The Jewish News - December 2014 by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

OF THE F E A T U R I N G

SEE THE AD ON PAGE 2A

Celebrating Jewish Life in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Israel and the World FEDERATION NEWS

Serving our community since 1971!

Published by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee www.jfedsrq.org

December 2014 - Kislev/Tevet 5775 INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

8A 14A 21A 22A 24A 27A 1B 14B

Community Focus Jewish Interest Israel & the Jewish World Commentary Focus on Youth Life Cycle Jewish Happenings Recent Events

12A TBS School students build sukkah for Kobernick residents

21A Extraordinary solar eTree transforms public seating

24A

Temple Sinai Youth Group update

Volume 44, Number 12

Celebrate News Year’s Eve in style at Sarasota’s ﬁrst Silent Disco! Watch the ﬁreworks from the top of Palm Avenue Parking Garage, dance to the sounds of Israeli DJ artist Dor Dekel, and enjoy libations and hors d’oeuvres from Louies Modern. By Len Steinberg

t’s December and you may be asking yourself: successful radio show, Line Out with Dor Dekel, on “Where did my year go?” But the far more inthe most highly-rated music radio station in Israel. teresting question to ask yourself is: “How can I The entertainment doesn’t stop there. With a start the New Year in style?” front row seat to Sarasota’s annual New Year’s Eve We’ve got the answer! fireworks display, the party will be rocking! The FedWe’re inviting you to celebrate New Year’s eration is excited to partner with Louies ModEve in high style on the rooftop of downern, which will provide several food stations town Sarasota’s Palm Avenue Parking on the rooftop where you can purchase Garage at the area’s first Silent Disco! a variety of tasty treats throughout the What’s a Silent Disco? night. And of course, don’t forget about A newer concept in the music world, the Mega Bar. a Silent Disco offers a fresh perspective Silent Disco chairs Darren and Rachel on the nightclub scene. Instead of having to Saltzberg suggest that, for an all-out blast, deal with loud music that makes it challenging consider purchasing a VIP ticket, which ento socialize, a Silent Disco offers the opportunity to sures you an open bar, lounge-style seating, and your listen and dance to your favorite music without deadvery own VIP entrance. ening your ear drums or straining your vocal chords. “What better way to salute the new year than At a Silent Disco, each guest can tune into multiple with great music, an awesome array of food and channels of live entertainment piped into wireless, drinks, and an incredible venue with front row seats noise-canceling headsets. Each headset has a channel to fireworks and the Pineapple Drop?” says Rachel selector and a volume slider, so that Silent Disco atSaltzberg. “Whether you come as a VIP or with gentendees are in total control over their musical experieral admission, it’s going to be Sarasota’s hottest ence. Want to have a conversation with your friends? New Year’s Eve ticket.” Simply lay the headphones around your neck and Tickets have been selling quickly so make sure put them back on when you’re ready to hit the dance to purchase yours now. General admission tickets are ﬂoor. With multiple DJs playing a variety of music, $70 ($80 at the door) and include party favors and a from oldies to Top 40 to house music, we’ve got you champagne toast at midnight. VIP tickets are $150 covered. ($180 at the door), and include access to a private To add even more ﬂash to the evening, popular lounge area, open bar, assorted hors d’oeuvres, parIsraeli DJ artist Dor Dekel will be the headliner for ty favors, and a champagne toast at midnight. (VIP the night. As a DJ, Dekel has played the largest clubs, tickets based on availability.) For tickets, visit www. events and festivals in Israel, and also hosts his own SilentDiscoSarasota.com. The Family Jeweler 14276 Name: ________________________________________________ Invoice Ref #: ________________

Celebrate beautiful music with The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast Join us for a free recital on Sunday, December 28

PROOF T By Jessi Sheslow

he Heller Israel Advocacy Initiative of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee is excited to announce its partnership with The This Proof must be signed and returned before New students we can proceed with your order. This is your Perlman Music Program/Suncoast (PMP/S). Every Proof prior to year, printing.PMP/S Please examine hostsallaspellwinter residency led by interconsecrated ing and information carefully. RFJD will not be nationally-acclaimed violinist and conductor Itzhak at Temple held responsible for any unnoticed errors. Any Perlman and his wife and founder of The Perlman printing will be customer’s sole Emanu-Elerrors found after Music Program, Toby Perlman. It provides a unique Simchat responsibility. intensive two-week residency for approximately 35 Approval exceptionally talented young musicians (ages 12Torah service Approved20+). The residency brings the world’s most gifted

25A

Approved with Corrections New Proof Required A publication of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

NON-PROFIT ORG.

Klingenstein Jewish Center, 580 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota, FL 34232 U.S. POSTAGE Annual voluntary subscription: $25 Authorized Signature PAID

Date

MANASOTA FL PERMIT 167

young musicians to Sarasota to train and perform for two and a half weeks in December and January. The goal is to expose area residents and visitors to talented young musicians and their celItzhak Perlman ebrated mentors, and to witness, up close, the fascinating interaction between mentor and student. The general public is invited to daily rehearsals and

continued on page 2A

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December 2014

SARASOTA CONCERT ASSOCIATION

2015 Great Performers Series at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Royal Philharmonic

January 14 • 8 p.m.

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

January 26 • 8 p.m.

Dresden Philharmonic March 1 • 4 p.m.

Takács String Quartet March 17 • 8 p.m.

Murray Perahia, piano March 25 • 8 p.m.

FEDERATION NEWS The Perlman Music Program...continued from page 1A master classes on the campus of USF Sarasota-Manatee. The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee is thrilled to be a sponsor of this program. We’re celebrating our partnership with a free recital on Sunday, December 28 at 7:00 p.m. at Church of Hope’s state-of-the-art sanctuary, 1560 Wendell Kent Road, Sarasota. The recital will be followed with a Q&A session led by Toby Perlman with Itzhak Perlman in the audience.

A reception will be held after the recital and all in attendance are welcome to stay to meet students and faculty. For more information about the Heller Israel Advocacy Initiative, contact Shana Tibi at 941.706.0029 or stibi @jfedsrq, or visit www.sarasotaloves israel.com. For more information about The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast or for tickets for the recital, visit www. perlmanmusicprogramsuncoast.org.

Do good: give gelt (and get a tax break!) By Martin W. Haberer

hen you give to The Jewish Federation of SarasotaManatee this Chanukah, you bring light and hope to Jewish homes here and around the world. Our mission is to “Save Jewish lives and enhance Jewish life in Sarasota-Manatee, in Israel and around the world.” From birth to senior citizens, The Federation offers life-enhancing Jewish programs for all. We are so fortunate to have a compassionate Jewish community that is willing to contribute to make it possible for Jewish youth to receive grants to attend summer camps, get college scholarships, and

WATC H

attend leadership trips to Israel. You make it possible to provide goods and services to Jewish families locally, in Israel, in Ukraine and worldwide. To give is a mitzvah – and enhances your own sense of well-being. But it’s also tax deductible! If you donate before December 31, 2014, you’ll be able to claim it as a charitable gift. Please donate at www.jfedsrq.org or look for our Chanukah appeal in the mail and be a part of the many lives touched by a donation to The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. We thank you in advance for your generosity.

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veteran of film, television, and the Broadway stage (including Arrested Development and Meet Joe Black), Jeffrey Tambor is one of the most iconic and respected character actors of his generation. As a man of many talents, Tambor is highly creative, using his overwhelming love for life and the lessons learned along the way as sparks of inspiration for his keynotes. He speaks from the heart, sharing his personal truths as a way to inspire audiences young and old to embrace human connectivity.

F E A T U R I N G

Wednesday January 28, 2015 • 7:00 PM Riverview High School

The PEOPLE OF THE BOOK event, featuring guest speaker Jeffrey Tambor, will serve to recognize and thank donors to Federation’s Annual Campaign; those making a minimum gift of $36 individual/$72 family are invited to attend the event as guests of the Federation. MEDIA PARTNERS:

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RSVP at www.jfedsrq.org/pob Questions? Call 941.343.2106 or contact Jeremy Dictor at jdictor@jfedsrq.org 580 McIntosh Rd Sarasota, FL 34232

941.371.4546 www.jfedsrq.org

December 2014

FEDERATION NEWS

The Women’s Giving Circle: Helping Jewish women and children in need in Israel By Jeremy Lisitza

ne year ago, The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee launched a drive to generate support for The Women’s Giving Circle, a new fundraising initiative (called Ma’agal Nashim in Hebrew). The Women’s Giving Circle’s mission is to help Jewish women and children in need in Israel. How did it come about? While participating in The Jewish Federation of North America’s Campaign Chairs and Directors Mission to Odessa, uUkraine, and Israel in July 2012, Ros Mazur, na Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee -board member and cotchair of the organizaetion’s women’s division, evisited a community of atrisk women and children in Odessa, Ukraine. Mazur was deeply moved by their needs and vowed to help. Her sgoal? To find a way to make her dollars count and to provide support for these – and other – Jewish women and rchildren in need. When Mazur returned to Sarasota, she related her experience to Karen Bernstein, an active Federation participant and philanthropist. They put their heads together and came up with a concept based on another grassroots movement, The Women’s Giving Circle, a nationwide movement that brings women together who share common philanthropic goals to benefit women’s

needs. They put a plan into action. Its objective? To bring together like-minded women who provide opportunities for donors to support programs that enhance the lives of Jewish women and children in Israel. Thus, The Women’s Giving Circle was born and is now entering its second year of targeted philanthropy. The Women’s Giving Circle is made up of caring and passionate women in the Sarasota-Manatee area. Its goal is to practice tikkun olam (improving the world) through a circle of caring women in order to enhance the lives of Jewish women and children in Israel. According to Mazur, the group’s intention is to give back by strengthening the lives of others. She defines The Women’s Giving Circle as, “a place for women to explore how we can make a difference and discover how our leadership and philanthropic passions can build a stronger world for women and children. As a group we’ll find the causes that stir our hearts and then devise plans of action to help.” Voting participation in The Women’s Giving Circle requires a donation of $500 per year with a commitment of two years. Projects in Israel benefitting Jewish women and/or children are eligible to submit grant proposals. After the proposals are received, members review them and decide where the funds will be distributed.

Israeli agencies that received funds in 2014 include: Negba: Network of Houses of Hope for Children at Risk in Israel ($2,500); Family Nest Ashkelon: Parenting Group Workshops ($3,000); Orr Shalom for Children and Youth at Risk: Overcoming the trauma of rape and sexual abuse ($5,000); YEDID: The Association for Community Empowerment – Megemeria ($2,500); Livnot U’Lehibanot: Lifting Single Parent Mothers out of Poverty and Stagnation ($5,000). Mazur understands that her group won’t be able to help every needy Jewish woman or child in the world. Even so, “we are committed to helping as

many people as we can,” she says. “As anyone who reads the newspaper or watches the news knows, the need is greater now than ever.” The Women’s Giving Circle is an opportunity to have a voice in determining where your money will go. If you are interested in learning more about this initiative, you are invited for coffee and sweets and to meet Jayne Klein, founder of The Women’s Giving Circle of Harford County, Maryland, on Monday, January 26 at 10:30 a.m. To RSVP or for more information, contact Ilene Fox at 941.343.2111 or ifox@jfedsrq.org, or Jeremy Lisitza at 941.343.2113 or jlisitza@jfedsrq.org.

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Newcomers...........................3A,20A Panim el Panim...........................25A People of the Book........................2A PJ Library®..................................24A Send-a-Kid-to-Israel Program....26A Shalom Baby...............................27A Silent Disco................................15A Speakers Bureau - Holocaust.......13B Speakers Bureau - Israel..............13B STEP Lock-in.............................26A Taste of Israel..............................10B Women’s Giving Circle...............15B Young Adult Division.................20A

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December 2014

FEDERATION NEWS

Holocaust survivor Paul Molnar shares his story with students By Anne Stein

n Monday, October 6, Paul Molnar spoke to students at Riverview High School as part of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee’s Holocaust Speakers Bureau. Molnar, a Hungarian Jew, was just 10 years old when Germany invaded Poland and World War II began. When Germany occupied Hungary in March 1944, his life drastically changed. Molnar’s father was taken into the Hungar-

ian army as a laborer, and the rest of his family was forced out of their home and into a ghetto. When the ghetto was liquidated, Molnar, his mother, uncle, grandmother and younger brother George were forced into a cattle car headed for Auschwitz. Molnar was only 14 years old. Molnar recounted to the students how, when they got off the train, the guards ordered his mother, uncle and him to go to the right, while sending his

Guest Curator, Bernice Steinbaum

Riverview High School students with Holocaust survivor and speaker Paul Molnar (sitting), Anne Stein (standing at right) and teacher Terri Evans (kneeling at left, wearing glasses)

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Happy Chanukah

May the joy of Chanukah fill your homes and hearts with light, love and peace this season and always.

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survivors will inspire students to never be mere bystanders when injustice is happening. For booking information about The Sarasota Manatee Jewish Federation’s Holocaust Speakers Bureau, contact Anne Stein at 941.923.6470 or luvhula@gmail.com. For information about The Federation’s Holocaust programming, contact Orna Nissan at 941.552.6305 or onissan@jfedsrq.org.

