belong magazine Fall 2015 by Passport Publications & Media Corporation

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belong Fall 2015 | Palm Beach

The Future of

A New Kind of

Sisterhood:

Jewish Baby Boomers

Women Leaders Bring Youthful Energy to Social Action Causes

Local Teens Combatting Anti-Semitism on Campus THE TWO-DECADE PARTNERSHIP CONNECTING THE PALM BEACHES TO ISRAEL Israel in Focus: Norton Museum Exhibition Captures Israel on Film

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R DO

A . L

R DE

LIGHTING.

U n p a ra l l el e d E x p e r ti s e , O u ts ta n d i n g S e l e c t i o n , a n d t h e G u a r a n t e e d B e s t P r i c e s I n - s t or e a n d O n l i n e .

F L O R I D A L O C AT I O N S :

B O C A R AT O N | P A L M B E A C H G A R D E N S

N E W J E R S E Y L O C AT I O N S :

| WELLINGTON | STUART

E A S T H A N O V E R | E AT O N T O W N | G R E E N B R O O K | P A R A M U S

THE QUINTON COLLECTION

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Fall Features 20 Years of Global Jewish Connections Partnership2Gether has connected thousands of lives in the Palm Beaches with Israel â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but the impact of this global partnership goes even further than you think. By Allegra Nagler

Israel in Focus

Calm Amid Crisis in Ukraine

This Place, an exhibition open now at the Norton Museum of Art, imagines Israel through the eyes of 12 internationally acclaimed photographers. By Amy Woods

Thanks to ongoing humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, thousands of Jews who have been affected by some two years of upheaval are holding their own. By Leon M. Rubin

In Praise of Jewish Sisterhood Whether gathering for a Shabbat dinner or working on a local philanthropic cause, the energetic, youthful leaders of Kol Isha are lending their unique voices to our community. By Robin Bradley Hansel

Building a New Platform to Engage Jewish Baby Boomers

Promoting Positivity on Campus

11 13

With their significant career skills, experience, and desire to make a difference, Jewish Baby Boomers have the ability to powerfully contribute to the world around them. By Richard Westlund

32 22

Teens are learning effective strategies to cope with anti-Israel and anti-Semitic action on high school and college campuses. By Amy Woods

Fall Departments Be Entertained | Be Connected | Be Global

Faces of the COMMUNITY Move Over, Dr. Ruth! Relationship expert Dr. Rachel Needle isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shy about her commitment to her clients or her dedication to the local Jewish community. By Leon M. Rubin

contents 43

Be Connected

Federation Headlines | Community Happenings | The Scene

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be | and enjoy

Welcome Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve probably noticed: The world is changing quickly and in ways we could have only imagined. For the more than 125,000 Jewish people in Palm Beach County, the changing world provides innovative opportunities to connect to Jewish life and grow closer to our extended Jewish family. There are endlessly growing possibilities to strengthen Jewish identity and global peoplehood. All of these changes empower Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County and our partners, synagogues, and other community institutions to envision a bright Jewish future and create an impact together. As you will see in this edition of Belong, we are living in one of the most exciting times to be involved in Jewish life. The features you will read in this magazine are real stories from around our community. These are authentic examples of people here in Palm Beach County and around the world who are innovating, connecting, protecting, and building â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all because of their passion and commitment to the Jewish people. I encourage you to connect with the inspiring projects, initiatives, and people described in the articles. There are growing opportunities to volunteer, participate, and give. I am thrilled to join you on this exciting journey as we take this community and Federation to new heights. Sincerely,

Michael Hoffman President & CEO Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County

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4601 Community Drive West Palm Beach, FL 33417 561-478-0700 www.jewishpalmbeach.org

FEDERATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Raymond L. Golden Board Chair

Susan Shulman Pertnoy Secretary

Steven Ellison Vice Chair

Arthur S. Loring Immediate Past Board Chair Barry S. Berg Annual Campaign Chair

Mark F. Levy Vice Chair

Michael L. Kohner Administrative Management & Financial Oversight Committee Chair

Sam Liebovich Vice Chair Ronald P. Pertnoy Vice Chair

Libby G. Fishman Community Planning & Investments Committee Chair

Ira Gerstein Treasurer

Scott Benarde Paul R. Fine Nancy C. Hart Rebecca Rothschild Alyson Seligman

Morton L. Mandel Human Resources Committee Chair Thomas R. Davidoff Israel & Global Initiatives Committee Chair Cynthia R. Brown Women’s Philanthropy Board Chair Sheryl Davidoff Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair Hope Silverman Member at Large

FEDERATION EXECUTIVE STAFF Michael Hoffman

President & Chief Executive Officer 561-242-6643 • michael.hoffman@jewishpalmbeach.org

Debra Roshfeld

Senior Executive Vice President / Chief Operating Officer 561-242-6644 • debbi.roshfeld@jewishpalmbeach.org

b Helene Lotman

Executive Vice President / Chief Talent Officer 561-242-6659 • helene.lotman@jewishpalmbeach.org

Ilan Hurvitz

Senior Vice President / Community Planning & Investments 561-242-6606 • ilan.hurvitz@jewishpalmbeach.org

Kathy G. Sigall

Senior Vice President / Chief Financial Officer 561-242-6622 • kathy.sigall@jewishpalmbeach.org

Rachel H. Berg

Vice President / Financial Resource Development 561-242-6612 • rachel.berg@jewishpalmbeach.org

Jeff Trynz

Vice President / Marketing & Communications 561-242-6611 • jeff.trynz@jewishpalmbeach.org

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EDITORIAL STAFF Jeff Trynz Colin Shalo Wendy Bernstein Richard Westlund

Executive Editor Editorial Director Editor Business Editor

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Palm Beach

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belong is published by Passport Publications & Media Corporation, 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 1550, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. All rights reserved.

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be | connected Introducing Federation’s Shlicha

be | entertained Mandel JCC Book Festival The Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches Annual Book Festival is one of the area’s most prominent cultural events. This year, the event — which runs from November through April — will feature 17 stimulating, heartwarming, and entertaining authors at venues ranging from the elegant Kravis Center for the Performing Arts to country clubs and private homes. Inspirational memoirs, romance novels, and moving Holocaust survivor stories will be among the highlights. “The JCC Book Festival has grown tremendously over the years to bring the best and the brightest speakers from around the country to our community,” says Nancy Sims, co-chair of the Annual Book Festival. “It’s an honor to be a part of such a festival that provokes important conversations from impressive authors who focus on Jewish culture and life.” For more information, visit jcconline.com/bookfestival.

Bar Sananes, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s newest shlicha (Hebrew for “emissary”), traveled from Israel to spend two years as a volunteer emissary to Palm Beach County’s Jewish community. Through Federation’s Partnership2Gether Program, she is part of Federation’s dynamic programming aimed not only at strengthening our community’s ties to Israel but also strengthening our ties to each other. Bar continues the long history of Federation’s shlichim program, which serves as a bridge to our sister region in northern Israel, TZAHAR (an acronym for the cities Tzfat, Hazor HaGlilit, and Rosh Pina). “In the short amount of time that I’ve been here, I’ve noticed that this community has a strong Jewish identity,” she says. “It is interesting for me to see the effort and determination involved in preserving Jewish identity in the United States. In Israel, it is often taken for granted, since it is the Jewish state.” Bar will work with synagogues, schools, Federation’s partner agencies, and other community institutions to provide experiences for all ages that strengthen connections to Jewish identity and Israeli culture. “I am looking forward to reaching out to the community and educating them on Israeli life, history, and culture — creating the living bridge.” For more information, visit jewishpalmbeach.org.

be | global Temple Judea Joins International Project to Cross Stitch the Torah Torah Stitch by Stitch is an international project designed to honor the Five Books of Moses through the timeless medium of cross-stitch, a basic textile tradition in many cultures. The project, designed and coordinated by internationally renowned textile artist Temma Gentles, was launched in June 2013. Since then, more than 1,000 participants from 18 countries and numerous linguistic and spiritual backgrounds have joined hands and hearts to stitch 1,463 individual panels of the Torah in Hebrew. Among them are a group of women from Temple Judea in Palm Beach Gardens who have contributed months of labor in an effort to complete work on 23 of the verses. Morli Josza, executive director of Temple Judea, said the project has been a bonding experience for the women involved, some of whom were new to the art of cross stitching. “Torah Stitch by Stitch is first and foremost a project of engagement,” the project’s organizers report. “Two years after our launch on Shavuot in Toronto we continue to be amazed — and blessed — by our stitchers’ unique accounts of the profound ways in which their participation has affected them.”

Temma Gentles displays her handiwork from the Stitch by Stitch project.

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An Expert for Every Step of Your Journey Toward Wellness When choosing a physician, experience and training matter. Jupiter Medical Center is home to more than 575 experienced physicians – in 60 medical specialties – who offer expert care and compassion. Many of our doctors have been educated at renowned schools of medicine, fellowship-trained at Ivy League institutions and have an unmatched depth of knowledge and skill. When selecting a physician, it’s nice to know some of the best doctors are on staff at Jupiter Medical Center. They are just one call away.

Find a physician. Call (561) 263-5737 today. Learn more at jupitermed.com/physicians 1210 S. Old Dixie Highway l Jupiter, FL 33458

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Move Over, Dr. Ruth!

