Jacksonville Jewish News - February 2016

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

ITS A WINTER WONDERLAND DuBow Preschool students discover what a non-Florida winter is actually like Page 12

The Martin J. Gottlieb Day School tries to meet its lofty goals Page 17

DIAMONDS & DENIM GALA A STAR STUDDED EVENING

Etz Chaim goes back to the Wild West with annual event Page 30

A publication of

February 2016

• Sh’vat/Adar 5776 • www.jewishjacksonville.org

Local Entrepreneur makes big splash at Hillel’s recent GA

BY MATT FRANZBLAU

Federation Communications Director mattf@jewishjacksonville.org

As an undergraduate student at the University of Florida, Gabrielle Magid never thought an initial internship for her school’s Hillel would turn into a significant milestone for the non-profit organi- Gabrielle Magid (right) zation she would eventually help to spoke at Hillel’s recent create. That’s ex- GA about the stigma asactly what trans- sociated with mental illpired as the now ness in college students college graduate turned executive director attended the Hillel International Global Assembly in Orlando late last year. Magid was asked to come from

See HILLEL GA, p. 3

CEO Goetz earns a national award

BY SKIP WILLBACH

River Garden Hebrew Home

Martin A. Goetz, Chief Executive Officer of River Garden Senior Services, was recently announced as the 2016 recipient of the ‘Dr. Herbert Shore Award of Honor’, by the River Garden CEO Association of Jewish Aging Services (AJAS).

Martin A. Goetz Each year, AJAS presents this very prestigious award to the outstanding executive professional who, by his or her performance and

8505 San Jose Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32217

Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

POSTMASTER PLEASE DELIVER BY FEB. 1

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Jacksonville, FL Permit No. 146

See GOETZ AWARD, p. 5

•

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JaxJewishTV • Volume 28, Number 8 • 32 pages

The importance of answering the call on Super and Thank You Sunday, Feb. 7th A special message from the Federation’s Campaign Chair

BY KEN JACOBS

Federation Campaign Chair

‘Tzedakah’ is of course the Hebrew word for the acts that we call ‘charity’ in English, such as giving aid, assistance and money to the poor and needy, or to other worthy causes. However, in Judaism, giving is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act by the wealthy and powerful for the benefit of the poor or needy. Rather, it is actually an act of justice and righteousness, the performance of a duty that cannot be forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. It is for this reason that some of our sages have said that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments, equal to all of them combined.

On Feb. 7, during Federation’s Annual Super and Thank You Sunday, you will have the opportunity to fulfill this critical mitzvah by ‘answering the call’. Last year, our campaign raised more than $2.5 million and all of our recipient organizations and agencies received more money than the year before. In fact during the past decade alone, Federation has allocated more than $3 million to Jewish Family & Community Services, $2 million each to the Jewish Community Alliance and River Garden Hebrew Home, $750,000 to the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, more than $1.3 million to our two Jewish day schools (Martin J. Gottlieb Day School and Torah Academy of Jacksonville), and more than $7 million to our

2016 Federation Campaign Chair Ken Jacobs

partners overseas.

While the above statistics are a great start, it is simply not enough. We have recently met with all of the executive directors of our local partner agencies, as well as with the leadership of our overseas partners, to identify the unmet needs in our community and abroad. To highlight just a few examples: - There are currently 40 Holocaust survivors living in Jacksonville and JFCS reports that, tragically, 20 of them are living below the poverty line.

- River Garden has recognized that many of us want to age at home, and as a result, has begun cutting edge work in the area of home health care to make sure we all have that opportunity.

- Our two major overseas partners, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the Jewish Agency for Israel, are reporting that their needs are continuing to

increase, whether it be providing food and medicine for impoverished seniors in the former Soviet Union, including war ravaged Ukraine, or helping to rescue the record number of Jews who made Aliyah to Israel last year as the situation in Europe continues to deteriorate.

This summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Israel and participate in a Federation campaign worker’s mission. Seeing first-hand how Federation is making a difference in the lives of people was one of the most emotional, powerful and transformative experiences of my life. It was then that I decided my wife Allison and I needed to increase our gift for the coming year to help Federation and its partners continue to do their sacred work.

Our dollars are literally saving lives all over Jacksonville, Israel and throughout the world. This is truly amazing work that we all benefit from, and that truly makes a difference, so to those of you who have already made your pledge to Federation’s 2016 campaign, I want to sincerely thank you for your support. For those of you who have haven’t, I am asking that you fulfill the mitzvah of tzedakah by answering the call, Sunday, Feb. 7. Thank you for living generously as we truly appreciate all of your support!

Going beyond the buy at the local synagogues’ Judaica shops From kosher scrolls to kosher soap, these shops aim to please everyone’s wants and wish lists

BY MATT FRANZBLAU

Federation Communications Director mattf@jewishjacksonville.org

People in the Jacksonville Jewish community pass by them nearly every week, if not every day, while on their way to servicStore manager Wendy Efron poses in front of es, school or simply a synagogue sponsored Judaica shop chair Etta Fialkow helps a function. The small glass rooms with tons her collection at the Temple’s Judaica shop shopper make her purchase at the Center of trinkets, some small and some large, othTemple’s Judaica shop since 1997, when ers colorful or monotone, get plenty of foot listserv has probably helped me with this shop more than anything else because I am it started out as a modest display cabinet, traffic, but most people would be surprised familiar with over more than 240 vendors where the reception area is located curto find out these modest spaces known as who sell Judaica.” rently. “After the merchandise comes in, it Judaica shops have weeks if not months While Fialkow, who has been at the has to be unpacked, priced, inventoried and of planning and purchasing put into them helm of her synagogue’s shop for a dozen displayed,” she said. before one’s eyes ever settle on a specific years now, mostly orders online, down the Likewise, at the Center there is a lot of item beyond the gleaming glass walls. road on San Jose, another Judaica shop planning and unpacking that goes into each “Jacksonville has a decent sized Jeworders its items out of town and in person. precisely priced purchase. “A lot of times ish community but it’s not big enough to “I go to New York to the International there are things that I will order as needed, support a free standing Judaica shop,” said Gift Show, which has vendors from Israel Jacksonville Jewish Center Judaica shop See JUDAICA SHOPS, p. 31 and around the world, for about 80-percent chair Etta Fialkow. That’s why along San of my purchases, that is my contribution Jose Boulevard, people will find not one to The Temple,” explained Congregation or two, but three separate, self-sufficient shops at the three synagogues in Mandarin. Ahavath Chesed’s Judaica shop manager, “Several years ago, a listserv was set-up Wendy Efron. “I try to find things that are unique, so 100-percent of the things in

for Judaica shop chairs by the Women’s League, which is the umbrella organization this shop were handpicked by me and I try to cater to every price and taste level,” over the Conservative Movement’s Sister she added. Efron has been overseeing the hoods,” Fialkow explained. “I think that

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

7:45 p.m. - Community wide Havdalah 8:15 p.m. - First session begins

COCKTAILS & CLERGY

For more info contact Alan Margolies at 904-448-5000, ext. 207

To register simply scan this QR code or log onto the event website at jewishjacksonville.org /cocktailsandclergy

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

community news Hillel GA

JJN Ad Directory - Feb. 2016

Continued from p. 1

At the Jacksonville Jewish News, our advertisers are precious to us.

It is with their support that the Jacksonville Jewish community has a newspaper. Advertising revenue also offsets the cost of production, so Federation dollars can be dedicated to helping Jews locally and overseas. Please continue to live generously and support our advertisers:

cation. “My senior year I worked for the new CEO (Rabbi Adam Grossman), and was his innovation intern as he was trying to recreate things for his new vision for Hillel at UF,” she explained.

Magid, a former Hillel intern is also While Magid was busy working to the current exec. director of Stronger help Grossman transform Hillel, she was also working tirelessly to Than Stigma, a 501c3 non-profit launch another new initiative near that she founded while in college and dear to her heart.

“I founded my nonprofit, Stronger Than Stigma, as a Jacksonville to speak at the secjunior in 2013 with three of my ond annual event on the stigma friends that I met on a birthright associated with mental illness trip, which was also organized among college-aged students and

by Hillel,” Magid explained of young professionals.

“In the course of my talk, I was the ironic ties between her own organization and the other which asked to describe my Hillel expeoccupied much of her time as rience and how it helped give me an undergrad. “We started this the tools from being an intern to movement to encourage students an executive director and founder and young professionals to reach of my nonprofit,” she said. “I also out and seek help for any mental discussed the problem of mental health issues they may be experihealth on college campuses and encing,” she added. “College is a the lack of attention given to the pivotal time in a young person’s subject matter, then what my life as they’re away from home nonprofit organization is doing to for the first time and experiencing combat that issue.” all kinds of changes, growth and Aside from her entrepreneurdevelopment, so if anything goes ial skills, the Gator grad is no slightly awry, they are having to stranger to the inner workings figure out their lives and their and overarching mission of the issues for themselves and a lot Jewish organization, as she was a times students won’t recognize frequent and impactful presence what they’re dealing with as a at many Hillel events throughout mental health issue.” her four years in Gainesville.

Upon her arrival in Orlando, “I was active at the Hillel at the the Hillel veteran attended a University of Florida from the number of plenaries and breakmoment I stepped foot on campus out sessions until it was time for until the moment I graduated this her moment in the spotlight. “I past May,” she explained of her hosted a breakout session called collegiate Jewish journey. “I had different roles throughout my four ‘Creating a Next Generation that is Stronger Than Stigma’, she deyears, starting off just attending scribed of her responsibilities. “I Shabbat dinners and then getting talked about how if we make the recruited to set them up.” community more aware of mental From simple Friday night health and wellness and made it a meals, to launching new projects priority, it will become ‘cool’ so and initiatives, the ambitious to speak, for people to reach out, Jacksonville native soon found a get help and not be embarrassed home for herself within the walls to go through whatever struggle of the campus’ central Jewish lo-

Professor Dov Waxman to discuss conflict over Israel among American Jews

Prof. Dov Waxman will speak at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, Feb. 16

By Jacksonville Jewish Center

The Jacksonville Jewish Center is proud to host Dov Waxman, professor of political science, international affairs and Israel studies at Northeastern University, who will discuss his new book ‘Trouble in The Tribe: The American Jewish Conflict over Israel’.

The talk is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m., and during his public address, Waxman will present the central thesis of his book: a new era of divergence has emerged among American Jewry and has replaced the age of solidarity that once existed with regard to Israel.

As the Stotsky Professor of Jewish Historical and Cultural Studies and co-director of the Middle East Center at Northeastern University, Waxman’s research focuses on the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, Israeli foreign

policy, U.S.-Israel relations and American Jewry’s relationship with Israel. He received his Ph.D. and M.A. degrees from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, and his B.A. from Oxford University.

Waxman is the author of ‘The Pursuit of Peace and the Crisis of Israeli Identity: Defending / Defining the Nation’, (2006), and ‘Israel’s Palestinians:The Conflict Within’ (with Ilan Peleg, 2011).

His newest book will be published

by Princeton University Press in March 2016. The program is free and open to the public.

This event is sponsored by the University of Florida Center for Jewish Studies, the Israel Affairs Committee of the Jacksonville Jewish Center, and the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, with additional support from the Levin and Shorstein families.

they’re dealing with,” she detailed of the finer points of her presentation. “Then hopefully we’ll see more people in treatment and less people feeling isolated, alone and self-medicating.”

Her nonprofit’s mission and Hillel’s vision for the coming year seemed to come into alignment perfectly for those few days in December as, “Hillel wants to refocus in 2016 and work toward being an inclusive community, doing outreach for all different segments of the Jewish community.” she explained. “So a big theme of the conference was talking about inclusion, disability awareness and rights as well as LGBT topics and of course mental health to create a more understanding environment, which is how Stronger Than Stigma played into it.”

Nearly 700 campus professionals, organizational partners, board members and key stakeholders attended the second ever Global Assembly and Stronger than Stigma was a proud participant.

“It was an amazing opportunity because all of the exposure and support we can get is extremely helpful and now that people know we exist they may want to share their ideas and become involved, because word of mouth is the most powerful tool,” the onetime double minor in business administration and nonprofit organizational leadership said. “That was ultimately an amazing benefit of having this experience.” Stronger Than Stigma is a 501c3 nonprofit, incorporated in the state of Florida, for more information on Magid and her organization’s mission, log on to strongerthanstigma. org, like it on Facebook or follow its efforts on Twitter (@STS_Together) and Instagram (@strongerthanstigma).

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

AIPAC (p. 31) Arbor Terrace (p. 15) Axa Advisers (p. 7) B&C Financial (p. 14) Beachview Rentals (p. 27) The Bluffs on Plummers Cove (p. 5) Bob Ham Eyewear (p. 6) Borland Groover (p. 16) Brandon Pest Cntrol (p. 11) Camp Kitov (p. 30) Cocktails & Clergy (p. 2) Creeks Realty Group (p. 22) Dottie Shafer Wilson Realty (p. 10) Discover Israel Trip (p. 20) DuBow Preschool (p. 13) FSCJ Artist Series (p. 13) Galinsky Academy (p. 16) Heekin Clinc (p. 14) Impressions (p. 22) Innovative Financial Solutions (p. 17)

• •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Jax Jewish Center (p. 27) Jewish Federation of Jacksonville (p. 19, 28) Jewish Java (p. 18) Jewish Museum Fla (p. 12) Jerry Seebol (p. 22) Larry Tallis (p. 12) Margo’s Catering (p. 22) Metro Diner (p. 32) The Palazzo (p. 32) Pediatric Dentistry (p. 22) Ponte Vedra Home Care (p. 22) River Garden (p. 29) Round Table Realty (p.3) San Jose Beauclerc Animal Clinic (p. 27) Stein Mart (p. 8) Super & TY Sunday (p. 2) Thrasher Horne (p. 18) The Tax Man (p. 22) Vandroff Insurance (p. 11)

For your advertising needs, please contact advertising sales representative Barbara Nykerk at 904-733-4179 or Eta Perras at 904-629-0466.

what's inside Business Directory........... p. 22 Chabad News....................p. 21 Community News...................... .............................. p. 3, 5-8, 27 Education ..................... p. 9-13 Federation News....................... ........................ p. 17-19, 28-29 Foundation ..................... p. 25

printed by

JCA .................................. p. 23 JCFS ..................................p. 24 Lifecycles.......................... p. 22 Opinion & Cartoons............ P. 4 River Garden.................... p. 26 Synagogue News...................... .............................14-16, 30-31 Top Stories...........................p. 1

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

opinion

JJN’s Rabbinically Speaking Column: The Art of Happiness

BY AVI FIEGENBAUM Etz Chaim Synagogue

I always get very excited as the month of Adar approaches, because this means that the holiday of Purim is just around the corner. And even though yes, this year we have an extra month to wait until this joyous holiday, it really doesn’t take away from my anticipation. But what really is it about the month of Adar and the holiday of Purim? Well, the Talmud tells us “Mishenichnas Adar Marbim B’simcha” – which loosely translates as “When the month of Adar comes around, we should add happiness to our lives”.

While this appears to be a seemingly simple and innocuous statement, I have always been bothered by this passage from the Talmud. How is it possible to tell someone to simply ‘be happier’ or to ‘add more happiness to their life’? You are either happy, or you’re not. Happiness is not a tangible item that one can add or remove – it is a feeling one has, an emotion. And we find a similar concept in Scripture (Psalms 100:2) “Ivdu es Hashem B’simcha” – “Serve God with happiness”. We are commanded that we must serve our Creator with happiness. Serve Him with obedience, with loyalty or with respect – that makes sense. Those are external values that one can expect someone to have regardless of the situation. But how can one be commanded to serve God with happiness? How can one be commanded to be happy when things don’t work out: They had a bad day, their kids misbehaved, their boss yelled at them at work,

their friend just got a promotion while they’re still stuck borrowing money to pay off the mortgage, and yet – one is supposed to serve God with happiness? In order to understand what the Talmud and Scriptures are really telling us, let me quote my sister Batya Feigenbaum in her essay entitled “Happiness”.

“Everyone has a disability, it’s up to them whether it becomes a handicap or not”. - Rabbi Fried Focusing on what we can do, rather than what we can’t do, will ultimately be the thing that makes one feel happy and fulfilled. We all have things we want to do, but are impossible. For example – ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to be a dancer. Once I grew up a little bit, and realized that at this stage in my life I will not be able to dance, I gave up on this ambition and decided to focus on something else that was more realistic – acting. One has to realize that she is not superhuman and she cannot do everything. If one focuses on the good and not on the bad, one will end up being as happy, if not more so, than if she had done everything she wanted to do.”

My sister is was born a quadriplegic, and is now, thank God, a paraplegic. This was written by her in the eighth grade and as you can see she understood at that young age what many of us have a hard time coming to terms with as adults. That is, that happiness is not a feeling or emotion that comes and goes as it pleases; it’s a state of mind. You can have everything in the world and still be miserable, or you can have relatively little and feel un-

RABBINICALLY SPEAKING bounded joy. As the Talmud says, “Eizeh Who Ashir? Hasameach B’chelko” - “Who is rich? The one who is happy with his portion in life” (Ethics of the Fathers, 4:1).

And that is why we begin our morning prayers every day with a series of blessings thanking God for the simple and obvious things in life: Thank you, God, for giving me life; Thank you God that I can see; that I can use my hands and feet; that I can think; etc. True happiness comes from mastering the art of appreciating and consciously enjoying what you already have.

With this concept in mind, we can now go back and understand what the Talmud and Psalms were telling us. We have the ability to bring more happiness into our lives and we have the power to serve God with happiness. It is not an emotion that is controlled by whatever happens in our life and is thus, out of our control; but rather vice versa – it is a

state of mind that we control by consciously making a decision to find the good in life, regardless of what is going on. And thus, we have this amazing power to have a joyous relationship with God – because WE control how we choose to look at the life God has given us.

How truly befitting it is that the Talmud makes this statement of “When the month of Adar comes around, we should add happiness to our lives,” regarding the month of Adar, and not any other month.

Adar is the month that the entire Jewish nation was in danger of annihilation, regardless of their social standing, wealth or any other factor, and it was in Adar, on the holiday of Purim, that we, the Jewish Nation, were saved from such certain death. Being in such situations forces one to realize that the materialistic world is not the be all and end all of everything.

This allows one to switch their focus to what he truly has – what makes him truly rich – and this will lead him on the path to a joyous relationship with God and ultimate true happiness.

and social disabilities. He was also involved in a tutoring program that was based on the Hebrew University Campus; thereby helping students increase their knowledge of various Jewish subjects.

As Education Director of Etz Chaim, Rabbi Feigenbaum’s primary focus is twofold, to spread Jewish awareness and increase Jewish education throughout the greater Jacksonville community; and to enhance, increase and enrich the level and quality of the adult education.

This is accomplished through various programs such as home study groups, executive lunch and learns, women’s only programming individualized private learning sessions and informal discussions. He has also been a Rabbi on the National Federation Mission to Israel.

While Rabbi Feigenbaum uses his sharp wit to convey complex concepts in an engaging manner that makes them clear, relevant and meaningful to audiences across the spectrum of Judaism, it is his warm and engaging personality that gives him the ability to connect to all Jews regardless of their affiliation.

Originally from Toronto, Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum, moved to Jacksonville with his wife Devora and beautiful daughters in Aug. 2013.