By Howard Tevlowitz

Art Basel Brunch: December 7th Annual Family Day: December 25th

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Daniel Nissan, Paul Molnar, Orna Nissan

Embracing Our Differences – Israel

Selected Works From Florida Jewish Art Collectors

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grandmother and brother to the left. His mother, frantic about being parted from her younger son and mother, followed them, asking Molnar to stay with his uncle. Molnar never saw his mother, brother or grandmother again. As the students listened in silence, Molnar described the brutal suffering he and others endured in Auschwitz. By the end of the war, the only other survivor in his immediate family was his father. Molnar eventually moved to the United States and started a new life. Today, he is an upbeat, friendly and positive man – and a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He says he shares his story with students because he feels it’s vital that they hear about the Holocaust firsthand. He hopes his story and those of other

re you a fan of Israel? Are you meaningful connections to all the dispaa lover of the arts? Do you enrate arms of Diaspora Judaism. joy the Embracing Our DifferSister Cities of Sarasota was our ences exhibit that promotes diversity next stop. Its mission is to foster interthroughout Sarasota-Manatee? national relationships between SarasoWe have the experience of a lifeta and cities that have similar interests time for you! by creating exchanges in areas of culBezalel was the first Jewish artture, education, tourism, business and ist on record. Throughout our history, government. Its objective is to develop art has been used as a form of rememrespect, understanding and cooperation brance, dedication and inspiration. through citizen diplomacy. Tel Mond is From colorful mosaics at a bath house our Federation’s longtime Sister Cities in Masada, to intricately carved synapartner in Israel. gogues in Morocco, to children’s drawThe Daniel Centers has reached out ings found at Theresienstadt during the to the Municipality of Tel Aviv/Jaffa Holocaust, to proud images of Israelis as well as to the Director of Education praying at the Wall, art has helped to Department of the City of Tel Aviv. define us, as a People, and our history. Both are enthusiastically on board. Many of these art pieces focused So, there you have it! Our Jewon the theme of love, friendship and ish Federation, EOD, Sister Cities of peoplehood. It is the dream of our Sarasota, the Daniel Centers in Tel people to live in a world that is safe, Aviv/Jaffa and the Municipality of Tel welcoming and peaceful. In pursuit of Aviv/Jaffa are now partnering on what this dream, The Jewish Federation we call in Hebrew, Shonim B’Yachad, of Sarasota-Manatee has long been meaning Different Together. Our Jewa community partner of Embracing ish Federation is underwriting the Our Differences. The essence of our Israeli-based EOD program. The DanFederation aligns perfectly with Emiel Centers in Israel is running the bracing Our Differences – to help our program. A public display of art from community, especially our children, to Israeli students, much like EOD here, respect the views of others, and to rewill be set up in the Port of Jaffa, from ject hatred. March 19 for four weeks. It is easy to understand that togethAnd so, when we had a conversaer – our Federation, EOD, The Daniel tion with our EOD friends, Michael Centers, Sister Cities, and the MuniciShelton (Executive Director) and Denpality of Tel Aviv/Jaffa – we are part of nis & Graci McGillicuddy (two of the something greater. co-chairs), we all loved the idea of Our Mission co-chairs, Nancy bringing Embracing Our Differences Roucher and Patti and David Wertto Israel. What could be better than heimer, invite community members to combining those fundamentals – art participate in this incredible program. and Israel, EOD and our Jewish FedJoin the Federation mission, March eration? And even better, we were then 16-25, which will include the opening able to engage additional partners in of EOD Israel as well as culturally dithis endeavor. verse samplings of food, wine, music, The Daniel Centers for Progresmuseums and fashion. Explore Tel sive Judaism, in Tel Aviv/Jaffa, was Aviv, Jaffa, Jerusalem and Sarasota’s our first stop. Its mission is to bridge Sister City Tel Mond. Can’t make the the gap between secular Israelis and trip? Sponsor artwork their Jewish heritage, and between invite you to join us forour the experience of aexhibit lifetime to panels and be a part of this diverse event. traditions and today’s modern world, For mission details and registraand build lasting connections between tion, please visit www.jfedsrq.org/ the Diaspora and Israel. They hope to eodisrael. learn how you can sponaccomplish this by building an Israel THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS, AND FLAVORS OF THISToUNIQUE COUNTRY sor the exhibit artwork in Israel, contact which is tolerant, just and welcoming SHONIM B’YACHAD (DIFFERENT TOGETHER) Martin W. Haberer at 941.552.6303 or of multiple expressions of religious and mhaberer@jfedsrq.org. spiritual practice, and to create deep and

CELEBRATE ISRAEL’S DIVERSITY

, 2015 – 6 1 h c r a M Monday, 25, 2015 h c r a M , y Wednesda A MISSION UNLIKE ANY OTHER

Peace between Israel and the PLO reﬂected in two different speeches By Rabbi Howard A. Simon, co-Chair of The Robert and Esther Heller Israel Advocacy Initiative Established 1971

PUBLISHER The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee Klingenstein Jewish Center 580 McIntosh Road Sarasota, FL 34232-1959 Phone: 941.371.4546 Fax: 941.378.2947 E-mail: jewishnews@jfedsrq.org Website: www.jfedsrq.org Published Monthly Volume 44, Number 12 December 2014 44 pages USPS Permit No. 167 January 2015 Issue Deadlines: Editorial: November 28, 2014 Advertising: December 1, 2014 PRESIDENT Nancy Swart EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Howard Tevlowitz ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Marty Haberer COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR Linda Lipson MANAGING EDITOR Ted Epstein COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

- Christopher Alexander

ADVERTISING SALES Robin Leonardi

- PROOFREADERS

Adeline Silverman, Stacey Edelman, Harold Samtur, Bryna Tevlowitz, - Deb Bryan

p MIMI AND JOSEPH J. EDLIN JOURNALISM INTERNS n

Allya Yourish, Jackson Cacioppo

s MISSION STATEMENT: The Jewish News of

t a n

December 2014

FEDERATION NEWS

Sarasota-Manatee strives to be the source of news and features of special interest to the Jewish community of Sarasota-Manatee, to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and opinions in the Jewish community, and to communicate the mission, activities and achievements of the Federation and its Jewish community partners.

OPINIONS printed in The Jewish News of Sarasota-Manatee do not necessarily reflect l those of The Jewish Federation of SarasotaManatee, its Board of Directors or staff.

he world wants Israel and the podium and shamelessly accuse Israel Palestinians to make peace with of genocide and ethnic cleansing.” one another. Israel has been Netanyahu made it clear he now chastised by so many governments, seeks a new format for peace in the including our own, regarding her “deMiddle East. He looks to the particimands” for a real peace to pation of Arab countries occur. Mahmoud Abbas, willing to provide politiplans to move forward. One sees the head of the desired Palescal, material and other inworld through the myopic vision of the tinian state, has received dispensable support to the past. The other broadens the sight to inthe support of England, Palestinians as new “partclude the realities of the present. They Sweden and other counners in peace.” According will never come to the same point of tries in and out of the to Netanyahu, peace now view. Middle East in its quest must be seen in terms of How sad, how very sad. for statehood. Abbas says the goal of militant Islam For more information about the Heller he wants peace with Israel. and its desire to dominate IAI, visit www.sarasotalovesisrael.com Prime Minister Netanyahu the world. “The Middle or contact Shana Tibi at 941.706.0029 says he wants peace with East needs to realize that or stibi@jfedsrq.org Rabbi Howard A. Simon the Palestinians. Both men Israel is not its mortal enerecently addressed the gathering of the my, but is a potential ally in addressing United Nations. What they said, words common challenges including peace heard by the entire world, testifies to between the PLO and Israel.” the reality that there will be no peace Two different speeches. Two difbetween the two parties. Look at what ferent points of view. Two different both men said. See how different their thoughts are and how far apart they are regarding their views of the Middle East. Mahmoud Abbas called upon the United Nations to pass a resolution requiring Israel to cede Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria to the PLO. Mahmoud Nathan has Abbas is leading an international cambeen recognized Save the Date! paign to delegitimize Israel’s right to by Israeli exist. He accused Israel of genocide newspaper February 9 and then capped his hatred of Israel Maariv as one 7:00 PM by saying, “Palestine refuses to have of “ten young the right to freedom of her people who Jews who will Federation Campus are subjected to terrorism by the rac580 McIntosh Rd change the Sarasota, FL ist occupying power and its settlers, RSVP REQUIRED world.” and remain hostage to Israel’s security conditions.” This is the same man who says he wants peace with Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu made it clear why there is such a gulf between the thinking of the Palestinians and the Israelis when he described Abbas in these terms: “I suppose it is the same moral universe where a man (Abbas) Questions? Contact Len Steinberg who wrote a dissertation of lies about 941.552.6301 or lsteinberg@jfedsrq.org the Holocaust, and who insists on a www.jfedsrq.org Palestine free of Jews, can stand on this

Send your comments and Letters to the Editor to jewishnews18@gmail.com

“Israel’s relationship with the United Nations from an Insider”

NATHAN

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SUBMISSIONS to The Jewish News are subject to editing for space and content, and may be withheld from publication without e prior notice. Approval of submissions for publication in either verbal or written form e shall always be considered tentative, and m does not imply a guarantee of any kind. Submissions must be sent electronically to jewishnews@jfedsrq.org.

LETTERS to the editor should not exceed 300 words, must be typed, and include the writer’s - name, mailing address and phone number. l Letters can be submitted via snail mail or email (jewishnews@jfedsrq.org). Not all letters f will be published. Letters may be edited for length and content.

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EXOTIC JEWISH COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD Presented by Dr. Steven Derfler TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

10–11:30AM – Jews of Cuba According to popular lore, three Jews came with Columbus on his first journey as he explored the northeast coast of Cuba (landed on 28 October, 1492). The contemporary Jewish community, however, does not represent a line of continuity with the Jews of the 13th century.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

Façade – Bet Shalom Synagogue Havana, Cuba

10–11:30AM – Jews of Morocco The beginnings of the Jewish community in Morocco are the subject of many legends. Some say that Jews arrived after the destruction of the First Temple of Solomon. It is generally agreed, however, that Jews arrived with Phoenician traders hundreds of years before the Christian era.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2015

10–11:30AM – Jews of China Archaeological evidence suggests that Jews were in China as early as the 8th century, having arrived from Persia along the Silk Road. In 1163, the Emperor ordered the Jews to live in Kai Feng, where they built the first Chinese synagogue. However, Westerners lost touch with Kai Feng Jews in the mid-1700s. It was not until the 1850s that they would be re-discovered and an effort was made to re-establish contact.

Ben Saadon Synagogue Fez, Morocco

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

10–11:30AM – Jews of Egypt The long, rich heritage of the Israelite community in Egypt, according to tradition, begins with the Genesis narrative of Jacob’s sons and sibling rivalry. Our story shifts to the era of the New Kingdom of Egypt—when Egypt ruled the East, and the Mosaic tradition of the Exodus. It continues throughout history in a relatively unbroken chain, even through the midst of the 20th century.

Main Synagogue Harbin, China

Ben Ezra Synagogue from Women’s Gallery – Cairo, Egypt

FEDERATION NEWS

Mensch of the Month: Isaac Azerad By Shana Subelsky Tibi

saac Azerad is a businessman, Isaac and his wife, Giselle, have scholar, world traveler, family now lived in Sarasota for more than man, dedicated leader in the Jewish 35 years and have raised three sons. In community, and this edition’s “Mensch addition to his printing business, Main of the Month.” The Jewish FederaStreet Graphics, Isaac has held strong tion of Sarasota-Manatee extends leadership roles at The Jewish Feda heartfelt thank you to Isaac and is eration of Sarasota-Manatee. He has proud to highlight all he does for the served on the Federation’s local grantJewish community – locally and overing committee, currently serves on seas. the Heller Israel Advocacy Initiative Born and raised in Egypt in the late committee and the Strategic Planning 1950s, Isaac experienced the paradoxEvent committee, and is co-chair of the es of being Jewish in a Yesod Leadership Developcountry that was often ment Program. He is dedihostile to Jews. “We cated to creating a dynamic excelled at commerce, Jewish community. academia, banking, re“Nothing would please tailing, manufacturing me more than the realization and newspaper pubof an all-inclusive Jewish lishing among other community, where various things,” he says. “Deorganizations, synagogues, spite this, Jews were clubs and individuals find demonized and accused the courage to work togethof every conceivable er toward a common Jewish Isaac Azerad crime against the state.” goal,” he says. Eventually, the Azerad family was Isaac has worked all of his life to expelled from Egypt and landed in nurture and preserve Judaism. He conFrance. France was a place where outtinues to be a champion of the JewishS siders were not very welcome. Isaac people and a great asset to this commurecalls, “The couple of years we spent nity. For all of your dedication, Isaac, in Paris helped sharpen my identity as we say thank you! We’re honored to a Jew.” In 1961, Isaac and his family name you Mensch of the Month! moved to Israel. “My service in the On August 20, 2014, Isaac, along IDF and my participation in the Sixwith Jessi Sheslow, Director of ComDay War sealed my love for my peomunity Relations at The Federation, ple,” he says. “I have a healthy respect appeared on a Manatee Educational for the awesome responsibility toward TV program in a special report on Ismy people and a sense of debt to my rael and the Gaza Strip. To view this heritage.” episode, visit: http://bit.ly/1vwkDWh.