Dr.

belong | Faces of the Community

Relationship expert

Rachel Needle isn’t shy about her commitment to her clients or her dedication to the local Jewish community By Leon M. Rubin

Sex therapist might not be the first occupation that comes to mind when considering who fits the profile of a typical leader of the Jewish community, but pose the question to Dr. Rachel Needle and she responds with a smile, “Well, why not? It’s the first occupation that comes to my mind!” “I am a clinical psychologist,” she explains. “I specialize in sex and relationships and am a certified sex therapist, but I also do a lot of work with trauma, substance abuse, and cancer patients dealing with psychosocial, sexual, and relationship issues during and following cancer treatment.” In addition to helping her patients and clients in a wide variety of ways, Needle is firmly dedicated to supporting the local Jewish community — and it fits right in to her mindset. “I serve on the Jewish Federation’s NextGen committee and am the co-chair of the social committee,” she says. NextGen, a young adults and professionals networking group in Jewish Federation’s The Collaborative <45 association, creates opportunities for young adults in the greater Palm Beaches to connect to Jewish life — and each other. “We participate in a variety of activities, including social, philanthropic, and volunteer events,” adds Needle. Her background has also become an asset to other young professional women in the community. Needle recently served as the featured speaker for an event about creating balance in the face of conflicting demands of life placed on women by family, work, and fun. The event was organized by Kol Isha, the young women’s group of The Collaborative. Needle’s roots with Federation and in the Jewish community run deep. Born and raised in West Palm Beach, she attended the Mandel JCC’s preschool and went directly to the Jewish Community Day School (now the Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academy). “I had so many meaningful Jewish experiences growing up,” she says, recalling feeling immersed in the Jewish community through her education and a defining Israel travel program she participated in during high school. “It was an incredible and meaningful time,” she recalls. “I hope to go back to Israel in the near future.” Following high school, Needle received her BA in

psychology from Barnard College, Columbia University. She completed an internship in clinical psychology at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey: Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, NJ. She subsequently received her MS and PsyD degrees in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. After her studies, Needle yearned to be involved with her hometown Jewish community. She became involved with The Collaborative’s Emerging Leadership Program (ELP), Federation’s high-caliber leadership track for young professionals and adults in the greater Palm Beaches. “I wanted to reconnect with my Jewish roots in South Florida, and that was a wonderful way to begin doing so,” she notes. Today, Needle keeps a busy professional schedule. She is a licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist in private practice at the Center for Marital and Sexual Health of South Florida and is also the founder and executive director of the Whole Health Psychological Center in West Palm Beach. She is an adjunct professor of psychology in the behavioral sciences, forensic psychology, and criminal justice programs at Nova Southeastern University. She also founded and is CEO of the Advanced Mental Health Training Institute, which provides continuing education to Florida mental health professionals, as well as psychologists and sex therapists across the world. “It is no secret that many people are uncomfortable discussing sex-related issues, but I found that people would approach me with questions and concerns quite comfortably,” she continues. “I decided I wanted to address it and make sure people had accurate information, an understanding of how they got to where they are in relation to their sexual issues and concerns, and the help toward a path to a healthy and satisfying sexual life.” Needle has presented her research and clinical work at national and international conferences and been quoted in such popular magazines as Details, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, and Shape. She’s also written several articles for Glamour magazine’s online blog, Smitten. In the midst of it all, Needle’s ties to her Jewish identity remain an essential part of her life. “I cherish the memories of rushing to school early to participate in minyan on Thursday mornings and dressing up and celebrating the Jewish holidays at school,” she says. “I learned early on the traditions and beliefs, the importance of giving and family, that are still so much a part of who I am today.” b Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County | belong

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Israel’s TZAHAR region — comprising the picturesque holy city of Tzfat (seen here), the development town Hazor HaGlilit, and agricultural area Rosh Pina — has been Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Partnership2Gether region for 20 years.

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Partnership Gether 2 Celebrates 20 Years of Jewish Connections By Allegra Nagler

It may have been more than a decade ago, but Elana Kanel Rickel says she owes a lot of her involvement in the Jewish community to one trip to Israel she took as a teenager with other students from Palm Beach County. “We were more than tourists,” Rickel recalls. “I already knew I loved Israel, but this experience solidified my feelings toward the people, the culture, and the country.”

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Teens from Palm Beach County and Israel help children enhance their English skills during this past summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bonim Chaim program in Israel.

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he program Rickel participated in is a part of Partnership2Gether, a living bridge of cultural exchange and Jewish identity programs that is now celebrating its 20th anniversary connecting Palm Beach County with Israel’s TZAHAR region. An initiative of Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County and its global partner The Jewish Agency for Israel, the partnership connects North American Jewish communities with sister cities in Israel. “Partnership2Gether created a real connection for us with the State of Israel and a living bridge to the people,” says Rickel, who is now the North and Central Florida area director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and co-chair of Jewish Federation’s young women’s group, Kol Isha. Here’s how it works: To support its priority of “building global Jewish community,” Federation invests in programs that connect Palm Beach County community members with people in the TZAHAR region (comprising the cities Tzfat, Hazor HaGlilit, and Rosh Pina). Examples of Partnership2Gether programs include: Bonim Chaim, an annual immersive Israel travel experience for local teens; school twinning projects, which allow local students to keep in contact with Israeli counterparts; and the presence of community shlichim — Israeli emissaries who live in Palm Beach County and connect students, teens, adults, and families to Israeli culture. Mia Johnson, an accountant with Ernst & Young who grew up in the Palm Beaches, was a staff leader on several Partnership2Gether trips for Palm Beach County students. “On the trips, we connected culturally with the Israeli teens and realized how similar Israel is to us,” says Johnson, whose mother is Israeli. “Seeing Israel through the eyes of someone for the first time and seeing how positive the experience was made a lasting impression on me.” That cultural connection has also had a lasting impression on current high school student Sam Wiston. He spent more than three weeks in Israel this past summer with Federation’s Bonim Chaim, which gives teens in our community the opportunity to travel through Israel, participate in community service projects, and even live with an Israeli family for a week. “Now that I’m home, I plan to continue my connection to Israel and Israeli culture,” said Wiston. While focused on strengthening connections between next-generation leaders in Israel and global Jewish communities, it’s not just students who have been enriched by Partnership2Gether programs. Tommy Davidoff, a retired dentist and past chair of the partnership, along with his wife, Sheryl, who began volunteering 20 years ago, says the couple's activism in the TZAHAR region has allowed them to form lifelong friendships in Israel over the years. The children of his host family in Rosh Pina, for example, have become sur-

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On Federation’s Bonim Chaim program, teens from Palm Beach County travel to Israel and take part in volunteer opportunities, social action projects, and immersive travel experiences with their Israeli counterparts.

Figures Partnership2Gether is not only a program between Palm Beach County and Israel’s TZAHAR region — other Federations around North America also have partnerships with sister cities and regions in Israel. Since its existence, Partnership2Gether has:  Involved more than 600 schools serving 52,000 students and 1,900 teachers from Israel, North America, the former Soviet Union, Latin America, and Europe  Enlisted more than 3,000 volunteers  Hosted more than 16,000 students for teen and leadership projects  Involved 2,100 Israeli family hosts for P2G visitors to Israel  Enrolled 550 Israeli professionals as shlichim (Israeli emissaries who embed themselves in Jewish communities across North America) Source: The Jewish Agency for Israel (2014-2015)

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A young girl in Federation’s Partnership2Gether region in Israel enjoys a new costume for Purim. Each year, Federation organizes a costume drive to benefit disadvantaged youth in Israel.

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Partnership2Gether creates a living bridge of unique, impactful cultural experiences between Israel and Palm Beach County. Programs like Federation’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration in West Palm Beach (part of the annual IsraelDays series) strengthen the local community’s connection to Israeli life.

rogate grandkids, or mishpacha (Hebrew for “family”), he says. “A partnership means just that,” Davidoff adds. “Through Partnership2Gether, we’ve made connections, created teacher exchanges, and promoted economic development. We’ve increased tourism and women’s empowerment, enhanced Jewish identity, and fostered a genuine understanding of Jewish peoplehood.” A number of local educators have also benefited from their experiences with Partnership2Gether. The teacher exchange, part of the partnership’s school twinning efforts, brings Israeli and American teachers together to enhance global perspectives in curricula. Teacher Rhea Exizian of Temple Beth Am in Jupiter recently joined other local teachers to travel to Israel and visit schools in the TZAHAR region. The trip was organized in part by the Lorraine and Jack N. Friedman Commission for Jewish Education (CJE), a

local partner of Jewish Federation. Exizian, whose students regularly communicate with students at schools in Rosh Pina, says, “This exchange makes it real for the kids; they make a connection to their fellow Jews and feel closer to Israel.” “It is truly heartwarming to see firsthand the impact our partnership has both in our sister region in TZAHAR and here in Palm Beach County,” said Orly Uziel Popik, chair of Federation’s Partnership2Gether and a native of Israel. “The partnership builds bridges, leaves a lasting legacy, and deeply connects our communities.” That’s exactly the idea behind the 20 years of the partnership’s existence — community. “As our sages tell us, Kol Yisrael arevim zeh la-zeh,” Davidoff says, “All of Israel is responsible for each other.” b Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County | belong

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Israel in Focus By Amy Woods

This Place, an exhibition now open at the Norton Museum of Art, imagines Israel through the eyes of 12 internationally acclaimed photographers. Israel is, in many ways, more than a place — it is a metaphor. That’s the concept behind This Place: Israel Through Photography’s Lens, a captivating exhibition making its U.S. debut at West Palm Beach’s Norton Museum of Art, featuring the artistic imagery of 12 internationally acclaimed photographers. Conceived by Frédéric Brenner, a French photographer who previously traveled the world for 25 years exploring communities in the diaspora, This Place (which opened October 15 at the Norton) exposes the Jewish state as a deeply complicated and complex land, while juxtaposing its contemporary and cultural attributes. “It is not one person looking at Israel, but it is 12 different ways of looking at Israel,” Brenner said. “The entire idea really was to try to see Israel beyond a dual perspective, beyond political narrative.” For the project, Brenner recruited artists — not photojournalists — each of whom spent about six months in Israel between 2009 and 2012. While in residence, they created thousands of original pieces, ranging from landscapes to glimpses of urban decay. Tim Wride, curator of photography at the Norton, saw This Place in May when it opened in Tel Aviv. Wride said the exhibit’s 300 or so photographs dispel notions and heighten reality. “We know Israel through newscasts,” he said. “We know Israel through commentary. That’s polarity. This allows us a different access to understanding the place.” Indeed, the genesis of the project stems from Brenner’s hypothesis that Israel is a place far too complex for words. “Israel is a mirror for paradox, ambivalence, dissonance — which prevails in each human being,” he said. “The artists who were involved with this project are making images to break images, not to conform to images you already have.”

