shalom, 4630 Pine Ridge

Michael Stolowitzky

Road, Naples, on Wednesday, January 7 at 7:00 p.m. ¡¡ South Regional Library Branch, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples, on Thursday, January 8 at 1:00 p.m.

Beth Tikvah Veterans Day Commemoration

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n Tuesday, November 11 at 7:30 Before turnp.m., author Michael Hirsh ing author, Mr. will help us honor our veterans Hirsh produced and especially to remember the people television docuof his book, The Liberators: America’s mentaries and Witnesses to the Holocaust. specials for “These eyewitness accounts are PBS, CBS, ABC powerful, detailed and horrifying. Of and HBO. He is the recipient of particular note is the last chapter, in which some of the veterans record many awards for what happened to them after the war; this work, including the prestigious decades later, many still Peabody. struggled with nightMr. Hirsh’s other mares and rage.” – USA titles include PararesToday. “The survivors cue, None Braver, Your of Nazi concentration Other Left! Punch Lines camps can never forget from the Front Lines, – and, as Michael Hirsh Pirate Alley and Fly on shows in his spellbindthe Wall (mystery novel). ing work, neither can He is also the co-author the young soldiers who (with Michael Schiavo) liberated them.” – The of Terri: The Truth.

New York Post.

Mr. Hirsh will field Mr. Hirsh was an questions from Phil JaArmy combat correson and then take quesMichael Hirsh spondent with the 25 th tions (not speeches) from Infantry Division in 1966 at Cu Chi, the audience. Copies of the book will be Vietnam. In 2010, the Vietnam Veterans available for sale and signing. Refreshments will be served. RSVP to Phil of America presented him with their Excellence in the Arts Award.

Jason at pjason@aol.com.

Naples Jewish Congregation community events hare-A-Shabbat Pot Luck Supper: On Friday, November 21 you are invited to join us for a member-sponsored Pot Luck Supper prior to services. We would love you to meet our rabbi, cantorial soloist and members of our congregation. You will find everyone friendly and welcoming as we join together for an upbeat, joyful and participatory service. If you are interested in attending, please call Suzanne at 239.776.7559. *** Chanukah Party and Anniversary Celebration: On Wednesday, December 17 you are welcome to join NJC members to celebrate our 15th year of NJC serving the greater Naples area, and to spin a few dreidels, sing some songs, and dine on an exquisite meal prepared by the Chefs at The Club at Olde Cypress. For further information or to reserve your place at this fun-filled evening, please call Iris at 239.431.7944. *** Sunday at the Movies: The theme

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for this year’s films is the “Jewish Experience of Becoming Americans.”

The film Hester Street was shown on October 26, as the first in the series. It will be followed on Sunday, December 28 by Crossing Delancey. These two stories take place in the Lower East Side of New York City, beginning with the tenements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and visiting again 50-60 years later. Les and Betty Schwartz research the times, locations and themes in order to facilitate discussion either prior to or after the viewing.

As we have done in the past, you also have the option of gathering at a nearby restaurant for dinner afterwards.

All films are shown in the Community Room of the Federation offices at 4:00 p.m. There is no charge to participate, but a donation would be greatly appreciated to help ensure future programming.

To reserve your seat, please contact Les at elias21@gmail.com or 239.254.9086 and leave a message with your names and phone number if you plan to join us.

ConneCt with your Jewish Community www.facebook.com/ facebook.com/jfedsrq JewishFederationofCollierCounty

11 Federation Star COMMUNITY FOCUS November 2014

November 2014 Federation Star

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GenShoah invites the community to its numerous events

By Ida Margolis

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he next meeting of Generations of the Shoah Southwest Florida (GenShoah) will be on Sunday, November 16 at the Holocaust Museum.

Following the brief GenShoah meeting at 4:30 p.m., the public is invited at 5:00 p.m. to attend a screening of Six Million and One. This film is a fascinating portrait of documentary filmmaker David Fisher and his siblings as they retrace the footsteps of their late father, a Holocaust survivor who was interned at Gusen and Gunskirchen, Austria. The film is an instructive documentary on many levels, especially for those with an interest in intergenerational transmission of trauma. This highly-acclaimed film has already been screened at numerous museums and film festivals. Local psychiatrist and author Dr. Marlene Steinberg will be available to answer questions during the discussion that will follow the film. She has a great deal of expertise on the subject of surviving and healing from traumatic experiences.

Two special events this season, both at Temple Shalom at 7:00 p.m.,

are the appearance on Wednesday, January 7 of Michael Stolowitzky, the rescued child in the book Gertruda’s Oath, and the showing of the award-winning film The Jewish Cardinal on Wednesday, February 11.

Gertruda’s Oath, the “One Book, Southwest Florida” selection, is the story of a Catholic woman and a Jewish child (Stolowitzky) trapped in the horrors of WWII, as they embark on a journey of survival.

This event is co-sponsored by Temple Shalom, the Holocaust Museum and the Collier County Library. The docudrama The Jewish Cardinal is the true story of Jean-Marie Lustiger, the son of PolishJewish immigrants to France who found himself as a mediator when nuns want to build a convent in Auschwitz.

Temple Shalom and the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue of Collier County are also sponsoring this presentation.

The Emmy Award-nominated docu-

mentary 50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. and Mrs. Kraus will be presented on Sunday, January 18 at 5:00 p.m. This film tells the too long untold story of a heroic Jewish couple from Philadelphia, who traveled to Vienna in 1939 to save what would become the single largest known group of children allowed in the U.S. at that time.

On Sunday, February 15 at 5 p.m., Beth Tikvah will be hosting popular speaker Dr. Phil Jason, co-editor of Don’t Wave Goodbye: The Children’s Flight from Nazi Persecution to American Freedom. Helene Gaillet de Neergard, author of the recently published I Was a War Child: WWII Memoir of a Little French Catholic Girl, will be the featured speaker on Sunday, March 15 at 5:00 p.m.

GenShoah meetings are open to children of Holocaust survivors, and all

Israeli and International Folk Dancing on Thursdays Where:

When: Why: Teacher:

Fleischmann Community Center, 1900 Fleischmann Road, Naples, opposite Coastland Center Mall Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., beginning mid-November Exercise, relaxation, socializing, learning, good health and fun Richard Eddy, member International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO) and Florida Folk Dance Council Cost: Only $5 per session Questions: Richard Eddy at 703.303.4719; Fleischman Community Center

at 239.213.3020 Come join our beginners group for dancing to classic music featuring both traditional and new Israeli and international folk dances. Richard has been dancing for about 14 years in Europe and the U.S. He has studied under many international teachers and choreographers, including Meir Shem-Tov, Rafi Ziv, Matti Goldschmidt, Mona Goldstein, Israel Shiker, Roberto Bagnoli, Paola Pagliani, Lucrezia LoBianca and Andi Kapplin.

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those who are interested in the mission of GenShoah: Promotion of Holocaust education, preservation of memories of the Holocaust, connection of members of the Second Generation to one another, and support of the Holocaust Museum.

Meetings are generally held the third Sunday of each month from October to April, from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the Holocaust Museum or other local venues, and are followed by programs where the public is welcome. Donations, so that GenShoah can continue to present exceptional programming, will be requested and are greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in attending the meetings, want more information about GenShoah or would like to receive email notifications, contact me at ida.margolis2@gmail.com or 239.

963.9347. Unless otherwise indicated above, all meetings and programs will take place at the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida, 4760 Tamiami Trial North, Naples.

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Federation Star November 2014

“I Shall Record it All: Diarists Document the Holocaust”

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COMMUNITY FOCUS Beth Tikvah

JEWISH PRISONER OUTREACH (not affiliated with Beth Tikvah Conservative Synagogue)

he Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University, in conjunction with the Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties, presents Amy Simon, an outstanding PhD candidate at Indiana University.

Amy’s address, entitled “I Shall Record it All: Diarists Document the Holocaust,” will examine victim representations of perpetrators in Yiddish diaries written in the Warsaw, Lodz and Vilna ghettos during the Holocaust, with a specific focus on the work of Vilna diarist Herman Kruk (1897-1944).

The lecture will take place on Monday, November 3 on the FGCU campus in Marieb Hall, room 200, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. No registration is necessary. It is imperative that visitors from outside the university community obtain a parking permit from the Welcome Booth as they arrive through the university’s main entrance.

For more information, visit www.fgcu.edu/hc/.

Jewish Prisoner Outreach in our area has been conducted for about 30 years (before 2002 it was under the umbrella of B’nai B’rith and Jewish Prisoner Services International). In order to continue this initiative, support is needed in providing anonymous responses to mail from lonely and forgotten men and women. Work can be done from your own computer.

Jewish Prisoner Outreach provides a wide assortment of Judaica to those lacking the funds to make their own purchases. We welcome donations of dormant Judaica (used tefillin, Chumashim, Tanakhim, Hebrew readers, Siddurim, tallaisim, etc.) from individuals and congregations. Through directed giving, we provide kosher edibles at holiday times.

We also provide pre-entry and post-release support and counseling for Jewish offenders and their loved ones who request it. Much of our time and energy is devoted to combating rampant anti-Semitism in Florida’s prison system.

We seek a volunteer director to assist in day-to-day outreach programs.

For more information, call 239-566-7702 or email skleiner@comcast.net.

See You At The Movies JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND IN COOPERATION WITH THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF COLLIER COUNTY PRESENTS THE SIDNEY R. HOFFMAN MEMORIAL

JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL 2014-2015 SHOWCASING THE NEWEST AND BEST AWARD-WINNING FILMS ON THE JEWISH CIRCUIT

Opening Day THE JEWISH CARDINAL Sunday afternoon, December 14, 2014

Marco Premiere Film 2:00 PM Reception 1:30 PM

Our opening day film is the true story of Father Jean-Marie Lustiger, THE JEWISH CARDINAL, born the son of Polish Jews in Paris whose mother died at Auschwitz. Although he converted to Catholicism at age 14, later becoming a priest and then appointed Cardinal, Father Lustiger maintained his cultural identity as a Jew. The film reflects Cardinal Lustiger’s personal conflict and soul searching as an obedient son of the Church yet attached to his Jewish heritage. FATHER TIM NAVIN, SAN MARCO CATHOLIC CHURCH and RABBI EDWARD MALINE, JCMI will lead the discussion following the film.

100 Minutes English and French Opening Day Reception with Cake and Fruit

THE OUTRAGEOUS SOPHIE TUCKER Sunday afternoon, January 18, 2015 Film 2:00 PM THE OUTRAGEOUS SOPHIE TUCKER is a documentary focusing on the tumultuous early days of this superstar who ruled the 1920s Flapper Era. Before Mae West, Marilyn Monroe, Bette Midler, Madonna and Lady Gaga, there was Sophie Tucker, who made her audiences fall in love with her bold, bawdy and brassy style. Born in Russia to a Jewish family Sophie became the “last of the Red Hot Mamas,” with a 60 year show business career. YOU WILL LOVE THE MUSIC AND THE FILM. 96 Minutes English Reception following the Film

DISOBEDIENCE Sunday afternoon, February 8, 2015

Film 2:00 PM

In 1940 as France was being overrun by the Nazis, Aristides de Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese General Counsel in Bordeaux gave visas to thousands of refugees, Jews and non-Jews so they could cross the border into neutral Spain and Portugal. Sousa Mendes did this knowing he would face severe punishment from Antonio Salazar, dictator of Portugal who had forbidden visas to Jews and others who could not return to their country of origin.

Today the survivors and descendants of those he saved have established the Aristides de Sousa Mendes Foundation to tell his story.

IT’S A MUST SEE BEAUTIFUL STORY. Speaker: Robert Jacobvitz of the Sousa Mendes Foundation 104 Minutes French with English subtitles Reception following the Film

YIDDLE WITH HIS FIDDLE Sunday afternoon, March 8, 2015 Film 2:00 PM This film is a treasure, reflecting the joy of Yiddish life before the Holocaust in Poland, home of 3 million Jews. The story is about an impoverished man, Arye and his daughter Itke, played by Molly Picon, who decide to become traveling Klezmorim. That means they go from shtetl to shtetl playing music, singing and dancing. This is the most successful of all the Yiddish films and a rare gem because all the film’s extras are ordinary Jews picked from the Polish shtetls to show real Jewish life in Poland. ENTERTAINING, AMUSING AND JOYOUS! 92 Minutes Yiddish with English subtitles Delicious Noshes after the Film

All films will be shown at the Jewish Congregation, 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island

Clip and Mail ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Make checks payable to JCMI Jewish Film Festival, 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island, FL 34145-5426 Name___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip ________________________________________________________________________ Phone

SERIES TICKETS: _____________ Patron @ $85 _____________ Regular @ $70 Individual Films: _____________ @ $25 each ___________________________________________________ (please specify film) A LL PRO GRA MS S U B J EC T TO C HA N G E WI T HO U T N O T I C E FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE JCMI OFFICE AT (239) 642-0800

13 Federation Star November 2014 COMMUNITY FOCUS

November 2014 Federation Star

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Temple Shalom events open to the community

For more information on these events, call 239.455.3030. he Sisterhood Book Bag will be held this month on Thursday, November 20 at 1:30 p.m. This month’s title is The Husband’s Secret

by Liane Moriarty and facilitated by Beverly Moeckler. Three women, one secret and a letter that will change everything forever. Three women living very different lives, but when one opens Pandora’s Box their lives will intersect. ***

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Come to the Cabaret! On Sunday, November 16, the entire Jewish community is invited to join together for an evening of dancing, wine, delicious desserts and, of course, schmoozing!

The festivities begin at 7:00 p.m. Live music will be provided by Manhattan Connection; showtime is 7:30 p.m. The cost is $18 for what is sure to be a showstopping evening. Come one, come all!

Call Temple Shalom to RSVP.

JCMI’s fun events open to the community

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CMI is gearing up for another year of phenomenal programs and events for our congregation, the Jewish community and all our friends of Collier County. Bingo started on October 6 and runs through May 4, 2015 on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. So, bring your daubers, lucky charms and see what prizes you can win.

Duplicate bridge on Tuesdays at

1:00 p.m. begins on December 2 and runs through April 7, 2015. Wednesday bridge at 1:00 p.m. is already underway.

Mahjong continues on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m.

For more details on all of these programs, please contact JCMI at 239.642.0800 or visit www.marcojcmi. com. JCMI is located at 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island.

Art’s what I’m talkin’ about!

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rt historian Dottie Magen will present four art lectures on Thursday afternoons in the second annual “Just Desserts” series sponsored by Gulf Beaches ORT. All programs will begin with dessert at 1:00 p.m. at the Jewish Federation of Collier County (2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201, Naples) and followed by a lecture-slide show, as follows: ¡¡ December 18: “Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas: Friends or Lovers?” ¡¡ February 26: “The Nude in Art from Ancient to Modern: Ancient” ¡¡ March 26: “The Nude in Art from Ancient to Modern: Renaissance” ¡¡ April 23: “The Nude in Art from Ancient to Modern: Modern” For reservations, send a check payable to ORT America to Marebe Crouse, 3200 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., #108, Naples,

FL 34103.

The cost is $75 for the series of four; $20 for a single session. Proceeds benefit ORT schools in Israel. *** Save the date of Wednesday, January 14 for Gulf Beaches’ Annual Home Art Tour. This year join ORT members and friends for “Contemporary Art in an Olde Naples Home.”

Tour the art-filled home of major collectors Richard Tooke and Charles Marshall. Festivities begin with lunch at 11:30 a.m. at The Club Pelican Bay, 707 Gulf Park Drive, Naples. The cost of $100 includes lunch and the tour, with proceeds benefiting ORT schools in Israel. Directions to the home will be available at the luncheon. TO RSVP, contact Midge Rauch at 239.676.7674 or Milloyd@juno.com.

Naples fiber artist’s work at Estero Fine Art Show

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orn in the Bronx and raised by her Russian-born grandmother, and currently a Naples resident, Diane Moss has overcome illness and obstacles to become one of the most respected fiber artists, showing her work in east coast art fairs and festivals.

As a young child, Diane was an intense observer, and as her grandmother knitted, Diane was never far behind.

From those daily experiences of observing over and over her grandmother’s movements and techniques, Diane taught herself how to measure outfits she was making for her family of Teddy bears, and by the age of three, was measuring and creating designs for them.

Art, however, was not meant to be in Diane’s immediate future, and armed with a degree in Education,

she taught math in New York City for 18 years until she was forced to retire because of illness. But the lemon was turned into lemonade, and during her convalescence – and inspired by her now long-departed grandmother – she learned to knit. She spent her time

learning “everything [she] could about the art,” said Diane, and by the time a New York Times article mentioned her work and her style, fur salons in New York and San Francisco were ordering her one-of-a-kind creations.

Diane has since developed her Reversible Basketweave Collection, noted for the manner in which the stitches are hand-manipulated and the appearance that the finished work has been woven. Working with both exotic and non-exotic materials, the finished work speaks at once of a vibrancy of color and attention to dramatic detail.

Her current Empire Collection, loomed of eco cottons, is her latest creation and is available in a variety of colors and color combinations.

Diane Moss’ work can be seen alongside the work of 140 other juried fine artists and crafters from across the country at the Estero Fine Art Show on November 15 & 16 at Miromar Outlets. Offering a kaleidoscope of investment-grade art forms and disciplines from well-known artists, the Estero Fine Art Show is not to be missed.

Whether adding to your own collection or purchasing a gift for someone else, the Estero Fine Art Show is the perfect place to be and the perfect time to do it. The art fair is located on the southeast corner of Ben Hill Griffin and Corkscrew Roads. Event hours are Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

There is free admission and free parking. For more information, visit www. hotworks.org.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS

THEY HELP MAKE THE FEDERATION STAR POSSIBLE. KRISTEN K KR RIST TE COURY, PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

awareness by pulitzer-prize winning playwright

Annie Baker

a contemporary comedy FROM ONE OF AMERICA’S HOTTEST YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS, PULITZER PRIZE-WINNER ANNIE BAKER, comes a play that cleverly skewers liberal pretentions and turns political correctness on its head.

With wit, empathy, and a frank point of view, Annie Baker snaps a picture of a nontraditional modern American family struggling to make things work. When an unexpected guest arrives, questions of sexuality and self-identity arise. With a truth that is often hilarious and touching, this play illuminates many of the struggles families face in today’s tumultuous times.