“Echoes and Reﬂections: Leaders in Holocaust Education Workshop” By Nancy Hawkins choes and Reﬂections: Leaders in Holocaust Education Workshop,” sponsored by The Jewish Federation of SarasotaManatee, in partnership with the AntiDefamation League, the USC Shoah Foundation Institute, Yad Vashem, and the school district of Sarasota, exceeded my expectations as a new Holocaust teacher. Stacy Jackson, with the AntiDefamation League, was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, inspiring us to keep the “individual human story” of the Holocaust as the main focus in our classrooms. The IWitness video testimonies of Holocaust survivors will be a valuable resource in the classroom, along with

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www.jfedsrq.org

Nancy Hawkins (far right) and Stacy Jackson (far left) with area educators

Connec 2015 GUIDE

TO JEWISH

tions

LIVING IN SAR

TEE ASOTA-MANA

Look for CONNECTIONS 2015 Magazine in news racks , in your mailbox and online!

Here are some of the places you will find Sarasota’s ultimate resource guide to everything Jewish in our area:

Educational Resources Inc.

Bringing peoples, cultures and faiths together through education

Questions? Contact Jeremy Lisitza at 941.343.2113 or jlisitza@jfedsrq.org

Lecture series sponsored by Senior Home Companions, Inc.SM For Seniors by Active Seniors® Senior Home Companions, Inc. For Seniors by Active Seniors®

the curriculum and website provided by the Anti-Defamation League. Orna Nissan, Director of Holocaust Education and Israel Programs at the Federation has created an inspired, collaborative relationship with the Sarasota community, and our students benefit from learning relevant information about the Holocaust and today’s issues of prejudice and discrimination. I am grateful to everyone at the Federation and look forward to working with them this year. To learn more about Holocaust programs, contact Orna Nissan at 941.552.6305 or onissanjfedsrq.org. Nancy Hawkins teaches world history at North Port High School

To be held at: The Jewish Federation Campus 580 McIntosh Rd. Sarasota, Fl 34232

FREE SERIES • MUST RSVP

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ICATION OF A FREE PUBL eration.org TheJewishFed

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• Chamber of Commerce Visitors’ Centers • More than a dozen area synagogues • Local libraries • Federation Campus & partner agencies • Federation sponsored events • Online digital version • More than 40 news racks located throughout Sarasota AND AT SELECT • Publix Super Markets • Hotels & restaurants • Medical facilities & doctors’ offices • Retail outlets

580 McIntosh Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232

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FEDERATION NEWS

December 2014

Len Mazur Memorial Lecture: Alan Dershowitz to speak about global anti-Semitism By Howard Tevlowitz

lease mark your calendars for the evening of Wednesday, February 25. Alan Dershowitz will be the the keynote speaker at the Len gMazur Memorial Lecture. Professor Alan M. Dershowitz is a Brooklyn native who has been called -“the nation’s most peripatetic civil nliberties lawyer” and one of its “most edistinguished defenders of individual grights,” “the best-known criminal laweyer in the world,” “the top lawyer of last -resort,” “America’s most public Jewish -defender” and “Israel’s single most visible defender – the Jewish state’s lead attorney in the court of public opinion.” He is the Felix Frankfurter Pronfessor of Law at Harvard Law School. hDershowitz, a graduate of Brooklyn sCollege and Yale Law School, joined ,the Harvard Law School faculty at dage 25 after clerking for Judge David -Bazelon and Justice Arthur Goldberg. h “If there had been a few people

like Alan Dershowitz during the 1930s and 1940s, the history of European Jewry might have been different.” – Elie Wiesel This summer, thousands of rockets were fired into Israel’s heartland. The response from many around the world, including the United Nations, was an outbreak of anti-Semitism, the likes of which we have not seen in 75+ years. Can’t happen in America? Think again – it’s happening all around us. During the 1960s a young writer named Elie Wiesel introduced the world to The Jews of Silence. Wiesel describes the atmosphere of fear and silence that reigned among Soviet Jewry when this book was written. The rulers of the former Soviet Union attempted to force Jews to abandon their faith and identity, and to cut ties with their brothers and sisters in Israel. And then there was the daily disparagement of the State of Israel and the maligning

of Zionism by the State Media (something we see in many countries around the world today). Fast forward to today: Are we, as American Jews, becoming those silent, acquiescent Jews? The crusade of Jew-hatred is all around us – on college campuses, in the media – formulated by Arab propagandists and those European anti-Semites and American anti-Semites that went underground for years. This outward manifestation grows more vicious and irascible by the day. We at The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee remain ever vigilant through the Heller Israel Advocacy Initiative. We will continue to organize and speak out against the brutal nature of radical Islamic terrorists and their insatiable hatred for Jews, Christians, America and all that we stand for. This is NOT the time for silence! For more information on Israel

Alan Dershowitz

advocacy and fighting anti-Semitism, please visit www.SarasotaLovesIsrael. com. We hope to see you on Wednesday, February 25.

Federation anticipates revenue of $6 million in 2014

o hStaff Report

n 2014, The Jewish Federation of Sarasota Manatee has become a very sophisticated operation. Federation’s financial resources come g from multiple sources. Supplemental funding comes from designated gifts – , gifts designated by donors for a specific l Federation-related program or purpose or to be used by another local, national s or overseas not-for-profit organization to meet its needs. Federation also generates income by selling advertising in The Jewish News and Connections magazine, and through various sponsorships from businesses and individuals. And it is

, o

, e s s . h

the annual campaign that continues to be the primary revenue source. To date, the Federation has raised close to $5.7 million this year in Comprehensive Resource Development and anticipates exceeding $6 million by December 31, 2014. The recently completed Super Sunday Telemarketing campaign is helping the Federation to reach its annual goal. The final annual campaign drive for this year will be the Chanukah Appeal that will be mailed to homes before the Chanukah holiday. We extend the warmest thank you to those who have supported our initia-

tives. In these economically challenging and uncertain times, The Federation is proud to be a financially responsible organization that has no debt, a healthy

balance sheet, and generous donors who are committed to supporting our Jewish communities locally, nationally and globally.

FAMILY TheJewishFederation.org

THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY.

The Suncoast’s Premier Indoor Fine Art & Craft Show

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December 2014

COMMUNITY FOCUS

Moses: Our greatest teacher and prophet

Sponsored by

By Marden Paru, Dean, Sarasota Liberal Yeshiva

oses is undoubtedly the most important person in all of Jewish history. Why? He was our teacher – Moshe Rabbeynu. A most humble individual, he was selected by the Almighty to become our redeemer, savior, prophet and a guide. (If only he had a GPS system, the 40year trek might have been considerably shorter.) He is best known for performing God’s miracles in Egypt, by the shores of the Sea of Reeds and in the wilderness, as well as giving the world the Torah. Once a prince and raised in the

Pharaoh’s royal court, his full history is utterly amazing. Moses was born of the tribe of Levi, adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter, killed an Egyptian task master and, thus, had to ﬂee his plush surroundings. Moses ends up in Midian, becomes a shepherd, marries a foreigner – Zipporah – and fathers two boys. Seemingly isolated and far from the madness of the ruling Pharaoh who oversees the enslavement of his Israelite relatives, he stumbles upon a bush that is on fire but miraculously is not being consumed, and it speaks as well. “Moses, Moses,” calls out the bush.

“These we honor” Your Tributes ANNUAL CAMPAIGN IN HONOR OF Mimi Edlin – Kehilla Award Judith and Donald Markstein IN MEMORY OF Shain Davis Charlie Ann and Jim Syprett

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND IN MEMORY OF Howard Goldstein Lisa Marcus

ISRAEL PROGRAMS IN HONOR OF Susan Charnas – 70th Birthday Sharyn and Rick Nassau IN MEMORY OF Kurt Zion Fern and Ray Millman

SKIP (Send a Kid to Israel) IN HONOR OF Susan Charnas – 70th Birthday Geri and Lenny Drexler IN MEMORY OF Betty Schiff Bunny and Mort Skirboll

NOTE: To be publicly acknowledged in The Jewish News, Honor Cards require a minimum $10 contribution per listing. You can send Honor Cards directly from www.jfedsrq.org. For more information, please call 941.552.6304.

Temple Beth Sholom Freund Scholar in Residence, Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson The Distinguished Chair of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies

and the Installation of our beloved Rabbi Michael Werbow January 23- 24, 2015

Friday night: Rabbi Artson lectures, The Challenges and Future of Conservative Judaism

Saturday morning: Rabbi Artson lectures,

Almighty? No Way! Learning to Embrace the God We Actually Love Saturday evening: Havdalah, Installation, Dinner/Dance beginning at 6:30 pm Co-Chaired by Donna Newman & Michael Katz Temple Beth Sholom (941) 955-8121 www.templebethsholomfl.org

“Hineni” – here I am. Who are You?” responds the shocked shepherd. Back at him comes the voice from the bush: “Eheyeh asher eheyeh – I am who I am.” And that, my friends, is how Moses was selected to shepherd his people out of Egypt all the way to the Promised Land. At first reluctant to conduct this “mission impossible” – with only a shepherd’s rod in hand but with the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah at his back – he agrees. The Sarasota Liberal Yeshiva will offer a new eight-week course, “Mo-

ses,” chronicling the life, adventures and midrashim that define Moses as the Jewish people’s greatest prophet in all of Judaic literature. The course will take place Monday afternoons from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. starting December 8 on the Federation Campus. For more information and/or to register, contact me at 941.379.5655 or marden.paru@gmail.com. The Sarasota Liberal Yeshiva is a 501(c)(3) non-profit school which is partially supported by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota- Manatee.

A Taste of Chanukah Festival at the Sarasota Fairgrounds

he 4th annual Taste of Chanukah festival, sponsored by Chabad of Sarasota, will once again be held at the Sarasota Fairgrounds (3000 Ringling Blvd.) on Sunday, December 21 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. This year’s festival will feature live music and entertainment by the Yom Hadash rock ‘n roll band. The menorah garden will feature an ice-sculpted menorah which will be kindled at 4:00 p.m., a balloon menorah and an exclusive custom designed 15-foot Tube Dude menorah. A delicious selection of glatt kosher food from Michael’s On East, Delicious Creations and Fresh Start will be sold for all to enjoy. Giant latkes prepared by Marty and Maggie Glucklich will be sold as well. Entertainment for the young and young-at-heart will include motorcycle madness, a snake and bird show presented by Jungle Gardens, a petting zoo, pony rides, a 3-ton snow slide, stilt walkers, juggling show and

Sponsored by

much more. A fabulous array of vendors with specialty items and crafts will be exhibiting and selling their merchandise. This community-wide event is fortunate to have The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee as a major benefactor. Premier sponsors include ABC7 WWSB, Budweiser, Family Practice Associates, The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch. Sponsors include Germain Toyota of Sarasota, 107.9 WSRZ, Sunset Chevrolet, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, SunTrust Bank, Flight Source, International, Inc., Ice Pro, Tube Dude, and Shapiro, Goldman, Walsh and Baboni. Parking and admission are free. For more information, please visit www.atasteofchanukah.com or www. facebook.com/atasteofchanukah, or call 941.925.0770.

December 2014

COMMUNITY FOCUS

Nadja Halilbegovich: “A Childhood Shattered by War” By Sue Hargis Spigel

adja Halilbegovich was a middle-class girl in Sarajevo, Bosnia, when the first bombs exploded throughout her city in April 1992. The 12-year-old expected the war to end quickly. Instead, the family spent weeks in the basement “living like rats,” while the building shook, before venturing up to their high-rise apartment to see what was left. Glass and shrapnel were everywhere, but her family still had a home where her father could hang plastic sheets over broken windows. Ms. Halilbegovich spoke at the eighth Humanity Working to End Genocide rally, “A Childhood Shattered by War,” on October 5 at Church of the Incarnation and on October 6 at Pine View School.

Sponsored by

Bombs and bullets rained down on the city that had hosted the 1984 Olympics. Nadja still has shrapnel in her legs from a quiet day when she went outside and a bomb exploded nearby. Her father held her while a stranger drove them and others to the hospital. Nadja notes that millions of children – innocent and voiceless victims – around the world suffer similar ravages of war. “We can’t understand the realities of the most innocent, the children, when we hear just statistics.” Nadja remembers her remarkable family. Her mother walked miles to her bank job, for little pay, to hold onto that bit of normalcy. Her father volunteered for the Red Cross. At night he and others searched for water. Nadja’s brother

Rev. Dr. Tom Pfaff, chair of the Sarasota Ministerial Association; Nadja Halilbegovich; Howard Tevlovitz, Executive Director of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee; Rabbi Howard Simon, co-chair of The Heller Israel Advocacy Initiative; Bishop Frank Dewane, Catholic Diocese of Venice; Bernie Ehrlich, founder of Humanity Working to End Genocide

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worked for the United Nations. He asked to take discarded leftover food atrocities. Everyone loses in war. Howhome, which eventually fed their famever, “I’m a winner because I choose ily and countless neighbors. Everyone not to hate.” risked sniper attacks whenever they Rally co-chairs were Rabbi Howwent out. During peaceful periods, ard Simon, Catholic Bishop Frank Dechildren attended school. wane, and Rev. Dr. Tom Pfaff, head One day Nadja called the National of the Sarasota Ministerial AssociaRadio to read her poetry. That led to her tion. In his benediction, Rabbi Simon own show, The Music Box. She sang, played guitar, and read from the diary she began early in the war. At age 14 her diary was published. She became known as the Bosnian Anne Frank. In 1995, she was among 20 teens selected to live with host families in the United States. She escaped Sarajevo with The Westcoast School for Human Development Chorus her mother through a tunperformed at the rally (photos by Jules Altenberg) nel. Snipers fired at the line of refugees. In the crowded, dank prayed for a world “where a 12-yeartunnel she suddenly stopped walking. old child does not have to live in fear Her mother told her, “Remember your and where we, devoting ourselves to dreams and keep walking.” Nadja rethat new beginning, create a world of calls, “I made it through the tunnel [and peace, of love, of honest concern for on to Croatia] because of my mom.” one another – a new year of hope for one and all.” Her mother returned home while Nadja The Jewish Federation of Sarajoined her American host family. The sota-Manatee is a sponsor of HuDayton Peace Accords ended the fightmanity Working to End Genocide, a ing in December 1995. volunteer student and adult coalition The author and speaker graduated dedicated to calling for the end of mass from Butler University and is an adatrocities throughout the world. vocate for children of war and mass

THE 2014 KLINGENSTEIN LECTURE

The Masada Story: Martyrs, Murders and Myths

Tuesday, January 20, 2015 | 7 p.m.

