Federation Star - September 2015

The Officers, Board of Directors and Staff wish you

Shanah Tovah!

Celebrating Jewish Life in Collier County, Israel and the World

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

www.JewishNaples.org INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 6 6 9 13 22 23 23 29 32 34 35 38 39

Men’s Cultural Alliance Women’s Cultural Alliance Community Focus Jewish Interest Tributes Israel & the Jewish World Business Directory Commentary Focus on Youth Synagogues Organizations Community Calendar Community Directory

6 WCA programming continues to expand

19 Exhibition features illustrations of anti-Semitism

24 12 impossible ideas that Israelis turned into reality

33 BBYO kicks off with success

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September 2015 - Elul 5775 / Tishrei 5776

 Vol. 25 #1

Federation’s to host Jewish Book Festival this season

By Phil Jason, Jewish Book Festival co-chair

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oming this winter, the first Collier County Jewish Book Festival will add a spectacular new ingredient to Jewish life in our community. A project of the Jewish Federation of Collier County in cooperation with the Jewish Book Council, the festival will have an unusual format, multiple venues, and a total of 19 authors visiting during the winter season.

This is without even counting Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of Rebbe and many other brilliant books, the superb choice for the Evy Lipp People of the Book Cultural Event on Wednesday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Shalom. This event may be seen as a kickoff for the Festival proper.

With one exception, each of the Festival events will feature two authors paired by a related theme. The exception is Chef Rossi, who will regale her audience at the Hilton Naples on Tuesday, February 23 during a breakfast meeting, when she will discuss her book The Raging Skillet. Billed as a memoir with recipes, it tells one woman’s story of cooking her way through some of the most unlikely kitchens in New York City.

Otherwise, the two authors sharing the bill will not co-present or share the stage, but provide back-to-back presentations. Each speaker will give a 30- to 45-minute talk followed by 1520 minutes of Q&A plus book signing time. There will be a short break between presentations.

Thursday, February 18 at 1:00 p.m. at Beth Tikvah, discover two books by authors who take us to Russia: Talia Carner’s provocative novel Hotel Moscow and David Lawrence Greene’s interview-based travel narrative Midnight in Siberia. On Monday, February 22 at 1:00 p.m. at Temple Shalom, the theme is “Family” with David Bernstein’s guide for aging wisely, I’ve Got Some Good News and Some Bad News: You’re Old, and Dani Klein Modisett’s comic relief marriage advice Take My Spouse, Please. This event is sponsored by JFCS of Southwest Florida.

On Monday, February 29 at 6:30 p.m., Chabad Naples will host an evening centered on spirituality. Sarah L.

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

Kaufman’s The Art of Grace considers the spirituality of motion, and Jay Michaelson’s The Gate of Tears explores the interplay between sadness and joy.

On Tuesday, March 1 at 1:00 p.m. at Temple Shalom, Holocaust biographies are represented by Steven Pressman’s 50 Children and Daniel M. Cohen’s Single Handed.

On Wednesday, March 2 at 1:00 p.m., Beth Tikvah welcomes two authors with compelling stories of Israel.

Discover Jessamyn Hope’s intriguing

novel Safekeeping and Mike Kelly’s dynamic investigative reporting, The Bus on Jaffa Road. On Thursday, March 3 at 1:00 p.m., go to the South Regional Library (Lely Cultural Pkwy.) for exciting fiction. Susan Jane Gilman spins the American Dream with The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street and Julia Dahl offers a haunting mystery in Run You Down. This event is sponsored by the Women’s Cultural Alliance.

On Tuesday, March 8 at 6:30 p.m.,

continued on page 3

Introducing Renee’ Bialek

S

halom, my name is Renee’ Bialek.

I am thrilled to be the new Community Program Coordinator at the Jewish Federation of Collier County.

My husband, son and I have lived in Naples for sixteen years. Our son became a Bar Mitzvah in May at one of the Naples synagogues.

Recently I have worked at the Temple Shalom Religious School, Temple Shalom Hebrew School and Temple Shalom Preschool. I have also worked at Chabad’s Renee’ Bialek Hebrew School, Preschool of the Arts and Summer of the Arts, also called Camp Gan Izzy.

As the Community Program Coordinator, my goal is to help create and implement programs for all ages within the Collier County Jewish community.

This year I would like to explore new programs such as a Jewish young professional meetup, a chess club for all

ages, and a book club for the kinderlach (children). I would also like to help the current programs from WCA, MCA, IAC, JCRC, CJD, BBYO and other existing groups continue and grow in the years to come.

Let’s work together as a community to enrich the programs for all ages to include social, professional and cultural values.

For those of you who do not know me, I encourage you to stop by the Jewish Federation office and introduce yourself.

I look forward to meeting you and providing enriching Jewish programs and events for Collier County residents. You can also email at rbialek@jewishnaples.org. Are you interested in attending any of these new and exciting programs? Your input can assist us in making this Jewish community grow and improve. What kinds of social programs are you interested in?

If you have any ideas or suggestions, please contact me.

Shanah Tovah!

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

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E�� L��� P����� �� ��� B��� C������� E���� Wednesday, February 17, 2016

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Federation Star September 2015

JEWISH FEDERATION

Renee’s community Shanah Tovah! program & events corner Jeffrey Renee’ Bialek

O

Community Program Coordinator

ctober 2015: Tuesday, October 27 is Chess Club from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. If you know how to play chess, come on down to the David G. Willens Community Room at the Jewish Federation of Collier County and challenge each other.

This free event is open to all ages. An RSVP is necessary since we can only accommodate up to 20 people.

November 2015: Please join us on Sunday, November 8 at 2:30 p.m. at Saint William Catholic Church (601 Seagate Drive, Naples) for our annual Kristallnacht Commemoration. This event is coordinated by the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue of the Jewish Community Relations Council.

Jewish professionals will be having a meet and greet on Tuesday, November 17 from 5:30 to7:00 p.m. at ROW Seafood (just a minute’s walk from the Federation office). Maximum 30 people. Must RSVP to me prior to November 4.

December 2015: Join us for the Community-wide Chanukah and Menorah Lighting Celebra-

tion on Monday, December 7 at 5:45 p.m. at Mercato. The Naples Klezmer Revival Band, BBYO, the preschool children and religious school children will perform for us on this special night.

Everyone is welcome!

I want to make sure you are aware of the Federation’s upcoming programs and events. Are you receiving the Federation Star? Are you on our weekly newsletter email list? Here are the steps you can take to ensure you get all the Jewish Federation of Collier County information: 1. Ask to be added to the email blast.

2. If you are not receiving this newspaper in the mail, call our office to be added to the mailing list.

3. Find us on Facebook and “like” us at the “Jewish Federation of Collier County.”

4. Find us online at www.jewish naples.org.

5. Contact me to fill out an easy Census Application.

What does ‘RSVP’ mean? It means to ‘please respond.’ All events and programs have a maximum amount of people allowed in a room. The events and programs listed in ‘Renee’s Community Program and Events Corner’ require RSVPs to me at rbialek@ jewishnaples.org.

Ideas and suggestions are welcomed. I hope to hear from you soon!

Shanah Tovah!

For a continuously updated community calendar, visit www.jewishnaples.org.

Feld

M

Federation President/ CEO

y wife, Susan, and I wish each of you and your families a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous, Peaceful and Sweet New Year for 5776. We also thank you for helping us, as newcomers to Naples, to become a genuine part of this community and to know that we are home.

Personally and professionally, I am dedicated to meeting as many members of our community as possible. It has been a pleasure for me to get to know you and to work with you. There are still so many of you whom I have not yet met. Please feel free to call me to make a time for us to get together. I would love to hear your thoughts about our community.

Over the course of the past year, we have had a number of great things occur in our community – because of you! First, Campaign 2014 raised more funds than ever before. As a result, our community provided a record amount of Grants/Allocations to our beneficiary

and affiliated agencies, congregations and organizations, here in Naples, in Israel and around the globe. In addition, Federation provided more financial need-based scholarship assistance for children and teens from our community so that they could attend Jewish sleepaway camps, experience Israel and even Jewish leadership institutes.

It takes all of us to continue building our community. This is our HOME. It takes all of us being dedicated to making this the Best Home possible. Some of us live here year-round. Some of us live here for part of the year. The Jewish community of Collier County, OUR Jewish community home, is here 365 days a year and we have the responsibility to take care of our home, every day! We need your continued generous support to help ensure that we are able to maintain a vital and vibrant Jewish community. We recognize that our community is changing and growing. We need to plan for that change. We want to be the best Jewish community, the best Jewish home for the Jews who already live here, as well as for those who will make this their home.

As we go into this New Year, we must be committed to doing everything that we can possibly do to sustain and build our community and home!

The starfish – and making a difference

miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it? You can’t possibly save them Alvin all. You can’t even save one-tenth of Becker them. In fact, even if you work all day, your efforts won’t make any difference Federation at all.” The old man listened calmly and Board Chair then bent down to pick up another starfish and threw it into the sea. “It made a difference to that one.” efore this summer has faded You can make a difference through into memory, I want to describe your support of the Federation’s mission a confirmation graduation certo building a vibrant Jewish community emony held in early June where one of in Collier County – one that is welcomthe young participants told the Starfish ing to all, one that seeks to respond to Story. I had heard it before. Perhaps you each member’s search for Jewish idenhave as well. It goes like this: tity and continuity, one that helps kids A young man is walking on a beach and teens form lifetime memories and on which thousands and thousands of friendships at camps and BBYO prostarfish have washed ashore. Further grams, and one that supports cultural, along, he sees an old man, walking educational, social and humanitarian slowly and stooping often, picking up efforts for all of our Jewish residents, one starfish after another and tossing whether they are year-rounders or parteach one gently into the ocean. “Why timers. are you throwing starfish into the As the Jewish High Holidays apocean?” the young man asks. “Because proach, think about the starfish. Support the sun is up and the tide is going out your Collier County Jewish Federation and if I don’t throw them further in, they – and make a difference. will die,” the old man responded. “But, t old man, don’t you realize there are G a w M s W f a M This publication is brought to you each month thanks to the support a V of our advertisers. Please be sure to use their products and services,

B

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS THEY HELP MAKE THE FEDERATION STAR POSSIBLE

This month’s advertisers and mention that you found them in the Federation Star.

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JEWISH FEDERATION

Jewish Book Festival: February 18 – March 14 19 authors, 10 events

n l rBy Ted Epstein, Jewish Book Festival co-chair y s you’ve just read in Phil Jason’s cover story, you will get n to hear and meet 19 authors

A

who will be presenting at the first annual gCollier County Jewish Book Festival tin February and March 2016. There is -already a lot of buzz and excitement

among the committee members and sanyone who has heard about the plans.

I’m sure you have many questions,

so here’s the who, what, where, when 5and how of our community’s first Jewish -Book Festival. y Imagine you’ve recently finished swriting a book and you’re Jewish, or eyour book has a Jewish theme. You’re hsitting in a room with 50 other authors, -and you have two minutes to convince ean audience of 100 Jewish book festival

coordinators to choose you to bring to ttheir communities. You’ve got your twoyminute spiel down pat, but you first have lto sit through dozens of other pitches.

While this set-up may have been enerve-racking for the authors, it was a glot of fun for me. I attended the Jewish

Book Council’s (JBC) three-day Network Conference in New York City in May. In addition to meeting other book festival coordinators, and taking several classes on running successful events, I was able to hear approximately 200 authors (spread across four sessions) try to sell themselves and their books.

Each coordinator was armed with the JBC’s Authors on Tour binder, containing a page for each author and book.

As I listened to the authors, I rated them based on communication/presentation skills, sense of humor, connection with the audience, enthusiasm, and a passion for their book. I also rated the content of the book and how it would relate to our Collier County audience.

Back in my hotel room each night, and then when I returned to Naples, I narrowed my top choices to approximately 40 authors/books, with my top 20 authors in an A list and the others in a B list. About a dozen book festival committee members then read all or portions of these books to assure they were written well, appropriate for our audience, and did not contain offensive material. That narrowed the field to about 25 qualified authors/books.

My next step was to create a workable schedule in February/March 2016

that fit into our community schedule, the local venues and the authors’ travel plans. After some juggling of dates, venues and authors, I am proud to say that we have created a book festival program of 10 events with 19 authors.

All events except for the breakfast at the Hilton Naples have two authors each.

As this issue goes to press, we are working to arrange for you to be able to buy the authors’ books locally in advance of the book festival. Details to follow in future articles.

Beginning with the October issue of the Federation Star, and continuing through the March 2016 issue, we will feature the 19 authors and their books with synopses, in-depth reviews, and author bios. The November and subsequent issues will feature a pullout four-page spread with details of all 10 events, ticket prices and an order form.

Tickets will go on sale November 2.

I’d like to thank the Jewish Book Festival committee members for their initial and ongoing contributions to making this book festival as great as it can be: co-Chair Phil Jason, Carole Greene, Dina Shein, Harrilee Shevin, Ida Margolis, Irene Pomerantz, Iris Shur, Judy Peltz, Lee Henson, Linda Smith, Marc Simon, Patti Boochever, Robin Mintz, Steve Brazina, Sue Bookbinder and Susan Pittelman.

And much thanks go to these companies and organizations that have already committed to sponsoring the entire festival or individual events: Hilton Naples, U.S. Bank, Florida Weekly, Women’s Cultural Alliance, JFCS of Southwest Florida, and Call Saul - Your Personal Driver. If your organization or company would like to become a Jewish Book Festival sponsor, please contact me at 239.249.0699 or fedstar18@gmail.com. There are numerous benefits to being involved.

If you’re an avid reader or just enjoy hearing exciting, fun and informative speakers, I’m sure I will see you at several – or all – of the events.

For now, please mark your calendars with the dates and times listed in Phil Jason’s article.

Jewish Book Festival...continued from page 1

the theme is “Women’s Studies.” Lisa Green will introduce On Your Case, a witty legal guide for all stages in a woman’s life. Julia Pimsleur will discuss Million Dollar Women, which profiles successful women entrepreneurs. On Wednesday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m., the focus is memoirs. Meet Sally Fingerett, author of The Mental Yentl, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, author of It Takes a Little Crazy to Make a Difference.

Venues TBA. On Monday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m., the theme is “Inspiration.” Sherre Hirsch will speak about her book Thresholds, which discusses how to live regret-free,

and Goldie Milgram will introduce her collection New Mitzvah Stories, illustrating mitzvah-centered living for the whole family. Venue TBA. Addition Jewish Book Festival sessions may be added covering children’s books and local authors.

The Jewish Book Festival is sponsored by Hilton Naples, U.S. Bank, Florida Weekly, Women’s Cultural Alliance, JFCS of Southwest Florida, and Call Saul - Your Personal Driver.

In future issues of the Federation Star, we will present final details, book reviews, ticket prices and an order form.

Meanwhile, mark your calendars.

JOIN THE ISRAEL ADVOCACY COMMITTEE The goal of the Israel Advocacy Committee of the Jewish Federation of Collier County is to present Israel in a positive manner. We’re doing this by hosting seminars and symposiums as well as addressing issues through editorials and commentaries in the local press. We address both the nonJewish and Jewish citizens of our community.

We continue to expand and enhance our activities which include: Î planning forums and programs for fall and spring 2015-2016 Î establishing campus programs at local colleges and universities Î interfacing with our local media

For more information on how to get involved, please contact Stephen Brazina, Chair, Israel Advocacy Committee, 239.325.8694 or sbrazina@aol.com.

September 2015 Federation Star

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Federation Star September 2015

JEWISH FEDERATION

New features coming to the Federation Star Send all your information and photos for the appropriate items below to fedstar18@gmail.com.

Please include the feature names below in the subject line of your email.

From Ted Epstein, Federation Star Editor Earlier this year, Federation staff and I held a focus group with several community members and editorial contributors to the Federation Star. The group suggested many ideas to make the newspaper even better with features that focus on the community. They spoke and we listened. Beginning with the October issue, we will implement some of these ideas. And since the majority of the items below require your participation, their success is up to you!

Life Cycle Events Each month, we will list your life cycle events – births, B’nai Mitzvah, engagements, weddings, anniversaries (5, 10, 15...), and nachas items that just occured or will occur that month. Include up to 200 words (except for anniversaries) and a hi-res photo, if you have one.

ANNIVERSARIES

65 Rita & Irving Spector 50th Harold & Lois Rosenberg 25th Randon & Dr. Lynn Carvel th

15th Amy & David Meese 15th Alex Sheyner & Lisa Perry 10th Barbara & Larry Schuh

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BAT MITZVAH

Rebecca Kleinberg Kleinberg, daughter of Dr. Bruce and Martha Kleinberg, Bat Mitzvah celebration at Temple Emanu-El on September 26. The ceremony took place atop Masada during the Temple Emanu-El Israel trip on June 18.

Community Classified Ads For the October - December 2015 issues, classified ads will be free (25-word limit). Beginning in 2016, there will be a small charge for ads. You may include employment opportunities, personals, situations wanted, items for sale, garage sales, health care, etc.

No real estate-related ads, please.

Business Spotlight for Jewish Women Entrepreneurs Each issue will feature one local Jewish woman professional/business owner. Submit answers to the questions at right and a hi-res photo.

HEALTH CARE: Caregiver - Private duty, Housekeeping, Run Errands, Exc. Ref. 239555-1212 EXPERIENCED NANNY: Ages infant-5 yrs. avail full-time. Ref avail. 239-555-3434 FOR SALE: Wheelchair, 3 yrs old, excellent cond. 239-555-5656 RECEPTIONIST: The Jewish Federation seeks P/T or F/T exec asst, receptionist. 239-263-4205

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Owner: Business name: Address, phone, URL, hours, etc.

Brief description of business (up to 100 words) 1. What does your business offer that is unique compared to others?

2. What do your customers like most about your business/services/products?

3. What do you enjoy most about owning the business?

4. Describe your work experience and training.

5. Do you have any future plans for the business?

For additional information about this feature, please contact Jean Amodea at jeanamodea@gmail.com.

Honorable Menschen Ask the Rabbi Have a friend or neighbor who is making a difference in our Jewish community? Share their story with our readers! Send an article (up to 250 words) and a photo.

Each issue will feature one of our local temple rabbis answering a question we know you’d like answered.

Have a question? Send it to us.

Get to know your board members

Rising Young Stars

Who are the men and women who help make decisions that affect the Jewish Federation of Collier County and the Jewish community-at-large? We will spotlight one board member each month.

Jewish Happenings With so many Jewish-related events happening in our community, we’ll launch a section of “Jewish Happenings” organized by date. There is a five-event limit per temple/organization (do not include regular services or events not open to the community).

Please use this outline for your submissions: Day, Date, Time Name of Event Location (including street address) Event description (maximum of 75 words) Cost/ticket price Contact name, phone number, email address, URL, etc.

The Federation Star has featured about 15 local teens over the last two years. And we’re looking for more “Rising Young Stars.” Want to see your teen featured in these pages? Please contact Jean Amodea at jeanamodea@gmail.com.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18 Rachel Dulin Lunch and Learn Dr. Rachel Dulin continues her series of five lectures, “Is the Bible a Political Book?,” at the Jewish Congregation of Venice, 600 N. Auburn Road.

Bring a brown-bag lunch and enjoy a lively presentation and discussion from noon to 2:00 p.m. Free for JCV members; $5 for nonmembers. For more information, call the JCV office at 941.484.2022.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23

Dinner and a movie with Rabbi Geoff Huntting Temple Sinai invites you to attend the third in a series of four “Dinner and Documentary Film and Discussion” with Rabbi Geoff Huntting. The topic is the Jewish diaspora in film, surviving and thriving as one people in many homelands. The event begins at 5:00 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 4631 South Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota. Cost: $35 for a single film and dinner; $55 for remaining series of two. No walk-ins. For more information and to RSVP, call Janet Tolbert at 941.388.9624.

September 2015 Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

5

Campaigners’ Mission: Israel - part 1 Phyllis Seaman

Published by

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

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

Board of Directors Joshua Bialek Rosalee Bogo David Braverman Harvey Brenner Dan Carp Stephen Coleman Karen Deutsch Amanda Dorio Michael Feldman Alan Gordon Neil Heuer Joel Pittelman Jane Schiff Arlene Sobol Michael Sobol Steve Strome Dr. Daniel Wasserman Beth Wolff Edward Wollman 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 Sue Baum Rabbi Ammos Chorny Phil Jason Rabbi Adam Miller Suzanne Paley Rabbi James Perman Dr. Arthur Seigel Neil Shnider Rabbi Sylvin Wolf Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Federation President/CEO Jeffrey Feld

Staff

Renee’ Bialek, Community Program Coordinator Iris Doenias, Database Manager 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 • Educational & cultural programs • Israel Advocacy Committee • Jewish Book Festival • Jewish Community Relations Council • Jewish Russian-American Cultural Alliance • Men’s Cultural Alliance • Publication of the Federation Star, Connections and Community Directory • Strategic Planning • Women’s Cultural Alliance • Women’s Division • YAD – Young Adult Division • Youth Activities Committee – sponsoring youth education and scholarships for Jewish Summer Camp and the Israel Experience

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.

Federation Vice Chair

I

t was my fifth trip to Israel and third Federation Mission and I am still in awe of the strength and resilience of the people, and the overwhelming emotional, spiritual and peace-filled feelings I have walking the streets of Jerusalem.

This summer’s mission had 55 campaigners from 18 communities coming together in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for intense and fun training sessions and workshops with Rae Ringel, renowned trainer and executive coach. Rae taught us how to improve our connections and relationships with our donors.

Most days we were on the go from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with 6:45 a.m. wake-up calls. This was not a trip for sissies. Getting more than five hours of sleep each night was difficult. As exhausted as I was, I was energized by our group, the people we met and our partner agencies’ programs.

Our largest community group, Montreal, was made up predominantly of 55-and-under campaigners. We had two buses on this mission, and they were on my bus, which became the party bus. I think their energy and commitment kept me going. No matter how exhausted I felt from the heat and schedule, I kept up. I didn’t want to be the old lady.

Actually, more than 75% of our group were under 60 years old. We had a large representation of people in their 30s. It certainly made me feel good about our Jewish future.

We shared our stories, laughed and cried, and made new friendships. A reunion is already being planned for the General Assembly in November. In the end, all of us raised our commitment to Federation and became the first gifts to the 2016 Campaign for The Jewish Federations of North America – $486,046.

Over the next few months, I will be sharing OUR STORY. It is OUR STORY because everything we did during our week was linked to what all our Federations support with our partner agencies – Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), Jewish Agency for Israel ( JAFI), and World ORT. This first article is actually MY STORY – my last day in Israel this summer. I stayed an extra day in Israel to visit two of our Federation’s allocation communities, Yad Lakashish and Neve Michael, with my dear friend Hava Levene, director of special projects at Neve.

Yad LaKashish is a workshop for the elderly that allows dignity by providing jobs and lunch.

These people use their creative skills to make tallitot, yarlmulkes and ceramic Judaica that are sold in their gift shop. All of the B’nai Mitzvah in our community receive tzedakah boxes from our Federation purchased from Yad LaKashish.

I was on a mission to deliver a photo disc from Federation board member Harvey Brenner. Harvey and his wife, Maxine, were on the Temple Shalom Israel trip in May. Spending my last day with Hava and catching up on what’s going on at Neve Michael was very special. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see the kids from Neve since they were on a day trip to a water park, a very special treat for children who come from horrific family dysfunctions and abuse.

To give these children one day at the water park during the summer is a tremendous expense.

The children cannot be transported

on public transportation. Buses must be hired at about 1200 - 1500 shekels (approx. 4 shekels to the dollar) per bus, and they need five buses for 280 children. A paramedic must be with the group at $100. Park admission and ice cream – they pack lunch – adds another $10 each.

A day of fun comes with a huge price tag of approximately $4,500. The government provides $4 per child for the entire summer program.

Your support of the Jewish Federation of Collier County helps provide a day that our children and grandchildren take for granted.

If not for the love and nurturing care that Neve Michael provides, these children would have nothing.

Their lives have been traumatized beyond belief. Neve Michael is a shelter from the storm, a lifeline to normalcy.

I did get to see the children in the crisis center. These children are 5-12 years old and most have arrived within the last few days or months, and must have intense therapy. They are the most traumatized and have been rescued from horrific circumstances.

Every child at Neve receives three tutoring and therapy sessions per week.

The government only provides funding for one therapy session per week.

Neve Michael has also started a pilot program – music for social change with the Israeli Philharmonic, with eight

musicians and 80 children creating music. Again, a wonderful life-changing program and a way children can express themselves and share – and at a price, $25,000. It has paid off! An Ethiopian boy won a clarinet contest and the prize of 1,000 shekels, approximately $250.

He split it with the boys in his group home. Neve is their home, and their individual family homes, their family.

Neve has truly saved lives and made many success stories. One example is a Neve alumni who became a bodyguard to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Your gift to Federation and our commitment through our allocations process makes these little miracles happen every day. One of the main things we do is save lives.

We are a community that is blessed.

It is our responsibility to take care of our people here, in Israel, and in over 60 countries around the world.

For the New Year, make a blessing and make a gift to our Federation!

If you have already made your gift or pledge to the 2015 Campaign, our sincerest thanks. If not, please consider doing so now. An extra gift for the New Year would be a mitzvah.

In the coming months I will provide more information on our mission, as well as insight into our partner agencies and what your dollars accomplish.

Shanah Tovah!

We Are The Strength of a People – The Power of Community

Position Available: Administrative Assistant / Receptionist This is a full-time or part-time position at the Jewish Federation of Collier County.

For more information or to set an appointment, call Jeffrey Feld at 239.263.4205.

The Catholic-Jewish Dialogue Of Collier County Presents a Commemoration of the th

77 Anniversary of Kristallnacht “The Night of Broken Glass” Sunday, November 8 2:30 PM St. William Catholic Church 601 Seagate Drive, Naples 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 Southwest Florida

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

6

Federation Star September 2015 WOMEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE

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

WCA programming continues to expand

By Paula Handloff, WCA Program Director

F

or WCA members the time for expanding one’s horizons and enjoying each other’s company never ends!