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CORPORATE PARTNER

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS BOB & LINDA HARDEN CHRISTINE PADDOCK

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Federation Star November 2014

JEWISH INTEREST

Radical Islam: A quick primer Reprinted with permission from The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

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he advent of radical Islam has rocked the Middle East, and shaken the rest of the world for some time now. Unlike other moderate and peaceful interpretations of Islam practiced by Muslims around the world, radical Islam, or extremism, is a totalitarian interpretation of the Koran, which justifies violent acts of terror and the enforcement of oppressive laws. As Jews, and supporters of Israel, we are acutely aware of the terrorist activities from organizations like Hamas, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, but the threat of radical Islam reaches far beyond the borders of the Jewish state.

With the constant deluge of information from different media outlets, it can be difficult to discern which groups are responsible for what actions, and more importantly, how these extremist groups are interconnected.

As Americans, we are all too familiar with the militant radical Islamic group, al-Qaeda, which was responsible for the September 11 attacks against the United States. Founded by Osama Bin Laden in the late 1980s, alQaeda has become a recognized terrorist organization on a worldwide scale.

The group is primarily comprised of Sunni Muslims, and promotes the idea of a worldwide caliphate through global jihad. With forces in Syria, Yemen, Maghreb, Iraq, India and Afghanistan, al-Qaeda has become a major security threat for countries across the globe.

In 1998, Osama Bin Laden issued a fatwa, or religious edict, instructing his followers to kill American civilians: “The ruling to kill the Americans and their allies – civilians and military – is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible to do it.” The funding for al-Qaeda comes primarily from Saudi

Arabia, and has used much of the massive wealth of the Bin Laden family to finance other terrorist organizations globally.

ISIS, or The Islamic State as it is now called, is a radical Islamic group claiming religious authority over all Muslims worldwide. The Islamic State is classified as a terrorist organization, and has gained power in the Sunni majority areas of Iraq and Syria. The leader of the Islamic State is a caliph, or spiritual leader, named Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Baghdadi, The Islamic

State and Al-Qaeda, an all too familiar extremist group for Americans, were closely linked until the spring of 2014, when al-Qaeda cut all ties with The Islamic State, citing issues with the severe brutality of the group and a lack of communication. Under Baghdadi’s direction, ISIS enforces Sharia law, and directs its hostilities towards Shia Muslims, Christians, Druze, Yazidis, along with other ethnic and religious groups. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, and Human Rights Watch have all warned of human rights violations against citizens, including women and children, in Syria and Iraq under ISIS control.

Through ruthless beheadings and crucifixions, Baghdadi and The Islamic

State have wiped out entire Christian towns in Iraq, with death tolls in the thousands. The Islamic State holds true to its motto of “remaining and expanding” through its vow to take control of the entire region within the next five years, spanning from North Africa, through the Middle East, and far into Eastern Europe, including Spain and Rome. It is interesting to note that the United States has offered $10 million for information leading to the death or capture of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, but this prize is second only to al-Qaeda, which has offered $25 million.

On April 14, 2014, the militant Islamist group Boko Haram captured more than 200 young schoolgirls in northeastern Nigeria. This was, for many in the Western world, the first time hearing of the Nigerian terrorist group, though it was established in 2002. The world was outraged and social media played a large part in spreading awareness of the kidnapped girls through Twitter, using #bringbackourgirls. While the kidnapped girls have yet to be rescued, Boko Haram has continued committing acts of terrorism across Nigeria and Cameroon. Boko Haram, in a fashion similar to ISIS, hopes to create an Islamic state in Nigeria, through the enforcement of strict Sharia law and jihad. The group originally received funding and training from al-Qaeda, and has since kidnapped and slaughtered thousands of innocent civilians.

Originally founded to combat Israel in the early 1980s, Hezbollah has been both an active political and terrorist organization in Lebanon. Unlike the Sunni-led ISIS and Boko Haram, Hezbollah is comprised of Shia Muslims, and advocates Shia empowerment globally. In fact, Hezbol-

(239) 435-0668

lah has been actively fighting against ISIS. Though housed in Lebanon, the group is primarily funded by Iran and Syria, and the elimination of Israel is one of its highest objectives. Hezbollah propaganda and speeches are often fraught with anti-Semitism and antiWestern sentiments. Hezbollah’s Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, also known as “The Hawk,” has been quoted, saying: “Throughout history the Jews have been Allah’s most cowardly and avaricious creatures. If you look all over the world, you will find no one more miserly or greedy than they are.”

Not only has Hezbollah’s aggression been directed at Israel – through suicide bombings, kidnappings and other attacks – it was also directed at the United States, through the bombing of a U.S. Embassy in 1983.

Hamas, like Hezbollah, has a long history of attacks against Israeli civilians. Also known as the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas was created in order to destroy the State of Israel, and create an Islamic state in its place.

Based in Gaza, and comprised of Sunni Muslims, Hamas has been known to carry out terrorist activities against Israeli citizens, including suicide bombings, rocket attacks, and the capture of Israeli citizens through underground tunnels. The Hamas charter clearly calls for both the destruction of Israel and the killing of Jews: “The time will not come until Muslims will fight the Jews [and kill them]; until the Jews hide behind rocks and trees, which will cry: O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, come on and kill him!”

Hamas is funded primarily by Saudi Arabia and Iran, though a great deal of funding comes from private donations.

continued on next page

761 12th Street S Naples, FL 34102 www.randomactsart.com

15 Federation Star November 2014 JEWISH INTEREST

Jerusalem Post Crossword Puzzle

By David Benkof, DavidBenkof@gmail.com Across 1. Kvetch 5. Kiss alternative 9. The Big ___ (nickname for North America’s biggest Jewish city) 14. Shevat, ___, Nisan...

15. Celebration in Bette Midler’s home state 16. ___ Hill (part of Toronto with many Jews) 17. Philip Roth and Henry Roth

Solution on page 18

19. Color scheme in part of “Schindler’s List” 20. IDF foul-up 21. Haroset holidays 23. “Maoz Tzur” (“Rock of ___”) 25. Flatow or Levin 26. Place for a shtreimel 29. Women’s ___ Network (organization for female Reform clergy) 34. ___ Annie of “Oklahoma!”

November 2014 Federation Star 35. ___ Reeds 37. Actress Dunham (“Girls”) 38. Marx Brothers specialty 39. Reason “Titanic” passengers Isador and Ida Straus died 42. Yom Ha___ (another name for Rosh Hashanah) 43. Haifa is north of Tel Aviv on ___ 45. “___ Rangers” (Haim Saban franchise) 46. Freudian idea 47. Turn in a new draft to the “Forward” 50. Kind of tallit material 52. Gloria Steinem goal 53. Association for Jewish Studies director Sheramy 54. Zionist Szold 59. Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons,” e.g.

63. Treat someone as if they were in herem (excommunication) 64. Great Jewish court 66. First Zionist Congress site 67. Pop 68. LA Republican Jewish congressional candidate Carr 69. Remains of the destruction of the Temple 70. Rabbinical pioneer Frank and others 71. Luxemburg was a red one Down 1. Container for Manischwitz chicken consomme 2. ___ Olam (prayer that ends Shabbat services) 3. Babylonian Talmud voice 4. Levittown house 5. ___ G (Sacha Baron Cohen persona) 6. What 12-year old boys are on, in terms of Jewish adulthood 7. Brent Spiner’s “Star Trek” role

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8. Say “dreck” and “putz” 9. Take in, as the Torah’s teachings 10. Behave as Israel in 1967 11. Common item Hasidic masters used to smoke tobacco 12. Gaza underground tunnel, sometimes 13. Second Temple Period and others 18. Landau won an Oscar for playing him 22. One of Dina’s dozen 24. Mark Zuckerberg, e.g.

26. Genesis woman 27. “South Pacific” song: “There is Nothing Like ___” 28. Costumes for Herod’s men 29. Isaac Asimov’s “I, ___” 30. Sorkin’s “___ Good Men” 31. “B’li ___” (“Don’t hold me to that”) 32. Mandy Patinkin line: “My name is ___ Montoya...”

33. Esther, but not Tobit, is in the Biblical one 36. Rush it 40. Repeat a Torah verse that was read improperly 41. Order at Starbucks 44. Like Pee Wee Herman’s humor 48. Veil-wearers 49. “She Done Him Wrong” actress West 51. Bouncer at Studio 54 53. Presented a movie idea to Spielberg 54. Olam ___ (the world to come) 55. Gabor and Hesse 56. Munch (on) 57. Moscow monster 58. Eilat neighbor 60. “Sailing Down My Golden River” singer Guthrie 61. Ron Arad and Zach Baumel 62. Ticho or Sokolow 65. “Rumor ___ it” (Rob Reiner film)

“The Chosen: Selected Works from Florida Jewish Art Collectors”

Exhibition features famous artists alongside the collectors who chose them

T

he Jewish Museum of FloridaFIU (JMOF-FIU) has enlisted the curatorial prowess of pioneer gallerist Bernice Steinbaum for a fantastic selection of Florida Jewish art collectors to be featured in the upcoming exhibition, “The Chosen: Selected Works from Florida Jewish Art Collectors.”

This groundbreaking exhibition will showcase a prominent work chosen from a cadre of preeminent Jewish art collectors. Twenty collectors with strong ties to South Florida are generously loaning pieces for this unprecedented exhibit, representing varied passions from their prized collections. Many are pioneers of the local art scene, instru-

mental in bringing Art Basel to Miami and foremost collectors of contemporary art, with such recognizable names as: Palley, Margulies, Robins, Rubell, and Wolfson, to list a few.

JMOF-FIU’s mission is to collect, preserve and interpret the Jewish experience in Florida. The exhibits the museum features are usually on topics of Jewish history, traditions, art and culture. This is the first time JMOF-FIU will be displaying world-renowned art from such internationally acclaimed artists including George Segal, Louise Nevelson, Alexander Calder, Nick Cave, Julian Opie and Hung Liu. Guest Curator Bernice Steinbaum uses her creative and innovative talents in selecting the works for this show, noting, “We have never looked at what our community collects. We suspected there was not a connective tissue, other than our own Jewish DNA, but we found connectivity in the diversity of the works.” She goes on to say, “The Jewish people historically have been considered ‘other’ in each of the countries from which they have fled, and they understand, in a visceral way, about inclusiveness.” The artists selected

by Steinbaum are global: from Hung Liu, Yang, 2008, Jacquard Tapestry, From the Collection Argentina, Brazil, China, Cuba, of the Brody/Brinberg Family ©Hung Liu

Radical Islam: A quick primer...continued from previous page There is currently much controversy over the use of foreign aid in Gaza, with accusations that Hamas has used its financial assistance to grow its terror infrastructure. Accusations of human rights violations perpetrated by Hamas run rampant in Gaza. Homosexuality is punishable by death under Hamas’s rule, and rapists are often relieved of any criminal prosecution if they agree to marry their victims. These instances have prompted the deputy director of the Middle East Human Rights Watch to say that the “criminal justice system [in Gaza] reeks of injustice, routinely

violates detainees’ rights, and grants impunity to abusive security services.”

These are but a few of the many radical Islamic groups in existence today. It is not difficult to see that the rise of radical Islam, in any region, is inversely proportional to the decline of the human and civil rights of the people governed there. Though these conflicts are happening across the globe, we have an obligation, not just as Jews, but also as human beings, to rise up against tyranny and oppression, wherever it may be.

once synagogues for Miami Beach’s Germany, Haiti, India, Japan, Russia, first Jewish congregation. The muSouth Africa and the U.S. seum’s permanent exhibition is “MOJust as the Jewish people tradiSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida, 1763 to tionally focus on the importance of Present.” Its temporary history and art remembering the past to pass down for exhibitions change periodically. future generations, art is also a vehicle For more information, please call for linking the past and looking towards 305.672.5044 or visit www.jewish the future. Each collection tells its own story about the collectors: why and museum.com or Facebook @Jewish MuseumofFlorida. how they started collecting, how they chose the pieces they have acquired, how their collections enhance their lives, as well as their depth, commitment, passion, vision and philosophy. This exhibition will also give some insights into these collectors’ own stories, to add a bit of history as a backdrop for the center stage of these dynamic contemporary pieces.

The Museum will feature a selection of programs related to themes of the exhibition, including a “Tuesdays With…” series of conversations Edouard Duval-Carrié, La Migration des Bêtes, Hommage with movers and shakers à Edward Hicks (Migration of the Beasts, Homage to Edward Hicks), 1999, Mixed Media on Canvas, of the local art scene and Lanster Family Collection ©Edouard Duval-Carrié a special “Basel, Lox and Cream Cheese Brunch” during Art Basel.

Exhibition sponsors include Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables, Biscayne Bank, Kenneth & Barbara Bloom and Elliot Stone & Bonnie Sockel-Stone.

About JMOF-FIU: The Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of 250 years of Florida Jewish heritage, arts and culture. The museum is housed in two adjacent, lovingly restored historic buildings, at 301 Carol Prusa, Torus, 2012, Silverpoint, ground graphite, titanium white, mars black pigment with acrylic binder on Washington Avenue on acrylic hemisphere with interior light, Collection of South Beach, that were Marsha Elser-Smith and Larry Smith ©Carol Prusa

16

JEWISH INTEREST

Federation Star November 2014

Tributes

Tributes to the Federation Campaign To: Doralu & Frank Chanen & Family In memory of your beloved son, Greg Chanen From: Sheila & Alvin Becker To:

From:

Yavonne Diegel In your honor (designated for Stop the Sirens Campaign) Beverly Fried

To: Jane Schiff & Family In memory of your beloved mother, Betty Schiff From: Susan and Joel Pittelman David Willens Rosalee & Jerry Bogo Susan & Phil Dean To: Alvin Becker In honor of you becoming Federation President From: Nancy Kaplan

Tributes require a minimum donation of $18.

To:

From:

Eloyse & David Fisher L’shanah Tovah. Thank you for your hospitality and friendship Phyllis & Michael Seaman

To:

From:

Myra & Dr. Mort Friedman L’shanah Tovah. Thank you for your hospitality and friendship Phyllis & Michael Seaman

To: Debbie Slutsker In honor of your birthday From: Ida & Jeff Margolis

To: Ellen & Edward Wollman & Family In memory of Edward’s beloved father, Robert Wollman From: David Willens Phyllis & Michael Seaman

Tributes to WCA To: Linda & Barry Gersick & Family In memory of Linda’s beloved mother, Rose Goldsmith From: Marilyn & Dr. Bob Ross

The Jewish Federation of Collier County extends condolences to: • • • • • • •

Jane Schiff & Family on the passing of her beloved mother, Betty Schiff Doralu & Frank Chanen & Family on the passing of their beloved son, Greg Chanen Al Oppenheim & Family on the passing of his beloved wife, Arlene Oppenheim Edward & Ellen Wollman & Family on the passing of Edward’s beloved father, Robert Wollman Leonard Weinraub & Family on the passing of his beloved wife Rose Weinraub Linda Denning & Family on the passing of her beloved brother, Jack Yohay Andrea A. Pandazi & Family on the passing of her beloved father, Andrew Pandazi

Celebrating 11 years of bringing noted Jewish authors to our Federation Members PROUDLY PRESENTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2015 – 7:30PM Temple Shalom – 4630 Pine Ridge Road – Naples Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD, tells the compelling story of his spiritual transformation in his first book “A German Life: Against All Odds Change is Possible” which describes his struggle growing up in Germany in the shadow of his father, a highly-decorated WWII tank commander and Nazi officer. Dr. Wollschlaeger eventually converted to Judaism, emigrated to Israel and served in the Israel Defense Forces as a medical officer. In Spring 2013 he released his novel “Samson’s Shadow” and in Summer 2013 his book “Stauffenberg: My Life in the Shadow of a Hero.”

Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD, FAAFP, FASAM is a board-certified family physician in private practice in Aventura, FL. He received his medical education in Germany and Israel and completed his residency training at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL. He received additional training in addiction medicine and is a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

Dr. Wollschlaeger also serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Miami School of Medicine, and both Florida International University and Florida State University Colleges of Medicine.

Clip and Mail ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Make checks payable to: JEWISH FEDERATION OF COLLIER COUNTY Mail to: 2500 VANDERBILT BEACH RD, SUITE #2201, NAPLES, FL 34109-0613 event This is my/our reservation for the Name(s) _______________________________________________________________________________________  I/We are Members of the Federation  I/We would like to become Members Number of reservations: _____________________ Enclosed is my/our membership donation for the

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17 Federation JEWISH INTEREST Star November 2014

November 2014 Federation Star

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JEWISH INTEREST

Federation Star November 2014

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Rabbinerin Regina Jonas

By Paul R. Bartrop, PhD

T

hose of you who have come to enjoy reading my column in these pages will realize that I take it as a matter of pride to write only on anniversaries relevant to the specific month of publication. I aim never to write out of sequence.

It might come as a surprise, therefore, that I am doing a second article on the month of October 1944. It was then that a Jewish woman was deported to her death at Auschwitz.

In itself, this might not seem all that momentous; after all, tens of thousands of Jews were deported Dr. Paul Bartrop to Auschwitz in October 1944. Why single out just one example from all these others?

The reason is that this was a woman unique in the entire world: Regina Jonas, the world’s first (and, to that point, only) female rabbi. This month I wish to rescue the memory of Rabbi Regina.

Regina Jonas was born in Berlin on August 3, 1902, the daughter of Wolf and Sara Jonas. She grew up in the Scheunenviertel, a poor, mostly Jewish, neighborhood. Her father was a merchant and when Regina was 11, he died of tuberculosis, leaving her mother to take care of herself, her son Abraham, and Regina.

At high school, Regina’s passions for Jewish history, Bible and Hebrew saw her develop an interest in what at the time was unthinkable for a girl: she wanted to become a rabbi. She spoke about it often with her fellow students, and studied hard in order to be able to teach. She enrolled in Berlin’s Hochschule für die Wissenschaft des Judentums, and took courses designed for liberal student rabbis.

Several people supported her along the way, leading Orthodox rabbis among them. She was even tutored in a weekly shiur (study session) by Rabbi Max Weyl, until his deportation to Theresienstadt during the war. In 1924 she graduated as an “Academic Teacher of Religion,” along with her fellow women students. She then became the only woman who hoped to go one step further and be ordained as a rabbi.