He previously served as a member of the Kansas City Community Kollel for two years where he spearheaded many outreach activities.

He is an alumnus of Ner L’elef Center for Jewish Leadership Training and Community Outreach, as well as the Mirrer Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

In Jerusalem, he was employed as a “big brother” to young men with different physical, emotional,

Rabbinically speaking is a monthly column written by clergy members in the Jacksonville Jewish community. If you are a Rabbi, chazzan or religious leader in NE Florida and would like to contribute your inspirational thoughts for a monthly column, please e-mail jjn@ jewishjacksonville.org with your name, organization, congregation and which month you are interested in writing for and what topic, specifically you would like to write about.

Oldest pair to make aliyah arrives in Israel

BY GIL SHEFLER Jerusalem Post

The Torah says Abraham was 75-years-old when he left his native land of Haran and set out to make his home in Canaan, but he was a spring chicken compared to the couple who arrived at BenGurion Airport in mid-December.

Phillip and Dorothy Grossman, ages 95 and 93, respectively, are probably the oldest married couple ever to immigrate to Israel.

The couple came to their new home from Baltimore, and have been together for 71 years. The pair were greeted at the airport by their family and immediately taken to their new home in Jerusalem.

“Phillip and Dorothy are probably the oldest olim couple that the State of Israel has ever absorbed, and they are proof that it is never too late to fulfill your dream and make such a significant decision in life,” said Erez Halfon, vice chairman of Nefesh B’Nefesh, a group that facilitates

Jewish immigration to Israel. “We congratulate them and wish them many more years of health and happiness living together with their family in Israel.”

The Jewish Agency for Israel and the Immigrant Absorption Ministry also assisted in organizing their flight. Before he retired, Philip Grossman earned a living as an accountant, while Dorothy was a housewife. They have three children – one already living in Israel and a second child who will make aliyah in the summer, in addition to five grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

“We love Israel and we are very excited about our aliyah,” said Dorothy Grossman. “We are also extremely happy that we can live close to all our family in Israel.” Yosef Segel, their 22-yearold great-grandchild, was one of those who was waiting for them at the airport. The yeshiva student said he felt blessed to have great-grandparents, and that his

great-grandfather was relatively tech-savvy for his age. “He doesn’t have a Facebook account but he does a lot of work on the computer writing letters,” he said.

The Grossmans might be the oldest married couple to move to Israel together, but neither of them come near breaking the record for the single oldest person to make aliyah. That distinction likely goes to two immigrants from the former Soviet Union, who are said to have arrived in Israel at the age of 111 during the 1990s. Belle Goldstein, the oldest oleh from North America, moved to Israel at the age of 102, in 1998.

She passed away in 2001, three months shy of her 106th birthday.

As for the youngest Jewish immigrant to arrive in Israel, that title probably goes to eight children – five boys and three girls – who were born on planes during Operation Solomon, the dramatic airlift in 1991, which brought thousands of Ethiopian Jews to Israel.

Phillip and Dorothy Grossman, the oldest couple to make aliyah on the flight to their new home. (photo credit: Sasson Tiram; Nefesh B’Nefesh)

Advertising Representatives Barbara Nykerk • 904.733.4179 Eta Perras • 904.629.0466 Editor & Communications Director Matt Franzblau • mattf@jewishjacksonville.org Communications Committee Jon Israel, Chair Shirley Bielski Helen Hill Michele Katz Joan Levin Andrea Mail Rachel Morgenthal Andrew Ocean Marsha Pollock Federation President Sandy Zimmerman Federation Executive Director Alan Margolies 8505 San Jose Blvd. • Jacksonville, FL 32217 The Jacksonville Jewish News is published monthly. All submitted content becomes the property of the Jacksonville Jewish News.

Announcements and opinions contained in these pages are published as a service to the community and do not necessarily represent the views of the Jacksonville Jewish News or its publisher, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Jewish News is not responsible for the Kashruth of any product advertised.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

community news

Wiatt Bowers Tireless Temple Volunteer & Advocate

Maryland native Wiatt Bowers has been a valued Temple member since 2006 and has served on the synagogue’s board since 2009. As a current executive committee member, he has assumed leadership of the Mitzvah meals program and is the vice president of religious affairs where Tikkun Olam is one of his responsibilities. Aside from being an advocate for the growing Temple 20’s and 30’s group, where he assists in organizing various events such as pre-neg on Friday’s, Torah on Tap and Policy and Pints, he is also a religious school faculty member, and co-teaches sixth and seventh grade students in addition to a new ninth grade course, entitled ‘Teaching Values From Gen-

February

2016 Lee Weaver headlines entertainment for Temple Bet Yam’s annual Deli Nite

BY CAROL GLADSTONE Temple Bet Yam

The phenomenally popular ‘Deli Nite’ will make its return to St. Augustine’s Temple Bet Yam, Thursday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m.

Featured this time are overstuffed corned beef, pastrami and turkey sandwiches with all the fixings.

Special entertainment will be provided by the multi-talented Lee Weaver who will be performing to a standing room only audience. Tickets for the event

Deli Nite entertainer Lee Weaver

are $30 each and because this is always a sell-out, be sure to order your tickets early. Those wishing to RSVP to the event can do so by calling Shelly Cohen at 904 471-8891 or Dinah McNamara at 904 460-2428 or by e-mailing her at wandmtby@gmail.com .

All RSVP’s are kindly requested

by Jan. 26. For those who don’t know, Temple Bet Yam is located at 2055 Wildwood Drive in St. Augustine, with close proximity to Florida state route 207 and Interstate 95.

Brunswick’s Temple Beth Tefilloh to tell tales from the mystics on Tuesday’s

BY RACHAEL BREGMAN Rabbi, Temple Beth Tefilloh

Brunswick’s Temple Beth Tefilloh will hold special ‘Tales from the Mystics’ classes on Tuesday’s all throughout the months of February and March.

The mystics find meaning in the everyday and through mundane stories of the extraordinary, the

classes will touch the sacred within everyone’s lives. Using sacred texts, a new mystical tale will be explored each week, so be sure to see where the journey takes you.

Classes will be held, Tuesdays from 6 -7:30 p.m., on Feb 9th, 16th, 23rd and March 1st, 8th, and 15th. Suggested donation for the classes are $10 for each individual one and $50 for the whole series.

Temple Beth Tefilloh is a reform congregation, located at 1326 Egmont St., in Brunswick, Ga. For more information or to RSVP to a class call 912-2657575 or e-mail the Temple offices at info@bethtefilloh.org.

Goetz Award Continued from p. 1 contributions, best exemplifies the goals and ideals of AJAS and service to older Jewish adults.

The recipient must have served in his or her capacity for more than a decade and continues to demonstrate dedication, integrity, commitment, innovation, proven professional leadership and community involvement.

The person chosen for this award should be well-respected, devoted and highly principled. The above description fittingly applies to Goetz, who has been with River Garden for more than 30 years, and has served as its CEO since 2004.

Dr. Herbert Shore was the driving force behind the establishment of AJAS, and was the organization’s founding executive vice president and first president.

AJAS, founded in 1960 as the

Goetz (far right) alongside fellow executive directors Alan Margolies (Federation) & Mryon Flagler (JCA) at this past year’s River Garden Gala

North American Association of Jewish Homes and Housing for the Aging (NAJHHA) is a unique association of not-for-profit community-based organizations rooted in Jewish values. It functions as the central coordinator for homes and residential facilities for Jewish elderly in North America, promoting and support-

ing the delivery of services to an aging population.

River Garden is one of the founding member organizations of AJAS, and all three River Garden CEO’s have been AJAS Board Chairs including Sidney Entman (1969-71), Elliott Palevsky (1994-95), and Goetz, from 2011-2013.

MOTM

esis’. The Temple veteran can also be seen advocating for the congregation’s youth groups, as he played a major role on the winter Kallah, which the synagogue hosted last year.

In the community, Bowers is an urban planner with Atkins Global and has under his leadership, helped with the redesign of San Marco square.

If you would like to nominate someone special for Mensch of the Month, who volunteers both their time and efforts to the Jacksonville Jewish community, simply submit their name, photo and a short write up about them to jjn@ jewishjacksonville.org

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

community news Political guru Gregg Roman to forecast Etz Chaim Synagogue and Israeli future at upcoming Temple talk JCA to co-host four-part Israel Today mini-series

By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

Did you know that according to projections, there will be some 16-million souls living in Israel by the year 2026? “The non-ultraOrthodox population will grow by almost 50-percent to eight million people and Israel’s Arab population will grow by 135-percent to reach 3.5 million people,” said Director of the Middle East Forum, Gregg Roman. Consequently, “The ultra-Orthodox population will grow by 580-percent to reach five million people,” he added. Roman will discuss this captivating topic, Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. as Dr. Larry and Kathy Kanter will host this renowned speaker at the Temple (8727 San Jose Blvd.) in their program for Jewish preservation.

Roman will try to address the issues these demographics might create: the geo-political realities and threats, remarkable successes, brain drain and increasing need

Director of Middle East Forum Gregg Roman

to go alone in the international arena.

Roman moved to Israel in 2006 where he served as an emergency responder in the National Fire Service in northern Israel and as spokesperson for the Jewish Agency during the Second Lebanon War. He served in the IDF Reserves as a Staff Sergeant in the Gaza periphery, Judea and

Samaria, and authored several of the Israeli government’s responses to the Goldstone Report and the Turkel Commission in addition to developing and implementing policies and programs at the highest levels of the Israel government.

It is no surprise after listing the above accomplishments, that he is widely considered to be a rising star in the Jewish political arena.

Both Kathy and Larry Kanter are deeply committed to the future of the Jewish people and recognize the central role that Israel plays in our future. As the only democratic nation in the Middle East, Israel plays a strategic role in the future of the region. The Kanters are honored to be able to bring speakers like Gregg Roman to the Jacksonville community, so join them in welcoming him to The Temple as food and beverages (wine, beer, and soft drinks) will be part of a most informative evening.

Former counterterrorism analyst and Iraqi war vet to speak at AIPAC event

BY ELANA RICKEL

American Israel Public Affairs Committee

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is hosting its Annual Jacksonville Event on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, 3662 Crown Point Rd. The evening will begin with a cocktail and dessert reception at 7 p.m., followed by the main program a half an hour later. The program features remarks by Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, Vice President of Research for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former counterterrorism analyst at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he took part in the designation of numerous terrorism financiers. In

Former counterterrorism analyst Dr. Jonathan Schanzer

Iraqi war veteran, Staff Sergeant Robert Bartlett

addition to Schanzer’s talk, event participants will also hear from Staff Sgt. Robert Bartlett, an Iraq War Veteran.

For security purposes, please register in advance by visiting aipac.org/JacksonvilleAnnual.

Please note that this event is off the record and closed to the press.

For more information, please contact Elana Rickel, AIPAC’s North and Central Florida Director, at erickel@aipac.org or 954-382-

6110. AIPAC empowers pro-Israel activists across all ages, religions, races and political parties to be politically engaged and build relationships with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to promote the U.S.-Israel relationship. AIPAC’s mission is to strengthen, protect and promote the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of Israel and the United States.

Vice President of American Foreign Policy Council, Ilan Berman

Certified chef and sommelier Jose (Yosef) Vinas

Etz Chaim Synagogue and the Jewish Community Alliance are excited to co-sponsor a four-part educational mini-series scheduled for February 8-11 entitled “Israel Today.” There are so many different aspects that one can appreciate of the Land of Israel from its ancient, historic roots to some of the Holy Land’s modern day challenges. This is the land where our patriarch Abraham purchased a cemetery plot and was challenged in the process. It is also the land that currently finds itself under a host of new challenges. Please join us for this fascinating program and rediscover many of the rich elements of Israel as well as many of her daunting challenges.

Classes begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and alternates venues.

The opening session, “Israel Uncorked,” takes place Monday, Feb. 8 at Etz Chaim (10167 San Jose Blvd.) with certified sommelier Jose (Yosef) Vinas. Series participants will get a taste of Israel and learn why the nation’s burgeoning wine industry is gaining popularity with wine enthusiasts worldwide; a wine tasting will follow the session. Vinas is a certified chef and sommelier who has worked with Israeli wines for two decades. He has studied many aspects of the winemaking process including organic, sustainable, vegan, gluten free as well as Israeli wine regions and the Kosher wine making process.

The second session is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 9 at the JCA (8505 San Jose Blvd.) and will cover the topic of “Israeli Security in a Changing Middle East.” Ilan Berman, Mid East security expert and vice president of the American Foreign Policy Council, a non-profit U.S. foreign policy think tank in Washington, D.C., will discuss his responsibilities, focusing on regional security in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Russian Federation.

Berman has advised the United

States Department of Defense and agencies of the U.S. government, including the CIA and members of congress, on matters of foreign policy and national security.

CNN’s Lou Dobbs described him as “one of the U.S.’s leading experts on the Middle East and Iran.”

The third session, “Israel and the Jewish Connection,” will be held Wednesday Feb. 10 at Etz Chaim with Rabbi Yaakov Fisch and will answer questions such as “why did G-d promise to give Israel to the Jews?” “why didn’t God give them Uganda or Argentina instead?” and “why does Israel have a special holiness that other lands do not have?” This inherent holiness is described in the Talmud, which says, “Even the air of the Land of Israel makes one wise.” The first words that Rashi, the preeminent Torah commentator, writes on the first verse in Genesis ask why the Torah begins with the Creation account and not from the first mitzvah (which is to sanctify the new month). This in-depth discussion will delve into this multi-layered topic.

The closing session is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 11 at the JCA and will explore the pressing challenges that Israel faces on university campuses today throughout the nation. The presenter for “Israel on Campus” will be Rachel Fish, associate director of the Schusterman Center. Fish completed her doctoral degree in the Near Eastern and Judaic Studies department at Brandeis University in 2013. Rachel has worked as an educator and consultant in various capacities in the Jewish community and higher education, teaching Zionism and Israeli history. During the Spring of 2015, she held the Rohr Visiting Professorship at Harvard University, lecturing on modern Israel. During her talk, Fish will explain exactly what is happening on America’s college campuses and how you as a parent, grandparent or friend can help make a difference.

Associate Director of the Schusterman Center, Rachel Fish

Etz Chaim Synagogue senior Rabbi Yaakov Fisch

BY RABBI YAAKOV FISCH Etz Chaim Synagogue

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www.jewishjacksonville.org

Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

community news New Jacksonville Hadassah Jewish community continues Dec. 25th tradition with meals on wheels program board members installed

Aviva Kaplan (left) and Leah Ben-Yehuda (right), pose together as the incoming and outgoing presidents for the Jacksonville Hadassah

By Jacksonville Hadassah

Congratulations to the following new officers for Jacksonville Hadassah who were recently installed: President, Aviva Kaplan; Liat Walker, PRAZE Vice President, Terry Schare; Membership Vice President; Helen Hill,

Communication Vice President; Karen Backilman, Treasurer; Leah Ben-Yehuda, Recording Secretary. Also a Mazel tov goes out to Lin Pomerantz who was recently installed as Organization VP for the Florida Central Region of Hadassah.

River Garden Auxiliary eagerly anticipates its annual Tombola drawing

BY BETTY ABISCH & FRAN LEIBOWITZ River Garden Auxiliary

Flyers were recently mailed out containing information and raffle tickets for River Garden Auxiliary’s upcoming Tombola drawing to be held at River Garden on Anniversary Day, scheduled for Sunday, Mar. 13. Tickets are $50 each and those who purchase them will have four chances of winning a monetary prize as first prize is $2,500, second is $1,000, third totals out at $500, while fourth prize is $500. All money collected, with the exception of prize money and postage, go directly to the River Garden

home to help with whatever is needed for the benefit of its residents. Lew Meisel is the honorary chairman and has been instrumental in the event’s promotion and ticket sales. Those who did not receive a Tombola letter, or those in need of tickets (which can be split up) can contact Betty Abisch at 904-379-0055 or Fran Leibowitz at 904-268-4351. Remember to scoop out that bright blue paper in the midst of that stack of all white mail and send in your tickets today as ticket sales are the only means of this fundraiser becoming a success.

Planning ahead program for Jewish funerals to be held at Jacksonville Jewish center

By Jacksonville Jewish Center & Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home

Planning for a Jewish funeral can be difficult and stressful, especially for grieving relatives.

But did you know that many funerals are delayed simply because of a lack of vital personal information? To learn more about your Jewish choices and obligations during these trying circumstances and what your legal requirements are, come to the Jacksonville Jewish Center for brunch and an informational program, scheduled for Sunday, Mar. 6, at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. During this program, participants will be able to learn about some easy steps they can take now to help their family through this emotional time in their lives. Led by the professionals at Hardage-Giddens, in

partnership with the Jacksonville Jewish Center clergy, those in attendance will be given enough information to be able to begin a conversation about their goals, beliefs and experiences, in addition to providing a peace of mind by planning ahead. A personal planning guide and advance care planning documents will be given out to get people started in this process. The program which begins at 10 a.m. will include a free brunch, so for more information, please contact Lois Tompkins at LTompkins@jaxjewishcenter.org, or call 904-268-4200.

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Members from The Temple and the Jacksonville Jewish Center in partnership with those from the Sanctuary @ Mt. Calvary assisted in preparing meals for the Aging True’s Meals on Wheels Program, Christmas day

By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

For the 28th consecutive year, the Jacksonville Jewish community prepared and then delivered hundreds of meals to homebound seniors and disabled residents throughout Duval County on Dec. 25th. This collaborative effort between Congregation Ahavath Chesed - The Temple and the Jacksonville Jewish Center enables Aging True’s Meals-onWheels program volunteers, most of whom are Christians, to spend time with family and friends. The meals are critical to the recipients, who might, otherwise, not have visitors or a hot, nutritious meal on Christmas Day. This year’s meal included baked chicken, roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables, carrot cake, a dinner roll and orange juice. Every meal was delivered with a smile and a hand-crafted greeting card created by students at The Temple’s

Religious School and the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School.

Four years ago, The Temple and the Jacksonville Jewish Center jointly assumed responsibility for the Mitzvah Meals program which had been organized by the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, and each year, the program has grown and expanded. In past years, the number of meals prepared and delivered was limited by the capacity of kitchen, or the budget and/or the number of volunteer drivers, but this year, the two synagogues told Aging True they could prepare and deliver as many meals as were needed. Volunteers of all ages participated in the two-day Mitzvah Meals program and in addition to preparing more than 500 meals for delivery, they packaged home-baked goods for 70 fire stations, made holiday and thank you cards, in addition to entertaining residents at River Garden Hebrew Home. Volun-

teers also prepared and served meals to 100 people at Ronald McDonald House and Gabriel House of Care.

More than 250 volunteers from the Temple, the Center and Etz Chaim helped out on 50 meal and 17 cookie routes on Dec. 24 and 25 and for the first time, members of the Sanctuary @ Mt. Calvary Church assisted in the delivery of meals as well. Planning for next year which is likely to be the most ambitious ever, is already underway. Arrangements have been made to add cooking and serving at the Sulzbacher Center, and with Christmas falling on a Sunday in 2016, co-chairs Wiatt Bowers, Rhoda Goldstein, Mike Elkin, and Rhoda London are considering the possibility of preparing and delivering meals the same day. More volunteers than ever before will be needed, so be on the lookout for more information this fall.