There has always been a lot going on for the members of the Women’s Cultural Alliance. But now there is even more... all year round and in many locations! WCA is now truly a year-round source for making new friends and enjoying oneself while learning.

Several years ago WCA started Summer Branches for those members who were leaving Naples to return to their northern homes. This spring we started a Full Timers group for members who live here year round. And what a busy summer these women have had!

Last year the members who live in Bonita Springs, Estero and South Fort Myers began scheduling events for the women who live north of Naples. This year a group of members began planning programs that would be convenient for women who live in the southern and eastern sections of Naples – along the East Trail down to Marco Island.

The programs planned by the WCA North and WCA South groups are in addition to all of the WCA core programs.

WCA members – no matter where they reside – may attend WCA Full Timers, WCA North and WCA South programs.

Our members are just an email registration away from wonderful programming!

WCA has some new interest groups starting. They include Chair Yoga,

Beginning French, First Kill All the Lawyers, and Communication: A Contemporary Issue.

The 2015-2016 Program Guide will contain information about these new groups as well as all of our ongoing interest groups – book clubs, language

In July, WCA volunteers Irene Pomerantz and Ronnie Herman welcomed WCA Full Timers to the lecture “Art Behind the Iron Curtain”

by Olga Arkhangelskaya, founder and co-owner of Gallery on Fifth

WCA provides opportunities for women who live in Southwest Florida to enjoy each other’s company year round! Diane Greene and Judy Satin seem happy to see each other at a special Full Timers event in June.

study, tai chi, discussion groups, movand some new additional locations ies, games, food, crafts, etc. You must for our happenings. But remember to sign up (via email) for all interest sign up early since offerings can get filled! groups, even if you had previously been enrolled. Since there are limits on the size of these groups, remember to register early.

We will have some exciting new topics in our Thursday Speaker Series, and many interesting bus trips have been scheduled. Stay tuned for more information on both.

Where can you find out more about all these events? Watch for the 2015-2016 Program Guide that will be arriving in your mailbox in WCA members gathered in front of the Wagner Ring Statue in July before the presentation “Learn How Time Has Changed September along with Naples” by Lois Bolin, Ph.D., which included a brief walking tour your invitation to the and was followed by lunch at EJ’s Cafe We l c o m e B a c k Luncheon, which will be held on Thursday, November 19. Details of all WCA events, including how to register, will also be in the weekly eblast every Thursday, year round.

Lots of events, WCA Full Timers enjoyed a delicious pot-luck luncheon at a special lots of new things get-together in late June that featured a screening of the film Naples, Florida Redefining Paradise by WCA member Marina Berkovich to learn, lots of fun,

Check your mailbox and get ready for a great Men’s Cultural Alliance season!

By Jeff Margolis

T

he very first printed edition of the Men’s Cultural Alliance (MCA) Program Guide for the upcoming 2015-2016 season will be mailed to all paid-up members of record as of August 21 during the second week of September.

While our most popular activity groups and events, like our monthly luncheon meetings and monthly Speaker Series, will continue in the new season,

we have added a number of new and exciting activities and programs, including: an MCA Tennis Group, Book Club, Pickle Ball Group, Talmudic Studies Group, Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Group, “Band of Brothers,” Breakfast Club, Dine Around Group and Science Discussion Group.

MCA is also planning a number of special field trips this coming season. They include a visit to the Collier

Women’s Cultural Alliance 2015-2016 Membership Form

County courthouse and jail, a trip to the Naples Botanical Garden, a return visit to the REVS Institute (this trip sold out last year), an excursion to the Muscle Car Museum in Punta Gorda, a trip to the Shy Wolf Sanctuary, and an outing to see the Florida Everblades. Don’t forget the first ever Sweetheart Dinner Dance on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at the Quarry Country Club.

For new members or those who have not renewed your membership, a membership application form can be found below. Your board of directors has

Our membership year runs from September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016.

(Dues for members who joined after March 1 of this Season will also cover the 2015-2016 Season.)

This form is for payment by check only. If you wish to pay by credit card, visit www.womensculturalalliance.com and follow the prompts.

decided to maintain the same dues this season as in the past. Please complete the form and mail it at your earliest convenience with your payment to the Jewish Federation. You will then be sent an email version of our Program Guide and will be able to pick up a printed copy at future luncheon meetings and Speaker Series programs. For more information, please contact Steve Brazina at sbrazina@aol.com.

The MCA wishes everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Men's Cultural Alliance of Collier County 2015-2016 Membership Form

PLEASE fill out this form completely, PRINTING clearly.

The membership year is from November 1 until October 31 of the next year.

Dues received after April 30 will be applied to the next season.

Please check: New____ Renewal____ There is NO CHANGE to my contact info from last year______ Name__________________________________________ Spouse/Partner Name__________________

Please check one: New ☐ Renewal ☐

Email (print clearly!)___________________________________________________________________

Name: Spouse or Partner Name, if applicable: Local Address: City: State: Email (very important): Florida phone: Cell or alternate phone: Northern Address: City: State:

FL Street Address_____________________________________________________________________ FL City______________________________________________State____________ Zip_____________ Community in which you live_____________________________________________________________ FL Phone_________________________________ Cell _______________________________________ Northern Street Address and City _________________________________________________________ Northern State/Province _________ Zip__________ Northern Phone____________________________ In FL: Full Time______ Part Time______ (from ___________________ to _______________________) Membership Fee: $90.00 (US Funds only) Dues include a $36 donation to Federation

$ 90.00

I am also including a voluntary donation to the Federation in the amount of $_______________________ Total Enclosed $_______________________ Please make your check payable to Jewish Federation of Collier County (JFCC) and mail with this form to: WCA/JFCC, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., #2201, Naples, FL 34109.

(PLEASE fill out the form completely and PRINT CLEARLY!)

In Southwest Florida: full-time ☐ part-time ☐ (from

to

Zip:

Zip: )

Membership fee: $56 (US Funds only, Minimum for the year; includes Federation membership.)

NAME BADGES A name badge will be issued to you at no charge if you are a NEW member.

I want a replacement name badge: Yes ☐ No ☐ Fee: $8. If you checked yes, submit a total fee is $64.

Name as you want it to appear on the name badge Additional donation to the Federation is voluntary and encouraged.

You must sign the waiver below, and return this completed membership form with your check.

(To be included in the WCA Membership Directory, you must return this form with your check

by August 1, 2015.)

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

I would like to volunteer for WCA: _____ Chair or Co-Chair a Program ______Be a Speaker or lead a Workshop on these topics:_____________________________________

I would like to volunteer my services/expertise and would be willing to chair or co-chair a meeting/outing on the following topic or topics:

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

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

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

Signature______________________________________________Date__________________________

Signature

Any questions? Contact Nancy Kahn, dearnancykahn@gmail.com.

For more information: Contact Steve Brazina sbrazina@aol.com

EVENT PARTICIPATION WAIVER By signing below, I am indicating my acceptance of the waiver.

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

JEWISH FEDERATION

September 2015 Federation Star

7

Jewish Community Relations Council calls for new members

By Joel Pittelman, JCRC Chair

T

he Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), which was established in 2013 as a standing committee of the Jewish Federation of Collier County, is looking forward to an exciting new season. There are several changes for the upcoming year. We welcome Renee’ Bialek, the Federation’s new Community Program Coordinator, and look forward to working with Renee’ on our programs and new initiatives, and benefitting from her fresh perspective. We are also seeking new members, and their new ideas and energy, to participate and lead some of our new initiatives.

A prime goal of the JCRC is to build bridges to the community-at-large. The JCRC works with social service organizations, governmental agencies, volunteer organizations and other faith groups to further our mission. We convene and mobilize the Jewish community by conducting educational programs, co-sponsoring cultural events, encouraging development of public activities and policies, and participating in community events – all with the purpose of furthering the Jewish concept of social justice.

National news stories have recently focused on a subject that is one of our main concerns: eliminating hate. The JCRC intends to use the current public discourse on hate to raise awareness in our local community. We will seek participation and coalition with other organizations who represent those who have traditionally been targets of hate, to raise awareness of problems and to advocate for remedies.

The JCRC addresses issues that fall within the broad definition of Jewish security. As a religious minority, the

Jewish community must be vigilant in safeguarding those rights that afford religious and other minorities the protections that are granted in our Constitution. The JCRC seeks to do this important work in a non-confrontational but firm way, asserting its positions and taking actions that provide security to the Jewish community.

When overt or covert acts of antiSemitism occur, the JCRC is responsible for identifying the acts, giving comfort to its victims and asking the general community to join us in seeking corrective actions and appropriate remedies. One of the JCRC’s emerging programs is to have a task force ready to respond to these situations. This has proven to be very effective in other communities. The Council is seeking members to take a leadership role in these activities.

Another significant responsibility of the JCRC is to provide support to the Federation’s Israel Advocacy Committee. The growing incidence of anti-Semitism, particularly on college campuses, arising from Palestinian advocacy activities, has heightened the need to defend Israel’s legitimacy, reject its demonization, and respond to challenges such as Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. The JCRC works with the Israel Advocacy Committee to sponsor educational programs to combat this growing problem.

Here in Collier County, the local school board is deeply divided on an array of public policy issues. Some of these issues carry great potential for unconstitutional erosion of the separation of religion and taxpayer financed activities. For more than a century, the Jewish community has been nearly unanimous

in preserving the strict separation of religion from publicly funded education. Prayer at school-related events and content of textbooks are just two of several issues that now threaten the Constitutional rights of Jews and other individuals who do not want to observe the religious preferences of zealous religious extremists. Likewise, we reject having any public funds used in support of religious doctrine. History has shown that we must exercise constant vigilance to prevent erosion of this very important Constitutional protection. The JCRC intends to accept the responsibility to preserve this Constitutional principle.

Jeffrey Feld, President/CEO of the

Jewish Federation of Collier County, and I have extended a call for new JCRC members, stating, “The important work of the JCRC requires the broad representation of Collier County’s growing Jewish community. Members’ active participation in the Council’s wide range of Jewish and communityat-large activities is crucial to its continuing success. We urge anyone who is concerned about some or all of these issues, and who is willing to volunteer time to work on these programs, to consider becoming a member of the JCRC.” Individuals interested in becoming a member of the JCRC should call the Federation office at 239.263.4205.

Attention all Russian-speaking Jewish Americans!

J

ewish Russian-American Cultural Alliance (JRCA), a new group within the Jewish Federation of Collier County, is reaching out to you.

Many Jews from the former Soviet Union and countries that evolved after its collapse, are moving to Southwest Florida and need to establish new connections.

Our mission is to enhance the social and cultural lives of our emerging community. Please save the date for our first event – Sunday, September 20 at 3:00 p.m. It will held in the David G. Willens Community Room at the Federation office, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201, Naples. Please call to register.

We hope to hear from you soon. For more information, please contact: Lyuba Gulabyan (Naples) 239.325.9025 Darina Lumar (For Myers) 239.470.2903

В

НИМАНИЮ ВСЕХ АМЕРИКАНСКИХ ЕВРЕЕВ, ГОВОРЯЩИХ ПО-РУССКИ! Еврейский Русско-Американский Клуб (JRCA) – это новая группа в Еврейской Федерации Графства Коллиер. Всё больше русскоязычных евреев переезжают в Юго-Западную Флориду и, конечно же, ищут новые контакты. Н а ш а м и с с и я – с о зд ат ь и улучшать круг общения для нашей разростающейся общины. Наша первая вст реча – 20 сентября в 3 часа дня. Звоните нам!

Lyuba Gulabyan (Naples) 239.325.9025 Darina Lumar (For Myers) 239.470.2903

8

Federation Star September 2015

JEWISH FEDERATION

The IAC puts Israel advocacy into action

By Jeff Margolis

I

n view of recent events in the United States and around the world, the members of the Israel Advocacy Committee (IAC) of Collier County have decided to take a more activist stance in promoting Israel advocacy among the members of our community.

Several members participated in the AIPAC and AJC conferences held in Washington, D.C., this past spring.

Many of the members have written, called or emailed their congressional representatives to express their concerns about key issues that relate to Israel. In fact, several of the members went to the halls of Congress to formally lobby for their positions. The three areas of greatest concern are: the rise in global anti-Semitism, the increase of BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanctions) on college

campuses around the country, and the impact of the P5+1 Iranian negotiations regarding nuclear weapons.

The Israel Advocacy Committee encourages all community members to contact their elected officials regarding current issues critical to Israel’s survival: • Senator Bill Nelson 202.220.5274, Fort Myers 239.334.7760 • Senator Marco Rubio 202.224.3041, Naples 239.213.1521 • Congressman Curt Clawson 202.225.2536, Naples 239.252.6225 • Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart 202.225.4211, Naples 239.348.1620 See the box at right, which highlights the outstanding programs prepared by the Israel Advocacy Committee of Collier County.

SIGN UP FOR THE FEDERATION’S WEEKLY COMMUNITY eNEWSLETTER! Get the latest information on upcoming community events and cultural activities, news from Israel and lots more.

Send an email to info@jewishnaples.org Todah Rabah…

Thank You

The Israel Advocacy Committee of the Jewish Federation of Collier County Invites Your Participation In Our Major Multi-Cultural Community Event

“CELEBRATE ISRAEL, its CULTURE and its PEOPLE” Discover the creative spirit and success behind “The Start-Up Nation”

Israel Advocacy Committee Program Schedule

Please circle these dates and plan to join your fellow concerned community members: Î November 1, 2015 - Israel Bonds Luncheon with Alon Ben-David Î November 12, 2015 - Veteran Jerusalem Post Correspondent Herb Keinon Î December 14, 2015 - “The Israel Connection” Education Series, Program #1, 2:00 p.m., JFCC office Î December 16, 2015 - Middle East Analyst and Fellow of the Middle East Forum, Asaf Romirowsky. Topic: BDS, Temple Shalom Î January 5, 2016 - “The Israel Connection” Education Series, Program #2, 7:00 p.m., JFCC Î January 13, 2016 - Former IDF Intelligence Officer and Senior Arabic Lecturer at Bar Î Ilan University, Dr. Mordechai Kedar, Chabad (co-sponsored by ZOA) Î January 27, 2016 - Screening of Body and Soul with Producer Gloria Greenfield, Hodges University (co-sponsored by ZOA) Î February 9, 2016 - “The Israel Connection” Education Series, Program #3, 7:00 p.m., JFCC Î February 23, 2016 - Screening of Moriah Films’ newest production of The Prime Ministers: Soldiers and Statesmen, Temple Shalom.

This film was shown in a sneak preview in August to rave reviews. Î March 7, 2016 - “The Israel Connection” Education Series, Program #4, 10:00 a.m., JFCC Î April 3, 2016 - CELEBRATE ISRAEL, North Naples Community Park More details to follow in subsequent issues of the Federation Star and in the Federation’s eblasts.

“The Israel Connection” Education Series will consist of a small group video and discussion program and will be limited to the first 30 reservations.

Reservations are required for all of the above events by email only to iacnaples@gmail.com.

The Jewish Federation of Collier County expresses its appreciation of Fuller Funeral Home for providing the community with a wallet-size Jewish Holiday Calendar for the coming year.

T

I G C 1 H

The Start of the New Year May the sounds of the Shofar signal peace and unity for Israel and good health and contentment in our lives.

a s s c d w

Judith & Samuel Friedland

w G H

Shanah Tovah Rabbi Sylvin & Sandy Wolf

Sunday, April 3, 2016 North Collier Regional Park The event will include a fun walk-run race for families, children and adults, delicious foods, Israeli music and dancing, fun games for children of all ages, exhibitors of Israeli art and products, travel opportunities to Israel, vendors and other representatives of the many local organizations that support Israel.

Although April seems a long way off, time is of the essence. We need your help now in coordinating this exciting multi-faceted event and getting it off the ground.

Those interested in participating with us are encouraged to email iacnaples@gmail.com with your name and contact information, including a statement as to which part of the event you would like to provide your assistance.

F o

Shanah Tovah Alvin & Sheila Becker

Shanah Tovah Dr. Marvelle S. Colby & Selig Alkon

Shanah Tovah Arlene & Sandy Levin

Wishing you and those you love a sweet New Year of happiness, contentment & peace.

Shanah Tovah

Bert & Joan Thompson

Marcy & Jon Bigel

Look for more New Year greetings from members of our Jewish community throughout this issue.

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

September 2015 Federation Star

COMMUNITY FOCUS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & ED CTR OF SWFL

9

www.holocaustmuseumswfl.org / 239-263-9200

Holocaust Museum update Amy Snyder Executive Director

S

tudents are back to school and so is the Museum! Our Education Department offers a variety of interesting and interactive programs for grades K-12 and college/university. Last school year, we impacted over 17,000 students in five counties and beyond.

What a busy year! By teaching the youngest members of our communities now about the lessons of the Holocaust, we hope there will be a cumulative impact for the future. Today’s children will choose to live their lives as thoughtful citizens making positive contributions to their communities.

A groundbreaking new program

called the “5-8-10 Project” will help ensure this cumulative impact does happen. Developed with local educators, the program’s goal is to provide each student with three consistent benchmark Holocaust education programs during their education – in 5th, 8th and 10th grades. Content will be age appropriate and escalate in scope: 5th graders will learn about Irena Sendler and other courageous figures during the Holocaust; 8th graders will take field trips to the Museum for a tour and interactive programming; 10th graders will receive in-depth instruction about the Holocaust and other genocides. The program begins this year in Collier County public schools.

The sad fact is that this is the last generation of schoolchildren able to personally interact with Holocaust survivors and camp liberators. By listening to people who directly experienced the Holocaust and World War II, history

Students decipher Faktor document

Students use tablets to study QR Codes in a display case

Film about tragic voyage of ship that nobody wanted

T

he story of the S.S. St. Louis is a tragic and little-known episode in the history of the Holocaust.

In an effort to flee Nazi Germany, 907 German Jewish refugees with visas for Cuba sailed from Hamburg on May 15, 1939, on the S.S. St. Louis and reached Havana, Cuba, on May 27, 1939.

The Cuban government refused to allow entry to all but 22 of Jewish passengers. Even though the ship sailed so close to Florida that the passengers could see the lights of Miami, they were denied entry into the U.S. The St. Louis was doomed to sail back to Hamburg.

After feverish negotiations, and with the assistance of the ship’s captain, Gustav Schroeder, the governments of Holland, Belgium, England and France

agreed to accept the refugees. Soon afterward, the Nazis invaded Western Europe and the passengers shared the fate of other European Jews.

Steve Brazina, Program Chair of GenShoah SWFL, will present the film The Voyage of the St. Louis on Sunday, October 18 at 5:00 p.m. at Beth Tikvah, 1459 Pine Ridge Road, Naples. This film presentation is co-sponsored by GenShoah SW Florida and the CatholicJewish Dialogue of Collier County.

Reservations are required and donations will be requested to defray the costs, including the public performance rights. For information and to RSVP, email genshoahswfl@icloud.com or call 239.963.9347.

Temple Shalom events open to the community

For more information on these events, call 239.455.3030.

T

emple Shalom looks forward to welcoming you to our beautiful High Holy Days services.

If you have never spent the High Holy Days with us, we invite you to join us as our guest! Active duty military personnel and college students always receive complimentary tickets. If you have joined us in the past, tickets that include all High Holy Day services are available at the cost of $100 per person, and that cost can be applied to temple membership. Reservations are required.

Torah Talk: Join us the first Shabbat morning of the month for a volunteer-led discussion of the week’s Torah portion. On September 5, the portion is Ki Tavo. There will be a light breakfast at 8:15 a.m. with discussion to follow at 8:30 a.m. There is no charge.

Selichot Service - Saturday, September 5 at 7:30 p.m. Join us for an inspiring film as we explore the themes of repentance and renewal.

comes to life for the students. What they hear will be remembered for the rest of their lives. An additional connection is established because many of the survivors were the same age during the Holocaust as the lower-grade students to whom they speak; the liberators, who as young soldiers witnessed the horror of the camps, were nearly the same age as the upper-grade students sitting in front of them. The dedicated survivors and liberators, part of our Museum family, work tirelessly to ensure that not only will the Holocaust never be forgotten, but knowledge of it will serve as an opportunity for students to consider their future actions in such a way that it never happens again.

Our summer was quite busy, hosting camp programs with Grace Place, Museum visits from Immokalee Charter School and Collier County Sheriff’s Office, and the “Raising Gentlemen” program at the Naples Women’s Shelter.

Sukkot Celebration and Food Truck Rodeo: Bring the kids and come on down to Temple Shalom on Sunday, September 27 at noon for a celebration of Sukkot. Help decorate the sukkah and then enjoy lunch inside it. There will be food available for purchase at the various food trucks that will be in the temple parking lot that day.

Blessing of the Animals - Sunday, October 11 at 12:15 p.m.: Rabbi Miller and Cantor Azu celebrate the wonderful animals that bring so much joy to our lives. Please make sure your pet is leashed or in a carrier, and join us on our outdoor patio, adjacent to the Social Hall.

Cabaret Night - Sunday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m.: Last year’s Cabaret Night was a big hit. This year’s event will include music by the fantastic band, NRG, as well as wine and delicious desserts.

The campers were enthusiastic junior “history detectives,” exploring for clues in our first-ever interactive exhibit, The Faktor Investigation: Finding the Story in the Details. They were also the first to use our new tablets as part of their work.

After exploring the Faktor family’s history, the children were asked to look inward and plan their own futures. They identified their own important personal characteristics which could be important for future letters of recommendation, and potential career choices. We have their answers on display in the Museum alongside the Faktor exhibit. Please come in and see them. The exhibit is on display until Sunday, September 27.

Our thanks again to the Jewish Federation of Collier County, The League Club and the Naples Children’s Education Foundation, which funded these programs through their generous grants.

In addition to providing student programming this summer, the Museum conducted its annual Teacher Training seminar. The theme of the multi-day program was the liberation of concentration camps and the 1946-47 Nuremberg Trials. Workshops were conducted by educators from Yad Vashem, FGCU and the Museum. A WWII veteran who served as a staffer at Nuremberg Trial # 1 also spoke. Thanks to the generosity of several Museum supporters, all teachers received classroom-ready education materials at no cost.

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Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies Dedicated to educating all sectors of society about Jewish civilization, the Holocaust, and genocide through: • scholarship • outreach • inquiry • sharing knowledge • preserving the record • helping teachers • encouraging students

Visit www.fgcu.edu/hc/ Dr. Paul Bartrop, Director

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

10

Federation Star September 2015

COMMUNITY FOCUS

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

T

his summer has been a busy one at JFCS of Southwest Florida.

With the completion of the first phase of construction, we have moved our program and administrative offices upstairs to the second floor. The newly constructed space is designed to maximize confidentiality for our mental health and case management services.

Construction is well underway for the expansion of the Naples Senior Center from 3,000 square feet to 6,000 square feet on the first floor. We expect all work to be complete by early September.

With an increase in individuals seeking services from our mental health and case management programs, our

JFCS Food Pantry numbers doubling, our dementia respite program numbers increasing, and our Naples Senior Center membership topping 700, this expansion is happening just in time!

And, speaking of expansion…JFCS has launched our E X P A N S I O N Brick Campaign for the Naples Senior Center. You can be an important part of this successful project by donating a “brick” (in this case a clear Lucite plaque) which will be displayed permanently at the entrance to the Naples Senior Center. Bricks, which can be inscribed with your name and, depending on size, a special message, are available as follows: 4 x 8 - $500 8 x 9 - $1,000 17 x 9 - $2,500 For more information about the E X P A N S I O N Brick Campaign for the Naples Senior Center, visit the JFCS website at www.jfcsswfl.org or call the office at 239.325.4444. We look forward to having you play an important

role in this exciting project!

Please mark your calendars for our 4th annual fundraising event. An Evening For Better Tomorrows will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2016, at the Vineyards Country Club. This year’s event will include an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and a lavish dinner buffet, and will feature the music of Shadows of the ’60s, led by Dave Revels, member of the Drifters and lead singer of

the Persuasions, paying tribute to the biggest stars of Motown, including the Four Tops, the Temptations and the Supremes. The presenting sponsor for the event is BMO Private Bank. Tickets are $300 per person. For more information, visit our website or call the JFCS office.

On behalf of the board and staff of JFCS, best wishes for a healthy, happy and peaceful New Year.

The Naples Jewish Caring Support Group

Next meeting: Monday, September 28 10:30 a.m. to noon at JFCS, 5025 Castello Road, Naples

Call Donna Levy at 239.325.4444 for more information.

Programs and events to be presented by GenShoah for Southwest Florida audience Ida Margolis GenShoah President

M

embers and friends of Generations of the Shoah of Southwest Florida (GenShoah), as well as those interested in the Holocaust, should mark their calendars for the a season of extensive programs that include films, speakers and special

events. GenShoah meetings, which are generally held the third Sunday of each month from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. are open not only to children of Holocaust survivors (the Second Generation), but to all those who are interested in the mission of GenShoah: Preservation of the history and memories of the Holocaust, promotion of Holocaust education and human rights, connection of members of the Second Generation with one another, and support of the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida.

Meetings and the programs that fol-

Gary A. Layton, D.D.S.

Gentle Endodontics and second opinions

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low are held at the Holocaust Museum and other venues.

On Sunday, October 18 at 5:00 p.m., GenShoah program chair Steve Brazina will present the film The Voyage of the St. Louis at Beth Tikvah, 1459 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples. This is the tragic story of over 900 German Jewish refugees who attempted to reach Cuba in 1939 and were refused haven by every country in the Americas.

On Sunday, November 15 at 5:00 p.m. at Beth Tikvah, there will be a presentation of The Trial of Adolf Eichmann, a film that gives audiences a chance to be at the trial with a fascinating collection of interviews, actual footage and analysis.

On Sunday, January 17 at 5:00 p.m. at the Holocaust Museum, there will be a presentation of the haunting film Facing Fear. This is a true story of a young gay boy who is savagely attacked by a neoNazi who he then encounters 25 years later. The two men embark on a journey of forgiveness and reconciliation that neither could have imagined.