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Frédéric Brenner (France, born 1959), The Aslan Levi Family, 2010, © Frédéric Brenner, Courtesy Howard Greenberg Gallery

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Frédéric Brenner (France, born 1959), The Weinfeld Family, 2009, © Frédéric Brenner, Courtesy Howard Greenberg Gallery

Many messages flow from the fragmented pieces framed on the walls — the most crucial of them being an exploration of soul and spirit, said Brenner. “My long-term goal for This Place is to foster a conversation and to enable us to look within — every single human being, every citizen,” he added. “This goes far beyond Israel and far beyond Jews.” The exhibit features works by Brenner, as well as Wendy Ewald, Martin Kollar, Josef Koudelka, Jungjin Lee, Gilles Peress, Fazal Sheikh, Stephen Shore, Rosalind Fox Solomon, Thomas Struth, Jeff

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Wall, and Nick Waplington. “They’re all incredibly smart, and they’re all internationally known,” said the Norton’s Wride. “They each had their own perspective, and I think that in and of itself is the great message.” This Place is on view through Jan. 17, 2016, at the Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S. Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach. To plan your visit, or for more information, visit norton.org. b The presentation of This Place at the Norton is made possible through the generosity of Vanessa and Anthony Beyer.

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Rosalind Fox Solomon (United States, born 1930) titled her This Place project THEM, but left each photograph untitled and unexplained.

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Stephen Shore’s (United States, born 1947) This Place project is titled From Galilee to the Negev, and includes these riveting images of St. Sabas Monastery, Judean Desert (left), and Hebron (right). © Stephen Shore

The photos from Nick Waplington’s (England, born 1970) project Settlement are all untitled. © Nick Waplington

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Wendy Ewald (United States, born 1951) held workshops in 14 communities, where she had sixth graders take photos and select them for her project titled This is Where I Live.

Celebrating PHILANTHROPY AT THIS PLACE

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County invites King David Society donors* to a private reception on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Norton Museum of Art’s presentation of This Place. The event will feature special guest artist Frédéric Brenner. Event hosts are Rita and Charles Bronfman. Exhibition presentation made possible through the generosity of Vanessa and Anthony Beyer. For more information, contact Shelly Friedman at 561.242.6632, or shelly.friedman@jewishpalmbeach.org. *King David Society donors make a commitment of $25,000 or more to Federation’s Annual Campaign. © Wendy Ewald

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Calm Amid Pursuing Normalcy for Jews in Conflict-Wracked Ukraine By Leon M. Rubin

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Anna K., 77, from Slavyansk, Ukraine, weeps in front of bombed-out residential buildings in the formerly besieged city. Photo by Rachel Calman / American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

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American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

JDC staff and volunteers deliver critically needed food packages to Ukrainian Jews during wintertime.

an atmosphere of social, political, and economic upheaval, it is incredibly difficult to maintain even a semblance of normalcy. Yet, thanks to ongoing humanitarian efforts supported by Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County in Ukraine, thousands of Jews who have been affected by some two years of upheaval are holding their own. Ukraine — a nation of 46 million people, including an estimated 300,000 to 350,000 Jews — has been torn by conflict between factions seeking to align the nation more closely with the European Union in the west, and opposing forces siding with Russia to the east. The Russian government has allegedly backed anti-government separatists with military equipment, personnel, and financial resources. Shelling, bombings, and other military action in major cities such as Kiev, Donetsk, and Mariupol have resulted in more than 5,000 deaths, 10,000 injuries, extensive destruction of property, and the displacement of more than a million citizens. “It started with demonstrations by unarmed people. When they took over the government building, it didn’t seem unordinary or revolutionary,” says Masha Shumatskaya, who was living in Donetsk when the unrest began. “I only realized how severe the situation was when the barricades went up and people started wearing masks and carrying guns. They started shelling the airport. We had to leave,” she explained during a visit earlier this year to the United States, sponsored by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), one of Jewish Federation’s global partners. “We lost our jobs. There was no reason for us to stay.” While the Ukrainian crisis hasn’t specifically targeted Jews or Jewish institutions, “Jews, like their neighbors, have been embroiled in this since day one,” said the JDC’s Michael Geller, director of media relations. The JDC, supported in part by Jewish Federation, is integrally involved in serving Jews in more than 1,000 locations throughout Ukraine — displaced or not — through its four major offices and a network of 32 social welfare centers. The agency has worked tirelessly to serve more than 6,000 Jews in the separatist-controlled zones and another 2,800 who fled to other cities.

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“

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

”

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

“At a time of great crisis for Ukraine, thousands of Jews — either displaced or remaining in the separatist-controlled regions — are facing growing needs, and we are the only lifeline they have. I am proud that we are part of efforts to respond to this crisis and ensure food, clothing, medicine, housing, and critically needed Jewish community connections to Jews caught in the crosshairs of a terrible conflict,” said JDC President Penny Blumenstein, a parttime Palm Beach resident and supporter of Jewish Federation. “Having been to Ukraine and having seen the desperation, I believe it is our responsibility to tell this story and ensure our Jewish community continues to be there for our brothers and sisters in need.” Not all Jews displaced by the conflict want to stay in Ukraine. Some migrate east to Russia, while others make aliyah — emigrate to Israel — with the help of The Jewish An elderly Jewish woman receives food packages from JDC staff and volunteers. Agency for Israel, another Federation global partner with a presence in conflict-plagued eastern Ukraine. After heavy shelling, The Jewish Agency ramped up its efforts to evacuate Jews from several towns and housed hundreds of refugees awaiting the opportunity to go to Israel. At a time of great crisis for “Donors’ generosity is actually saving lives in Ukraine — physically and Ukraine, thousands of Jews are spiritually,” said Roman Polonsky, a native of Ukraine and director of The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Unit for Russianfacing growing needs, and we speaking Jewry, during a visit to Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County last are the only lifeline they have. spring. “Through donations, we are getting Ukraine’s Jews out of war zones, resettling – Penny Blumenstein them, and reconnecting them to their JDC President Jewish roots.” The Jewish Agency reports that 6,900 Ukrainians Penny Blumenstein made aliyah in the last year — a 50 percent increase from the previous year. These critically important efforts are made possible through the support of the worldwide Jewish community, including Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign and emergency campaigns launched during particular waves of upheaval. “It is our responsibility to immediately provide our Jewish brothers and sisters with resources to help them weather the emotional, physical, and mental effects of the ongoing crisis,” said Tommy Davidoff, chair of Federation’s Israel & Global Initiatives. JDC Vice President Jacky Schimmel, writing after a visit to eastern Ukraine last winter, reinforced the importance of this support for “the courage shown by our professional team on the ground. No praise is too high for their sacrifice, as they work tirelessly and, at times, at great risk to themselves to ensure that no Jew is left behind.” Despite the crisis being half a world away, it is perhaps encouraging that there are opportunities for every Jewish person to play a role in meeting the desperate needs of the global Jewish community. b Sophia, a JDC Hesed homecare worker from Donetsk, has refused to leave the conflict-ridden city and remains to care for her elderly Jewish clients.

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In Praise of 32

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JewisH

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Sisterhood Whether gathering for a Shabbat dinner or working on a local philanthropic cause, the energetic, youthful leaders of Kol Isha are lending their unique voices to our community. By Robin Bradley Hansel, Photos by Jacek Gancarz

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When it comes to bringing a large group of over-scheduled young women together for an evening of spiritual fellowship, timing is everything, as Beth Wayne and her co-chairs, Sara Balas Densen and Elana Kanel Rickel, will attest. The three friends lead a group called Kol Isha, Hebrew for “a woman’s voice.” Kol Isha seeks to encourage active involvement of Jewish women as part of The Collaborative <45, an association of Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s groups that engage young adults and professionals in Jewish life. Other groups that make up The Collaborative <45 include NextGen, the Emerging Leadership Program (ELP), and Jewish Professionals Network (JPN). Since spring 2014, nearly 100 Kol Isha members have attended Federation activities, such as delivering holiday meals to homebound seniors and fundraising initiatives to combat hunger in our local community. On an early summer evening, a spirit of service was evident as nearly 30 women brought excited voices and laughter to a relaxing Shabbat dinner at Wayne’s home. The gathering was the first time the group had come together in a social way, though every event includes a connection to local philanthropy and volunteerism. “The Shabbat dinner was a great way to feel a part of the wonderful and welcoming Jewish community we have locally,” said Kol Isha participant Lauren Stuhmer. “Beth Wayne was so kind to open her home for such a beautiful yet casual evening, where we could unwind from the week and enjoy seeing old friends and meeting new ones.”