Jax Jewish Singles to go full circle in Feb.

BY FRANCINE SMITH Jax Jewish Singles

Join the Jax Jewish singles at the Full Circle Eatery located inside the Avonlea Antiques &

Design Gallery, located at 8101 Phillips Hwy. ‘Full Circle’ represents the culinary journey its owner and operators have taken since the turn of the century. The restaurant’s menu consists of salads, soups, sandwiches and

decadent desserts. After the meal, be sure to take time and explore the truly fascinating antique mall.

For date and time of the luncheon, email francine.smith @comcast. net or call her at 904-221-8061.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

community news Simultaneous Shabbat dinners to be Beth El - The Beaches’ held in Atlantic and Neptune Beaches Sisterhood gives back to first responders on Dec. 25

By Chabad at the Beaches

Jewish residents of Neptune and Atlantic Beaches will now have the Shabbat Service and Dinner you have been waiting for.

Join us for a 25-minute Friday Night Service, Friday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m., followed by a full Shabbat dinner. Shabbat will take place at the Adele Grage Community Center, 716 Ocean Blvd. in Atlantic Beach, and dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., complete with Kiddush, a full four-course meal, singing and Sabbath fun led by Rabbi Nochum and Leah Kurinsky of Chabad at the Beaches. As with all Chabad events, there is no membership or affiliation necessary to join. Reservations are required and can be made via our website, ChabadBeaches.com.

For nearly 13 years now Chabad at the Beaches has offered a Shabbat Service and legendary full dinner to residents of

the Beaches area. Hundreds of Beaches residents and travelers have participated and enjoyed a spectacular Shabbat experience.

These Shabbat meals are legendary because of the singing, jovial atmosphere and spirituality. “I cannot count the amount of times people have told us they would love to join us, but the geographical distance of the Beaches area makes it difficult.” Said Leah Kurinsky, Co-Director of Chabad at the Beaches, “We are so thrilled to spend Shabbat with old friends and make new ones in the Atlantic Beach area.”

Rabbi Eli and Esther Wilansky will lead Chabad’s regular Shabbat service and dinner, which will be held at the Aaron and Blanche Scharf Chabad at the Beaches’ Center for Jewish life in Ponte Vedra.

There is no set cost, however donations are appreciated and can be made via our website or by mail 521 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082. Sponsorships are available for $100 and $180, so for information, please call 904-543-9301 or e-mail info@ chabadbeaches.com.

Ladies from the synagogue’s sisterhood prepare to head out and deliver some delicious food to hardworking and brave local first responders

A friendship is found at Jewish Java

BY MORT GOLDBERG Shalom Jax Participant

During one’s lifetime, we make many decisions based on the circumstances we find ourselves in at that specific time and place. In my case, about six years ago, I came to Jacksonville to be near my two children and six grandchildren. Much like me, Stuart Scheer came to the area to be near his two children and three grandchildren, around the same time. The two of us ended up meeting through events put on by the Federation’s Shalom Jacksonville division.

As he and I become closer, we realized that we had a lot of

things in common. Whether it was being an only child, our political preferences or crying during an emotional moment, there were many similarities. Now, we call ourselves ‘brothers from another mother’, and it is quite rare that, at this stage of life, you can con-

nect with someone who can be counted on as a true friend as opposed to just a friendly acquaintance. The word ‘friend’, has a special connotation to both Stuart and I, as it’s not just like meeting someone at a party, talking and having a drink with them, then saying you made a new friend, it so much more. If it wasn’t for Isabel Balotin being the ‘Pearl Mesta’ of the area, this friendship would never had been created.

This is one of many similar stories shared from participants of Shalom Jax events, if you are new to the community or simply want to become more involved, call Isabel Balotin at 904-448-5000, ext.

206 or e-mail her at shalomjax@ jewishjacksonville.org.

The firemen were appreciative of the Sisterhood’s delicious delivery

BY VICKIE KENNEDY

Sisterhood President Beth El the Beaches Synagogue

This past Christmas, Beth El The Beaches Synagogue’s Sisterhood had the honor and privilege of delivering home cooked meals to the brave first responders at numerous fire and police stations.

Those working that day were very appreciative, delighted by the variety of delicious goodies, and this mitzvah project could not have been accomplished without the

hard work of Chair, Nancy Rubenstein. Many members assisted in the volunteering efforts including Bobby Adler, Jacquie Sinder, Helen Siegal, Denice Goldberg, Carol Freedman, Karen Freedman, Carole Solomon, Rita Friedman, Randy Kammer, Estelle Beckerman, Donna Berger, Sandy Sohn, Debbie Thornblom, Nancy Eber, Arlene Vandroff, and Paula Klausner. That group helped cook pasta dishes and desserts in addition to contributing funds for drinks, bread, salad, fruit, paper products, and warming trays.

Game Night at Chabad

Folks at the Chabad in Mandarin take time out of their busy schedules to wheel and deal during their latest game night

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

education Students at Torah Academy The Temple transforms Jewish life of Jacksonville practice the for students after their B’nei Mitzvah

mitzvah of loving kindness

The V’ahavta Lereacha Kamoch program at Torah Academy of Jacksonville gave students a chance to decorate their school’s halls with loving kindness (left) and then participate in a food drive competition (right)

By Torah Academy of Jacksonville

Exciting events took place during the Torah Academy of Jacksonville’s second trimester as student government, led by Tammy Fisch and Chaim Goranson, introduced a new initiative called V’ahavta Lereacha Kamoch or loving kindness. The program was composed of two components, with the first part acting as a food drive competition and the second as decorating contest. Students partnered with Etz Chaim Synagogue and JFCS in a food drive to help those in need and as a result each classroom set up a collection box, encouraging students to bring in different food items. The decorating contest involved outfitting each classroom door in a manner which portrayed loving kindness.

Both initiatives were widely successful as students became very involved in all aspects and could often be seen coming to school in the morning with

food to fill up the boxes in their classrooms. While many students donated numerous items, it was the seventh and eighth grade who won the contest by filling up two entire boxes with food. The classroom door contest was also a big success with each decorated in an original manner and the winner of this one went to the first grade. Their door had been designed with pictures drawn by the students showing different acts of kindness they can do for others and were hung on a long string down the length of the door, with the caption: Kindness goes a long way.

The first graders were very excited to win this contest but they gained the most out of what they had learned along the way. While decorating the door, each student had discussed what kindness meant to them and realized that to have a good friend, one needs to be a good friend. This is a lesson that will no doubt stay with them for a lifetime.

BY NAOMI CHASE

Congregation Ahavath Chesed

Our Jewish teen-aged students have spoken and we have listened. In the after-glow of their B’nei Mitzvah ceremonies, these adolescents want answers to the question, ‘Now what?’ With this in mind, the Temple’s newly imagined eighth grade program answers that question with more relationship-building experiences, better connections to Jewish history, and most importantly, new ways to appreciate and demonstrate being Jewish.

Daniel and Rebekah Barkowitz, newcomers to Jacksonville and to The Temple, have joined Temple’s Religious School faculty and are skilled Jewish educators, actors and musicians.

Part One of their new course, ‘In Jewish Time’, is a creative review of life cycle events and holidays with new experiences of them.

This class will produce a Purim production for the congregation and part two of the course, ‘Electric Judaism’, will explore Jewish Values in Modern Music.

The Temple has a long history of musical innovation and congregational participation in it, and we look forward to discovering among our eight graders, new additions to our musical cohorts.

Part Three will be called ‘A taste of Judaism’, and will use cooking as a lens through which to examine Jewish concepts, values and traditions.

Studies have shown that while Jewish teens across the continent value their faith, they crave unconventional interactions that

help them clarify and deepen their understanding of it. As a synagogue Religious School, we take very seriously the challenge of meeting our teens’ social, academic and spiritual needs.

The addition of this new course and its teachers segue nicely with our existing staff and grade level content. Ariel Frechtman leads the eighth graders in their study of the weekly Torah portion through Philosophical Inquiry, a methodology that is driven by the students’ own questions, and Associate Rabbi Matt Cohen, will teach Hebrew Through Movement, a new instructional technique that builds students’ Hebrew vocabulary. Framed by Jewish time and text, students will join their voices in the language of faith, friendship and finding meaning.

Bernard & Alice Selevan Religious School students have a Chanukah day of giving

BY LOIS TOMPKINS

Bernard & Alice Selevan Religious

How do you teach the concept of ‘giving’ to children during Chanukah? This year, the Bernard and Alice Selevan Religious School students and their families decided to forego their annual Chanukah party in school and instead, the usual dreidels, latkes, songs and presents were re-gifted to our community. With great enthusiasm and compassion, classes spent weeks preparing, collecting, and learning about each individual mitzvah and on Sunday, Dec. 13, they proudly delivered holiday magic to others more needy than themselves all over Jacksonville.

Kindergarten and first graders brought lots of cheer and plenty of smiles to residents at River Garden. Led by Hazzan Holzer, the youngsters sang Chanukah songs and shared sufganiyot (Jelly donuts) in a special program held in the auditorium. After several lessons on the mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim (visiting the sick), students in fourth and fifth grade

Instead of their annual Chanukah party, students at the Bernard & Alice Selevan Religious School joined family members for a day full of giving

prepared cheerful cards for residents of River Garden as well as the Coves and were able to visit those who were too ill to join the program downstairs. Second and third graders spent several weeks distributing home-made flyers as they collected items for FANN, the local food bank and handdelivered much-needed food and toiletries to help stock the shelves at the JFCS facility.

Middle School students and their families had prepared to visit

a favorite teacher who had been under hospice care at home, but unfortunately, last minute, they had to change the plans, so not to be deterred, they quickly recorded a video message, complete with memories and messages of love and support for their teacher, creating a lasting keepsake for her family. The day of giving was a very meaningful and educational process for the children, leading to a very special day for everyone who was involved.

Block Gan students take a holistic approach to ‘Grow’ after school enrichment cooks up learning about tzedakah a great Jewish culinary arts experience

BY KATIE KIGHT

BY MENDEL SHARFSTEIN

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

January marked the annual Souper Bowl of Caring, a national youth movement working to fight hunger and poverty in local communities. To raise support for charities, the youth participated in fundraisers during the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl. Since Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990, participants have collected more than $90-million in food and cash donations. Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten has participated in this event for the past eight years and like in past years, students began collecting non-perishable food items in January to support Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS) FANN food pantry, as part of this initiative.

While on the surface this is a tzedakah project, the school uses this experience as an opportunity to teach math, color recognition, food concepts and character education. “By engaging students in activities, including sorting, grouping, counting and talking about food and our community, we create a fun way to learn and integrate the values of tzedakah into everyday activities,” said Michele Block Gan Yeladim As-

Rabbi, Chabad of S. Johns County

sistant Director Rochelle Golomb.

This annual tzedakah project with JFCS culminates with a field trip for the kindergarten class.

Students bring all of the collected food items to JFCS, tour the FANN food pantry and enjoy story time with the JFCS staff and PJ Library, an organization that provides Jewish-content books and music for children. This project, from collection to seeing where the donations go locally, is an excellent way for Michele Block Gan Yeladim Kindergarten students to take ownership in an active, hands-on learning project.

As Michele Block Gan Yeladim continues to be a leader in early childhood education in Jacksonville, character education and its integration into the curriculum continue to be on the forefront of its programming. This project is just one of the many ways these principles are woven into the school curriculum on a regular basis.

The ‘Grow’ After School Enrichment Program is now offering a new course, titled ‘MyPalette: The Torah Edition’, which teaches kids about nutrition and food from a Jewish perspective.

Students learn how to choose a balanced diet of colorful whole foods, based on the USDA’s ‘MyPlate’ visual concept. Through these methods, they develop a sense of appreciation for their food and its purpose, in addition to practicing the Jewish concept of mindfulness by saying blessings of gratitude before eating.

They also create and prepare their own original recipes that are both healthy and kosher, and end up treating their parents to a special dinner cooked just for them.

A hallmark of Grow courses is that kids are not simply told what to do; rather, they are given the knowledge and skills to be able to make their own good choices, and then they practice putting their new awareness into action until it comes naturally. Instead of telling kids, ‘Don’t eat junk food’, the goal is for them to learn to stop, think, and ask themselves, ‘Is this food good for me?’ and ‘Is this a Superfood that will power up my mitzvot (good deeds)?’, or ‘Will it give me the energy I need to do more good in the world?’ With

Kids can ‘taste the Torah’ through ‘Grow’s’ after school enrichment program which gives them guidelines on how to eat healthily and Jewishly

questions like these kids become conscious, mindful eaters who are able to make intentional choices rather than relying on impulse or habit.

The Grow program has been thoughtfully designed by experts in nutrition and Jewish education and combines modern food science with the timeless guidance of Torah to offer kids a wellrounded perspective on healthy, kosher eating that will benefit them for years to come. The Grow approach to supplementary education has already produced results, as Michael Ben-Avi of the Yale Child Research Center studied Grow’s first curriculum, which was a course to help kids learn to see another person’s perspective. This was a foundational skill for building positive

relationships and the course was shown to have a measurable, positive influence on its participants. “They lived what they learned and the lessons were built really well,” said Andrea Z, the parent of a Grow student. “They have become more understanding of others.”

MyPalette, Grow’s second course, continues Chabad of S. Johns County’s mission to provide effective, hands-on learning experiences that promote a message of self-growth based on Torah. For more information about ‘Grow’, contact Mrs. Dini Sharfstein at 904-701-4422 or e-mail her at Dini@JewishSJohnsCounty.com. More information can also be found on the program’s official website at JewishSJohnsCounty.com/Grow

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

education

Cutting edge curriculum enhancements The DuBow Preschool’s a plenty at Michele Block Gan Yeladim Shabbat Boxes brings joy of Sabbath to families

By DuBow Preschool

Students at Michele Block Gan Yeladim have the benefit of yearly curriculum evaluation by the school’s staff

BY KATIE KIGHT

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

Every year Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten evaluates its curriculum, assessing new trends and national studies to ensure they are providing a quality early childhood educational experience. Thinking outside of the box is vital as enhancements can come through a variety of engagements. “In order to continue bringing excellence to the early learning community, it is important to keep examining, reflecting upon and improving the facilities as well as the programs and curriculum, to delight our current parents and engage new families,” said Michele Block Gan Yeladim Director Theresa Levy.

This year the school has enhanced and enlarged its sandy beach area, created a new science discovery zone and upgraded the library. The improved sandy area is intentionally designed to expand open-ended play, creativity and critical thinking skills and it also encourages students to redefine space and work with moveable parts. The new science discovery zone engages even the youngest learners in the concepts of research, experimentation, touch and cause and effect.

Integrating these ideas into early childhood learning makes the principles of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) a regular experience for students as they move through school.

Finally, the Michele Block

Gan Yeladim library has become an even more fantastic amenity for students, families and faculty members. With new furniture and enhanced categorization, the space has become more comfortable and inviting for literacy and learning. These enhancements continue Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s commitment to cutting edge, child-centered education.

Projects in previous years have included the addition of a working garden and partnerships with the Jacksonville Symphony, MOSH, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and the Cummer Museum. Moving into the future, Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten will continue to explore new, unique and progressive curriculum opportunities.

One of the reasons that so many families love the DuBow Preschool and Galinsky Academy is because Judaism floods the classroom, halls, and hearts of its teachers and students. The rhythmic routine of the days and weeks on the school calendar are constant opportunities to infuse Jewish life into their time.

The Shabbat Box Program, sponsored by the Galinsky Academy PTA, is a way to take that education and energy and send it home to the school’s families.

While we may all have different traditions remembering and honoring Shabbat, the excitement that a child gets when it is his or her turn to take the box home and share it with their family, adds delight and wonder to the students’ Shabbat experience. Seeing students read the hand decorated labels to find which of their friends has this honor each week and then making sure that their friend is aware, only reinforces the excitement. This program gives students the ability to own the idea that they can bring the tools necessary to complete the

Students at Dubow look forward to filling the Shabbat Box each week

mitzvah of observing Shabbat.

The PTA stocks the boxes each week and those boxes hold candles and candlesticks, two challahs, juice for Kiddish, a tzedakah box to encourage giving to the needy, in addition to a book of Shabbat blessings and songs, with a couple extra small treats to celebrate.

Florida Bar grants accreditation to Southside Chabad’s ‘You Be the Judge: Explorations in Jewish Civil Law’ course

By Southside Chabad

‘You Be the Judge: Explorations in Jewish Civil Law’, offers a new approach to studying ancient Jewish wisdom. The class has also been approved by The Florida Bar for continuing legal education and

counts for 11 general credits and two ethics credits. Other people have told their stories through music or monuments, and have expressed themselves in poetry and philosophy, but for more than 1,000 years the most important cultural activity of the Jewish people has been the study of the

Talmud, elevated to an art form - the pinnacle of their intellectual achievement. The Talmud is seen by some as essential to developing critical thinking skills. In 2011, South Korean ambassador to Israel Young-sam Ma proudly proclaimed, “Each Korean family has at least one copy of the Talmud,”

extolling the virtues of studying the timeless Jewish work.

You Be the Judge presents students with real cases brought before the beit din, the court system of Jewish law, and compares Talmudic analysis with the contemporary approach to law taken in United States courts. Topics include business ethics, property rights, and employment practices, and each lesson provides an opportunity to question, discuss, and argue, based on principle and precedent. You Be the Judge allows attendees to challenge conventional notions of right and wrong, and experience first-hand, the exhilarating mental exploration that characterizes traditional

Talmud study. This course will be offered at Chabad of Southside for six Wednesdays from 7 p.m. (to approximately 8:30 p.m.) Course materials cost $79, with special rates available for students. For more information, contact Rabbi Shmuli Novack at 904-646-4434 or visit southsidechabad.com.

Martin J. Gottlieb Day School students explore nature while on UNF trails

Fourth and fifth graders at Martin J. Gottlieb Day School celebrated Tu B’Shevat this year at the University of North Florida’s Wildlife Sanctuary

By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

Every year the fourth and fifth graders at Martin J. Gottlieb Day School celebrate Tu B’Shevat with a day of outdoor learning.

This year, the eco-education programs at the University of North Florida’s Robert F. Loftin Wildlife Sanctuary will provide schoolaged children with the unique op-

portunity of learning more about wildlife and nature while in a real outdoor setting. The programs are ranger-guided by UNF graduate students and include a hike, which explores the different properties of plants and garden ecosystems, while having a picnic lunch outdoors. A fun capture-the-flag game with the rangers followed lunch.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

education Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name

BY EMILY CARPENTER DuBow Preschool parent

I was two weeks postpartum with my second baby when I Googled ‘Jewish preschools in Jacksonville’. Now, I had no intention of sending my three-year-old to preschool, until we added a newborn to the mix and I was suddenly trying to nurse a baby while wiping a tushie. It was then I realized, I needed help! When we had our second child, we had only been living in Jacksonville for 10 months and therefore did not know many people. I called one of the preschools that popped up in my results and made an appointment for a tour. From the moment I walked into the DuBow Preschool and met its director, Shereen Canady, I could feel the warmth. With no local family or close friends, I’d never left my daughter with anyone for more than a few hours, but I was surprised to find I felt excited for her to experience all the adventures the preschool had to offer. More than five years later, our family feels like the preschool is a second

family, but we aren’t alone. When I shared my story with some of the other DuBow Preschool moms who also do not have family nearby, they expressed similar feelings. Below are some of their shared experiences: After moving to Jacksonville in May and having a baby in June, I was quite concerned with how my family would adapt to such changes, especially without any relatives nearby. With its warm and nurturing environment, the DuBow Preschool has made the transition for my three-year-old significantly smoother and more pleasant. Additionally, the various ‘Mommy & Me’ classes that are offered, have enabled me to connect with other local mothers, and have been a wonderful experience for my baby girl. -Tmima, mother of three.