Sainer Auditorium, New College of Florida

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Jonathan Klawans is the author of “Purity, Sacrifice, and the Temple: Symbolism and Supersessionism in the Study of Ancient Judaism House of Israel;” “Josephus and the Theologies of Ancient Judaism;” and “Impurity and Sin in Ancient Judaism.” Sponsored by New College of Florida, The Klingenstein Chair of Judaic Studies and The Jay Rudolph Endowment.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For information, call (941) 487-4888 or visit ncf.edu/klingenstein-lecture. Reserve your seat at donate.ncf.edu/events.

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December 2014

COMMUNITY FOCUS

Temple Emanu-El’s High Holy Day food drive beneﬁts All Faiths Food Bank Wednesdays from 9-2 Phillippi Creek Mansion Farmer’s Market

Saturdays from 8-1

Central Sarasota Farmer’s Market on the SCTI Campus

he annual High Holy Day food drive at Temple Emanu-El collected 3,675 pounds of food and $3,060 in monetary contributions for All Faiths Food Bank – enough to provide a record 7,000 meals. “All Faiths Food Bank said the results were awesome,” High Holy Day food drive chair Helene Rosenberg said. “The call went out to our congregants, as it does every year, and our congregants overwhelmingly responded. They filled ten large metal bins with grocery bags of food!” The spirit of the High Holy Days – with their emphasis on reﬂection and rededication to good and righteous action – matches the spirit of the food drive perfectly, Rosenberg explained. “I feel that the High Holy Days remind us not only to think about our lives but also about our deeds,” she said, “and to think about the lives of others,

especially those in our community who are hungry.” Rosenberg thanked Rabbi Brenner Glickman as well as Temple Emanu-El’s Social Action Committee, religious school, and preschool for supporting the food drive. Temple Emanu-El Brotherhood’s corps of High Holy Day ushers and Confirmation students assisted in collecting food from worshippers arriving for services. Also assisting with the High Holy Day Temple Emanu-El second-graders Juliana Reich and food drive were Jesse Bauer, Jadalyn Gorn help Food Drive chair Helene Rosenberg display some of the items collected Sherrie Eisenberg, Marlies faculty visited the food bank for their Gluck-Upton, Ginette Hersh and Reannual Thanksgiving season mitzvah nee Stevens. project of sorting food for needy famiTemple Emanu-El’s partnership lies and learning about the issue of with All Faiths Food Bank continued hunger in Sarasota and DeSoto counNovember 16, when Temple Emanu-El ties. Religious School students, parents and

Congregation Kol HaNeshama announces adult education offerings

ongregation Kol HaNeshama, Sarasota’s Reconstructionist Congregation, is happy to offer a number of adult education courses this winter season. A Jewish literature course, “19th Century to the Modern Era, Part II,” will use short stories that reﬂect our lives as Jews during this time. The class will be taught by Susan Salzman and Arnie Binderman on Tuesday morn-

Tidewell Hospice is committed to meeting the spiritual and physical needs of our patients and families. As a certified Jewish Hospice, Tidewell offers: • Mezuzah and Shabbat candles • Spiritual consultation with Rabbi on request • Doula services through Jewish Family & Children’s Services • Bible and prayer book

This publication is brought to you each month thanks to the support of our advertisers. Please be sure to use their products and services, and mention that you found them in The Jewish News.

www.tidewell.org • 941-552-7500 • 855-Tidewell

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CHANUKAH CELEBRATION

Grand Menorah Lighting Wednesday, December 17 at 6:00 pm Lakewood Ranch Main Street

HELP US BUILD A GIANT COIN MENORAH! Collect loose change from your family, friends, and co-workers or trade in for change at the event.

Featuring: Klezmer Freilach Compilation in Concert! Falafel with Yoav Kosher Food from Ed’s Tavern

Coins may be dropped off at Chabad in advance or brought to the event.

Exciting Chanukah Activities:

• Chanukah Art • Face Painting • Doughnut Decorating • Hot Latkes • Meet Judah Maccabee • Dreidel Moonbounce • Raffles

This event is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee and Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

Admission is free. Nominal food fees to apply. Sponsor $500. Need a charity box? Come by the office or call 941-752-3030.

a Jewish mystic would live in the 21st century. “From the Matriarchs to the Jewish Mother” will be led by Dr. Ruth Brandwein on Monday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to noon, starting February 23. All classes take place at South Gate Community Center, 3145 Southgate Circle, Sarasota. For more information, email office@congkh.org or call 941.244.2042.

This month’s advertisers

Happy Hanukkah

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ings from 10:30 a.m. to noon, starting January 6. An “Improving Memory and Concentration” class will be taught by Linda Zelizer on Monday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to noon, starting January 5. “Jewish Mysticism, Part II” will be led by Arnie Binderman on Friday mornings, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., starting January 23. This class will be exploring forms of Kabbalah, and how

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COMMUNITY FOCUS

JFCS’s Club Carefree offers educational socials

December 2014 THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE!

Help raise $$$ for a great cause and get your shopping done at the same time! All proceeds go towards upcoming surgeries and other medical expenses of a local Jewish family dealing with

By Tara Booker, MNM, Director of Carefree Living At Home

tudies show that some of the most important components for brain health as we age include proper diet and nutrition, staying physically active, mental engagement, and having a socially connected mind. These four pillars are considered essential for overall wellness as they help promote physical health and combat depression, Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In an effort to provide the community with some of these healthy aging tools, Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast is proud to introduce Club Carefree. Club Carefree offers opportunities for social interaction along with engaging topics that will vary from week to week. Meetings take place on Thursdays from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., with at least three dates per month at various locations. Upcoming topics include a

presentation on the Sarasota School of Architecture by Dr. Christopher Wilson, Architecture and Design Historian professor at Ringling College of Art and Design, and “Smart phones and tablets and laptops, oh my!” presented by Best Buy. There is a quarterly fee to join. Club Carefree is a part of JFCS’s new initiative, Carefree Living At Home – a fee-for-service program providing advocacy, care management and supportive services to help older adults age in place. For more information about Carefree Living At Home or to join Club Carefree, contact me at tbooker@jfcscares.org or 941.539.9497. Information is also available online at wwww.CarefreeLivingAtHome .com and Facebook.com/CarefreeLiv ingAtHome.

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L’Chayim HERE’S “TO LIFE” ON THE GULF COAST Committed to the Jewish Community for almost 20 years, Stacy is passionate about real estate and strives to build everlasting relationships based on exceptional service, uncompromising values and a strong work ethic.

Sarasota Jewish Chorale members reach out By Marcia Polevoi

Stacy Hanan, Realtor 941.266.0529

arasota Chorale members are acDuo Pianists, a group of retired profestive not only with the Chorale, sional musicians who present several but many are involved in other free concerts during winter season. pursuits beyond the SJC. Our accomSybil earned both her bachelors and masters degrees in music from plished accompanist, Sybil Broh, is one example of this. Northwestern University and taught Sybil uses her music in public schools for about ten years. Following talents to accompany that, she became a marperformers, as well as keting research executive other choirs such as until her retirement. Since the Temple Emanu-El then, she has been able to volunteer choir, whose participate in all of these director is fellow SJC various activities. member Kathy Rance. The SJC is proud to As a member of the have members like Sybil, Venice Musicale, Sybwho take an active part il periodically plays in giving of their time piano duets and acfor other pursuits in their companies other artSybil Broh communities. ists for their monthly The Sarasota Jewish Chorale meets recitals at the Venice Library. The Mumost Thursdays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. sicale is comprised of dedicated perat the Hecht Building on the Federation formers from the area who take part in Campus, 580 McIntosh Road, Saraan outreach program for South Sarasota sota. For more information about the County music students. The donations Chorale, please call Susan Skovronek collected at their performances go toat 941.355.8011 or visit www.sarasota ward scholarships for this program. In addition, she plays with the Sun Coast jewishchorale.org.

Why Jews bless their pets By Judith Zangwill

n a sunny October Sunday, 22 humans, 35 dogs and one parrot gathered for a special occasion, the first blessing of the animals at Jewish Congregation of Venice. Animal guests were quiet and attentive as their humans participated in a responsive reading service created just for this event by JCV Rabbi Daniel Krimsky. After the service, each pet received an individual blessing from Rabbi Dan. During the service, Rabbi Dan described the teachings of Rav Kook, first chief rabbi of Israel, who foresaw a Messianic age with a peaceable king-

dom among humans and animals. The Rav taught both traditional and liberal Jews that humans and animals have a common origin during the Creation as well as a deep historical connection. Rav Kook explained the Talmudic decree that a person should not eat before his animal, as an expression of compassion, gratitude and justice for all the work that animals do for humans. In modern times, when animals have become family pets, Rabbi Dan commented that children and adults should respond with love and compassion for the companionship and loyalty of the animals who have become our family members.

StacyHanan@michaelsaunders.com

1801 Main Street | Sarasota, Florida 34236 | 941.951.6660

Join us at

TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM

Sarasota-Manatee’s Conservative Synagogue

in december All Are Welcome! Come Join Us! ONGOING PROGRAMS Daily Morning Minyan Sunday-Friday, 8:00AM

Morning Minyan Breakfast Wednesdays 9:00AM

Yiddish Group

Mondays 1:30PM

Paver Religious School

Dec 7, 14 9:00AM-12:30PM

Chug Ivri, Advanced Hebrew Thursdays 10:30AM

SHABBAT SERVICES Fridays, 6:30PM Saturdays, 9:00AM

Shabbat Shaboom Saturdays, 10:30AM

Judaica Shop Hannah Puckhaber

Tuesday, December 2, 9, 16 – 9:15AM, A cup of Joe and the Five Books of Moe with Rabbi Werbow Tuesday, December 2, 9, 16, 23 – 10:00AM, A Short History of the Jewish People, a class with Marty Cohn Wednesday, December 3 – 1:15PM, Idelson Library Book Review Sunday, December 7 – 9:00AM – 12:00PM, Crash Course on Learning to Read Hebrew, and a refresher for those that do… with Rabbi Werbow Friday, December 12 – 5:45PM, Congregational Shabbat Dinner, Service begins at 7:00PM Sunday, December 14 – 9:00AM, Wonder of Wonders, Miracles of Miracles, Learning with Rabbi Werbow

Monday-Thursday, 10:00AM-3:00PM Sunday, December, 14 – 2:00PM, Sisterhood, Latkes & Vodka Sundays 10:00AM-12:00PM

Idelson Adult Library

Monday-Thursday, 10:00AM-3:00PM

Wednesday, December 17 – 1:15PM, Idelson Library Film Matinee Series Saturday, December 20 – 6:00PM, Chanukah Havdallah Celebration

TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM 941.955-8121

Wednesday, December 24 – Men’s Club Movie & Chinese Food Night Thursday, December 25 – 10:00AM – 2:00PM, Winter in the Tropics, Family Open House, FUN FOR ALL AGES!

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• Sarasota, Florida 34237

email: info@templebethsholomfl.org

www.templebethsholomfl.org Home of Temple Beth Sholom Schools: Rabbi Daniel Krimsky with Salty and his family, Gary and Susan Rosenberg

Rabbi Dan with Marker and Kay Furey, who brought him for community socialization in preparation for his future service as a Southeastern Guide Dog. The Uchitelle family – Leona, Bob and Cricket – wait their turn.

• The Martin and Mildred Paver Religious School .......941.552.2780 • Justin L. Wiesner Pre School ......................................941.954.2027 • Goldie Feldman Academy Grades K-8 ....................941.552.2770

Read the current and previous editions of The Jewish News online at www.jfedsrq.org.