The thesis that followed would, in the normal run of events, have been required as one of the important steps leading to ordination. Supervised by Professor Eduard Baneth (who was responsible for rabbinic ordination at the college), the thesis was entitled “Can a Woman Be a Rabbi According to Halachic Sources?” Submitted in June 1930, this was the first known attempt to find a basis in Jewish religious law that would allow for female ordination. Her conclusion was that there was no prohibition in law holding women back from being ordained.

The thesis received a grade of “good,” which should have paved the way for ordination, but Professor Baneth died shortly afterward and his conservative successor, Rabbi Chanokh Albeck, refused to ordain a woman. The result saw Regina graduate as a teacher of religion – but only that.

After the Nazis came to power in early 1933, there was an increased demand for Jewish religious teachers. Students were forced out of public schools and into Jewish establishments, and “Miss Jonas” worked hard to impart both Jewish knowledge and Ahavat Yisroel (a love of the Jewish people).

Throughout the years following, she continued to pursue ordination, until finally, in 1935, Rabbi Max Dienemann agreed. On December 27, 1935, she became Rabbinerin Regina Jonas.

She began working as a chaplain in various Jewish organizations, though as a woman she was denied a pulpit by congregations across Germany. The

spiritual head of German Jewry, Rabbi Leo Baeck, endorsed her ordination after the fact, though he had refused to assist in the process leading her to the rabbinate on the ground that a female rabbi, at that time in German Jewish history, would have caused massive and unnecessary problems within the Jewish community.

In the years that followed, Rabbi Regina threw herself into pastoral work. Although she did not have her own pulpit, she spent long hours visiting the sick in Berlin’s Jewish Hospital, and cared especially for elderly Jews who circumstances – whether through age or finances – had left in a precarious position owing to Nazi antiSemitic measures. With the onset of war, she became a roving rabbi, ministering to Jewish communities in towns which no longer had a rabbi.

In 1941, she led special services in lieu of regular worship, this no longer being viable in smaller communities from where large-scale emigration had taken place. Her messages were always positive, emphasizing the need to remain true to Judaism and a Jewish identity, despite the horrors taking place outside.

On November 6, 1942, Regina and her mother were deported to Theresienstadt. Two days before, she was forced to fill out a declaration form listing all her property. This was then confiscated by the Nazi state.

At Theresienstadt she continued working as a rabbi. In this case, as well as counseling older Jews, she also spent a lot of her time and energy preaching to children about the glory of being Jewish and the privilege of doing God’s work. She helped the renowned Austrian Jewish psychoanalyst, Viktor Frankl, in establishing a department of mental hygiene, as a way to prevent suicide attempts.

Working without a break for two years, she lectured, preached, counseled and gave hope constantly to those around her. Being a “woman rabbi” was never a concern to her; being a rabbi was. She was aware of her unique status, but considered that to be only a temporary uniqueness; her hope was that this would be the harbinger of something much bigger to follow.

On October 12, 1944, time ran out.

Rabbi Regina and her mother were deported to Auschwitz, and probably killed the same day. Among her papers, found in 1991 by Dr. Katharina von Kellenbach from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, was a sermon that could have been her epitaph: “May all our work be a blessing for Israel’s future (and the future of humanity)…

Upright ‘Jewish men’ and ‘brave, noble women’ were always the sustainers of our people. May we be found worthy by God to be numbered in the circle of these women and men… The reward of a mitzvah is the recognition of the great deed by God.” Amen, v’amen 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.

Jerusalem Post Crossword Puzzle Solution to puzzle on page 15

19 Federation JEWISH INTEREST Star November 2014

November 2014 Federation Star

Stars of David

Interested in Your Family’s History?

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.

NFL Jewish Players: 2014 The following players were on a National Football League (NFL) roster as of October 8. All these players have at least one Jewish parent and were raised Jewish or secular: GABE CARIMI, 26, guard/tackle, Atlanta Falcons. An outstanding college player, Carimi was severely injured in his rookie season with Chicago (2011). He was traded to Tampa Bay in 2013 and only started three games last season. Atlanta picked him up in February and he’s played in the first five 2014 season games.

NATE EBNER, 25, free safety, New England Patriots. Ebner made the Ohio State Univ. team as a walk-on and excelled in special team play. “Barely drafted” in 2012, he shocked pundits with outstanding play on special teams during his first two seasons.

ERIK LORIG, 27, fullback, New Orleans Saints. After four years with Tampa Bay (2010-13), Lorig signed a four-year $4.8M contract with the Saints.

TAYLOR MAYS, 25, strong safety, Cincinnati Bengals. 2014 is Mays’ fourth season with the Bengals. If he stays healthy, this may be his first good season.

GEOFF SCHWARTZ, 28, offensive guard, New York Giants.

Schwartz, a six-year veteran, signed a $16.8M, four-year contract in the offseason. In 2013, with Kansas City, he started seven games. He was injured in early September, and is not expected back until November 3.

MITCHELL SCHWARTZ, 25,

offensive guard, Cleveland Browns.

(Mitchell is Geoff’s brother.) In his rookie season (2012), Mitchell started all 16 games and repeated this stat in 2013.

By the way, Geoff Schwartz said that his injury allowed him to fast on Yom Kippur this year. Normally, he doesn’t fast when the holiday falls on a game day. Back in his college days, Greg Carimi decided to play a critical game that fell on Yom Kippur. He decided to fast on “Jerusalem time” and finished his fast some hours before the game began.

October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Think Good Thoughts; Say Prayers; Donate What You Can JOAN LUNDEN, 64, and PAULA ABDUL, 52, are personally and very actively involved in the fight against breast cancer. Lunden, the former host of Good Morning America, disclosed that she had breast cancer last June. She appeared on the cover of the October 6 issue of People magazine with a bald head (she shaved her head rather than wait for her hair to fall out as a result of the chemo treatments that concluded in September). Lunden was also named a “special correspondent” for the Today show for the month of October, doing weekly reports on breast cancer issues.

Lunden converted to Judaism shortly before marrying her first (Jewish) husband in 1978, with whom she had three now-adult daughters (one of whom recently made Joan a grandmother). Her first marriage broke up in 1992 and, in 2000, she wed businessman JEFF KONIGSBERG. She has had two sets

19

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: Email Nate 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. of twins with Konigsberg.

Abdul has partnered with the Avon Foundation for Women in a new campaign called #CheckYourself. For this campaign, Adbul made a video that includes a song and dance based on the simple steps a person would take to check themselves for breast cancer. The moves include some hand gestures that approximate how to do a self-exam. She says in a news release: “Singing and dancing are my passions. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to apply these passions to create a new music video in support of the new global #CheckYourself.

This [campaign] is very personal for me. My sister Wendy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000…She inspires me every day. My hope is that this new video will inspire women and men to take charge of their own breast health through screening, detection and treatment.”

You can watch Abdul’s video at

f

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMBhbg T8cZE. Too Odd You might have caught on-air interviews with a Dr. MITCHELL LEVY and his wife, Diana Mukpo, concerning their son, Ashoka Mukpo, 33. He’s the NBC cameraman who caught the Ebola virus and was flown back to America for treatment on October 3. Is there a Jewish connection? Yes, but a strange one. Diana, who came from an upper-class English Protestant background, shockingly married leading Tibetan Buddhist monk and teacher Chögyam Rinpoche Mukpo in 1969, when she was 16. Levy, who is Jewish, was a follower of Rinpoche and his personal doctor until the guru’s death from alcoholism in 1987. Diana, who never divorced Rinpoche, had a longrunning affair with Levy, and Ashoka is their biological son. They wed after Rinpoche’s death.

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20

Federation Star November 2014

JEWISH INTEREST

You say kasha varnishkes…I say kasha varnishKISS

By Jill Saravis

K

asha varnishkes is an Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish side dish of kasha (buckwheat groats, greytshkelach) and farfalle (bow-tie pasta, lokshen) with sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions. I recently started adding a large carrot and stalk of celery sliced for additional flavor, Jill Saravis color, calorie reduction and, once again, adding my own flair.

The Jewish cook’s secret to good kasha varnishkes is toasting the buckwheat groats until you start smelling the aroma of the nutty kasha. The waft of this goodness filling your house on a cool autumn day will surely get tummies grumbling in anticipation of dinner. It is a perfect complement to most chicken and meat entrees, and is even more

Ingredients: • 1 ½ cups kasha (whole or course) • 1 egg, lightly beaten • canola oil and/or olive oil (even better, use some schmaltz) • 3 cups chicken stock • ½ lb farfalle (bow-tie pasta) • 1 cup rendered chicken fat or canola oil • 1 pound of sliced white or portabella mushrooms, sautéed • 2 large yellow onions, roughly chopped • 1 large carrot, diced into 1/4-inch pieces • 1 stalk of celery sliced • freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt, to taste • parsley, to garnish Directions: 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta; cook until al dente, according the package’s directions.

Drain and set aside.

4. Meanwhile, in a heavy bottomed 6-qt. saucepan, on medium heat cook the kasha (no added fat), breaking up the kernels until egg is dry and kasha is lightly toasted and the kernels separate, about 2 minutes.

5. Add the stock and vegetable mix and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to

medium-low; cook covered, until steamed tender, about 12 minutes (try not to uncover or stir too many times). Remove from heat; set aside.

6. Toss in bow-ties and mushrooms; season with salt and pepper and transfer to a serving platter; garnish with parsley.

A new edition of Connections A Guide to Jewish Living in Collier County

is coming in December!

Advertise your product or service in Connections and reach 8,000 Jewish households in Collier County.

A Guide to Jewish Living in Collier County A FREE PUBLIC ATION

ARTS & CULTU RE • ADULT & CHILD HOO D EDUC ATION COM MUNI TY SERV • FEDE RATIO N ICES • EVEN TS • LOCA L AGEN CIES & ORGA NIZAT RELIG IOUS LIFE IONS • COM MUNI TY CALE NDAR • AND MUCH MORE !

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3,200 copies of Connections will be mailed (if you receive the Federation Star, you’ll get a copy of Connections) and an additional 4,800 copies will be available from January through March 2015 at select locations, including 12 Publix supermarkets. flavorful when reheated. This recipe requires using a few different pots and pans, but it is worth it!

Once you get the hang of making this high-fiber dish, it becomes quicker and easier as well as a nutritional family favorite.

I welcome you to send me your traditional recipes from all over the world for taste-testing and sharing.

2. Stir the kasha and egg in a bowl until well coated and let stand for five minutes.

3. Sauté onions in oil until soft. Add carrots and celery and sauté until the onions begin to caramelize.

Add mushrooms and sauté for 2 more minutes. (I prefer to sauté the mushrooms in batches separately, without crowding the pan.)

Reserve your spot today. Premium positions are going fast! For more information about advertising or the distribution of Connections, contact Jacqui Aizenshtat at 239.777.2889 or jacqui1818@gmail.com.

The Jewish Congregation of Marco Island in conjunction with the Jewish Federation of Collier County presents The 2015 Saul I. Stern Cultural Series – now in its 21st year!

Tuesday, January 6, 2015, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 28, 2015, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015, 7:30 p.m.



RABBI MARVIN TOKAYER presents “The Jews of the Far East, Part II - Pepper, Silk & Ivory.”

You will hear fantastic stories of Jewish life in the Far East, known to few. Rabbi Tokayer has written 20 books on the subject. A sale and book signing of his latest book, Pepper, Silk and Ivory, will be available following the presentation.

THE NAPLES PHILHARMONIC BRASS QUINTET returns with a delightful variety of music – classical and popular – for the ninth consecutive year. A fabulous Viennese table follows the program with a sampling from Starbucks.

HARRY ETTLINGER escaped to America from Germany, with his family shortly before the war.

He returned as a GI. Because of his knowledge of German, he was sent to Munich to join the Monuments Men. He will tell us how he assisted in rescuing five million works of art and returned them to their rightful owners.

THE 2015 SAUL I. STERN CULTURAL SERIES

For more information, call the Synagogue Office at 239.642.0800. Please send this form and payment to the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island, 991 Winterberry Dr., Marco Island, FL 34145.

Please send me tickets for the following Cultural Series programs: ____ $75 Patron, series ____ $50 Series for members ____ $60 Series for non-members ____ $20 Single tickets for members ____ $25 Single tickets for non-members

For those wishing single event tickets: # of tickets:____ Rabbi Marvin Tokayer # of tickets:____ The Naples Philharmonic # of tickets:____ Harry Ettlinger

____ Enclosed is my check payable to JCMI ____ Please charge my credit card: Credit Card #_______________________________________ exp. ____/____ Please mail my tickets to the address below: Name_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip____________________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________________

21 Federation Star November 2014 JEWISH INTEREST

November 2014 Federation Star

21

A stunning debut novel about loyalty, honor and identity

By Philip K. Jason, Special to the Federation Star A Replacement Life,

by Boris Fishman. HarperCollins.

336 pages. $25.99.

A

generation of Jewish immigrants from former Soviet Union countries is coming into its own as a special breed of Jewish American writer. The balance of ethnic identity spans a significant range. Some of these writers seem more Eastern European than Jewish, as might be expected when growing up under a regime that had Phil Jason little tolerance for religious communities. Others seem to treasure their Judaism as a kind of heirloom, but still arrive in the U. S. lacking significant Jewish learning or worship experience. In fact, their American lives often make possible the process of Jewish education and acculturation (as Gary Shteyngart recalls his American Jewish day school years in his recent memoir Little Failure).

In 1979, Minsk-born Boris Fishman came to the U. S. from Belarus at the age of nine. After well-placed work as an accomplished journalist, Fishman’s first novel is putting him on the map in a big way.

Slava Gelman, Fishman’s surrogate, works for a prestigious New York-based magazine called Century.

However, whatever his tasks, he has

not yet broken through with an article bearing his by-line. He needs to break through, to prove to his skeptical grandfather – the family patriarch – that his choice of a career was neither foolish nor unmanly. Slava needs, as well, a fulfilling relationship with a woman. The pursuit of these needs springs the action of this unique and brilliant novel, along with the effect of Slava’s grandmother’s death on the family.

The Gelman family and their relatives have become part of a RussianJewish enclave in Brooklyn. Inside their community, they are – of course – insiders. Still, they remain outsiders in the larger community of New York City. They admire the abundance of choices that America offers, but they are not able to partake of this abundance on a large scale.

An almost totally Americanized Slava has become marginally connected to his family and his roots. To

Boris Fishman (photo by Rob Liguori)

a significant extent, he is an outsider among them. He is also an outsider, for a complex of reasons, in his workplace community. What good are his writerly aspirations doing him or anyone else?

His grandfather, the ultimate schemer and scammer, has made a reputation as the guy who can get his hands on things that others cannot. His well-played false innocence leads him to hatch a devious scheme to benefit himself, his neighbors, and perhaps even his grandson. What’s wrong with lying for a good purpose?

He comes up with a plan for Slava to fabricate letters requesting war reparations from the German government.

While many of the aging Jews in the Gelmans’ Brooklyn community were disadvantaged because of the Nazi regime’s actions during World War II, they had survived the Nazis to lose even more under Soviet repression in the years following the war.

First reluctant and then fascinated with the idea, Slava finds himself going along with it. He is now a creative writer, making up biographies with key incidents that qualify the alleged victims for reparations. His underground fame spreads. Money is offered for his services. His grandfather is, finally, proud of him.

All goes well until an odd, shrewd inspector corners Slava and starts asking questions.

Just as Slava is lured into one part of his destiny, he is lured into another as well. This time, there is far more upside to it. His co-worker, the quirkily independent Arianna Bock, finds

something in Slava to arouse her sympathy and then her passion. She leads him into a romance and also wises him up about the ways of a writing career at Century and beyond.

Perhaps Fishman’s greatest gift is his talent for writing group scenes made out of conversations that couldn’t possibly be real but are totally convincing and revealing. There are several such scenes in A Replacement Life that could be expanded into plays.

They are filled with social nuance, familiar pettiness, and (from the perspective of the participants) unintentional wit and humor.

Fishman’s narrative shines with bright metaphors and similes. Describing a woman who has been assigned by a social service agency to assist his grandfather, he writes: “Like a Soviet high-rise, each floor of Berta was stuffed beyond capacity.”

How do things work out with the family, with Arianna, with Slava’s career creating fraudulent lives on paper?

Well, that’s a long story. Do yourself a favor and read it for yourself.

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.

Temple Shalom & ZOA of Southwest Florida present:

a Lecture on the Middle East by the Editor of Commentary Magazine

Jonathan Tobin Tuesday November 18, 2014 Temple Shalom 4630 Pine Ridge Rd Naples FL 34119 Admission: $20.00 pre-payment checks to:

ZOASWFL 7550 Mission Hills STE 306 Box 90 Naples FL 34119-9607 More info at: zoaswfl.org Jonathan S. Tobin is the senior online editor of Commentary Magazine, a monthly magazine covering politics, international affairs, Judaism, and social, cultural issues. For 10 years, 1998-2008, Mr. Tobin served as the executive Director of the Jewish Exponent. He is a frequent commentator on domestic politics, Israel, and Jewish affairs. His syndicated weekly column, “View from America,” appears in Jerusalem. Mr. Tobin lectures across the United States and is a frequent guest on CNN, BBC Radio, FOX News and network affiliates discussing the Middle East and other Jewish concerns.

22

Federation Star November 2014

JESWISH INTEREST

Gulfshore Playhouse’s 2014-2015 Season

I

n November, Gulfshore Playhouse will bring Pulitzer Prize-winner Annie Baker’s Body Awareness to the stage. From one of America’s hottest young playwrights comes a play that cleverly skewers liberal pretentions and turns political correctness on its head.

With wit, empathy, and a frank point of view, Annie Baker snaps a picture of a nontraditional modern American family struggling to make things work. Often hilarious and touching, this play illuminates many of the struggles families face in today’s tumultuous times. Body Awareness will play November 1-16.

In December, Jacob Marley passes through hell on his way to redemption in a riveting piece of art that will appeal to all, regardless of race, creed or nationality in Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol by Tom Mula. This theatrical tour-de-force brought dazzlingly to life

by Cody Nickell will move you in unexpected ways. It is a marvel to behold, as this production leaves everything and nothing to the imagination. Look with

Cody Nickell in Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol

new eyes at a story that many think they know with Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol running December 6-21. Nancy Stetson of Florida Weekly said: “Mr. Nickell delivers a virtuoso performance,

Is there a Treasure in your Attic?

giving each character a distinct voice and personality. He even, somehow, manages to appear to change his shape and size.”

Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang will play January 17 through February 8.

In this uproarious love letter to a bygone era, Vanya and Sonia are joined by their overbearing sister Masha, her hot new young lover Spike, their next door neighbor Nina, and a soothsaying housekeeper named Cassandra. Borrowing liberally and hilariously from Anton Chekov, Durang creates a play that explores family, rivalry, jealousy, and just how funny misery can be.

A finalist from its 1st Annual New Works Festival, Gulfshore Playhouse will present the World Premiere production of The Butcher by Gwydion Suilebhan February 28 - March 22. The Butcher tells the tale of two strangers: Jane, an Evangelical Christian struggling with her faith, and Massoud, an Iranian Halal Butcher steeped in tradition, who together witness a peculiar

Yiddish Books are a Cultural Treasure of the Jewish People The National Yiddish Book Center is a non-profit organization working to save Yiddish culture. Please check around your home for old Yiddish books and records, and inquire among friends and relatives. Gifts of these books are tax deductible.

Please drop off your Yiddish books and records at the Jewish Federation, for further delivery to the National Yiddish Book Center, or call Louis Rusitzky at 455-6447 to schedule a pick-up.

Visit the National Yiddish Book Center at www.yiddishbookcenter.org.

and shocking event. As they and their families try to make sense of these bewildering circumstances, they question their faith, their firmly-held beliefs, and the choices that their cultures have forced them to make.

On March 9, Gulfshore Playhouse will host its 5th Annual Bubbles, Baubles

and Broadway Gala Fundraiser at the Naples Beach Hotel. Chaired by Naomi Buck, David Drobis and Adria Starkey, the event will feature two-time Tony Award-winner Norbert Leo Butz in a cabaret performance, and renowned auctioneer Scott Robertson. The evening will also serve as Gulfshore Playhouse’s 2015-2016 Season Announcement. This is a night you won’t want to miss!

The final production of the 20142015 season will be David Ives’ The Liar based on the play by Pierre Corneille, which will play April 4-26. This comedy takes us to Paris in 1643 and our hero is everything a hero should

be: charming, charismatic, handsome, passionate. His only flaw? He cannot tell the truth. Paired with a manservant who cannot tell a lie, this comic dynamic duo take on all that 17th century France can throw at them. Wordplay, swordplay, mistaken identity, romance, wit, and a few big whoppers combine to make this romp an unforgettable night at the theatre.

Gulfshore Playhouse performances take place at the Norris Center, 755 8th Avenue South, Naples. For tickets or more information, visit www.gulfshore playhouse.org or call 866.811.4111.

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

Federation’s Annual Community Celebration Saturday, January 31, 2015

SAVE THE DATES FOR NEXT SEASON’S TWO BIG EVENTS:

* * * * *

Evy Lipp People of the Book Cultural Event Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Community Chanukah Celebration

Jewish Federation of Collier County and our Community Synagogues and Organizations invite you to join us

Thursday, December 18 at 5:45 p.m.

The Lawn at Mercato Across from Silverspot Cinema

Greetings from Community Leaders Candle Lighting Concert by the Naples Klezmer Revival Band and lots of holiday spirit for the whole family!

WE CELEBRATE OUR JEWISH COMMUNITY Jewish Federation of Collier County • Beth Tikvah • Chabad Jewish Center of Naples Jewish Congregation of Marco Island • Naples Jewish Congregation • Temple Shalom • BBYO Jewish Family & Community Services of SWFL • Hadassah • Humanistic Jewish Havurah • Israel Bonds • JNF Jewish War Veterans Post 202 • NCJW • Naples Friends of Magen David Adom • Naples Jewish Social Club • ORT

23 Federation Star November 2014 COMMENTARY

November 2014 Federation Star

23

If not us, who?

By David Harris, Executive Director, AJC, September 14, 2014

F

orty years ago this month, my life took a new path. Forty years later, I’m still on that path.

The year was 1974. U.S. President Richard Nixon and Soviet Chairman Leonid Brezhnev had introduced the word “détente” into the Cold War vocabulary. One of the outcomes was a series of annual Soviet-American exchange programs designed, at least in theory, to widen contacts between the two countries. One such initiative brought six teachers from the USSR to the U.S. for several months to teach Russian language and culture in American schools, and vice versa.

I was one of the six Americans selected to live and work in the Soviet Union in the fall of 1974. I was 25 years old.

I went with a sense of youthful idealism, believing that such personto-person contact could help ease tensions between nations, even as I had some grasp of the totalitarian nature of the Soviet regime.

My mother and her family had fled Soviet communism decades earlier and, shall we say, had no nostalgia for it. I knew that Moscow had crushed the Prague Spring in 1968 and the Hungarian uprising 12 years earlier. I followed the repressive campaigns against Soviet dissidents, and I was aware that Jews suffered from state-initiated persecution.

Still, I departed New York’s Kennedy Airport with hope and enthusiasm.

It didn’t take me long, though, to figure out that things were far worse than I ever could have imagined.

In those days, the Soviets wanted some Western visitors, but only those whose visits they could choreograph.

Officials believed that days filled with organized trips to sites sure to impress – from the ballet to the metro system – and encounters with regime mouthpieces could create new Western spokespersons for such notions as “The USSR is far better than I ever imagined,” “The people seem happy,” “I didn’t see any signs of repression,” and “You know, every country has its challenges, be it the USSR or the U.S., but we’re all basically alike.”

But the country didn’t really know what to do with the concept of a Russian-speaking teacher who was actually living there, going to work six days a week, and not assigned to any tourist or

business group and its official minders.

And so the painstakingly-constructed Potemkin Village of Soviet life quickly crumbled, to be replaced for me by growing awareness, from day to day, of a vast system built on tight control, fear and intimidation, economic inefficiency, and widespread social pathologies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin may think that the collapse of the Soviet Union was “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century,” but I beg to differ. The unprecedented model of state repression and central control of the economy was not sustainable, nor should its disappearance be rued for a single moment.

But what really hit me was the treatment of the Jewish population.

Not quite 30 years after World War II, in which the Soviets had fought tenaciously – after the German invasion in June 1941 shattered the RibentroppMolotov agreement – to defeat Hitler (and liberated Auschwitz in the process), Moscow was carrying out a campaign of cultural genocide against millions of Jews.

It was certainly more subtle than the Nazi effort, and didn’t entail mass deportations and death camps, but it did seek to stamp out all vestiges of Jewish life, dole out a painfully high price to those who resisted, and assail Israel and Zionism from morning till night.

In my months living and teaching, first in Moscow, then in Leningrad (aka St. Petersburg), I saw all this from the ground up. But then I also witnessed something else that touched me far more deeply than I could ever have imagined – and that ultimately altered the course of my life.

I saw some Jews fighting back.

They were unwilling to be cowed or bullied, even if the price for their defiance was daily harassment, loss of jobs, difficulties for their spouses and children or, most ominously, imprisonment in the Gulag.

All that I had taken for granted in my life as an American Jew was the focus of these modern-day heroes.

Whether it was the right to worship freely or openly wear a Star of David, to study Hebrew or read Leon Uris’s Exodus, to learn about Israel or pay homage to the memory of Holocaust victims, or to celebrate holidays or organize a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, none of

this was permitted in the Soviet Union.

To the contrary, each entailed significant risks.

For these heroes, their lifeline was the West and, above all, the Jewish world. The fate of those who challenged Kremlin authority had not been a pretty one since 1917. Why should Jews in 1974 experience anything different? The answer, I came to understand, lay, first and foremost, in Jewish solidarity. It meant ensuring that Soviet Jews never felt alone. No Iron Curtain could keep Jews apart, allowing the Soviets to do what they wished with impunity.

And no less importantly, it meant mobilizing public opinion, especially in the U.S., and urging the American government to convey the stark message that “détente” without steps to improve the lives of Jews, and allow emigration for those who wished to resettle in Israel and elsewhere, was an empty shell.

By the time I was detained by Soviet authorities on a frigid December day, shortly after leaving the one synagogue remaining in Moscow – which existed mostly as a showpiece for Westerners – and put on a plane to Helsinki, I understood that my life had changed irreversibly.

I had met many Soviet Jews, visited some homes, befriended several “refuseniks” who were living in limbo between their desire to leave and their inability to do so, and heard – in hushed tones, of course – individual stories of discrimination and persecution, coupled with dreams of new lives abroad as Jews.

Rather than wonder what I might have done during the Holocaust were I alive, I was confronted with the great challenge of my era – to be that lifeline for Soviet Jews, prevent cultural genocide, and show that we could stand strong, even against the most powerful totalitarian regime on earth.

And so within three months of my unplanned arrival in the Finnish capital, I was working in Rome, where Soviet Jews lucky enough to get out were being processed for onward travel and resettlement. Then came Vienna, the first arrival point in the West for arriving Soviet refugees. And then came AJC from 1979 onward. There were no more thoughts of the State Department or UN as a career path.

I’ve learned a lot in these past four decades, since seeing Moscow for the very first time.

Above all, I grasped two essential lessons.

It’s totally up to each of us. If not us, who?

And the seemingly impossible can be achieved. Not easily by any stretch, but the story of Soviet Jewry is ultimately one of redemption and renewal.

Now fast forward to 2014.

Jews face new threats and dangers, from efforts to isolate and demonize Israel to growing questions about the very future of some Jewish communities in Europe.

Isn’t it time for each of us to ask how we can help – and to remind ourselves that, however immense the challenges, history has shown they can be surmounted?

For more information, visit www.ajc.org.

Israel’s enemies have no desire to improve

By Gene Sipe, VP, ZOA Southwest Florida Chapter

H

ow easily we switch from our iPhone 5 to version 6 without a second thought; and yet already we are wondering “what’s next?”

It brings to mind one of Sir Winston Churchill’s famous quotations: “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” So when it comes to the Middle East, why is it the goal of the anti-Israel groups to desire to return to the past or, at the very least, to continue the same strategies?

Let’s consider the concept of tribal rule. One’s first loyalty is to one’s family, then the tribe, then allies of the tribe and lastly coreligionists. Please note that you did not see “flag and country” in that list because it is a western and “modern” concept. The “state” part of the Islamic State has no correlation to geographical boundaries or nationalism.

The easiest way for the western thinker to grasp this is to apply the analogy of Prohibition Era USA. Human life only had value if it supported the mob and its goals. Territories are whatever can be taken, exploited and held.

Westerners think of battle fronts in terms of border skirmishes; for example Gaza on the west, Hezbollah on the North, Syria on the northeast, etc.

We seldom consider warring seasons.

Fighting in the Middle East is traditionally done in the summer. When it is hot in the desert, irritable personalities are easier to motivate against one’s enemies.

Note that the most recent wars against Israel have been initiated in the summer.

Because we use western concepts of war we limit our perspective. We must understand that the enemies of Israel are warring on multiple fronts, not only physical. Border disputes are nothing more than a distraction. We are in a period of ceasefire. However, Israel’s enemies have simply temporarily redirected their efforts from raining rockets to the resupplying of armaments, re-digging tunnels and a return to the

propaganda campaign to garner world support for the next assault.

To the world they claim need a state because they are denied basic human dignities by the “Zionist oppressors.”

They have been quite skillful in marketing their cause to the naive and easily deceived. Any modern “state” would require the western concept of boundaries, in responsibility as well as geographical.

Simply put, as these concepts have no value in the Middle Eastern reality, it is merely a tactic in the propaganda war.

If it was really about a state, they would have had one in 1948 or at the very latest 2000. The reality is that as it is now (whether we are ready to concede it or not), it is virtually impossible to consider this option.

Their method is not fast but it is effective. They may be losing the bombing war, but winning in the media. AntiSemitism is rampant throughout Europe and growing steadily in North America.

Meanwhile, as the west embraces modernity and all of the benefits that come with it, the Middle East steadily reverts back to a culture that failed two centuries ago. Once again it is the norm for infidels to be captured and held for ransom or beheaded, piracy on merchant shipping, and armies of radicals warring through the countryside in the name of the caliphate.

Getting back to our original premise, the simple answer is that Israel’s enemies have no desire to improve.

They have no motivation to change.

Conversely, Israel’s continued existence depends on her desire to improve. She developed previously unimaginable technology to protect her citizens from rocket fire. She is developing sensors to detect tunneling. She is restructuring the political gambit. She survives because she embraces change. Israel’s future is bright because each change is another step toward perfection.

24

Federation Star November 2014

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

10 extraordinary places to stay in Israel

If you’re looking for something a little different from luxury chain hotels, B&Bs and youth hostels, then check out these uniquely unusual places to lay your head for the night.

By Abigail Klein Leichman, ISRAEL21c, www.israel21c.org f you want to book a room at a fivestar property, a luxury spa hotel, a wooden cabin, a boutique hotel on the beach, a youth hostel or a simple bed-and-breakfast, no problem. Israel has all of that and more.

But if you are seeking a really offbeat place to spend a night or two, check out ISRAEL21c’s list of 10 unusual places to stay in Israel. (Kudos to Judith Isaacson of Custom Israel Tours for helping us choose.)

1. Spa cave The Columbarium at Moshav Shekef, near the UNESCO World Heritage Beit Guvrin caves, has three guest rooms set in a chalk cave (Wi-Fi included). The

I

2. Renovated bus The Zimmerbus bed-and-breakfast (zimmer is Hebrew for a B&B) was created by an Israeli couple in the Negev hilltop village of Ezuz, using discarded buses. Zimmerbus offers

three converted, air-conditioned vehicles (one for couples, two for families) covered with natural adobe and date-palm leaves. A recycling system using wastewater from the Zimmerbuses irrigates an organic orchard, and there’s a new chlorine-free swimming pool. Information: 972.55.667.7962; exodianegev@gmail.com.

3. Ottoman authenticity Akkotel is built into the walls of the Old City of Acre (Acco). The renovated historical building originally

rock-walled rooms feature chromotherapy lights, fireplaces, a waste-recycling system, and organic bathrobes, towels, soaps and food. Each cave has a private garden and there’s an indoor swimming pool and hot tubs set in former rain-water collection basins. Information: Dalia Anav, 972.52.978.7638; dalia.anav@gmail.com.

For daily news stories related to Israel & the Jewish world, visit www.jewishnaples.org.

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was constructed by the Ottoman Turks (who ruled Palestine in the 16th to early 19th century) to billet army officers, and later became a boys school and then a courthouse under the British Mandate. Sixteen one-of-a-kind rooms combine stoned arches with handmade furniture. Information: 972.4.987.7100; info@akkotel.com.

Another historic option in Acre is Efendi, combining two Ottoman mansions meticulously reconstructed under the supervision of the Antiquities Authority and merged into one building as a boutique hotel. Artisans were flown in from Italy to restore the handpainted ceilings and a fresco of the city of Istanbul created in 1878 in honor of the new Orient Express train station.

Information: reservation@efendi-hotel .com.

4. A real Crusader inn Montana House, in Jerusalem’s Ein Karem neighborhood, was originally a Crusader inn and is possibly the oldest structure in Ein Karem. Owner-manager Shahar Gur, who opened the property two years ago, says the basement

was built about 1,100 years ago when the Crusaders were building churches in Ein Karem. They called this neighborhood “The Mountain,” and that is where Gur got the name of the hotel.

Each of the four floors has its own luxury suite built from the remains of different eras; the oldest floor is 800 years old and the newest 200 years old.

“There are no crosses in the rooms, but we have lots of unique items from that period,” says Gur, who hired an Austrian interior designer experienced in converting European palaces into boutique hotels. Information: montanahom@gmail.com.

5. Bedouin hospitality Kfar Hanokdim between Masada and Arad offers a range of desert accommodations: a goat’s-hair Bedouin tent, 35 desert-style, air-conditioned guest rooms furnished with local wood, metal, stone and salt from around the Dead Sea; and designed lodges (sukkot) made with thick woolen sides and doors with decked wooden floors and futon-style beds for up to eight occupants. Information: 972.8.995.0097; kfar@khn.co.il.

6. Can’t hurt to try a yurt Several sites in Israel offer yurts – Mongolian-style fabric-covered teepees with an underlying wooden structure.

Ghengis Khan in the Golan, east of the Sea of Galilee, contains five airconditioned yurts with attached private bathrooms. Four of them hold up to 10 people each, and one up to six. There is a communal kitchen with equipment for guests to use. Information: 972.52.371.5687.

Indian Village at Moshav Avnei Eitan in the Galilee is an upscale yurt campsite (think Jacuzzis) that also offers wooden cabins if a tent isn’t your thing. Information: 972.4.676.2151.

7. Dancing in the desert Adama Dance Inn, in Mitzpeh Ramon on the edge of the Negev desert, offers three mud huts (with shared

continued on next page

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25 Federation Star November 2014 ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

November 2014 Federation Star

25

Jewish National Fund’s 2nd solidarity mission to Israel arrives in time of war and leaves in peace

By Rachel Solomon

taking part on the first. “While everyone is weary, they’re very grateful to have our support.”

Aside from Ms. Buchholtz, those

IDF soldier, Rabbi Adam Miller (Temple Shalom in Naples), Ronald Werner

on her mission experienced the latest Hamas-Israel conflict for the first time.

“This experience is a limited engagement for us and won’t have the same long-term emotional effect,” said Rabbi Adam Miller from Naples, Florida. “But for those who are stuck here and are constantly under the barrage, it’s a completely different story, and I don’t know how the Israelis endure it.

I really don’t.”

It was equally hard for Israelis to understand why a group of Americans would purposefully leave the safety of the U.S. to travel to Israel during the war, but they appreciated the show of solidarity.

“Last night we shared dinner in Ofakim with 17 IDF soldiers who were responsible for destroying the tunnels in Gaza,” said Ronald Werner of Denver, co-chair of the mission. “I stood up and thanked them for what they did for Israel and the Jewish people, and they

continued from previous page bathroom), 10 plaster-and-clay teepees and a campground for overnight accommodations. It’s part of the Adama Dance Art Healing Center, which also houses the dance troupe of Liat Dror and Nir Ben Gal and a 400-seat concert hall. Information: 972.8.659.5190; info@adama.org.il.

8. A night at the cinema Tel Aviv’s downtown Cinema Hotel is an 83-room boutique hotel in an original Bauhaus building that once housed the Esther Cinema. The hotel’s unique design is complemented by some of the original projectors and movie posters. Classic movies are screened in the

hotel lobby – with popcorn, of course – to heighten the nostalgic atmosphere.