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Join dynamic young women for Kol Isha’s programs focused on education, social action, and leadership. December 1: Campaign Opening Event February 2016: Ladies and Lattes April 2016: Feeling Good Inside and Out: Yoga and Social Action May 13, 2016: Shabbat dinner at a private home in Palm Beach Gardens Kol Isha is a program of The Collaborative <45, Federation’s association of young adults and professionals groups. For more information about the above events, email kolisha@jewishpalmbeach.org.

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In the group’s spirit of social action, attendees — who ranged in age from 25 to 45 — were encouraged to bring nonperishable items to be donated to the Kosher Food Pantry of Alpert Jewish Family and Children’s Service (AJFCS), a partner agency of Jewish Federation. The atmosphere was casual — Sabbath prayers, a delicious dinner, fun, and camaraderie were the only agenda items. “We wanted to create a nice night out for women as we started the Sabbath together. Nothing was being asked of them. Instead, everyone was simply invited to share in sisterhood,” explained Wayne, a full-time mother of two. Densen, a real estate professional with two young children, added, “It was such a lovely evening as women ate and connected with each other.” Like Wayne, she felt everyone enjoyed talking, sharing, and just being together. Amy Jonas, a member of Federation’s Board of Directors, serves as Kol Isha’s mentor and lends supportive advice to the group’s participants. A past president and campaign chair for Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy, Jonas said she enjoys watching like-minded Jewish women embark on educational and spiritual journeys filled with social action and leadership opportunities. “Kol Isha is a wonderful vehicle for young, committed, and passionate Jewish women,” added Jonas. “They work together to build a stronger Jewish community for themselves and their families.” b Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County | belong

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JEWISH BABY BOOMERS

Building a New Platform to Engage

By Richard Westlund

he United States population of Baby Boomers — those born during the post-World War II baby boom between 1946 and 1964 — stands at nearly 77 million and is the largest age cohort of the country’s Jewish community. That fact is amplified in Palm Beach County. Yet nationwide, Jewish communities are striving to find mechanisms to connect or reconnect with this group. Jewish Boomers’ significant career skills, experience, and desire to make a difference provide the ability to powerfully contribute to the world around them. This fall, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is supporting the launch of B3/The Palm Beach Jewish Boomer

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Platform, a program that will identify new local opportunities to connect with Boomers. Supported by Federation’s forward-thinking Innovation Fund, the collaborative B3 will be one of the first in the country to assess the needs and desires of Jewish Boomers in order to implement a program that could transform our community, says Ilan Hurvitz, senior vice president of Community Planning & Investments for Federation. “We want to take a smart and innovative approach to deploying our resources to help this unique cohort stay actively engaged and connected to the Jewish community,” adds Hurvitz. A carefully planned strategy tailored to each community is required to activate and engage Boomers, according to Stuart Himmelfarb, co-founder and CEO of B3. “We want to tap in to that rising tide of Jewish curiosity and connections, and invite our Boomers to participate in meaningful programs and projects,” says Himmelfarb, a senior fellow for Faith-Based Civic Engagement at New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service. His B3 co-founder, David Elcott, is a professor at NYU. For example, some Jewish Boomers may be interested in volunteering to renovate a synagogue or build a new assistedliving facility. Others may want to coach or mentor young adults, take part in Jewish travel experiences, or reflect on their own spirituality. “We know that Jewish life is much richer when shared with others,” says Himmelfarb. “After all, we need a minyan to pray.”

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Through the B3 platform, Federation will identify what the region’s Jewish Boomers find “fun, interesting, and challenging” in retirement, says Himmelfarb. “We want to develop engaging lifestyle experiences that can be shared with spouses, children, and grandchildren,” he adds. “We also want to give them a chance to express the ideals they may have had to put on hold when raising kids and paying the mortgage.” Himmelfarb says Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is attracting national attention for its innovative outreach approach to Jewish Boomers. “Only a handful of organizations are looking at developing an engagement program,” he says. “Palm Beach County is at the forefront in terms of making a long-term investment that will lead to new approaches and best practices across the country.” Federation’s Hurvitz says one of the reasons that Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County partnered with B3 was the indepth research Himmelfarb and Elcott have already conducted on “encore careers” of Boomer professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs as they reach the retirement stage of their lives. After raising their families and completing mid-life careers, many Jewish Boomers are looking for ways to serve their communities; Federation’s goal is to connect them to Jewish experiences through better communication and collaboration. “We plan to create a robust platform with a wide scope of Jewish agencies, institutions, synagogues, and other organizations

in order to foster the development of a collaborative model for engaging Boomers,” he says. “It is up to us to meet their needs and strengthen our inter-generational connections.” Federation’s evolving B3 strategy won’t be limited to active members of the Jewish community. Social media and other online tools will be used to reach Boomers who are interested in their religious identity, but not currently involved in organized Jewish life. As Himmelfarb says, “Ultimately, we want to show Jewish Boomers that connecting with Palm Beach County’s community can offer very meaningful personal rewards and make a positive impact on the world, as they continue their ongoing exploration of life.” b

ABOUT THE THE INNOVATION FUND The Innovation Fund is Federation’s forward-thinking, highimpact grants program that currently provides seed funding for two programs, developed in collaboration with local partners to meet unique and emerging needs in the community. In addition to B3/The Palm Beach Jewish Boomer Platform, The Innovation Fund is supporting the implementation of the Big Tent Judaism initiative with the Jewish Outreach Institute, Mandel JCC, Friedman Commission for Jewish Education, and community synagogues. The goal is to connect less-engaged individuals and families to Jewish life through unique programming and strong institutional partnerships.

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Promoting

positivity

Campus ON

Local students are learning effective strategies to cope with anti-Israel and anti-Semitic action on high school and college campuses. By Amy Woods

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Jewish Student Connection clubs operate at 10 middle and high schools throughout the greater Palm Beaches. Students join together to discuss Jewish issues and take part in unique activities, like building edible sukkahs.

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Students at Florida Atlantic University meet to discuss effective strategies to diffuse anti-Israel and anti-Semitic events on campus.

Seated in world history class last year at a local high school, a then-sophomore had a startling observation: Several students in the room didn’t know about the Holocaust. “That really bothered me,” said Tom Kapitulnik, now a 16year-old junior. Tom’s twin sister, Roni, experienced a similar incident at a different area school, when a classmate said he had “never seen a Jewish person before.” “That kind of shocked me,” Roni admitted. Both experiences serve as examples of the challenges Jewish teens can face on high school and college campuses. “I don’t think a lot of students know what it means to be Jewish,” Roni added. In an effort to connect with peers and address misconceptions, both Roni and Tom participate in Jewish Student Connection clubs at their schools. The groups — which operate at 10 middle and high schools throughout the greater Palm Beaches — bring students together in a forum that instills culture, identity, and pride through programs led by Jewish communal professionals and community shlichim, volunteer emissaries from Israel. Activities range from learning about Israeli history and culture to playing a quirky trivia game called “Jewpardy.”

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TIPS

on how to respond to anti-Israel / anti-Semitic issues on campus

At Federation's recent This IsReal seminar, local teens were presented with a “how to” for standing up for the State of Israel. One method they learned is ARM — an acronym for Address, Reframe, and Message — which can be used when conversations with peers escalate into debates about the Middle East. Address:

Listen to the opposing viewpoint and acknowledge it has been heard.

Reframe: Turn the accusation around by offering facts about the topic at hand. Message: End the exchange on a positive note by using keywords such as dream and hope. For example, “I hope one day there is no terrorism so children wouldn’t have to be scared to ride the bus to school.”

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opportunities

for teens to get involved this school year

Feast for Families – November 25, 2015 In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, teens volunteer to feed families who otherwise may not be able to have a meal. The program is in partnership with Helping Hands. Contact Wendy Stahl (wendy.stahl@jewishpalmbeach.org) for more information. Panim El Panim – March 20-23, 2016 Teens travel to Washington, DC, for an immersive political experience about policy, engaging in social action, and even lobbying with national representatives on Capitol Hill. Contact Jason Cook (jason.cook@jewishpalmbeach.org) for more information. Yom Ha’Shoah – May 5, 2016: Teens meet Holocaust survivors living in Palm Beach County for Yom Ha’Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). Participants also take part in a candle-lighting ceremony during a community memorial. Contact Marcy Morris (marcy.morris@jewishpalmbeach.org) for more information. Yom Ha’Atzmaut – May 15, 2016 Celebrate Israel’s 68th birthday at Federation’s community-wide festival, which offers several volunteering opportunities to help ensure it’s a success. Contact Marcy Morris (marcy.morris@ jewishpalmbeach.org) for more information. JCC Maccabi Games & Artsfest (Stamford, CT) – August 2016 This week-long event promotes friendship, community service, creativity, and teamwork. Participants spend the week competing in Olympic-style events, volunteering, and building friendships with Jewish teens from around the world. Contact Jason Cook (jason.cook@jewishpalmbeach.org) for more information. For more information about these and other programs for teens, visit jtipalmbeach.org.