When we moved to Jacksonville more than a year ago we knew no one. The preschool was so welcoming and as a result, my children settled right in and the teachers and staff were so supportive. I could not have asked for a more welcoming place to send my children. -Whitney, mother

Preschool parent Emily Carpenter felt like she and her children were right at home the moment they walked through the doors at DuBow

of two.

When my daughter started preschool this fall, she would barely leave my side. She had terrible separation anxiety, which is why I wanted her to go to preschool.

We got such a warm feeling when we visited the DuBow Preschool so I knew it was the right place for her. Since she started school, she’s a whole new child! She’s friendlier,

more outgoing, and plays so much better with other children. I know she’s safe, loved, and well cared for at the DuBow Preschool! -Cara, mother of one.

The transition of moving from another city, especially away from all of our family and friends, was made so much easier because of our experience at DuBow Preschool. My children have been

loved and nurtured and have absorbed more information than I could have ever dreamed! It has given us such peace of mind to know we are part of the DuBow family. -Natalie, mother of three.

My first visit to the DuBow Preschool was with my son during the end of my second pregnancy. I was concerned about the impending move away from our family to a new city, the acclimation to a new school during the school year, and the new baby that would change the dynamic of our current family unit. My fears were all dismissed during my visit! My son loved the school and its staff, and people could not be more helpful. We acclimated rather quickly surrounded by a community that ensured we would feel included.

-Suzie, mother of two.

As you can see by the above sentiments and mine, I have learned that it truly does take a village to raise a child. Many of us have our ‘tribes’ spread far and wide and have to find that village each time we come to a new place, but we consider ourselves lucky that we found our village here at DuBow Preschool.

Students at the DuBow Preschool gain a green thumb for gardening

DuBow Preschool students turned little gardeners enjoyed some of the tastiest grape tomatoes they have grown thus far in their mini gardens

BY AMANDA WATSKY Science Teacher & Outreach Coordinator

At DuBow Preschool, the fall started off with the planting of some of the usual favorites in its garden, as well as some new crops. As a result, many who walk through the halls of the school or arrive at one of its marketing tables, ask about the garden and how students are growing such amazing plants.

The school’s garden is a ‘tasting’ garden, and it is just as educational as it is delicious. Oftentimes, there is not enough of one particular type of food to make entire dishes for the classrooms, based solely on the amount of space and student body size, so the focus shifts to giving each student an opportunity to learn about gardening. During their lessons, they learn about specific plants, what they look like and how they grow in addition to deciding when they are ripe enough for picking and of course how they taste. That last one is important because kids in the classrooms also are able to cook with the items.

The DuBow Preschool garden does not use any pesticides and composting (or fertilizing with

organic methods) is kept to a minimum. By starting off with really great soil, the plants do pretty well when given a consistent water supply, and the students are taught the importance of washing off the edibles before they are served. As part of the gardening lessons, students have been learning about where seeds are located on many different plants and specifically on some of the plants that they are growing.

Wilted flowers, or ‘deadheads’ were pulled off and the seeds on the inside were taken out and dried. Flowers can also be found in the garden beds which help promote beneficial insects, and there is also an entire floral bed devoted to the school’s butterfly garden which will be set up this spring. The seeds that have been collected can sometimes be found on the DuBow Preschool Farmer’s Market table, but the seeds are also being used in some very special ‘thank you’ gifts which will be given to parents and faculty, who have gone out of their way to help the garden grow. To learn more about what Ms. Amanda is doing in science and gardening, check out her blog at discoverystudio.dubowpreschool.org/.

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education

Winter is in full force at the DuBow Preschool

BY SHEREEN CANADAY DuBow Preschool Director

It’s snowing in Florida? Well, not quite, but the children at the DuBow Preschool are learning a great deal about winter and the Arctic regions of the world. How do teachers help the little Floridians learn about these concepts when many have never experienced snow or wintery conditions? Books, ice experiments, and ice painting sure help along with Skyping with scientists at Sea World, and a ‘Snow Room’.

Teachers are also reading great books such as Lois Ehlert’s ‘Snowballs’, and Shirley Netzel’s ‘The Jacket I Wear In The Snow’ in addition to singing songs such as ‘Ten Tiny Snowflakes’.

Students are creating great wintery works of art using ice paint, glittering shaving cream, cotton balls and a variety of collage materials in wintery shades.

More importantly, everyone is learning how to put on mittens, scarves, and to button their sweat-

Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

Martin J. Gottlieb Day School hosts PJ Library sponsored pajama party

Without real snow, students built snowmen out of cardboard boxes

Snowmen could even be found on canvases which students created

Students are all cuddled up for Martin J. Gottlieb Day School’s annual Shema Bedtime Program, where they ate snacks, made crafts and read

ers and coats and each class made something to add to the Snow Room. One class even made a giant snowman out of boxes for the kids to build and take apart.

Another group made white glitter playdough, while another created a snow sensory bin. Science teacher, Ms. Amanda Watsky

created an ice table, while leading the children in several chilly experiments, and teaching them about arctic animals. In P.E. the children are engaged in dancing and moving through a ‘snowy maze’ and the week ultimately culminated in a pajama day with guest readers, hot cocoa, and playtime in the Snow Room.

By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

Late last month, about 25 Jewish pre-kindergarten students from around Jacksonville came to the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, wearing pajamas for the annual Shema Bedtime Program, which is a joint effort of the school and PJ Library. Kindergarten teacher Pamela Lewis read a Tu B’Shevat

themed story as the children cuddled their blankets and stuffed animals. The kids then had a bedtime snack of Oreos and milk, and made an adorable tree craft in keeping with the Tu B’Shevat theme. For more information on the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, a K – 8 Solomon Schechter School, call 904-268-4200, ext.

147.

Michele Block Gan Yeladim now enrolling Bowling for Birthright for the upcoming 2016-17 school year

BY KATIE KIGHT

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

With more than half of the school year now complete, its time to start thinking about preschool enrollment for next year. Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten offers unparalleled excellence in early childhood education and registering early for the coming school year ensures a space for families and a schedule that best fits their needs. Block Gan offers several day and time options to meet the needs of diverse families, as students can attend as few as two half days a week or five full days a week.

In addition to schedule flexibility, the preschool also has options for year round care. Working parents are often faced with the challenge of school breaks and summer vacations. Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s fully accredited preschool offers a traditional nine month program as well as a 12-month option, specifically designed with working parents in

mind. Included in the 12-month program is the JCA’s award winning and ACA accredited Camp Gan Yeladim.

“Our Preschool Plus program is designed to provide peace of mind for the busy, working parent as we are completely closed only a handful of days,” explained Michele Block Gan Yeladim assistant director Rochelle Golomb. Along with being a highly accredited and respected school, children can participate in private swim lessons, sports or other enrichment classes by the time their parents return from work.” Registration is now open for children ages one and walking through kindergarten. For

more information about Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten, call 904-7302100, ext. 235 or stop by the JCA anytime for a tour.

Jewish Ospreys were ‘bowling for Birthright’ and discussing recruitment efforts for the next trip. If you’d like to join them, like and message the group at facebook.com/JewishOspreys

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

education

Michele Block Gan Yeladim to celebrate PJ Day along with PJ Library

Michele Block Gan Yeladim students participate in PJ Day back in 2015

BY KATIE KIGHT

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten students will enjoy a celebration of Jewish literacy and values during their annual Pajama Day, Wednesday, Feb. 10, with a representative from PJ Library, an organization that provides Jewish-content books and music for children through age six. As part of the theme for this fun, educational event, students wear their favorite pajamas to school and enjoy Jewish literature and learning while experiencing a sense of community.

This event is a storied school tradition at Michele Block Gan

Yeladim as pajama day is an opportunity for students to spend time together learning through play, storytelling and music. In addition to the Judaic themes highlighted through PJ Library, students touch on cognitive concepts such as opposites and math and science through cooking activities. They also get to hone in on their creative art skills and Hebrew vocabulary. Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten is filled with ruach (spirit) as the children, teachers, administrators and even some parents dress for fun and festivities. Michele Block Gan Yeladim is delighted to partner with PJ library as part of this fantastic school-wide event.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

synagogue news

Jacksonville Jewish Center’s Jack Mizrahi to be recognized at the synagogue’s annual Minyannaires Shabbat

By Jacksonville Jewish Center’s Religious Life Committee

For more than 115 years, the Jacksonville Jewish Center has held a regularly scheduled minyan in the morning and evening. On Shabbat morning, Saturday, Feb.

13, the congregation will celebrate all of its minyan participants at the second annual Minyannaires Shabbat, starting at 9 a.m. At this event, Jack Mizrahi will be honored as the second recipient of the Scott P. Zimmerman Minyannaire of the Year award. Minyannaires Shabbat is an opportunity

to shine a light on the congregational minyan for which there are many reasons to be proud of. The Center has a minyan for shacharit services (in the morning) and mincha/maariv (in the evening) each day which allows mourners and people observing a yahrzeit to say kaddish for their loved ones.

Each and every day Center members come together for prayer, camaraderie and to perform the mitzvah of participating in the daily minyan.

As part of this event, an award is given to one member for his or her activities in minyan throughout the years. The award has been named in memory of beloved Ritual Director, Scott Zimmerman, who passed away in 2014 and honors someone who stands out as a minyan participant that attends frequently; shows initiative; developed davening skills; experienced religious growth; taken on a leadership role and has displayed the ability to bring others along on their own spiritual journey. This year, lifelong Center member Jack Mizrahi will be recognized. Mizrahi’s grandfather Salim, came to Jacksonville in 1910 as a peddler and eventually developed a French Novelty store chain which his grandson operated for many years. Mizrahi began to attend minyan after the death of his mother 28 years ago, coming each day with his father, brother and uncle. Soon after, he was asked to serve as a minyan captain to help insure that services ran properly and were sufficiently attended. After completing the 11-month mourning period, he continued to attend on Friday nights as well.

To Jack Mizrahi, attending minyan brought back memories of his days in the Minyan Club run by Cantor Marton, where post

2016 Minyannaire of the Year Jack Mizrahi

Bar Mitzvah boys would attend Sunday morning minyan and have a special breakfast before Religious School classes began. He would also attend minyan with his father when he was commemorating a yahrzeit and would bring along some cake and Schnaps for the other attendees. “It is important to be there for those going through the period of mourning”, Mizrahi said. “It’s also important to remember those who are not with us, but who used to participate in our minyan,” he added. “I can scan the room and remember the older gentlemen back at Third and Silver who would regularly attend.”

In addition to Mizrahi, those who regularly attend minyan will also be honored that morning during services.

Beth El - The Beaches has Havdallah with hot chocolate and s’mores

By Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue

Late last year, the families of Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue came together to celebrate Havdallah. A lovely dinner was served by the congregation’s brotherhood and sisterhood as well as some of the older religious school students, and Madrichim helped Rabbi Matuson led the service.

Following Havdallah, everyone came together for a songfest accompanied by hot chocolate and s’mores. It was a heartwarming experience which provided an opportunity for friends and family to come together and mark the end of Shabbat.

Religious School students and Madrichim help lead the songfest with Sam Herb (far right w/guitar)

Rabbi Lief teaches from book of proverbs at The Temple

By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

(Prov. 1:7) We don’t mean to cast aspersions, but you probably ought to join us at The Temple for our exploration of the many famous sayings from this book of Divine inspiration, encourages Senior Rabbi, Joshua Lief. On Monday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m., Rabbi Lief promises that this class will offer participants a unique opportunity to learn and grow together, because, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

(Prov. 27:17) But if you think you know all there is to know already, just remember, “Pride goeth before the fall,” (Prov. 16:18), which

Congregation Ahavath Chesed Senior Rabbi Joshua Lief

is why Rabbi Lief promises you’ll leave with great lines, from our sacred tradition, to use on all your friends.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

synagogue news Its hats off to Ann Stone at The Temple Beth El – The Beaches to screen documentary at Sisterhood’s annual donor luncheon its next member mixer

By The Temple Sisterhood

The WRJ Temple Sisterhood invites the entire community to doff their hats at its catered donor luncheon, honoring Ann Stone, Sunday, Mar. 6 at 1 p.m. People are invited to come to Congregation Ahavath Chesed – The Temple and bring their best story of the honored guest or hum a few bars of an original song. “We have been waiting many years for Ann to allow us to honor her,” explained WRJ Temple Sisterhood President Morleen Berlin. “Very few Sisterhood events happen without Ann’s suggestions and hard work, so it is hard to imagine events like the Mah Jongg Tournament without her.”

It’s also Stone’s behind the scenes efforts leading up to an

Ann Stone (right) poses alongside her sister Morleen Rebb

event that she receives so much credit for. “Before Selichot, she has already scoped out every grocery store to make certain this

year’s congregational Break-theFast surpasses last year’s,” Berlin added. “Need cookies for an oneg? Call Ann and she will have two batches done by sunrise.”

Jackie Simms, Donor Co-Chair, says “I know Ann loves Temple and her Sisters but most of all right after her own family, kids are most important to her.” That’s why proceeds from the event will help support Camp Coleman Scholarships for Temple youth.

The cost of the donor, per person, is $25 (Angel) , $50 (Patron) or $75 (Benefactor). Participants are encouraged to honor Stone by creating scholarship dollars so more children can experience the joy of Jewish summer camp. Reservations must be received by Feb. 19 and checks can be made payable to The Temple Sisterhood.

LOL Shabbat returns for more laughs at the Jacksonville Jewish Center

By Jacksonville Jewish Center

The Jacksonville Jewish Community is invited to come to the Jacksonville Jewish Center for it’s fifth annual laugh out loud Shabbat, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 12.

The LOL Shabbat will officially get underway following services, which begin at 5:45 p.m., as guests will enjoy a delicious fried chicken dinner, catered by Margo’s Catering, and be enter-

tained by the best of the Center’s joke tellers. Dinner is just $18 per person and RSVP’s along with pre-payment are required by Monday, Feb. 8. Seating requests will be taken for those parties wishing to be seated together as tables will seat 8- 9 comfortably. For more information or to RSVP contact Rose Tincher in the Jacksonville Jewish Center office at 904-2921000 or by email at rtincher@ jaxjewishcenter.org.

BY GAIL GREENFIELD

Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue

Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue will be showing the documentary ‘Iris’ at its next member and guest mixer, scheduled for Sunday, Mar. 6 at 5 p.m. ‘Iris’ is a delightful eye-opener about Iris Apfel, a quick-witted, flamboyantly dressed 93-year old style maven who has had an outsized presence on the New York fashion scene for decades. A wine and cheese social will be held prior to the viewing of the one hour 23 minute film. Directed by Albert Maysles, this is a documentary about a very different kind of woman who captures an imagination from the very moment she appears but more than a fashion film, the documentary is a story

about creativity and how a soaring free spirit continues to inspire.

For more information on this event, contact Gail Greenfield at gailsgreenfield@hotmail.com or call her at 904-534-7381.

acksonville

Jewish News

Grow your business

If you want to reach a demographic with a higher than average household income and education, the Jewish News is your connection. To advertise, contact: Barbara Nykerk 904-923-3205 bnykerk@comoacst.net Eta Perras 904-629-0466 perraseta@bellsouth.net

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

www.jewishjacksonville.org

synagogue news

WRJ Temple Sisterhood to host high tea and fashion show, Feb. 21 wide-ruled lined paper, composition books, hand sanitizer, Kleenex, Clorox wipes, and No. 2 pencils.

Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), founded in 1913, is the women’s affiliate of the Union

By The Temple Sisterhood

Women of Reform Judaism’s Sisterhood of Congregation Ahavath Chesed – The Temple is hosting an afternoon of high fashion, high tea and audacious hospitality, Sunday, Feb. 21 at 3 p.m., where multiple generations of Temple Sisterhood women will model fashions presented by Peggy Johnson of Petunia Patch. The event is free to Temple Sisterhood

members and just $5 for guests, as a selection of fine teas, fresh fruit, finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries will be served in addition to door prizes and favors that will be given away. Every WRJ Temple Sisterhood event includes the opportunity to help repair the world and this evening, the Sisterhood will be collecting school supplies for the students at S. P. Livingston Elementary School, a Title I , urban core school. A list of needed school supplies include glue sticks,

Beth El – The Beaches’ Sisterhood to host fun trivia night, Feb. 27th

By Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue Sisterhood

Put on those thinking caps and join Beth - El the Beaches’ sisterhood for trivia night, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. The event will be held at the synagogue, located at 288 North Roscoe Blvd., in Ponte Vedra and costs just $18 a person to attend.

Cheese, crackers and delicious desserts will be provided along with wine, door and cash prizes in

addition to the all important bragging rights. Those who would like to, can reserve a table of four to six people, but open tables are also available. Kindly RSVP before Feb. 20 and contact Denice Goldberg at dzboss1@hotmail.com for further details.

Denim & Diamonds Gala

Rabbi Yaakov Fisch, Mike Abel, Ken Jacobs, and Rabbi Avi Fiegenbaum pose with Jill Abel, Allison Jacobs and Henny Fisch at Etz Chaim Synaogogue’s recent Denim & Diamonds Gala

for Reform Judaism, the central body of Reform Judaism in North America. WRJ represents about 65,000 women in nearly 500 women’s groups worldwide and promotes women’s issues and leadership through education,

programming, and advocacy. If you would like us to put a pot of tea on for you, let us know

by RSVP’ing to Rona Siegel at ronalee36@hotmail.com or Susan Board at board.s3304@gmail.com.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

federation news

The Federation Partner Spotlight: Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

Spending a day at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School will reveal something to even the most casual observer; namely, that the school functions as the ideal marriage of tradition and innovation.

Founded in 1961 as Solomon Schechter Day School, today the Martin J. Gottlieb Day school is housed at The Galinsky Academy, the umbrella of the schools and youth programs at The Jacksonville Jewish Center. While the JJC is a Conservative congregation, our school is proud to welcome students from across the gamut of Jewish backgrounds, observance, and daily living. Our student body is comprised of families from across the globe, which enriches the educational experience for all of us. The Martin J. Gottlieb Day School remains one of the oldest Solomon Schechter schools in the country.

Beginning in First Grade, our students spend part of every school day in Hebrew language immersion. Studies show unequivocally that students who study a second language, particularly one with a non-Roman

alphabet, gain superiority in divergent thinking tasks and higher test scores in language, reading, and mathematics. Quite simply, students enrolled in foreign language immersion outpace their monolingual peers in all subjects as well as creative thinking and problem solving. These results are multiplied when the instruction begins in the early elementary

years. Our Eighth Graders have the opportunity to graduate from middle school having earned two high school foreign language credits, which is a requirement of all of Florida’s public universities.

