Friday, December 13, 2019
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The Jewish Press
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Page 81
Florida SHELLEY BENVENISTE FLORIDA EDITOR
IT’S MY OPINION
A Bad Call A man in Lakeland, Florida was recently arrested after allegedly attacking a Little League umpire. According to the arrest affidavit, Alberto Ramos, an uncle of one of the young players, disagreed with a call and went to the clubhouse to register his complaint. Ramos began
screaming at the umpire and then punched him in the face. The umpire’s injuries included a bloody lip and broken teeth. Ramos was charged with felony battery. My grandson Aaron is an enthusiastic member of a Miami Beach Little League team. They play on Sundays, and it is an absolute delight to watch him experience the joy of victory and the agony of defeat with surprising aplomb. Aaron is only nine years old, but he could teach Uncle Alberto a lesson on sportsmanship: Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose and sometimes you might not like a call, but just keep your cool. Inability to chill out can be dangerous. The growing spate of road-rage incidents around the country have often resulted in physical confrontations and even deaths. It seems that many adults are stuck at a toddler-like inability to deal with any situation with which they do not agree. Their temper tantrums, how-
ever, can have disastrous results. Unfortunately, there are many who have little tolerance for those who hold differing opinions. These individuals cannot handle adversity. They have no internal compass to help them navigate the ups and downs of life. One should never compromise one’s most cherished values or beliefs; however, all issues are not of equal value, and sometimes it is beneficial to just let something go. Gam zu l’tovah (this is also for the good) refers to the idea that everything that happens is beneficial if we learn or grow or sometimes just survive the experience. We might not agree with a ruling or the actions of another, but the ability to go on despite these differences can be the secret to success. There is much to learn from occasionally striking out. And there is much to learn from accepting a bad call.
City Of Miami Beach Welcomes New Commissioner Steven Meiner New City Commissioner Steven Meiner was invested at a swearing-in ceremony at Miami Beach City Hall on November 19. Meiner, a graduate of Yeshiva of Flatbush, Brooklyn College, and Brooklyn Law School, moved to South Florida in 2007 and lives in Miami Beach with his wife, Shanyn, and two children, Matisyahu and Michal. They belong to Ahavas Torah Congregation and the Miami Beach Kollel and were honorees of Ahavas Torah in 2012. Meiner practiced law for two large law firms in New York and has worked for the U.S. federal government in law enforcement since moving to Florida. He is the quintessential breath of fresh air in the field of politics. He is the first Miami Beach commissioner to wear a kippah. The race was his initial foray in a realm that is often filled with jaded players. His approach is fresh and open with
possibilities. Meiner ran a grassroots campaign with volunteer workers, raised significantly less money than his opponents, and had no paid political consultants. His impetus was the sincere desire to be of service. He was compelled by the needs of the community and wanted to put the residents’ concerns in the forefront, focusing on quality-of-life issues, rooting out waste, and making the government more transparent. The unusual circumstances of the race were further proof of the uniqueness of his quest: He won runner-up position in the first tally by two votes, and then went on to beat a former commissioner (who had resigned to run for Congress) by a wide margin in the runoff. Meiner’s mother and father administered the oath of office at the ceremony, which was attended by Rabbi
Kalman Bauman, principal of his children’s school, Toras Emes Academy, and dozens of friends, family, and local officials. His proud fa- Miami Beach Commissioner Steven ther told the au- Meiner with Miami Beach officials dience, “I want and his family. you to know that no matter how busy my son was during the campaign, plus working a full-time job and raising a family, he called his parents every night to ask about their day.� Certainly, a candidate could not receive a better endorsement.
Calendar Of Events WHAT: International Conference On Torah And Science – Sustainability, Resilience, and the Torah: Is The World As We Know It Coming To An End? Featuring Alex Friedman, director of Israel’s Moon-Landing Program, “Beresheet.� Please join the rabbis and scientists for an elegant Shabbat dinner at The Shul’s social hall.
WHERE: The Shul, 9540 Collins Ave., Surfside, FL WHEN: December 12-15 COST: Shul Members $60 - Non Members $75 - Children under 13 pay half the adult rate CONTACT: For more information,
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Page 82
The Jewish Press
Friday, December 13, 2019
Florida South Floridians Join National FIDF Mission
(L to R) South Florida FIDF supporters Mike Isak, Dr. Shmuel Katz, Evelyn Katz, Miriam Jacobi, FIDF Florida Executive Director Dina Ben Ari, FIDF National Chairman Peter Weintraub. (Photo Credit: Shahar Azran)
A delegation of 60 Friends of the Israel Defense Force (FIDF), including several participants from South Florida, participated in the FIDF National Mission to Israel on November 15-22. During the mission, they met with Israeli soldiers, visited many historic landmarks, received leadership training, toured facilities, and got a comprehensive look inside Israel’s cutting-edge technology. The tour also included meeting educational facilities and beneficiaries of FIDF programs, including Lone Soldiers with no immediate family in Israel and students who receive FIDF grants of scholarships given to combat veterans from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Participants met with Israeli President Reuven
Rivlin and showed their solidarity and appreciation amid a barrage of rockets fired from Gaza. Rivlin told the group, “The brave young soldiers of the IDF have given up several years of their lives, sometimes in life-threatening missions. Your support of FIDF and its programs allows our soldiers to know that their brothers and sisters overseas care about them.” Leading the FIDF mission were FIDF national chairman Rabbi Peter Weintraub and FIDF national director and CEO Major General Meir Klifi-Amir. Klifi expressed gratitude to both President Rivlin and mission participants. He said, “Together we are sending a clear message to our courageous soldiers: You are never alone.”