Roni, who serves as president of the Jewish student club at her high school, said she wants to give Jewish teens the opportunity to learn more about who they are. “Growing up, some of my best friends and best experiences have been related to my Jewish identity,” she said. Jewish Student Connection clubs welcome students of all backgrounds to bi-weekly meetings that usually take place during lunch. “They don’t have to come to us — we come to them,” said Wendy Stahl, director of Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Jewish Teen Initiative (JTI), which oversees the clubs. “It really is our most effective way of engaging unaffiliated teens.” The culture gap between Jewish and non-Jewish students doesn’t only exist in high schools — it’s also evident on college campuses across the country. For example, during the 2014-2015 school year, students at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton experienced a spate of anti-Israel activity perpetrated by a group called Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). SJP brought speakers to the school who delegitimized Israel during discussion sessions about the conflict in the Middle East. While these anti-Israel programs received little publicity, they demonstrate additional challenges

Jewish college students face when they arrive on campuses. “Sometimes, our students don’t know how to face these issues,” said Dr. Luis Fleischman, executive director of Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC). “But wherever they go, they need to be ready.” To teach students how to manage such experiences, Jewish organizations throughout Palm Beach County have stepped up to educate local youth about Israel and the sentiment that surrounds it. This IsReal, a Federation seminar organized in partnership with JCRC, JTI, Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach, and StandWithUs, was held at Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academy in Palm Beach Gardens in April. The one-day event worked to prepare students to respond to anti-Semitic and anti-Israel activity on campuses through discussions and speakers who provided historical context and perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Raina Goldberg, executive director of Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach (a partner agency of Federation), said her organization has devised a series of simple, yet powerful, strategies students can employ when encountering groups such as SJP. “I wish I could explain why anti-Semitism still exists,” Goldberg said. “It behooves students to be aware of it and know what resources are available to them to confront it.” b Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County | belong

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Take Action tours offer opportunity

David Greene

You have the opportunity to see firsthand how Federation touches more Jewish lives than with any other organization in the world. Take Action: Tours of Impact in Our Jewish Community are now being scheduled on an ongoing basis. The tours offer community members immersive experiences with Federation and its network of local and global partners. Federation’s network of local partner agencies encountered on Take Action tours includes Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Mandel JCC, Meyer Academy, Kramer Senior Services (a subsidiary of MorseLife Health System), and Friedman Commission for Jewish Education. Federation’s global partners — American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, The Jewish Agency for Israel, and the Ethiopian National Project — will also be incorporated. Tours are being scheduled for the 2015-2016 season. They typically run half days and can be customized for interested groups. To schedule a tour for an individual or group (such as a synagogue congregation or business), contact Rachel Berg at 561.242.6612 or rachel.berg@jewishpalmbeach.org.

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Federation Headlines

Michael Hoffman joins “This position presents an exciting, yet challenging opportunity to write the next chapter of this Federation,” said Michael Hoffman, the new President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. “We will work in partnership with lay and professional leadership to achieve a shared communal and philanthropic vision. We are a leading Federation, with great potential still to be realized.” Hoffman, who most recently served as chief development officer (CDO) at The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, has nearly 15 years of experience serving in senior positions there, a community widely recognized as one of the most unified and active in the country. “I have full confidence that Michael can and will lead Federation’s efforts to strengthen our support for our local community and global Jewry, develop our community’s growing list of dedicated leaders, and innovatively embrace any person interested in connecting with Jewish life,” said Federation Board Chair Ray Golden. In Hoffman’s previous role as CDO, he led all community development strategy and initiatives, as well as community planning and allocations activities at The Associated. During his nearly 15-year tenure, he also served as chief planning and strategy officer, where he oversaw the organization’s strategic planning process, and as vice president of agency relations. Prior to joining the Baltimore community in 2001, Hoffman spent five years at United Jewish Communities (now JFNA) in New York, where he served as national associate director of young leadership and national assistant director of major gifts. “Many aspects of our community attracted Michael Hoffman to our Federation,” shared Golden, “notably, opportunities to significantly strengthen the impact we make together as a community.” Hoffman currently serves as treasurer of the national JPRO Network, an organization that connects, educates, and empowers Jewish professionals nationwide. He previously served on the Board of Trustees of Temple Oheb Shalom in Baltimore. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Hoffman received his master of social work at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University in New York City. He and his wife, Naomi, have two children. Community members will have an opportunity to meet Hoffman and hear more about his vision for the community at Federation’s 2016 Campaign Opening (Dec. 1). More details at jewishpalmbeach.org.

James Fairman

Federation as President & CEO

Michael Hoffman, who spent nearly 15 years with The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, is now President & CEO of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.

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Federation Headlines Ice cream innovator headlines Federation’s

community-wide Campaign Opening You have the opportunity to hear unique insights directly from one of the men behind one of the most talked-about food brands in America. Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s and notable philanthropist, will speak at Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s 2016 Campaign Opening. The event (a dessert reception featuring — you guessed it — Ben & Jerry’s ice cream) is being held Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m., at Temple Israel in West Palm Beach. Greenfield will share his insights on philanthropy, social responsibility, and values-led business. Greenfield is passionate about grassroots, social-justice, and environmental-justice issues. He is a recipient of the James Beard Humanitarian of the Year Award and the Peace Museum’s Community Peacemakers of the Year Award. Greenfield is also involved with the Institute for Sustainable Communities, Businesses for Social Responsibility, and TrueMajority. “Mr. Greenfield has a reputation for delivering a powerful message about philanthropy and corporate responsibility,” said Beth Wayne, chair of the Campaign Opening. “We are excited to discuss the synergy between Ben & Jerry’s inspiring focus on social responsibility and Jewish Federation’s ongoing work to build community and care for those in need.” The event is chaired by Beth & Hawkeye Wayne; vice chairs are Rabbis Erica & Andy Rosenkranz, and Rabbi Cookie Lea Olshein. The event is open to the community and costs $36 to attend. Attendees will also hear from Federation’s new President & CEO, Michael Hoffman. Learn more and register for this event at jewishpalmbeach.org.

Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, will speak at Federation’s 2016 Campaign Opening on Dec. 1.

Hollywood director, presidential adviser, nonprofit founder to headline 2015–2016 events

Barbara Greenspan Shaiman, founder of multiple nonprofit organizations, will speak at Federation’s Lion of Judah Luncheon on Jan. 11, 2016.

David Gergen, CNN’s senior political analyst, will speak at Federation’s Blue & White event on Jan. 28, 2016.

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Interested in an insider’s perspective on the political landscape? The impact of social change in the community? How about a captivating look at unlikely success in Hollywood? Federation’s 2015-2016 season features an impressive line-up of featured speakers that includes David Gergen (senior political analyst for CNN), Barbara Greenspan Shaiman (founder of social action nonprofits), and Brett Ratner (film director and producer). Barbara Greenspan Shaiman will provide commentary at the Lion of Judah Luncheon on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016. Shaiman, the founder of Champions of Caring and Embrace Your Legacy, will speak about how social change creates more caring communities. The Lion of Judah Luncheon is being held at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Cohen Pavilion. David Gergen will deliver remarks at the Blue & White event on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016. Gergen, the senior political analyst for CNN who has served as an adviser to four U.S. presidents, will speak about the political landscape’s impact on Israel and the Jewish community. The Blue & White event will be held at the Four Seasons Resort, Palm Beach. Brett Ratner will speak at Federation’s Main Event on Thursday, March 3, 2016. Ratner, a south Florida native who is one of the highest grossing film directors Brett Ratner, acclaimed film director, will speak at in history, will speak about entrepreneurship and Federation’s Main Event on March 3, 2016. perseverance. The Main Event is being held at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Cohen Pavilion. To receive more information about any of these events, register for regular updates at jewishpalmbeach.org/signup.

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Federation Headlines

Jewish Community Foundation launched to build perpetual financial support for Jewish community

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County recently launched the Jewish Community Foundation (JCF), a division focused on creating permanent financial support to sustain a vibrant Jewish community locally, in Israel, and throughout the world. “Jewish Community Foundation provides new opportunities for Federation, partner agencies, and synagogues to collaborate to strengthen the future of our entire community,” said Richard B. Comiter, chair of Jewish Community Foundation. “JCF’s board of trustees will focus on fostering relationships in an effort to pair donors’ passions with the unique needs of our community.” Currently, JCF manages more than $94 million in funds provided by donors in the community. The Jewish Community Foundation aims to obtain $250 million in commitments over the next 10 years to provide funding for critical programs and services. “South Florida has the country’s third largest concentration of Jewish people in a metropolitan area,” says William A. Meyer, vice chair of Jewish Community Foundation. “Establishing a legacy gift with Jewish Community Foundation ensures the many institutions that make up our community grow stronger and more vibrant to meet the needs of our rapidly growing Jewish community.” JCF works with donors and their advisers to accomplish their philanthropic goals through a variety of planned giving strategies, including distribution of annual grants that provide funding for critical programs and services, locally and globally. This is accomplished by empowering and inspiring donors to convert generous ideas into deliberate action; addressing Jewish community needs and interests through strategic and impactful grant making; providing creative philanthropic planning expertise for individuals, multi-generational families, and community organizations to educate them on how to best achieve their charitable goals; and helping community agencies and synagogues build their endowments. In addition, JCF brings re-envisioned planned giving opportunities for donors to make a gift in perpetuity toward particular fields of interest, such as Jewish identity building, Israel and global Jewish peoplehood, and youth scholarships. For information or to be involved with Jewish Community Foundation, contact Carolyn Rose, director, at 561.242.6679 or carolyn.rose@jewishpalmbeach.org.