12A

December 2014

COMMUNITY FOCUS

Kobernick-Anchin-Benderson multisensory room open to community Sponsored by

By Carlene Cobb, Communications Director

pen to the community by outpatient appointment and available to Kobernick-Anchin-Benderson residents, the multisensory room in Anchin Pavilion has recently received national recognition. Described as “a pinnacle career opportunity,” the 2014 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention in November included a presentation by Elyse M. Gordon, MS/CCC-SLP, Director of Rehabilitation with Kobernick-Anchin-Benderson, and April Moschini, ADC, Certified Activity Director for Anchin Pavilion and Benderson Fam-

ily Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation. The presentation, “Use of Multisensory Experience to Increase Communication Functionality in Elderly with Dementia,” highlighted assessment protocols, therapeutic intervention, maintenance programming, case studies and examples of effective equipment used for multisensory therapies. “What I love most about my work is celebrating success with our patients,” says Elyse. “Helping a person improve in communication, cognitive linguistic skills, and swallowing – and seeing that success unfold in our ther-

apy sessions – is fulfilling. These are cornerstones to optimal quality of life.” Sensory therapy begins with each

Elyse M. Gordon and April Moschini

patient’s specific care plan and their sensory diet. Results are noted. “Nursing staff assist with docu-

TBS School students build sukkah for Kobernick-Anchin-Benderson residents

he students at Temple Beth Sholom Schools have been actively engaged with service learning projects in the community thanks to a generous non-profit grant provided by The Jewish Federation of SarasotaManatee. The grant provided monies for all the materials and transportation, and the projects presented a great opportunity for all ages to come together and support our community while fos-

tering relationships within our own school community. In one learning project, twenty-two third and fourth grade students recently designed, built, decorated and offered a sukkah for the residents of KobernickAnchin-Benderson. The children were empowered to design and build the 9-foot by 12-foot sukkah, a temporary hut constructed for use during the weeklong Jewish fes-

menting long-term effects after residents spend time in the multisensory room,” says April. “Benefits noted are decreased agitation and anxiety, with an increased sense of well-being.” Kobernick-Anchin-Benderson’s multisensory room was made possible with grants from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the Verna L. Grauel Fund, The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, Jill and Scott Levine, and The Gettinger Family Foundation. To schedule an outpatient rehabilitation therapy appointment, please call 941.225.8369. Sponsored by

tival of Sukkot. Made of lumber with a roof, legs and lattice, the students used tools such as drills, bolts and screws. After its completion, the students took a two-hour learning expedition to the Kobernick House to erect and donate the sukkah to its residents. More than 25 residents gathered to watch the children and adults erect and install the sukkah in the retirement facility. Young and old decorated the sukkah together during L’Dor Vador – a generation-togeneration celebration. “At TBS Schools, part of our mission statement is to be compassionate and take action,” said Robin Sweeting, assistant director at Temple Beth Sholom Schools. “We try to tie community outreach aspects into our curriculum because it instills a sense of community service and it’s these kinds of opportunities and moments the children will never forget.” Kobernick House residents, who

thoroughly enjoyed engaging with the children, came with their own decorations. Many reminisced about their own heartwarming childhood memories. One resident made paper chains with the children and later sketched a drawing of the children decorating and gave it to a student. Daniel Michaels, a science teacher at TBS Schools, brought the idea to the administrative team. He knew the children would enjoy building something they could cherish and would make a lasting difference.

Annette Ofsowitz with TBS student

Betty Anderson with TBS student

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December 2014

13A

The Louis & Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust ensures JFCS caregiver support for next ﬁve years By Jamie M. Smith, MBA, Director of Marketing, JFCS  Counseling with LCSWs (Licensed Clinical Social Workers) for the individual and family  Lunch (socialization)  Care management  Transportation (JFCS handicapped accessible vans) Previously funded by a federal grant, the program was expected to end August 31 of this year. However; Gloria Flanzer, a longtime friend and supporter of JFCS, graciously offered to fund the program for another five years, aware of its impact. Gloria and Louis Flanzer have been avid supporters of the Sarasota community, providing longstanding commitments to the area’s programs allowing any individual in need of services and regardless of

hanks to a generous grant of $250,000 per year for a fiveyear period from The Louis & Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust, the JFCS Alzheimer’s & Caregivers program will continue to offer help and hope to our community’s caregivers and those suffering from dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. For more than four years, Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast has been providing services to caregivers and their loved ones. The Alzheimer’s and Caregivers program offers:  Weekly caregiver support groups  Respite programs (activities with art/music therapists, exercise, brain fitness)

TBS Torah Fund Day of Study

abbi Danielle Upbin, Jewish Theological Seminary Florida Rabbinic Fellow, will initiate the Temple Beth Sholom Torah Fund Day of Study on Wednesday, January 14. Rabbi Upbin’s keynote address will be, “Righteous Roots to Lofty Branches: Lessons of Valor and Victory from our Matriarchs to our Mamas.” The Day of Study will kick off at 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Upbin’s discussion. Rabbi rUpbin and her husband, Rabbi David Weizman, are the religious leaders of sCongregation Beth Shalom in Clearawater. Rabbi Upbin is also a profesdsionally trained singer who revels in sharing Jewish prayer joyously and soulfully. e g a

Rabbi Danielle Upbin

Joan Braude

Following the morning program, Joan Braude will be honored as the Torah Fund “Light of Torah” during the celebration luncheon. This award is given to Sisterhood and Women’s League for Conservative Judaism members whose actions reﬂect genuine engagement in Torah (study), Avodah (service) and Gemillut Hasadim (acts of loving kindness). Joan has been engaged with preschoolers through senior citizens as a teacher, organizer, leader and active participant in Jewish religious and community activities all her life. Joan credits her love of Judaism to her steadfast family whose strength derives from their Mishpacha Etz Chaim (family tree of life), as they are engaged with Jewish communities in the U.S. and Israel. TBS is located at 1050 S. Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota. Michael’s On East will cater the luncheon. Couvert is $36 per person. Pre-registration must be received by December 24. For more information, call Julie Friedman at 941.484.2790 or Evie Mitchell at 941.554.8529.

his or her faith to get the helping hand they need. Their dedication is inspired by their belief in giving back to their community and personal experience in caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. “This program is close to our

Rose Chapman and Eric Kaplan on behalf of The Louis & Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust (photo courtesy Jamie M. Smith)

hearts,” said Rose Chapman, President & CEO of JFCS. “We are very grateful to Gloria and the Flanzer Philanthropic Trust for allowing us to continue serving our clients who have become ‘just like family.’” Client feedback obtained through program surveying supports the program’s success both in outcomes and personal reﬂection. One client reports, “Belonging to the Caregivers Support Group opened many doors for both of us. I learned so much about dementia and made such wonderful friends among the terrific staff of volunteers, social workers and my ‘family’ of caregivers.” The program and services will be provided at the Gloria and Louis Flanzer Campus. For more information, contact Pamela Baron, Director of Senior Services, at 941.366.2224 x112 or pbaron@jfcs-cares.org.

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14A

December 2014

JEWISH INTEREST

“The Chosen: Selected Works from Florida Jewish Art Collectors”

Exhibition features famous artists alongside the collectors who chose them he Jewish Museum of FloridaFIU (JMOF-FIU) has enlisted the curatorial prowess of pioneer gallerist Bernice Steinbaum for a fantastic selection of Florida Jewish art collectors to be featured in the upcoming exhibition, “The Chosen: Selected Works from Florida Jewish Art Collectors.” This groundbreaking exhibition will showcase a prominent work chosen from a cadre of preeminent Jewish art collectors. Twenty collectors with strong ties to South Florida are generously loaning pieces for this unprecedented exhibit, representing varied passions from their prized collections. Many are pioneers of the local art

scene, instrumental in bringing Art Basel to Miami and foremost collectors of contemporary art, with such recognizable names as: Palley, Margulies, Robins, Rubell and Wolfson, to list a few. JMOF-FIU’s mission is to collect, preserve and interpret the Jewish experience in Florida. The exhibits the museum features are usually on topics of Jewish history, traditions, art and culture. This is the first time JMOF-FIU will be displaying world-renowned art from such internationally acclaimed artists including George Segal, Louise Nevelson, Alexander Calder, Nick Cave, Julian Opie and Hung Liu. Guest Curator Bernice Steinbaum uses her creative and innovative talents in selecting the works for this show, noting, “We have never looked at what our community collects. We suspected there was not a connective tissue, other than our own Jewish DNA, but we found connectivity in the diversity of the works.” She goes on to say, “The Jewish people historically have been considered ‘other’ in each of the countries from which they have ﬂed, and they understand, in a visceral way, about inclusiveness.” The artists selected by Steinbaum are Hung Liu, Yang, 2008, Jacquard Tapestry, From the Collection global: from Argentina, Brazil, of the Brody/Brinberg Family ©Hung Liu

plore u APJA THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL JEWISH ARTISTS

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Mark your calendars: December 14 January 11 February 8 March 8 April 12

Location: The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, 580 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota

Choreographer Elizabeth Weil Bergmann Concert pianist Eleonora Lvov Actress Andrea Dovner Author Joy Weston Fine arts painter Joan Davidson

Admission: Each event is $5 for APJA members, $10 for non-members (payable at the door). Refreshments will be served.

Interviews begin promptly at 4:00 pm.

To join, add your talents to the program, or learn more about APJA please contact APJA President, Rabbi Goldie Milgram, rebgoldie@gmail.com The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee is proud to sponsor The Association of Professional Jewish Artists

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gogues for Miami Beach’s first Jewish China, Cuba, Germany, Haiti, India, Japan, Russia, South Africa and the congregation. The museum’s permaU.S. nent exhibition is “MOSAIC: Jewish Just as the Jewish people traditionLife in Florida, 1763 to Present.” Its temporary history and art exhibitions ally focus on the importance of rememchange periodically. bering the past to pass down for future For more information, please call generations, art is also a vehicle for linking the past and looking towards 305.672.5044 or visit www.jewish the future. Each collection tells its own museum.com. story about the collectors: why and how they started collecting, how they chose the pieces they have acquired, how their collections enhance their lives, as well as their depth, commitment, passion, vision and philosophy. This exhibition will also give some insights into these collectors’ own stories, to add a bit of history as a backdrop for the center stage of these dynamic contemporary pieces. The Museum will feature a selection of programs related to themes of the exhibition, including a “Tuesdays Edouard Duval-Carrié, La Migration des Bêtes, Hommage With…” series of conversaà Edward Hicks (Migration of the Beasts, Homage to Edward Hicks), 1999, Mixed Media on Canvas, tions with movers and shakLanster Family Collection ©Edouard Duval-Carrié ers of the local art scene and a special “Basel, Lox and Cream Cheese Brunch” during Art Basel. Exhibition sponsors include Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables, Biscayne Bank, Kenneth & Barbara Bloom and Elliot Stone & Bonnie Sockel-Stone. About JMOF-FIU: The Jewish Museum of FloridaFIU is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of 250 years of Florida Jewish heritage, arts and culture. The museum is housed in two adjacent, lovingly restored Carol Prusa, Torus, 2012, Silverpoint, ground graphite, historic buildings, at 301 titanium white, mars black pigment with acrylic binder on Washington Avenue on South acrylic hemisphere with interior light, Collection of Beach, that were once synaMarsha Elser-Smith and Larry Smith ©Carol Prusa

December 2014

JEWISH INTEREST

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71. Alexander I, II, and III 72. “Nothing but ___” (Reform movement anti-malaria program) Down 1. Part of the King’s mantra in “The King And I” 2. He wrote the lyrics for “Under the Sea” and “Be Our Guest” 3. Sephardic cookbook “The Well-___ Life” 4. City nearly destroyed in the Lebanon War 5. Voice actress Whitman (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”) 6. Eilat-Baghdad dir. 7. Like Samson’s hair 8. The amount Gabe Kaplan spends when he joins a poker game 9. Fanconi ___ (Jewish genetic disease) 10. “Shabbat is ___” (Paul Zim album) 11. (:-}# is supposed to be one of a bearded man with peyos 12. Brooks of “Silent Movie” 13. Abbr. for the last word in a conservative magazine edited by William Kristol 18. Yod preceder 19. Like a kosher hot dog 24. Levine of Maroon 5 25. He was president until he was 90 28. Indian version of the dish Esau served Jacob 29. Jeremy Ben-___, author of “A New Voice for Israel” 31. State where Moses Alexander was once mayor of Boise 33. In Israel, commonly heard sound in July 2014 35. Asimov genre (abbr.) 37. Temple ___ (synagogue name in St. Louis, Atlanta and Beverly Hills) 38. She said, “If I believe in something, I sell it, and I sell it hard” 40. Hebron’s Tomb of the Patriarchs, e.g. 41. Sweeney ___ (Sondheim character) 42. Freud remarks during psychoanalysis 43. Al Capp’s ___ Abner 46. Kavannah, an essential element of Jewish prayer 49. Six-Day War goal, vis-a-vis Jerusalem 50. ___ Y’mei Teshuvah (Ten Days of Repentance) 51. Uses paint in anti-Semitic graffiti, often 54. The Old City has about 225 56. “I am ___” (2001 Sean Penn film) 59. ___ Yisrael (the whole Jewish people) 60. “___ neranenah” (Israeli folk song lyric) 62. Read Torah 63. Emulate Elijah at the seder 64. It might check the temperature of a mikvah 65. ___ neshama (yahrtzeit candle) 66. Advice-givers Laura and Ruth

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Across 1. Mayim Bialik joined “The Big Bang Theory”’s in 2010 5. Paskesz ___ Toast 10. Performs a sweatshop task 14. Awards hosted by CanadianJewish rapper Drake in 2014 15. Lynn Ahrens’s “___ is a Person, Place, or Thing” 16. 1988 Conservative Jewish manifesto “___ v’Emunah” 17. Bar mitzvah boy 20. Joel Grey’s “Cabaret” role 21. Alternative to a glass of Manischewitz 22. Canadian politician Bob 23. Dance Sammy Davis, Jr. was known for 26. Gornisht 27. ___ Crown Jewish Academy (Chicago day school) 30. 2014 “Bachelorette” Dorfman 32. ___ Moines (Location of Lubavitch of Iowa) 34. Scandal fictionalized in David O. Russell’s “American Hustle” 36. Bob Hilliard song whose title is a term of affection 39. Bacteria that may be a particular risk with kosher chicken 40. He partnered with Rodgers on “South Pacific” 42. Shalom from Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Haw.) 44. Embark (for) the Holy Land 45. Opposite of haredi 47. “Simpsons” neighbor Flanders voiced by Harry Shearer 48. “Mad About You” character Buchman and others 52. Andy Newmark band ___and the Family Stone 53. God number in Ladino 55. Milliband and Asner 57. Uri Geller claims to have it 58. Bit of comedy on “Saturday Night Live” 61. Scholar Robert (“The Art of Biblical Narrative”) 63. Husband-and-wife comedy duo who were regulars on “The Ed Sullivan Show” 67. Greek equivalent of the Hebrew letter yod 68. “___ Again” (motto of the Jewish Defense League) 69. “___, Mikey, Jakey, Sam. We’re the boys who eat no ham” 70. 1936 Palestine Commission

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16A

December 2014

JEWISH INTEREST

Retirement home mystery ﬂoats laughter in the broth K By Philip K. Jason, Special to The Jewish News M Mrs. Kaplan and the Matzoh Ball of Death, by Mark Reutlinger. Alibi/Random House. Kindle e-book $2.99 and other e-book providers.

andom House has recently developed several new e-book imprints, each focusing on a popular genre. Alibi is the mystery and suspense imprint. It is not likely that these titles will be available in traditional print editions. Mark Reutlinger’s new book is one of the first in the Alibi category. Set in a retirement community for Jewish senior citizens, it introduces novice sleuth Rose Kaplan (the SherPhil Jason lock) and her second banana, Ida Berkowitz (the Watson who tells the story). Both women are in their mid-seventies. For years, Rose Kaplan’s extraordinary matzoh ball soup has been the Seder staple at the Julius and Rebecca Cohen Home for Jewish Seniors.