A major community event will take place on Thursday, January 21 at 7:00 p.m., when Mark Weitzman, the Director of Government Affairs and the Task Force Against Hate and Terrorism for the Wiesenthal Center, will speak on “The Life and Legacy of Simon Wiesenthal.” This presentation at Temple Shalom (4630 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples) is the culmination of the 201516 “One Book Southwest Florida” selection, The Sunflower, by Simon Wiesenthal. This world-famous book “challenges people to define their beliefs about justice, compassion and human responsibility.” The event is co-spon-

sored by GenShoah, the Collier County Public Library, and the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida.

Robert Krakow, the producer of the film Complicit: The Untold Story of Why the Roosevelt Administration Denied Safe Haven to Jewish Refugees, will be presenting his film at Temple Shalom on Wednesday, February 10 at 7:00 p.m. This film, which contains archival footage of the refugee ship, the SS. St. Louis, explores the controversial topic of FDR’s and the U.S. State Department’s response to the Holocaust.

A display about the S.S. St. Louis will be available for viewing at 6:30 p.m.

A discussion with the producer and an S.S. St. Louis survivor will take place after the film.

On Sunday, February 21 at 5:00 p.m., Maud Dahme, well-known Holocaust educator, subject of the film The Hidden Child, and inductee in the New Jersey Hall of Fame, will give a presentation at the Holocaust Museum.

On Sunday, March 20 at 5:00 p.m., the film Hitler’s Courts: Betrayal of the Rule of Law in Nazi Germany will be screened at the Holocaust Museum.

Space is limited and reservations are required for all events. Donations so that GenShoah can continue to present exceptional programming will be requested and are greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in attending meetings or events, would like to receive email notifications, or for more information about GenShoah, please email genshoahswfl@icloud.com or call me at 239.963.9347.

Wishing you and those you love a sweet New Year of happiness, contentment & peace.

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COMMUNITY FOCUS

September 2015 Federation Star

11

Kosher Food Alert: Preparing for the High Holidays, Shabbos and simchas

e e Submitted by Beverly Leah Mitchell, Kosher Food Coordinator for Chabad of Southwest Florida, -

with assistance from Lynda Stewart, Academic Dean for Maimonides Hebrew Day School much more.

Costco Wholesale Club, Fort Myers (7171 Cypress Lake Drive & US41, 239.415.3806) Costco continues to have a supply of fresh Glatt Kosher pastrami and turkey slices, Cholov Yisrael Kosher natural cheeses, and Kirkland individually-wrapped red salmon fillets.

BJ’s of Fort Myers (9372 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy., 239.896.1071) and Cape Coral (1929 NE Pine Island Rd., 239.829.3300) For years these stores have accommodated the Jewish consumer. They have a variety of styles of Pas Yisrael challahs as well as seven-layer cake, marble cake and sprinkle cookies available weekly. These items are popular so it is recommended to call the bakery before your drive to the store. Rabbi Yossi Labkowski of Chabad of Cape Coral is working closely with the Cape Coral BJ’s store and Publix to expand their kosher groceries. He can be reached at 239.541.1777.

Walmart, Fort Myers (4770 Colonial Blvd. & Six Mile Cypress Pkwy., 239.274.2920, and 14821 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy. & US41, 239.437.1880, and other locations) You will find that over 70% of their shelf foods are kosher. There is also a special section in the ethnic foods aisle.

Sam’s Wholesale Club, Fort Myers (5170 S. Cleveland Ave., 239.939.2445) The bakery will have fresh packaged baked goods for the High Holidays and weekly standing orders of round or twisted challah O/U Pas Yisrael, along with a variety of Pas Yisrael cookies, honey and marble cakes.

Total Wine, Fort Myers (1377 S. Tamiami Trail, 239.432.0510) and North Naples (5048 Airport Pulling Rd., 239.649.4979) The stores have signage marked Kosher/Israel Wines. Their large selection of kosher O/U and CRC wines includess over 15 different brands and varieties of brands such as Baron Herzog, Rashi, Yarden, Bartenura and Hagafen. To confirm in stock availability of wines, please call ahead. You can request anything special and secure large quantities or cases you might need to get you through your simchas. They are offering a 10% discount on orders of cases placed three weeks in advance.

Whole Foods, Naples (Mercato Shopping Center, 9101 Strada Place, 239.552.5100) The store carries an array of appealing kosher shelf foods, processed kosher pastries, fresh Glatt Kosher Valley poultry items, frozen kosher items, as well as Gelfon shelf products. Look for the kosher wine section with a wine specialist to help with your selections.

There is also a kosher aisle that carries numerous items.

Kosher Food Bonita Catering (www.KosherBonita.com) Rebbetzin Luba Greenberg is providing a service of delicious kosher prepared lunches and dinners that can be ordered on the Internet and then picked up at the Chabad in Bonita Springs, or they can be delivered. For more information and a complete menu, visit the website. You may also call Rabbi Mendy Greenberg at 239.949.6900 with specific questions Aroma Market & Catering (8819 Stirling Road, Ft. Lauderdale, 954.252.2600 or www.aromamarket. net) They will take orders on the Internet for delivery to the Chabad in Naples on Thursdays. For more information, call Rabbi Fishel Zaklos at 239.262.4474.

Bed Bath and Beyond Stores carry items to make your holiday table shine with tradition. You

can find your favorite selection of items from the kitchen to the patio, as well as Hagerty O/U polish, pots and pans, dishes and utensils, gadgets and linens.

Visit www.BedBathandBeyond.Com to get your 20% discount coupons and order and confirm your items.

Please extend your appreciation to the store management of the shops listed above as they have made efforts to help the Jewish community observe our kosher traditions and holidays. We have provided contact phone numbers so you can place special requests and orders at any time. Managers at these store are willing to stock kosher foods, but all this will be short-lived if they have more that they discard or send to food pantries than are purchased by us. If you wait until the last moment to order, you may not get what you want or need for the High Holidays. Plan ahead and order now.

If you have any questions about information in this Kosher Food Alert, please contact Beverly Leah Mitchell, Coordinator for Chabad Lubavitch, at 239.939.5888. She is diligently working with Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz in developing and researching kosher foods with our local supermarkets, health food stores and hospitals. She continues to work so that members of our Jewish community do not have to travel to the east coast to observe our kosher traditions.

With G-d’s help and on behalf of the Chabad of Southwest Florida and Maimonides Hebrew Day School we wish you a L’Shana Tova.

Send your letters and comments to fedstar18@gmail.com.

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9

A

s the month of Elul comes to a close and preparation begins for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchas yTorah, as well as our weekly Shabbos celebrations, we have gathered information to assist you in finding kosher foods and items locally. Supplies of some items may be limited, so please don’t wait for the last minute. Plan ahead and order or purchase now to secure that you have what you want and need for the holidays, Shabbos, and simchas you will be celebrating. The stores listed below have gone above and beyond to provide for the needs of our Jewish community. Please show them your appreciation and let them know their efforts are important.

The Publix stores at University Crossing and Southpointe Commons in Fort Myers, and the Publix at Marketplace at Pelican Bay in Naples, as well as Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s in Naples, will have special displays with banners made by students of Chabad Naples and Maimonides, to help make shopping easier for kosher foods and specialty items for the holidays. y Publix at University Crossing, -Fort Myers (13401 Summerlin Rd., t239.481.2242) Foods and items include, and are not limited to, fresh produce, wine, matzah yballs, lox, gefilte fish, Shabbos candles, nthe deli and other departments. They are bringing in Miller’s cheeses and special edairy to help us break our fasts.

Publix at Southpointe Commons, sFort Myers (5997 S. Pointe Blvd., e239.415.1515) This store has continued to once again increase the space for refrigerated .and frozen kosher items. There is now la big sign designating the Kosher Deli with a selection of packaged kosher nluncheon meats. In the poultry area a esign designates the Fresh Kosher Poultry. In addition to the display for the 0holidays, they have a designated section -for kosher shelf foods throughout the myear. If you can’t find your item, ask the efriendly store or department managers to assist you. .

Publix at Marketplace at Pelican Bay, Naples (8833 Tamiami Trail N., l239.596.1982) y Fresh kosher meats and poultry, as -well as oven-ready meals and a variety of kosher cheeses by Miller’s & Haolam sare now available. Special order foods sneed to be placed by Monday and they -will arrive on Wednesday of the followeing week. This is the exclusive Collier County store to offer fresh and pregpackaged poultry and wine from Israel.

Ada’s Whole Foods Market & eHealth Store, Fort Myers (4650 S. Cleveland Ave., 239.939.9600) l Ada’s has expanded its space and selection of shelf kosher foods, health foods and over a dozen different brands of supplements. Look for the kosher codes and emblems on the bottles. There are designated shelves in all departments with yellow labels to make the kosher foods easy to find and identify.

Ada’s carries a large supply of kosher grocery items and healthy organic fruits and vegetables, and a large selection of gluten-free kosher foods.

Trader Joe’s, Naples (10600 Tamiami Trail N., 239.596.5631) If a kosher item is not in stock, it can be ordered at the Customer Service Dept. Visit www.traderjoes.com for a complete list of the variety of foods and their kosher symbols grocery list. Trader Joe’s has an extensive list of over four pages available at the store’s service department to use for your shopping or ordering. Twice a week, fresh Glatt Kosher poultry and stew meat are delivered to Trader Joe’s, as well as organic produce, shelf foods, frozen foods and

e ,

Teresa Shepp Family Service Counselor

6780 Vanderbilt Beach Road • Naples

239.354.5330

www.palmroyale.net

© Palm Royale

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12

Federation Star September 2015

COMMUNITY FOCUS

Prominent Wiesenthal Center director to speak at major One Book SWFL event

H

B

By Ida Margolis

M

ark Weitzman, the Director about justice, compassion and human of Government Affairs and responsibility.” the Task Force Against Hate Mr. Weitzman, who knew Simon Wiesenthal, is the Chief Representaand Terrorism for the Simon Wiesenthal tive of the Wiesenthal Center to the Center, will be the keynote speaker for United Nations in New York. He is a this season’s One Book SWFL selection, The Sunflower, by Simon Wiesenthal. member of the official U.S. delegation to In this world-famous the International Holocaust Remembrance Authority, book, Wiesenthal describes where he chairs the Comhow, while he was imprismittee on Anti-Semitism oned in a concentration camp, a dying Nazi soldier and Holocaust Denial. In who had participated in horaddition to participating in many numerous important rendous atrocities asked him committees and organizafor forgiveness. Wiesenthal tions, Weitzman is a longthen asks, “What would you do?” Responses to this questime member of the official Jewish-Catholic Dialogue tion by 53 distinguished inMark Weitzman Group of New York. He has dividuals are included in this authored many books and essays, and classic of Holocaust literature. These is a winner of the 2007 National Jewish short essays from men and women of Book Award for best anthology for Antidiverse beliefs and backgrounds should semitism, the Generic Hatred: Essays in “challenge people to define their beliefs

Memory of Simon Wiesenthal, which he co-edited. Mr. Weitzman has appeared on television as well as in newspapers.

Prior to Weitzman’s presentations in Southwest Florida in January, there will be many discussions and a variety of events related to The Sunflower.

GenShoah of Southwest Florida, in conjunction with the Collier County Public Library and the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida, will be cosponsoring the “One Book Southwest Florida.” In addition to book discussions at local libraries and at the Holocaust Museum, a number of

other organizations throughout Southwest Florida have already scheduled discussions. Local book groups are invited to become involved in this program.

On Tuesday, October 27 at 6:30 p.m., a discussion of The Sunflower will take place at the Holocaust Museum. This discussion is limited to 20 people. Contact the Holocaust Museum at 239.263.9200 for your reservation.

For more information about One Book SWFL, or if your group would like to become involved in this exciting program, email me at onebookswfl@ icloud.com.

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

If your information has NOT changed, you do not have to do anything.

If your information HAS changed or if you are NOT listed in the 2015 edition, complete and return this form.

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) is on Tuesday, September 8 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.

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

Jewish Community Directory

Our Jewish community continues to grow. To help everyone keep in touch with one another, your Jewish Federation of Collier County will be publishing the 2016 Community Directory. Free copies will be made available to all. But first...

We need your help!

We’re gathering information now so we can distribute the new Directory in December 2015. Î If your information has NOT changed from what appears in the 2015 edition, you do not have to do anything. We will print the same information in the next edition. Î If your information has changed, or if you are not listed in the 2015 edition, complete and return this form by mail or by fax. All requested information is optional. Î If we do not hear from you by October 30, we will assume we have your permission to publish your name(s) and contact information as we currently have them in our files.

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY 2016 The Jewish serves 3,300 Jewi Federation of Collier County sh households in Naples, Marc and the surroundi o Island ng communities and addressin by recognizing g the charitabl e, educational, humanitarian, cultural, and social serv ice needs of the in our commun Jews ity and around the world.

Jewish Federat ion of Collier 2500 Vanderb County ilt Beach Road , Suite 2201 Naples, FL 34 10 9 239.263.4205 www.jewishna ples.org

Copies of the 2015 Directory are available at the Federation office.

Please check one of these boxes

{

 Yes! Please include me/us in the 2016 Directory.

Only include information you’d like in the Directory.  No, please do not include me/us.

Please provide us with your name(s) and address.

Contact information: (please print clearly)

(M) Male

(F) Female

First Name(s): (M) ____________________(F)____________________Last:_____________________________ Florida Address: _________________________________________________________________________ City:_______________________________________________ St: ______ Zip: ___________________________ Phone: Local: _________________________________ Northern: __________________________________ (M) Cell: __________________________ (M) Email: ____________________________________________ (F) Cell: _________________________ (F) Email: ___________________________________________

Additional information:  full-time resident  part-time resident: we arrive in SW Florida on: _____________________ we head north on: _____________________________

Please return by October 30, 2015.



Fax your completed form to: (239) 263-3813 or mail it to:

 Jewish Federation of Collier County

2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109

September 2015 Federation Star

JEWISH INTEREST

13

Hate mail challenges a complacent Jewish community Book review by Philip K. Jason, Special to the Federation Star Strength to Stand, by Sheyna Galyan.

Yotzeret Publishing. 306 pages.

Trade paperback $14.95.

T

-

his is the second of Galyan’s Rabbi David Cohen suspense novels. Set in Minneapolis, it 0 provides a rabbi’s-eye view of life in r -a diverse North American Jewish com0munity. Though Rabbi Cohen is cenmtral, the other major characters have truly major roles.

Several of them are rabbis and spouses of rabbis. g These char@ acters face significant crises, at least one of which affects the entire community.

Phil Jason As much as Rabbi Cohen is fulfilled by his Beth Israel pulpit and community activities, he is paying a tremendous price in the accumulated stress of the demands made upon him and what he expects of himself. It is hard to put family first, though he tries. His wife, Sara, has a diminished sense of her own identity and importance as the rabbi’s attention is always compromised by his calling.

Their eight-year-old son, Ben, is plagued by being defined as “the rabbi’s son,” while the young twins are not yet ready to feel so burdened.

Sara’s solution, for herself and for the relationship, is to move beyond being the rabbi’s almost invisible wife.

She is drawn to the idea of the quasiofficial role of rebbetzin, an active “first lady” of her husband’s congregation – a spiritual counselor to, and leader of the women. But she is not fully prepared for important aspects of the role, and husband David is far from enthusiastic. Her well-meant initiative is bringing more strife rather than bringing them more closely together.

While this issue creates an important plot line in the novel, the overriding one is the series of threats that have come to Rabbi Cohen’s good friend, Batya Zahav, the female Reform Rabbi of Temple Shalom. The verbal assaults, which come by letter, by phone message, and by email, are extremely

frightening. As they become more and dialogue so that the various more intense, local law enforcement neighboring religious comhas a reason to investigate and protect munities can learn the “inRabbi Zahav. tentions, motivations and She is, as one might expect, a aspirations” of the others. woman who needs to feel in control.

David’s talk goes fairly It is not like her to request or accept well, though he does receive protection. Yet more and more she is some rude responses. The forced into that position. The danger is issue of majority insensitivreal, and she has the mixed blessing – ity is reinforced when, as in this situation – of being married to they do every year, Sara’s Israel-born police sergeant Arik Zahav.

Christian paternal grandAuthor Galyan skillfully balances parents send Christmas cards. attention to her different plot lines, Galyan leaves it for the reader to along the way providing a detailed porlink (or not) David’s experience in the trait of Rabbi Cohen’s daily work. A church and the hate mail that Batya continuing issue threaded through this has been receiving. Soon, she is “gifttapestry is an unmarried congregant’s ed” a dead mouse and then a doll that request for some fairly significant looks like Batya with a bullet hole in changes to make single members more its head. Such harassment and intimiwelcome and more engaged in congredation bring more aggressive police gational life. Like most congregations, action. the one led by Rabbi Cohen is family The author introduces a third rabbi. oriented, and singles almost The Cohens’ friends, always feel out of place.

Rabbi Eli and his wife, Batya calls David about Bev, visit during Chaher hate mail even before nukah. Eli was Dashe tells her husband. She vid’s rabbinical school is reluctant to tell Arik, or classmate and they to make a “big deal” out have remained close of it, because she fears he ever since – though will go overboard in atDavid’s pulpit is in tacking this problem. Soon, Washington state. Eli Batya’s problem is David’s, joins the team effort to and he is drawn away from comfort and aid Rabbi Sheyna Galyan his routine to assist her in Zahav and her husthinking matters through. More and band. He also serves most usefully as more, the frightening messages paint confidant and exemplary counselor for her as someone evil who needs to be David. Eli temporarily fills the bill of destroyed. Is it because she is a Jew? the local “rabbi’s rabbi” that he insists A Jewish woman? A Jewish woman David – and every rabbi – should seek. rabbi? Is it simple anti-Semitism or Sara’s friend and confidant is Tasomething else? lia Friedman, the wife of a rabbi who Interfaith relations goals bring Dateaches at several local universities. vid to speak at a Lutheran church. He She tells Sara about the network of rebpresents himself as a “religious Jew” surrounded, at this time of the year (Chanukah), with the gift-giving rituals of Christmas and the smiling “Merry Christmas” that he finds so upsetting.

He explains, using the Chanukah story, why this is such an uneasy time for most Jews – a challenge to their identity and values. He describes the enormous pressure to distort Chanukah into a Christmas wannabe.

He makes a plea for continued

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betzins and how they help each other to develop the attitudes and skills to succeed.

Halfway through the novel, Chanukah begins. The following chapters intensify Galyan’s portrait of Jewish family and community life. We appreciate the Cohens’ hosting efforts, learn from their visitors how to be good guests and not pests, and savor the special character of a Shabbat meal. We see David interact with a potential convert, hear him give a sermon, and respect his adroit way of working with synagogue staff and occasionally troublesome lay leaders.

The police investigation of Batya’s fearful dilemma takes a surprising turn (involving yet another rabbi), and as it moves toward a resolution, so do the novel’s other concerns: Sara’s need to define herself, David’s need to find balance in his life, and the Jewish community’s need to enhance its relationships with other religious groups.

Sheyna Galyan offers a sophisticated blend of insight and entertainment; suitably complex, flawed, and yet commendable characters; welldeveloped action and suspense; and an authoritative rendering of synagoguecentered Jewish life. This is a very fine book-group selection and teaching text.

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.

14

Federation Star September 2015

Stars of David

By Nate Bloom, Contributing Columnist Editor’s note: Persons in BOLD CAPS are deemed by Nate Bloom to be Jewish for the purpose of the column. Persons identified as Jewish have at least one Jewish parent and were not raised in a faith other than Judaism – and don’t identify with a faith other than Judaism as an adult. Converts to Judaism, of course, are also identified as Jewish.

A Short Emmys List The Emmys, hosted by ANDY SAMBERG, will be presented on Sunday, September 20 (Fox, 8:00 p.m.). Here are the Jewish acting nominees: Lead actor, comedy series: JEFFREY TAMBOR, Transparent; Lead actor, drama series: LIEV SCHREIBER, Ray Donovan; Lead actress, comedy series: LISA KUDROW, The Comeback; AMY SCHUMER, Inside Amy Schumer; Lead actress, limited series/ movie: MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL, The Honorable Woman; Lead actor, limited series/movie: ADRIEN BRODY, Houdini (about HARRY HOUDINI); Supporting actress, comedy: MAYIM BIALIK, Big Bang Theory.

Here are TV series nominated as “best” in their genre that have a Jewish creator or co-creator: Comedy series: Modern Family (STEVE LEVITAN); Transparent (JILL SOLOWAY); Comedy, Variety or Talk Show: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (STEWART); The Colbert Report (BEN KARLIN and Stewart); Sketch comedy series: Drunk History (JEREMY KONNER); Inside Amy Schumer (Schumer); Portlandia (CARRIE BROWNSTEIN); Saturday Night Live (LORNE MICHAELS); Drama series: Homeland (HOWARD GORDON); Game of Thrones (DAVID BENIOFF/D.B. WEISS); Mad Men (MATTHEW WEINER); Orange is the New Black (JENJI KOHAN).

Buzz About Buzz It’s the 25th anniversary of the publication of Friday Night Lights, written by journalist HARRY “Buzz” BISS-

INGER, now 60. His cousin, actor/ director PETER BERG, 51, turned it into a hit movie and long-running TV series. Bissinger and his family moved to Odessa, Texas, in 1988 and spent a year there so he could follow, for a full season, the lives of the players on a high school football team in a football-mad town. The anniversary edition of the book, just out, includes a post-script as to what happened to people prominent in his book. In a recent NPR interview, Bissinger vehemently defended his reportage – pointing out it was sympathetic in many parts – but people knew he was a journalist and if they didn’t want him to report, for example, that many used the “n” word, they shouldn’t have used that word while talking to him.

In the same interview, he confesses to a very expensive shopping addiction – mostly for tight leather clothes a woman would wear – and candidly admits his taste in clothes has a sexual element. Although long married to a woman and the father of two, he says that he has a certain amount of gender confusion and that probably made him the perfect person to write the July 2015 Vanity Fair cover story profile on Caitlyn Jenner. (That’s the story with the ANNIE LEIBOVITZ cover photo of Jenner in a revealing dress that every media outlet re-posted or re-printed.)

Blonde Israeli Bombshells E! Online, not an unimpeachable source, reports that Israeli supermodel BAR REFAELI, 30, and Israeli businessman ADI EZRA, 40, will be married this month, right after the High

JEWISH INTEREST

Interested in Your Family’s History?

Ten years of doing a Jewish celebrities column has turned Nate Bloom (see column at left) into something of an expert on finding basic family history records and articles mentioning a “searched-for” person.

During these 10 years, he has put together a small team of “mavens” who aid his research. Most professional family history experts charge at least $1,000 for a full family tree. However, many people just want to get “started” by tracing one particular family branch.

So here’s the deal:

Send Nate an email at nteibloom@aol.com, tell him you saw this ad in the Federation Star, and include your phone number (area code, too).

Nate will then contact you about doing a “limited” family history for you at a modest cost (no more than $100). No upfront payment.

Holidays. Ezra is a member of a family that owns a huge Israeli food importing company. Refaeli was married (20032005) to Israeli ARIK WEINSTEIN and dated actors DAVID CHARVET, 43, and Leonardo DiCaprio, 40.

“Creepy” is the word that some critics are applying to the first big modeling gig of SOFIA MECHETNER, a 14-year-old Israeli girl who the Christian Dior fashion house recently signed to a $265,000 contract. Her first Paris fashion show (held in June) featured her walking the catwalk topless wearing only a see-through gown. While this is pretty outrageous, I understand why Sofia and her agent dismissed objections. They described high-fashion modeling, including quasi-nudity – as “art.” I don’t know if they really believe this – but one thing is clear: Sofia and her family really needed the

money. Her divorced parents are poor Russian immigrants and she grew up in a run-down suburb of Tel Aviv. Her mother, who works as a seamstress and masseuse, slept in the living room, and Sofia and her two younger siblings slept in the one bedroom. Then an Israeli modeling agent discovered Sofia and paid for a trip to France where, as he hoped, a major fashion house signed her.

Sofia, who is tall and blonde and looks like a young Kate Moss, does fit the international modeling standard. It doesn’t seem to matter what country you come from – as long as you are tall and blonde. Sure, every now and again there is an exception. But don’t hold your breath waiting for a stunning “Semitic-looking” beauty to be signed

by Dior.

Stay connected at www.jewishnaples.org

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JEWISH INTEREST

Protecting blood & honor

By Paul R. Bartrop, PhD

T

here can be little doubt as to what the focus should be for this month’s column. It was eighty years ago, on September 15, 1935, that the Nuremberg Laws on Citizenship and Race became operative in Germany.

As I wrote in my June column describing the Nazis’ initial foray into racial legislation, they intended that through legal measures the Jewish population would see the writing on Dr. Paul Bartrop the wall and realize that there was no longer a future for them in Germany – and leave.

There were actually two key laws, rboth of which were adopted unanimously at the Annual Nazi Party Rally (named the “Party Rally of Freedom”) sat Nuremberg by Adolf Hitler together ,with Minister of the Interior Wilhelm sFrick, Minister of Justice Dr. Franz -Goertner and Deputy Führer Rudolf Hess. s The first, the Reich Citizenship Law, stated that only Germans or those related by blood could be citizens of Germany, thus excluding Jews from citizenship and further defining Arytans, Jews and Mischlinge (persons of ymixed racial stock). e The second law, the so-called “Law dfor the Protection of German Blood and German Honor,” consisted of seven core sections, drafted out of the dNazis’ concern for “safeguarding” the “purity” of “German blood.” In summary form, they were: (1) marriages between Jews and German nationals or those of “kindred blood” were forbidden; (2) relations outside of marriage between Jews and German nationals or those of kindred blood were also forbidden; (3) female German nationals or those of kindred blood under the age of 45 could no longer be employed in Jewish households; (4) Jews were henceforth forbidden to hoist the German and Reich flags or “present the colors of the Reich,” though they could present “the Jewish colors;” (5) punishment for violations of sections (1) and (2) were to be imprisonment with hard labor, and violations of sections (3) and (4) were imprisonment of one year and monetary fines; (6) implementation and supplementation of the law was the responsibility of the Reich Minister of the Interior; and (7) the law was to take effect on September 16, 1935 with the exception of section (3) which was to become effective on January 1, 1936.

The new laws were designed to further exclude Jews from all manner of public life. Any previous exclusions existing for Jewish veterans of World War I were, henceforth, nullified.