Richard Comiter, Jewish Community Foundation chair

William Meyer, Jewish Community Foundation vice chair

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Vodka, Latka and Tzedakah

events back for another record year

Dr. Charles Small, founder and director of the Institute for the Study of Global Anti-Semitism and Policy, will speak at this year’s Vodka, Latka and Tzedakah events.

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LOCAL, OUT-OF-STATE FUNERALS, AND CREMATIONS REPRESENTING THE LARGEST NETWORK OF JEWISH FUNERAL HOMES IN NORTH AMERICA

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The community tradition known as Vodka, Latka and Tzedakah will return in December 2015. More than 1,000 people from various communities around the greater Palm Beaches joined together at last year’s Vodka, Latka and Tzedakah to socialize and learn more about the difference they make through donations to Federation’s Annual Campaign. This year’s Vodka, Lakta and Tzedakah events will feature Dr. Charles Small, founder and director of the Institute for the Study of Global Anti-Semitism and Policy. Small will discuss his findings regarding rising anti-Semitism around the world and anti-Israel activity on U.S. college campuses. Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet and hear from Michael Hoffman, Federation’s new President & CEO. Vodka, Latka and Tzedakah events will be held on the following dates and locations:  Dec. 6: Hunters Run (Boynton Beach)  Dec. 7: BallenIsles Country Club (Palm Beach Gardens)  Dec. 8: Mandel JCC - Boynton Beach (Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, and Wellington communities)  Dec. 9: Indian Spring (Boynton Beach)  Dec. 10: Ibis Country Club (West Palm Beach) Register for a Vodka, Latka and Tzedakah event in your community at jewishpalmbeach.org.

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Federation Headlines

Two nonprofits launched in

Palm Beach County through Innovation Fund

Federation’s Innovation Fund has awarded a grant to B3/The Jewish Boomer Platform, co-authored by Stuart Himmelfarb.

Rabbi Kerry Olitzky is executive director of Big Tent Judaism, which The Innovation Fund is empowering to connect more people to Jewish life in our area.

Two exciting community initiatives, selected and funded through Federation’s recently established Innovation Fund, are joining our community — B3/The Palm Beach Jewish Boomer Platform and Big Tent Judaism Palm Beach. The initiatives focus on engaging different segments in Jewish life. The New York-based B3/The Jewish Boomer Platform will debut in the Palm Beaches to identify effective strategies to engage the Boomer generation, while Big Tent Judaism Palm Beach is driven to widen the circle of involvement for local families. “These two funded projects are being designed and implemented with new partners, in collaboration with community agencies. They provide tangible, meaningful opportunities to fill service gaps in a unique and collaborative manner,” said Andrew Comiter, vice chair of Federation’s Community Planning and Investments Committee. “Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County funding this project demonstrates foresight in thoughtfully addressing an uncharted future with a changing community landscape as it relates to Jewish Boomers — one of the community’s largest demographics,” said Dr. David Elcott, principal partner of B3. Elcott and Stuart Himmelfarb, CEO, are co-authors of B3/The Jewish Boomer Platform. Rabbi Kerry Olitzky, executive director of Big Tent Judaism, noted that, “Palm Beach County’s Jewish community is primed to expand the scope of the significant work already under way, widening the circle of Jewish involvement.” Federation established The Innovation Fund in 2014 as a forward-thinking funding model for targeted programmatic grants that complements the organization’s traditional unrestricted allocations process. The Innovation Fund grantees will support new and innovative programs consistent with Federation’s mission, community priorities, and areas of impact. “The Innovation Fund demonstrates that Federation is leveraging new trends in philanthropy to create, measure, and evaluate innovative ways that effectively address the unique and emerging needs of the Jewish community,” shared Libby Fishman, chair of Federation’s Community Planning & Investments Committee. To learn more about The Innovation Fund, visit jewishpalmbeach.org/innovationfund.

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Federation Headlines ELP’s re-energized class puts area professionals on a track for Jewish community leadership

Top row: Justin Paul, chair; Dave Kanarek, past participant; Marisa Pepper, current ELP class; Brooke Wiener, current ELP class; Miryam Buchler, current ELP class; Leslie Santelli, current ELP class; Alyson Seligman, past participant; David Buchalter, current ELP class; Jason DelGrosso, past participant; Adam Kramarow, current ELP class; Ilan Kaufer, past participant. Bottom row: Jeremy Needleman, past participant; Sasha Klein, past participant; Andrew Comiter, past participant; Alan Haspel, current ELP class; Jonathan Chane, past participant. Not pictured: Livia Chaykin, current ELP class; Amy Levenberg, current ELP class

Ten professionals in our area are demonstrating their desire to better understand the Jewish community locally and globally, while simultaneously engaging in leadership development. The professionals are taking part in the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Emerging Leadership Program (ELP), a 15-month track geared toward Jewish community members who live and work in the areas of Boynton Beach to Martin County, and west to Wellington, between the ages of 28 and 38. The current ELP class includes: David Buchalter, senior VP of the Greater Talent Network; Miryam Buchler, preschool teacher at the Mandel JCC; Livia Chaykin, attorney; Alan Haspel, oral and maxillofacial surgeon; Adam Kramarow, attorney; Amy Shayne Levenberg, attorney; Jeremy Needleman, real estate professional; Justin Paul, auctioneer, broker associate, and chair of ELP; Marisa Pepper, vice president of Stuart Recycling; Leslie Santelli, paralegal; and Brooke Wiener, attorney.

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Now in its fifth class, ELP will run through May 2016. The goal is for alumni to assume active leadership roles in the Jewish community once the program has completed. Most ELP alumni have gone on to serve the Jewish community in leadership roles, many of them currently involved at Federation, its partner agencies, and community synagogues. “The Jewish community needs strong leaders to ensure Federation can provide life-changing work locally and globally for years to come,” said Justin Paul, ELP’s chair and a graduate of its inaugural class. “We are proud to provide professionals who want to make positive change with unique opportunities and resources to develop their skill sets and become effective community leaders.” ELP programs include panel discussions on emerging needs in the Jewish community, seminars on the Federation movement’s impact on the community, and volunteer service opportunities with Federation and its partners. Learn more about ELP at jewishpalmbeach.org/elp.

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Commission for Jewish Education celebrates 25 years

This fall, Friedman Commission for Jewish Education (CJE) is celebrating its 25th year of serving the Palm Beaches. When the CJE was formed, there was a need for an institution whose primary responsibility was to stoke the flames of Jewish education in the Palm Beaches. The silver anniversary year is the ideal time to commemorate the successes the Friedman CJE has achieved. Whether it is the Jewish Family Life department and success of the PJ Library program for children, the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, Conversations with Jewish Women Writers, or the J.N. Somers Yad Hebrew School for Children with Special Needs, CJE has provided educational knowledge to teachers, students, families, and synagogues throughout Palm Beach and Martin counties. This year, the nonprofit also launched an unconventional Jewish educational program called JEDCamp, and will celebrate its 25 years with a gala on Feb. 25, 2016. For more information about educational programs available to you, or details about its spring gala, please visit cjepb.org or call 561.640.0700. The Friedman CJE is a partner agency of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.

BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER

Daringly Traditional. You crave it. We serve it. The Turkey Avocado Sandwich Slow roasted turkey breast, avocado, arugula, tomato with lemon garlic aioli. Exclusively at TooJay’s

Since 1981, TooJay’s has been delighting diners with an exciting and eclectic menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. When the craving strikes indulge in authentic NY–Style deli sandwiches or settle in with slow roasted turkey, old fashioned pot roast and other time–honored comfort food favorites. Friendly, professional service is a part of every meal, so make plans today to join us for “a little taste of home”.

Legendary desserts: carrot cake, black & whites, chocolate Killer Cake.

The Friedman CJE, now in its 25th year, provides such programs as the YAD Hebrew School for Children with Special Needs.

BOCA RATON Regency Court Plaza (561) 997-9911 Polo Shops (561) 241-5903 Glades Plaza (561) 392-4181 • BOYNTON BEACH Boynton Beach Mall (561) 740-7420 • LAKE WORTH 419 Lake Avenue (561) 582-8684 • WELLINGTON The Mall at Wellington Green (561) 7849055 • PALM BEACH Royal Poinciana Plaza (561) 659-7232 • PALM BEACH GARDENS Downtown at the Gardens (561) 622-8131 JUPITER Bluffs Shopping Center (561) 627-5555 • www.toojays.com Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County | belong

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Temple Israel to celebrate

completion of campus renovation

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To celebrate the culmination of Temple Israel’s significant campus renovation, the community is invited to a festive event at the West Palm Beach synagogue. Led by members and volunteers Karen List and Amy Jonas, the celebration will be held on Nov. 20, at 6:30 p.m. A Shabbat service will be followed by a party and dedication of mezuzot throughout the campus. The celebration will continue with a Nov. 21 gala honoring all donors to the Lore & Eric Ross Social Hall Building. “The extraordinary efforts on behalf of this project have galvanized our congregation,” said Michael Jonas, chair of the renovation project. “Our strong base of congregants can now fully enjoy the benefits of our complete campus.” For information, call Jennifer Green Baer at the Temple Israel office, 561.833.8421.

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Community Happenings

Mandel JCC’s Camp Shalom welcomes children from Boys & Girls Club

Through Federation’s OneWorld project, children from the Marjorie S. Fisher Boys & Girls Club were welcomed for a week of camp at the Mandel JCC’s Camp Shalom.

