Friday, March 20, 2020
The Jewish Press
Page 35
Florida SHELLEY BENVENISTE FLORIDA EDITOR
IT’S MY OPINION
Stay Calm And Daven On The television show Gilligan’s Island aired as a weekly sitcom series in the 1960s. The often hilarious production dealt with a charter boat, The S.S. Minnow, and its passengers and captain who embarked on a short sightseeing cruise and wound up stranded on an unknown island. The interaction of the shipwrecked group offered many amusing storylines. The show was funny and entertaining. The unforeseen turn of events created a plot that was deemed by many as the best comedy of its time. The recent spate of cruise ships stranded and quarantined by the Coronavirus has left passengers with nothing to laugh about. Several incidents of outbreak of the dreaded disease have occurred. Many guests have been infected. Some have died. The economy was up and cruise lines were expecting a banner year in 2020. However, U.S. Department of State has now said, “U.S. citizens, particularly travelers with underlying health conditions, should not travel by cruise ship.” It is a devastating but well-advised recommendation. The cruise industry, including its major connection in Florida, has been adversely affected. Sometimes life has challenges that we cannot
possibly foresee. It is par for the course for a soldier going into battle to assume that he or she is facing a threatening situation. A person taking a cruise usually doesn’t anticipate any danger, except perhaps getting a bad sunburn or being overcharged at a souvenir shop when in port. We all find ourselves in situations that we didn’t sign up for. Life can be likened to a roller coaster, with highs and lows and unexpected turns. The Coronavirus seems to have come out of nowhere and has now affected the entire world. The unknown can be scary and many of us are indeed scared. We humans do not have the ultimate power of deciding what will take place. The only power that we really hold is how we will handle issues once they are before us. Many of us initially chuckled at the videos of customers in stores fighting over toilet paper; however, the incidents do not bode well. The shoppers feared shortages caused by the epidemic. They were in a state of panic. The veneer of civility is fragile. Its unraveling can have serious consequences. It is important to stay calm. Preemptive measures surrounding the current pandemic have included cancellations of longplanned concerts, conferences, programs, sports venues, and trips. Schools, including universities and colleges, have closed their doors. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has created a containment zone in New Rochelle. The National Guard has been called upon to help out. Travel bans regarding China have been expanded to include Europe. Great effort has been expended to contain the terrible epidemic. However, even scientists and doctors really don’t know what will be. We all hope and pray for this scourge to subside. In the meantime, take reasonable precautions. Do not go out if you don’t feel well. Wash your hands. Avoid crowds. Daven.
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Page 36
The Jewish Press
Friday, March 20, 2020
Florida South Florida Shows Support For Jewish National Fund-USA Jewish National Fund-USA’s (JNF) 2020 campaign is set to reach new heights following the success of the organization’s recent 2020 Annual Winter Connection Brunch held at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. Close to 1,300 JNF supporters gathered to help raise awareness and support for JNF’s philanthropic investments in Israel’s Negev Desert and Galilee region. Audience members were touched and inspired by keynote speaker Sarah Idan’s story and personal journey. Event attendees heard Iraqi born Idan discuss how she was crowned Miss Universe Iraq and why she famously posed for a picture with Miss Israel, Adar Gandelsman, at the 2017 Miss Universe pageant. Attendees were particularly impressed to hear about Idan’s interfaith work between Jews and Muslims. “Our partners in South Florida know that there’s never been a more important time to support the land and people of Israel,” said JNF South Florida President Ron Kriss. “They understand JNF’s bold plan to attract 800,000 Israelis to Israel’s Negev Desert and Galilee region. Because of their incredible support, vision, and commitment, JNF can build medical centers, parks, and housing infrastructure, while supporting environmental initiatives and ensuring young families moving to Israel’s north and south have the amenities they need to thrive.”
(L to R) Josh Broide, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, Rabbi Moishe Denburg, Rabbi Marshall Lesack, and Zohar Vloski
JNF also continues to celebrate its partnerships with local community organizations, temples, and synagogues. In January, JNF joined forces with Miami’s Temple Menorah for an exciting dinner featuring guest speaker Izzy Ezagui. Event attendees were captivated by Ezagui, a decorated squad commander in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the only soldier in the world who returned to the battlefield after losing an arm in combat. “It was such an honor to host Izzy and hear how he overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to defend his country,” said JNF Miami President Maia Aron. “His story is symbolic of the grit, courage, and determination shown by the IDF.” JNF’s affinity groups such as Women for Israel, Lawyers for Israel, and Doctors for Israel, allow the organization to connect its supporters to Israel in meaningful ways. Thanks to the support of South Florida parents, local Jewish teens continue to have
a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI-JNF) with the school experiencing another record semester of growth. JNF is also addressing the recent downturn in global tourism due to health concerns. Small businesses, tour operators, and families throughout Israel are struggling. “Make no mistake, Israel will bounce back, and JNF is already putting plans in place to support those affected in the Negev Desert and Galilee region,” said Kriss. JNF is the leading philanthropic organization for Israel that supports critical environmental and nation-building activities in Israel’s north and south. Through its One Billion-Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade, JNF is developing new communities in the Galilee and Negev, connecting the next generation to Israel, and creating infrastructure for ecology, special needs, and heritage preservation.
TIKVA Means Hope For The Forgotten Jewish Children Of Odessa TIKVA Children’s Home will commemorate over 20 years of service to the forgotten Jewish children of Odessa, Ukraine. The event will take place at a benefit dinner on March 24 at St. Andrews’ Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida. The evening should prove to be both enlightening and entertaining. Keynote speaker will be Danny Danon, Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations. Renowned comedian Jeff Ross will perform a hilarious roast. TIKVA was founded over 20 years ago when Rabbi Shlomo Baksht was sent from Israel to revitalize Odessa’s Jewish community and confronted a situation even more concerning than the religiously mar-
ginalized population. He was moved to action by the horrific crisis of homeless and abused Jewish children who were living in the area. Through the efforts of TIKVA, over 2,500 of these youngsters have been rescued and saved. “Who would believe that there were homeless Jewish children?” says fellow TIKVA leader and CEO Refael Kruskal, “It’s a story that must be told.” TIKVA has been recognized as a uniquely successful model for mainstreaming children in need, breaking a cycle of poverty, and revitalizing a forgotten Jewish community. This incredible task has, in large part, been accomplished by the total dedication of Rabbi Baksht, Refael Kruskal, and donors from South Africa, the U.K., and the U.S., who have made these children a priority in their own lives. For more information about the dinner or the TIKVA organization, call 917-262-1818, email info@TikvaOdessa.org, or visit www.TikvaOdessa.org.
Friday, March 20, 2020
The Jewish Press
Page 37
Florida Hebrew Academy Holds 10th Annual Multilingual Poetry Night The Hebrew Academy (RASG) partnered with Books & Books in Bal Harbour on their 10th annual multilingual poetry night on Tuesday evening, March 3rd. Over 50 parents, students, teachers, and administrators attended the truly beautiful and memorable event. Middle school and Devorah Benveniste, 7th high school students grader, reads her poem, read original poems “Down the Lonely Hole.” written in Hebrew, English, Spanish, and French. The verses were selected by teachers in the school’s Hebrew/multilingual language department, middle school English department, and high school English department. The Hebrew Academy appreciates Mitchell Kaplan of Books & Books, Inc., Cristina Nosti, the event planner, and the book shop’s staff for hosting the program. Special thanks are also extended to the school’s Poetry Night Event Committee: Rabbi Avi Bossewitch, Limor Derhy, Hector Duarte, Anna Ehrlich, Dr. Ami Eskinos, Rabbi Shaye Guttenberg, Leah Handwerger, Leslie Harris, Donna Janof, Meirav Kravetz, Dr. Dara Lieber, Andrea Lucero, Aviva Moshe, Jenny Ohana, Norma Reiz, Oshrat Twito, Rachel Weinberger, and Devorah Werdiger. The special evening was a wonderful success and the Hebrew Academy is looking forward to continuing the effort next year.
The Hebrew Academy RASG is a coeducational yeshiva and college-preparatory, Zionistic, Modern-OrCALENDAR OF EVENTS
thodox day school located in Miami Beach, Florida. For more information, call 305-532-6421. com/Wine or call 561-394-9770
Many events and programs have been cancelled because of the current coronavirus situation. Please call and confirm to see if the event you are interested in is still pending. WHAT: Carlebach & Comedy Friday Night Musical - Lively, soulful Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat Services open to all, followed by a delicious Friday night meal - Guest comedienne Talia Reese WHERE: Young Israel Congregation, 9580 Abbott Ave, Surfside WHEN: Friday, March 27 at 8:15 p.m. COST: Registration by March 25 at 6 p.m. $40 - Last Minute Registration $50 - Family Maximum $110 CONTACT: Steve Eisenberg at steveevents2019@ gmail.com or 917-945-7342 or Rabbi Avi Fried 305619-7773 ***** WHAT: Boca Beach Chabad Invites you to an Evening of Opera, Wine, & Cheese with Operatic Baritone Cantor David Babinet WHERE: Boca Beach Chabad, 120 NE 1st Avenue COST: $36 CONTACT: RSVP to www.BocaBeachChabad.
***** WHAT: Torah Academy of Boca Raton 21st Anniversary Journal Dinner - Honoring Dr. and Mrs. Sina and Taly Menashehoff, and Mr. and Mrs. Uri and Leah Mond - Featuring a special video presentation, “Our Growth – Our Future,” highlighting our newest families WHERE: B’nai Torah Congregation, 6261 SW 18th Street, Boca Raton WHEN: Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. COST: $180 per person CONTACT: 561-465-2200 or journal@torahacademy.org ***** WHAT: Volunteer to help deliver Passover food baskets to homebound seniors during JCS’ 100th Anniversary Matzah Mitzvah food distribution WHERE: Distribution Locations: North: Aventura Turnery Jewish Center, 20400 NE 30th Ave., Aventura South: Temple Judea, 5500 Granda Boulevard, Coral Gables WHEN: Sunday, April 5 at 9 a.m. CONTACT: Laura Peimer at lpeimer@jcfl.or or jcsfl.org/matzah-mitzvah
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