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The Jewish Press
Friday, March 6, 2020
Florida SHELLEY BENVENISTE FLORIDA EDITOR It’s My Opinion
The Traffic Jams Of Life A 55-year-old man was recently arrested in Monroe County, Florida. Ronald Grace grew impatient and tried to dodge an aggravating traffic jam. Grace was allegedly speeding and narrowly avoided causing several crashes. Other motorists clapped and honked their horns when a sheriff’s deputy took him into custody. A driver on the scene said that Grace had almost struck a pedestrian before the officer stopped him. Sheriff’s Office Traffic Enforcement Unit Deputy Shaun Lones asked Grace for an explanation of his reckless driving. The man purportedly replied that he was just tired of sitting in traffic. It is difficult to find ourselves helplessly immobilized and in a state of gridlock. The human condition hates inertia. Major theme parks and entertainment venues understand this phenomenon. They keep their “guests”
constantly in motion, moving in snaking lines. No one likes the frustrated feeling of being at a standstill. Life has many bottlenecks. There are blockages and obstacles. However, modern-day society encourages instant gratification. We think that we only need to press a button or tap a device. Patience is a long forgotten virtue. There are times that we feel trapped in a situation that seems to be at a stalemate. Sometimes the solution is to wait it out. Sometimes the solution is to change directions. Taking a deep breath and deciding the best course of action is often skipped in a frantic attempt to keep moving. Ronald Grace reflects a problem that is entrenched in our society. This predicament is real and reaches individuals of every age, ethnicity, and social stratification. It is difficult to hold back from acting on our impulses. Self-control is not a natural condition. It needs to be learned. The Jewish nation, however, has the key to dealing with this challenge. Ironically, accepting the yoke of Heaven and the will of a higher authority is the antidote. There are many times that Torah constraints require us to pause and wait and sometimes refrain from doing what we want when we want to do it. The litany of behaviors covers a wide swath. They include mundane activities such as eating and drinking, busi-
ness and ethical considerations, and even the most intimate dealings of marriage and relationships. The act of subjugating ourselves to these commandments does not create enslavement. It creates the ultimate of true freedom. It frees us from being a slave to our own desires. It is a divine gift. The acknowledgment of the fact that we are not necessarily the final arbitrator of all is both humbling and enhancing. It is the recognition of our part in the grand scheme of existence. A young child who stops to see if a candy bar has a kosher symbol on the wrapper before taking a bite has more of a chance to restrain himself when, as a teen, he finds himself on a college campus with peers that are all getting “high” on drugs or alcohol. He is used to thinking before he puts anything into his mouth. He has learned not to act on every inclination. The lack of impulse control is a major handicap and can have unforeseen consequences. Grace longed to be free of constraint. Instead, he seems to have jumped from the proverbial frying pan into the proverbial fire. He wanted to get going. He wound up totally fettered, locked up and sitting in a jail cell. The acquisition of self-control is an incredible tool. Unchecked concessions to all of our urges can be more than a self-indulgent habit. It can and does ruin lives.