We are fortunate to have generous donors and community partners, like the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, whose support

allows us to welcome families who want a Jewish Day School education for their children but need assistance paying for it. While we are proud of the level of excellence we provide our families in both Judaics and general studies, there is always more we can do. Our teachers are highly trained professionals with many years of experience in the field of education.

They bring both great love and great skill to our classrooms every day. However, our current budget doesn’t allow us to provide them with the professional development opportunities they should have, which will benefit both them and, in turn, Jewish children in Jacksonville. It is estimated that the cost of professional development

for our teachers, commensurate with that received in the public sector, would cost $45,000.

Additionally, our agency allocation from Jewish Federation of Jacksonville of $116,500 goes a long way toward our annual scholarship expenditure of more than $450,000 (roughly 35-percent of tuition revenue, 20-percent of total revenue, which is within the national average for Jewish Day Schools). An infusion of an additional $100,000 of scholarship dollars annually would allow us to take many of our academic programs to the next level of excellence, such as upgrading our STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) curriculum to include a ‘Maker’s Workshop’, where students could put building and problem-solving skills to work in an engineering lab. There are many such projects in our strategic planning vision, and we would love to work with our agency partners and community friends to make those dreams come to life.

Like Bolles, Jacksonville Country Day, and St. Johns Country Day, the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools.

In addition to a full spectrum of Judaics classes, we offer a challenging track of general studies courses. Our lower school utilizes Singapore Math curriculum as well as The Daily Five methodology for instilling early literacy and a love of reading. Our students love spending time in our science lab, art studio, and music room, and have physical education three times weekly with our P.E. instructor. Our students leave our school infused with a sense of

confidence in their Jewish identity, a love of Israel, and an excellent academic foundation, taking them to whatever next step they choose. Graduates of the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School are routinely admitted to advanced studies programs in public high schools in Duval and St. Johns counties, as well as Bolles and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. Call 904-268-4200, ext. 147 for more information or to schedule a tour of the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School.

MARTIN J. GOTTLIEB DAY SCHOOL

BY THE NUMBERS ...

123 - No. of students (K-8) 17 - No. of full-time classroom teachers 14 - No. of part-time instructors 5 - No. of office and support staff members

This past year during allocations, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville allotted $116,500 to help the Martin J. Gottlieb give students a quality education in which they can grow academically, emotionally, socially, and physically based upon the values and aspirations embodied in Conservative Judaism.

To make a contribution to the Federation’s 2016 annual campaign, call 904-448-5000 or go to

Jewish Java Full House

There were barely any empty seats at this past month’s Jewish Java as guest speaker and meditation leader Sheila Lieberman talked to the group about mediitative practices they can use

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

federation news

rGEN’s Raven You’ve got Mail during with the Mavens March’s Jewish Java and will do so with returns Feb. 23 On Wed. Mar. 2, Shalom Jax’s community, Jewish Java that morning from 9

By Shalom Jacksonville

Jewish Java will welcome special guest Andrea Mail who will discuss, ‘Our Love/Hate Relationship with Social Media & Technology’.

Mail has been discussing this timely topic on local television stations and to other groups in our

BY JEANINE HOFF

rGEN Director jeanineh@jewishjacksonville.org

Ladies of rGEN, Save-the-Date of Tuesday, Feb. 23 for a fantastic evening dedicated to the stress of being a modern woman. ‘Raven with the Mavens 2: From Stressed to Fabulous’ is a follow-up to last year’s smash hit speed-mentoring event featuring mental health professionals and rGEN women who have faced different challenges but have all emerged victorious.

This program is not to be missed as there is something for everyone, whether it’s learning how to handle stress, ways to support a loved one, or simply finding out why mental health and wellness is so important.

Event host Michelle Pargman will lead the evening, which will also feature performers from the Mad Cowford improv group. The event will take place at the lovely home of Marte Wasserman and is FREE, so for more information, please contact rGEN Director Jeanine Hoff at jeanineh@jewishjacksonville.org or 904-448-5000, ext 208.

To register to attend, please visit the Federation’s official website at jewishjacksonville.org.

Have some news that you want to share with the JJN?

By Jacksonville Jewish News

Whether it’s a milestone achievement accomplished by a friend or family member associated with the Jacksonville Jewish community or simply a story, event or announcement to be shared, drop us a line at jjn@jewishjacksonville.org. You can also contact newspaper editor Matt Franzblau at mattf@jewishjacksonville.org or 904-448-5000, ext. 212.

Scan to read past issues on

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-10:30 a.m. at Village Bread Café, (10111 San Jose Boulevard). Feel free to invite a friend, but please RSVP to the event by contacting Isabel Balotin at 904-448-5000, ext. 206 or shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org.

Andrea Mail

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

www.jewishjacksonville.org

federation news

Kenvin gives inspiring talk about personal branding at annual Champagne Brunch

BY ERIN COHEN

Women’s Division Director erinc@jewishjacksonville.org

In early January more than 100 ladies in the Jacksonville Jewish community gathered for the Women’s Division annual Champagne Brunch. This event is the women’s kickoff to the Federation Annual Campaign and the featured guest this year was motivational speaker, Debbie Kenvin, who shared her personal story of her childhood struggles with obesity and low-self esteem.

Kenvin also spoke of what it was like to grow up as the only hearing person in her entire family, as

Guest speaker Debbie Kenvin talks about creating your own personal brand at any age

at a very young age, she learned sign language and was tasked with interpreting the world for her entire family. In doing so, she was exposed to prejudice, hateful comments and stares as much of the outside world did not understand and support her family’s disability. Her talk, titled ‘Create Your Personal Brand: Learn to be Extraordinary at Any Age’, focused on the steps one can take to be the happiest and most fulfilled at every stage of life. Another inspiring Women’s Division event is upcoming, so mark your calendars for Thursday, May 19, as the annual Girlfriend Connection is scheduled to take place.

Photos by Larry Tallis

Robin Mendelson, Beth Angelo, Irene Wolfe, Christina Levine, Jen Plotkin & Rebecca Schwam

Sarah Fraden, Melanie Hare & Isabel Balotin

Erin Weintraub, Jeanine Rogozinski & Danielle Rogozinski

Learning meditation at Jewish Java

BY ISABEL BALOTIN

Karen Gare, Jenn Neuman & Paige Wajsman

Shalom Jacksonville Director shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org

A very special thank you goes out to guest speaker Sheila Lieberman who shared her inspiring meditative journey with Shalom Jacksonville’s Jewish Java group and wet their collective appetites for more next month. In February, everyone will be looking forward to attending the next Java and learning more about Jewish meditation from Gail Greenfield, who will speak to the group Wednes-

Martin Berger & Nancy Cohen day, Feb. 3 at Village Bread Café, located at 10111 San Jose Blvd.

Jewish Java participants who purchase breakfast will receive a free cup of coffee or tea with their early morning meal.

Jewish Java presents Meditation 2.0 in Feb.

BY ISABEL BALOTIN

Shalom Jacksonville Director shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org

Shalom Jacksonville’s monthly Jewish Java is holding another special program, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 3 from 9 -10:30 a.m. at Village Bread Café, (10111 San Jose Boulevard), where those in attendance will enjoy Meditation Part II, featuring guest speaker Gail Greenfield.

Greenfield will talk about the history of Jewish meditation and how it differs from other types of like-minded practices. She will also share her personal meditation journey as she leads two groups at the beach and has been the driving force behind the creation of similar groups in the Jacksonville area. The first installment was in January and featured guest speaker Sheila Lieberman who shared her inspiring meditative journey.

The Jewish Federation’s Shalom Jacksonville is the official Jewish welcome wagon of Northeast Florida and Jewish Java is a perfect place to meet newcomers and other friendly people and find out the latest happenings in the community. It doesn’t matter if you are a new to Jacksonville or if you are newly interested in the Jewish community, everyone is invited to attend. Feel free to invite a friend, but please RSVP to the event by contacting Isabel Balotin at 904-448-5000, ext. 206 or shalomjax@jewishjacksonville. org. Mark your calendars now for the first Wednesday of every month and enjoy free coffee or tea with your breakfast purchase.

Faye Mizrahi, Stacy Leach, Helen DuBow, Susan Zyserman & Sam Levin

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

chabad news Ongoing & Upcoming Chabad at the Beaches to Jax area Chabads to hold Chabad events sell popular Hamantashen new Jewish course of why

Chabad of Southside

Yoga & Torah for Women

Invigorating Yoga exercise followed by delicious and healthy refreshments and a thought provoking discussion of Jewish wisdom. Held Tuesday Evenings in the St. Johns Town Center. To RSVP call Chabad of the Southside at 904-646-4434.

Hamantaschen for sale

In support of Ganeinu Preschool Delicious Reismans Hamantaschen will be made available for sale. At only $5.75 per pound they are a bargain and help support a good cause!

Call us at 904-646-4434 or visit us at southsidechabad.com to order.

Hebrew School

CHS is FOR YOU! Families of all backgrounds feel comfortable and welcome. Our school enjoys a well-earned reputation as a trendsetter in creative Jewish education for children ages five to 13. Classes are held Sundays from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Visit SouthsideChabad.com for more info.

Shabbat Dinner for Young Professionals

Enjoy a delicious Shabbat Dinner with great people in a Jewish environment, the third Friday of every month. Join dozens of young professionals with good food in a great Jewish environment! For exact times please visit us online at southsidechabad.com.

Chabad of S. Johns Bat Mitzvah Club

An all-inclusive venue for girls of Bat Mitzvah to meet every month to learn about this special stage in their life through art, creative writing, trips, community outreach and more. *The club is an enrichment program that is independent of any Bat Mitzvah ceremony or celebration, which is for Girls Ages 11-13.

brand at discounted prices

By Chabad at the Beaches

Chabad at the Beaches will begin selling world famous Reisman’s Hamantashen in 2016. The delicious pastries will be sold for only $5.50 a pound, which is less than its standard retail value. The Hamantashens, which for those who don’t know are a triangular filled pastry which is traditionally served on Purim, will be available in five delicious flavors. Those flavors are raspberry, apricot, poppy seed, prune, and chocolate and orders must be submitted before Thursday, Mar. 3rd.

Riesman’s Hamantashen are famous because they are simply the most mouth watering Hamantashen around, as one taste will keep you coming back for more. For centuries this little tri-cornered pastry (representing either Haman’s ears or, his hat) has served as the ‘special’ food associated with the holiday.

Hamantashen, often are put into shalach manos, the traditional Purim gift baskets and it is important to remember that the sending of gifts of food to friends on Purim is an important mitzvah that is mentioned in the Megillah itself.

In early February, Chabad at the Beaches will be offering the latest Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) series, The Jewish Course of Why. JLI courses are now also offered by the Chabad of Clay County, as well as the Beaches, offering two convenient locations to better serve the community. The Jewish Course of Why offers perspective into the Jewish cultural language and Chabad at the Beaches will be covers topics of Jewish beliefs, selling Reisman’s Hamantashen values, and practices -- providing for only $5.50 a pound in 2016 participants with insight through presentation and lively discussion. (the minimum requirement is two It’s a good thing Jews like to ask food items to one person). questions, because there’s hardly For Jews, some questions stand a more effective way to learn than eternal: what are the implications by asking a good question. From of God’s covenant with Abraham? the profound to the almost proWhat is the relationship between fane, and everything in between, Torah and Rabbinic commenthis course will answer some of tary? Which are tastier, Latkes or the most puzzling questions about Hamentashen? The latter question Jewish tradition. can be answered by you as with This six-week course covers 50 these fresh and delicious Reisman “why” questions, including: Why Hamantashen you are guaranteed are there no more miracles today to vote Hamantashen. More infor- that are of biblical proportion? mation on the holiday of Purim is Why is the Star of David a Jewish available at ChabadBeaches.com/ symbol? Why were there animal Purim and for information about sacrifices? Isn’t that inhumane this or any other Chabad @ the and violent? Why aren’t vegan Beaches activity or event, contact foods automatically Kosher? Why them by phone at 904-543-9301 does Elijah come to the Seder? or via e-mail at info@chabadbeaches.com.

Live in St. Augustine and not yet a member of a synagogue or Temple? With English-Hebrew prayer books, a non-judgmental atmosphere and lots of spirit and song, this easy-to-follow service, held Saturday’s from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., has something for everyone.

Why do we fast on Yom Kippur?

Why would G-d give us inclinations that we are not supposed to act upon and just make us extremely uncomfortable? Why doesn’t Judaism seek converts?

Why don’t Jews accept Jesus?

And Why is slavery sanctioned in the Torah?

The course is open to the public, but space is limited so you must register in advance.

You can do so via the link on the the JLI webpage myjli.com for registration and cost details. For more information about this or any other Chabad at the Beaches activity or event, contact Chabad by phone at 904-543-9301 or by email at info@chabadbeaches. com. Chabad Clay County can be reached by phone at 904-4607020 or via e-mail at Rabbi@ jewishclaycounty.com.

Chabad of S. Johns to host Crafty Creations at CHS special screening of film based on Jewish sexuality

BY MENDEL SHARFSTEIN Rabbi, Chabad of S. Johns County Rabbi@JewishSJohnsCounty.com

The screening of ‘The Lost Key’, a film about the universal secret of Jewish sexuality revealed will be hosted by Chabad of S. Johns County, Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 6:45 p.m., at the JCP Recreation Center (350 Plantation Club Pkwy.) Relevant to the ways we live now and dominated by new technologies and new social media, The Lost Key offers a fresh, intriguing look at human The Grow After-School En- sexuality as the film is situated richment Program in a distinctive local culture and At Durbin Creek Elementary Jewish tradition, which makes it School Tuesdays 3:45-5:45 p.m. all the more interesting because sex and sexuality are not exactly The Lost Key, a film about the issues which are openly discussed universal secret of Jewish Kosher Food Club in Jewish life, both past and pres- sexuality will be shown Feb. 24 At Creekside High School ent.

Thursday, Feb. 3, at 2:45 p.m., This film explores how a where fun, food, and great dis- sexual relationship can go beyond connection.

Among its many merits, the cussions meet. mere physical pleasure and senso- film reveals the kind of wisry experiences to become a highly dom that could inspire modern The Lost Key spiritual one where two individusociety to rediscover a new type The universal secret of Jewish als can unite and become one, as of intimacy and usher in a new sexuality revealed Film Screen- after a traumatic divorce, Ricardo era in sexual relations. It is also a testament to director Adler’s huing with Questions and Answers (one of the main characters) set manistic and universal vision that Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 6:45 p.m. out to discover how to attain a Location: JCP Recreation Center fulfilling and lasting marriage. His he takes viewers of all religious search took him to renowned Toand non-religious on an intellecscholar, author and marriage tual and emotional journey which Chabad of S. Augustine rah counselor Rabbi Manis Friedman, offers universal insights about Weekly Torah Discussion whose book ‘Doesn´t Anyone the sensitive issue of sexuality Join us Wednesday evenings Blush Anymore?’ displays a cover and, more importantly, intimacy. from 7 – 8 p.m. for a discussion quote by the iconic singer, legend- The film will start at 7:15 p.m. focusing on the weekly Torah ary Bob Dylan. The Lost Key por- following refreshments. For more portion, taking place at Chabad trays the dramatic transformation information on the screening of this film or Chabad of S. Johns of S. Augustine. Classes are free of Ricardo’s new marriage, and County, go to JewishSJohnsCounof charge and coffee and tea will the reactions of other couples to this revolutionary way to intimate ty.com. be served.

Shabbat Services

By Chabad Lubavitch of NE Florida

Chabad of Southside Hebrew School students proudly display their handmade crafts during a recent art project

Students Work in the Water

acksonville acksonville

JJewish ews ewishNN ews JaxJewish

@jaxjewish

JaxJewishTV

Social Media Directory

Ganeinu Students were able to adjust to the cooler weather outdoors by exploring with the water-table indoors.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

lifecycles Births

Congratulations to Sabrina and Andrew Efron on the birth of their daughter, Sadie Rose Efron, Tuesday, Jan. 5 in Alpharetta, Ga. Proud grandparents are Dr. Barry and Wendy Efron of Jacksonville and Marcia and Yehuda Asher of Sadie Rose Efron Atlanta.

Congratulations to Faye and Ari Schuchman on the birth of their daughter Coby Bayla Schuchman, Thursday, Dec. 24.

Proud grandparents are Debra and Leonard Setzer of Jacksonville and Leslie and Sidney Schuchman of Fort Lauderdale.

Mazel Tov to Samantha and Ben Kramer of West Hempstead, N.Y., on the birth of their son Reuven Shalom Kramer, Saturday, Jan. 2. He is the brother of Gavriel, Lizzy and Tova Kramer and proud grandparents are Jeff and Maureen Klein of Jacksonville as well as Lenny and Louise Kramer of Lawrence, N.Y.

Reuven Shalom Kramer

Sympathies

… To the family of Alvin Jack Blank, who passed away Wednesday, Dec. 23rd at the age of 89.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marilyn Annette, their children, Dorri (Mark) Kraus, Tammi Ecker; grandson, Jason Ecker; and his sister, Arlene Nussbaum.

A graveside funeral service was held, Dec. 25 in Pinelawn, N.Y. Contributions in Alvin Blank’s memory may be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center, or to the ASPCA in honor of his life-long love of animals. … To the family of Pearl Ellen ‘Nicki’ Macintosh, who passed away, Sunday, Dec. 27. She is survived by her mother, Phyllis Sprecher, brother Neal (Christine) Sprecher and sister Judy (Tom) Cooley as well as her aunt, Sue Ann Blumenthal. A graveside service took place, Dec. 31 at the New Center Cemetery, Minyan was held at Etz Chaim Synagogue. … To the family of Bob E. Wolfson, who passed away Wednesday, Dec. 30th. He is survived by his wife Vicki, his two daughters, Amy Wolfson and Mandi (Ross) Firoved; his brothers Bud (Lisa), Gary, David and Richard; grandchildren Ceci, Jayden, Levi

and William; many nieces and nephews, cousins and numerous friends. Minyan was held Jan. 6-7 at the home of Bud and Lisa Wolfson. Contributions in Bob Wolfson’s memory may be made to the Setzer Youth Education Fund at the Jacksonville Jewish Center or to Jewish Family & Community Services of Jacksonville. … To the Family of Hazel Monsky Wolfson, who passed away Saturday, Jan. 2 at the age of 95.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Saul and son, Richard (Lesley) Wolfson. She is survived by her children, Maura Wolfson-Foster and Donald (Karen) Wolfson, seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild.

Funeral services were held at Oaklawn Chapel, Jan. 5. The family requests that all contributions in memory of Hazel Wolfson be made to the Women’s Board for the Saul and Hazel Wolfson Endowment for Pediatric Research at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, 1325 San Marco Blvd, 32207, Congregation Ahavath Chesed – The Temple or River Garden Hebrew Home. … To the family of Jacksonville Jewish Center member Jack Price, who passed away Tuesday, Jan. 5 at the age of 87. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Miriam Finegold-Price, children Ned (Sue) Price, Susan Price, and Michael Price; siblings Samuel (Faye) Price, Florence (Jerry) Schemer, and Eunice (Barry) Zisser, as well as his eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held, Jan. 7 at Hardage-Giddens’ Funeral Home of Mandarin, followed by interment at the Beth Shalom section of Evergreen Cemetery. Contributions in Jack Price’s memory may be made to River Garden Senior Services, the Jacksonville Jewish Center, the Isser & Rae Price Judaica Library at the University of Florida, or Jewish Family & Community Services. … To the family of Jacksonville Jewish Center member Judy Dushoff, who passed away Friday, Jan. 8, at the age of 76.