Information: 972.3.542.5555.

9. Playing in the mud There’s no shortage of eco-lodges, mud huts and similarly environmentally friendly accommodations in Israel.

We’ll mention just three: Kibbutz Neot Semadar, offering 12 huts built of

hay bales and homemade mud bricks, on the road to Eilat (054.979.8433; Smadarim011@gmail.com); Essene Farm in Even-Sappir outside Jerusalem, with six self-catering holiday suites (including one with wheelchair accessibility), made of straw bales covered with thick mud plaster (972.2.644.9588; info@essenefarm. com); and Khan Be’erotayim, a desert inn in Ezuz (see Zimmerbus) constructed from mud, palm leaves, mats and recycled materials.

10. Sleep in an art gallery The Artplus boutique hotel in Tel Aviv boasts 62 rooms dedicated to rotating exhibitions of Israeli art. Five prominent Israeli artists created the murals

that set the tone on each floor, and the foyer and lobby feature works by internationally renowned artists Zadok BenDavid and Sigalit Landau. A library has art books and magazines for guests to peruse. Information: 972.3.542.5555.

The Art Gallery Hotel in Haifa was opened in 2010 in a refurbished Bauhaus-style hotel from the 1930s where statesmen such as David Ben-Gurion and Yigal Allon slept over. Nine exhibitions of Israeli art are installed throughout its floors and hallways, along with open displays. On Saturdays, guests can take a free guided walking tour of Haifa art and architecture. Information: 972.4-861.6161; gallery@hotelgallery. co.il.

The most exciting new entry in this category is the Elma Arts Complex & Luxury Hotel set to open at the end of 2014 in Zichron Ya’akov. Two expansive galleries will accommodate paintings and sculptures by artists from Israel and all over the world. Four studios will offer artists the opportunity to work in residency at the hotel and offer master classes; and two full-size concert halls will be available for the performing arts. Artworks will be scattered about the hotel itself, which boasts spectacular views of the Mediterranean from guest rooms in its main building and private two-floor “cottages.”

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.

said, ‘No, we thank you. Your being here and standing with us gives us the strength for what we had to do.’”

Joining Mr. Werner on the mission were his father, Robert Werner of Miami, Mission particpants at the Harvey Hertz-JNF Tree Planting Center also a mission cooutside Jerusalem chair, and his 22-yeartheir trip and left their mark on the old nephew Jack, a recent graduate of land itself. Joined by students from Stanford University, who was in Israel the Alexander Muss High School in six weeks earlier when the war began.

Israel (AMHSI), they picked up a “I was really happy to return and shovel and planted saplings at the Harsupport Israel and let her people know vey Hertz-JNF Tree Planting Center they weren’t completely alone in the outside Jerusalem. world,” said Jack Werner of New York The planting carried extra meanCity. “I’m sure people here feel very ing as only two weeks earlier the Cenisolated based on the reaction of global ter’s namesake and beneficiary, Harvey media and international politics, so it Hertz, had passed away. As all plantseemed like an important thing to do.” ed the small trees and got their hands Midway through the mission, Isdirty, Ronald Werner, an alumnus of rael and the Palestinians announced AMHSI, reflected on how special the an agreement on a long-term truce. experience was for him.

After 50 days of fighting, quiet finally “I went to Alexander Muss thirtyensued after Hamas sent a final mesthree years ago and have been to Israel sage. more than twenty times. This time I’ve “Hamas let us know a truce was had the privilege of having my father coming,” said Dan Lewis from Chiand nephew with me,” Werner said. “If cago. “We were in the south, and right this is not the definition of ‘Am Yisrael before the truce was announced, there Chai,’ then I don’t know what is. That was a barrage of rockets.” has been the undertone of this mission: Having lifted the spirits of so Am Yisrael Chai!” many men, women and children in Israel, the Americans completed

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D

uring the 50 days of Operation Protective Edge, Hamas launched 4,500 rockets and mortars from the Gaza Strip into Israel.

The war claimed the lives of 66 soldiers and six civilians – among them a 4-year-old boy from a southern kibbutz – and cost over $2.5 billion, making it the country’s most expensive operation in a decade.

But those are just the numbers. To understand the effects of the war firsthand, 35 Americans from across the U.S. decided to leave the safety of their own homes and travel to Israel on a solidarity mission with Jewish National Fund (JNF), the second organized in the last month.

From August 24 to 28, participants followed the same footsteps of JNF’s first solidarity mission and made visits to Israel’s most battered communities in the south. Despite the barrage of over 100 rockets per day, participants on the mission enjoyed playing with children in Sderot’s JNF Indoor Recreation Center; visited people with disabilities at Aleh Negev, a rehabilitative village near Gaza; and worked with children in Halutza to prepare care packages for IDF soldiers.

“I can feel the huge effect that the last thirty days has had on these communities and families here,” said Sheryl Buchholtz of Brooklyn, New York, who spearheaded and co-chaired JNF’s L’Chaim Solidarity Mission II after

Teresa Shepp Family Service Counselor

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© Palm Royale

26

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

Federation Star November 2014

BRIEFS ISRAEL’S POPULATION: 8,252,500 On the eve of the Jewish New Year, Israel’s population numbers 8,252,500, of whom 6,186,100 (75%) are Jews, 1,709,900 (21%) are Arabs, and 356,500 are “others,” the Central Bureau of Statistics reported. (Ofer Aderet, Ha’aretz)

AZERBAIJAN: ISRAEL’S CLOSEST MUSLIM ALLY What started as a marriage of convenience has netted Israel its closest Muslim ally. The majority Shiite nation of Azerbaijan provides about 40% of Israel’s oil. Israel reciprocates by selling sophisticated arms including missile systems and drones.

President Ilham Aliyev, whose family has run the country for four decades, has forged close ties with Israel in the face of criticism from neighboring Iran. The two countries share a 756-km border, and almost a quarter of Iran’s 75 million people are ethnic Azeris. (Zulfugar Agayev, Bloomberg)

UGANDA SENDS 200 AGRICULTURAL STUDENTS TO ISRAEL Ugandan President Museveni saw off some 200 students on a one-year program to acquire agricultural skills in Israel.

Merab Acham, a veterinary medicine student from Makerere University, said: “We have been always waiting for rain to do farming, but Israel is a desert and it’s one of the best countries in agricultural production. So, we believe the skills we shall acquire will help in annual production and reduce the prob-

lems of food scarcity in the country.”

At least 1,100 students from 17 countries worldwide are attaining modern agricultural skills in Israel. (Zurah Nakabugo, Observer-Uganda)

CHINA FIRM TO BUILD NEW ASHDOD PORT

A Beijing-based contracting firm, China Harbor, has been chosen to build a new port in Ashdod, about a kilometer north of the current port.

Construction will take about seven years to complete. (David Shamah, Times of Israel)

FRANCE LEADS IMMIGRATION TO ISRAEL 24,800 new immigrants arrived in Israel in the Jewish year 5774, led by 6,000 French Jews, the Jewish Agency reported.

New arrivals in the past year included 4,500 from Russia, 4,200 from Ukraine, 3,600 from North America, 1,100 from South America, 570 from the UK, 260 from Belgium, and 230 from Ethiopia. (Sam Sokol, Jerusalem Post)

ISRAEL NAMES SIX NEW FEMALE AMBASSADORS Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced 12 new diplomatic appointments, including six female ambassadors. Einat Shlain, head of the international division at the Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Research Center, will become Israel’s new ambassador to Jordan.

Other new female ambassadors include Aliza Ben-Nun to France; Tamar Samash to Romania; Irit Lilian to Bulgaria; Simona Frankel to Belgium; and

Gary A. Layton, D.D.S.

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Yael Ravia to Cyprus; as well as Judith Varnai, consul-general for Atlanta.

(Shlomo Cesana, Israel Hayom)

GAZA WAR LEANED HEAVILY ON F-16 CLOSEAIR SUPPORT Hundreds of the more than 6,000 targets Israel struck from the air during the Gaza war were from fighter jets delivering bombs in record time and in close proximity to friendly ground forces. With an F-16 dedicated to every brigade, precision air power provided protection for friendly forces fighting less than 350 meters away. That’s a three-fold improvement from the traditional 1-km safety range for fixed-wing close air support, IDF officers said.

Israel Air Force chief of staff Brig.

Gen. Amikam Norkin said the Gaza war marked the first time fixed-wing fighters were used as dedicated assets to division- and brigade-level forces.

During the 19-day ground segment of the war, close air support was provided within 30 minutes, and in many cases 20 minutes, of the first receipt of ground force tasking data. The Air Force wants to achieve bombs on target within 10 minutes.

In addition, combat helicopters constantly accompany Israeli boots on the ground. “The Apaches are always there,” Norkin said. But when forces are maneuvering in built-up areas where threats are hidden, above and under the ground, fighter-launched precision weaponry is the best option.

“When there are residential buildings of three, four and five floors, and the civilians are already evacuated, fixedwing precision air power is most effective.”

At any given time during the 50day campaign, the Air Force had an average of 40 air platforms of different types operating in the same congested airspace over Gaza, Norkin said. UAVs monitored and recorded all of the designated targets prior to attack, an essential element for preserving legitimacy and countering inevitable accusations of excessive force. “100% of the targets we attacked had constant [visual intelligence] above them before, during and after attack,” Norkin said.

(Barbara Opall-Rome, Defense News)

SURVEY: ISRAEL RANKS AS FOURTH MOSTEDUCATED COUNTRY Israel ranks behind Russia, Canada and Japan and ahead of the U.S., South Korea and the UK, according to the percentage of its adult population holding college degrees, a survey based on recent OECD data reported.

The college-educated population in Russia was 53.5%, Canada 52.6%, Japan 46.6%, Israel 46.4%, U.S. 43.1%, South Korea 41.7%, Australia 41.3%, and the UK 41%. (Ha’aretz)

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Malaysia, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, is importing more and more Israeli products – but not talking about it much. Israeli exports to Malaysia reached $1.457 billion in 2013. Between January and July this year, Israeli exports to Malaysia soared to $884.7 million, a 27% jump over the same period last year. A significant chunk of the trade can be traced to Kiryat Gat in Israel, where global giant Intel has a plant churning out computer chips which it exports to an assembly plant in Malaysia. In addition, there is a heavy current of trade flowing beneath the surface.

A raft of Israeli exporters and buy-

ers in Malaysia and also neighboring Indonesia are braving the political headwinds in order to do business – largely through third countries such as Singapore. The estimated value of trade between Israel and Indonesia runs as high as $250 million. Indeed, hushhush trade between Israel and hostile states has been going on for decades, through conduits such as Cyprus, Turkey and Jordan. (Jacob Atkins, Times of Israel)

ISRAEL TURNS SELFDEFENSE INTO INDUSTRY BOOM FOR CYBER TECHS

Israeli firms have attracted growing foreign investment over the past two years to develop cutting-edge tools for detecting and preventing cyberattacks. Gadi Tirosh, of Jerusalem Venture Partners, noted a move away from perimeter defenses such as firewalls to focus on detecting and preventing attacks before they can reach inside organizations.

IBM, Cisco Systems and EMC have all snapped up Israeli firms and set up research and development centers there. Many firms focus on emerging threats to mobile phone users and the need to secure the dizzying array of interconnected devices.

Isaac Ben-Israel, the country’s former top military scientist and now head of Tel Aviv University’s cyber research center, said Israel’s goal is to become one of the five leading cyber powers and already ranks among the top three in terms of cyber readiness, along with Finland and Sweden. “In a normal day we have 100,000 to 200,000 attacks. In times of emergency...this goes up to 2 million a day. This drives us to develop protection technology,” he said. (Tova Cohen, Reuters)

GAZA WAR’S ECONOMIC IMPACT ON ISRAEL WAS MINOR

International rating agency Standard and Poor’s sees the fiscal effects on the Israeli economy of the Gaza war as minor.

“In our view, the recent Gaza conflict will lead to only a modest weakening of Israel’s fiscal trajectory,” the agency said in affirming its ‘A+/A-1’ foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Israel, with a stable outlook.

“The fighting has not changed our view of Israel’s core credit strengths, such as its prosperous and diverse economy, [and] the contribution of natural gas production to a healthy external balance.” (Globes)

ISRAELI ARAB PRIEST TELLS UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL TO “END WITCH HUNT” OF ISRAEL

Father Gabriel Naddaf, a Greek Orthodox priest from Israel, defended the Jewish state before the UN Human Rights Council recently, arguing that it is the only country in the Middle East where Christians are not persecuted, and implored the body to “end your witch hunt of the only free country in the region.” “In the Middle East today, there is one country where Christianity is...affectionately granted freedom of expression, freedom of worship and security,” Father Naddaf said. “It is Israel, the Jewish state. Israel is the only place where Christians in the Middle East are safe.”

According to Naddaf, some 120,000 Christians have been killed each year in the Middle East for the last decade. “That means that every five

continued on next page

27 Federation BUSINESS DIRECTORY Star November 2014

November 2014 Federation Star

27

continued from previous page minutes a Christian is killed because of his faith.” (Marissa Newman, Times of Israel)

medical, technology companies like Qihoo 360 (which is a limited partner in two Israeli venture capital funds and invested in four companies including cyber security and image search), Lenovo, Xiaomi and Huawei, as well as Chinese VC firms which don’t have a big profile in the U.S. such as Ceyuan Ventures.”

“I’m seeing founders from China’s biggest Internet companies, family offices, and even mainland coal bosses who are putting a small part of the their personal fortunes into Israel. And it’s not just China; Japanese ecommerce giant Rakuten has a keen eye on Israel after having acquired another Israeli company, Viber, earlier this year.” (Russell Flannery, Forbes)

CHINA’S SEARCH FOR TECHNOLOGY LEADS TO GROWING VC INVESTMENT IN ISRAEL Chinese companies are looking carefully at Israel, an influential tech power.

Hong Kong-based consultant Michael Feldman said, “Over the past couple of years we’ve witnessed a huge increase in action between China and Israel...Li Ka Shing (the world’s richest Chinese), through his personal fund Horizons Ventures based in Hong Kong, has invested in over 25 Israeli companies and has had some big successes like with Waze, which was sold to Google for $1b. Other Chinese investors, particularly in tech, have started to pay attention and wonder what Mr. Li is seeing that they’re not.”

“We’re seeing everyone from conglomerates like Fosun and China Everbright who are investing in tech and

PA DAILY LAUDS ISRAEL’S TREATMENT OF PALESTINIAN WORKERS

On September 21, the official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida lauded Israeli employers of Palestinians for their positive employment ethics.

“Whenever Palestinian workers have the opportunity to work for Israeli employers, they are quick to quit their jobs with their Palestinian employers – for reasons having to do with salaries and other rights.”

“The [Israeli] work conditions are very good, and include transportation, medical insurance and pensions. These things do not exist with Palestinian employers.” (Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik, Palestinian Media Watch)

CHINESE FIRMS SWOOP INTO ISRAEL LOOKING FOR TECH INVESTMENTS Chinese investors are pouring millions into Israel-focused, tech-investment funds, as well as launching their own funds and investing directly in Israeli startups.

Yongjin Group Inc. has put $1520 million into Israeli venture fund Pitango Venture Capital during the past year. Lenovo Group Ltd. invested $10 million in Canaan Partners Israel

in August.

Ping An Venture created a $100 million fund dedicated to U.S. and Israel tech ventures, and has made six investments in Israeli startups so far.

In the first half of 2014, 335 Israeli high-tech companies raised a record $1.6 billion in capital, 81% higher than in the year-earlier period. (Orr Hirschauge, Wall Street Journal)

HUNDREDS OF SCHOLARS SIGN LETTER AGAINST ACADEMIC BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL

Over 800 academics thus far have signed a new letter opposing an academic boycott of Israel. The letter states: We, the undersigned...oppose faculty or student boycotts of Israel’s academic institutions, scholars and students. Our opposition is rooted in the following core principles: 1. Academic freedom: The BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions)

continued on page 32

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Federation Star November 2014

FOCUS ON YOUTH

Preschool of the Arts update

By Ettie Zaklos, Preschool Director Curriculum Night We recently hosted distinguished guest speaker and local Naples resident, Dr. David Perlmutter, at our Preschool of the Arts Curriculum Night. Dr. Perlmutter, a Board-Certified Neurologist and Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, is a frequent and popular lecturer for many distinguished medical institutions, including Harvard University and Columbia University, and also serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

Dr. Perlmutter shared insights with our Preschool of the Arts parents from his own research, which he completed while authoring his many books, including: The Better Brain Book, Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten, Power Up Your Brain: The Neuroscience of

Preschool of the Arts children collaborate and build incredible structures with the new Imagination Playground

Enlightenment, and the #1 New York Times bestseller, Grain Brain - The Surprising Truth About Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar – Your Brain’s Silent Killers.

As an internationally recognized leader in the field of nutritional influences in neurological disorders, Dr. Perlmutter explained his unique approach to neurological disorders, which is founded in the principles of preventive medicine, that comes with lifestyle changes including a gluten-free, low carbohydrate, higher fat diet coupled with aerobic exercise.

Dr. Perlmutter’s positive message was well received by our parents. He believes that raising a smarter child is easier than you think – it’s as simple as playing the right games, serving the right foods, and maintaining a brainenhancing environment in your home by eliminating common household toxins.

Dr. Perlmutter referenced his book Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten with its easy, highly effective strategies that can vastly improve your child’s brainpower and reduce his or her chances of developing ADD and ADHD. Class moms We are so grateful for our wonderful, dynamic, thoughtful and enthusiastic (no number of adjectives is sufficient here!) group of class moms who signed up for our 2014-2015 school year. Our class moms give of their time (a precious commodity) and their individual expertise to build a meaningful connection between our parent body and our preschool teachers. And for that, we can-

not thank them enough. Their presence on the preschool campus truly enhances and enriches all that our teachers aim to accomplish during the school year.

Succot Our preschool children were filled with excitement when Handyman Seth arrived on our campus to build our succah this year. Our children love it when they meet up with Handyman Seth each year and get to use “big people” tools. It is wonderful to see how, with each passing year, the children’s fine and gross motor skills improv,e and how they get to experience firsthand what can be achieved with patience and planning and good old-fashioned hard work.