Purim in Florida
SUNDAY MORNINGS 9:30 -11:00AM ON WWNN 1470AM & WWNNradio.com
WWW.ShalomSouthFlorida.com
WHAT: Chabad Chayil & The Center Presents: Purim Out of this World - Amazing Out-of-thisWorld Street Party - Food, Games, Fireworks, Farbrengen & the Whole Megillah! WHERE: 2601 NE 211 Terrace, Miami, FL WHEN: Tuesday, March 10 - Family Party 5:15 p.m. - Rocking Party 7 p.m. COST: Free - Donations of any amount will help cover costs - RSVP required CONTACT: ChabadChayil.org/Purim or 305-7701919 ***** WHAT: Chabad House in Miami Beach and Chabad House on Wheels invite you to celebrate Purim: Megillah Reading - Delicious Themed Dinner - Hamantashen & Groggers - Music & Dancing Prize for Every Costume - Fun for the Whole Family WHERE: 669 Lincoln Lane North, Miami Beach, FL WHEN: Tuesday, March 10 at 5:30 p.m. COST: Free - $18 Suggested Donation CONTACT: rabbi@mbjewish.com or call: 305-CHABAD1 ***** WHAT: Purim Seudah at The Shul WHERE: 9540 Collins Ave, Surfside, FL WHEN: Tuesday, March 10 - Megillah Reading 4:45 p.m. - Seudah 6 p.m. COST: Members: Adults $65 - Kids $35. Non-Members: Adults $85 - Kids $45 CONTACT: RSVP required. Visit www.theshul. org/purimseudah or call 305-868-1411 ***** WHAT: Young Israel Congregation cordially invites you to a Roaring Twenties Grand Purim Seudah - Sumptuous Dinner - Lively Music - Entertainment - Youth Activities - Prizes WHERE: 9580 Abbott Ave, Surfside, FL WHEN: Tuesday, March 10 from 5-8:30 p.m. COST: $60 members - $70 non-members - $36 children CONTACT: RSVP by March 6 to yakira@yicbh.org
Continued on p.71
Friday, March 6, 2020
The Jewish Press
Page 71
Florida Michigan Snowbirds In Florida At FIDF Event Featuring IDF Soldier With Nazi Ancestry Over 25 Michigan natives wintering in Florida joined nearly 100 other Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) supporters from the midwest region on February 23 at a private residence in Delray Beach for a delicious brunch event. The event, hosted by Miriam and Fred Ferber, provided attendees with a firsthand look into the unique challenges facing Israel. The guest speaker, combat soldier Sgt. Gaya, shared her family’s unique history. Sgt. Gaya’s paternal grandfather was a sworn Nazi who served as mayor of his village, while her maternal great-grandmother is a Holocaust survivor. Her father left his home at a young age to become a pastry chef and eventually found his way to Israel, where he later converted to Judaism, served in the IDF, and met Sgt. Gaya’s mother. “I am very proud to be an IDF soldier despite my family history. I have learned so much from my father about standing by your beliefs,” Sgt. Gaya said. “It is my pleasure to join FIDF to discuss the importance of ‘never again’ and to thank these supporters for all they do for IDF soldiers,” she added. “The event provided a unique opportunity for FIDF supporters to learn firsthand about the very real threats to
Exciting News For Jewish Outreach In Orlando
(L to R) Event hosts Fred & Miriam Ferber with IDF Sgt. Gaya.
Israel’s security and to hear from one of the amazing soldiers who protect and preserve Israel’s existence,” said event hosts Mr. and Mrs. Ferber. “This brunch helps shine a light on the educational and well-being programs FIDF initiates and maintains for these brave men and women who serve.” “Hosting snowbirds from our FIDF community in Michigan at this event in sunny Florida gave them the opportunity to learn more about FIDF’s yearround programming for FIDF supporters across the country, which benefits the soldiers of Israel,” said FIDF Michigan director Paul Lebowitz. Also in attendance were FIDF Midwest Region Executive Director Tamir Oppenheim, FIDF Ohio Director Lane Schlemiel, and FIDF South Palm Beach/Broward Executive Director Susan Levin-Abir.
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Rabbi Gabi and Rebbetzen Sarah Gittleson have recently announced that Dovid and Shifra Yachnes will be joining the Jewish Outreach Initiative in Orlando (JOIN). David and Shifra will be adding their years of experience in adult engagement and education, enabling JOIN to expand its reach while also offering additional classes, trips, events, and opportunities across Orlando. As part of this exciting expansion, Gesher, the South Orlando Jewish Women’s Organization founded by Shifra Yachnes, will be merging with SPARK, uniting Jewish women throughout Orlando. For more information or to get
Purim Continued from p.70 *****
Dovid Yachnes on left, and Shifra Yachnes on right
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