Boca Raton Synagogue: Pioneer In OU Semichas Chaver Program Boca Raton Synagogue was one of the 25 original venues participating in the Orthodox Union’s Semichas Chaver Program (SCP). The fast-paced, interactive learning is crafted for the needs of the 21st century. Focus is on the practical meaning of halacha. Well-attended weekly classes are given by the shul’s dynamic rav, Rabbi Efram Goldberg. Due to the program’s tremendous success, SCP has expanded to 28 new locations in the United States, Canada, Israel, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Shiurim include thought-provoking questions and a dedicated segment on the philosophical meaning behind a given theme. Upon completion of each topic and the successful passing of a written Semichas Chaver Program at Boca Raton Synagogue. exam, every member receives a certificate from HaRav Hershel Schachter, Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, and HaRav Zalman Nechemia GoldFounded in 1898, the Orthodox Union (OU), berg. serves as the voice of American Orthodox Jewry, with “Semichas Chaver is an example of the OU’s ef- over 400 congregations in its synagogue network. As forts to expand Torah learning among all segments the umbrella organization for American Orthodox and all ages within the observant community,” said Jewry, the OU is at the forefront of advocacy work Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane. “This won- on both state and federal levels, outreach to Jewish derful program extends beyond the class itself to pos- teens and young professionals through NCSY, Israel itively impact the participants’ daily learning, as well Free Spirit Birthright, Yachad, and OU Press, among as learning with their families both during the week many other divisions and programs. For more inforand at their Shabbos tables,” Bane continued. mation, visit www.ou.org.
Friday, December 13, 2019
The Jewish Press
Page 83
Florida Bais Yaakov Of Miami Commemorates 36th Year Surrounded by 225 Bais Yaakov girls at a luncheon in memory of her mother, Margie Retter described how the Miami school began in 1983 with a class of six students, and reflected on the fact that it is now the leading Bais Yaakov in the southeastern United States. Retter, founder and first president of Bais Yaakov of Miami, is an attorney and a former federal public defender. She is also the founder of Din Legal Centers, Inc., a non-profit that represents frum women in beis din. Retter shared incredible stories about her mother, Susan Rapport, a”h – her miraculous survival in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, her participation in the infamous “Death March,” and her liberation from Bergen-Belsen. Retter cited her mother’s
amazing emunah as the inspiration that influenced her life. Retter has worked to continue the legacy of both her parents and their quest to build the next generation of Jews. The family has worked on projects toward furthering this goal in New York and in Miami Beach. Under the guidance of Rabbi Efraim Leizerson, the first and only principal of Bais Yaakov of Miami, the school has grown to 380 students in sixth grade through high school. Bais Yaakov is located at 1110 NE 163rd Street in North Miami Beach. For more information, call 305-957-1670. Margie Retter addresses Bais Yaakov girls at luncheon.
Hebrew Academy Celebrates ‘Yom Tzahal’ On November 5, Hebrew Academy’s early childhood, elementary, and middle school divisions celebrated a unique holiday, “Yom Tzahal.” This special day was designed last year by students in fifth grade in response to the “Holiday in Cheshvan” contest. It is a day that is dedicated to wearing Tzahal colors, learning about the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), doing special activities, and putting together packages and letters to be sent to the IDF in Israel. Some features of the day included: all elementary school students wore Tzahal-IDF shirts, sweatshirts, and hats; early childhood students dressed
up in Tzahal colors and collected essential items to send to the soldiers; there was a special assembly for the elementary school students, where members of the faculty who served in the IDF were honored; and middle-school students learned about the IDF in their Hebrew language classes. The Hebrew Academy RASG is located at 2400 Pine Tree Drive in Miami Beach. Call 305-532-6421 for more information. Hebrew Academy students celebrate Yom Tzahal with faculty member Kfir Lebovitch who served in the IDF.
Calendar Continued from p.81 call 305-868-1411. RSVP at www.TheShul.org/TSCdinner ***** WHAT: The Jewish Learning Center-Chabad will be holding a Grand Yud Tes Kislev Celebration and Annual Completion of Shas. The program marks the day that the saintly Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad Chassidism and author of the Tanya and Shulchan Aruch HaRav, was released from a Russian prison and cleared of false accusations in 1798. The world-renowned speaker and chassid HaRav Shimon Raichik, and HaRav Yehuda Leib Schapiro, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah and rav of Bais Menachem, will lead the siyum on Monday, December 16 at 6:30 p.m. A chassidic farbrengen will follow at 9 p.m. The festivities will include music and refreshments. Men and women are invited. WHERE: JLC, 411 41st Street, Miami Beach, FL WHEN: Monday, December 16 at 6:30 p.m., a Chassidic farbrengen will follow at 9 p.m. COST: Free CONTACT: For more information, call 305-5321800
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