She is survived by her daughters Terri (Tim) Overman and Holly Jennings; her brother Jim (Becky) McIntosh; grandchildren Kevin, Kyle, David, Elena and Laura; and great-grandchild Elena. A graveside funeral service was held Jan. 10, at the New Center Cemetery. Contributions in Judy Dushoff’s memory may be made to River Garden Senior Services. … To the family of Harriet Shemer, who passed away Saturday, Jan. 16 at the age of 91. She is survived by her daughter Cecily Larison, nieces Sandra Clark and Linda (Barry) Schuster and their children Courtney Kamlet, Amy

Schuster and Simon Schuster in addition to several more great nieces and nephews. A graveside funeral service took place Jan. 18, at the New Center Cemetery in Jacksonville. Contributions in Harriet Shemer’s memory can be made to the Jacksonville Humane Society to protect animals. … To the family of Zelda Cohen, who passed away Sunday, Jan. 17. She is survived by her son Norman (Susan) Cohen, their children Jonathon (Pam) Cohen, Meagan (Stephen) Jones, and Janna Cohen; as well as four other grandchildren; a sister, Sydelle (Morty) Engel, and brother, Ralph Chernin. Funeral services were held in South Florida, Jan. 21.

Contributions in Zelda Cohen’s memory can be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center or to River Garden Senior Services. … To the family of Ronald “Ronnie” Bloom, who passed away Monday, Jan. 18 at the age of 68. He is survived by his daughter Brittany Bloom, and siblings Carolyn Bloom-Bryan (Mel Bryan), Jackie (Nathan) Spiritas and Philip (Linda) Bloom. A graveside service was held Jan. 20 at The Temple Cemetery at Evergreen. The family requests that contributions in memory of Ronnie Bloom be made to the Harold Bloom Interfaith Endowment Trust at The Temple. … To the family of Gerald Friedman, who passed away Monday, Jan. 18 at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife, Francine, daughters Betsy (Keith) Zipper, Marla Semmel, and grandchildren Ian and Spencer Zipper and Madison and Benjamin Semmel, in addition to brother Michael (Pat) Friedman. A graveside service was held Jan. 21, at The Temple Cemetery at Evergreen in Jacksonville. The family requests that contributions in memory of Gerald Friedman be made to Temple or Community Hospice. … To the family of Irwin Anolick, who passed away Friday, Jan. 22 at the age of 79. He is survived by his daughter, Elyse (James) Henderson and grandchildren Auriel, Joseph and Jonathan Henderson. He was buried in Fort Lauderdale, Jan. 24. The family requests that contributions made in memory of Irwin Anolick be made to The Temple or the Arnold Gold Foundation.

To submit an item for life cycles, please email it to jjn@ jewishjacksonville. org. Due date is the 6th of the month. For guidelines of how to write Bar/Bat Mitzvah, wedding or obituary announcements, go to jewishjacksonville.org/news under “Share your news.”

business card directory

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

Its time to boogie at the JCA’s 1970’s themed February fundraiser

By Jewish Community Alliance

Enjoy a throwback to the decade of platform shoes, bellbottoms and disco, Saturday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. The JCA’s annual fundraiser, chaired by Glenn & Michael Miller and Alison & Brent Trager will transport you back in time with an evening of 70’s themed food, décor, cocktails and entertainment. Seventies fun attire is encouraged, so visit jcajax.org/letsboogie for suggestions.

This event would not be possible without the generosity of our event sponsors (as of Jan. 7): Alexandra & Scot Ackerman, Alhambra Theatre & Dining, Suzette & Michel Allen, Jordan Ansbacher, Berman Family Foundation, Block Family, Sharon & Malcolm Bloom, Browdy & Browdy, Inc., Deborah & Lathun Brigman, Harriet & Ernie Brodsky, LaVerne & Andrew Cantor, Joe Copeland, Minuteman Press – Sunbeam Rd., Michael DeSanto, DuBow Family Foundation, Cindy & Dan Edelman, Mary & Jeff Edwards,

Sue & Ron Elinoff, Flagler Family, Frisch Family, Debbie & Mel Gottlieb, Nancy & Mark Green, Paula & Kenneth Horn, Ken Jacobs /Gray-Robinson, P.A., Irene & James Jaffa, Korman & Shelton Families, Rabbi Joshua & Rebecca Lief, Andrea & Steven Mail, Daniel Miller, Brightway Insurance – Riverside, Monique & David Miller, Glenn & Michael Miller, Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A., Debbie & Jeff Parker, Nancy & Gary Perlman, Kim & David Robbins, Jeanine & Chaim Rogozinski, Ellen & Alan Rosner, Shari & Marke Saye, Selevan Family, Setzer’s Appliances, Sylvia & Joel Shapiro, Steve Sherman/Dana Current – Sherman/ Current Group, Merrill Lynch, Sisisky & Sherman Families, Linda & David Stein, Lonnie & Bruce Steinberg, Synovus Bank of Jacksonville, Trager Family Foundation, Tracey & David Vandroff, Susan & Stephen Wolchok, Robin & David Wolf and Zimmerman Family Foundation.

Also a special thanks goes out to our fabulous committee: Alex-

andra Ackerman, Sharon Bloom, Lauren Edwards, Mary Edwards, Sue Elinoff, Adam Frisch, Pat Frisch, Sierra Frisch, Allison Jacobs, Sam Levin, Monique Miller, Debbie Parker, Kim Robbins, Dana Rogozinski, Jeanine Rogozinski, Ellen Rosner, Ryan Saltz, Shari Saye, Fran Selevan, Rebekah Selevan, Allison Korman Shelton, Kimberly Sisisky, Linda Stein, Randee Steinberg, Rochelle Stoddard, Kendall Valliere, Stacie Wilf and Chase Zimmerman.

Sponsorships and event ticket sales are crucial to the success of this event. Event tickets are $125 per person and are available for purchase in-person at the JCA or by visiting jcajax.org/fundraiser.

For more information regarding event tickets or sponsorship opportunities for the event, please contact Lior Spring at 904-7302100, ext. 318 or lior.spring@ jcajax.org. Last year’s event sold out, so buy your tickets now so you won’t miss out on this fantastic and fun evening supporting the Jewish Community Alliance.

JCA summer camp registration now open

BY IMAN BYFIELD

Jewish Community Alliance

According to the American Camp Association, sending your children to camp has several positive effects, including promoting community building skills and acceptance of others as well as instilling feelings of connectedness. For parents looking for an enriching summer program, the Jewish Community Alliance has begun registration for its 2016 summer camp season.

Open to kids ages two through twelfth grade, summer camp at the JCA provides participants a safe, enriching experience in a

structured Jewish environment.

The nationally accredited program offers a wide range of sports and activities, including swimming, arts and crafts, theatre and special programming for teens grades 10 through 12. Staff and counselors in the camp work to ensure a positive, fun environment for participants. JCA counselors contribute to campers’ program participation, knowledge and enthusiasm to provide a memorable camp experience for children and families.

The 2016 JCA Summer Camps are: Camp Gan Yeladim (age 2 - 4

by Sept. 1, 2016), KinderCamo (entering Kindergarten), Camp Sabra (entering grades 1 - 2), Camp Habonim (entering grades

3 - 6), Theatre Camp (entering grades 1 - 9), Adventure Days (entering grades K-8), J-Teens (entering grades 10 - 12) JCA Summer Camp meets for four, two-week sessions: June 13 - 24; June 27 - July 8; July 11 - 22 and July 25 – Aug. 5. Pre and Post Adventure Days are also available. These week-long programs are offered before the summer camp session May 31 - June 3 and June 6 - 10; and after, Aug. 8 - 12. For more information on JCA Summer Camp programs or to register, visit jcajax.org/camp or call 904-730-2100, ext. 228.

Those who register by March 11 will receive a special gift.

JCA HAPPENINGS February 2016 Sh’vat/Adar 5776

For more information or to register for programs at the JCA, call 904-730-2100 or visit our official website at www.jcajax.org.

Vandroff Art Gallery

The paintings of Linda Foreman will be featured from Feb. 5 – Mar. 2. This collection was completed in the last two years and has not been previously shown.

Crafting at the J: Cosmetics Essentials

Make natural skincare products with Donna McGee of Green Lotus Studios, Tuesday, Feb. 9 from 6:30-9 p.m. The fee is $30 and $20 for JCA valued members. Please register by Feb. 4.

Mindfulness Meditation

Join the JCA Baptist Wellness Connexion on Mondays, Feb. 1-22 from 6-7:30 p.m. and learn how to relax your body and use your breath to focus your thoughts and create a more compassionate outlook on life. No special training or knowledge is needed and the fee is $60 and $40 for JCA valued members.

Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Learn the principles of Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu through instruction, observation, practice and competition. This clinic is from March 7-28 and the fee is $75 and $50 for JCA valued members. For more information, contact Coach Rio at 904-730-2100, ext. 250.

Youth and Adult Flag Football

Flag football leagues for adults and youth begin in April. A mandatory youth assessment will be held on Sunday, Mar. 6. For details, contact Coach Rio at 904730-2100, ext. 250.

Youth Fencing

Youth ages 7-13 can learn fencing basics Sundays, Mar. 13-May 1 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The six class fee is $158 and $105 for JCA valued members.

Varsity Basketball League

Register as an individual or a team for this 5-on-5 full court league by Mar. 21. Play is from Mar. 28-May 26 and the fee is $120 and $80 for JCA valued members. For more information, contact Coach Rio at 904-730-2100, ext. 250.

Youth Sports Clinics

The JCA offers youth sports clinics

for ages four to 14 in baseball, basketball, gymnastics, Makos Run Club, soccer, football, golf and volleyball. For more information, contact Coach Rio at 904-7302100, ext. 250.

Tennis Clinics

The JCA offers ongoing youth and adult tennis clinics to learn the basics or shape up your game. For more information, contact Reggie at 904-730-2100, ext. 317.

Learn-to-Swim

These instructional swim programs for children ages six months-12 years are designed by the American Red Cross. For more information and schedules, contact Jessica at 904-730-2110, ext. 240.

Makos Swim Teams

JV and School Year swim teams offer age appropriate training in a safe and fun environment.

For schedules and information, contact Jessica at 904-730-2110, ext. 240.

Crafting at the J: Stained Glass Basics

Create your own work of art and learn skills to make artwork on your own during thus class held on Wednesdays, Mar. 9-30. Materials are provided but you must

JCA young concert artists series continues

Cellist Sang-Eun Lee Photo Credit: Matt Dine purchase your tools. Registration required by Feb. 29.

BY IMAN BYFIELD

Movie Magic

Last month, the JCA opened its annual Young Concert Artists Series with the Hermes Quartet. The series, which brings international young concert artists to Jacksonville, will continue, Sunday, Feb. 14 at 3 p.m. with a performance by cellist Sang-Eun Lee at the Jewish Community Alliance.

Lee is the winner of the 2014 Young Concert Artists International Auditions and a current student at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. At the age of nine, she began studying at the Korean National University of the Arts with Myung Wha Chung and Sang Min Park.

After her debut at age 13, she went on to win first prize at the Johansen International Competition in Washington, D.C., and at age 15, second prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. Lee has performed as a soloist with leading Korean orchestras, including the Seoul Philharmonic and made her Kennedy Center and New York recital debuts last season.

Thanks to the generosity of the Berman Family, all events in the Young Concert Artist Series are free and open to the entire community.

For more information, contact the JCA registrar at 904-730-2100, ext.

228 or visit jcajax.org.

‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ is an outstanding film noir starring Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney.

This event is on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 12 p.m. and is free and open to the entire community.

Oil Painting with Paola Pileri

Learn to paint with oils in this introductory class. The fee is $153 and $102 for JCA valued members and this clinic is held on Tuesdays, Feb. 2-Mar. 8, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

A Road Trip to The Distillery

On Thursday, Feb. 18 at 9:30 a.m., meet at the JCA and then travel to St. Augustine to learn how spirits are made accompanied by a free tasting. A Dutch treat lunch will follow the event at Ice Plant.

The fee is $36 and $24 for JCA valued members. Reservations are required by Feb. 10.

Family Movie Night

Join us for a family movie night at the JCA, Saturday, Feb. 20 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The fee is $10, but JCA valued members are free.

JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $208,000

Jewish Community Alliance

www.jewishjacksonville.org

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

JEWISH FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES Briefs

Applications Torah Academy of Jacksonville students help needy neighbors stock up for holidays for interest

PJ Library

By Jewish Family & Community Services

PJ Library, the award winning free program for books and music is open to all families with Jewish children in Jacksonville. If your children are between the ages of six months and eight years, they are eligible.

Please sign up now by going to www.pjlibrary.org/communities/jacksonville, or calling Whitney Kuvin at 904-394-5724.

Meals4You

JFCS in partnership with River Garden is pleased to bring you our meal program, Meals4You, from our kitchen to yours. Meals are delicious, nutritious, convenient and delivered right to your door. Jewish dietary laws are observed, so call Whitney for more information at 904-224-6287.

free loans available March 1

Special thanks to Torah Academy of Jacksonville’s Student Government members who collected groceries for the Feed a Needy Neighbor (FANN) program in the weeks leading up to the winter holidays. Under the leadership of Rabbi Shaya Hauptman and Etz Chaim Board Member Yosef Meyer, this kind-hearted and hard-working group helped nourish families experiencing hunger.

Through their efforts and with help from other generous donors, JFCS was able to provide food for more than 210 families during in the last two weeks of December.

By Jewish Family & Community Services

Toys brighten the holidays for many kids through JFCS’ gift giving drive

Call2Go

Call2Go is the transportation program at JFCS. We work with Checker Cab and are happy to schedule rides for Shabbat and Holidays at no charge. We also provide rides for medical appointments and quality of life events. Call Whitney for more information at 904224-6287.

Halocaust Survivor Homecare Services

Students from the Martin J Gottlieb Day School spend their day busy shopping for JFCS’ Holiday Gift Giving Fund

BY KATHY WOHLHUTER

Dir. of Development & Marketing

Children with bright smiles and happy faces experienced the joy and excitement of the holiday season, thanks to the generosity of our community. That’s because this year’s Holiday Gift Giving

Homecare services are available to residents of the Jacksonville community as a partnership between JFCS and Alpert Jewish Services in West Palm Beach enables JFCS to offer up to 25 hours per week of homecare

BY HILARY ROTENBERG services to Holocaust SurJFCS Care Manager vivors, paid through funds from the Claims ConferOver the past few months, ence. Services include light ElderSource and JFCS partnered housekeeping, medication to provide free, unbiased Medimanagement, and assistance care Counseling. This partnership with bathing, meal prepara- helped people understand their tion and errands. Please call Medicare benefits and determine Naomi Mirensky at 904which Medicare prescription drug 394-5777 for more informa- plan was the best fit, in addition to answering any and all questions tion.

Jewish Healing Network

Become a Jewish Healing Network Volunteer at JFCS and help us fulfill the Mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim. If you are interested in helping, you can make a weekly visit or phone call to a senior, or even help us deliver food to those who cannot get out. Please call Gail at 904-394-5723 for more information.

Save The Date

Drive surpassed all expectations, with more than 775 children in need receiving toys. Donations from synagogues, local businesses and individuals poured in to JFCS and dedicated staff and volunteers devoted countless hours organizing and delivering these gifts. Colleen Rodriguez, execu-

Memorial Medical Center employees drop off their donation tive director of JFCS, voiced her appreciation, saying, “We are so fortunate to have such a caring and generous community that continues to make this gift drive more successful each year.” Many thanks goes out to our community for its support in spreading holiday cheer.

Applications for interest-free loans for higher education (college, graduate school and vocational programs) will be available to Jewish students in the Jacksonville area for the 2016-2017 school year from JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund), in partnership with Jacksonville Jewish Family & Community Services, from March 1 – April 30. Please visit JELF’s website at www.jelf.org to learn more.

JELF loans are need-based and offer ‘last-dollar’ financing, meaning that JELF provides the final dollars that bridge the gap between a student’s total financial resources and the cost of attending school. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a program leading to a degree or certificate at an accredited institution that is located in the United States, be a U.S. citizen or have lawful immigration status in the U.S., and be able to demonstrate financial need (FAFSA application required). In 2015, JELF granted $800,000 in interest-free last-dollar loans to 219 students across its five-state region. For more information, contact rlevin@jfcsjax.org or call 904-394-5721.

Medicare counseling brought to seniors through a successful partnership between JFCS & ElderSource

about Medigap, long-term care insurance policies and other health

insurance programs for seniors.

The program also assisted Medicare beneficiaries with specific ar-

eas, such as home health benefits, Medicare claims and appeals and other Medicare issues. Through

Holocaust Story Corps

Sunday, April 3, for an intergenerational model Seder program at Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue. More Holocaust survivor Claire Soria was recently interviewed information will follow.

by St. Johns Country Day School student Ryan Hilliard

these methods more than a dozen individuals received a total of 20 hours of counseling.

JFCS would like to thank James Mace, SHINE Volunteer for spending his Fridays with us!

Although the open enrollment period is over, if you are approaching ‘Medicare age’, it is important to learn about your benefits. Make an appointment to speak with a trained SHINE counselor to maximize your Medicare benefits. To learn more, visit FloridaSHINE. org.

6261 Dupont Station Ct, Jacksonville, FL 32217 P: (904) 448-1933 / F: (904) 448-0349 / jfcsjax.org facebook.com/jfcsjax/

JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $294,500

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA

Life & Legacy Life & Legacy program takes Northeast Florida by Storm 2016 & beyond During the next two years you will be hearing a great deal about LIFE & LEGACY, which is a partnership of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) and the Jewish Community Foundation as well as many of the local agencies, synagogues and Jewish day Arlene Schiff, Executive Director of the Life & Legacy program, Event participants Jeanine Rogozinski, Andrea Mail, Foundation schools. HGF alongside event attendees Richard Sisisky and Andrea Mail executive director Jeff Klein and JCF president Sue Nussbaum may be familiar to some readers conducted the workshop and legacy gift. Under Create a Jewish only 24 Community Foundations

BY JEFF KLEIN as it funds the PJ Richard Sisisky and Andrea Mail, Legacy, nearly 1,100 Declarations that have been selected for this JCF Executive Director Library in which Co-chairs of LIFE & LEGACY, of Intent were signed, stating that prestigious grant and even though many families explained how the program was The Jewish Community the signers intended to establish a this initiative will only last two in our area created as a first step to train both

By JEFF Foundation of Northeast Florida legacy gift to benefit the organiza- years, the funds and legacy gifts participate. PJ lay volunteers, rabbis and organiInc. has officially launched LIFE tions to which they felt closest. created to benefit our local Jewish Library is a proKLEIN, zational professionals on the art of & LEGACY, a program of the Dr. Sue Nussbaum, JCF organizations will last for many gram that sends Executive Harold Grinspoon Foundation, to the legacy conversation. free Jewish President, proudly announced generations into the future.”

