COMMUNITY
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W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G I N N O R T H E A S T F LO R I DA
WE MUST SUPPORT ISRAEL AND FIGHT ANTI-SEMITISM reprinted from Jewish News Syndicate
By: Jason Fischer, Florida House of Representatives
My first visit to Israel was incredible. It was a privilege to visit America’s closest ally in the Middle East as part of a delegation of state legislators from around the country. It was amazing to be able to meet with government officials, learn about the security situation facing Israel, see some of the history of Israel and the Jewish people first-hand, and learn more about the challenges Israel faces from the reprehensible BDS movement. The meetings with government officials on the trip were an invaluable aid in learning about Israel. It was a privilege to be able to meet with Ambassador David Friedman and members of
the Israeli Knesset. Their perspective on current events in the Middle East and Israel was informative. Learning about Israel’s security situation was an extremely moving part of the trip. Our delegation visited Sderot, a city in Israel that is on the border with Gaza and is constantly under rocket attacks from Hamas. In Sderot, there are bomb shelters everywhere, even on playgrounds. It was shocking to hear that a person in Sderot has 15 seconds from when a rocket siren sounds to take cover. As a parent, I cannot imagine driving somewhere when the siren is going off and having to get my family out of the car and to a bomb shelter in 15 seconds. I also took a tour of one of the terror tunnels that Hamas dug to attack Israel. My tour of Sderot reaffirmed my belief that Hamas is a terrorist organization, and that there is no moral equivalence between the Israel Defense Forces and Hamas.
See FISCHER p. 45
JFCS BOARD FOCUS STEVE SHERMAN
By: Ryan Allison
Steve Sherman is senior vice president and wealthmanagement advisor at the Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida Merrill Lynch Wealth Management office. He is a graduate of Florida State University with a degree in accounting. Originally from New Jersey, Steve started in the investment industry in 1985 and joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1989. He has been a training advisor to the firm in its corporate headquarters, as well as a manager in Jacksonville, Florida. Steve's ability to tailor intricate strategies to clients’ situations is a true attribute and is appreciated by all of his clients. Steve is a past president of the Jewish Community Alliance, a past board member of the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, and a past board member of the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida. He is also a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville. Steve currently serves on the advisory board of the Jewish Community
Alliance Foundation, is a board member of the University of North Florida Foundation Board, and is the newest board member of Jewish Family & Community Services. He also serves on the board of the Southern Legal Counsel. In 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, Steve was named as one of Barron’s Top 1,000 Advisors List and in 2019 and 2020 was named as the Forbes “Bestin-State Wealth Advisors." Thank you, Steve, for your commitment to JFCS and the community.
RIVER GARDEN RECEIVES NINTH GOLD SEAL
By: River Garden Senior Services
In January, River Garden Hebrew Home for the Aged received its ninth Governor’s Gold Seal Award for Excellence in Long-Term Care. Of the hundreds of nursing homes in Florida, River Garden is the only free-standing skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility to earn this distinction
nine times. Created in 2002, the Gold Seal Program recognizes Florida nursing homes that “demonstrate excellence in long-term care over a sustained period, promotes the stability of the industry, and facilitates the physical, social, and emotional wellbeing of nursing home facility residents." The award designation stands for a three-year term.
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