Though the selected soup is the result of a competition among participating residents, Rose is almost always the winner. This year, however, something puts a damper on this gastronomical event: Bertha Finkelstein, a quiet woman who chose to eat by herself, dies while eating her soup. Was it a bad matzoh ball or tainted chicken broth? No. She choked on a diamond earring that had somehow found its way into her soup. Or so it seems. The solo diamond earring, it is soon believed, had most likely been stolen from another resident at the home, the elegantly dressed, well done-up and somewhat forgetful Daisy Goldfarb. Since Rose had as much access to the earring as anyone else, and since she had control over the kitchen while making her soup, she is considered a person of particular interest by the first investigators: on-call physician Dr. Arnold Menschyk and surly Mr. Pupik, the general manager of the home. They grill Rose, clearly thinking she must have had something to do with both the theft and the murder. How she responds to their innuendos

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delightfully reveals her strong personality and her cleverness. The two policemen who come to investigate also seem to suspect Rose, but she has already begun playing Sherlock Holmes – rationally exploring the possibilities of how the earring could have gotten into her soup and using Ida as her sounding board. The suspense builds and the mystery unwinds with the twists and turns that mystery fans expect. Rose has a good mind for eliminating possible perpetrators and weighing various speculations against one another, deciding what needs to be explored further and what doesn’t. Her mind is a fabulous thing, and she doesn’t waste it. Some of her methods, like having a professional burglar check out a resident’s apartment for her in a search for the missing earring, may seem questionable. However, she is not getting any information or help from the police. Just as entertaining as the mystery plot is the portrait of the community. The Home for Jewish Seniors has a particular social milieu, and auMark Reutlinger thor Reutlinger captures it well. The slightly patronizing yet humorous stereotypes, the Jewish/ Yiddish slang terms, the short-cut explanations of Passover and other aspects of Jewish culture, and even the patterns of speech are handled with affectionate accuracy. Mr. Reutlinger populates the residence home and a few outside locations with a wide range of minor figures, each sharply individualized and efficiently exploited. There is the policeman whose father is a resident of the home, the young Conservative rabbi who abbreviates the service and speeds to the gastronomical centerpiece, various members of the staff (especially servers like Frank who handled the soup), and many of the other ladies and a few of the gentlemen who live there. There is even the owner of a nearby

pawn shop who tells the dynamic duo that most B pieces of diamond jewelry are quickly stripped of the diamonds – so there is little chance of finding something like a quality diamond earring for sale in such a place. (In fact, why would anyone buy one earring?) Mrs. Kaplan and the Matzoh Ball of Death is not only a suspenseful mystery tale, but also a special kind of middle class comedy of manners. It is thoroughly engaging in bringing its challenging setting to life. Philip K. Jason is Professor Emeritus of English from the United States Naval Academy. He reviews regularly for Florida Weekly, Jewish Book World, Southern Literary Review, and other publications. Please visit Phil’s website at www.philjason.wordpress.com. Q & A with Mark Reutlinger PKJ: Did you have a particular Jewish community in mind as the place in which to locate this home for Jewish seniors? MR: Yes and no. I did not have one specific place in mind, and I deliberately did not set the story in any particular city. I wanted to have the freedom to create the setting as I went along. (This is in contrast, for example, to my book Made in China, which I set in my home area of the greater Seattle region, and in which I therefore had to be careful to describe all of the setting’s features accurately.) On the other hand, I did have in mind several facilities and communities with which I have been familiar over the years, and the Julius and Rebecca Cohen Home for Jewish Seniors and its surroundings reﬂect those actual places, including San Francisco (where I grew up and where my dad spent his last years in an excellent Jewish retirement home); Tacoma, Washington, where I live now and where both of my parents spent several years in a wonderful (but non-Jewish) retirement home; both Oakland,

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Celebration Concert THE 1 1TH ANNUAL

Saturday, January 3 • 5 PM • Sarasota Opera House THE PMP STRING ORCHESTRA — Itzhak Perlman, Conductor THE PMP CHORUS — Patrick Romano, Chorus Master

Tickets: $40, $60, $80 • Purchase at PMPSuncoast.org or by calling 941-366-8450

JOIN US FOR ALL OF THE HEAR & NOW CONCERTS! December 4, 2014 • 7 PM — Rachel Lee Priday, violin & David Kaplan, piano April 19, 2015 • 3 PM — Ariel Quartet

Hear & Now Concert Series sponsored by

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PMP Sarasota Winter Residency December 22, 2014 - January 2, 2015

Approximately 20 Public Rehearsals • Master Classes • Student Recitals Complete schedule and $5 E-tickets for advance seating online or call 941-955-4942 Sponsored by

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PO Box 3407, Sarasota, Florida 34230

The Daniel M. Paradies Foundation at Gulf Coast Community Foundation

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December 2014

JEWISH INTEREST

K’zohar Ha-Ivrit Mil-cha-mah – War

Service & Integrity Beyond Expectation

By Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin

he horrific experiences of wars left their mark on Jewish history and culture from biblical time and onward. The lovely holiday of Hanukkah, which we celebrate this month, commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over Greek oppression and the reestablishment of Jewish sovereignty in the land of Israel (167-37 B.C.E). However, this historic period was marked Dr. Rachel Dulin by a long series of wars and battles for survival and, in a way, is analogous to our modern reality. Sadly, Mil-cha-mah, ‘war,’ is forever attached to our existence. Mil-cha-mah is mentioned in the Bible 317 times. It is derived from the verb la-cham, meaning ‘fight’ or ‘do battle,’ and is related to the Moabite verb hil-ta-ham, which may have originally meant ‘to order the battle.’ With the years, the word mil-cha-mah received additional meanings in Hebrew, reﬂecting cultural struggles, political controversies, economic struggles for survival and heated intellectual discourses. A question is frequently raised regarding the similarity in sound between the words mil-cha-mah and le-chem, the Hebrew word for ‘bread.’ There were those who, even as early as biblical times, tried to make an etymological connection between the two words (Judg 5:4). However, this is a popular suggestion only. Le-chem, which also means ‘meat’ or ‘food,’ is derived from the Ugaritic verb lhm, meaning ‘to eat,’ and is related to the Akkadian lemu,

meaning ‘taste’ or ‘enjoy.’ It has no connection to the battlefield. Mil-cha-mah is at the center of many terms describing wars, which entered the language in post biblical time. Terms like mil-cha-mah karah, ‘cold war,’ mil-cha-mah gar-i-nit, ‘nuclear war,’ mil-che-met ha-kiyum, ‘war of existence,’ and mil-cha-met ha-shichrur, ‘war of Independence,’ are but a few examples. In a social and cultural spectrum, mil-cha-mah was used to express political disputes and cultural disagreements. Mil-che-met ha-sa-fot, ‘the wars of languages,’ was the name given to the early struggle to establish Hebrew as the official language of the universities in Israel (1913-1914). Mil-che-met d’varim, ‘a war of words,’ means ‘polemics’ or ‘controversies,’ reﬂecting intense varying opinions. And Mil-chemet b’-chi-rot, ‘war of choices,’ points to political campaigns and elections. We will end with the biblical term milche-met Gog u Magog, the ‘war of Gog and Magog,’ the war of wars, which according to the prophet Ezekiel, is the war presaging the advent of the Messiah (Ez 38-39). May the Hanukkah lights illuminate the universal hope to bring an end to all mil-cha-mot. May the words of the prophet Isaiah: “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, velo yilme-du od mil-cha-mah, and they shall study war no more” (Isa 2:4), come to fruition. I wish all of our readers Chag urim Sa-me-ach, a joyful holiday of lights. Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin is a professor of biblical literature at Spertus College in Chicago and an adjunct professor of Hebrew and Bible at New College in Sarasota.

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California, and Bellevue, Washington, where my mother had somewhat unfortunate experiences as we tried to find the right kind of facility for her; and Vancouver, B.C., Canada, where we have lived and where my wife’s parents spent several years in another excellent Jewish retirement home. eThere is also a Florida connection, in that a good friend’s mother lived in Boca Raton and we heard lots of stories from there. PKJ: Have you planned a continuing series for Rose and Ida? MR: Yes. In fact, I am presently in the process of writing the second book, which will focus on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, as the current book focused on Passover. PKJ: How did you come up with this idea? MR: As I recall, it began at a Seder with family and friends, where someone made a joke about a “little old lady” expiring in her matzoh ball soup. (Sorry, I don’t remember the punch line.) For some reason this image stuck with me, and, as a reader of cozy mysteries and a novelist, I thought it would make a wonderful premise for a mystery story. Much of my fiction writing has been on the light, humorous side (Made in China, a political thriller, notwithstanding), so I just plunged into it and found it almost wrote itself. PKJ: How did you develop it? MR: I tend to let my stories develop as they go, in that I don’t have a detailed plot or character outline before I begin, just a general idea of where I’m headed. The story has a life of its own and can take some surprising turns. Although sometimes I create wholly fictional characters, in Mrs. Kaplan the characters are amalgams of people I have known well (like my grandmother) and not so well (like many of the residents of retirement homes I have met). I did want to make certain points

in the course of the story, such as educating non-Jewish readers a bit about Passover (and Yiddish) and pointing out that life in a retirement home can be dynamic and fulfilling, rather than the grim picture that many people have (although there is, of course, that other side as well). I also wanted to illustrate the difficult, sometimes tragic background that underlies the personalities of many older Jewish people, but without, I hope, detracting from the lightness of the story. PKJ: What was most/least enjoyable in bringing this title to completion? MR: I love to write, and I especially love to write creatively, so the writing itself was the most enjoyable part of the process. (As a former law professor, most of my writing was of legal treatises and law review articles, which offer little scope for creativity.) I would sit down at the computer and let my imagination ﬂow into the story, visualizing what Mrs. Kaplan or Ida (or the minor characters) would say, or how they would react, in a given situation. I also enjoyed learning more about Yiddish as I researched the language to be sure I correctly used the terms that I had heard (or used myself) so often over the years. (I don’t speak Yiddish, but I understand and often use the more common words and phrases.) On the other hand, once I had written the first draft, the “work” part of the process began: I probably wrote ten or more drafts, rewrote several passages more than once, and even changed the title several times (it began as Mrs. Kaplan in the Soup). I tend to be a perfectionist, and that can really slow things down. By the time I submitted the final draft to Random House, I was not anxious to read the story yet again (although of course I had to during the copy-editing process).