When more than 75 children from the Marjorie S. Fisher Boys & Girls Club of West Palm Beach hopped off the bus at Mandel JCC’s Camp Shalom this summer, lives were changed forever. The experience, made possible by Jewish Federation’s OneWorld: Davis Family Tolerance Project, connected children and created friendships between kids who might not otherwise meet. They went swimming, learned archery, played in a bounce house, conducted science experiments, did art projects, and took field trips snorkeling and boogie boarding, all part of Camp Shalom, which welcomes more than 400 campers to its Palm Beach Gardens and Boynton Beach locations each summer. Visiting children were paired with Camp Shalom campers in second through eighth grade and, leading up to the experience, children communicated with each other via letters, email, and FaceTime to help create a more seamless connection when they first met.

Most importantly, the program provided the children a greater understanding of other communities. “I hope they learned that just 10 minutes from here, there is a whole other world, yet at the end of the day, kids are kids,” said camp director Rachel Fox. OneWorld: Davis Family Tolerance Project is Federation’s community-wide effort to promote tolerance, diversity, and the Jewish value of chesed (“kindness”) through inspiring programs. The goal is to encourage an actively compassionate and caring Palm Beach County. Other recent community programs OneWorld has funded include a dinner and documentary film viewing for teens from the Jewish and African American communities, as well as a gleaning activity for teens from a variety of ethnicities at a local farm; the food was then distributed to feed the hungry in Palm Beach County. To receive updates on upcoming OneWorld programs, register at jewishpalmbeach.org/signup.

Temple’s new “Squad” connects teens to community

Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington announced the formation of The Squad, a group of teens who met while volunteering during Sunday school and quickly became friends. Teen members plan to meet monthly for activities like bowling, pool parties, game nights, and movie outings during the year, while incorporating Jewish activities such as Havdalah. Teens interested in joining The Squad should call 561.793.4347 or email bnaijacobofwell@aol.com.

Temple B’nai Jacob’s new youth group, The Squad: Marisa Feldman, Joshua Solomon, Alexis Blumberg, Sydney Blitman, Emily Thal, and Randi Feldman

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Community Happenings

Meyer Academy alumni nominated for Pathfinder Scholarship Awards

Six alumni from the Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academy were nominated for the prestigious Pathfinder Scholarship Awards. Josh Hellerstein, Haley Lickstein, Lillian Lesser, Stephen Berkner, Zachary Goldstein, and Austin Litt all attended Meyer Academy through eighth grade. Hellerstein received a scholarship for placing first in science, and Lickstein received a college scholarship for placing in debate. “As a parent, I was delighted to watch Haley and the other Meyer Academy alumni continue to flourish after completing middle school and then high school,” said David Lickstein, president of Meyer Academy’s Board of Trustees. Each year, the Pathfinder High School Scholarship Awards are presented to seniors in Palm Beach and Martin counties who have earned outstanding achievement in 18 academic, vocational, and athletic categories. The awards recognize excellence and encourage students to one day bring their talents to the communities where they received a start to their excellent education and successful careers. “Meyer Academy sparks the desire to learn, explore, and achieve, creating a student life that goes beyond academics,” said Danielle Ockman, dean of students at Meyer. “Students are ready to succeed — anywhere.” Every single member of Meyer Academy’s 2011 graduating class is now beginning their college career. These include students accepted to honors programs, sports scholarships, and arts programs at University of Florida, University of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Duke University, Northeastern University, Emerson College, and others.

Meyer Academy alumni Josh Hellerstein, Haley Lickstein, Lillian Lesser, and Stephen Berkner were among those nominated for the Pathfinder Scholarship Awards.

For more information about Meyer Academy, a kindergarten through eighth grade Jewish day school located in Palm Beach Gardens, visit meyeracademy.org. Meyer Academy is a partner agency of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.

Elderly companion program earns three-year federal grant

AmeriCorps companions at a recent party to celebrate their work with AJFCS clients

The federal grant that pays for the AmeriCorps companion program at Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service (AJFCS) has been renewed for three more years. The AmeriCorps program is a one-on-one partnership arrangement that assists elderly clients with everyday tasks, helping to reduce loneliness, depression, and isolation. Run under the auspices of the national AmeriCorps program that promotes civic engagement, AJFCS, a partner agency of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, uses the grant money to train participants of all faiths to work with its senior clients, providing transportation, socialization, and ongoing companionship.

“We do find that retirees are a really good fit for this program,” said Nancy Frent, the program’s director at AJFCS. “They have a lot of shared life experiences with the clients. But, bottom line, it’s our goal to make a good match for the client.” After going through training, AmeriCorps companions set up a schedule with their clients to meet their needs. The time together can be spent doing whatever is needed — from assisting with errands to playing board games and calling their grandchildren on Skype. This is AJFCS’s 13th year participating in the AmeriCorps companion program. To become involved, call Nancy Frent at 561.684.1991. Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County | belong

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Community Happenings New religious program at Temple Beth Am

Temple Beth Am unveiled its innovative religious school program to the community during a recent open house. At the event, which featured music, story time, arts and crafts, dance, and more, families met the temple’s new education director, Alissa Frankel, and enjoyed a taste of the new program, HaMakom. In Hebrew, HaMakom means “The Place.” At Temple Beth Am, HaMakom means a continuum of learning from kindergarten through 12th grade. The new religious school model will emphasize experiential learning and active synagogue participation as vital parts of the education process. For example, Family Shabbat Experiences will blend classroom learning with a Friday night Shabbat program. For more information about HaMakom, contact Alissa Frankel at 561.747.1109 or afrankel@templebetham.com.

Children at Temple Beth Am enjoy the opening of HaMakom, the synagogue’s new religious program.

Homebound Mitzvah Program reaches out to Jewish seniors during High Holidays

Volunteers with Kramer Senior Services work to box and deliver warm kosher meals to frail homebound seniors on Jewish holidays.

Now in its 18th year, the MorseLife Homebound Mitzvah Program and its volunteers delivered meals to Jewish frail homebound seniors during the High Holidays. Through Kramer Senior Services (a subsidiary of MorseLife Health System and partner agency of Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County), more than 400 volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life prepared Homebound Mitzvah Program packages and delivered them to seniors throughout the area. Packages included traditional kosher meals, as well as challah, wine, a largeprint prayerbook, and a DVD of High Holiday services conducted by Rabbi Alan Sherman, chaplain at MorseLife. Just as important, volunteers spent quality time with Homebound Mitzvah Program recipients, adding additional warmth to the delivery. “For some people, particularly seniors with family

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members who have passed on or live a distance from them, the holidays can be the loneliest time of the year,” said Linda Sevich, director of Community-Based Services at MorseLife Health System. “It has been such an honor for us to be able to bring the joys and traditions of the High Holidays to them — it is truly a beautiful mitzvah.” Since 1997, the Homebound Mitzvah Program has been reaching out to the area’s homebound elders in hopes of diminishing the loneliness and isolation frequently felt during Jewish holidays. Founded by Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz, who nurtured a similar program in New York to help isolated seniors, the program is made possible through the generosity of community philanthropists and a grant from the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. For more information, to volunteer, or to receive packages, call Sevich at 561.282.5388.

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Community Happenings

Temple Beth David’s clergy team brings new meaning to traditions

Rabbi David Paskin and Cantor Danielle Bensimhon, the new clergy team at Temple Beth David in Palm Beach Gardens

Rabbi David Paskin and Cantor Danielle Bensimhon, both talented musicians with beautiful voices, have inspired each other to bring new elements, new melodies, and new meaning to all that they do — all while having a lot of fun on the job. Rabbi Paskin joined Temple Beth David in Palm Beach Gardens just a year ago, and the duo quickly formed a strong bond. For the High Holidays, they parodied the popular Top 40 song “Shut Up and Dance With Me” with a lively YouTube video called “C’Mon and Pray with Me!” Rabbi Paskin is known for his infusion of music into his liturgy. During 16 years as leader of a congregation in Massachusetts, Rabbi Paskin created award-winning programs and services and produced CDs of his original Jewish music. An accomplished guitarist with a soulful voice, he creates weekly video reflections on the Torah portions. Cantor Danielle Bensimhon, who has won many violin

competitions, graduated at the top of her cantorial class at The Jewish Theological Seminary, where she also received a master’s degree in education. She has appeared in concerts in South Florida and the Northeast. Together, Rabbi Paskin and Cantor Bensimhon have built strong bonds while engaging and connecting with congregants. The dynamic pair provides a unique blend that is both spiritual and inviting. For more information on Temple Beth David, visit templebethdavidfl.org or call 561.694.2350. Paskin and Bensimhon recently teamed up in a YouTube video titled “C’Mon and Pray with Me!”

Adult education program expands to three synagogues

Temple Shaarei Shalom and Temple Torat Emet, both located in Boynton Beach, have expanded their Adult Education Collaboration to include Temple Beth Tikvah in Greenacres. The collaboration marked its fourth season with a preview at Temple Torat Emet on Oct. 15. The program included remarks by Rabbi Edward Bernstein of Torat Emet, Rabbi

Anthony Fratello of Shaarei Shalom, and Rabbi Howard Shub of Beth Tikvah, as well as a short musical performance by Cantor Judith Ovadia of Shaarei Shalom. To learn more about Temple Shaarei Shalom, visit templeshaareishalom.com. To learn more about Temple Torat Emet, visit ttwbb.org. To learn more about Temple Beth Tikvah, visit templebethtikvah.net.

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Community Happenings School in session in year two at Meyer Academy’s new home

Meyer Academy came together as a school at the end of the first day to receive a special blessing for a great new year.

The faculty and staff at Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academy welcomed students and families back to begin the new school year. Now in its second year in a new, state-of-theart facility, the school has settled in to the Palm Beach Gardens community. “It’s wonderful to see our school community come back together to start the new school year. Our building is abuzz with children who are ready and excited to learn,” said Dr. Leslie Dangerfield, Meyer Academy’s new principal. Parents were welcomed with a PTO back-to-school breakfast and families got reacquainted at the annual welcome back bash. It’s not too late to take a tour of Meyer Academy. Limited spaces are available in kindergarten through eighth grade. Contact Susan Lord, director of admissions, at 561.686.6520 or lord@meyeracademy.org. The day concluded with a sweet treat!

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Community Happenings

Rabbi Levine retires from Temple Judea

Following this year’s High Holidays services, Rabbi Joel Levine retired and officially became Temple Judea’s rabbi emeritus. He will continue to serve as a resource to the temple and its clergy. Born in Brooklyn, Levine was ordained by the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in 1973. He served as associate rabbi, then rabbi, of Temple Israel in West Palm Beach, and in 1981, he and a group of 12 dedicated families founded Temple Judea. In addition to his unwavering support and commitment to Temple Judea, Levine has also served as president of the Palm Beach County Board of Rabbis, chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council, chair of the Soviet Jewry Task Force, rabbinic cabinet member for the United Jewish Appeal, and board member of Alpert Jewish Family and Children’s Services. He has led many congregational and communal trips, including a mission to the former Soviet Union and special workshops in synagogue transformation and renewal. On Sept. 25, Temple Judea proudly dedicated and named Levine Hall in honor of Rabbi Levine and his wife, Susan.

Rabbi Joel and Susan Levine

NOW ON VIEW A survey of works by the Israeli-born, New York-based artist, Izhar Patkin, ﬁlls the Museum’s gallery space with mural-sized paintings on bridal veil fabric. Grand, labyrinthine, yet surprisingly intimate, The Wandering Veil is resplendent with personal narrative, political metaphor, and myth emphasizing memory, loss, love, and exile.

in MIZNER PARK, 501 PLAZA REAL, BOCA RATON, FL 33432 | 561.392.2500 | BOCAMUSEUM.ORG Izhar Patkin, Don Quijote Segunda Parte, 1987. Anodized cast aluminum. Collection of Stephen Berini, West Palm Beach.

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The Scene Federation’s new global leadership team energizing relationship with extended Jewish family

Tommy Davidoff, seen here in the community’s Partnership2Gether region in Israel, is the new chair of Federation’s Israel & Global Initiatives.

Orly Popik (left), Federation’s new chair of Partnership2Gether, participated in the partnership’s 20th anniversary in Israel with Dinie Scheiner, Sheryl Davidoff, and Lynn Kaston.

Federation’s Global Initiatives team now includes two volunteer leaders driven to help our extended Jewish family in Israel and around the world. Tommy Davidoff, chair of Federation’s Israel & Global Initiatives, is a longtime supporter of ventures that connect our local community with our extended Jewish family. In this role, he is volunteering with Federation and its global partners — The Jewish Agency for Israel, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and Ethiopian National Project. Under Davidoff’s leadership, Federation is supporting efforts to enhance relationships with our extended Jewish family; strengthen Jewish identity programs; and meet social, educational, and welfare needs overseas. Davidoff has previously served as chair of Partnership2Gether, the living bridge of programs and

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services between the greater Palm Beaches and Israel’s TZAHAR region (an acronym for the cities Tzfat, Hatzor HaGlilit, and Rosh Pina). Orly Uziel Popik was recently named chair of Partnership2Gether. A native of Israel, Popik will work to create impactful programs and projects that connect the local community with the TZAHAR region. She has previously served as chair of the committee for IsraelDays, Federation’s annual series of events to honor, commemorate, and celebrate Israel. “Our community joining together to support Israel is vital in today’s world,” said Popik. To become involved with Israel & Global Initiatives, contact Federation’s Maxine Kaufman at 561.242.6678 or maxine.kaufman@jewishpalmbeach.org.

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The Scene

Veteran educator and administrator begins first year as principal of Meyer Academy

Dr. Leslie Dangerfield is the new principal at Meyer Academy, a K through eighth grade Jewish community day school and partner agency of Jewish Federation.

Meyer Academy, now in its second year at its home in Palm Beach Gardens, is enjoying the leadership of veteran educator and school administrator Leslie Dangerfield, PHD, recently named principal of the K-8 Jewish day school. “Dr. Leslie Dangerfield immediately rose to the top as a stand-out candidate to enhance Meyer Academy’s leadership team,” said Dr. David Lickstein, president of the Board of Trustees. “Her educational philosophy aligns perfectly with our vision of moving the school forward into the future, and we are delighted to have her as a part of the Meyer Academy community.” Dr. Dangerfield joins Meyer Academy from the St. Lucie County public school district, where she most recently served as an administrator. Her experience and credentials in education span the roles of classroom

educator, consultant, professor, and school administrator. “At Meyer Academy there is a long tradition of educating students in order to prepare them for everyday challenges. This includes rigorous academics as well as positive foundational life experiences so students may be successful in the future,” said Dangerfield. “I am excited to be part of this premier learning institution. Together, we will continue the trajectory of excellence, which was established here more than 40 years ago.” Dangerfield earned a doctorate of philosophy in educational leadership from Florida Atlantic University, a master of science in reading from Southwest Missouri State University, and a bachelor of arts in elementary education and psychology from University of Miami. To learn more about Meyer Academy, visit meyeracademy.org. Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County | belong

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The Scene Sheryl Davidoff leading Women’s Philanthropy campaign

Focused on ensuring a thriving Jewish community for the next generation, longtime community leader Sheryl Davidoff is now campaign chair of Women’s Philanthropy for Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s 2015-2016 season. Women’s Philanthropy raised nearly half of Federation’s Annual Campaign last year, which goes to support an impressive network of partner agencies that provide lifechanging programs here and around the world. Throughout the years, Davidoff has demonstrated a commitment to nearly every component of Federation’s community impact, with a particular passion to help those overseas. A longtime resident of Palm Beach County, Davidoff and her husband, Tommy, frequently travel to Israel, where they have fostered the growth of Partnership2Gether — Federation’s living bridge of programs and services between the greater Palm Beaches and Israel’s TZAHAR region — since its inception 20 years ago. They have also traveled to Federation’s sister city, St. Petersburg, Russia, and other areas to see recipients benefiting from the work of our local community. “My aim is to help mold our Jewish community however I can, locally and overseas. Seeing others benefit from the

Sheryl Davidoff, seen here delivering homemade scarves to participants of the Israel Army Preparatory Program, is now chair of the Women’s Philanthropy Campaign that supports Federation’s network of local and global partners.

hard work and dedication of those in our local community is phenomenally rewarding. We are changing and improving lives, and ensuring l'dor v'dor (“from generation to generation”) will happen. This is worth everything.” A member of Federation’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors, Davidoff has served on a number of committees and is distinguished as a Lion of Judah, a gift she has endowed to ensure it will continue for years to come. She is also heavily involved with Hillel, the National Council of Jewish Women, two area synagogues, and Hadassah, which will honor her at a luncheon in March 2016.

Ray Golden, Federation’s board chair, encourages community members to be “agents of positive change”

“If you don’t step forward to effect change, you wind up standing still,” Ray Golden said to the crowd at Federation’s Annual Meeting, explaining why he accepted the position to be the organization’s new board chair. “Everyone in this room — through your philanthropy, your commitment, and your participation — can be an agent of positive change.” After being installed as board chair at the Annual Meeting — following Arthur Loring, whose term came to an end — Golden encouraged community members to join him in addressing the many issues facing the Jewish people. He named issues such as anti-Israel activity on college campuses and rising global antiSemitism as discouraging connections to Jewish life. “Together, we must face these challenges head on,” said Golden, “and I am confident that by capitalizing on the resources that only the Federation system and its partner agencies offer, we can enrich, care for, and build like no other organization can.” Golden and his wife, Linda, have been involved with Federation since moving to Palm Beach County nearly 20 years ago. The former chair of the Mandel JCC, a partner agency of Federation, Golden also chaired Federation’s Investments Committee and served on the Executive Committee.

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be | engaged

Aaron Lurie, VMA Studios

Happy Hanukkah (December 6 through 14, 2015) The Hanukkah menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah, is diﬀerent than the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple. On each night of Hanukkah, a new branch is lit. The ninth branch, called the shamash (“helper” or “servant”), holds the candle that is used to light all other candles. To be kosher, the eight candles must be set in a straight, even line, with the shamash oﬀset on a higher or lower plane. At Meyer Academy’s annual Hanukkah Zimriyah (songfest), students and parents light candles in front of 800 guests. In addition, more than 1,000 people join together each year for community Hanukkah candle lightings held by the Mandel JCC. Join other community members this year at events in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Boynton Beach.

belong

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This Place israel through photography’s lens

on view october 15, 2015 – january 17, 2016 An exhibition exploring the complexity of Israel through the eyes and sensibilities of 12 internationally acclaimed photographers.

www.norton.org 145 1 S. Olive Avenue West Palm Beach, FL 334 0 1

This exhibition has been organized by Chronicle of a People p Foundation, Inc., New York, o and the tour is managed by Curatorial Assistance, Pasadena, California.

This exhibition’s presentation at the Norton is made p possible through the generosity of Vanessa and Anthony Beyer.

With additional support provided by The Selz Foundation.