Ultimately, these laws paved the way for further exclusion of Jews and the expansion of additional anti-Semitic measures, leading to the infamous Kristallnacht pogrom of November 1938 and, eventually, to the “Final Solution” itself via what historian Karl A. Schleunes referred to as “the twisted road to Auschwitz.”

Soon after this, another law was introduced, the Law for the Protection of the Genetic Health of the German People, requiring all those wishing to marry to submit to a medical examination, after which a “Certificate of Fitness to Marry” would be issued if they were found to be disease free. Without this certificate, a marriage license would not be issued. Of course, this did not apply to German Jews, as the state did not make any allowance for their marriage to be legitimized in any case.

After the Nuremberg Laws of September 1935, a dozen supplementary Nazi decrees were issued which eventually outlawed the Jews completely, depriving them of their entitlements as human beings and citizens, lowering them to the position of “subjects” with fewer rights, no obligations, and a second-class status in the new Germany.

And who, in this new Germany, was a Jew? The Nuremberg Laws made a legal attempt to clarify this, as well as who was not a Jew and who fell in between, in line with the Nazi obsession with “racial purity.”

The initial step was one of definition. Thus, those with four Jewish grandparents were “full Jews;” those with three Jewish grandparents were “three-quarter Jews.” Persons with two Jewish grandparents were considered Mischlinge (that is, “hybrid,” but understood in the Nazi context to mean something like “mongrel,” “halfbreed” or “mixed breed”) of the First Degree, provided they were not identified with the Jewish religion and not married to Jewish spouses; and persons with only one Jewish grandparent were Mischlinge of the Second Degree.

One of the authors of this division was a lawyer named Wilhelm Stuckart, who worked in the Ministry of Interior with responsibility for constitutional law, citizenship and racial legislation.

Like many Nazis, he was a young man during the 1930s – when the Nuremberg Laws were passed, he was not yet 33 years old.

Given the task of co-writing the new laws, he attacked his brief with professional care and imagination. Although an anti-Semite, he wanted to ensure that his legal drafting was as precise and constitutional as possible.

After World War II, Stuckart was arrested and tried by the Allies for his role in formulating and carrying out these laws. He spent four years behind bars until being released for lack of further evidence in April 1949.

Upon his release, he worked as a city treasurer and state employee. In 1951 he was tried in a denazification court, classified as a “fellow traveler,” and fined five hundred marks. He died in a car crash on November 15, 1953, one day before his 51st birthday.

Someone’s honor, somewhere, was indeed protected – though alas, in those dark years, all too many lost it.

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.

High Holiday services/events will take place on the following dates: Selichot: Sep. 5 Erev Rosh Hashanah: Sep. 13 Rosh Hashanah: Sep. 14-15 Yom Kippur Eve: Sep. 22 Yom Kippur: Sep. 23

Please contact the area’s temples for their specific schedules and more information.

September 2015 Federation Star

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38. Sportscaster Berman 39. Site of a 1933 anti-Hitler rally: Abbr.

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September 2015 Federation Star

17

Theodore Bikel: A Jewish man for all seasons

g

The Tony Award-winning actor famous for playing Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof dies at 91.

By Marnie Winston-Macauley

I

A R T O RCH E S T R A CIN E M A C U L IN A RY DA N CE O P E R A FA S H I O N T H E AT E R CH A M BE R M U S IC

t’s been said that when someone dies, it affects us all. When a famous person dies, it’s felt more deeply. When a famous person you’ve met or interviewed dies, you take it personally.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Theodore Bikel, who died on Tuesday, July 21, for my book, Yiddishe Mamas: The Truth about the Jewish Mother.

The first thing we talked about was dear to my heart – the song “Edelweiss,” which he sang in the Broadway production Marnie Winston-Macauley of The Sound of Music as Baron von Trapp, the role he originated in 1959. The simple song reminded me of sitting on my zayde’s knee as he sang and played the balalaika. Mr. Bikel explained how Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote the song specifically for him at the last minute during previews.

As we moved on, I found him to 9 be no-nonsense, funny and outspoken.

The man known for his ability to play any man, anywhere, didn’t disappoint.

“I believe in the continuity of the Jewish existence.”

On his mother, Miriam Bikel: “I could do no wrong. According to her I was a genius!” Though she was supportive of his performing, saying, “I sang before I could talk,” the truth is, her expectation of perfection was wrong…we all do wrong. “[My mother] was a mixture of lovable, but she devoted herself to being overly protective. When she was in an old-age home and asked how I was, not a single time could I fall asleep again.”

Yet he deeply respected the Jewish mother who “also had to survive in

hostile environments.” And indeed, the family not only survived, but throughout his diversified career, he was ardently Jewish, in his art, in his life.

Theodor Meir Bikel was born in Vienna on May 2, 1924, to Josef Bikel and the former Miriam Riegler. He was named for Theodor Herzl, founder of Zionism, who, 64 years prior, was born on the same date.

In his early teens, after the Anschluss, Bikel (called Theo) saw Hitler parade into Vienna. The family quickly moved to British-occupied Palestine, where Theo settled in Kibbutz Kfar Hamaccabi. It was here he knew he was destined to be an actor and apprenticed for three years at the Habima theater in Tel Aviv beginning in 1943.

He also was a co-founder of the Israeli Chamber Theatre (the “Cameri”).

He moved on to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Already a master of many languages, he was that rare performer who reveled in playing a diversity of roles. He also took an earnest interest in the guitar and folk music. His career was kickstarted by Sir Laurence Olivier who offered him a role in his production of A Streetcar Named Desire.

In addition to originating the role of Baron von Trapp, Mr. Bikel is universally associated with Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. While he didn’t create the role, he played it over 2,000 times from 1967 to 2010, more than any other performer.

The master of languages (seven) and dialects, he appeared in over 30 films and numerous television shows, including The Defiant Ones” (1958) (Academy Award nominee), The African Queen (1951), My Fair Lady (1964), I Want to Live (1958), The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are

Coming (1965), Crisis in the Kremlin (1992), Benefit of the Doubt (1992), and Shadow Conspiracy (1996).

His flexibility and range are virtually unparalleled, from playing a sinister Chinese crook, to a Czech officer, a Hindu doctor, a Jewish refugee, a Hungarian linguist, a blind Portuguese cobbler, a South African Boer and, yes, a Greek peanut vendor, to name a few.

He claimed his favorite characters were Zorba the Greek and Tevye. Age never slowed him down. Not only was he the consummate Tevye, at age 84 he portrayed Tevye’s creator in his oneman show Sholem Aleichem: Laughter Through Tears.

Known equally for his folk music, he was a founder in 1961 of the Newport Folk Festival. He recorded over 20 albums, many with Jewish themes, singing in 21 languages, including Yiddish, Hebrew, German, Russian, medieval Spanish and even Zulu. From early works, such as “Israeli Folk Songs” (1955) to “A Taste of Passover” (1998) and “A Taste of Hanukkah” (2000), he continued to concertize virtually to the end of his life. On his 90th birthday celebration, referring to his CD Theodore Bikel Sings More Jewish Folk Songs, he quipped: “A friend said it should’ve been called Theodore Bikel Sings More Jewish Folk Songs Than Anybody.”

An outspoken activist for Jewish rights, he was at one time, Senior Vice President of the American Jewish Congress. In 1986, he was arrested while protesting the plight of Soviet Jews in front of the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C. At the end of our interview, when talking about the future of Judaism, he said: “I believe in the continuity of the Jewish existence.”

More than virtually any other per-

former, he was passionate about the rebirth and continuation of Jewish culture. He succeeded. Rhino Records has released classic Bikel albums in iTunes. Said one executive: “His music was loved throughout the 20th century.

We’re going to make sure people love it throughout the 21st century.”

The Jewish man for all seasons will become a Jewish cultural lion – for all time.

Mr. Bikel is survived by his wife, Aimee Ginsburg, sons Rob and Danny, stepsons Zeev and Noam, and three grandchildren.

This article first appeared in www.

Jewlarious.com, a division of Aish.com on July 26, 2015.

Quirky, funny, no-nonsense, Marnie Winston-Macauley, editor, author, lecturer, clinician and administrator, is a straight shooter who has a distinctive voice and takes on the world in her columns, features and books. Her advice column was syndicated through Tribune Media Services, and it currently appears in Singular magazine as Singular Solutions. Marnie has written over 20 books/calendars, including the series “A Little Joy, A Little Oy.” Her books include Yiddishe Mamas: The Truth about the Jewish Mother and A Little Joy, A Little Oy (pub. AndrewsMcMeel). She is also an awardwinning “calendar queen” having written over 20. She has been nominated for both an Emmy and Writers Guild award. Thefullwiki.org has listed her on their list of top Jewish-American writers, dead or living. (She’s still deciding which.) She was also chosen as a Distinguished Woman in Las Vegas in March 2014. For more about Marnie, visit www.marniemacauley.com or email her at asksadie@aol.com.

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JEWISH INTEREST

Federation Star September 2015

M

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e C i i p d t w W S U t e 1

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JEWISH INTEREST

September 2015 Federation Star

19

Exhibition features timely illustrations of anti-Semitism Mark Podwal portfolio now part of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU collection

T

he Jewish Museum of FloridaFIU (JMOF-FIU) is proud to present the timely and evocative exhibition, Mark Podwal: All This Has Come Upon Us… The artist, author and illustrator is best known for his drawings on The New York Times op-ed page. The exhibition features Podwal’s drawings and paintings of historical threats of anti-Semitism, combined with verses from the Book of Psalms.

With so many recent incidents of antiSemitic acts throughout Europe and the U.S., and even right here in Florida, the topic has never been so relevant. The exhibition will be on view November 10, 2015 – March 13, 2016.

JMOF-FIU is the only Florida recipient to date of one of the limited numbered copies of this body of work, signed by the artist. Podwal originally planned to limit the edition to 10, but due to high demand, he was encouraged to produce 60 numbered copies. These works have already been acquired by prestigious institutions such as Yale, Harvard, Columbia and Oxford universities, the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., and Yad Vashem in Israel. The portfolio, donated to the Museum by longtime supporter Dr. Paul Drucker, is number 10 of 60.

Each image in this series depicts a tragedy or injustice in Jewish history, from slavery in Egypt through the Holocaust, and is paired with a verse from Psalms. According to Podwal, “The paintings and drawings in this series are a disturbing reminder of how

Europe’s extensive history of ‘Jewhatred’ laid the groundwork for Terezin and Auschwitz…The menorah in the first image, carried away by goosestepping Germans, appears again in the last image with the seven biblical fruits

sprouting from its branches. A verse from Psalm 126, the psalm almost chosen as Israel’s national anthem, proclaims, ‘Those who plant with tears will harvest in joy.’”

Jo Ann Arnowitz, JMOF-FIU Executive Director and Chief Curator, explains the exhibition’s significance: “This exhibit’s 42 drawings all have one common theme: survival. As the exhibit title says, with All This Has Come Upon Us…, the Jewish people have survived for more than 5,000 years, through every instance, even the most unthinkable acts of tragedy. With everything happening today in our own communities, across the country and throughout the world, people often express the feeling that, ‘things have never been so bad.’ This exhibit offers a message of hope, inspiration and survival.”

The original exhibition, All This Has Come Upon Us…, premiered in April 2014 at the Terezin Ghetto Museum outside of Prague, and is scheduled to travel to other institutions in the Czech Republic. In addition, Czech Television has produced a documentary film offering a portrait of the artist and the creative process behind these works.

Filmed in Prague, Terezin, Auschwitz,

Krakow and New York, the documentary includes interviews with leading personalities discussing Podwal’s art.

Podwal is represented in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Victoria and Albert Museum, Israel Museum, and Library of Congress, among many others.

The exhibition’s Members’ Opening will take place the evening of Tuesday, November 10, with the artist providing the keynote address. The opening date has been scheduled to follow the community-wide commemoration of Kristallnacht, at the Holocaust Memorial on Miami Beach on Monday, November 9.

Exhibition sponsors include The Robert Arthur Segall Foundation, Dr. Paul Drucker and Burton Young (as of 7/31/2015).

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 Washington Avenue on South Beach, that were once synagogues for Miami Beach’s first Jewish congregation. The museum’s permanent exhibition is MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida, 1763 to Present. Its temporary history and art exhibitions change periodically. For more information, call 305.672.5044 or visit www.jewishmuseum.com.

Captions for images in the order of where they appear in the article: Mark Podwal From the Portfolio All this Has Come Upon Us… Psalm Number 1 of 42 Based on: Psalm 44:18 All this has come upon us, but we have not forgotten You, or been false to Your covenant For centuries, Jews would read verses from the Book of Psalms both in times of great joy and of great suffering.

Exile Number 4 of 42 Psalm 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept as we remembered Zion Throughout their long wanderings in exile, Jews were always most at home in their sacred books.

Of the most loved were books with prayers, songs and memories of Jerusalem.

A Song 1948 Number 42 of 42 Psalm 126:5 Those who plant in tears will harvest in joy Psalm 126 is an inspiring recounting of the return of the Jewish people to their homeland from worldwide dispersion. Upon Israel’s independence, this joyful song was repeatedly considered for the national anthem.

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Federation Star September 2015

JEWISH INTEREST

Not your typical Jewish song

By Alexander Goldstein, Music Composer

D

uring the 2015 Yom HaShoah commemoration at Temple Shalom, my wife recognized a song she knew well in her Soviet Pioneer days, when young Communistsin-training were expected to know every word of the most famous Soviet children’s tune “May There Always Be Sunshine.”

What startled Alexander Goldstein her was that the entire Jewish congregation in Naples, half a century later, knew the song’s melody as well as she did. It was so familiar that they sang together just as they would many other Jewish songs.

The reason this song sounds Jewish to Jewish people is because it was composed by a Soviet Jew, Arkady Ostrovsky. The lyrics were written by a Soviet-Jewish lyricist, Lev Oshanin.

This was a mandatory propaganda assignment. Moreover, a Soviet-Jewish

singer, Maya Kristalinskaya, debuted it on the Soviet radio in 1962. Ostrovsky, Oshanin and Kristalinskaya are not easily recognizably Jewish last names.

In 1963 at the Sopot International Song Festival, Tamara Miansarova, a nonJew, performed it, earning the top prize.

The song immediately took off throughout the USSR and in other Soviet Bloc countries. It was frequently sung by the Young Pioneers at summer camps and school meetings, by lower grades and preschool children. This song was widely regarded in the USSR’s political machine as the expression of people’s desire for peace.

Z. Randall Stroope, an American composer with more than 140 works to his name, was credited in the Yom HaShoah program as the author of “Inscription of Hope,” the chorus of which is “May there always be sunshine, may there always be happiness, may there always be love, may there always be peace” – a very close translation of its Russian language lyrics. A quick Internet search resulted in a couple of references

by the composer, who was only nine when this song first aired, and that some of the music is from a Russian folk song.

When I was living and working as a composer in the Soviet Union, many Soviet composers used the works of foreign composers without permission, and the USSR was notorious in its disregard of authors’ rights. There they had their lyricists write Russian language lyrics and claimed ownership. Not so in the U.S. I have never before discovered a reverse situation. But the music of this song is an almost complete match.

Although I did not know Arkady personally, I know it was his original work. One of his descendants is a close friend of mine, who still works in the industry, but has never practiced Judaism, and therefore, never had a chance to stumble upon the Jewish version of her uncle’s most famous work. We had an interesting conversation about Arkady Ostrovsky, who died in 1967. As did every Soviet Jewish artist, he experienced many adversities of fate and restrictions imposed by the Soviet authorities on

his life and art. We agreed that it was a very fitting culmination to his career that his most popular song has become so widespread and traversed the world to bring it back to Arkady’s people, our people, the people whose heritage and dreams have been stolen by Socialism.

The exact Russian lyrics describe a boy who is drawing a picture – round sun, sky all around it – and then writes in the corner of the shee,t “May there always be sunshine, may there always be sky, may there always be Mama, may there always be me.”

Oshanin’s and Ostrovsky’s children’s song lives on as a tribute to their art and their indestructible Judaism in Z. Randall Stroope’s “Inscription of Hope” – the ultimate form of flattery.

Alexander Goldstein is a music composer and film director, originally from Moscow, USSR, currently residing in Naples. As composer, Alexander is best known for composing film music and his works in classical crossover genre.

For more information, visit http://www. alexandergoldstein.com/.

Kulturefest celebrates Yiddish theatre centennial

By Jeff Margolis

F

or those of you who thought that Yiddish theatre and culture was dead, you were mistaken, very mistaken. Kulturefest was the gala centennial celebration of the National Yiddish Theater - Folksbiene that took place in New York City from June 1421. For one entire week, theatre companies and singers from around the world performed before enthusiastic audiences at venues all over the city. Many of the activities for the festival were centered at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park. The Museum and the Folksbiene have agreed in principle to stage Yiddish productions at Safra Hall at the Museum in the coming months.

Klezmer orchestras provided lively

entertainment and a long list of notable academics took part in an in-depth look at the state of Yiddish culture today at a symposium. The keynote speaker of the symposium was Aaron Lansky, author of Outwitting History. This best-selling book chronicles the discovery and rescue of over 1 million Yiddish books worldwide and the subsequent creation of the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts. Lansky updated the audience with stories about the latest technology being used to preserve and print on-demand volumes of Yiddish literature. Some of the surviving books were thought to have been lost during the Holocaust.

Another event during the celebra-

Aaron Lansky, founder of the National Yiddish Book center, keynote speaker at Kulturefest, with Jeff Margolis

tion was a staged reading of the play When Blood Ran Red by Ben Gonshor.

The play focused on the relationship between singer and political activist Paul Robeson and several leading Soviet Jews during World War II. The play was the winner of the David and Clare Rosen Memorial Play Contest.

The culminating event of the weeklong celebration was a screening of the film In the Shoes of Shalom Aleichem, starring Theodore Bickel. Mr. Bickel, 91 years old, was in attendance at the event and answered questions from an adoring capacity crowd. (Sadly, Mr. Bickel passed away on July 21 of natural causes.) Other notables on hand for the gala were Alan Alda and Dr. Ruth Westheimer, both longtime supporters of the Yiddish theatre.

The future of world Jewry – AJC Global Forum Special Report by Jeff Margolis

M

ore than 2,000 delegates from over 70 countries converged on Washington, D.C., this past June, to attend the 109th annual American Jewish Committee (AJC) Global Forum. While there were ample opportunities for socialization, the focus of the conference was a sober one – the safety and security of the Jewish people.

There were three compelling issues that were at the forefront of this event, led

by AJC’s dynamic executive director for 25 years, David Harris.

The first issue was the growth of global anti-Semitism. In addition to reports from AJC Berlin director Deidre Berger and AJC Paris director Simone Rodan-Benzaquen, the concluding plenary session (entitled “ Do Jews have a future in Europe?”) examined the current landscape in France, the UK , Belgium and elsewhere. While Israel

Shanah Tovah

5776 Jerry & Honey Sapir

Shanah Tovah

Shanah Tovah

Jeff & Ida Margolis

Maxine & Harvey Brenner

Shanah Tovah

Shanah Tovah

David Willens

Ted Epstein

5776

May you have a good and sweet year.

Shanah Tovah Umetukah Dr. Karen Slater & Dr. Larz Spangberg

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited all of the world’s Jews to come “Home,” others believe that it would be a mistake to give up on Europe and leave. A panel that included Wall Street Journal deputy editor Bret Stephens, and Jeffrey Goldberg, national correspondent for The Atlantic magazine, led the discussion.

The second issue was about the growing issue of BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions), which has grown in conjunction with a well-funded Pro-Palestinian Students for Justice in Palestine movement on college and university campuses around the country.

Originally treated as an “annoyance,” the Jewish community was late to the task of combating this growing concern.

In a crucial dialogue at the conference, Hillel International President Eric Fingerhut along with Akiva Tor, head of the Bureau for World Jewish Affairs, Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explained how they were monitoring the situation and were devising strategies to deal with BDS. The participants noted that to date, no college administration has changed its investment policies as a result of BDS. They also noted that while they were gratified that three state legislatures had passed anti-BDS legislation, they were concerned that the laws would ultimately be declared unconstitutional.

The third hot button issue was the ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and its allies with Iran, regarding its nuclear program. There was a prevailing belief that “no deal was better than a bad deal,” and many others felt that the U.S. had “sold out” Israel. There was also a train of thought that believed that none of the other nuclear club nations had used their weapons and there was no reason to believe that Iran would be foolish enough to invite its own annihilation.

The culminating event of this fastpaced and well-planned 48-hour conference marathon was a visit to Capitol Hill to meet with senators and congressmen to encourage legislators to join the Task Force on Anti-Semitism and to convince their foreign counterparts to combat anti-Semitism in their countries.

For those in the Naples area who are interested in the work of AJC, the Southwest Florida chapter that includes Naples, has its offices in Sarasota. This year, my wife, myself and one other couple were the only delegates from Naples. Reservations are being taken for next year’s conference which will commemorate the 110th anniversary of the American Jewish Committee. The Global Forum will take place from June 5-7, 2016 in Washington, D.C. For more information, call Brian Lipton, AJC Regional Director, at 941.365.4955.

SIGN UP FOR THE FEDERATION’S WEEKLY COMMUNITY eNEWSLETTER! Shanah Tovah

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Send an email to info@jewishnaples.org.

September 2015 Federation Star

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Federation Star September 2015

Tributes

Tributes to the Federation Campaign To:

Charlotte Henschel & Family In memory of your beloved husband, Dr. Leonard Henschel From: Marcy & Jerry Sobelman To:

Elaine Soffer & Family In memory of your beloved brother, Dr. Marvin Jaffe From: Paula & Hillel Handloff Susan & Joel Pittelman Avra & Edward Schwab Sue & Phil Dean Debbie and Gary Kohler Toby & Herbert Kosloff Lea & Michael Bendes Nancy & Dr. Jeffrey Kahn Barbara & Arnold Karp Bette Ann & William Oppenheim Phyllis & Steve Strome Judy & Ben Peltz Arlene & Michael Sobol Dee & Dr. Richard Bittman Jacqueline Minzner Ida & Jeff Margolis Rona & Norman Senior Linda & Marc Simon To:

Marilyn Litz and Miki Feld In honor of your marriage From: Elaine and Lee Soffer Sylvia Goldgehn Susan & Arthur Sissman To:

Fern Davis & Family In memory of your beloved husband, Alvin Davis From: Ronda Lande & Sanford Sirkus Nan & Mike Suffian To:

Judith Pendergast & Family In memory of your beloved husband, Dr. David Pendergast From: David Willens To:

Nancy & Hank Greenberg In honor of your granddaughter’s wedding From: Phyllis & Steve Strome To:

Barbara Heimann & Family In memory of your beloved brother, Martin Stein From: Corky & Dr. Alan Kaplan Pauline & Murray Hendel

TRIBUTES Tributes require a minimum donation of $18.

To:

Steve Strome In honor of your special birthday From: Nancy & Hank Greenberg

To:

Phyllis Titlebaum In memory of your beloved sister, Louise Kaufman From: Mae & Judge Morton Riefberg

To:

Stevie & Dr. Robert Schriber In honor of your 50th wedding anniversary From: Barbara & Dr. Ira Kushnir

To:

Donna & Dick Goldblatt Congratulations on the marriage of Lori Goldblatt From: Arlene & Michael Sobol

To:

To:

Phyllis Mallace & Family In memory of your beloved mother, Leah Rosenfeld From: Jo-Ann & Sy Stadtmauer To:

Debbie & Gary Kohler In honor of your daughter’s wedding From: Phyllis & Steve Strome To:

David Willens & Family In memory of your beloved wife, Shereen Willens From: Andrea Willens To:

Dorothy Lipschultz In honor of your special birthday From: Nancy & Hank Greenberg

To:

Dr. Jane Silverstein Kiena In memory of Mrs. Hope Silverstein From: Linda Zell Randall To:

Gene Sipe In memory of Mr. Eugene Sipe Sr. From: Linda Zell Randall To:

Steve & Patti Boochever & Family In memory of Steve’s beloved father, Joseph Boochever From: Elaine and Lee Soffer To:

Iris Shur In memory of your beloved mother, Anita Axelrod From: Lois & Dick Janger Elaine Soffer

Maxine Brenner For your full and speedy recovery From: David Willens

Tributes to WCA To:

Elaine Soffer & Family In memory of your beloved brother, Dr. Marvin Jaffe From: Jacqueline & Sheldon Chizever

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

Charlotte Henschel & Family on the passing of her beloved husband, Dr. Leonard Henschel Elaine Soffer & Family on the passing of her beloved brother, Dr. Marvin Jaffe Fern Davis & Family on the passing of her beloved husband, Alvin Davis John Mann & Family on the passing of his beloved wife, Risa Mann Judith Lipnick & Family on the passing of her beloved sister, Risa Mann Sharon Pudleiner & Family on the passing of her beloved husband, Ed Pudleiner Phyllis Titlebaum & Family on the passing of her beloved sister, Louise Kaufman Barbara Heimann & Family on the passing of her beloved brother, Martin Stein Judith Pendergast & Family on the passing of her beloved husband, Dr. David Pendergast Stacy Nicolau & Family on the passing of her beloved father, Albert Turkel Iris Shur & Family on the passing of her beloved mother, Anita Axelrod Steve & Patti Boochever & Family on the passing of Steve’s beloved father, Joseph Boochever Rona Javitch & Family on the passing of her beloved daughter, Lisa Javitch

To place a Tribute in the Federation Star in honor or memory of someone, please contact Iris Doenias at the Federation office at 239.263.4205 or iris@jewishnaples.org. Tributes require a minimum donation of $18. A note will be sent to the person you are honoring.

Tributes help further the work of the Jewish Federation of Collier County.

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ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

September 2015 Federation Star

23

Friends of the IDF presents the story of IDF Staff Sergeant Elle

A

lthough she grew up in Australia, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Staff Sergeant (Res.) Elle always knew that she would serve in the IDF. After leaving her family, friends and home behind in Australia and moving to Israel, Elle began researching the different options for IDF service, and decided to become an IDF paramedic.