Director The workshop’s focus highexpand legacy giving in Northeast children’s books that “The Harold Grinspoon To learn more about how you to families lighted the process on how one Florida. A workshop was conFoundation has awarded the JCF can create your own family legacy across the world goes about having a conversation ducted in early January, in which a $300,000 grant which will be please call our offices at 904every month. Here in Jacksonville, with someone who has verbally nearly every Jewish organizaused to market and help under652-2122 or email Jeff Klein, JCF JFCS is the sponsor of PJ Library, committed or signed a Declaration, synagogue, and Jewish Day write significant portions of LIFE Executive Director at jeff.klein@ with generous support from the School took part in addition to the tion of Intent, so that this indi& LEGACY during the next two jewishfoundationnefl.org DuBow Family Foundation and the vidual or family may move toward years,” and that “The JCF is one of Federation.

Arlene Schiff, ExecuSam Berman Charitable Foundaactualizing this intent into a tive Director of LIFE & LEGACY tion. LIFE & LEGACY will be the catalyst to secure new legacy gifts as legacy giving is accessible and available to everyone including people of modest means as well as those with substantial wealth.

Contrary to what you might think, it is easy to leave a legacy as you just name your favorite charity in your will and you can become a significant philanthropist. If every member of a synagogue left just a

BY JEFF KLEIN small percentage of their personal JCF Executive Director estate for the benefit of their temple or synagogue, these endowments The LIFE & LEGACY would grow year after year and pro- workshop planning comvide very significant funding over mittee had the creativity the years. Many working people of several people to insure have contributed to a 401k, a 403b its success, one of whom or an IRA during their working was Jeanine Rogozinski. years. By designating a charity as a The primary purpose of the beneficiary, you may be a philanworkshop was to provide thropist and leave a legacy. the participants with the Do you own a life insurance pol- necessary tools to carry out ‘Joey’ the kangaroo the process of converting icy that has been collecting dust?

By adding a charitable organization Declarations of Intent into it one step further and bestow completed documents to the best environment and as an additional beneficiary you opportunities for everyone can be charitable and never have to establish endowment funds.

Rogozinski felt that we also in the present as well as reach for your wallet. Additionally, needed a mascot which could for the future. Sometimes have you owned a particular stock inspire our workshop attenda gentle reminder, like our for many years that has grown in ees to feel pride, passion and furry friend, ‘Joey’, makes value? And are you concerned hope for the future, so with an indelible reminder of the about paying capital gains taxes? this in mind, she had adornimportance of what we are By transferring ownership to the ing all the tables in the social doing here at the LIFE & JCF and designating your favorite hall at the Jacksonville JewLEGACY workshop, as we charity in an endowment fund ish Center were very cuddly, are ‘predicting the future, by agreement, you can establish a lega- yet special kangaroo’s with what we leave behind today’. cy gift and you may avoid capital a message. She also offered The LIFE & LEGACY gains taxes, and receive a charitable her own thoughts saying, committee and the JCF tax deduction.

“With its baby in tow, this Board of trustees have made So many times I tell people marsupial (nicknamed Joey) this program a high priority it’s not how much you can give is the very symbol of life and in 2016 and look forward when you are considering a legacy legacy; the mother is life, its to many success stories in gift because deciding what your baby, the legacy.” the months to come as more We are very similar in legacy will be is the first step in legacy gifts are established. many ways as we create a the process. A legacy gift is your With our very own ‘Joey’, home, a secure environment hopping along, we are all personal statement of the values and see our children through convinced that legacy giving you hold and want to transmit to to maturity. Our natural will be transformative for the future generations. While there inclination, like the kangaroo, Jacksonville Jewish commuare many ways to participate in is not only to provide the nity in the years to come.

LIFE & LEGACY, always consult necessities of life, but to take a trusted adviser when considering a legacy gift. LIFE & LEGACY through the HGF foundation has inspired people of all abilities in 14 communities (as of Dec. 2014) to leave upwards of $150 million • Overnight Camp and whose families are memto 176 organizations. We are most Scholarship Opportunity bers of a local congregation.

The Len and Judy Elikan If you would like to receive a grateful to the Harold Grinspoon Camp Scholarship Endowscholarship application when Foundation for their incredible ment 2016 Scholarship they are complete, please support and look forward to growApplications will be ready email Jeff Klein at jeff. ing our legacy commitments here klein@jewishfoundationnefl. in Jacksonville. If you would like to and available in the next few weeks. The Elikan Camp org. discuss a legacy gift that will have Scholarship is for teens be• Mark your Calendar meaning to you and your family tween the ages of 13-17, who The next JCF IOC meeting I would be very pleased to sit and will be attending an overnight is scheduled for Wednesday, speak with you at any time. camp program this summer Feb. 3, at 6 p.m.

MONEY MATTERS

Life and Legacy planning committee has extra hop in their steps during recent workshop

JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $88,422

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www.jewishjacksonville.org

Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

RIVER GARDEN SENIOR SERVICES

RIVER GARDEN 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $195,000

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www.jewishjacksonville.org

Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

community news

Jewish Disability Awareness Month brings in a gathering of talented artists to the Jacksonville Jewish Center

BY CINDY LAND

JFCS Community Disibility Inclusion Manager

Come join Jewish Family & Community Services for a ‘Gathering of Artists’, Thursday Feb. 11, to celebrate Jewish Disability Awareness Month.

On that day, three very talented artists will sharing the stories of their journeys into the world of

art. One of them, Tony Ryals, uses a paint brush between his teeth to paint beautiful pictures of everyday life. The artists from the Arc Jacksonville will also show how their use of a tracker helps them produce their contemporary

Trailblazing Rabbi Eugene Borowitz passes away at 91

BY MERRILL SHAPIRO St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society

Rabbi Eugene Borowitz, American Jewish leader and philosopher in Reform Judaism known largely for his work on Jewish theology and Jewish ethics passed away in his Stamford, Conn., home Friday, Jan. 22, at the age of 91. Borowitz is being remembered by the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society as a towering figure in the world of Jewish thought, who was one of 16 Rabbis that came to St. Augustine at the request of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He along with his other rabbinical counterparts were a part of the largest mass arrest of Rabbis in U.S. History, at the Monson Hotel and the nearby Chimes Restaurant on June 18, 1964. While being held in the St. Johns County Jail, Borowitz wrote, with ample input from his colleagues, the public letter ‘Why We Went To St. Augustine,’ a document that became the manifesto for Jewish involvement in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s and beyond.

Borowitz wrote, that “these words were first written at 3 a.m. in the sweltering heat of a sleepless night, by the light of the one naked bulb hanging in the corridor outside our small cell,” and that “They were ironically scratched on the back of the pages of a mimeographed report of the bloody assaults of the Ku Klux Klan in St. Augustine.” Borowitz said that the Rabbis came to St. Augustine, “because we could not stay away,” coming at the request of Dr. King “in which he asked us to join with him in a creative witness to our joint convictions

Rabbi Eugene Borowitz (1924 - 2016) of equality and racial justice … because we realized that injustice in St. Augustine, as anywhere else, diminishes the humanity of each of us.”

In a statement unusual for its time, the era when the memory of the trial and execution of Holocaust perpetrator Adolf Eichman was fresh in the minds of Jews everywhere, Borowitz wrote, “We came as Jews who remember the millions of faceless people who stood quietly, watching the smoke rise from Hitler’s crematoria. We came because we know that, second only to silence, the greatest danger to man is loss of faith in man’s capacity to act.”

Following the mass arrest, six of the eight surviving Rabbis returned to St. Augustine this past year to commemorate the event’s 51st anniversary, describing what they had done and what it meant.

Unfortunately, Borowitz was too ill to make the journey from his home in Connecticut to St. Augustine, nonetheless, the half dozen former clergy members lauded Borowitz as their teacher, mentor and guide.

works of art. Lastly, an aspiring artist from the UNF School of Special Education will present his artwork to the crowd. The event is scheduled to run from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Jacksonville Jewish Center (3662 Crown Point Rd.) and will conclude with an art show in the lobby, where their work will be for sale. For additional information, please contact Cindy Land, Community Disability Inclusion Manager at CLand@jfcsjax.org.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

federation news

The Jewish Federation of Jacksonville thanks you for your support!

We appreciate our donors and want to express this each month in the Jacksonville Jewish News. Thank you to the following donors who have made a commitment to support our 2016 Federation Annual Campaign as of Jan. 15, - *Names in Bold have made contributions to the campaign since Dec. 1.

Dr. & Mrs. Mark Abramson Mrs. Arlene Adelson Mr. & Mrs. Dolph Ageloff Mrs. Carol Agress Alexandra Miller Bequest Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Alterman Ms. Barbara Ames Mr. & Mrs. Allan Andrew Mrs. Frieda Andriesse Mr. & Mrs. Mark Angelo Mr. & Mrs. William Arnold Mr. & Mrs. Richard Axelberg Mr. & Mrs. Frank Backilman Dr. & Mrs. Robert Baker Mrs. Isabel Balotin Dr. & Mrs. Harold Baumgarten Dr. & Mrs. Matthew Becker Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Beckerman Mr. & Mrs. Morris Bendit Mr. & Mrs. Jean Benjamin Mr. & Mrs. Odell Bennett Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bennett Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Bennett Mr. Martin Berger Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Berger Mr. Daniel Bergman Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Bettman Mr. & Mrs. Brian Bialik Mrs. Adrienne Biber Mr. & Mrs. David Bielski Mr. & Mrs. Larry Blaustein Block Family Foundation Ms. Stacey Blum Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Board Mrs. Traude Bohrman Mrs. Josephine Bonnett Mr. & Mrs. Robert Bossen Mrs. Rhona Botnick Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Breault Mrs. Ruchel Broadman Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bronowitz Dr. & Mrs. Sol Brotman Dr. & Mrs. Robert Brown Drs. Robert & Suzanne Bryskin Dr. & Mrs. Dennis Buchman Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Buckley Dr. & Mrs. Arthur Burns Mr. & Mrs. Howard Buss Mr. & Mrs. Paul Cantor Mr. & Mrs. Steven Cantor Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Chait Ms. Miriam Chefer Mr. & Mrs. Allan Cheiken Dr. Colleen Bell & Mr. Craig Cherrin Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Cherry Dr. & Mrs. Donald Cohen Ms. Joanne Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Perry Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Cohen Mr. Hyman Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Joel Cohen Ms. Nancy Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Norman Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Jack Coleman Mr. & Mrs. Mark Cooper Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Coplan

Mrs. Ellen Cottrill Ms. Cheryl Covitz Dr. & Mrs. Richard Crovatto Mrs. Susu Cruse Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Datz Drs. Leo & Joanne Davis Ms. Marilyn Dawson Mr. & Mrs. Jim De Arman Mr. & Mrs. Moti Demri Mr. Michael Desanto & Ms. Debbi Barry Mrs. Marilyn Desser Mr. & Mrs. Harold Diamond Ms. Pamela Diamond Ms. Anna Dittus Judge & Mrs. Robert Droker Mrs. Jody Dughi Mr. & Mrs. Alexius Dyer Dr. & Mrs. Fred Eaglstein Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Edelman Mr. & Mrs. Martin Edwards Ms. Gloria Einstein Mrs. Judy R. Eisen Mr. & Mrs. Jack Eisenberg Mr. & Mrs. Fred Elefant Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Elikan Dr. & Mrs. Ronald Elinoff Ms. Harriet Feinglass Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Feldman Drs. Howard & Dina Fetner Ms. Etta Fialkow Mr. & Mrs. Neal Finkelstein Mr. & Mrs. Robert Fischer Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Fischer Mr. Dave Flagler Mr. & Mrs. Michael Fleet Ms. Deborah Foust Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Fox Mr. Matthew Franzblau Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Franzblau Mr. Rick Franzblau Mrs. Marilyn Freedman Dr. & Mrs. Michael Freeman Mr. & Mrs. Sheldon Friedman Mr. & Mrs. Steven Friedman Mr. & Mrs. Adam Frisch Mr. & Mrs. Charles Frohman Judge Jerry Funk Ms. Elaine Furman Mr. & Mrs. Harold Garber Mr. & Mrs. Henry Gare Mr. Victor Gaukhman Mr. & Mrs. Larry Geller Mr. & Mrs. Marc Gladstone Mr. & Mrs. Martin Goetz Dr. & Mrs. Lawrence Goldberg Mrs. Rose Goldberg Mr. & Mrs. Irwin Goldberg Mr. & Mrs. Ira Goldfield Mr. David Golding & Ms. Leslie Carmel Mrs. Irma Goldman Mr. Alan Goldman Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Goldsmith Mr. Harvey Goldstein Mr. & Mrs. Allen Goldstein Mr. & Mrs. Andy Goldstrom

Mr. Jonathan Goodman Mrs. Gloria Goodman Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Gordon Mr. Anthony Jarzyna & Sue Gottesman-Jarzyna Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Gottlieb Mr. & Mrs. Chris Gould Dr. & Mrs. Brett Gratz Mr. Allen Gray & Ms. Diane Greenbaum Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Greenfield Mr. & Mrs. Edward Grenadier Mrs. Doris Gross Mr. Marc Grosse & Ms. Lisa Ross Mrs. Dolly Grunthal Drs. Randall & Shoshana Haas Dr. & Mrs. Jesse Halpern Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Hare Mr. & Mrs. Robert Harris Mr. & Mrs. Alan Harrison Mrs. Sonie Hecht Mr. & Mrs. Charles Hedrick Mrs. Leslie Held Mr. Steven Heller Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Herman Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Hernandez Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hersh Mr. John Nelson & Ms. Murren Hill Mr. & Mrs. Bob Hirsch Mr. & Mrs. Howard Hodor Mr. Royal Holian Mr. & Mrs. Jay Holiday Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Holzer Mrs. Nancy Honig Mr. & Mrs. Elliott Horovitz Ms. Helene Isolica Mr. & Mrs. George Jackson Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Jacobs Mr. & Ms. Brian Jacobs Mr. & Mrs. James Jaffa Mrs. Lorraine Jenkins Dr. Edward Joseph Ms. Sharon Juhasz Mr. & Mrs. Norman Kagan Mr. Jeffry Wollitz & Ms. Randy Kammer Dr. & Mrs. Robert Kanner Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Kaplan Mr. & Mrs. Philip Karp Mr. & Mrs. Melvin Karsin Mr. David Kasriel Ms. Libby Katz Ms. Michele Katz Mr. & Mrs. Manfred Katz Mr. & Mrs. Howard Kaufmann Mr. & Mrs. Donald Kaye Mr. & Mrs. Allen Kellman Mr. & Mrs. Mark Kessler Mr. & Mrs. Rudolf Kigel Mr. & Mrs. David Kight Ms. Simone Kilbourn Mr. & Mrs. Myron Kodner Mrs. Helene Koenigsberg Mr. & Mrs. Henry Kopp Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Korn Mrs. Annetta Kornblum Mr. & Mrs. Mark Kornhauser

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Kossoff Mr. & Mrs. Mark Kraemer Mrs. Sylvia Kraemer Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Kurtz Dr. & Mrs. Ron Kushner Dr. & Mrs. Dennis Lafer Mr. Howard Laner Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Langer Mr. & Mrs. James Lawson Mrs. Naomi Lazar Ms. Jean Lebowitz & Ms. Thelma Lebowitz Mrs. Dorothy Legum Ms. Sybil Lehr Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Leif Mr. & Mrs. Stephan Leimberg Ms. Tilde A. Lerman Dr. & Mrs. Eli Lerner Mr. & Mrs. Michael Levin Dr. Sharon & Mr. Mort Levin Dr. & Mrs. H. Ronald Levin Mr. & Mrs. Mark Levine Mr. & Mrs. Sam Lewis Mr. Tyler Curl & Ms. Jessica Ligator Dr. Leonard Lipkin Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Lipsky Mr. & Mrs. Michael Lissner Dr. & Mrs. Marc Litt Dr. David Loeb Mr. & Mrs. Richard Mack Mr. Leonard Magid & Mrs. Claudia Baker Mrs. Raquel Maiman Mrs. Ilana Manasse Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Margol Mr. & Mrs. Alan Margolies Mr. & Mrs. Adam Marko Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Markowitz Dr. & Mrs. Alan Marks Ms. Caroline Marks Mr. & Mrs. Adam Marmelstein Dr. Ronald Mars Mrs. Phyllis Martin Mrs. Pearl Marton Dr. & Mrs. Mike Mass Mrs. Deinya Mautz Mrs. Hilda Mazo Mr. & Mrs. Myron Mensh Mr. & Mrs. Paul Metlin Mr. Glenn Miller & Mr. Michael Miller Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Mintzer Mr. & Mrs. Alan Mizrahi Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Mizrahi Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Montagna Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Morris Mr. & Mrs. Joel Morris Ms. Anita Moss Mr. Andrew Yellen & Ms. Ruthellen Mulberg Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Myers Dr. & Mrs. Peter Natale Dr. & Mrs. Alan Nathans Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Neadle Drs. Steven & Tmima Neihaus Mr. & Mrs. Lon Neuman Ms. Kym Newlen Mr. & Mrs. Robert Newman Mr. & Mrs. Robert Nied Mr. & Mrs. Louis Nussbaum Mrs. June Oberdorfer Mr. Andrew Ocean Mr. & Mrs. Jais Ohayon Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Ohayon Mr. & Mrs. Mitchell Olesker Mrs. Donne Ordile Ms. Allysondra Osborne Mr. & Mrs. Morrie Osterer Mr. & Mrs. Elliott Palevsky Mr. & Mrs. Brian Pargman Mr. & Mrs. Richard Passink Mr. & Mrs. Troy Patton Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Perlis Dr. & Mrs. Morton Perlman Mr. & Mrs. Marshall Persky Mr. & Mrs. Michael Platzer Ms. Laura Platzer Mr. & Mrs. Jay Plotkin Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Plotkin Mrs. Lita Poehlman Dr. Judy and Mr. Ronel Poppell Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Portnoy Ms. Elaine Portnoy Mr. Neil Presser Mrs. Anne Presser Dr. Miriam & Mr. Jack Price Mr. & Mrs. Ron Price Dr. Susan Price Dr. & Mrs. Marco Rand Mr. Melvin Spector & Mrs. Laura Rappaport-Spector Mr. & Mrs. Neil Rashba Dr. Todd Rasner & Dr. Inbal Cohen-Rasner William & Joan Rein Family Foundation Dr. Harry Reinstine, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Harold Resnick Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Resnick Ms. Sondra Resnikoff Mrs. Marian Rice Mr. & Mrs. Matt Rickoff Mr. & Mrs. William Rifkin Dr. & Mrs. Harris Rittenberg Mrs. Linda Rodman Mr. Howard Roey Dr. & Mrs. Abe Rogozinski Dr. & Mrs. Chaim Rogozinski Mr. & Mrs. Sam Rogozinski Mr. & Mrs. Steven Rohan Ms. Margaret Rose Mr. William Rose Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Rosen Ronnie & Jerrold Rosenbaum Family Foundation, Inc. Dr. Eli Rosenblatt Mrs. Stacia Rosenblum Mr. & Mrs. Steve Ross Mrs. Sandi Roth Dr. & Mrs. Neal Roth Mr. & Mrs. Paul Rothstein

