NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE
BEQUESTIONS WITH KELLIE SMITH
This month’s question comes to us from parents around NE Florida inquiring how we fund Jewish Summer Camp Scholarships. My five-year-old son has big dreams for his future – some days he wants to be a truck driver and other days a “dinosaur researcher.” I’m proud to watch him grow through different interests and his hobbies. Dreams are the purview of youth, however, there’s a certain age when people stop asking you about your dreams and start asking you about your goals. In my opinion, goals are achievable dreams and we are never too old to dream or make our dreams come true. As things change over the years, I myself went from dreaming of being a lawyer to finding myself setting goals for our Jewish Foundation. I’m sure you’re wondering where on earth I’m going with this. The question, after all, is about summer camp scholarships. The Jewish Foundation has been offering Jewish summer camp scholarships for the last decade, through the generosity of Len and Judy Elikan. The dream started for Len when he was a young man - his rabbi awarded him the opportunity to attend a sleep away Jewish camp and this experience left an imprint on his life that has forever shaped his Jewish identity and desire to live Jewishly. As Len recalled, “I know how camp affected me
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and my involvement in the Jewish community.” Throughout their lives, Len and Judy Elikan have been active in Jewish organizations. Since moving to Ponte Vedra from Cincinnati over 25 years ago, both served on the board for their shul, Beth El the Beaches Synagogue. Judy was a founding member and president of Hadassah’s Yamit chapter. But when it came time to think about the future of the community they’d devoted themselves to, Judy said they only had one thought: the scholarship. “When Len and I discussed endowing our Jewish legacy, we feel this is the way for our dream of helping young people experience Jewish summer camps become a reality.” Each year as part of making their dreams become a reality, the Elikan family sets aside some of their philanthropic dollars with the goal of awarding scholarships to promising young leaders through the Jewish Community Foundation. Awards are based on merit and the promise displayed by applicants to be future Jewish leaders. Since the creation of the fund in 2011, nearly 100 scholarships have been awarded to outstanding and motivated youth. Judy and Len expressed their appreciation for the Foundation and the scholarship fund management. Len shared: “I have dreams about what I’d like the community to be in the future. Foundation is helping me focus and set things up so I will be able to accomplish my dreams.”
See BEQUESTIONS, p. 44
THE COVES ENJOY A FESTIVE MONTH By: Kari Bell
Beginning with the Hanukkah holiday season, members of The Coves have been busy celebrating three big events. A special ‘thank you’ to Manfred Katz for lighting the menorah before dinner during Hanukkah. Also, a big ‘thank you’ to Rabbi Sylvin Wolf and Steve Meisel for their support and blessings. On December 31, members enjoyed a festive New Year’s Eve party, complete with a delicious array of hors d’oeuvres. The Steve Chapman Band played lively dance music as guests played What’s Your Word for 2020? party game.
See COVES, p. 45
Manfred Katz lights the menorah throughout Hanukkah season.
IT’S A CHANUKAH WONDERLAND
On December, 23 1989 a freak snowstorm hit Jacksonville, closing bridges and causing general chaos and confusion. Exactly 30 years later to-the-day the snow made a guest appearance at Chabad of Southside’s Chanukah Wonderland to the delight and Chanukah joy of the children and all in attendance. In addition to the very realistic looking snow, a full program featuring Chanukah crafts, Captain Characters Chanukah Puppet Show, kosher pizza and much more.