Dance, dance, dance At Preschool of the Arts, we are always looking to see where and how we can enrich the lives of our preschool chil-

dren – and make things easier for our preschool parents, of course. With this in mind, we now offer after-school dance on our preschool campus.

Keri Brousil from Dance Arts by Maria teaches a fun, energetic dance class that introduces our little dancers to ballet, jazz and basic acro. Keri teaches the basic techniques of each dance type and uses her amazing creativity to bring the movements to life. Keri graduated magnum cum laude from the University of Florida where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Education, Elementary Education, and Arts Focus. And watch this spot…after-school cooking classes will be starting up in January 2015.

For more information, contact me at 239.263.2620 or naplespreschool ofthearts@gmail.com, or visit www. naplespreschoolofthearts.com.

Jewish Bedtime Stories & Songs for Families

The PJ Library program supports families in their Jewish journey by sending Jewishrelated books and music on a monthly basis to children for free.

Sponsered by

Arthur & Susan Karp

FamilyPJ Charitable Foundation, The Library is Inc A Supporting Foundation of brought to the Collier The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee County community Visit the FederationFamily website to sign up! by Jewish Services.

For more www.jfedsrq.org information, call Follow us at facebook.com/pjlibraryofsarasota 239.325.4444.

Preschool of the Arts children paint a beautiful masterpiece with visiting artist Maurice Tordjman

COMMENTARY BRIEFS YES, ISRAEL WON IN GAZA In June, Hamas operatives activated long-in-the-works plans to escalate terror operations in the West Bank and military attacks from Gaza. Israel responded by launching operations aimed at eroding Hamas’ terror infrastructure in the West Bank and its military infrastructure in Gaza.

By the middle of August, Israeli security forces had secured both strategic goals. In the West Bank the Hamas coup plotters had been rounded up, their weapons had been seized, and Hamas’ leaders had been captured. In Gaza, the long-range rockets had been blown up or wasted, the hang-glider plot had been disrupted, the drones had proven useless, and the tunnels had been destroyed. The country emerged from the summer’s violence more secure rather than less secure. (Omri Ceren, Commentary)

DOES HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF PREJUDICE?

Recently, the executive director of Human Rights Watch, Kenneth Roth, tweeted: “Germans rally against anti-Semitism that flared in Europe in response to Israel’s conduct in Gaza war.” Roth’s framing of this issue is very odd and obtuse.

Anti-Semitism in Europe did not flare “in response to Israel’s con-

duct in Gaza,” or anywhere else.

This is for the simple reason that Jews do not cause anti-Semitism.

The targets of prejudice are not the cause of prejudice. Anti-Semitism is not a rational response to observable events; it is a manifestation of irrational hatred.

The demonstration in Berlin was meant to protest the rough treatment of Jews, and Jewish institutions, across Europe, mainly at the hands of immigrants from Muslim-majority countries. These events included the sacking of synagogues; the desecration of Jewish cemeteries; arson attacks on Jewish-owned stores; and physical attacks on people who dress in an identifiably Jewish manner.

The people who perpetrated these violent acts, and who made these genocidal statements, were not protesting Israeli army policy.

They were giving vent to sharp and negative feelings about Jews, feelings that obviously predated this summer’s war.

Jews were victims of hate crimes in Europe before the latest round of fighting in the Middle East; the massacre of Jewish children at a school in Toulouse, and the fatal attack on the Jewish Museum in Brussels, are two examples. (Jeffrey Goldberg, Atlantic)

HEY KIDS! What are your plans for the summer of 2015?

Would you like to go to a Jewish Summer Camp or visit Israel?

The Jewish Federation of Collier County, Temple Shalom and Temple Shalom Men’s Club, together offer PARTIAL scholarships for Jewish Summer Camps and the Israel Experience for teens.

There are scholarship opportunities for all Jewish children in the community regardless of congregation affiliation.

For information and a scholarship application, contact your local synagogue or call the Jewish Federation at 239.263.4205.

Scholarship request deadline is December 1, 2014.

29 Federation Star November 2014 FOCUS ON YOUTH

Rising young star: Saige Feldman

By Jean L. Amodea

A

Barron Collier High School and practice public speaking. More than just connecting with other area sophomore, Saige Feldman will teens, it is a true learning experience,” be a leader one day. And she she added. already has a good start as president of What she loves most about being her class and a member of the student Jewish, besides the religious aspect, is council for the past two years.

Excelling in mathematics, a subject the feeling of connectedness whenever she meets other Jewish people. she said she loves, and currently taking Saige attends Temple Shalom with Algebra II, the 15-year-old sees math as her family that includes 19-year-old a discipline that is not as constraining as Mia, a freshman at Ohio Kent the study of English.

“While I also like EngState University, and Cloe, age 17, a high school senior. This lish and reading, you are year, Saige along with others limited to reading specific, in her class who will also be assigned titles, but in math, confirmed, will be meeting with you can solve problems Rabbi Adam Miller. A class trip and equations. It is more is planned to Washington, D.C. open,” she said.

Saige Feldman “Being confirmed is a great step in While college is a couple of years my role as a Jewish leader. I had my Bat in the future, Saige said she is exploring Mitzvah, then BBYO, and through this, her options and trying to determine her I will be able to reconnect to others in a strengths and in what areas she is best. stronger way,” Saige said.

“Last year, if you would have asked As for her inspirations, her father me my plans for college, I would have Michael as well as her sister Cloe take told you that I had it all figured out. top spots.

Since then, it’s all changed, and I am “My dad has influenced me with my rethinking my future,” she said. academics, helping me to study. He has “I will definitely go into some sort also been a strong religious influence for of leadership role. To me, a leader is not me, as I see his connection with God and someone who dictates but one who also singing the Shema to me at night. In my partakes in the tasks, keeps everyone Bat Mitzvah speech, I referred to him as on track, and listens and gets opinions ‘my pal,’” Saige said. from others.”

“And Cloe, who is my best friend Not only exercising her mind but and also on the BBYO board, is an also stretching her athletic side as a inspiration to me in that she is so smart member of her high school junior varsity and determined.” lacrosse team, a sport she has been playAs for advice to her peers, Saige ing since middle school, Saige said she said, “You don’t need to get all ‘As’ or hopes to make the varsity team later this be the team captain. Do what you want year. Devoting herself to twice-weekly to do. Find out what the one thing you training sessions, in season, she will do best is and do it.” play six days a week.

Jean Amodea, a former school principal As a member of the local BBYO from New Jersey is a freelance writer since last year, Saige has attended three for the Naples Daily News and its comconferences. A board member, in the munity publications as well as director position of MIT Mom, she works with of Peter Duchin Music of Naples/Enher fellow BBYO board members to tertainment Direct. She also performs recruit new teen members. with her husband Ron’s dance band, jazz “I like participating in BBYO as it is ensemble and Caribbean quartet. Reach a great leadership program where I can Jean at jeanamodea@earthlink.net. learn leadership and recruitment skills

Want to see your “rising young star” featured in the Federation Star? Send an email to jeanamodea@earthlink.net with the details.

November 2014 Federation Star

29

BBYO raises hunger awareness

O

n Wednesday, November 19, BBYO is hosting a pre-screening of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay to stand up against hunger.

BBYO teen leaders are organizing food drives along with the special screening to donate to those experiencing hunger in Naples.

The event is open to all ages, community-wide. Each individual who attends the pre-screening is asked to bring at least two canned goods to donate to the Food Pantry of Jewish Family & Community Services.

“I love that this event combines doing something fun like watching a movie while raising awareness for a serious issue,” said Taylor Bollt, senior at Community School of Naples.

November is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month. According to the Food Research and Action Center, in 2012, 49 million Americans faced hunger – 16 million of which were children. As a response to this and as part of BBYO Stand UP – BBYO’s grassroots service, advocacy and philanthropy initiative – BBYO teens chose hunger awareness and advocacy as their movement-wide cause this year.

“Through events like the Mockingjay pre-screening, teens can create and manage their own service and advocacy projects while connecting with their

friends community-wide to support the same cause,” said Skylar Haas, BBYO Naples Program Associate.

Similar to the Mockingjay event, Naples teens are planning a large community service event called J-Serve on Sunday, April 12, 2015. J-Serve provides teens with the opportunity to

Gabby Van Slyke and Sofia Collins at the All Florida Tri-Regional Convention in September

make their communities and the world a better place. By acting locally and thinking globally, teens will do their part through service to tackle today’s issues.

For more information about service, advocacy and philanthropic opportunities for Naples teens, contact Skylar Haas at shaas@bbyo.org.

Naples BBYO teens hang out after a potluck dinner and Saturday night program

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Temple Shalom Preschool update

By Seyla Cohen, Preschool Director

T

he school year is proceeding along and with it arrived the celebration of many Jewish holidays. Beginning with Rosh Hashanah in September and moving on to Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah in October, the children have been busy learning and rejoicing. So many holidays! Preschoolers are always eager to party, and in the process they participated in many fun and valuable activities celebrating history. The preschool presented a Super Shabbat where parents were invited to celebrate traditions and customs reflective of Jewish heritage.

The popular Mommy and Me Program with Miss Jane is off to a wonderful start. Little ones from birth through 2 years old are invited to join a lively agenda of song, dance, guitar, reading and crafts. Mothers, dads and/ or caretakers are invited to meet others and share information and experiences.

Students began the monthly ritual of baking loaves of challah bread. Our young chefs learn to knead the dough, roll long snakes, and braid them to create their own individual challahs to take home on Shabbat to share with their families.

Temple Shalom Preschool opened its doors to the public on the evening of Tuesday, October 14 to present the award-winning documentary film BULLIED: You’re Not Alone. Bullying is a serious crisis being experienced in our schools today. In this important documentary, teachers, legislators, victims and bullies themselves were

interviewed. Causes for this alarming trend and solutions were examined; vital information and possible answers to this widespread epidemic were addressed.

Growth is what it’s all about. Growing children, growing minds and growing food! The preschool has introduced our newest addition to the ever growing array of extracurricular activities. The

Temple Shalom Preschool Lions show off theirs version of a Mark Rothko painting

garden foundation has been set, filled with nutritious soil, and voila! A beautiful garden created. Children participate in the planting, cultivating and picking of the fruits and vegetables sprouting from the seeds they have sewn. Students will now have firsthand knowledge as to how produce is grown, and be rewarded by partaking of the fruits of their labor.

We wish everyone a joyous start to the New Year and know that new beginnings provide us with increased knowledge, growth and contentment. *** Temple Shalom Preschool Pre-K students have started working on their Masters Series. Each month they will learn about a different famous artist, where they came from, how they were schooled and how their styles developed. Students will then reproduce artwork similar to well-known pieces created by those artists. At the end of the school year, each student will have a portfolio to take home. Artists included in the series are Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, Piet Mondrian, Gerard Richter, Wassily Kandinsky, Joan Miró and Georges Seurat.

For a continuously updated community calendar, visit the Federation’s website at www.jewishnaples.org.

30

Federation Star November 2014

RABBINICAL REFLECTIONS

What will our number be?

Rabbi Adam F. Miller

C

an you believe that it has been almost a year since the great Thanksgivukkah of 2013? Last year we were all abuzz with the convergence of Chanukah and Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving may stand alone this year, but it is a holiday that remains important to us. We are a people who appreciate life – and recognize the importance of showing gratitude for the gifts that we have received. With that in mind, I want to share these excerpts from my Kol Nidre sermon this year on the topic of counting our blessings (the full version can be found at www.naplestemple.org): Some numbers are special, even sacred. 613 we know as the number of mitzvot, and 18 is chai, life. Baseball fans revere 61 and 42, as the home run record set by Roger Maris and Jackie

Robinson’s jersey number. We used to recognize 55 as the speed limit (seems awfully low now). 1948 – the year of modern Israel’s birth.

700. Does that one ring a bell? It may not resonate quite like the others, but to actor Billy Crystal, that number holds a special place. In his autobiographical one-man play, 700 Sundays, Crystal explains that he had 700 Sundays with his father, Jack, before he died when Billy was 15.

Billy gives a moving description of his reaction to his father’s passing. Jack Crystal died suddenly, from a heart attack. A policeman comes to the family house and hands Billy a large manila envelope.

Shell-shocked by the knowledge he will never again see his father, Billy opens the envelope. Inside are his father’s possessions. His dad’s baseball cap, wedding ring, his watch and his wallet.

Billy wonders if this all his father left behind. He opens his father’s wallet that day for the first time in his life – seeing in it his father’s driver’s license,

money and pictures. After looking at the pictures, he closes the wallet, and never opens it again.

The popular Capital One ad campaign asks, “What’s in your wallet?” It may be catchy, but in the end, does it matter? Rather than count the money in our pockets, we should count the blessings in our lives. More meaningful to Billy Crystal than the contents of his father’s wallet, were the tributes from friends and family to the impact his father had on their lives. The owner of a music store, Jack had inspired many of the leading jazz musicians of the time.

More lasting than any material possessions were those 700 Sundays they had together, and the profound influence that Jack had on his son Billy.

The blessings we have – those are what count most.

700 Sundays. Do we ever know how much time we have – what our number will be?

5775 – our number this year. 5775 is known in math as an abundant number. That is to say that the sum of all of its proper divisors is greater than the

number itself. As an example, 12 – can be divided by 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. Add those up and you reach 16. The divisors of 5775 add up to 6129.

May 5775 be an abundant year in which we realize just how fortunate we are, turning from jealousy to awareness of our own blessings. Realizing that whatever material wealth we may have acquired, the true value of our lives does not rest in our wallets or bank accounts.

Our lives gain meaning from the gifts we have been given, and how we share those blessings with others.

May 5775 inspire us to strengthen our connections with those who matter most in our lives – our friends, our families and loved ones. Take the time each week around the dinner table or by phone to share gratitude for your blessings and be grateful for another week.

And may 5775 be filled with abundant blessings for each of us – a year overflowing with joy, laughter, hope, strength, courage and love.

Count every blessing and make every blessing count.

falling right back to sleep; I made the awakening last.

This is what the passage “Arouse yourself, and sing to G-d” means. When you are spiritually awakened, like on Shabbat or Yom Kippur, the Shabbat of all Shabbats, if you want it to last, you must connect it with some action.

You must get out of bed in order to stay awake.

Every day, each of us is presented with fantastic opportunities to do something good, or make life better for another, or make a positive difference in our world.

When an opportunity comes our way to do something good, we should not delay. Don’t waste time and squander away years, but live daily with inner meaning and purpose. Consider this: in 1976, three guys in a garage started a computer company that would change the world. You’ve probably heard of two of the guys: Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. However, there was a third founder of Apple, former Atari engineer

Ron Wayne. He wrote up the partnership agreement for Apple, wrote the manual for Apple computers, and even drew the Apple logo. The reason you’ve probably never heard of Wayne is that less than two weeks after founding Apple and receiving a 10% stake in the company, he got cold feet and sold his Apple stock for $800. Had he stayed on, his stake today would have been worth about $22 billion – and that’s a lot of apples! Today Ron Wayne is living off Social Security checks and earnings from the sale of stamps and coins. That is what we call a missed opportunity.

Most of us probably will not have the investment opportunity Wayne had, but every day, each of us is presented with fantastic opportunities to do something good, or make life better for another, or make a positive difference in our world. Make use of the guidelines of these Holy Days, and create a life well lived instead of a lifetime of regret and wondering what could have been. Rise and shine!

Rise and shine!

Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

J

ust when you think the month of High Holidays, resolutions and good intentions has passed, it hasn’t! You see, it’s never really over.

The messages we glean from these exceptional days are guidelines for our lives, but it’s up to us to take hold of them and put them into action.

Every Shabbat evening we chant this line: “Arouse yourself, rise and shine. Awake and sing a song to G-d.”

This passage, from the book of Isaiah, is translated in the King James Version of the Bible as “rise and shine.”

This is the origin of the famous English expression “to rise and shine.” But what does it really mean to awaken and rise and sing to G-d?

Some time ago I had to finish some important work in my office. I set my alarm clock for 4:30 a.m. When it rang, I did what many people do: I hit the snooze button so I could sleep for just nine more minutes. I woke up two hours later.

Several days after that experience, I needed to take a 6:30 a.m. flight. To make this trip, I had to be up at 4:00 a.m., and knowing my inclination to hit the snooze button for ‘just a few more minutes,’ I took precautions so that I would not miss my flight. I moved the alarm clock off the night-table and put it in the far corner of the bedroom so that I could not turn it off from bed. The next morning I awoke at 4:00 a.m. and had to walk across the bedroom to turn off the alarm. By forcing myself to rise to turn off the alarm, I was then able to stay awake and make the flight – and shine.

You see, on both mornings, I had an “awakening.” But the first awakening didn’t last because I didn’t rise. The second time, I took precautions to avoid

SYNAGOGUES JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND

www.marcojcmi.com / 239-642-0800

President’s message

M

Roger Blau JCMI President

uslim Jihadists proclaim themselves to be the mechanism through which Allah will ultimately impose the word of Mohammed on the modern world.

Most civilized nations on the planet recognize the TEN COMMANDMENTS as the baseline of morality and civilization. So let’s give the Jihadists a “test.”

Here are the TEN COMMANDMENTS and my “grades” for how well the Jihadists score on their respect for these time-tested rules: 1. I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD OK…not bad on this one. The God they refer to as “Allah” could reasonably be construed to be the same God as “Adonai.” Except our God is merciful and theirs is vengeful. But…let’s give ’em a pass on this.

2. THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS Once again…one could argue that the Jihadists are monotheistic.

3. DO NOT TAKE THE LORD’S NAME IN VAIN Fail: When the Jihadists scream “Alahu Akbar,” if they are invoking the name of God to celebrate brutal killings, they are WAY outside the dots on this one.

4. REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY Fail: They do not observe Shabbat.

5. HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER Fail: If the measure is telling their grandchildren to become suicide bombers as a gateway to Heaven…then, not so much.

6. THOU SHALT NOT MURDER Fail: This doesn’t even need a comment, does it?

7. THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY Fail: Unless you don’t count multiple wives and the rape of children and “infidels” as adultery.

8. THOU SHALT NOT STEAL Fail: The ISIL jihadists have stolen money from banks, appropriated oil wells in the fields of Iraq, and stolen American weapons from resistance forces in the Middle East.

9. THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS Fail: Everything upon which their philosophy is based is a lie.