Once she was drafted and completed the IDF’s paramedic course with an award of excellence, Elle joined a Combat Engineering battalion as a paramedic, where she had the rare opportunity to provide medical treatment to Syrians, Palestinians and, of course, Israeli soldiers.

“During my service, our battalion was stationed all over the country,” she recalls. “However, last summer, during Operation Protective Edge, our battalion

was the first Combat Engineering battalion to be called to the South. As soon as I understood the situation, I knew that I couldn’t stay back when everyone went in. I requested to be positioned with one of the companies going in so that, if the need arose, I would be ready to help immediately.”

After intensive preparation, she and her company entered Gaza. “My squad climbed into the armored personnel carrier wearing full combat gear and began moving towards the border. Everything was dark and surreal as we continued further in. Suddenly, through all the mortars and artillery, a sentence spoken on the radio caught my attention – we were inside Gaza.”

“Was I scared? No. Did I fully understand where I was? I don’t think so. Either way, we were inside enemy territory with no way of knowing how long we’d be in, no way of contacting my family, and no guarantee that everyone would come out the same way we went in.”

For Elle, the most difficult aspect of service in Gaza was living with the unknown. There was no way to know when someone might need her help, where an attack might come from, or what was happening to soldiers in other units – including her brother, cousin, boyfriend and several of her friends. She would find out later that three soldiers from her battalion were lost during the operation, including one who had been a very close friend.

IDF Staff Sergeant (Res.) Elle

One particularly trying moment for Elle came while she and her fellow soldiers were sitting in their armed personnel carrier and heard a familiar whistle and boom, and felt the ground beneath them shake. “It was a very distinct whistle, the same one an RPG unteers, the BBQ held on our base, the makes when it’s fired. It was aimed at food and toiletry parcels we received our trailer, which usually has one ton from Friends of the IDF (FIDF) supportof explosives in it, and had it been full, ers – I don’t think people can understand I wouldn’t be here today. Fortunately, how grateful we were for everything, for we had used up our supplies the night every last wet wipe.” before, and no harm was done. It was The FIDF community salutes Elle the first time we were under direct attack for her remarkable bravery and her and, after a millisecond of experiencing dedication to the IDF and Israel.

100 emotions at once, we retaliated as best as we could.”

After being inside Gaza for two weeks straight, Elle and her battalion went out for a 20-hour break and witnessed the incredible level of support from Israelis and supporters abroad. “The donations, the volElle with members of her battalion

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Federation Star September 2015

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

12 impossible ideas that Israelis turned into reality No mission is impossible for inventive Israelis who read “impossible” as “I’m possible” and don’t regard probable failure as a reason not to try.

By Abigail Klein Leichman, ISRAEL21c, www.israel21c.org, July 27, 2015

T

ell an Israeli his or her invention idea is preposterous, and you’ve just given that inventor a reason to see it through.

Whether it was planting crops in the desert or building a crowdsourced navigation app, most groundbreaking Israeli innovations were initially dismissed as impossible – until bold action turned them into reality.

“When you try to break new frontiers, sometimes what you do doesn’t seem to make sense,” says Avi Hasson, chief scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Economy. “The issue is not about the idea but the action. You need to go out there and figure it out.”

Israelis love solving problems, Hasson tells ISRAEL21c.

An educational culture that encourages questioning and independent thinking, and innovating on the fly in the military, leads Israelis to read the word “impossible” as “I’m possible.”

“Commanders in the field are not supposed to rely on the generals to solve their problems; they’re expected to take responsibility to solve things by themselves, understanding that failure is an option,” Hasson explains.

“And in the technological units, on a daily basis you’re expected to do the impossible with few resources in a short time,” adds the chief scientist, whose office supports and encourages industrial research and development while sharing the risk inherent in such projects.

“In our office, we see thousands of risky endeavors each year, scientifically or on the business side,” says Hasson. “We get excited about such projects because we want to be an active partner in helping people take

technological, financial and business development risks.”

Ultimately, he adds, Israelis are brilliant at outside-the-box thinking “because we have no choice. We’re a small country, far away from the market. We have to do things that are too tough and too scary for others.”

Here, ISRAEL21c takes a look at just a few of the amazing inventions once thought impossible.

1. Iron Dome The Israeli defense establishment thought Brig. Gen. Daniel Gold had lost his mind in 2005 when he broached the idea for the mobile, all-weather missile-defense system that came to be known as Iron Dome.

Yet Gold forged ahead in blatant disregard of a Defense Ministry directive, quietly putting all the pieces

The idea of Iron Dome was thought as crazy as tilting at windmills

in place to build the system over the course of the two years it took to wrest official approval. In 2012, this former “Don Quixote” won the Israel Defense Prize for spearheading the Iron Dome project, which saved untold numbers of Israeli lives by successfully deflecting Hamas missiles fired from Gaza in 2012 and 2014.

“I saw what was going on and I said to myself, with all the technology that exists in Israel, we must use it to protect human life. We will find a way,” he

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told ISRAEL21c. “It always takes the political and military echelons a long time to think about what they want to do, and in the meantime we started to create a solution.”

2. Growing crops in the desert In 1959, Shai Ben Eliyahu and Hagai Porat had the ridiculous notion of founding an agricultural venture at Ein Yahav, a dusty army base in Israel’s

Bounty in the Arava (photo by Eyal Izhar)

Arava Desert. “They were considered meshugenners, crazy people,” relates Aylon Gadiel, one of Ein Yahav’s 550 farmers and the former director of Arava R&D. “You couldn’t live in the Arava, let alone grow vegetables there.

The Jewish Agency told them ‘no.’ So every Friday they went to the Tel Aviv headquarters of Mapai [Labor Party] and sat there until eventually David Ben-Gurion wrote them a letter.”

The founders dug a well to water a small vegetable garden, believing that the climate was perfect for veggies despite the arid soil. “It was proven that it is possible, and one reason is the development of drip irrigation in the beginning of the 1960s,” says Gadiel.

By 1967, the government was helping to build infrastructure, and in 1986 the Jewish Agency launched Arava R&D to develop cutting-edge agriculture and aquaculture technologies.

And so this once-deserted 112mile strip of land from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea grew to supply more than 60 percent of total Israeli exports of fresh vegetables and about 10% of ornamentals, including ornamental fish and novel varieties of produce.

Although this year the Arava’s large Russian export market has collapsed due to the fall of the ruble, Gadiel says that just means “it’s time to recalculate for the changing global market.” Nothing is impossible.

3. ReWalk Robotics “The day I stood up, I knew I was about to cross the threshold from impossible to possible,” disabled U.S. Army veteran Gene Laureano said in January 2013 when he strapped on the Israeli ReWalk robotic exoskeleton that enables people with lower-limb disabilities to walk.

Laureano’s “impossible” was also inventor Amit Goffer’s “impossible.”

Rehab patients at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York using the ReWalk

Larger and better-funded companies in other countries had long been trying to develop a similar device when Goffer made headlines in 2008 for inventing the world’s first commercially available upright walking technology.

ReWalk has since become the most widely used and studied robotic exoskeleton, and the first available for personal ownership. Last year it enjoyed a $58 million IPO on Wall Street.

Goffer and colleagues worked on the groundbreaking invention for years before hitting the successful formula.

He has said that in early meetings with potential marketing partners, “Many listeners did not believe me.” But ever since he was paralyzed in a 1997 ac-

cident, failure was never an option.

“I know how it feels to sit in a wheelchair,” said Goffer of his determination to make the impossible possible.

4. MUV Interactive Four years ago, investors rejected Rami Parham’s concept of a wearable device for interacting with one’s digital environment based on finger movement sensing. They doubted it could ever work technologically. But he didn’t give up, and when the wearable technology wave hit in 2013, Parham’s MUV Interactive was in the right place at the right time.

This summer, MUV will start shipping its ring-like Bird device to those who preordered it, and will simultaneously launch a major media and Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.

Parham tells ISRAEL21c that the reaction of industry skeptics initially scared him, but his research and gut feeling propelled him to prove the naysayers wrong. “You get more confident

MUV’s Bird brings new powers to your fingertip

when it hits you that no one else knows it’s possible. It gives you more energy to do it,” says Parham. Today, many of those former doubters are lining up to buy a Bird or to forge partnerships with MUV Interactive.

5. Powermat The idea for Powermat – a cord-free charging surface – was sparked by a 2006 conversation between entrepreneurs Ran Poliakine and Amir BenShalom. Others had tried inventing such a device without success, but the men forged ahead even when potential partner companies declined to gamble on their idea.

“All of them said it was great, but nobody was willing to fire the first shot – to ‘cut the cables’ in favor of wireless,” Poliakine told ISRAEL21c.

Eventually, a deal with Procter & Gamble (which owns Duracell) led to a series of wireless charging solutions for iPhones and other smartphones.

Then came partnerships with AT&T, Best Buy, Starbucks, McDonald’s, General Motors and other major companies. “We understood that for this revolution to take hold, we would have to create an entire ecosystem. We have to surround consumers 360 degrees, based on where they spend their time away from home, such as airports, train stations, concert halls, universities and restaurants,” Poliakine told ISRAEL21c.

6. An insulin pill For the past century, scientists tried in vain to devise a pill instead of an injection to control blood glucose in diabetics. And then, 25 years of dogged trial and error by Hadassah University Medical Center researcher Miriam Kidron resulted in a revolutionary way to deliver large-molecule polypeptides, such as insulin and vaccines, by mouth.

Oramed Pharmaceuticals, the company her son Nadav established to commercialize this invention, currently is in advanced FDA clinical trials for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

The company’s proprietary technology potentially can be used to orally administer other protein-based therapies now available only via injection.

“When they initiated this project almost 30 years ago at Hadassah, trying to get insulin delivered orally looked almost impossible,” Kidron told ISRAEL21c. “Today it’s just a matter of time till it’s on the market.”

continued on next page

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

September 2015 Federation Star

25

12 impossible ideas...continued from previous page 7. SoftWheel Many others tried without success to put suspension into wheelchair and bicycle wheels. An Israeli team was the first to make it happen by scrapping the traditional mode of attaching shock absorbers to the wheel. SoftWheel engineers instead incorporated the suspension system inside a spoke-less wheel in order to disperse energy in a whole new way.

The company’s patented Selective Symmetric Suspension System detects

The wheel, reinvented

obstacles and shifts the wheel’s hub to give a cushioning effect that dramatically absorbs and lessens the impact transferred to the rider. Recently, the Tel Aviv-based company revealed that several electric vehicle companies are interested in SoftWheel technology, which could also improve airplane wheels.

“Why didn’t anybody do this before? Because it’s not as easy as it looks,” CEO Daniel Barel told ISRAEL21c. “Everybody else tried to fine-tune current technology into a wheel. We literally had to reinvent the wheel and a brand-new technology for suspension. And we discovered it is not only suitable for wheelchairs but as a platform for anything that has wheels.”

8. PillCam In 2001, when Gabriel Meron introduced the world’s first video pill to image the digestive system, everyone from consumers to doctors to technologists was astonished. It seemed that Meron and his company, Given Imaging, had brought to life the sci-fi flick Fantastic Voyage, using a tiny ingestible camera and transmitter instead of Raquel Welch. The invention was even featured on Ripley’s Believe It or Not. “But as impossible as creating a

From sci-fi to reality

successful video pill seemed to Meron and everyone but inventor Gabi Iddan, the ability to pull off all the other aspects of bringing the product to all the world’s major markets, with regulatory approval, in just three years may have seemed even more daunting,” notes Daniel Isenberg in his 2013 book Worthless, Impossible and Stupid: How Contrarian Entrepreneurs Create and Capture Extraordinary Value.

Given Imaging aced even that seemingly incredible feat, and today PillCam products are used in a quarter of a million medical imaging procedures annually in more than 70 countries. It’s become the gold standard for “capsule endoscopy,” a category that did not exist before Meron and Iddan created the impossible.

9. Cardboard bike Three highly-respected engineers told serial inventor Izhar Gafni that there was no way to actualize his concept of building bicycles out of sturdy cardboard. The durable and inexpensive bike is nevertheless rolling closer to reality.

“After I was told it’s impossible, I sat down and looked at everything and said, ‘Okay, we can do it.’ We’ve done impossible things with agriculture, military, high-tech and science. I just thought, if they could do it, I can do it too,” Gafni told ISRAEL21c in a video about his company, Cardboard eTechnologies.

“If we had $10 for every time we heard ‘impossible,’ probably we wouldn’t need any fundraising for our company,” said Cardboard Technologies CEO Nimrod Elmish at the Beyond 2015 conference in New York.

Elmish revealed that their products from various scrap materials will be on the market within a few years and could be distributed free in disadvantaged countries through corporate or governmental sponsors.

10. Erasable computer memory At the beginning of the 1970s, Israeli electrical engineer Dov Frohman achieved the impossible when he invented the EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory), a chip that could also retain its data when the power supply was switched off – a critical advance for personal computing.

This first-ever erasable and reprogrammable chip won an Israel Prize for Frohman, who was among the founders of Intel, and it was responsible for Intel’s decision to establish a branch of the multinational company in Israel.

Since then, many other pioneering products have come out of Intel R&D labs in Israel, including the 8088, Pentium, Centrino, Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge and Thunderbolt core processor technologies and the tiny Edison computer. Today, Intel has four development centers and two manufacturing plants in Israel.

11. Waze When the visionary founders of Waze proposed changing the paradigm of direction assistance for drivers, nobody thought it would ever take off – and certainly nobody thought that in a few short years Waze would be the world’s largest community-based traffic and navigation app.

The “crazy” idea that launched the crowdsourced app was to create a map from real-time users rather than basing directions on an existing static map.

Not only did this revolutionize the way people reach their destinations, but the app was even used by the U.S. government to steer drivers to open gas stations following the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Google bought Waze in 2013 for $1.03 billion, cementing the Israeli company as a successful leader of a tech trend that has spawned about a dozen copycats.

12. Brainsway Deep TMS depression treatment The quest to learn more about the human brain is a top priority in Israel, where out-of-the-box thinkers are not only investigating the mysteries of the brain but also devising novel treatments for otherwise incurable brain diseases.

Brainsway’s noninvasive, drugfree, zero side effect Deep TMS (magnetic transcranial stimulation) system is CE cleared in Europe for autism, Alzheimer’s, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, major depressive disorder, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, smoking cessation, post-traumatic stress disorder, multiple sclerosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder and stroke rehabi-litation.

Following more than 60 clinical trials worldwide, Brainsway received U.S. Food & Drug Administration approval for the treatment of drug-resistant depression.

Other Israeli brain science companies are making strides also thought impossible, such as ElMindA a pioneering, noninvasive brain-function analysis system; and Novocure’s noninvasive Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) to treat cancers that have spread to the brain.

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.

In Israel, the siren you have to worry about is the one you haven’t heard yet.

Last summer, no one was expecting Operation Protective Edge. But when rockets started flying, Magen David Adom paramedics were ready to rescue injured Israelis every day thanks to donors like you. As we welcome the new year with reports of continued sporadic rocket fire, we don’t know when the next major attack will come, but we do know now is the time to prepare.

Help provide MDA with medical supplies for the next emergency and make a gift today. Thank you and shanah tovah.

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26

Federation Star September 2015

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

BRIEFS WORLD JEWISH POPULATION BACK AT PRE-HOLOCAUST LEVELS

A full 70 years since the end of World War II and the horrors of the Holocaust, the total number of Jews in the world, including the offspring of mixed marriages, has reached 16 million – nearly the 16.6 million of 1939 before the Nazi genocide began.

The encouraging picture of population recovery emerges from a new annual report by the Jerusalem-based Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) published recently in Yedioth Aharonoth.

The report indicates that since 1945, when there were 11 million Jews in the world, the Jewish population has steadily grown. Between 2005 and 2015, the Jewish population grew by more than 8%, the highest growth percentage of any decade since the end of World War II. In compiling the statistics, the report based itself on halakhic (Jewish legal) definitions of who is a Jew for those living in Israel, and self-definition for those living abroad.

Those seeking to be more lenient with the Jewish definition of Jewish status could include the non-Jewish offspring of Jews, a group compris-

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ing 350,000 people in Israel, as well as “partial Jews” who largely come from mixed marriages – in America alone one million such people exist.

Adding these groups to the global Jewish population, which is a subjective decision, raises the number to nearly 16 million. Without the addition of these groups the total number stands at 14.2 million in 2015.

Focusing in on Israel, the proportion of the Jewish population rose from 82% of the total population at the founding of the modern state in 1948 to 89% in 1958. However, there has since been a gradual decline, with the percentage hitting 75% at the start of 2015. While that figure indicates an overall decline, it also indicates the Jewish population has remained largely stable.

The largest single Jewish population in the world is still in the U.S. as it has been since the end of World War II, although Israel’s Jewish population has nearly surpassed it.

While nearly five million Jews lived in the U.S. in 1957, that number rose to 5.7 million in 2013, a relatively stable number that has been balanced between the conflicting forces of a low birth rate on the one side and a positive increase in conversions on the other side, although as noted the Jewish population in the U.S. was figured based on self-definition rather than on the Jewish legal definition. (Arutz Sheva staff, internationalnews.com)

SURROUNDED BY HOSTILE NEIGHBORS, HOW IS ISRAEL THE 11TH HAPPIEST NATION IN THE WORLD?

According to the latest World Happiness Report, published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Israel now ranks 11th out of some 158 countries evaluated. The top 10 are affluent, secure, and some haven’t been involved in a war in 70 years. They aren’t living in the middle of ongoing, violent conflicts or are the objects of international campaigns to isolate or boycott them. None have groups on their borders with thousands of high trajectory weapons pointed at their civilian population centers.

The Bloomberg Innovation Index ranked Israel as the fifth most innovative country in the world, ahead of both the U.S. and the UK. According to an OECD study, Israel is the fourth most educated nation. Above all, perhaps, in explaining the happiness stuff, is the very strong sense of identity that still seems to shape the way Israelis look at themselves and the rest of the world.

Amidst all the fractiousness and divisiveness, there’s still among Israelis a real sense of purpose, community, and pride of accomplishment. (Aaron David Miller, Foreign Policy)

ISRAELI COMPANIES BRING JOBS TO AMERICA

In May, three Israel-based firms opened or finalized plans to build new facilities in the U.S. Avgol, a global producer of fabrics, announced it will expand its North American operations by building a new production line at its Mocksville, North Carolina, plant, creating dozens of new jobs.

Bram Plastics Industries, a major producer of food storage and kitchen products, said it would invest $3 million in a new plant in Savannah, Georgia, which will generate at least 60 new jobs.

Kitchen counter maker Caesarstone, based in Kibbutz Sdot Yam in Israel, officially opened its first

American manufacturing facility in Richmond Hill, Georgia. The factory currently employs 107 people, with an additional 80 to be hired when the factory expands later this year. (David Shamah, Times of Israel)

ISRAEL WINS 12 MEDALS AT EUROPEAN GAMES

The 140-member Israeli delegation at the European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, which ended on Sunday, June 28, claimed 12 medals – two gold, four silver and six bronze.

Judoka Sagi Muki won a gold medal, as did swimmer Ziv Kalontarov.

Israel also won medals in shooting and rhythmic gymnastics. (Allon Sinai, Jerusalem Post)

ISRAEL DEMONSTRATES ANTI-DROUGHT TECHNOLOGY

At Expo Milano 2015, the Israeli Pavilion is showcasing innovative agricultural technologies.

Its “vertical garden,” a 70-meterlong, 12-meter-tall wall, is planted with rice, wheat and corn, managed by a computer program and a mobile application.

For 1 kilo of rice, you generally use 5,000 liters of water. With a vertical system, you only need 1,500 liters of water.

The biggest advantage of vertical farming is that it requires only drip irrigation and can be applied on the walls of residential buildings, thus saving valuable water and land resources. It also provides soundproofing and insulation for houses. (Xinhua - China)

FRENCH IMMIGRATION TO ISRAEL SURGES

The number of French Jews who have made or are making aliyah to Israel between January and August 2015 rose from 4,000 in 2014 to 5,100 in the same period in 2015, an increase of 25%.

The Immigrant Absorption Ministry estimates that in 2015 the total number of immigrants from France will reach 9,000, compared to 7,200 in 2014. (Itamar Eichner, Ynet News)

HOW ISRAEL DEFIES DROUGHT

At Ein Yahav in Israel’s Arava desert, they grew roses when others said it was impossible. They created naturally airconditioned greenhouses by setting up “wet curtains” – honeycombed walls that allowed water to seep through slowly. They planted flowers in trenches of volcanic ash instead of the sandy soil. Later they switched to dates and peppers. Today the former moonscape has become an agricultural Eden, with rows of greenhouses. This narrow strip of land along the Jordanian border produces 65% of Israel’s vegetable exports.

Driven by a combination of necessity and inventiveness, Israel has become one of the world’s leaders in how to wring the most out of parsimonious amounts of rainfall and turn a parched landscape into a productive garden. The Israelis are turning seawater into tap water, pioneering new types of irrigation, and reusing wastewater at the highest rate of any country in the world. (Christa Case Bryant, Christian Science Monitor)

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ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

BRIEFS

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NETANYAHU: I OPPOSE IRAN DEAL BECAUSE nI WANT TO PREVENT WAR, yAND THIS DEAL WILL hBRING WAR

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Nedtanyahu addressed The Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in a webcast on Tuesday, August 4. Here tare some highlights: The nuclear deal with Iran doesn’t , block Iran’s path to the bomb. It actually gives Iran two paths to the bomb. Iran can get to the bomb d by keeping the deal or Iran could . get to the bomb by violating the d deal. , Keeping the deal allows Iran to maintain and eventually expand a vast and increasingly sophisticated nuclear infrastructure. This infrastructure is unnecessary for civilian nuclear energy, but it’s entirely necessary for nuclear weapons. Astonishingly, the deal gives Iran’s illicit nuclear program full international legitimacy and makes it far easier for Iran to build dozens, d even hundreds of nuclear weapons y in a little over a decade.

Iran has a second path to the bomb, one that would give it a nuclear y weapon in far less time. Iran could violate the deal. Now, people ars gue that Iran will be prevented from cheating because we’ll have l good intelligence and unprecedented inspections. But honestly, s for years none of us discovered the massive underground nuclear fat cilities Iran was building at Fordo and at Natanz, or that the Syrians were building a nuclear reactor for

e

l e n

plutonium production. So it’s very precarious to bet the deal’s success on intelligence. Neither intelligence nor inspections prevented North Korea from building atomic bombs despite assurances that they wouldn’t be able to do so.

The deal also gives Iran a massive infusion of cash, and Iran will use this cash to fund its aggression in the region and its terrorism around the world. As a result of this deal, there’ll be more terrorism. There will be more attacks. And more people will die.

Here in Israel, Isaac Herzog, the leader of the Labor opposition, the man who ran against me in this year’s election, has said that there is no daylight between us when it comes to the deal with Iran. This is simply not a partisan issue in Israel. A huge majority of Israelis oppose the deal.

The deal’s supporters claim that those who oppose this deal want war. That’s utterly false. We in Israel don’t want war because it’s we who are on the front lines. We face Iran’s terror on three borders. We face tens of thousands of Iranian rockets aimed at all our cities. We face Iran, whose regime repeatedly calls for the destruction of the Jewish state, whose terrorist proxies try to kill Jews every day, and who is also the leading state sponsor of anti-Semitism.

Israelis are going to be the ones who pay the highest price if there’s war and if Iran gets the bomb. The claim that we oppose this deal because we want war is outrageous.

Israel wants to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program and Israel wants peace. This deal will advance neither goal. I oppose this deal because I want to prevent war, and this deal will bring war. (Prime Minister’s Office)

September 2015 Federation Star THE ENGLISH JEW SAVING SYRIA’S CHRISTIANS

Christianity, whose presence in the Middle East predates Islam’s by 600 years, is about to be cleansed from the Middle East.

Most endangered are the Christians of Syria. Four years ago they numbered about 1.1 million. By now 700,000 have fled, as the larger Christian world looks on passively.

Three weeks ago, 150 Syrian Christians were airlifted to refuge and safety in Poland by the Weidenfeld Safe Havens Fund. The objective is to rescue 2,000 families.

The person behind all this is Lord George Weidenfeld, 95. In 1938, still a teenager, he was brought from Vienna to London where the Plymouth Brethren took him in and provided for him.

He is trying to return the kindness, he explains, to repay the good that

27

Christians did for him 77 years ago.

(Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post)

TOURISM TO THE HOLY LAND TRIPLES IN A DECADE

Tourist arrivals in Israel over the past 10 years have tripled to 3.3 million.

Christians accounted for 56% of last year’s tourist arrivals, up from 33% a decade ago. (Nicolas Parasie, Wall Street Journal)

ISRAELIS WIN 61 MEDALS AT SPECIAL OLYMPICS IN LA

Israel’s delegation to the 2015 Special Olympics in Los Angeles won 61 medals – 25 gold, 18 silver and 18 bronze.

Over 6,500 athletes from 165 countries competed this year. (Allon Sinai, Jerusalem Post)

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Federation Star September 2015

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

Who is “Federation” and what do we do?

The answer is simple: It’s you – and every member of the Jewish community of Collier County and the surrounding areas. The Federation is your center for Jewish Philanthropy. The Jewish Federation of Collier County is the thread that runs through the fabric of our Jewish community, its organizations and services, connecting us all.

The Federation supports programs for Jewish people in need in Collier County, Israel and throughout the world, providing food for the hungry and counseling for the troubled, spearheading rescue and relief efforts for isolated Jews in distressed regions, and funding innovative Jewish educational and unity initiatives.

The Federation creates a sense of community for thousands of Jewish residents in Collier County and its surrounding areas by creating and supporting programs to further Jewish learning, identity, pride and culture. Federation meets the challenge of providing for the needs of our Jewish brethren, wherever they may be, from young children and families to seniors.

Where does the money go?

The local Campaign allocation process involves a committee of volunteers as well as Federation staff. They take part in this important process, which balances available resources against community priorities through a grant process.

Additionally, several national organizations receive support from the domestic allocation. Internationally, your contribution works to support a broad range of social, educational and vocational needs throughout the Jewish world.