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December 2014

JEWISH INTEREST

Rudolf Kasztner and the Satmar Rebbe

By Paul R. Bartrop, PhD

eventy years ago this month, on December 7, 1944, a train carrying Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum (1887-1979), founder of the Satmar  Hasidic dynasty, departed BergenBelsen concentration camp on what be came known as the  Kasztner Train. The train, carrying some  1,370 Jews, traveled to Switzerland – and   safety. It was unique  among such transports, a “life train,” Dr. Paul Bartrop  as distinct from the  death trains that had been conveying Jews to their fate in the extermination  camps up to that point. Teitelbaum, who grew up in Sighet,  Romania, was the son of the town’s  rabbi. As a young man he moved to the town of Satmar, and in 1934 became its  chief rabbi. In 1940, Satmar again be  came part of Hungary. When war came to Satmar in 1944, he attempted to ﬂee  Hungary for Romania, but was caught by Hungarian police and sent to the Koloszvar (Romanian, Cluj) ghetto. The story of the Kasztner Train, by which Rebbe Teitelbaum was rescued in December 1944, is a controversial episode in the history of Jewish rescue during the Holocaust. Rudolf (Rezső) Kasztner (19061957) was a Hungarian Jew and leader of the Budapest Jewish community. As a leader of the Vaada Etzel Vehatzalah (Jewish Relief and Rescue Committee), he helped Jews try to escape from the Nazis and smuggle them into neutral countries. In this capacity – and given that the committee was never formally part of the Nazi-imposed Jewish Council – Kasztner found himself increasingly the person looked to as the one who would try to orchestrate the saving of Jews. This would take place in direct dealings with the notorious Adolf Eichmann. Such negotiations led to an agreement whereby the Nazis would permit a single trainload of Jews to leave Budapest and go to a neutral country. Kasztner and his committee arranged for a diverse group of Jews to be assembled for rescue. People of all ages and of all social classes were included: Zionists and non-Zionists, Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox, 972 females and 712 males. Baron Fülöp von Freudiger, director of the Orthodox congregation in Budapest, selected eighty rabbis and ™ other prominent figures and paid for their inclusion in the passenger list, among them Teitelbaum. At LernerCohen Healthcare, our patients are our primary concern. It was, however, because of the That’s why we limit the number of patients we treat, never keep you 150 seats that were auctioned off to waiting, and always answer the phone when you call, every day well-off Jews that caused Kasztner’s and any time. name to be forever vilified – and was to cost him his life several years later. • Board Certified in Internal Medicine Kasztner was criticized not only for • Exceptional, Experienced Primary Care Physicians charging wealthy Jews, but for also • Personal Attention rescuing some of his family members • Unlimited Visits at the expense of others. • 24/7 Access with No Waiting His success in arranging for the Our complete concierge healthcare practice provides access to transfer of these Jews to Switzerland your physician’s cell phone, and guarantees we always know your between August 18 and December 6, name, value your time and care about your long-term well-being. 1944, would later come to be viewed as both self-serving and harsh evidence Now accepting a limited number of new patients. Call today of collaboration with the Nazis. Later,

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in his trial in Israel, Eichmann said that Kasztner had “agreed to help keep the Jews from resisting deportation – and even keep order in the collection camps – if I would close my eyes and let a few hundred or a few thousand young Jews emigrate to Palestine. It was a good bargain.” This to one side, on June 10, 1944, Rebbe Teitelbaum, with a small group of family and entourage, arrived in Budapest aboard a special train which carried those from the Kolozsvár (Cluj) ghetto who were included in the list. The Kasztner Train left Budapest on June 30, 1944, but instead of heading directly to Switzerland it was diverted to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on July 9. Then followed months of delay, during which Kasztner worked to negotiate the Jews’ release. They were segregated from the other inmates and given a subsistence diet. Prior to their release in two batches – some in August and others in December – a number died. Teitelbaum’s group finally left Bergen Belsen on December 4. On the night of December 7-8, 1944, the train arrived in neutral Switzerland. The Rebbe received a visa, and an apartment was organized for him and his wife in Geneva. Overall, some 1,670 Jews survived as a result of Kasztner’s negotiations with Adolf Eichmann, which is about four hundred more than Oskar Schindler saved through his famous list. The difference between Kasztner and Schindler, however, is that some viewed Kasztner, a Jew, as having sold out vast numbers of other Jews in order to save his own life and that of his family and favorites, whereas Schindler, a Gentile, has been recognized for his unconditional goodwill towards Jews. As for the Satmar Rebbe, a legend had it that one of Kasztner’s relatives had a dream that the Rebbe had to be included on the train to freedom – either this, or none of its passengers would survive. He therefore went – and, on theological grounds, became one of the bitterest opponents of Zionism and the establishment of a Jewish state. When he died in 1979 at age 92, followers of Satmar Hasidism were already celebrating Kislev 21, 5705 (December 7, 1944) as the date of their Rebbe’s “miracle” rescue. Kasztner, for his part, was murdered in Tel Aviv on March 4, 1957, by a group of veterans from the pre-state right-wing militia Lehi (known also as the Stern Gang), who accused him of selling out the Jewish people for his own convenience. They were given life sentences, but seven years later were released. To this day, despite the rescue of over 1,600 Jews and the many thousands of descendants they produced, Rudolf Kasztner remains a divisive figure among survivors. Whether we like it or not, the Shoah remains with us still. Dr. Paul Bartrop is Professor of History and the Director of the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. He can be reached at pbartrop@fgcu.edu.

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December 2014

JEWISH INTEREST

Stars of David

By Nate Bloom, Contributing Columnist Editor’s note: Persons in BOLD CAPS are deemed by Nate Bloom to be Jewish for the purpose of the column. Persons identified as Jewish have at least one Jewish parent and were not raised in a faith other than Judaism – and don’t identify with a faith other than Judaism as an adult. Converts to Judaism, of course, are also identified as Jewish. World Series Sidelight – Two K.C. Mensches By the time you read this, the World Series will be long over. But here are a couple of Jewish footnotes I thought were interesting. Actor PAUL RUDD, 44, was in the stands during the World Series games in Kansas City and the TV cameras showed him a few times. He was decked out in all the Royals’ stuff a fan might wear. Rudd’s rooting interest is understandable – the talented actor, whom everyone likes, moved to Overland Park, Kansas (not far from Kansas City, Missouri), with his U.K.born Jewish parents when he was 10. He had his bar mitzvah in Kansas and graduated from a Kansas high school. The Royals fielded a lot of very good teams (including the 1985 World Series winner) when Rudd was a young teen and he has remained a lifelong fan. Rudd watched the second game of the Series with golf legend Tom Watson, 65. Watson, a Kansas City native, was married to a Jewish woman, LINDA RUBIN, from 1972-1997. She’s the mother of his two older children and they were raised in their mother’s faith. Watson resigned from the Kansas City Country Club, in 1990, when the membership committee refused to admit (the Jewish) HENRY BLOCH, now 92. Bloch is the co-founder of H&R Block as well as being a philanthropic pillar of the Kansas City area. Watson first tried to quietly get the committee to reverse its decision. He failed at that and issued this statement when he resigned: “This is something I personally can’t live with. I wish people would

get together and say that a person with different religious beliefs is okay. It’s time for people to take their heads out of the sand.” The ensuing public uproar got the club to reverse its decision and offer Bloch membership, which he accepted. Short Takes Variety reports that SETH ROGEN, 32, has been picked to play Apple cofounder Steven Wozniak in a bio-pic based on the 2011 WALTER ISAACSON biography, entitled Steve Jobs – which, of course, was about Apple’s other founder. Wozniak, by the way, is not Jewish “at all.” There have been three major film depictions of Wozniak (including the upcoming film). Wozniak has been played in each by a Jewish actor. Go figure. JOSHUA BELL, 46, is often called the world’s greatest violinist. Last month, he spoke to the Sun-Sentinel newspaper in connection with a Florida concert. About doing a free workshop for school kids before the concert, Bell said: “You have to credit my Jewish upbringing about the importance of doing mitzvot, that reﬂects how grateful I am to be a musician. My piano teacher, Russian Jewish violinist JOSEPH GINGOLD, gave me advice and taught me the beauty of music as I grew to idolize the great violinists such as MISCHA ELMAN, who was a contemporary of Gingold.” Bell has played with the Israeli Philharmonic. About Israel and his violin, he said: “I am forever recognized by Israel as the violinist who plays with BRONISLAW HUBERMAN’s

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Interested in Your Family’s History? Ten years of doing a Jewish celebrities column has turned Nate Bloom (see column at left) into something of an expert on finding basic family history records and articles mentioning a “searched-for” person. During these 10 years, he has put together a small team of “mavens” who aid his research. Most professional family history experts charge at least $1,000 for a full family tree. However, many people just want to get “started” by tracing one particular family branch.

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father who was Itzhak, and so it has a little heritage.” He didn’t explain that it’s a Jewish naming custom to give a newborn a name whose first letter or sound is similar to the name of the honored relative. Robert Downey, Jr., who wed producer SUSAN LEVIN DOWNEY, 40, in a Jewish ceremony in 2005, welcomed a daughter on November 4. She’s named AVRI ROEL DOWNEY. In 2012, they had a son, whom they named EXTON ELIAS DOWNEY. (I suspect that Avri, too, is named after a Jewish relative. It is a common Hebrew nickname for Abraham.) Meanwhile, ISLA FISHER, 38, and hubbie SACHA BARON COHEN, 43, are reportedly expecting their third child. The couple has two daughters: OLIVE, 7, and ELULA, 4.

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December 2014

JEWISH INTEREST

Fourth census of Jewish day schools shows clear enrollment trends

ew York, October 30 – The fourth census of Jewish day schools in the United States conducted by Dr. Marvin Schick was released today by The AVI CHAI Foundation, which sponsored the research. Conducted at five-year intervals, beginning with the 1998-99 school year, this research provides a clear picture of trends in the day school system over an extended period of time. The statistics were self-reported by every known Jewish day school in the U.S. “The participation rate of 100% for known schools is a remarkable accomplishment,” says Yossi Prager, North American Executive Director of The AVI CHAI Foundation. “Anyone interested in the Jewish day school field benefits from this achievement. We are indebted to Dr. Schick for his dedication to this project.” This census demonstrates an overall increase in day school enrollment.

There were nearly 255,000 students enrolled from the four-year-old level through 12th grade in Jewish elementary and secondary schools in the 201314 school year. This represents an increase of 12% since the previous census in 2008-9 and 37% since 1998-99. Enrollment has grown by 70,000 students in this span of 15 years. Most of that growth is in Chassidic and Yeshiva World schools, which have grown by nearly 110% and 60% respectively. Students are enrolled in 861 day schools, significantly more than the 802 schools reported in the previous census and the 676 accounted for in 1998-99. This increase is predominantly found in the Chassidic and Yeshiva World sectors as well. In the non-Orthodox sector, Community school enrollment has increased, whereas enrollment has declined in non-Orthodox schools overall. NonOrthodox enrollment now constitutes

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13% of all day school enrollment, a decrease from 20% as reported in 199899. This data, explains Dr. Schick, “presents the community with an enormous challenge: will day school continue to be a principal instrument for Judaic strengthening among those segments of American Jewish life for whom day school education is a critical determinant of young people’s future Judaic commitment?” Amongst the Orthodox schools, where enrollment in Chassidic and Yeshiva World schools has grown dramatically, another communal challenge arises. As Dr. Schick explains, this challenge is “whether there will be sufficient resources to provide adequately for the growth in these two sectors.” Small school size is a consistent feature of the Jewish day school world. In each of the four censuses, approximately 40% of day schools have fewer than 100 students. “The existence of so many small schools raises,” explains Dr. Schick, “educational, financial and communal concerns. Many of these schools will not survive, while others will continue to struggle with their small enrollments. This has been a phenomenon we continue to see over the last 15 years.” There are Jewish day schools in 37 states and the District of Columbia. In ten of these states, enrollment is below

S h 100, and in 16 states, there has been a

decline in the number of students overB the course of the four censuses. New York and New Jersey are, to a great extent, the center of the day school world, with enrollment growing by 47,000 or 45% in New York and by nearly 21,000 or 116% in New Jersey between 1998 and 2013. This reinforces the financial challenges for the New York and New Jersey communities as they must consider ways in which to address growing capital and operating needs. “As AVI CHAI plans to sunset in 2020, this fourth census is the last one that will directly inform our grant making,” explains Mem Bernstein, Chairman of The AVI CHAI Foundation. “These censuses have provided our Trustees and staff with data-rich perspectives on our work. Where it foretold challenges facing the community, it offered us, and others dedicated to the day school field, rich opportunities to make a difference through our grant making. We hope that this census and the next, which will be the last AVI CHAI-sponsored census, will provide useful information as the day school field continues to evolve and grow.” The 44-page census report may be downloaded at http://avichai. org/knowledge_base/a-census-ofjewish-day-schools-in-the-unitedstates-2013-14-2014/.

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ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

21A

Extraordinary solar eTree transforms public seating Shade yourself under the solar-panel canopy, recharge your devices, surf the Net, have a cool drink – courtesy of the sun and Israeli ingenuity. By Abigail Klein Leichman, ISRAEL21c, www.israel21c.org ots of cities have free Wi-Fi, but only one – so far – has an eTree. This revolutionary ecological installation from Israel’s Sologic provides free wireless Internet, charging stations for electronic devices, nighttime lighting, and water coolers for humans and dogs – all powered by a “canopy” of solar panels. Just before the ceremonious unveiling of the very first eTree prototype, in the Ramat Hanadiv public gardens in Zichron Ya’acov, Michael Lasry of Sologic told ISRAEL21c that two more eTrees are soon to be installed, one in Nice and the other in Shanghai. “Our aim is that in the future there will be eTrees all over Israel and worldwide,” he says. “eTree is a social enterprise that aims to promote environmental awareness and sustainability, to create a link between the community and the environment.” Lasry even envisions global “eTree communities,” facilitated by the unit’s built-in camera and monitor allowing for give-and-take between folks sitting under the radiation-free shade of eTrees anywhere in the world. “Every tree has a monitor connected through the Wi-Fi, providing information on the energy generated by the system and geographical information about the specific site. So people sitting there in Nice can see and exchange information with people sitting at an eTree in Israel or China or anywhere else.” Supplying everything you need along the way Formerly a high-tech executive, Lasry founded Sologic six years ago with colleague Dov Kotler, out of his interest in boosting the availability of solar energy. In addition to selling customized systems for residential and commercial buildings, he dreamed of harnessing the sun’s power for a larger social purpose. “If you install panels on a house,

only a small population is enjoying it. I wanted to bring this ecologically important way of thinking to the greater community.” Lasry teamed up with artist Yoav Ben-Dov, and over the next 18 months they designed three different models of eTrees, each one constructed in Israel of metal tubes and sturdy tempered glass bases to hold the panels.