10. THOU SHALT NOT COVET Fail: The Jihadists covet EVERTHING that is held by others. Most especially, they covet the land of Israel.

So, using a simple grading curve, the Jihadists fail miserably! They got 20% “pass” and 80% “fail.” By anyone’s standards, 20% is a miserable failing grade.

I’m sad to say, I believe that moderate Muslims the world over must be most horribly embarrassed. After all, it is unquestionably true that there are a great many Muslims who are not radicalized. Those who live by the “Golden Rule” are not to blame. *** JCMI’s active and inspiring programs and events for 2014/2015 JCMI is gearing up for another year of phenomenal programs and events for our congregation, the Jewish community and all our Collier County friends.

Bingo has started and will run through May 4, 2015 on Monday nights at 5:30 p.m. Duplicate bridge on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. begins on December 2 and runs through April 7. Wednesday bridge at 1:00 p.m. is already underway.

Mahjong continues on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m.

Our sisterhood has prepared a fabulous array of programs such as discussions on health and wellness, a program on the prevention of identity theft, the Recreation Tappers, and a screening of the film Israel: The Royal Tour with Benjamin Netanyahu and Peter Greenberg. Our Men’s Club also plans to continue its breakfasts and programs.

Rabbi Maline’s Adult Education Series 2015 will begin in January with “New Questions of Jewish Law That Could Not be Asked in the Biblical and Talmudic Periods.”

The JCMI Jewish Film Festival will begin its 14th season on Sunday, December 14 with The Jewish Cardinal.

The Saul I. Stern Cultural series, in its 21st year, will open on Tuesday, January 6 with Rabbi Marvin Tokayer’s “The Jews of the Far East, Part II – Pepper, Silk & Ivory.”

The 2nd Annual JCMI Jewish Deli Fest will be on Sunday, January 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bernie’s Deli and Bubbie’s Bakery will amaze. Arrive early and bring your appetites.

For more details on all of these programs and events, please call the JCMI office at 239.642.0800 or visit website www.marcojcmi.com.

31 Federation Star November 2014 SYNAGOGUES BETH TIKVAH

November 2014 Federation Star

31

www.bethtikvahnaples.org / 239-434-1818

Beth Tikvah update

By Stuart Kaye and Rosalee Bogo, co-Presidents

W

ell, here we are again – back in that month without a Jewish holiday. But there are some good candidates. Here’s one: Foreign Office November 2, 1917 Dear Lord Rothschild, I have much pleasure in conveying to you, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, the following declaration of sympathy with Jewish Zionist aspirations which has been submitted to, and approved by, the Cabinet.

His Majesty’s Government views with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.

I should be grateful if you would bring this declaration to the knowledge of the Zionist Federation.

Yours, Arthur James Balfour

Veterans Day Commemoration On Tuesday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m., we will be joined by author Michael Hirsh to remember the people of his book, The Liberators: America’s Witnesses to the Holocaust. More details can be found elsewhere in this issue.

Global Day of Jewish Learning The Global Day of Jewish Learning brings the Jewish people together once a year to celebrate our shared Jewish texts through community-based learning. The guiding values of the Global Day of Jewish Learning are: fostering Jewish unity, empowering individuals through increased Jewish knowledge, and creating meaningful shared experiences. Join us on Sunday, November 16 for the 2014 Global Day of Jewish Learning. This year’s theme is Heroes, Villains, Saints and Fools: The People in the Book.

Phil Jason is coordinating the program.

RSVP to pjason@aol.com. You can also sign up at www.theglobalday.org.

Rosh Hodesh Group Our Rosh Hodesh Group holds its next meeting on Sunday, November 23 at 10:00 a.m.

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION

Book Group The next meeting of the Book Group is Monday, November 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Dig into Ishmael’s Oranges by Claire Hajaj. “April 1948 in gleaming Jaffa.

An older boy mocks Salim for wanting to pick oranges in his family’s orchard, then says, ‘The Jews are coming for you.’ Shortly thereafter, mortars whiten the sky, and Salim’s family loses everything. In the Sixties, as he’s graduating with a degree from University College, London, Salim meets Judith (“Jude”), and what follows is the moving story of the complications that inevitably result when a Palestinian man and a Jewish woman marry.” – Library Journal Starred Review Latke Dinner and Deli & Game Night Beth Tikvah’s annual Latke Dinner will be held on Wednesday, December 17 at 6:30 p.m. Please join us for Chanukah cheer, Chanukah greetings, Chanukah fun and Chanukah FOOD. RSVP to bethtikvahnaples@aol.com. Helpers needed. $15 advance payment per person. Free for Beth Tikvah Religious School families.

Our New York Style Kosher Deli & Game Night is back! Join us on Wednesday, December 24 at 6:00 p.m. for this tried and true community experience.

Adults $42, children under 13, $22.

Make your check payable to Beth Tikvah of Naples and send it to Shep Scheinberg, 4261 Montalvo Court, Naples, FL 34109. Questions? Want to help? Call Shep at 239.513.1950.

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 morning minyan runs from December through March at 9:00 a.m. 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, please call 239.434.1818, email bethtikvah naples@aol.com or visit www.bethtik vahnaples.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

Sunday at the Movies Naples Jewish Congregation is once again presenting “Sunday at the Movies.” This year’s theme is the “Jewish Experience of Becoming Americans.”

The movies are chosen by Les Schwartz who, together with his wife Betty, researches each film and facilitates lively discussions. The first film, shown on October 26, was Hester Street, portraying the lives of immigrants in New York City’s Lower East Side at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. The next film, to be shown on Sunday, December 28, will be Crossing Delancey. This story also takes place in the Lower East Side of NYC, but it is now 50-60 years later. You will find that even in these modern times, much of the culture and flavor of the Lower East Side remains the same.

There is no charge to watch the movies, however a donation is always welcomed to help ensure the continuation of this project. All films are shown

in the Community Room of the Federation offices on Vanderbilt Beach Road, the last Sunday of the month at 4:00 p.m. Afterwards, going out for supper is always an option.

This series is open to the public. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Les at elias21@gmail.com.

Events and activities The signs of “season” are upon us as friends return to Naples, the humidity is leaving and our calendars begin to fill up with activities and events. The NJC Sisterhood will have its Opening Luncheon on Tuesday, November 11 at Brio’s Tuscan Grille. This begins the cycle of monthly gatherings that are always interesting and usually fun as well. The December meeting will be hosted by Gayle Dorio, a specialist on the raising and care of orchids. In addition, the Book Club will continue to meet monthly. Marilyn Goldenberg and Rochelle Pollens are co-Presidents of Sisterhood this year.

CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF NAPLES

The Men’s Club had a wonderful program in October. They met at the Collier Automotive Museum for a special tour narrated by a docent, and then went to lunch at Spanky’s Restaurant. They will be meeting the third Thursday of every month at the Pelican Marsh Golf and Country Club. Harvey Sandberg, President, tells me he has speakers planned for many informative and thought-provoking luncheons.

Starting on Sunday, November 9, Rabbi Wolf resumes his Adult Education workshops. Classes will be held the second and fourth Sunday of each month through April at 10:30 a.m. in the Federation Boardroom. Discussions and input from participants often dictate the topic or direction of the program. Everyone who participates will tell you that they have enjoyed and benefitted from the way Rabbi Wolf encourages people to think and learn.

The Catholic-Jewish Dialogue will have Exchange Services the first week-

www.chabadnaples.com / 239-262-4474

Chabad Jewish Center of Naples update

A

t the Glassman Chabad Naples Center, the High Holidays were truly a celebration as over 500 people from all backgrounds joined us as one family, for both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. Positive feedback showed the children’s program was especially appreciated.

Here we grow! We are expanding by adding another wing for more classes for our ever-popular Preschool of the Arts, now celebrating its third consecutive People’s Choice Award, and to accommodate our popular camp and Summer of the Arts. It will be a central hub for the constantly growing Chabad children’s events. This past year, as we celebrated our 10th anniversary and look forward to our blossoming bright future, we made the exciting announcement of naming the Chabad Center “The Alex & Carol Glassman Chabad Jewish Community Center.” And we continue to strive to maintain outstanding community ser-

vice. We are available to meet at your convenience, in person or on the phone, to discuss this project in further detail.

Hebrew School There are still some openings available for Hebrew School. What a change, when your children can’t wait to go to Hebrew School and won’t want to miss a day! Learning is fun and exciting with special events and amazing teachers.

There are varied stimulating programs that include projects, activities and discussions, and special events guided

by Rabbi Aharon Rabin from the east coast who does phenomenal workshops with the children, from Havdalah to watching a scribe write in the Torah scroll. Sign up today! Some kids come with no knowledge and leave a year later, with the amazing aleph champ curriculum, knowing how to read Hebrew. A perfect recipe for that special feeling of success and being proud of one’s Judaism.

end in December. On Friday, December 5, members of St. Agnes Church will be welcomed as they attend a Shabbat Torah service at NJC. On Sunday, December 7, members of NJC will be welcomed as they attend a Mass at St. Agnes Church. It will be interesting to look for both similarities and differences in the structure of these services.

In December, NJC will celebrate its th 15 Anniversary – 15 years of serving the greater Naples area – at its annual Chanukah Party. The party will be held at the Club at Olde Cypress on the second night of Chanukah, Wednesday, December 17.

This is just the beginning of what promises to be a very busy and enjoyable year for Naples Jewish Congregation. For more information about our temple, please visit www.naplesjewish congregation.org or contact me directly at president@naplesjewishcongrega tion.org.

Women’s Circle Ladies, get ready for a full season at Chabad Naples for our 10th year of women enjoying lectures on health to dermatologists to better living. Join and experience the special camaraderie and spirited discussions.

Partner Project Partners always feel like family, uniting in a cause to support and stand with an amazing organization that contributes so widely to the community. Join over 300 Partners today. For more information, on this and other programs and events, visit www.chabadnaples.com or call 239.262.4474.

Flying Challahs Here is your chance to bring a smile to someone’s face. If you know people who need a visit or just a little caring attention, your suggestion via a phone call will bring a freshly-baked challah flying to their doorstep.

Weekly services and children’s program Join us every Shabbat at 10:00 a.m. for weekly uplifting services, and bring the kids to the incredible children’s program at the same time. Kiddush and a social gathering for the family follow services.

Read the current and previous editions of the Federation Star online at www.jewishnaples.org.

32

Federation Star November 2014 COLLIER/LEE CHAPTER OF HADASSAH

ORGANIZATIONS www.hadassah.org / 239-598-1009

Hadassah update at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Shalom in Naples. Rabbi Alexander Dukhovny, Lynn Chief Rabbi of Kiev and Ukraine of the Weiner Progressive Jewish Congregations, will be the guest speaker. There will be a desPresident sert reception following his talk. Please call me for details or if you would like to bake for the reception. adassah is starting a new Food We are proud to be participating in Drive Project for needy fami“One Book, Southwest Florida.” Evlies in Southwest Florida. We eryone is encouraged to read the book encourage you to bring non-perishable Gertruda’s Oath by Ram Oren, the food items to all Hadassah board meetextraordinary true story of a young boy ings, luncheons and Knowledge & Nosh and his nanny during WWII. Hadassah programs. Ruth Stockinger will collect will hold several book discussions durthe food items and they will be donated ing November and December. Call me if to a local food bank. you’d like to attend one of these discusOn Sunday, November 2, the Evesions. The survivor of the book, Michael ning Activity Group is pleased to host Stolowitzky, will speak at three commuits Annual Welcome Back Pot Luck Dinnity-wide events: Tuesday, January 6 at ner at a private home with special guest 6:15 p.m. at the Lakes Regional Library speaker Barbara Goldstein (BG), the in Fort Myers; Wednesday, January 7 at Deputy Director of the Hadassah Israel 7:00 p.m. at Temple Shalom in Naples; Office. Spouses and guests are encourand Thursday, January 8 at 1:00 p.m. aged to attend. Space is limited. Please at the South Collier Regional Library contact Lauren Becker at 239.592.5304.

Branch in Naples. For more information, Join us for Knowledge & Nosh @ email ida.margolis@gmail.com.

Noon on Wednesday, November 12 at Hadassah is starting several HadasSeasons 52 Restaurant in Naples.MONDAY Regsah Book Clubs. Each club will have a istration starts at 11:30 a.m. Michelle limited number of participants. Call me Sargis, Crime Prevention Officer from if you would like to participate in or start the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, is a book club. back by popular demand to discuss Speaking of books, Hadassah personal safety and give us useful tips.

Magazine has named Helene Wecker For details and to RSVP, contact me at the winner of the 2014 Ribalow Prize for 239.598.1009 or lynninaples@yahoo. her book The Golem and the Jinni. Each com, or Elyse Morande at 239.498.0623 year for the last 30 years, Hadassah or amorande@aol.com.

Magazine awards the Ribalow Prize to On Wednesday, November 12, an author who has created an outstandplease attend a community-wide event ing work of fiction on a Jewish theme.

H

HUMANISTIC JEWISH HAVURAH

The Ribalow Award was established in 1983 by the friends and family of the late Harold U. Ribalow, an editor, writer and anthologist known for his passion for Jewish literature and his interest in promoting the work of may now-famous writers.

Want to get some exercise? Join our Hike for Health and Lunch Group.

Contact Laraine Deutsch at latkeleah@ gmail.com for details.

The Major Donors/Keepers of the

Gate Recognition Event will be held on Sunday, December 14 at 10:30 a.m. at Quail West Country Club. Our speaker will be Stewart Greenberg, who was treated at Hadassah Hospital. We are pleased to have him share his remarkable story with us. If you are a Hadassah Major Donor, Keeper of the Gate or would like to become one, please contact Nancy Wiadro at 239.269.3666 or nwiadro@hadassah.org for more information.

Save theses dates:

November: XX 2 - Evening Activity Group Welcome Back Dinner - 5:30 p.m.

XX 12 - Knowledge & Nosh @ Noon - 11:30 a.m. - Seasons 52 Restaurant, Naples XX 12 - Rabbi Alexander Dukhovny - 7:30 p.m. - Temple Shalom, Naples December: XX 14 - Hadassah Major Donors/Keepers of the Gate Recognition Event - 10:30 a.m.

- Quail West Country Club, Naples XX 17 - Womens Chanukah Celebration - 1:00 p.m. - Temple Shalom, Naples January: XX 6 - One Book, Southwest Florida Speaker - 6:15 p.m. - Lakes Regional Library, Fort Myers XX 7 - One Book, Southwest Florida Speaker - 7:00 p.m. - Temple Shalom, Naples XX 8 - One Book, Southwest Florida Speaker - 1:00 p.m. - South Regional Library, Naples XX 27 - Hadassah Installation Luncheon - 10:45 a.m. - Country Club of Naples February: XX 2 - Hadassah Mahj and Card Party - 11:00 a.m. - Cypress Woods Country Club, Naples XX 19 - Holiday Cooking Demonstration with Arlene Levin - 7:00 p.m. Beth Tikvah, Naples XX 20 - Hadassah Shabbat - Temple Shalom, Naples XX 25 - Knowledge & Nosh @ Noon - 11:30 a.m.

March: XX 8 - Hadassah Annual Fundraiser - 5:30 p.m.

XX 24 - Hadassah Meeting and Luncheon - 10:45 a.m. - Kensington Country Club, Naples April: XX 22 - Knowledge & Nosh @Noon - 11:30 a.m.

www.humanisticjewishhavurahswfl.org / 239-398-3935

Participate in Humanistic Judaism Paula Creed President

T

his past summer brought intense campaigning for the August primary election. Not only did we receive numerous pieces of literature in the daily mail, but phone calls galore were received every evening. One call, in particular, inspired me to write this month’s article.

The caller said she was conducting a phone survey for various newspapers and local media. Would I be willing to spend six to ten minutes answering a series of questions? Having nothing pressing to do at that moment, I agreed to participate in the survey. No, no one in my family was working on a campaign or running for election. No one was employed by an advertising agency or providing services or materials to

BRIEFS continued from page 27 movement discriminates against Israeli institutions, professors and students for no other reason than their nationality and the policies of their government.

Thus BDS violates the very principle of academic freedom.

Academic boycotts such as those promoted by BDS activists “are antithetical to the fundamental principles of the academy, where we will not hold intellectual exchange hostage to the political disagreements of the moment,” according to a statement signed

any candidate. Having passed these hurdles, I was ready to begin the survey questions.

Of course, I was asked that if the election was held that particular day would I vote for this or the other candidate for the various offices listed on the ballot. When that portion of the survey was completed, the questioner moved on to ask whether I identified as a Republican, a Democrat or an Independent.

The next questions dealt with my highest level of education, my age and my income category.

Then the final two questions were posited. What was my race? That was easy. But the last question gave me cause to ponder. What was my religion?

The choices were Christian, Muslim, Jewish, atheist or none. I hesitated.

“None?” I asked the poll taker. “I am someone, not a none.” That brought a quiet laugh.

I pondered between atheist (agnostic was not a choice) and Jewish. Of course, it immediately became apparent and I replied quite firmly, “Jewish.”

As you are now fully aware, a basic tenet of Humanistic Judaism is that our power resides within each of us. We are our behavior, not our words. Whether a higher power exists is mostly irrelevant because no matter what we say we believe, it’s what we do that counts.

And that’s what motivated me to write this article, a personal insight into what my Jewish identity means to me.

Those of us who identify as Jewish but don’t feel we fit into the common understanding of “Jewish” are fortunate to have a community of Humanistic Jews that provides a most authentic opportunity to express our Judaism along with other like-minded people.

Have you been choosing to read this column over the past six years?

Have these articles stirred your interest because you discover a message appropriate to your personal beliefs?

Perhaps the content gives some insight into your own Jewish identity. Perhaps you have attended an event or two of the Humanistic Jewish Havurah such as the Yom Kippur commemoration,

the Chanukah party, our Purim celebration or our Passover Seder. Maybe you attended a Sunday afternoon event in the Community Room of the Jewish Federation.

If any of the above applies to you, now is the time to seriously consider becoming a participating member of our organization, unique in all of Southwest Florida.

I am therefore suggesting that this month every reader who identifies with the philosophy of Humanistic Judaism act upon their inclination and beliefs and join the Humanistic Jewish Havurah of Southwest Florida. Our dues are reasonable and HJH membership includes membership in the Society for Humanistic Judaism, our national organization.