Locally, the Federation makes a grant to Jewish Family & Community Services of Southwest Florida, in support of the social services they provide for our community. And grants are made in support of a variety of educational and cultural programs conducted by local synagogues, the Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida, and other local Jewish organizations.

Our allocation to The Jewish Federations of North America is distributed to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), which brings relief to the needy and works to revitalize Jewish life in 60 countries; the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), which rescues people from countries and resettles them in Israel; and for supplemental grants in support of special programs and projects that our community has embraced like Neve Michael Youth & Children’s Village in Pardes Hana, Israel, the Sapir Community Center in Kfar Saba, Israel, transportation and Shabbat dinners in Cuba, and the Progressive Synagogue Preschool in Kiev, Ukraine.

Federation’s Annual Campaign Supports

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Get involved.

239.263.4205 www.jewishnaples.org

Youth Programs & Youth Education ÎÎ Beth Tikvah Youth Education ÎÎ BBYO Naples ÎÎ Camp Scholarships ÎÎ Chabad - Camp Gan Israel/Preschool of the Arts/Hebrew School ÎÎ Jewish War Veterans Post #202 ÎÎ Temple Shalom - Preschool & Religious School Scholarships ÎÎ Hillel at Florida Gulf Coast University Israel & Overseas Humanitarian & Social Services ÎÎ American Jewish World Service ÎÎ JFNA - Overseas Core Assessment ÎÎ JFNA - Israel Action Network ÎÎ JFNA - Stop the Sirens Campaign ÎÎ JNF - Sderot Emergency Fund ÎÎ JNF - Red Mountain Therapeutic Riding Center ÎÎ Neve Michael Children’s Village ÎÎ Yad LaKashish ÎÎ Sapir Community Center, Kfar Saba ÎÎ WUPJ - HaTikvah Preschool in Ukraine ÎÎ Birthright Israel ÎÎ ORT (World ORT/ORT America) Local Humanitarian & Social Services ÎÎ Jewish Family & Community Services XX Senior Outreach & Support XX Developing Healthy Socialization Skills XX Counseling & Mental Health Support Cultural Programs & Adult Education ÎÎ Anti-Defamation League ÎÎ Beth Tikvah Scholar-in-Residence ÎÎ Catholic-Jewish Dialogue ÎÎ Evy Lipp People of the Book Cultural Event ÎÎ Fund for Human Needs ÎÎ Holocaust Museum & Education Center of SWFL ÎÎ Israel Advocacy Committee Programs ÎÎ Jewish Community Relations Council ÎÎ Men’s Cultural Alliance ÎÎ Naples Jewish Congregation Cultural Program ÎÎ Stand Up for Justice Grant ÎÎ Temple Shalom Men’s Club ÎÎ Jewish Cong. of Marco Island - Jewish Film Festival ÎÎ Jewish Cong. of Marco Island - Cultural Series ÎÎ Women’s Cultural Alliance

COMMENTARY

September 2015 Federation Star

29

Ten ways Israel is treated differently

By David Harris, Executive Director, AJC, June 14, 2015

Fourth, the UN has two agencies dealing with refugees.

One, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), focuses on all the world’s refugee populations, save one. The other, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA), handles only the Palestinians.

But the difference goes beyond two structures and two bureaucracies.

In fact, they have two different mandates.

UNHCR seeks to resettle refugees; UNRWA does not. When, in 1951, John Blanford, UNRWA’s then-director, proposed resettling up to 250,000 refugees in nearby Arab countries, those countries were enraged and refused, leading to his departure. The message got through. No UN official since has pushed for resettlement.

Moreover, the UNRWA and UNHCR definitions of a refugee differ markedly. Whereas the UNHCR targets only those who’ve actually fled their homelands, the UNRWA definition covers “the descendants of persons who became refugees in 1948,” without any generational limitations.

Fifth, Israel is the only country that has won all its major wars for survival and self-defense, yet is confronted by defeated adversaries who have insisted on dictating the terms of peace.

In doing so, ironically, they’ve found support from many countries who, victorious in war themselves, demanded – and, yes, got – border adjustments.

Sixth, Israel is the only country in the world with a separate – and permanent – agenda item, #7, at the Genevabased UN Human Rights Council.

No other member state, including serial human-rights violators like North Korea, Syria, Iran and Sudan, gets its own agenda item. Only the sole liberal democracy in the Middle East is treated in this blatantly biased manner because that’s the way it works – the bad guys circle the wagons to protect one another, and, at the same time, gang up on Israel, creating an automatic majority against it.

Seventh, Israel is the only country condemned by name this year at the World Health Organization annual assembly as a “violator” of health rights.

This canard takes place despite the fact that Israel provides world-class medical assistance to Syrians wounded in the country’s civil war and Palestin-

ians living in Hamas-ruled Gaza; has achieved one of the world’s highest life expectancy rates for all its citizens, Jewish and non-Jewish alike; is among the very first medical responders to humanitarian crises wherever they may occur, from Haiti to Nepal; and is daily advancing the frontiers of medicine for everyone, something that can’t be said for too many other nations.

Eighth, Israel is the only country that’s the daily target of three UN bodies established and staffed solely for the purpose of advancing the Palestinian cause and bashing Israel – the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People; the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People; and the Division for Palestinian Rights in the UN’s Department of Political Affairs.

Ninth, Israel is the only country annually targeted by up to 20 UN General Assembly resolutions and countless measures in other UN bodies, such as the Human Rights Council.

Indeed, astonishingly, each year, Israel is on the receiving end of more such efforts than the other 192 UN member states combined. No one can seriously argue that this is remotely warranted, but it’s a reality because in every UN body, except the Security Council where each of the five permanent members has a veto, it’s all about majority voting.

When close to two-thirds of the world’s nations today belong to the Non-Aligned Movement, and when they elect a country like Iran as its chair, with Venezuela on deck, that just about says it all.

And tenth, Israel is the only country targeted by the BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement.

Has anyone seen any significant campus activity that takes aim at true human rights offenders, including some in Israel’s neighborhood, who behead, forcibly convert and expel Christians; drop chemically-laced barrel bombs on civilians; deny Palestinians full rights; and use capital punishment, including for minors, with abandon?

Has any student group tried to prevent undergraduates from traveling to any country other than Israel, as was the case with a recent “pledge” circulated at UCLA? Has anyone seen any flotillas or flytillas organized by European far-left groups that don’t involve an anti-Israel angle?

Has anyone seen movements for companies to pull out of any country other than Israel?

Turkey, as but one example, has brazenly and unjustifiably occupied one-third of the island nation of Cyprus for 41 years, deployed an estimated 40,000 Turkish troops there, and transferred countless settlers from Anatolia, yet there’s not a peep against Ankara from those who purport to act in the name of “justice” and against “occupation.”

Given political realities, tackling any of these instances of egregious double standards and blatant hypocrisy can be a daunting challenge. And, still worse, this list is not complete.

The old advertisement proclaimed that you don’t have to be Jewish to love Levy’s Jewish rye bread. Well, surely, you don’t have to be a pro-Israel activist to be troubled by the grotesquely unjust treatment of Israel. All it takes is a capacity for moral outrage that things like this are happening today.

For more information, visit www.ajc. org.

Vision 20/20 Looking Back/Looking Forward JMOF-FIU 20th Anniversary Exhibition On view through October 25, 2015 Floridian Jewish families have played an integral part in every area of the development of the Sunshine State, from the pioneers who settled here more than 250 years ago, to contemporary movers and shakers.

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Alex Gruss, 1957, Buenos Aires, Argentina Six Days of Creation, 2013 Wood, mother of pearl, copper, ink, 18" x 38"

I

t’s appalling to see how Israel is treated by a totally different standard than other countries in the international system. Of course, Israel deserves scrutiny, as does every other nation. But it also merits equal treatment – nothing more, nothing less.

First, Israel is the only UN member state whose very right to exist is under constant challenge.

Notwithstanding the fact that Israel embodies an age-old connection with the Jewish people as repeatedly cited in the most widely read book in the world, the Bible, that it was created based on the 1947 recommendation of the UN, and that it has been a member of the world body since 1949, there’s a relentless chorus of nations, institutions and individuals denying Israel’s very political legitimacy.

No one would dare question the right to exist of many other countries whose basis for legitimacy is infinitely more questionable than Israel’s, including those that were created by brute force, occupation or distant mapmakers.

Just look around at how many nations fit those categories, including, by the way, quite a few Arab countries. Why, then, is it open hunting season only on Israel? Could it possibly have anything to do with the fact that it’s the only Jewish-majority country in the world?

Second, Israel is the only UN member state that’s been targeted for annihilation by another UN member state.

Think about it. The leadership of Iran, together with Iran-funded proxies in Lebanon and Gaza, has repeatedly called for wiping Israel off the map.

Is there any other country facing the threat of genocidal destruction?

Third, Israel is the only nation whose capital city, Jerusalem, is not recognized by other nations.

Imagine the absurdity of this. Foreign diplomats live in Tel Aviv while conducting virtually all their business in Jerusalem. Though no Western nation questions Israel’s presence in the city’s western half, where the prime minister’s office, Knesset (Parliament) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are located, there are no embassies there.

In fact, look at listings of world cities, including places of birth in passports, and you’ll see something striking – Paris, France; Tokyo, Japan; Pretoria, South Africa; Lima, Peru; and Jerusalem, sans country – orphaned, if you will.

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30

Federation Star September 2015

COMMENTARY

U.S. evasion on Iran rhetoric reminiscent of Arafat’s “jihad” speech

By Benyamin Korn, July 28, 2015

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he Obama administration’s weak response to Iran’s latest belligerent rhetoric is reminiscent of how the U.S. responded to one of Yasser Arafat’s most infamous speeches – and illustrates one of the main dangers of the Iran nuclear agreement.

Just four days after the nuclear deal was signed in Vienna, with the ink on the agreement barely dry, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denounced America’s “arrogance” and vowed that despite the agreement, Iran will continue “supporting our friends in Palestine, Lebanon” and elsewhere.

In other words, it will continue giving weapons to Hamas and Hezbollah.

According to Reuters, excited members of the audience periodically shouted “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel” during Khamenei’s speech. Khamenei didn’t seem to mind.

No surprise there. Just days earlier, his government had sponsored rallies at which millions of Iranians nationwide chanted those same hate slogans.

Obama administration officials had nothing to say about Khamenei’s hostile and threatening rhetoric. They hoped

nobody would notice. And they almost got away with it, thanks to the indifference of the major news media. But three days later, Secretary of State John Kerry was interviewed on the Saudi television station Al-Arabiya, and the interviewer raised the issue.

Secretary Kerry was clearly uncomfortable about having to address the topic. Squirming in his seat and stumbling in his words, Kerry finally acknowledged that “if it [Khamenei’s rhetoric] is the policy [of Iran], it’s very disturbing.”

Very disturbing? It goes directly to the heart of the deal that Kerry and Obama just signed. This is an agreement based on the claim that Iran has become “moderate” and “pragmatic” and now wants to coexist peacefully with the United States. Everything Khamenei said contradicted Obama’s image of Tehran. That’s not just “very disturbing.” It should be considered a game-changer.

But the Obama administration is playing a different game, in which the reality of Arab or Muslim belligerence is never a deal-breaker. It’s painfully

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reminiscent of how the Clinton administration responded to Yasser Arafat’s infamous “jihad” speech.

Remember that? It was the spring of 1994, just months after the signing of the Israel-PLO Oslo Accords. The Clinton administration was devoutly committed to the accords, even to the point of downplaying the mounting evidence of Palestinian violations.

Arafat was visiting South Africa, and delivered a speech at the Mayfair Mosque in Johannesburg on May 11. It was probably a routine stump speech.

But in those days, the Internet was new, monitoring groups like Palestinian Media Watch didn’t yet exist, so very little information about Arafat’s Arabic language speeches ever reached the American public.

But word of this speech leaked out.

Israeli media reported that Arafat had assured his Muslim listeners that the Oslo Accords are “the first step and not more than that,” and he vowed, “The Jihad will continue!” He urged his audience, “You have to come, and to fight, and to start the Jihad to liberate Jerusalem!”

The Clinton administration did its

best to play down the news. Secretary of State Warren Christopher grudgingly said he would seek a “clarification” from Arafat. U.S. officials couldn’t find the translation. Some of them told reporters that “jihad” did not always mean violence. Before long, it was out of the news.

It would take eight years for the world to wake up. In 2002, Israel intercepted the Karine A, a Palestinian Authority ship with several tons of weapons for Arafat’s “jihad.” But think how many lives would have been saved – how many terrorist attacks between 1994 and 2002 would have been preempted – if Washington had taken Arafat’s 1994 speech seriously.

Recognizing the enemy’s true character – whether it’s the Palestinian Authority or Iran – may not serve some political agendas in the short run, but it will save a lot of lives in the long run.

Benyamin Korn is chairman of the Philadelphia Religious Zionists, and the former executive editor of the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent and the Miami Jewish Tribune.

COMMENTARY BRIEFS HOW ISRAEL MIGHT DESTROY IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM

The Vienna deal has been signed and likely will soon be ratified, which raises the question: Will any government intervene militarily to stop the nearly inevitable Iranian nuclear buildup?

Obviously it will not be the American or Russian governments or any of the other four signatories. Practically speaking, the question comes down to Israel, where a consensus holds that the Vienna deal makes an Israeli attack more likely. But no one outside the Israeli security apparatus, including myself, knows its intentions. That ignorance leaves me free to speculate as follows.

Three scenarios of attack seem possible: Airplanes. Airplanes crossed international boundaries and dropped bombs in the 1981 Israeli attack on an Iraqi nuclear installation and in the 2007 attack on a Syrian one, making this the default assumption for Iran.

Studies show this to be difficult but attainable.

Special ops. These are already underway: computer virus attacks on Iranian systems unconnected to the Internet that should be immune, assassinations of top-ranking Iranian nuclear scientists, and explosions at nuclear installations. Presumably, Israelis had a hand in at least some of these attacks and, presumably, they could increase their size and scope, possibly disrupting the entire nuclear program. Unlike the dispatch of planes across several countries, special operations have the advantage of reaching places like Fordow, far from Israel, and of leaving little or no signature.

Nuclear weapons. This doomsday weapon, which tends to be little discussed, would probably be launched from submarines. It hugely raises the stakes and so would only be resorted to, in the spirit of “Never Again,” if the Israelis were desperate.

Of these alternatives, I predict the Netanyahu government will most likely opt for the second, which is also the most challenging to pull off (especially now that the great powers promised to help the Iranians protect their nuclear infrastructure). Were this unsuccessful, it will turn to planes, with nuclear weapons as a last resort. (Daniel Pipes, www.danielpipes.org, July 16, 2015)

FATIGUE IN THE ARAB WORLD WITH THE PALESTINE ISSUE

Prominent Arab writer Walid Abimerchid, in his latest newspaper column, described a “growing fatigue with the whole Palestine issue.” For the first time in decades, Palestine has been shut out of the news in favor of Syria, ISIS, sectarian wars and the growing aggressiveness of Iran.

As Jordanian businessman Abu Furas noted: “Today, no Arab feels safe in his country. Ironically, the sole exceptions are Palestinians in the West Bank because they know Israel will defend them if ISIS attacks. Even in Gaza, most people secretly believe that Israel is their ultimate protection against ISIS fighters trying to strike roots in the Sinai.”

Eyad Abuchaqra, a prominent Lebanese commentator and TV personalic ty, citing reasons for dwindling interest in the Palestinian issue, says, “Arabs realize that there are many other issues that affect their lives, indeed their existence.” (Amir Taheri, New York Post)

WHY PALESTINIANS CANNOT MAKE PEACE WITH ISRAEL

Palestinians will not sign a real and meaningful peace agreement with Israel in the foreseeable future because of a total lack of education for peace, as well as the absence of a leader who is authorized to embark on such a mission. Americans and Europeans who keep talking about the need to revive the stalled peace process in the Middle East continue to ignore these two factors.

Indeed, the Palestinian leadership has long been inciting its people against Israel to a point where it has become almost impossible to talk about any form of compromise with the Israelis. If you want to make peace with Israel, you do not tell your people that the Western Wall has no religious significance to Jews and is, in fact, holy Muslim property. You cannot make peace with Israel if you continue to deny Jewish history or links to the land. Any Palestinian who dares to talk about concessions to Israel is quickly denounced as a traitor. (Khaled Abu Toameh, Gatestone Institute)

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September 2015 Federation Star

COMMENTARY

Viewing the New Year Rabbi

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Sylvin L. Wolf

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abbi Marc D. Angel wrote the following pre-High Holy Days meditation. I offer it for your consideration. May you have a good lyear of sight and insight. L’Shanah -Tovah.

Paul Gaugin, the famous 19th-century French artist, commented: “When I want to see clearly, I shut my eyes.”

He was referring to two different nways of perceiving reality. With our neyes open, we see surface reality – size, shape, color, etc. But with our eyes shut, ewe contemplate the context of things, nour relationship to them, the hidden meanings. t With our eyes open, a dozen roses gare 12 beautiful flowers. With our eyes shut, they may be full of memories and eassociations – roses given or received eon our first date; roses at our wedding; -roses growing in our childhood home’s backyard; roses on our grandmother’s Shabbat table.

How we see fellow human beings is also very different with open or closed eyes. With our eyes open, we see their physical features. With our eyes shut, we remember shared experiences, friendships, happy and sad moments. When we want to see clearly – comprehensively – we shut our eyes.

Mircea Eliade, a specialist in world , religions, wrote in his book The Sacred e and The Profane about the pagan view of New Year. For them, human life is a n series of recurring cycles, always on the verge of chaos. On New Year, people g descend into this primordial chaos: drunkenness, debauchery, chaotic noise.

The Jewish view is radically differn ent. For Jews, reality isn’t a hopeless cycle of returns to chaos, but a progresk sion, however slow, of humanity. Rosh d Hashanah is not a return to primeval , chaos, but a return to God, a return to our t n

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BRIEFS

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t sWESTERN ANTI-SEMITISM MAY DRIVE ISRAEL r

TOWARD ASIA

Contrary to what Western societies would like to believe, Western antiSemitism is not a phenomenon of the past. It is very well alive. How can we understand the interest, if not the obsession, of the West for d anything Jewish? Israel, the Jews’ national expression, is treated as e the archetype of anything bad and , evil in the world. No word is strong enough to condemn Israel.

Why threaten to impose special labelling for Israeli products e manufactured in the West Bank, e when such a treatment is not even considered for products from Chinese-occupied Tibet or Turkish-occupied (half of) Cyprus? How can e we understand the French proposition, encouraged by many EU t members, to impose a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict and h declare that Jerusalem – the Holy t City of Judaism before there was Christianity or Islam – is Palestiny ian? e Asian countries – where the reo ligions are Confucianism, Bude dhism and Hinduism – are not k obsessed by Jews. Today, Israel’s second-largest trading partner is China, and India is coming close.

South Korea estimated that the e intellectual ability encouraged by

basic selves. Our New Year is observed with prayer, repentance, solemnity and a faith that we – and the world – can be better.

The Jewish New Year is an example of viewing reality with our eyes shut, of seeing things more deeply, more carefully. While being fully aware of the surface failings of humanity, we look for the hidden signs of progress and redemption. We attempt to maintain a grand, long-range vision. This is the key to the secret of Jewish optimism. While not denying the negatives around us, we stay faithful to a vision of a world that is not governed by chaos, but by a deeper, hidden, mysterious unity.

The problem of faith today is not how to have faith in God. We can come to terms with God if we are philosophers or mystics. The problem is, how can we have faith in humanity? How can we believe in the goodness and truthfulness of human beings?

With our eyes open, we must view current events with despair and trepidation. We see leaders who are liars and hypocrites. We see wars and hatred and violence and vicious anti-Semitism. We are tempted to think that chaos reigns.

But with our eyes shut, we know that redemption will come. We know that there are good, heroic people struggling for change. We know that just as we have overcome sorrows in the past, we will overcome oppressions and oppressors of today.

Rosh Hashanah reminds us to view our lives and our world with our eyes open – but also with our eyes shut. We are challenged to dream great dreams, to seek that which is hidden, to see beyond the moment.

Rosh Hashanah is a call to each individual to move to a higher level of understanding, behavior and activism.

Teshuvah – repentance – means that we can improve ourselves, and that others can improve, and that the world can improve.

This is the key to Jewish optimism, the key to the Jewish revolutionary vision for humanity, the key to personal happiness.

the study of Talmud was one of the explanations for Israel’s economic success, and so decided to introduce Talmudic studies in the schools. It has nothing to do with religion but was considered a tool for the specific goal of enhancing Korea’s place in the field of knowledge. The mere idea of a Western country doing the same is ludicrous.

The West is unconsciously encouraging Israel, and its high technology sector, to be increasingly linked with Asian countries. (Julien Bauer, National Post - Canada)

WHY FLOTILLAS SAIL TO GAZA, NOT SYRIA

The latest publicity stunt by pro-Palestinian activists ended harmlessly as the Israel Navy intercepted a ship off the coast of Gaza that was attempting to break the blockade. But, like previous Gaza flotillas, the effort has little to do with the plight of the people of Gaza and everything to do with the long war being waged to end Israel’s existence. More to the point, the continued focus on Gaza by those calling themselves advocates for human rights at the very moment that a genuine human catastrophe is occurring inside Syria without much of response from the international community tells us all we need to know about the Israelbashers.

While the situation in Gaza isn’t pleasant, the popular notion of a humanitarian crisis there is a myth. That’s because there is no shortage of food or medicine. It is true that there is a

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May your New Year be blue!

Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

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e are approaching the High Holidays, a time when we traditionally look back on our lives, assess them, and then look forward to the coming year as we ask the following questions: What kind of job have I done, and can I improve it? Can I make my life more meaningful? How can I increase my family’s knowledge and sensitivity toward a Jewish life?

Sometimes our most powerful lessons and advice come not from books or seeking out sage advice, but from looking at the world around us.

Are you aware that a longer, healthier life could be within your reach? The Blue Zone, brought to a neighborhood near you by Dr. Alan Weiss of NCH, may have the perfect answer.

Blue Zone is a worldwide movement to transform the wellbeing of a community by encouraging small but significant changes to lifestyles which will result in healthier, happier people who live longer and better. People who live in Blue Zones around the world commonly live to 100 years of age. They share similar habits such as participation in purposeful lives, following plantbased diets, enjoying moderate amounts of red wine, attending spiritual events, down-shifting stress levels, living within multigenerational families, and belonging to faith-based communities.

As a rabbi, husband and father, I am excited to hear that NCH made a 10-year commitment to bring Blue Zone to our community. One of the commandments in the Torah is as one studies, not to neglect to exercise and care for the body, and there are many other parallels between Judaism and a Blue Zone life as well.

One of the steps of this project is

shortage of building materials because most of the concrete brought into Gaza is being used for tunnels or elaborate fortifications. Those who want to help Gazans need to think of ways to free them from the despotic control of Hamas, which executes its enemies without mercy and represses every kind of free expression as it enforces its ruthless Islamist ideas on the population. (Jonathan S. Tobin, Commentary)

HOW ACADEMIC EFFORTS TO BOYCOTT ISRAEL HARM OUR STUDENTS

In March 2014, I stood with 27 Vassar College students at the Auja Spring in the West Bank together with Palestinian environmental educators. This learning experience almost didn’t happen due to opposition from faculty and students at our own academic institution. I am a tenured geology professor who teaches about the connections

to wake up with purpose each day. Our tradition teaches us that G-d created the world in an unfinished state and made us His partners to complete perfecting it. That is why we celebrate Rosh Hashanah on the birthday of Adam and Eve, not on the first day of creation – we realize we are part of G-d’s master plan of creation. Each positive deed or act of kindness, no matter how small, makes a difference, gives us purpose each day, and enhances the quality of our lives and those around us. Teach your children by example.

Down-shift and find a stress-relieving strategy to counter obligations and busy schedules. Look no further than the gift of Shabbat or our High Holidays as days of rest, time to wind down and spend quality family time – another one of the steps.

But my favorite step is to belong and participate in a faith-based community. It has been my experience (not totally unbiased as you might imagine) that belonging to Naples Chabad, which offers faith, social and humanitarian services, will increase your happiness and enhance the quality of your life.

We all want our children and friends to enjoy quality living. Take advantage of the Blue Zone project to be guided to a Happy New Year.

We must remember that Israel, where our brothers and sisters need our support, is also part of our family. Take the time to learn more and teach your children about Israel, or visit there to touch base with your heritage in this country that has been our beacon of light and inspiration.

With the holidays at hand, I encourage you to “take the pledge.” Join us and a group of faith-based, like-minded people and families starting the New Year afresh, with a clear strategy to improve not only their physical lives but also their emotional and spiritual wellbeing. See you in the Blue Zone?

With blessings for a truly Happy New Year.

between land and water resources and social justice.

Several months before the trip, my course and the study trip associated with it were subject to a boycott debate on campus. Protesters bearing anti-Israel signs stood chanting outside my classroom; students were pressured by their peers to drop the course. I would have liked for the students holding placards and chanting slogans outside my classroom to come inside and debate in full sentences.

By fostering narrow perspectives, bullying stymies learning and is antiintellectual.

I understand that what happened at Vassar is happening at academic institutions across the country. Instead of engaging in debate, students and faculty are shutting down avenues of inquiry and blocking attempts to examine difficult issues. (Jill S. Schneiderman, Washington Post)

What do you think?

The Federation Star wants to know!

Send your letters and comments to fedstar18@gmail.com

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

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Federation Star September 2015

Navigating the New Year – a shared experience Rabbi Adam F. Miller

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n 2006, Ehud Shabtai, a software engineer, began working on a project entitled “FreeMap Israel.”

The goal was to create a free map of Israel that would be easily accessible and maintained. Two years later, Shabtai and two others began a company which, by 2009, was called Waze Mobile. Their main product, the GPS navigation app Waze, quickly became a phenomenon in Israel and thirteen other countries. As of June 2013, there were more than 50 million Waze users. The CEO of Google encouraged people to use Waze in lieu of Google Maps, purchasing Waze for over $1 billion. Today, Waze is the only thing that all Israelis agree on. On my last trip to Israel, every bus driver, taxi driver and Israeli used Waze to navigate through the country.