Dr. & Mrs. Jerry Rothstein Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Ruby Mrs. Shirley Rudnick Mrs. Carol Sack Ms. Eleanor Safer Mrs. Gaye Sager Dr. & Mrs. David Sall Mr. & Mrs. Neil Sandler Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Sandler Drs. Jeff & Wendy Sapolsky Mr. & Mrs. David Schachnovsky Dr. & Mrs. Howard Schare Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Scheer Mr. & Mrs. William Schemer Mrs. Shirley Schemer Ms. Amy Schemer Mrs. Frances Schemer Judge & Mrs. Jack Schemer Debbie & Rob Schiller Ms. Ilene Schinasi Judge & Mrs. Harvey Schlesinger Rabbi & Mrs. Avi Schochet Mrs. Barbara Schuster Mr. Zachary Schwartz Mrs. Margie Seaman Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Seebol Ms. Stephanie Seebol Selevan Family Foundation Ms. Karen Selig & Mr. Jack Merwin Mrs. Mimi Selig Mr. Alan Selmanoff Dr. & Mrs. Robert Selwitz Mr. & Mrs. Alan Setzer Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Shacter Mr. & Mrs. Robert Shafer Mr. & Mrs. Joel Shapiro Mr. & Mrs. Robert Shenkman Mr. & Mrs. David Shuman Mr. & Mrs. Edward Siegel Mr. & Mrs. Leon Silke Mr. & Mrs. Gary Silverfield Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Silverman Mr. Robert Silverman & Ms. Barbara Berlin Mr. & Mrs. Federick Singer Mr. & Mrs. Barry Sinoff Mr. & Mrs. Adam Skala Mr. & Mrs. Alan Smiley Ms. Laurie Smirl Mrs. Francine Smith Mr. & Mrs. Eric Smith Ms. Dianna Smith Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Soffer Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Soilson Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Solomon Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Solomon Mr. & Mrs. Damian Spector Mr. Daniel Stein Mr. & Mrs. Jay Stein Mrs. Susan Stein Mr. & Mrs. Martin Steinberg Dr. & Mrs. Irving Sterman Mr. & Mrs. Leon Stone Mr. & Mrs. Elliot Stone Dr. & Mrs. Richard Stromberg Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Sullivan Sweetwater Chavurah Club Dr. Millie & Mr. Edward Tannen Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Tannenbaum Mrs. Marilyn Tanney Mr. & Mrs. William Tatel Mr. & Mrs. Jason Teichman Mrs. Barbara Teitelman Rabbi & Ms. Howard Tilman Ms. Marion Tischler Trager Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Brent Trager Mr. & Mrs. Fred Tromberg Mr. & Mrs. Marcus Turko Mr. & Mrs. Izrail Turovskiy Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Ullmann Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Van Mrs. Dot Verstandig Ms. Sharon Voiron Mr. & Mrs. Vladimir Voloshin Mr. & Mrs. Ilan Wajsman Mr. & Mrs. Blair Walker Dr. & Mrs. Steven Warfield Mr. Michael Waskew & Ms. Elsa Mitschele Drs. Paul & Martha Wasserman Mr. & Mrs. Conrad Weihnacht Mr. & Mrs. Lowell Weiner Mr. & Mrs. Frank Weiner Dr. Joseph Weinman Mrs. Margie Weinstein Mrs. Linda Weinstein Ms. Rachel Weinstein Mr. Daniel Weinstock Mr. & Mrs. David Weintraub Mr. & Mrs. Barry Weisman Mrs. Sandra Weiss Dr. & Mrs. Gary Weltman Mrs. June Weltman Mr. Jeff Wiener Mr. & Mrs. Clayton Wilde Mrs. Linda Wilkinson Mr. & Mrs. Skip Willbach Mrs. Dottie Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Steven Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Irwin Witt Ms. Carole Witten Dr. & Mrs. Bruce Witten Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Wohl Dr. & Mrs. Eugene Wolchok Mrs. Carole Wolpin Mr. & Mrs. Frank Woodard Mrs. Marjorie Wyzan Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Wyzan Mr. & Mrs. Melvin Yahre Mrs. Elsie Yellin Mr. Leon Yergin & Ms. Caryn Kenny Dr. & Mrs. Larry Young Mr. & Mrs. Donald Young Mr. & Mrs. Dana Zaifert Ms. Anita Zeldin Mr. & Mrs. Barry Zisser Mr. & Mrs. Paul Zyserman

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

federation news

Your Federation: Where the money goes On Sunday, Feb. 7, Federation volunteers will contact hundreds of the members of our community as part of Super and Thank You Sunday. We speak with more people that day than on any other day of the year. We need you to answer the phone and to consider giving even more than last year. Please take a look at the list below of our beneficiary agencies and recipients of funds from the regular campaign. We hope you will agree that a gift to the annual campaign makes a difference.

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee is the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian assistance organization impacting millions of lives in more than 70 countries today. JDC leverages a century’s experience confronting poverty and crisis around the world to save the world’s poorest Jews, to revitalize Jewish life, empower Israel’s future, and to develop tomorrow’s Jewish leaders and rescue victims of global emergencies. www.jdc.org The Anti-Defamation League was founded in 1913 “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Now the nation’s premier civil rights/human relations agency, ADL fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all. www.adl.org B’Nai Tzedek Program encourages and educates Bar and Bat Mitvah-age youth in the joys of tzedakah.

ERUV of Jacksonville allows individuals and families choosing to observe Shabbat to have more access to and from synagogue.

Florida Government Affairs Commission is a Jewish communities lobbying organization in Tallahassee.

Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is a volunteer organization that inspires a passion for and commitment to its partnership with the land and people of Israel. It enhances the health of people worldwide through its support of medical care and research at the Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem. Hadassah empowers its members and supporters, as well as youth in Israel and America through opportunities for personal growth, education, advocacy and Jewish continuity. www.hadassah. org.

The Jewish Agency for Israel has been working to secure a vibrant Jewish future since 1929.

JAFI was instrumental in founding and building the State of Israel and continues to serve as the main link between the Jewish state and Jewish communities everywhere. This global partnership has enabled JAFI to address the Jewish people’s greatest challenges in every generation. www.jewishagency.org Jewish Community Alliance is Jacksonville’s Jewish community center. The JCA strengthens Jewish life, serves as a common meeting ground and enhances the quality of life of the entire community. The JCA provides an unparalleled array of physical, recreational, educational, social and cultural programs for all ages in one conveniently located stateof-the-art facility. www.jcajax.org Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida was established to secure legacy gifts for our community. Through the establishment of endowment funds, individuals and families will ensure their interests will be sustained for generations to come. The Foundation works in collaboration with the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and its family of agencies, Jewish day schools and local synagogues. www.jewishfoundationnefl.org

Jewish Education Loan Fund grants interest-free loans to Jewish students from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia for post-secondary study at accredited institutions. JELF’s loans are last dollar — they supply the final funds that a student needs to attend school. These loans can be used for study at a college or university, graduate school or professional/vocational school that leads to a degree or certificate. www.jelf.org.

Jewish Family & Community Services is a social service agency dedicated to helping people help themselves. JFCS serves the entire community through six core programs: child welfare, adoption, counseling, emergency financial assistance/food pantry, United Way’s Achievers for Life Dropout Prevention, and Jewish Services. Through the generosity of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, JFCS provides a number of services specifically for the Jewish community. Those include: support for children with special needs, meal delivery, affordable transportation, care management services and medical advocacy for seniors, financial assistance, Holocaust survivor services, and The Jewish Healing Network. www.jfcsjax.org.

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs serves as the representative voice of the organized American Jewish community in addressing the principal mandate of the Jewish community relations field: to safeguard the rights of Jews here and around the world; to dedicate ourselves to the safety and security of Israel; and to protect, preserve and promote a just American society jewishpublicaffairs.org.

Joan Levin Gift of Israel Program was established to encourage teens to visit Israel by providing them with a $700 subsidy toward an accredited travel program

including youth group trips, Federation Family Missions, official synagogue missions, or trips arranged by organizations such as Hadassah/Young Judea and Birthright Israel. www.jewishjacksonville.org/israel/gift-of-israel.

Martin J. Gottlieb Day School is the only K-8 Solomon Schechter Day school in North Florida. MJGDS offers a challenging dual track of general and Judaic studies. In first grade, our students spend a significant portion of their day in Hebrew language immersion, and by eighth grade graduate with two high-school level foreign language credits. MJGDS is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools and is affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools and the National Junior Honor Society.

Small class size ensures students receive individualized learning and opportunities for academic, social, and spiritual growth. www. mjgds.org.

National Funding Council divides funds among Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Jewish Community Center Association, JESNA, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, National Conference on Soviet Jewry, National Federation of Just Communities, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, National Hillel.

River Garden Senior Services is a high-quality not-for-profit mission driven community agency sponsored by the organized Jacksonville Jewish community. Programs include a variety of senior services for short- and long-term care including: skilled nursing and short stay rehabilitation, traditional long-term care, Alzheimer’s and memory care, adult day care, independent living apartments, geriatric assessment and case management, outpatient therapies, and licensed home care. www. rivergarden.org.

Taglit-Birthright Israel strives to strengthen Jewish identity, Jewish communities and solidarity with Israel by providing a 10-day trip to Israel for young Jewish people.

Since its inception in 1999, Taglit-Birthright Israel has sent more than 400,000 Jewish young adults to Israel. They come from 66 countries, all 50 U.S. States and Canadian provinces, and from nearly 1,000 North American colleges and universities. www. birthrightisrael.com.

Torah Academy of Jacksonville is North Florida’s Orthodox Jewish Day School for nursery through eighth grade, but Torah Academy is more than a school – it is a community and a family. To ensure excellence in academics, Torah Academy offers small classes with personalized attention from a dedicated faculty. Our engaging curriculum encompasses Judaic studies, math, science, language arts, science, history, art and physical education as well as providing opportunities for community service. Beyond the classroom, Torah Academy is always focused on the spiritual, emotional and social development of its students. www.torah-academy.com.

UNF Jewish Students Union is a part of the interfaith community at the University of North Florida.

The organization is student run allowing for peer-to-peer relationships to develop with fellow Jewish students as well as a way to foster relationships with the Jacksonville Jewish community. unfjsu.com.

www.jewishjacksonville.com

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

synagogue news

Etz Chaim Synagogue’s Denim and Diamonds Gala shines and shimmers all throughout the evening

Jill Abel, Nancy Perlman, Allison Jacobs & Alex Ackerman Dan Jaffa, Andrew Jaffa, Ron Elinoff & Richard Sisisky

The young professionals came out in full force and dressed to impress

BY DEBORAH SHAPIRO Etz Chaim Synagogue

Early last month the greater Jacksonville Jewish Community donned their ‘Denim and Diamonds’ and gathered at Etz Chaim Synagogue for its annual gala dinner. More than 170 people were greeted with complimentary cowboy hats and live piano entertainment in the lobby, while life size ‘puppet people’ wandered the halls, creating exciting cowboy banter and plenty of perfect ‘selfie’ opportunities.

Once inside the main dining area the Retro Ramblers band provided lively music all night while guests enjoyed a western-themed menu and very full saloon-style bar. The diamonds continued to flow with the denim when the winners of a jewelry raffle were announced toward the end of the

evening. That’s when three beautifully donated pieces were won as Mark and Eleana Kahn took home a 14 karat white gold diamond necklace donated by Jewelry by Esther. Lon & Sara Smolenksy won 1.25 karat diamond earrings donated by La Tienda Jewelry and Meryl & Brian Jacobs were given a 18-karat gold and sapphire necklace donated by Jewelry by Esther.

The annual event garnered quite a buzz among those in attendance as the Federation’s Matt Franzblau called the gala ‘the hidden gem of the Jacksonville Jewish Community’ and is one event not to be missed. Etz Chaim Synagogue would like to express a very big thank you to Maureen Klein and her stellar committee for all their hard work making the 2016 Denim & Diamonds Gala such a success.

Holocaust Story Corps lets survivors share stories with future generations

BY NAOMI MIRENSKY

Eldercare Advocate & Holocaust Services Coordinator

More than 70 survivors and their families gathered at the Jacksonville Jewish Center in late January for an innovative Story Corps Program. Students from Sandalwood High School and St John’s Country Day School presented video documentaries of local survivors. During the gathering, survivors shared their

thoughts about their stories and overall experiences of working with these students. Surrounded by their children, grandchildren, and local high school students, many of the survivors felt a renewed focus on the meaning of their survival and the importance of documenting their stories as a legacy for the future. For more information about future Holocaust Family Gatherings, please call Naomi Mirensky at 904-394-5777.

Temple Judaica shop invites people to ‘steal the deal’

Handcrafted items like these will be 20-30-percent off, Sunday. Feb. 21 at the Temple Judaica Shop’s first ever ‘steal the deal’ mega sale

By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

Sunday, Feb. 21, Congregation Ahavath Chesed – The Temple will be holding its first ever ‘Steal the Deal’ sale at the Sisterhood’s Judaica shop. The mega sale will come that afternoon on the heels of the Sisterhood’s 3 p.m., tea party and fashion show, when

the shop’s entire inventory will be 20 to 30-percent off, excluding Michael Aram items. Tallitot, mezuzot, menorot, jewelry, children’s toys, candlesticks, candles, dreidels and more will all be at discounted prices, so stop by The Temple at 8727 San Jose Blvd., and see what steals and deals await you.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016

synagogue news Judaica Shops Continued from p. 1 but I’ve tried having a little bit of everything,” explained Fialkow, who began heading up the Center’s shop operations, shortly after it was remodeled in 2004. “I am happy to special order things when people know exactly what they want.”

A stone’s throw from the Center is Etz Chaim Synagogue and it’s gift shop, which is the only one of the three that actually has a formal name. Known as ‘Bubby’s Place’, a nickname of longtime volunteer Gertie Pearlman, the shop is much more modest in scope than it’s Mandarin counterparts.

“I think most of the people here order a lot of their stuff online,” said Etz Chaim Sisterhood president Beth Beyer. “A lot of the stuff that we carry are more traditional or are geared specifically for those who are orthodox.”

Even though the shop might be smaller in size, it still has some unique items that you might not find at inside the Temple or Center’s walls. “We have a lot of traditional books and tzitzit’s that

The Temple’s Judaica shop has grown from a modest collection which was stored in glass cabinets to this separate wing in the synagogue

Hand crafted items such as these which are made in Israel can be specially ordered and bought at all three Judaica shops in Jacksonville

anything else,” Fialkow explained of the Center’s operation. “We also have gift registries for babies, bar and bat mitzvahs, and weddings, so we sell a good bit based on what the celebrants choose.”

“80-percent of my business are mezuzahs,” Efron echoed of her counterpart’s experiences. “A close second I would have to say would be split between candlesticks and jewelry.”

As for what exactly sells better and what doesn’t, there isn’t an exact science to it, but these women have made some keen observa-

their bread and butter or matzo and butter depending on what time of year it is. “The big season really is Chanukah but the other two major holidays that people think of when coming here are Rosh Hashanah and Passover,” Fialkow explained.

“As soon as Chanukah items go up in October, we take down the Rosh Hashanah themed gifts which went up in August,” Efron described of the science involved in timing her displays. “Then as soon as Chanukah is over, Passover goes into the window sometime in January.”

Despite the ebbs and flows of each shop, the proprietors take pride in their inventory and legitimately enjoy hawking Hebrew items to a captive audience.

“You have to love selling because when someone walks in, they do so with a purpose,” Efron said. “If you ask somebody what are they looking for, they are obviously looking for something to buy or they wouldn’t be in the shop.”

“I’ll stay sometimes into the early evening, when minyan starts because to me it’s like a game,” Fialkow explained of her competitive spirit.

All the money generated through sales at all three Judaica shops goes toward benefiting each synagogue’s sisterhood. Between the Temple and the Center, both average about a dozen or so volunteers, while Etz Chaim has

Israeli inspired gifts give way to some sports souvenir menorahs and mezuzahs at the Jacksonville Jewish Center’s Judaica shop

the boys wear,” Beyer described of her shop’s collection. “I also order shells and clothing for women in addition to negel vassers or hand washing sets.”

Unlike Beyer, both Efron and Fialkow came to this volunteer position naturally, as they previously held professional positions in retail. “I had a retail store in Lakewood, so a lot of people who were here in the early 80’s would remember that we sold personalized gifts,” Fialkow said. Like her counterpart, Efron too dabbled in purchasing and buying before taking her trade to her local shul. “I had my own shop in the early 80’s here in Jacksonville, where I had a partner and we sold stained and etched glass,” Efron explained. “I did that for five years, then helped open up Talbots when they came to town and from there I went to Mandarin painting and decorating,” she added of her background and expertise in the area.

With plenty of years or prior experience under their belt, both heads of shop seem to have a keen sense for what sells and what doesn’t, when it comes to the merchandise within their walls.

“I’m sure we sell more mezuzah cases and kosher scrolls than

tions. “There are things I sell, that as soon as I unwrap it and put it in the window, someone says, ‘oh that’s great’, Efron explained. “Unfortunately though, you can have some things that remain in your window for months.”

It’s when that happens these local shops resort to something their commercial cousins do around town: hold a sale. “The last four or five years during Purim, we have taken everything that’s been in here a long time and will price it down to go,” Fialkow described of the shop’s annual mega sale. “It’s called Vashti Shuk and I set up about 14 tables out in the lobby to get rid of a ton of stuff.” Likewise, the Temple is also planning to have its first ever Judaica shop sale, scheduled for the Sunday, Feb. 21st.

Ironically enough two of the shop’s most unique pieces over the years to sell were equally as expensive and original. “I had a beautiful Michael Aram menorah that was $425, which I bought hoping it would sell as that’s sort of high for us,” Efron described of one of her most memorable sales.

“I had it in the window and it did in fact sell.”

“One thing that I ordered was a

Etz Chaim’s gift shop is the only one of the three in Mandarin which is actually named in honor of somebody, as it is known as Bubby’s Place

$550 Seder plate which had all the animals on it from Chad Gadya and when it came in, it was so big that I had to set it on one of the columns in the front window because it was huge!” Fialkow recalled. “It was here all of four days and a man saw it in the window after minyan one day, bought it and had it sent to his daughter in either California or New York.”

While some gifts are bought locally and shipped nationally, sometimes buyers come from all around and even outside the Jewish community to find a specific Star of David themed treasure.

“One time this couple pulled up in a huge Winnebago and while the man was sitting outside with his dog, the woman came in and said she needed to buy a havdalah set but she had to have the saucer that came with the Kiddush cup,” the Center’s shop head remembered. Fialkow also recalled another incident when a man purchased a Shofar to help him continue his Christian missionary work on the west side of Jacksonville as well as a gentile who bought a tallis as an Easter present for someone.

“We have a lot of people from the churches who come in that love Israel,” Efron said. “They also really like tallises for some reason and will come in for other kind of prayer objects as well.”

In between visits from the most unconventional customers, Efron and Fialkow know when to expect

three. All of them keep regular Monday through Friday business hours as well as some select Sundays during religious school, which just so happens to be when the Temple and the Center do a good chunk of their business. For those interested in stopping by and making a purchase, each store accepts cash, check or charge and even one, the Temple tried online shopping a few years back. To reach Etta Fialkow at the Jacksonville Jewish Center’s Judiaca shop, call 904-292-1000, or to get a hold of Wendy Efron at The Temple’s dial 904-733-7078. Etz Chaim’s shop can be reached by dialing the synagogue’s main number at 904262-3565, ext. 7 or by e-mailing Beth Beyer at bethwu61@gmail. com.

Each shop as Judaica gifts for all ages, including stuffed torah toys for the youngest Jewish boy or girl

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Jacksonville Jewish News • February 2016