Simply visit our website at www. humanisticjewishhavurahswfl.org to obtain a membership form, or call Dena Sklaroff at 239.591.0101 for more information.

I look forward to welcoming you into our Humanistic Jewish family.

by 300 university presidents in 2007.

2. Truth: The factual record does not support the accusations and narratives of the BDS movement. Many are based on overstatements, cherrypicked evidence, outright falsehood, or on disputed or highly biased data.

3. Peace: The two-state solution – which guarantees to both parties mutual recognition – enjoys the endorsement of the UN, U.S., EU and the Arab League. By demonizing and seeking to isolate one of the two parties to the peace process, the anti-Israel BDS movement sets itself apart from the global consensus for peace. (Eugene Kontorovich, Washington Post)

ISRAELI RHYTHMIC GYMNASTS TAKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SILVER

the German government, urging authorities to prosecute those still alive.

Efraim Zuroff, the center’s top Nazi hunter, said the list included 76 men and four women whom it had identified as members of the Nazis’ SSled Einsatzgruppen in Eastern Europe.

The squads murdered more than a million Jews, Gypsies, political opponents and local elites in Poland, the Balkans and the Soviet Union from 1939 to 1943.

“There is no reason to ignore these people just because they are elderly.

They also don’t deserve any sympathy since they obviously had none for their victims,” Zuroff said. (Andrea Thomas, Wall Street Journal Europe)

Israel’s national rhythmic gymnastics team took home the silver medal on September 28, in the World Championship in Izmir, Turkey.

The five Israeli girls ages 16 and 17, who worked 10 hours a day to create a faultless performance, were ranked second in the world. (Uri Tashir, Ha’aretz)

NAZI HUNTERS FIND 80 “WAR CRIMINALS” The Simon Wiesenthal Center said on October 1, that it sent a list of 80 former members of Nazi death squads to

33 Federation Star November 2014 ORGANIZATIONS

November 2014 Federation Star

ORT AMERICA – GULF BEACHES CHAPTER

33

www.ort.org / 239-649-4000

Jill Goode the Daydreamer became Jill the Dynamo

By Helene Dorfman Fuchs

J

ill Goode didn’t learn to read until Jill believes her longtime devotion she was ten years old. The future to ORT stems, in part, from her own math teacher was a natural at math, childhood as an “at-risk” child. “I was but in reading classes she daydreamed. hooked by ORT’s dedication to at-risk children,” she says. (ORT runs several “Daydreaming was my release,” she believes. “I had so much responsibility schools in Israel that mentor children at home from the time I was five that I from broken families or with a history couldn’t concentrate in school.” Jill, the of emotional problems.) daughter of a bi-polar mother who used She also believes her childhood to abandon her two daughters for hours experiences influenced her to switch at a time, became the main caregiver to from teaching math to a 20-year career her two-year-old sister. in special education “Don’t leave the yard,” that was “fulfilling her mother would warn and rewarding.” as she left the house, She earned her “or the Gypsies will master’s in special get you.” education at Michigan State in East Her parents diLansing, where vorced when Jill was her husband Don seven, but her mother was a high school retained custody of the girls for the next principal. In 1979, she helped start an three years, when she Jill Goode with Dottie Magen ORT chapter there, abruptly left them with a successful endeavor that led to other their father. She returned months later volunteer jobs after the family moved carrying a beautiful baby boy. At that to Munster, Indiana. She joined the point her father took the girls.

Northwest Indiana chapter, was elected Finally released from the responsipresident, and was tapped to join the bility of caring for her younger sister, board of the Midwest Region in Chicago.

Jill began to read, and by sixth grade She was so effective a volunteer that the was getting As. Over the years she has mastered a host of skills, including a Region sent her throughout the Midwest recent skydive (at age 73) in Colorado, to help chapters in towns that she jokwhere her two children live. ingly calls “the hot spots of the world.”

Don, her husband of 31 years, died suddenly in 1992. Two years later she met Mickey Goldenberg through ORT (Mickey’s daughter-in-law, a member of Jill’s chapter, introduced them), and he became her partner for 19 years until his death in 2013.

In 1998 Mickey and Jill retired to Naples. ORT wasn’t about to let Jill and her skills vanish; she was asked to start a Naples chapter. David Willens, Federation Executive Director at that time, gave the fledgling group a boost by providing a table at the first Israel Fair at Temple Shalom where Jill, Dottie Magen and a small committee, including Harriet Hirsch, Minnie Hirsch and Arlene Oppenheim, distributed infor-

mation. Jill became acting president, followed by a long term as treasurer and area development adviser, her current post.

Jill was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 11 years ago, but the disease has barely slowed her down. A trained dancer, she helped start a dance class for Parkinson’s patients and now teaches line dancing at her independent living facility, Arbor Trace. *** Goode Donor Appreciation Brunch Sunday, November 16 at 12:30 p.m.

Arbor Trace Club House, 1001 Arbor Lake Drive, Naples (Requires a minimum $136 contribution to ORT for 2014.)

ORT America (Organization for Rehabilitation through Training) Did you know that: ¡¡ ORT supports 300,000 students annually in 56 countries by providing technical education that emphasizes employable skills? ¡¡ ORT’s most famous (and least publicized) mission was to educate Holocaust victims in DP camps so they were able to move on with their lives? ¡¡ ORT America has four college campuses in the U.S., including two in New York, one in Chicago and one in Los Angeles, that serve the most vulnerable communities? ¡¡ ORT America is active in Southwest Florida? Please attend Gulf Beaches Chapter events and support ORT’s educational mission.

Help ORT raise funds to save lives through education.

To join/renew/transfer, please contact ORT America Gulf Beaches Chapter President Marina Berkovich at 239.566.1771, or Membership Chair Marebe Crouse at 239.263.4959.

Please visit www.ortamerica.org for a virtual ORT experience.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

239-353-5963 / 239-354-9117

National Council of Jewish Women update

By Linda Wainick, co-President

NCJW in Israel NCJW’s Emergency Grant Fund meets urgent needs as they arise.

AJEEC-NISPED (Arab-Jewish Center for Equality, Empowerment and Cooperation - Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Development): Recently, NCJW responded to an urgent need for safe spaces (bomb shelters) for the residents of the unrecognized Arab Bedouin villages of the Negev. More than 210,000 Bedouin reside in the Negev and about half live in 34 unrecognized villages. The residents of these villages do not have access to bomb shelters or emergency services.

NCJW made an emergency grant to AJEEC-NISPED to provide three mobile shelters – fortified concrete tubes that can protect up to 20 children and can be delivered to remote areas.

Woman to Woman Jerusalem Shelter for Battered Women: NCJW’s emergency grant made possible a threenight “respite retreat” from dread and the blare of sirens for mothers and their children – all victims of domestic

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

violence and residents of the shelter’s halfway house in the south of Israel and in harm’s way of missile attacks.

In addition to full room and board at a guest house, the women attended two facilitated support group meetings to process the recent events and share their feelings. Each family also received an emergency allowance for grocery shopping to stock up on staples for their return home. This practical support was a welcome gift for the women, whose daily economic struggles have been compounded by fears for their security.

EDEN Village: In early July, the residents of EDEN, a residential educational program for at-risk girls that is just a mile and a half from the Gaza Strip, were ordered to evacuate immediately due to continuing attacks from Gaza, including an infiltration of five terrorists into Israel by sea just a few hundred yards from the girls’ sleeping quarters. These girls come from homes where they have suffered from violence, abuse and neglect. EDEN aims to promote educational and social projects in

the northern Negev, Israel’s southern region that suffers from a high percentage of unemployment and deprivation.

Funds raised by NCJW helped to cover the cost of their evacuation for two weeks.

To learn more about NCJW, please visit www.ncjw.org.

NCJW National NCJW CEO Nancy K. Kaufman released the following statement: We are delighted that President Obama has nominated our longtime friend and colleague Rabbi David Saperstein to be the next Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom and head of the State Department’s Office of Religious Freedom. The right to practice the religion of one’s choosing is under continuing threat across

the globe – threats that range from legal sanctions to violent persecution. Rabbi Saperstein would become the first nonChristian to hold the post. As director and counsel of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, NCJW has worked closely with Rabbi Saperstein on a wide variety of human rights issues. He will be a tireless advocate for ending religious persecution and the abuse of religious freedom everywhere they occur. *** Please join us on Tuesday, November 18 at 11:30 a.m. at the Vineyards Country Club. Our guest is Jeff Lytle.

To RSVP, send your check (members $25, nonmembers $28) to Carolyn Greenberg, 6095 Manchester Place, Naples, FL 34110.

JEWISH WAR VETERANS 239-304-5953

Jewish War Veterans update

By Gil Block, Commander Post # 202

O

ur Post is planning for its annual “Veterans Shabbat,” to be held at Temple Shalom on Friday, November 14.

We will be participating in the regular Shabbat service, and will be sponsoring the Kiddush that follows.

The entire community is invited, and we look forward to large turnout.

We are deeply appreciative of the help provided for the service by Rabbi Adam Miller and the staff at Temple Shalom.

Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the preservation of the Jewish history of this region.

Currently, the organization is seeking individuals interested in serving on the Board of Directors.

For more information, email jhsswf@gmail.com.

For a continuously updated community calendar, visit the Federation’s website at www.jewishnaples.org.

34

Federation Star November 2014

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Get the Service you Deserve November 2014 – 5775

SUNDAY lighting MONDAY Candle times:

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY 1

November 7: 5:23 November 14: 5:19 November 21: 5:17 November 28: 5:16

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

1:00pm JCMI Bridge 1:30pm JCRC Mtg 4:30pm BT Youth Ed Program 4:30pm CHA Hebrew School 5:00pm TS Hebrew School 8:00pm BT Adult Ed

11:00am JCMI Mah Jongg 4:00pm HM Author Event

6

7

11

12

13

14

15

10:00am Jewish Genealogy 11:30am MCA Luncheon 11:30am TS-S Luncheon 12:00pm JCMI-S Lunch Mtg 12:15pm BT Torah Study 7:30pm BT Veterans Day Evt 7:30pm JFCC Board Meeting

11:30am HDH Knowledge & Nosh 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 4:30pm BT Youth Ed Program 4:30pm CHA Hebrew School 5:00pm TS Hebrew School 7:30pm TS Rabbi Dukhovny Evt

11:00am JCMI Mah Jongg 11:30am WCA Welcome Back Luncheon 1:00pm NJC Board Mtg 3:00pm HM Exec Cmte Mtg 6:30pm HDH Evening Group 7:00pm TS Exec Cmte Mtg

6:15pm BT Services 7:30pm CHA Services 7:30pm NJC Services 7:30pm TS Services - Veterans Shabbat 8:00pm JCMI Services

9:30am BT Services 9:30am JCMI Services 10:00am CHA Services 10:00am TS Services 6:00pm TS PJ Havdalah

19

20

26

28 27 THANKSGIVING THANKSGIVING

2

3

10:00am NCJW Board Mtg 1:30pm HDH Board Mtg 5:30pm JCMI Bingo

10:00am TS-S Board Mtg 12:15pm BT Torah Study 1:30pm CJD Steering Cmte 4:00pm JFCC Exec Cmte 6:00pm TS Sr Study

9

10

9:00am BT Religious School 9:30am TS Sunday School 10:30am NJC Adult Ed 2:30pm TS Kristallnacht Commemoration

10:30am JFCS Naples Jewish Caring Support Group 5:30pm JCMI Bingo

16

17

18

23

24

25

9:00am BT Religious School 9:30am TS Sunday School 11:30am NJC Brunch 5:30pm HDH Evening Group

9:00am BT Religious School 9:30am JWV meeting 9:30am TS Sunday School 12:30pm ORT Donor Brunch 5:00pm TS Welcome Dance

9:00am BT Religious School 9:30am TS Sunday School 10:00am BT Rosh Chodesh 10:30am NJC Adult Ed

12:00pm NJC-S Book Club 1:00pm HDH Study Group 5:30pm JCMI Bingo

10:30am JFCS Naples Jewish Caring Support Group 5:30pm JCMI Bingo 7:30pm BT Book Group

SATURDAY

4

11:30am NCJW Lunch Mtg 12:15pm BT Torah Study 7:30pm TS ZOA Film

12:15pm BT Torah Study

5

1:00pm JCMI Bridge 4:30pm BT Youth Ed Program 4:30pm CHA Hebrew School 5:00pm TS Hebrew School 8:00pm BT Adult Ed

1:00pm JCMI Bridge 4:30pm BT Youth Ed Program 4:30pm CHA Hebrew School

8:00am TS Preschool Trikea-Thon 11:30am ORT Board Mtg 6:15pm BT Services 6:30pm CHA Services 7:30pm NJC Services 7:30pm TS Services 8:00pm JCMI Services

21

10:30am TS PS Thanksgiving 11:00am CHA School Perf.

6:00pm NJC Pot Luch Supper 6:15pm BT Services 7:30pm CHA Services 7:30pm NJC Services 7:30pm TS Services 8:00pm JCMI Services

11:00am JCMI Mah Jongg 12:00pm NJC Men’s Mtg 1:30pm TS-S Book Bag 4:00pm BT Board Mtg 5:30pm TS Rosh Chodesh 7:00pm JCMI Board Mtg 7:00pm TS Board Mtg 7:30pm BT Film

11:00am JCMI Mah Jongg 3:00pm HM Board Mtg

30

9:00am BT Religious School

6:00pm TS Shabbat Beach 6:15pm BT Services 7:30pm CHA Services 7:30pm NJC Services 8:00pm JCMI Services

8

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

22

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

29

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

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 • HDH: Hadassah • HJH: Humanistic Jewish Havurah • HM: Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida • JCMI: Jewish Congregation of Marco Island

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-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 • JNF: Jewish National Fund • JWV: Jewish War Veterans • MCA: Men’s Cultural Alliance • MDA: Magen David Adom • NCJW: National Council of Jewish Women (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

• NJC: Naples Jewish Congregation • NJC-M: Naples Jewish Congregation Men’s Club • NJC-S: Naples Jewish Congregation Sisterhood • NJSC: Naples Jewish Social Club • 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.

35 Federation Star COMMUNITY DIRECTORY November 2014 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 Caren Plotkin, Religious School Dir. 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 Rabbi Fishel Zaklos Dr. Arthur Seigel, President Ettie Zaklos, Education Director Shabbat Services Shabbat - Saturday 10am • 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

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

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 Volume 24, No. 3 November 2014 36 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: Jacqui Aizenshtat 239-777-2889 December Issue Deadlines: Editorial: November 3 Advertising: November 7 Send news stories to: fedstar18@gmail.com

November 2014 Federation Star

JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION

BETH TIKVAH

(Reform)

(Conservative)

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 653-9874 Email: sylvinwolf@comcast.net www.naplesjewishcongregation.org

1459 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34109

Rabbi Edward M. Maline, DD Hari Jacobsen, Cantorial Soloist Roger Blau, President Shabbat Services Friday 8:00 p.m.

Torah Study and Saturday Services • Sisterhood • Men’s Club • Brownstein Judaica Gift Shop

Suzanne Paley, President Jane Galler, Cantorial Soloist Shabbat Services Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m.

May - August: services once a month Sisterhood • Men’s Club Adult Education • Adult Choir Social Action • Community Events

Let’s Talk Turkey With a planned gift to the Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Collier County, your estate plan Mayflower into a horn of plenty for you, and the Jewish community gets the gravy.

Don’t get stuck at the kids’ table.

Carve out a piece of the pie for the Jewish community.

This is no small potatoes when it comes to letting a flock of taxes gobble up your estate.

We’ll be happy to guide you through the maize of charitable gift planning.

You’ll get the bountiful end of the wishbone.

Let a charitable gift to the Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation be the centerpiece of your estate plan.

Give. Thanks.

For more information on gift planning, call Jeffrey Feld at the Federation at 239.263.4205.

Please note our email addresses: Jeffrey Feld, Federation Executive – jfeld@jewishnaples.org Jill Saravis, Community Program Coord. – jill@jewishnaples.org Iris Doenias, Administrative Assistant – iris@jewishnaples.org Deborah Vacca, Bookkeeper – deborah@jewishnaples.org General information requests – info@jewishnaples.org Federation Star advertising – jacqui1818@gmail.com Ted Epstein, Editor, Federation Star – fedstar18@gmail.com

Like us on Facebook!

ConneCt with your Jewish Community

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

35

(just west of Mission Square Plaza)

Phone: 434-1818 Email: bethtikvahnaples@aol.com Website: www.bethtikvahnaples.org Rabbi Ammos Chorny Stuart Kaye & Rosalee Bogo, co-Presidents Phil Jason, Vice President Sue Hammerman, Secretary Shabbat Services Friday evenings at 6:15pm Saturday mornings at 9:30am Youth Education - Adult Education Community Events

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 President: Alvin Becker • Federation Executive: Jeffrey Feld

American Technion Society • Chapter Dir: Jennifer Singer, 941-378-1500

Collier-Lee Chapter of Hadassah • President: Lynn Weiner, 598-1009

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 • Tyler Korn, 354-4300

Jewish Family and Community Services of Southwest Florida Phone: 325-4444 • Chairperson: Richard A. Goldblatt • 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, Gil Block, 304-5953 • 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

National Council of Jewish Women • Co-President: Bobbie Katz, 353-5963 • Co-President: Linda Wainick, 354-9117

ORT - Gulf Beaches Chapter • President: Marina Berkovich, 566-1771

Women’s Cultural Alliance • President: Elaine Soffer, 431-7905

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.

IF WE DON’T TEACH OUR CHILDREN WHO THEY ARE,

OTHERS WILL. As they grow up, young Jews will face challenges to their beliefs and identity. We believe the best way to protect our children against ignorance and hate is to educate them. From the pride of a preschooler learning his first H.ebrew words to the confidence of a college student prepared to grapple with anti-Israel sentiment on campus, we’re strengthening Jewish identity and inspiring a lifelong connection to Jewish values. But we need your help.

Donate. Volunteer. Get involved. www.jewishnaples.org • 239.263.4205 THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY.

YOU MAKE IT POSSIBLE!

JewishFederations.org jfederations @jfederations

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

FS1114

 I hereby pledge and promise to pay my Federation for the 2014 JFCC/UJA Annual Campaign a contribution of:  $36  $72  $180  $540  other $_________  Contribution enclosed (Check #__________)  Please charge my:

 MasterCard

 Visa

 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 JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA