Festive lights spark holiday glow Dec. 17: From Riverside to Ortega Forest, neighborhoods display luminaria – Read More, pg. 2 and pg. 27
RIVERSIDE – AVONDALE – ORTEGA – MURRAY HILL
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DECEMBER 2017, VOL. 11, ISSUE 12
Reasons for hope expressed at annual OneJax interfaith service
Participants in the 100th OneJax giving Interfaith Thanks pose ice rv Se de Gratitu ait, for a group portr arie taken by Anne -M ax Campbell of OneJ
In 1917, Rabbi Israel Kaplan of Congregation Ahavath Chesed – The Temple held an interfaith service of gratitude probably never dreaming 100 years later his synagogue would celebrate the centennial service with clergy from all over Jacksonville. At the Nov. 16 service, themed Reasons for Hope, Rabbi Mathew Cohen welcomed members of the community to a service which included music and song, expressions of gratitude shared by religious leaders, dance performed by Native American Aztec dancers, a sermon by Rabbi Cohen, a blessing of gifts by Rev. Dr. Nicholas Louh of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church and a call to action by Rev. Dr. Kyle Reese of Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church. The service was concluded with a benediction by Rev. Clare Chance of Avondale United Methodist Church and the John Lennon song, “Imagine,” sung by the Interfaith Choir. More than two dozen clergy from a variety of faiths and denominations participated in the annual service hosted by OneJax, an interfaith organization whose vision is an inclusive community where difference is welcomed and celebrated.
Preemies blessed through annual tasting event Sarah Sharaf and Omar Gayasaddin joined hundreds of March of Dimes supporters at the 27th Annual Signature Chefs Auction, tasting their way through samples from local chefs such as Tom Gray of Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails, Michael McKinney of Restaurant Orsay and Alexander Yim of Matthew’s Restaurant. Read More, Page 31
Florida Forum kicks off series with Tom Brokaw
Nonprofits’ clients walk runway to raise awareness
Attending the highly-anticipated Florida Forum Speaker Series event featuring Tom Brokaw were Deborah Gervin, Kaye Glover, Elli Zimmerman, Jane Pomar and Alex Ackerman. Read More, Page 22
Helping to put a spotlight on connecting with those who are “differently-abled,” North Florida School of Special Education students K.J. McCreary (left) and Drew Crass (second from right) pose before a fashion show with their escorts Xiomara and Brandon. Read More, Page 26
IN HOMES BY DECEMBER 5TH, 2017
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Lee Generals girls swim team advances to regionals first time in 30 years
Emily Merton, Rebeccah O’Neal, Coach Tom Anson, Abbygail Collins, Melanie Rondeau, and Alexus Kelley
When it comes to competitive sports at Robert E. Lee High School, football, basketball and track are top of mind. Swimming is not usually associated with the Riversidebased high school, but Coach Tom Anson said its popularity is catching on as the numbers of swimmers increase. Recently the Robert E. Lee Generals Girls relay team advanced from the FHSAA 3A District meet to the Regions Swimming and Diving meet held in late October. “This is the first relay team to accomplish such a feat in the last 30 years,” said Anson. “I graduated from Robert E. Lee in 1996 and swam for the Generals as well. I wanted to find a way to give back to the Riverside community and volunteered to coach last year.” The Generals compete in a district stacked with the likes of Bartram Trail (2016 Girls State Champions), Atlantic Coast, Nease, Creekside, St. Augustine and Oakleaf high schools. “These young adults were so excited to represent their school at Regions, held at the Florida State University pool, and have such a passion for the sport,” said Anson. “These five are as dedicated as it gets and never miss practice. We were one spot away last year from making Regions in this event and they came back this year, and all improved to drop their overall time by four seconds and advance.”