Waze stands apart from other GPSbased navigation systems because of its reliance on community information. It gathers information by learning from users’ driving times, real-time traffic updates, and user-provided data.

“Wazers,” as they are called, can report anything from slow traffic and weather to road hazards and police presence.

Those reports are shared with all others in real time to create a social network for driving where Wazers avoid high-traffic streets, and drive more safely through hazardous conditions. The software also includes a gaming component, tracking points gained from miles driven and event reporting, as well as encouraging users to personalize their driving icons and profiles.

For many elements of our lives, Waze gives us all the direction we need.

And it even helps us arrive using the fastest route possible – perhaps bringing an end to the notion of “Jewish Standard Time.” Waze guides us through the physical world, but we still need direction in the spiritual part of our lives.

Often lost in the hustle and bustle of our busy lives is the importance of our spiritual health and well-being. Rosh

Hashanah and Yom Kippur serve as our annual reminders that we need to focus on our spiritual journeys as well.

One of the main spiritual and liturgical tropes at the High Holy Days is the image that we have strayed from our path, and need to return. The Hebrew word “cheit” is frequently translated as “sin,” a translation that loses some of its meaning. Cheit literally translates as “missing the mark,” a term one might use for a poor shot with a bow and arrow. In response to having transgressed, we seek teshuva, which means to return to the spiritual path from which we have strayed. To make that return, we rely upon the proscribed actions of repentance, prayer and tzedakah – which atone for our transgressions and bring us back. In this way, the machzor and rituals of the holidays help us to return to the path of blessing, improve ourselves, and fulfill our roles in making our world a better place.

The spiritual imagery from the Days of Awe and Waze navigation have much in common – as we are always looking to arrive at our desired destination. We know that there are times when we stray from our intended path, needing directions on how to return. They have one other element in common – their flaws.

Waze has one limitation – it needs a critical number of users in order to function at the highest level. The more Wazers on the road, the more information that can be provided. Conversely, in areas where few have adopted the software, one will not benefit as much from the social-network elements of Waze.

The same is true of our experience at the High Holy Days – the more people with whom we share the experience, the more meaningful it becomes for us. This is not an individual ritual, but rather a communal one, in which one gains more by being part of a congregation sharing information, leaning on one another, and working together so that each individual reaches their desired spiritual destination.

May we all find the path that we seek this New Year, and a community that will enable our spiritual Waze. On behalf of my family and the whole Temple Shalom Family, I wish you and yours a 5776 full of blessing, laughter and love.

Rising Young Stars sought for “Focus on Youth” feature

The Federation Star has featured about 15 local teens in its pages over the last two years.

Below are just a few. And we’re looking for more “Rising Young Stars.”

Jason Randall

Victoria Meyer

Ben Klausner

Rachel Waltzer

Max Johnson

Cloe Feldman

Want to see your “Rising Young Star” featured in the Federation Star? Send an email to jeanamodea@gmail.com with the details.

COMMENTARY / FOCUS ON YOUTH

Questions to reflect upon B for “spiritual accounting” Rabbi Ammos Chorny

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erhaps our most important preparation ritual comes before Rosh Hashanah. While we do not build or gather anything, nor do we remove anything from our homes, the task is at least as arduous. During the month of Elul, leading up to the New Year, we are called to take a thorough accounting of our souls (Cheshbon HaNefesh) and return to our better selves (Teshuvah).

Although the process is very personal, I can recommend a few guiding questions to serve as a starting point for reflection.

1. What have I done this year that I don’t want to do again next year? You are human; we all are. We have all made mistakes, done things that seemed like a good idea at the time and immediately regretted. These do not make us bad people, as we have the capacity to learn from our mistakes and resolve not to repeat them. Forgot your spouse’s birthday? Got creative with your taxes? Sent an angry email? You are not destined to repeat these actions, but must recognize them and prepare yourself to choose differently in the future.

2. What have I done this year that I definitely want to do again next year?

You accomplished great things this year and you should be proud of them! It is all too easy to get down on oneself and only focus on the negative. We must not lose sight of all the wonderful contributions we made to the world and the positive experiences that brought us joy. You have shown kindness to strangers. You took the trash out without being asked.

Maybe you have contributed time and

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money to a noble cause. Kein Yirbu, R may you do even more!

3. For what/whom am I grateful?p In his famous work, The Duties of thet Heart, Bachya ibn Pakuda defines alle of Jewish practice as an expression ofw gratitude to God for the many mercies1 He bestows upon us. We are not islandsT unto ourselves, completely self-sufficient. Each and every day we dependN upon God’s gifts, as well as spirituala and physical support from the peoplei around us. Try to develop a practice ofG acknowledging what you have and howr k you came to have it.

4. Who needs to hear “I love you”?t Busy as we may be, we often neglect letting our loved ones know we caree about them. As the years go by we mayB think “surely my child knows that I love her” or “I don’t need to tell my husband how much he means to me because it’s obvious.” But it is not obvious. MakeB time to express your feelings to others to deepen your relationships.

5. What advice would you offer your future self? People are bad at thinkc ing about the future. In a world of instant i gratification, it is hard to look ahead, but o we must. Think about who you want to c be at this time next year, or five or ten p years from now. What do you want to t have taken care of to become that person e in the future? What actions can you take w today to get you there? s Answering these questions is only a start for the process of “spiritual accounting” to prepare us for the High Holy Days. They can be used to spark conversation with friends and relatives, and lead to even more questions. As we approach the New Year, may we have the courage to do true Cheshbon HaNefesh so that we can know ourselves as well as the One who fashions the hearts of us all, and considers all our doings.

Shanah Tovah.

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Young adult novel teaches the Holocaust

Book Review by Philip K. Jason, Special to the Federation Star Escape in Time: Miri’s Riveting Tale of Her Family’s Survival During World War II, by Ronit LowensteinMalz; Leora Frankel, trans.; Laurie McGaw, illus. MB Publishing, 2015.

176 pages. Trade paperback $9.99.

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s there a way of approaching the Holocaust that can be educational for teenage readers without leaving them with horrible dreams?

This intriguing fact-based novel presents a dual narration. An Israeli girl, Nessya, reacts to her grandmother’s experiences in war-torn Hungary by reading a narrative prepared by the grandmother based partly on family letters never sent for fear of the contents falling into Nazi Phil Jason hands.

These letters are also read by Nessya.

In 1944, the young Miri Eneman, along with her parents and three older sisters, attempts to flee the persecution of her community’s Jews, already

Ronit Lowenstein-Malz

confined to a ghetto. The father, Naftuli, is the story’s hero. His exceptional

foresight allows him to see that doing nothing, the stance of his Jewish neighbors, is to end up dead. Carefully and stealthily, he arranges for false documents as well as well-compensated assistance from friendly gentiles.

The family members escape the ghetto and make their way to Budapest, where it seems that they can find greater safety until the Russian forces defeat the Nazis. Naftuli’s schemes are successful, though there are many close calls and much suffering along the way.

Upon Nessya’s questioning, Miri’s youthful perspective, enhanced by the knowledge gained through her adult years, is now tapped. She releases a lifetime of repressed memories, allowing her granddaughter Nessya to gain a moving and meaningful understanding of the Holocaust without confronting the horrid realities of the death camps.

The characters are crisply differentiated, superb illustrations help us relate to them, and suspense runs high.

First published in Hebrew in 2006, this book is perfect for youngsters twelve and older.

Adapted from a review first published in Jewish Book World, Summer 2015, Vol. 33 No. 2. Reprinted with permission.

Philip K. Jason is Professor Emeritus of English from the United States Naval Academy. He reviews regularly for Florida Weekly, Jewish Book World, Southern Literary Review, and other publications. Please visit Phil’s website at www.philjason.wordpress.com.

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FOCUS ON YOUTH

September 2015 Federation Star

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BBYO kicks off with success

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hursday meetings, and meaningful community service programs throughout the year In August, BBYO North Florida , Region officially kicked off the new programming year with multiple events throughout Naples and the region. One levent included a pool party, and another was a massive Color War for more than 100 Jewish teens throughout Orlando, sTampa, Sarasota and Naples.

“I’ve been a member of BBYO North Florida Region for two years and d lam so thankful for the incredible impact eit’s had on every aspect of my life,” said fGabby Van Slyke, a sophomore at Barwron Collier High School. “The BBYO kickoff events are just the beginning of ?the amazing year I know is to come!”

Kickoff is just the start of the eexceptional programming offered by yBBYO to Jewish teens in Naples. This e d s eBy Ettie Zaklos, Preschool Director

fall, teens can look forward to weekly Thursday programming at the Jewish Federation office, a weekend retreat in November, and many leadership development opportunities.

“BBYO North Florida Region is starting off the school year with great energy and record membership. We’re excited to have a fall calendar that features teen-led programming focused on leadership development, community

ccording to the Foundation for Jewish Camp, 66 percent of r Jews who attend Jewish camps consider their Jewish identity “very t important,” as opposed to 29 percent t of those who never attended a Jewish o camp. Summer of the Arts, Naples’ n premiere Jewish day camp experience, o tapped into this unparalleled medium for n engaging young children in Jewish life, e when we recently concluded our most successful summer yet. y Now in its 11th year, Summer of the Arts provided the ultimate summer h experience for over 180 young Neapolitans aged 18 months to 11 years. Offer, ing a treasure trove of custom-tailored activities, both classic and innovative, e the one-of-a-kind program allowed campers to experience summer the s s

way it should be: exciting, relaxing, eye-opening, and forever a source of childhood’s best memories.

Designed to act like dozens of specialty camps rolled into one, the camp offered sports, yoga, music, karate, art, baking, gymnastics, science, swimming, trips and more, all taught by professional instructors. Children also enjoyed enriching creative arts and educational themes in a safe, multi-sensory and spirited setting. The campers were often too busy having fun to notice, yet alongside the fun and games they were also learning a tremendous amount of different academic and social skills and a wealth of knowledge about Jewish culture.

The youngest campers, many who were introduced to organized summer fun for the first time, enjoyed an edu-

service opportunities, and Jewish exploration and enrichment,” said Skylar Haas, Associate Regional Director.

For more information about BBYO, please contact Skylar Haas at shaas@ bbyo.org.

About BBYO BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. For 90 years, BBYO‘s leadership programs, the Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA, high school fraternity) and the B’nai B’rith Girls (BBG, high school sorority), have been providing exceptional leadership programs and identity enrichment experiences, shaping the Naples BBYO hosts weekly teen-led programing

confidence and character of more than 400,000 alumni who are among the most prominent figures in business, politics, academia, the arts and Jewish communal life. Now, BBYO’s network of Jewish teens, alumni, parents, volunteers and philanthropists serves as the Jewish community’s most valuable platform for delivering to the post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah audience fun, meaningful and affordable experiences. With year-round activities in hundreds of local communities and inspiring worldwide travel experiences, BBYO’s broad program menu enables teens to explore areas of leadership, service, civic engagement, Israel education and Jewish values.

For more information on BBYO, please visit www.bbyo.org.

Preschool of the Arts update

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Summer of the Arts campers, counselors and staff

cationally stimulating program with a theme of “Let’s Read!” Each week, children had the opportunity to develop a love of reading as they interacted with the world of literacy through exciting activities tied to a weekly author or book genre. The older children’s program theme was “Game On!” designed around weekly themes connected to classic childhood games. Children benefitted from fun-filled and thoughtprovoking activities that developed a wide range of game-based skills.

The unique blend of activities were taught by nurturing counselors and professional instructors who were specifically chosen for their sense of joy and purpose in working with children.

We were proud to curate an impressive staff defined by their ethics, patience and energetic devotion to children and their safety. Many of the staff were Naples natives, including the experienced and talented teachers of Preschool of the Arts, as well as local Jewish college students and high schoolers who were given the valuable opportunity to practice their leadership skills in their roles as counselors.

In the past 11 summers we were privileged and thrilled to witness Summer of the Arts fulfill its mission: to seamlessly create a dream summer of arts, athletics, adventure and friendship, all within a Jewish framework. Campers

learned how to dream, plan and create, developing lasting friendships with their peers.

We are already excitedly making plans for next year’s spirited program, hoping to recreate the magic of this summer’s wonder and joy.

The fun continues…

Summer of the Arts campers aged 5 and up are invited to participate throughout the year in Chabad of Naples’ (a program affiliate) ongoing children’s programs and special events.

But it is campers 5 and under who are the true lucky ones – they get to take advantage of Summer of the Arts’ widely acclaimed, yearlong sister program, Preschool of the Arts! As Naples’ preeminent Jewish preschool, Preschool of the Arts is designed to expand and stimulate children’s minds and provide them with an unparalleled first academic experience.

We are honored that the Naples Daily News has just recognized us with two Gold Awards for Best Educational Services and Best Child Care. We are so appreciative to our incredible staff, our devoted parent body and our dear children for choosing to join us on this wonderful early childhood journey!

To find out more, please visit www. naplespreschoolofthearts.com or call 239.263.2620.

Temple Shalom camp update

e ,By Seyla Cohen, Preschool Director ew beginnings. It’s always so t delightful that as the Jewish New Year approaches, our students begin another year of their preschool experience. The staff at Temple Shalom Preschool is so excited to start another year of growth, dedication and challenges. We watch the faces of both returning and new students as they enter the building with looks of wonder and e eagerness. Their growth, both physically t and emotionally during their absence a over the summer months, never ceases to amaze us. a With each New Year, our commitg ment to improvement and development g continues. Last year, we expanded the TSP Experience with the introduction of our very own Garden. The children s planted, weeded, harvested, and even

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ate the vegetables that were grown.

Imagine, fresh carrots, radishes and cabbage – nothing beats fresh! Working in a garden, the children experienced the satisfaction that comes from caring for something over time, while observing the cycle of life firsthand. Such enrichments not only help to maintain Temple Shalom Preschool’s status as the unsurpassed preschool program in the Naples area, but raise the standards of education, enabling staff to bring out the best in each of our students, raising self-esteem, confidence and a firm foundation for their school years ahead.

Because of our outstanding program and dedicated staff, registration has been so great that an additional classroom was opened. With that, comes new, dedicated teachers, expanded programs

and lots of new friends.

Once again, our much loved Miss Jane is teaching the school’s unique Mommy, Me, and More classes. New mothers are provided with a support group and are given the opportunity to meet other mothers and make new friends. Friendships can make an enormous difference in the journey through motherhood, often alleviating the feeling of loneliness and helping new mothers bond and share experiences.

At the same time, children up to 24 months old are provided with a strong foundation for learning through interactive play, music, art and exercise. Little ones begin to develop important skills such as socialization, self-control, and physical and cognitive development, so important for the preparation for their school experience.

Here at Temple Shalom Preschool, we wish all a happy, healthy and productive year ahead. L’Shanah Tovah!

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

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r , r Temple Shalom Preschool students, teachers and staff

The PJ Library is brought to the Collier County community by Jewish Family & Community Services of Southwest Florida, Inc. For more information, call 239.325.4444.

Photo courtesy of The PJ Library

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Federation Star September 2015 CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF NAPLES

SYNAGOGUES www.chabadnaples.com / 239-262-4474

Chabad Jewish Center of Naples update

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et us begin by extending a warm welcome to everyone who is returning to Naples either from their northern homes or from a vacation.

Here at Chabad, our doors never close.

Wait until you see our new look! On the first Shabbat of our changeover to the new Aron Kodesh, we celebrated a bar mitzvah, and indeed, that’s what it’s all about. A ‘new look’ is always nice to see, but it’s not about the façade here at Naples Chabad, it’s about the warmth, the services and sincere welcoming.

The excitement continues as this year we will celebrate many more simchas, bar and bat mitzvahs.

High Holidays Everyone is family at Chabad and all are welcome to join us for High Holiday services at any time. How exciting it will be to celebrate in our renovated sanctuary with a new Aron Kodesh! Feel free to bring the whole family to our warm, nonjudgmental environment with English commentary that creates relevant,

comprehensible services. Special children’s services available. Please reserve your seating for the High Holidays – our services and practices make us a very popular place and we want everyone to be comfortable.

Thanks to the efforts of our wonderful Preschool staff, and thanks to all of you who voted for us – for the fourth year in a row we won the Naples Daily News Readers’ Choice Award!

Partners Project Our Partners Project cycle usually runs from August to August and we are always both amazed and gratified to see the partners who remain here during the summer, supporting some of our amazing children’s activities and projects.

We are so grateful to our ever-growing group of benefactors for their ongoing generosity.

Kosher Food Order kosher food from Aroma through the Chabad office. Get your Holiday orders in as soon as you can.

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION

See Israel as you never have!

Our confirmed dates are March 27 to April 5, 2016. The trip will be conducted

by Rabbi Fishel with plans to visit a lineup of people and places with religious, geographical and political impact such as you have never seen before.

You may have been there, but not done that! More details and information will be published soon, but as this first-class tour will have limited availability, we ask those who are seriously interested to contact the office at 239.262.4474. We now have booklets about our whole trip if anyone wants to receive one.

Hebrew School registration Registration for 2015-2016 is currently underway, and prospective parents and students are invited to observe our growing program and the happy faces of our Hebrew School students. Ours is a Hebrew School where your children can’t wait to go and won’t want to miss a day!

Jewish community calendar Our annual art calendar will again be

distributed to the Naples Jewish community free of charge just prior to the High Holidays. The calendar offers a unique opportunity to connect with the Naples Jewish community with business advertisements or personal greetings.

Friends and supporters of Chabad are encouraged to submit holiday greetings or add birthdays and Yahrzeits to the calendar. For more information about our calendar, call the Chabad office.

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 kids’ 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. A kiddush and social gathering for the family follow services.

www.naplesjewishcongregation.org / 239-234-6366

Naples Jewish Congregation update

By Suzanne L. Paley, President

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appy New Year from Naples Jewish Congregation! As we approach the High Holy Days we look forward to the promise of new beginnings and new ideas. Our Board of Directors, along with Rabbi Wolf, Sisterhood and Men’s Club, have been very busy during the summer months bringing forth new ideas and making plans for a memorable year to come.

For those of you in the greater Jewish community of Naples (that includes Estero, Bonita Springs and the surrounds) who have never joined us for worship, we would like to provide you with complimentary tickets for the High Holy Days. We gather at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Napa Woods Way in Naples. We are a Reform congregation that is welcoming and friendly, and our services are solemn when the occasion calls for it, but upbeat and vibrant other times. Our Rabbi, Sylvin Wolf, enjoys sharing his knowledge

with us during services, teaching rather than preaching, and our Cantorial Soloist, Jane Galler, has a beautiful voice and enthusiasm to match. Our volunteer choir under the direction of Alla Stadnik, provides inspiration to us all.

If you are interested in obtaining tickets for the High Holy Days at Naples Jewish Congregation, please contact Steve McCloskey at 724.747.3359.

While there is no charge for first-time guests, there is a charge for nonmembers who have worshipped with us previously. The money you pay for tickets can be applied to dues for membership.

We hope that you enjoy the High Holy Day services so much that you want to return, and in so doing you understand the importance of belonging to and supporting a local congregation.

Another new idea is being promoted by our Sisterhood and Men’s Club. Traditionally, membership in these auxiliary organizations required

JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND

temple membership. Now, as a nontemple member, you are invited to join for ONE YEAR ONLY to peek through the window into temple life and another opportunity to experience the friendship along with the activities that these groups have to offer.

When my husband and I moved to Naples, we looked for a Reform congregation to join. My husband contacted Rabbi Wolf. From the very first Shabbat service that we attended we felt at home. Rabbi Wolf introduced us during services, and we felt welcomed by everyone. After attending several Shabbat services we decided that this was a place for us to belong and truly feel that we had as much to give as we had to gain.

Here was a temple that was not large in membership but huge in warmth and sincerity. To top it all, when I was informed of the annual dues, I knew we were making the right choice. As a former temple administrator I understand

the importance of supporting a congregation; as a Jew I understand the need to do so. In my quest to meet people, I soon became involved with activities and events, and two years later I was asked to run for the office of President of the congregation. (Boy, did they see me coming or what?!)

I hope to meet and greet you at temple, as we celebrate the High Holy Days serving apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah and ending Yom Kippur with a Break-The-Fast meal. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Rabbi Wolf and our entire congregation, my husband joins me in wishing you L’Shana Tova Tikatevu – may the year be sweet, may you be healthy, and may we have peace in the world.

For more information about Naples Jewish Congregation, call 239.431.3858 or visit our website at www.naplesk H jewishcongregation.org.

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www.marcojcmi.com / 239-642-0800

Jewish Congregation of Marco Island update

By Sue R. Baum, President

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e are about to usher in the High Holy Days at the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island. Through trials and tribulations, we have reached the year 5776. The culmination of our success is that we are celebrating the 67th year of the establishment of the State of Israel and the 33rd year of the foundation of the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island.

The State of Israel stands as a light in the world for the very principles of justice and humanity that are the foundation of our country.

JCMI stands as an asset for the Jewish community of Marco Island and the outlying areas of Collier County. The Congregation has also become an asset for the greater community. We have bridged the gap between the Jewish and Christian communities.

This year, approximately 10,000 people have attended our events.

This has been accomplished, not by you and me, but by we. Let us continue the effort put forth by the congregation.

I thank Rabbi John H. Spitzer, the Officers, the Board of Directors, Canto-

rial Soloist Hari Jacobsen, the Rabbi’s Search Committee, the JCMI Chefs, and all who contributed to the planning of the events for the High Holy Days.

Do not miss any of the events, beginning with Selichot. This will be a spectacular year for our congregation.

L’Shanah Tovah Tikateivu. * * * JCMI welcomes Rabbi John H. Spitzer of Canton, Ohio, to lead High Holy Day services Rabbi Spitzer’s credentials are impressive. Following his ordination from the Hebrew Union College in 1973, he served as an Associate Rabbi for Congregation Shaare Emeth in St. Louis before moving to Temple Israel in Canton, in 1981, where he served for 27 years.

Rabbi Spitzer has been awarded with two honorary doctorates degrees and has earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He has served as Associate Professor of Jewish Studies at Walsh University. His civic involvements have earned him many honors as well.

In Canton, Rabbi Spitzer has served

Rabbi John H. Spitzer

in many civic organizations. He was instrumental in the founding and growth of the Stark County Hunger Task Force, the Canton Friendship Center and the Friendship Center Payee Program, New Beginnings Housing, Hospice of Stark County and Coming Together Stark County. Rabbi Spitzer has been honored by the National Martin Luther King Commission, The Jewish Chautauqua Society, Walsh University, State of Israel Bonds, Canton Rotary, the Greater Stark County United Way

and the Greater Stark County Chamber of Commerce.

Rabbi Spitzer has made some twenty trips to Israel, leading many interfaith groups and family B’nai Mitzvah trips.

Rabbi Spitzer and his wife, Cheri, have two sons and three grandsons.

Our High Holy Day observance schedule: Friday, September 4 at 8:00 p.m.

Shabbat/Selichot Services Sunday, September 13 at 8:00 p.m.

Erev Rosh Hashanah Service Monday, September 14 at 10:00 a.m.

Rosh Hashanah Service Friday, September 18 at 8:00 p.m.

Shabbat Shuvah Service Tuesday, September 22 at 8:00 p.m.

Yom Kippur - Kol Nidre Service Wednesday, September 23 Yom Kippur Morning Service at 10:00 a.m.

Afternoon Service, Yizkor, Ne’ilah at 3:30 p.m.

The nonmember ticket price is $100 per person. For further information and tickets, please call the JCMI office at 239.642.0800.

SYNAGOGUES / ORGANIZATIONS

September 2015 Federation Star

35

www.bethtikvahnaples.org / 239-434-1818

BETH TIKVAH

Beth Tikvah update Phil Jason President Devarim “For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning.”

– T. S. Eliot hat can we learn from this great poet and part-time anti-Semite? As we prepare to turn the page on one year, we have no choice but to begin the preparation for the next. We need new voices and new language. Renewal begins with a cleansing of “last year’s words.”

Why are words so important in the time of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? In part because of the connection with the creation of Adam and Eve and thus the creation of language. We must remember, as well, that God’s creation of the world is figured as God’s utterance. It is God saying “let there be light”

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that brings light into being. Words have, or make, our reality.

No one expressed this relationship between language and creation better than the great Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, who closed his complex poem “In the Beginning” as follows: In the beginning was the word, the word That from the solid bases of the light Abstracted all the letters of the void, And from the cloudy bases of the breath The word flowed up, translating to the heart First characters of birth and death.

Our relationships, even our identities, are based on words. Our thoughts are both limited and released by language.

Words are both weapons and healing balms, depending on how we use them.

In our penitential prayers, we use formulas to enumerate and beg forgiveness for our sins. We will be doing plenty of that. I hope that we can find, beyond the rhythmic formulas punctuated by fists tapping upon our hearts, our own words as well.

Sometimes devarim is translated as words, and at other times it is translated as things. Context usually clarifies the intended meaning. But for me this duality is instructive. Words become things, as in the stages of creation.

Wr i t e s A n i t a S i l v e r t : “ E l u dvarim. Words and things. Words of Torah, and the actions and obligations of Torah. The word “davar” encompasses both – words are how the world was brought into being; God spoke.

But words without actions are empty (ok, maybe except when God does it).

Actions without words can be misinterpreted, missing the direct communication between people. We need both words and actions to have the greatest impact on the world around us. These and these. Words and actions are the things that make up the living God’s world. They can build it up, or tear it down. Devarim reminds us to choose carefully.”

High Holy Days We are pleased to announce that Rabbi Chorny will be joined by Cantor Nathan Brian Wine, who has served congregations in Pinecrest, Florida; Miami Beach, Florida; Thousand Oaks, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and at Vandenberg Air Force Base. He is a B. A and M. A graduate of The University of Miami School of Music, with specialties in Vocal Performance, Studio Music, Composition, and Orchestration & Arranging. Check our website for schedule; call about availability.

Cantor Nathan Brian Wine

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.

Our Sunday morning minyan resumes in late fall. We regularly convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request. Please join us at any service. Our participatory worship services and most other events are held at 1459 Pine Ridge Road, just west of Mission Square Plaza. For more information, call 239.434.1818, email bethtikvahnaples@aol.com or visit www.bethtikvahnaples.org. You can reach Rabbi Chorny directly at 239.537.5257.

