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The Jewish Press
Friday, October 2, 2020
Florida SHELLEY BENVENISTE FLORIDA EDITOR IT’S MY OPINION
Keep Plugging Maintaining our lawn has been a labor of love for my husband, Jack, since we moved into our home many years ago. Jack grew up in an apartment in Brooklyn with little greenery, and he delights in acting as his own gardener: mowing, raking and “patchkying” in the yard. We have a beautiful swath of grass in back of our house. However, for all his efforts and no matter what he would do, Jack could not get the small patch in front of the house to grow grass. The sight created a shabby appearance. It was the first thing that one saw when arriving at our home. We were suffering from a major case of ZCA – zero
curb appeal. We live in Miami Beach. There is no autumn with falling leaves or winter with desolate fields. Throughout the entire year our city blooms with flowers, plants, and beautiful lawns – and yet Jack, who has the greenest of thumbs, was stymied when it came to this one area in our landscape. Several times, in desperation, my diligent husband tried starting from scratch to accomplish his goal. It was backbreaking work. He dug up the brown weeds, the sorry excuse for our front lawn. He replaced the soil. He ordered and laid down sod. He watered and fertilized. It did no good. Finally, after many attempts, Jack decided to admit defeat. He would settle for a grass-free front yard. He cleared and cleaned all the pitiful dead vegetation. He drowned the dirt with weed killer. The soil was covered with a thick tarp that acted as a barrier. On top of the sheet he placed red wood chips, a type of decorative mulch. The very concept of growing grass had been eliminated. Most of us have heard the Yiddish adage, “A mensch tracht un Gott lacht,” a man plans and G-d laughs. A hearty chuckle must have been emanating
from the heavens because grass started growing with great vigor. It pushed through the tiny pores of the plastic covering the poisoned soil. Soon, many shoots were burgeoning through the wooden chips. The lawn was in bloom. There are times that our greatest struggles hit a stone wall, and times that attempts bring great success. The vibrance of one’s lawn is certainly not a serious consideration, but some issues are. Jewish tradition advocates that individuals participate earnestly in the game of life. We are compelled to make an effort and not just sit around waiting for things to happen and miracles to occur. G-d’s help is often achieved in conjunction with human effort. Military victories, whether for the ancient Maccabees or the current IDF, are acquired with blood, sweat, and tears. The sea did not split until Nachshon jumped into the water – up to his nose! Haman’s evil plot was not thwarted until Esther risked her life to save her people. Yet despite the most heroic of efforts, there are times that things do not go as well as we wish. There are no guarantees. However, one factor remains a constant: It is our obligation to try to do our part and keep plugging.
Chabad Of South Broward Holds 39th Annual Dinner Virtually With current realities making an in-person event unfeasible, Congregation Levi Yitzchok-Lubavitch & Chabad of South Broward headquarters knew “the show must go on,” and planned an action-packed Virtual Dinner on Zoom for Tuesday night, 26 Elul, September 15. Rabbi Abba Perlemiter served as master of ceremonies, and Jewish music star Benny Friedman broadcasted a live performance. The 39th Annual Dinner was an evening of entertainment and inspiration. Mrs. Rivka Lazerson was honored with the Eishes Chayil Award. Lazerson is a Hometown Covid-19 heroine, a dedicated mother of three and a loving and caring wife who works as an ICU nurse at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, she has worked nearly non-stop directly with Covid-19 patients. She is an inspiration to her husband, family, and community. Some weeks she put in over 70 hours of extraordinary work on the Covid-19 ward. Her selfless dedication to combating the virus has no doubt saved lives as well as helped hundreds to recover. Chabad of South Broward is celebrating completing 40 years as leaders in Jewish education, outreach and social services in South Florida. This Chabad branch has 22 centers and over 50 agencies and institutions, serving tens of thousands of people each
year. Its headquarters is home to the main synagogue of Chabad of South Broward, Chai Tots Preschool, Chaya Aydel Seminary, the Friendship Circle of South Broward, CTeen of South Broward, the Hebrew School, Bar Mitzvah Club, Bat Mitzvah Club, Camp Gan Israel, the Kollel for Businessmen and Professionals, and three mikvahs for the physically challenged. Rabbi Raphael Tennenhaus, head shliach in South Broward, admits that Covid-19 has required adjustments, both for the dinner and for the holidays that would follow. Tennenhaus listed some of the organization’s recent achievements: “Instead of 22 minyanim in the 22 Chabad houses of South Broward, there will be some 40 minyanim this year for the High Holidays. We have given over 1,000 hours of live Zoom Torah classes the last six months, in both Nigleh and Chassidus, beginning daily at 6 a.m. From day one of the pandemic, our office never closed. Rabbi Moshe Schwartz, administrator since 1988, has been the lifeline to thousands, including many seniors and Holocaust survivors. We have helped 500 families with money, and we hope to help many needy families for Tishrei.” There was no charge to participate in the Virtual Dinner. Donations are accepted at chabadsouthbroward.com.
Calendar of Events WHAT: PJ Library Snacks & Story Time in the Sukkah - Join us in our virtual sukkah for a fun story time and delicious craft.
Continued on p.76
Friday, October 2, 2020
The Jewish Press
Page 77
Florida Kindergarten Class At Hebrew Academy RASG Prepares For The New Year
Children mail Rosh Hashanah cards to friends and family.
Children mix batter for a delicious honey cake.
The kindergarten class of Hebrew Academy RASG in Miami Beach learned about Rosh Hashanah and were busy as can “bee” with apples and honey, the shofar, simanim, and so much more. The students baked round challah, honey cupcakes, made clay apple plates and honeybees, and learned about the significance of each of these items. The students were ready and knowledgeable as they celebrated the holiday, and wish everyone a healthy and happy new year filled with peace and happiness. Hebrew Academy RASG, located at 2400 Pine Tree Drive in Miami Beach, serves children through high school. For more information, call (305) 532-6421.
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Calendar Continued from p.77 WHEN: Monday, October 5 from 4-5 p.m. WHERE: Zoom link provided with RSVP COST: Free CONTACT: Joy Prevor at jprevor@gmjf.org https://jewishmiami.org/events/pj_library_ snacks_story_time_in_the_sukkah_ ============================== WHAT: Hillel at Florida International University Hosts Second Annual Gala WHEN: Thursday, October 8 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. WHERE: Jewish Museum of Florida, 301 Washington Ave, Miami Beach CONTACT: Jon Warech at jon.warech@hillelfiu. org or call (305) 490-3607 ============================== WHAT: Florida JCC’s Jewish Book Fest opens 10 days of literary events with Thane Rosenbaum, author of Saving Free Speech…From Itself, interviewed by former Governor Jeb Bush. WHEN: Thursday, October 8 from 7:30-9 p.m. WHERE: Virtual COST: $10 per event or $75 Fest Pass to all events CONTACT: E-mail Debbie Sack at debbie@mbjcc. org or call (305) 534-3206
SUNDAY MORNINGS
ELEANOR AGER REALTY, INC.
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Mitchell Stiel 561-866-4140 Mona Fisher 561-702-6662 Elly Walden 845-304-9468 Visit our Website: www.EleanorAgerRealty.com Shomer Shabbat