ORGANIZATIONS COLLIER/LEE CHAPTER OF HADASSAH

www.hadassah.org / 239-598-1009

Hadassah update Lynn Weiner

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Collier/Lee Hadassah President

t the Hadassah National Business Meeting in Philadelphia over the summer, Ellen Hershkin was elected as the new National Hadassah President. She will be the 26th Hadassah President in 103 years to lead Hadassah’s 300,000 plus members.

Outgoing National President Marcie Natan, whose term ends December 31, led Hadassah for the last four years.

Since the beginning of her membership in 1973, Hershkin has held various leadership roles within Hadassah. In addition to serving on Hadassah’s National Board and Executive Committee, rHershkin is a former board member of the Jewish National Fund and the -United Israel Appeal Board. Throughhout her 42-year membership in Hadas.sah, Hershkin has served as a national ,vice president, national secretary, the coordinator of Young Judaea, national chair of Hadassah’s Membership Outreach Department, the national chair of the Public Affairs Department and the National Office in Israel, national chair of Hadassah’s Convention in 2004 and as a member of various committees throughout the organization.

Hershkin studied speech and education at Hofstra University and Jewish studies through a program of the Melton School of Jewish Education/Hebrew University. She was a travel consultant for 20 years and specialized in Israel travel.

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Hershkin said, “I am energized to continue Hadassah’s critical work in saving lives through groundbreaking medical research at the Hadassah Medical Organization and in empowering women to be leaders by addressing today’s most relevant issues.”

Marcie Natan said, “I consider Hadassah to be the jewel in the crown of women’s organizations and have been privileged to serve as the National President for the past four years. As I pass the torch to Ellen, I am confident she will lead Hadassah in continuing to achieve the great milestones that this organization is known for.”

Here is a heart-warming story from Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem: Ofir, age 16, was born with one heart chamber instead of two. Over the years, he has come to Hadassah Medical Center for treatment, sometimes 20 times a year. Often, he’d have to stay for weeks or months. “He will be our patient forever and never have a regular life,” relates his Hadassah pediatrician. “I wanted to do something special for him, so I arranged a surprise.”

The doctor’s brother is a helicopter pilot in the Israel Defense Forces.

Because of Hadassah’s pivotal role in providing emergency services for the nation, the pilot sometimes lands at Hadassah. The doctor asked Ofir if he would like to see a helicopter landing.

Ofir was very excited. When Ofir and the doctor headed for the Hadassah landing pad, they could already see the chopper in the air, about to land. Ofir was devastated because it seemed he was going to miss being there in time for the landing. Because of his heart condition, he could not run. The pilot hovered over the landing pad until Ofir

arrived and then brought down the chopper right in front of him. Dressed in full gear, the pilot stepped out and introduced himself to Ofir, shook his hand and showed him the helicopter.

They took photos together. Their newly formed relationship continues with the pilot periodically sending Ofir posters and presents from his Air Force unit.

“When we talk about the Hadassah family, we mean it,” says the doctor. “The sky’s the limit.”

If you would like to join Hadassah, transfer your membership, become a Life Member or an Associate (male affiliate), please contact Donna Goldblatt at mom443@aol.com. We also have

a limited-time membership Gifting Campaign. Between now and December 31, any Life Member or Associate can give a “free” Annual Membership to a new member. Contact Donna for details.

Don’t forget to stop by the Vom FASS store in the Mercato with your friends to taste and purchase delicious oils, vinegars and spirits. On Mondays through September, Hadassah will receive 5% of all sales as a donation.

For more information about Hadassah, please contact me at 239.598.1009 or lynninaples@yahoo.com.

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!

SAVE THE DATE:

 Monday, October 19: Daytime Study Group, 1:00 p.m., Temple Shalom  Tuesday, October 27: Fall Opening Meeting and Luncheon, 10:45 a.m., The Club at Olde Cypress  Sunday, November 1: Evening Activity Group Welcome Back Dinner  Thursday, November 5: Evening Activity Group  Monday, November 16: Daytime Study Group, 1:00 p.m., Temple Shalom  Wednesday, November 18: Knowledge & Nosh @ Noon, 11:30 a.m., BRIO, Speaker: Journalist David Silverberg  Thursday, December 10: Evening Activity Group Chanukah Pot Luck Dinner, 6:30 p.m.  Saturday-Sunday, December 12-13: Installation of Chapter Officers and Region Board Meeting, Tampa  Sunday, December 20: Major Donors/Keepers of the Gate Recognition Event, 10:30 a.m., Quail West Country Club, Speaker: Prof. Eyal Banin from Hadassah Hospital  Monday, December 21: Daytime Study Group, 1:00 p.m., Temple Shalom  Thursday, January 14: Evening Activity Group, 7:00 p.m.  Tuesday, January 19: Daytime Study Group, 1:00 p.m., Temple Shalom  Thursday, Jan 21: One Book Southwest Florida Speaker, Temple Shalom  Tuesday, January 26: Chapter Installation Luncheon, 10:45 a.m., Bonita Bay Country Club  Monday, February 1: Annual Mahj and Card Party, 11:30 a.m., Cypress Woods Country Club

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

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Federation Star September 2015

ORGANIZATIONS www.ort.org / 239-649-4000

ORT AMERICA – GULF BEACHES CHAPTER

ORT to eternity Marina Berkovich

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ORT Gulf Beaches President

RT has been influencing the Jews and the world since 1880.

Yet among Jews under sixty, ORT is not well known. Even those who have followed ORT’s progress for years most likely do not know the entire story of ORT. Who were its founders? Why did they decide to start it?

Part I. The Barons de Günzburg Gavriel Yakov was born in Günzburg, Bavaria, Germany, around 1790 or 1793. He married Leah Sarah Rashkes.

In 1812, the year most known for Napoleon’s defeat in Russia, Gavriel Günzburg was the rabbi in Vitebsk, where their son Yevzel/Iossel/Joseph was born.

Gavriel was the 1st Guild merchant of Russia, where his name was known as Ginzburg. He had a considerable fortune. Joseph also was a 1st Guild merchant since 1833. Merchants in Imperial Russia were a so-called “third class,” after the nobility and clergy. In 1721, Tsar Peter divided Russia’s population into three groups, and the top group included bankers, big and “noble” merchants,

doctors, pharmacists, artisans, jewelers, icon painters and painters.

The Guild Reform of 1775 divided merchants into three guilds, according to the size of their capital. Minimum capital required for entry into the 1st Guild was set at 10,000 rubles. It granted the right to conduct wholesale foreign and domestic trade, and to own ships and factories. After the abolition of serfdom in 1861, significant socio-economic changes impacted Russia. Beginning January 1, 1863, citizens who paid the required patent and trade-industrial fees were granted the rights of merchants.

The number of merchant guilds was reduced to two. One could open and keep up commercial and industrial establishments only after obtaining a certificate of Guild. Certificate of 1st Guild gave the right to make wholesale domestic and foreign trade throughout the Russian Empire, manage factories and accept contracts without limitation of amounts.

Since the late 1850s, a significant part of the 1st Guild was represented by wealthy Jews, who after ten years of service were not prohibited from staying outside the Pale of Settlement.

In 1849, Gavriel and his daughters Beila (Bella) and Elka were awarded hereditary honorary citizenship. In the same year, his son Joseph filed a petition for the rank of hereditary honorary citi-

zen, which was awarded to him by Tsar Nicholas I for “services to the treasury in wine-farming.” Conflicting records show that Gavriel died either in 1852 in Vitebsk or 1853 in Simferopol, Crimea.

In 1854, during the Crimean War of 1853-56, Joseph was awarded the gold Medal of Merit, worn around the neck on the St. Vladimir ribbon. According to his army commander, he “demonstrated great and ceaseless zeal in the regular supply of wine to the troops.” An 1856 poison-pen letter claimed that Günzburg had earned up to 8 million rubles in silver, while “no Jew in Russia ever had a fortune of one million rubles in bank notes.” Despite this letter, Joseph Günzburg was awarded another gold medal in 1856, this time the St. Andrew ribbon.

In 1859, Joseph Günzburg opened a banking house in St. Petersburg with a branch in Paris, under the direction of his younger son Solomon. His oldest son, Horace, would soon become one of the founders of ORT, the initial abbreviation of its Russian name “Obshestvo Remeslennogo Truda,” literally “Society of Guild Labor.” (to be continued in the October issue) Gulf Beaches Chapter 2015 fundraising efforts benefit ORT in Israel.

Please help us with our financial challenge by mailing your renewal or donation check, payable to ORT America, to Hella Amelkin, 3200 Gulf Shore Blvd.

N., #307, Naples, FL 34103. To purchase wonderful ORT tribute cards, please call Midge Rauch at 239.676.7674.

ORT America (Organization for Rehabilitation through Training) Did you know that:  ORT supports 300,000 students annually in 59 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.

www.jhsswf.org / 239-566-1771

JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SWFL

The power of numbers Marina Berkovich JHSSWF President

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am writing this article, having just heard a webcast with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, hosted

by The Jewish Federations of North America and the member organizations of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

The president of JFNA, in his closing remarks, said that over 10,000 people logged in to hear the webcast – 10,000 out of an estimated 5.5 million Jews in the U.S. That’s the equivalent of the entire Jewish population of the states of New Hampshire or Louisiana. Or just the Jews of Collier County, Florida.

Every single Jewish life matters!

That is why we are preserving as much as we can about the early Jewish history of Southwest Florida. It is a fascinating

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discovery process and there is a great deal of work ahead of us. We need you to step up to help us do it in such a way that no one who took part in the early decades of Jewish life of this region will be overlooked, forgotten or diminished.

We take small steps and are happy to reach our short-term goals.

If I can ask you to talk about our organization at your Rosh Hashanah dinners or to one Jewish person a week during the month of September, you too can become our very important ally.

All you have to say is: Do you know about the Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida? They are on a mission to preserve and protect the Jewish history of this region, which dates back only to post-WWII time. It is such a new history. And already we have more Jews living in Collier County than in each of the states of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida Membership Form

Please send your check (payable to JHSSWF) and this form to: Jewish Historical Society of SWFL 899 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 116 Naples, FL 34108 Phone: 239.566.1771 Email: jhsswf@gmail.com Online: www.JHSSWF.org

During Florida Jewish History Month, on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, the Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida will become the first Jewish organization to have a day of events at the Collier County Museum. If you joined us last year, you already know that our event was uniquely interesting and entertaining. Or maybe you could not come last time, but heard that it is a new Naples must! Do not miss it this January as it will be fun, interesting and unique! Please save the date and make a commitment to join us.

For this, you need to be on our mailing list.

• OPT IN to our email list at www.

JHSSWF.org After you do that, please take a moment to • LIKE us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Jewish-Historical-Society-ofSouthwest-Florida-Inc We need members and there is no better time than right now to join: • Student Membership is only $9.

 Student - $9  Individual - $36

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Give it to your child, grandchild, friend or neighbor.

• Become a Member $36 Individual, $54 family • Become a Sponsor - $162 • Donate - any amount is appreciated Volunteering could be a fun and educational experience.

• We are currently looking for archives and social media volunteers for at least two hours per week.

At the turn of 20th century there were only 2,500 hundred Jews living in Florida. Only a few of them right here.

They are so very traceable, but we need your help.

If Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech drew 10,000 listeners, my appeal will draw 18 of you, if the same prorated share holds true. Wouldn’t that be a powerful miracle in itself?

Please call 239.566.1771 or email jhsswf@gmail.com whenever you are ready to do miracles. Have a sweet year!

Shanah Tovah!

Membership Application 2015 Membership Level:

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 Family - $54  Sponsor - $162

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

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

September 2015 Federation Star

ORGANIZATIONS NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

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239-353-5963 / 239-354-9117

National Council of Jewish Women update

By Linda Wainick, co-President

I

srael grant recipients: Isha L’Isha - Haifa Feminist Center: Fighting Against Trafficking in Women and Prostitution project.

Isha L’Isha has been leading the fight against trafficking in women and prostitution and assisting victims long before such trafficking registered on the national agenda. Its project advocates for national policy changes in the treatment of women seeking to leave prostitution, and seeks to educate service providers and the public about the abuses of the sex trafficking industry.

The NCJW Research Institute for Innovation in Education (RIFIE): Training Bedouin Women for the Workforce as Educators in the PreSchool Sector. This unique NCJW Research Institute for Innovation in Education project empowers Bedouin mothers who wish to work outside the home by training them for parapro-

fessional work and placement in the early childhood education sector in their communities.

Israel Hofshit: Freedom in Marriage Now. The Freedom in Marriage Now campaign seeks to mobilize public pressure on key politicians through a two-tiered approach of media communications and community organizing with the goal of establishing civil marriage as an option in Israel for everyone, regardless of religion or sexual orientation.

Tmura - The Israeli Antidiscrimination Legal Center: Protecting Women’s Reproductive Choice.

Tmura’s new campaign will work to protect reproductive freedom through litigation, advocacy and public education on behalf of the rights of Israel’s most vulnerable women.

Jerusalem Open House for Pride and Tolerance (JOH). NCJW’s grant will support the organization’s work

HUMANISTIC JEWISH HAVURAH

meeting the specific needs of those in the transgender community who are too often excluded from programs and services available to gays, lesbians and bisexuals. The grant will provide transgender activists in Jerusalem the security and flexibility to organize independently and unite with a stronger voice, as well as increase the access of transgender individuals in Jerusalem to services currently beyond their reach.

Yerushalmit Movement. Dedicated to building Jerusalem as a vibrant, pluralistic and inclusive city, the Yerushalmit Movement has helped reduce gender segregation based on religion, including the exclusion of women from public spaces in Jerusalem. NCJW’s grant will enable the Movement to create women-led forums in neighborhoods across the city to promote equality and improve quality of life. For the first time, Ultra Orthodox Jewish women

and Arab women will be engaged in the conversation to encourage civic collaboration among women activists of diverse religious sectors.

Turning the Tables. Active in Tel Aviv since 2011, Turning the Tables addresses the vocational and economic advancement of women leaving the cycle of prostitution and sex trafficking.

NCJW’s grant will establish a pilot program to extend services to new locations throughout Israel.

Women of the Wall. NCJW’s grant will support advocacy for women’s equality to gain the right to read Torah at the Western Wall. Despite the groundbreaking legal advances made

by Women of the Wall in the past two years to ensure women’s right to pray freely at the Western Wall, roadblocks to full freedom remain.

www.hjhswfl.org / 239-398-3935

The significance of Yom Kippur for Humanistic Jews Paula Creed HJH President

P

lease come to Bentley Village, now known as Vi, to participate in a Humanistic Jewish commemoration of Yom Kippur with members of the Humanistic Jewish Havurah of Southwest Florida. The event begins at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, and will be followed by a tasty breakthe-fast.

Reservations can be secured by mailing a check payable to “HJH” in the amount of $25 per person to Joan Weinstein, P.O. Box 110285, Naples, FL 34108. The deadline for making your reservation is September 19.

Jewish holidays have become the lifeblood of Jewish identity. They are regular events in the lives of most Jews.

Even if you never study Jewish history, you cannot escape it if you celebrate Jewish holidays. The calendar of Jewish holidays presents a short and “repetitious” introduction to the Jewish past.

The rabbinic dates for established

holidays are unavoidable. They are familiar annual milestones when Jews become most aware of their Jewish identity. Without a sense of community with other Jews, the holidays fall flat.

Doing them at the same time, yet differently, fuses our history with our Jewish identity.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur open our Jewish year with the most important message of Jewish history. Human dignity is not the gift of destiny. It is a human achievement requiring courage and human self-reliance. If we seek to reconcile ourselves with anybody, we reconcile ourselves with the men and women who share our struggle and who offer us the only realistic support we can expect.

Humanistic Jews insist that their holidays give them integrity. The prayers and stories that turn the Jewish experience into a testimony to supernatural reliability have no place in our holiday celebration. To say one thing and to believe another is not an act of poetry. Humanistic Judaism has created a way to approach the Jewish holidays that is both pragmatic and meaningful.

The High Holidays are a time when humanistic Jews place great emphasis on self- reflection and self-judgment,

JEWISH WOMEN INTERNATIONAL

acknowledging human power to re-evaluate one’s own life and to change it for the better. That is why Jewish holidays have no intrinsic divine connection for humanistic Jews.

Following is a sample reading from a humanistic Jewish Yom Kippur service: QUESTIONS Let us ask ourselves hard questions.

For this is the time for truth.

How much time did we waste In the year that is now gone?

Did we fill our days with life Or were they dull and empty?

Was there love inside our home Or was the affectionate word left unsaid?

Was there a real companionship with our children Or was there a living together and a growing apart?

Were we a help to our mates Or did we take them for granted?

How was it with our friends: Were we there when they needed us or not?

The kind deed: Did we perform it or postpone it?

The unnecessary gibe: Did we say it or hold it in?

Did we live by false values?

Did we deceive others?

Did we deceive ourselves?

Were we sensitive to the rights and feelings Of those who worked with us?

Did we acquire only possessions Or did we acquire new insights as well?

Did we fear what the crowd would say And keep quiet when we should have spoken?

Did we mind only our own business Or did we feel the heartbreak of others?

Did we live right, And if not, Then have we learned and will we change?

Yom Kippur climaxes the selfexamination begun on Rosh Hashanah.

Humanistic Jews make Yom Kippur a time of self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others.

Check out our redesigned website at www.hjhswfl.org www.jwi.org / 239-498-2778

JWI announces Financial Literacy Institute

J

Millie Sernovitz JWI Past International President

ewish Women International (JWI), the leading Jewish organization in ending violence against women and girls, announces the formation of the Financial Literacy Institute (FLI).

JWI’s FLI project seeks to create social change by empowering women with the information, tools and confidence to take charge of their personal finances and to be advocates for larger systemic change on issues that affect all women’s economic security.

Financial literacy for all women is a pillar of JWI’s work. A woman

who controls her finances, controls her future. It is JWI’s goal that all women have the tools to ensure her lifelong economic stability.

Financial illiteracy is prevalent in women irrespective of socio-economic standing, marital status, race, ethnicity or education. It is a root cause of gender inequity, affecting attitudes toward marriage, participation in family decision making, and control over family resources.

JWI has been developing and leading workshops on financial literacy for nearly a decade with discrete curricula for various age groups – mothers and teen daughters as well as college and young professionals. The newest program, Know Your Worth, created in partnership with Hadassah, helps women approaching retirement gain economic security. Know Your Worth is the final

piece of the puzzle. Now JWI offers a full complement of educational programs that span a woman’s life. Everyone should be passionate about ensuring that all women are empowered to take control of their personal finances. And JWI is truly excited that the FLI will allow women to take that knowledge and use it to become advocates for change.

JWI’s programmatic work is always coupled with advocacy so as to effect the greatest personal and social change.

It’s economic security advocacy will be housed within the FLI and will be focused on issues that affect all women – equal pay for equal work, paid sick days, student loan repayment, and strengthening social security. Workshops will include a short discussion of the advocacy issues, and participants will be included in JWI’s advocacy network and will be given toolkits to message to legislators

and on social media.

Additional programs and resources are planned, including financial literacy resources for women living in domestic violence shelters. JWI’s core mission is ending violence to women and girls.

It is critical, that as JWI builds out this major initiative, the organization will work to help survivors of domestic violence rebuild their lives so that they can provide safe and secure homes for their families.

For more information about JWI’s Financial Literacy Institute or other JWI endeavors nationally, please contact me at 239.498.2778 or millie@sernovitz. com. Also, please visit the JWI website at www.jwi.org or its companion website for Jewish Woman magazine at www.jwmag.org.

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Federation Star September 2015

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Get the Service you Deserve September 2015 – 5775/5776 SUNDAY

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY 1

10:00am BBYO Board Mtg 10:00am TS-S Board Mtg 12:15pm BT Torah Study 1:30pm CJD Comm Mtg 4:00pm BT Torah Study 4:00pm JFCC Exec Cmte

9

6

7 LABOR DAY

13

16 15 14 ROSH HASHANAH ROSH HASHANAH 1:00pm JCMI Bridge

Erev Rosh Hashanah

8

2

1:00pm JCMI Bridge 1:30pm JCRC Mtg 4:30pm BT Hebrew School 7:30pm BT Torah Study

10:00am Jewish Genealogy 12:15pm BT Torah Study 1:00pm HDH Board Mtg 4:00pm BT Torah Study 7:30pm JFCC Board Meeting

9:30am BT Sunday School

12:15pm BT Torah Study 4:00pm BT Torah Study

Call your synagogue for services schedule

Call your synagogue for services schedule

Call your synagogue for services schedule

20

21

22

9:30am BT Sunday School 9:30am TS Sunday School 3:00pm JRCA Event 4:00pm TS Memorial Service

27

12:00pm NJC-S Book Club

Erev Yom Kippur

1:00pm JCMI Bridge 1:30pm IAC Cmte Mtg 4:30pm BT Hebrew School 4:30pm CHA Hebrew School 7:30pm BT High Holiday Sem

4:30pm BT Hebrew School 4:30pm CHA Hebrew School 7:30pm BT Torah Study

23 YOM KIPPUR

12:15pm BT Torah Study

28 SUKKOT

9:30am BT Sunday School 10:30am JFCS Naples Jewish 9:30am TS Sunday School Caring Support Group 1:00pm BBYO Car Wash 3:00pm NJC Sunday Movie Call your synagogue 5:00pm TS Sukkot “Pizza in for services schedule the Hut” 6:15pm BT Erev Sukkot Service

Call your synagogue for services schedule

Call your synagogue for services schedule

29 SUKKOT

30

10:00am CHA Sukkot Service 12:15pm BT Torah Study 4:00pm BT Torah Study

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

3

4

SATURDAY 5

6:15pm BT Services 6:30pm JCMI Selichot Dinner 6:30pm TS Shir Joy Shabbat 7:30pm NJC Services 7:30pm TS Services 8:00pm JCMI Services

8:30am TS Torah Talk 9:30am BT Services 10:00am CHA Services 10:00am TS Services 7:30pm BT Selichot Svc & Film 7:30pm TS Selichot Svc & Film

10

11

12

17

18

19

12:00pm NJC-M Meeting 4:00pm BT Board Meeting 6:00pm BBYO Youth Activity 7:00pm TS Exec Comm Mtg

6:15pm BT Services 7:30pm NJC Services 7:30pm TS Services 8:00pm JCMI Services

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

6:00pm BBYO Youth Activity

2:00pm NJC Board Mtg 3:00pm HM Exec Cmte Mtg 6:00pm BBYO Youth Activity

24

3:00pm HM Board Meeting 6:00pm BBYO Youth Activity 7:00pm JCMI Board Meeting

6:15pm BT Services 7:30pm NJC Services 7:30pm TS Services 8:00pm JCMI Services

25

6:15pm BT Services 7:30pm NJC Services 7:30pm TS Services 8:00pm JCMI Services

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

26

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

Candle lighting times:

1:00pm JCMI Bridge 4:30pm BT Hebrew School 4:30pm CHA Hebrew School 4:30pm TS Hebrew School 7:30pm BT Torah Study

September 4: 7:26 September 11: 7:18 September 18: 7:10 September 25: 7:02

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 • JRCA: Jewish Russian-American Cultural Alliance • JWV: Jewish War Veterans • MCA: Men’s Cultural Alliance • 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.

September 2015 Federation Star

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY TEMPLE SHALOM OF NAPLES (Reform) 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34119 Phone: 455-3030  Fax: 455-4361 Email: info@naplestemple.org www.naplestemple.org Rabbi Adam Miller Cantor Donna Azu James H. Perman, D.D., Rabbi Emeritus Neil Shnider, President 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 25, No. 1 September 2015 40 pages USPS Permit No. 419 Publisher: Jewish Federation of Collier County Editor: Ted Epstein, 239-249-0699 fedstar18@gmail.com Design: Federation Media Group, Inc. Advertising: Melody Klein 239-633-2895 October Issue Deadlines: Editorial: September 1 Advertising: September 8 Send news stories to: fedstar18@gmail.com

JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION

BETH TIKVAH

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

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

1459 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34109

Hari Jacobsen, Cantorial Soloist Sue Baum, President Shabbat Services Friday 8:00 p.m.

Torah Study and Saturday Services Sisterhood • Men’s Club Brownstein Judaica Gift Shop

(Reform)

39

(Conservative)

(just west of Mission Square Plaza)

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

Suzanne Paley, President Jane Galler, Cantorial Soloist

Rabbi Ammos Chorny Phil Jason, President Sue Hammerman, Secretary

Shabbat Services Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m.

May - August: services once a month

Shabbat Services Friday evenings at 6:15 p.m.

Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m.

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

Youth Education Adult Education Community Events

BEING JEWISH IS A TRUST

Jewish Organizations to Serve You in Collier County

(All area codes are 239 unless otherwise noted.)

Jewish Federation of Collier County

Being Jewish is a trust. We are entrusted to safeguard the precious heritage received from our predecessors, which must be handed down intact to our children and heirs. All sorts of forces would take this heritage away from us. And if we let them, or walk away on our own, we betray that trust.

But if we preserve and protect what we have been given, we can leave this world with a sense of personal and historical integrity. This is no small matter when, as we come closer to the end than to the beginning of our lives, we begin to reflect on the meaning and purpose of our existence.

Keep the Trust

Make A Gift That Unites Our Heritage and Our Hopes

For more information, contact the Jewish Federation of Collier County at 239.263.4205.

Please note our email addresses: Jeffrey Feld, Federation President/CEO – jfeld@jewishnaples.org Renee’ Bialek, Community Program Coord. – rbialek@jewishnaples.org Iris Doenias, Database Manager – iris@jewishnaples.org Deborah Vacca, Bookkeeper – deborah@jewishnaples.org General information requests – info@jewishnaples.org Melody Klein, advertising account rep – mklein@jewishnaples.org Ted Epstein, Editor, Federation Star – fedstar18@gmail.com

Like us on Facebook!

ConneCt with your Jewish Community

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

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

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Federation Star September 2015

Have a sweet year. And share what Rosh Hashanah means to you. #RoshHashanahPublix