The eTree is a radiation-free, solar panel, self-contained power station/seating area

The simplest version has two leaves of solar panels, each producing 1,400 watts per hour – plenty of electricity for the integrated water cooler. A midrange model has both a water cooler and a docking station, and the deluxe eTree with seven panels offers all the bells and whistles. “We’ve just now started active sales,” says Lasry. “Our idea is to bring this concept everywhere.” Locally, he’d like to see eTrees installed at points along the Israel National Trail, “because it supplies everything you need along the way.” Like Abraham’s tent Municipalities could purchase eTrees, and so could philanthropic organizations and corporations looking for a “green” project that provides free services and environmental awareness to the community. Lasry says that eTrees are built to withstand harsh weather conditions and are therefore appropriate for just about any urban or suburban neighborhood, corporate or college campus, park, museum, community center and other public space. “It’s like Abraham’s tent, sitting at a junction where you can enter from

any side,” says Lasry, referring to the biblical forefather’s legendary tent of welcome. “It doesn’t ask you any questions. You just sit down and recharge your mobile and your soul, relax and have a cool drink.” The units need minimal ongoing care. “The only thing required for maintenance is cleaning the panels every four or five months, and the battery must be filled each year with water, though the next generation of batteries will be maintenance-free,” says Lasry. A locked concrete box protects the inner workings from weather and vandalism. “You can open it only with a key,” he says. “The whole eTree is

very safe. We worked with six different engineers, including a safety engineer and a materials engineer, and the unit works on low DC voltage.” Sologic is based in Binyamina and has 10 employees. For more information on the eTree, please visit www. solargiving.com. To view a one-minute video on the eTree, visit www.youtube. com/watch?v=gCAdxeH0ITg. Abigail Klein Leichman is a writer and associate editor at ISRAEL21c. Prior to moving to Israel in 2007, she was a specialty writer and copy editor at a daily newspaper in New Jersey and has freelanced for a variety of newspapers and periodicals since 1984.

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22A

December 2014

COMMENTARY

Dear UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon By David Harris, Executive Director, AJC, October 14, 2014

ou have one of the toughest jobs in the world. It can’t be easy to balance all the competing interests and pressures that come with being the head of a complex global body with 193 member states. You are constantly walking on a tightrope. Moreover, too often observers fail to distinguish between your role and the will of the member states. You can’t be held responsible for every decision taken in each UN body. That’s determined by numerical majorities. And I know you feel that your own work, often quiet and behind-thescenes, is not always fully appreciated, as you often become a lightning rod for everyone’s criticism of the UN. But when you speak, the words are yours. And given the prestige of your position, those words will inevitably be carefully read and weighed.

Thus, I was struck by one sentence in particular in your remarks at the recent Cairo Conference on Palestine. You said: “Yet we must not lose sight of the root causes of the recent hostilities [in Gaza]: a restrictive occupation that has lasted almost half a century, the continued denial of Palestinian rights and the lack of tangible progress in peace negotiations.” Respectfully, Mr. Secretary General, in that one sentence, in those 39 words, you have illustrated, I believe, a fundamental misreading of the actual situation, both past and present. Please understand. I don’t for a moment doubt your commitment to ending the Israeli-Palestinian conﬂict, achieving a two-state agreement and building a new era of peace in the region. You have articulated that vision more than once. I also want to believe that, as a South Korean, you have a special

appreciation for Israel’s regional challenges. After all, having the likes of Syria and Hamas-ruled Gaza on Israel’s borders, with their anti-democratic regimes, lack of concern for human life and lust for weapons, surely evokes thoughts of North Korea and the profound dangers it represents to democratic South Korea, the larger Northeast Asian region and beyond. Yet, by suggesting that the three root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conﬂict are all seemingly linked to Israeli behavior, you not only miscast the history of the conﬂict, but also, however inadvertently, hurt the chance for ending it. After all, why would Israel place its faith in those who fail to see any Palestinian responsibility for the “root causes” of the situation today? Is absolving the Palestinians of their own unhelpful behavior going to prompt them to engage in the self-

The UK, Swedish and Irish Parliamentary recognition of Palestine – legally, historically and politically questionable

he British House of Commons, the Irish Upper House and the Swedish prime minister would appear to contradict themselves by recognizing that negotiations are still pending, but nevertheless at the same time prejudging the outcome of the very negotiation they purport to support, by calling for recognition of the State of Palestine. Clearly no such Palestinian state or sovereign entity exists and thus cannot logically be recognized. Similarly, no international treaty, convention or binding international resolution or determination has ever been adopted or entered into, that determines that the territories in dispute are indeed Palestinian. In this context, the Palestinian leadership itself is committed, pursuant to the Oslo Accords, to negotiate the issue of the permanent status of the territory. Accordingly, the outcome of such negotiations and the ultimate status of the territory cannot be arbitrarily imposed by external parties, including the UK, Irish or Swedish parliaments, or the UN. The accepted norms and requirements of international law regarding the characteristics of statehood are set out in article 1 of the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States. The Palestinians clearly do not meet the requirements set out in this convention. (Alan Baker, Institute for Contemporary Affairs - Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs)

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examination required to help move the process forward, or is it more likely, rather, to encourage them to continue the “blame game,” suggesting repeatedly that it is Israel, and Israel alone, that must change its way? Indeed, such one-sided analysis only tends to infantilize the Palestinians, allowing them to believe they can act as they wish, without accountability and any consideration of a course correction. But in truth, the “root causes” of the recent hostilities have a great deal to do with the Palestinians, and not just with the Israelis. First, those “root causes” actually go back to 1947, when the Arab world rejected the recommendations of the UN Special Committee on Palestine and the language of UN General Assembly Resolution 181 calling for two states, one Jewish, the other Arab, in Mandatory Palestine. Second, the West Bank and Gaza were occupied by Jordan and Egypt, respectively, until 1967, yet there was no clamor for Palestinian statehood and no murmur from the international community about the repressive conditions faced by the local populations. Third, in 2000-1, and again in 2008 and, most recently, in 2013-14, Israeli leaders, supported by the United States, made valiant efforts to achieve a twostate agreement with the Palestinians, only to be rebuffed. Apropos, President Bill Clinton, in his autobiography My Life, is clear about who was principally at fault for the first round of failed talks – the Palestinian leadership. Fourth, Israel withdrew all settlers and soldiers from Gaza in 2005, giving local residents their first chance in history to govern themselves. Israel’s main fear was that the vacated territory would become a terrorist enclave, rather than an emerging Singapore. This is exactly what occurred in 2007, when Hamas ousted the Palestinian Authority in a violent coup and seized control of Gaza. And fifth, Hamas to this day remains the principal authority in Gaza. Its charter, which calls for the destruction of Israel and uses classic antiSemitic tropes, remains unchanged. Since joining with the PA in a “unity” government, it has yet to embrace the three conditions that the Quartet, including the UN, requires to become a legitimate partner for peace. And, as was graphically revealed this summer, it has chosen to divert considerable resources, intended for Gaza’s construction, into an elaborate infrastructure to harm Israel. Only when world leaders of stature begin to hold seriously the Palestinian side responsible, and not just the Israelis, for the “root causes,” we may begin to see building momentum for a durable solution. Palestinians must get the message that, like Israel, they will be judged by their actions. Otherwise, they will simply continue to act with impunity, while counting on others to do the heavy political and diplomatic lifting for them – and that, I dare say, is not a roadmap for a brighter regional future. For more information, visit www.ajc. org.

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December 2014

COMMENTARY

23A

Recognizing Palestinian state ‘a huge mistake,’ says former Spanish PM

Former Spanish PM criticized European nations that have recognized a non-existent Palestinian state, saying the move endangers the peace process and the region. Source: United with Israel staff, with ﬁles from the Los Angeles Times, October 28, 2014

ose Maria Aznar, Spain’s former prime minister, stated that recognition by European countries of a Palestinian state at this time thwarts any hopes for a real peace agreement and called it “a huge mistake.” “The Palestinian state doesn’t exist yet and the only structures in place that may resemble a functioning state are controlled by the internationally designated terrorist group Hamas. Europe had been resisting the urge to recognize an entity that doesn’t exist in real terms. Unfortunately, some Europeans are today indulging in a ‘recognition now’ policy,” Aznar wrote in an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times. “Feel-good statements, popular as they may be, will not change reality on the ground; they will, rather, encourage the [Palestinian] Authority to continue a static strategy in the negotiations – thereby promoting a continued stalemate of the talks.” Recognition – a destructive and dangerous urge Aznar stipulates that this “urge” is a destructive one. “No matter how well-intentioned these initiatives may be, recognizing Palestine as a state now is inappropri-

ate, counterproductive and unwarranted. It will not promote peace, it will not boost a negotiated solution, and it will reward the Palestinian Authority’s unilateral moves,” he stated. Aznar believes that these diplomatic moves are not only a tactical mistake, but may prove dangerous as well. “Actually, moving the political and strategic focus away from the threat of jihadism to deal with a fantasy is a grave irresponsibility,” he stated. Aznar pointed out that Israel has made difficult and painful concessions for peace, and yet the Jewish state is most under pressure by the European countries. “These initiatives unfairly put pressure only on Israel,” he explained. “The Jewish state is persistently offering painful concessions to achieve a lasting and fair agreement, only to see the [Palestinian] Authority refuse any compromise for the advancement of peace. It was [PA leader] Mahmoud Abbas who failed to accept the recent U.S. framework document already accepted by Israel.” A reward to Palestinian unwillingness “If we want to have a democratic, free, peaceful and prosperous Palestinian

state alongside Israel, recognizing now an entity that is far from democratic, free, peaceful and prosperous will only thwart any possibility that any such state will exist in the future,” Aznar warned. “Recognizing Palestine as a state in the face of Mr. Abbas’s obstructionist behavior, Hamas’s attacks on Israel and the present situation in the Middle East is detrimental for peace since it will reward Palestinian unwillingness to negotiate a true peace with Israel and will encourage unilateral moves and a break with the Oslo Accords. Thus, we call on all responsible leaders of free nations to reject unilateral moves that only reward one side.” Aznar’s call comes in the wake of the Swedish government’s announcement that it will recognize a Palestine state to promote a negotiated two-state solution and after the British Parliament voted in October to recognize the non-existent state.

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24A

December 2014

FOCUS ON YOUTH

Enhancing the family Shabbat experience Education Corner

By Sara Steinmetz

he Shabbat Project initiated two years ago in South Africa has made its way to 35 countries and 340 cities including Sarasota. By the time this article is published, some time will have elapsed from the weekend of October 24-25, when The Shabbat Project was celebrated the world over. However, I was deeply impacted by seeing how the essence and beauty of the Shabbat engulfed the participants, and how a sense of peacefulness prevailed upon all those who joined for

the women’s challah bake, the services, the Shabbat meals and the Havdalah service. Shabbat is recognized as a Yom Menucha – a day of rest and tranquility, and the Shabbat prayers allude to this notion. However, there are times I find myself defending the Shabbat experience, which many seem to feel is contrary to their definition of R&R – rest and relaxation. Many argue that watching movies and other commonplace activities are more conducive to relaxation than attending services at a synagogue. While this may be true for many, I would like to use this column to share how a family can move toward making the Shabbat an oasis of tranquility. All week long I am in a constant state of busyness, and when I shut my

Golda Meir visits Paver Religious School

n Sunday, October 26, Temple Beth Sholom was visited by a distinguished Jewish heroine. “Iron Lady” Golda Meir was portrayed by Peter Small, a historical impressionist who travels the United States. Initially invited as a guest of Temple Beth Sholom Schools’ Paver Religious School as part of a unit on Jewish female heroes, the Golda Meir program was opened up to the community. Golda Meir, as portrayed by Peter Small, looked exactly like historical photographs. For one hour Golda talked about her immigration to Milwaukee from Russia and then to the land that was known as Palestine. She played a key role in the establishment of Israel and was one of the first female Prime Ministers of the 20th century. Many of the students, not familiar with Meir’s legacy, were impressed with the presenter’s knowledge and delivery. Jacob Gehkt observed that Golda was sharing important history and being funny at the same time. Devin Rubenstein enjoyed Golda’s spontaneity and was surprised to see that she smoked. Olivia Knego now understood why Golda was so important as Prime

Minister of Israel. Paver Religious School faculty member Debra Guira remarked, “Today we were guests of a fabulous presentation by a Golda Meir impersonator. Golda’s bravery and courage to become an integral part of helping Israel become a nation was an incredible story. Golda Meir is a true example of Jewish values, courage, heroism and mitzvot.” Peter Small has been invited to bring Moses to life in Sarasota next year. If you would like more information about this program or the Paver Religious School, please contact Elaine Tedesco at 941.552.2780.

phone and computer before Shabbat, I am disconnecting from the outer world and entering a place of Menucha – rest, peace and tranquility. The moment I light the Shabbat candles and connect to G-d with my heartfelt thanks and prayers, I feel relaxed and uplifted. It’s a kind of magic that transforms me in a way that my husband and children can sense absolute serenity, regardless of the mishaps and challenging moments that ensued during the week. It feels surreal or dreamlike to create this inner peace when we live in a fast-paced society where everyone is constantly plugged-in and more smiles come from the exchange of text messaging, Facebook posts, Instagram photos and Tweets rather than from being in the presence of our dear and loved ones. It is a true phenomenon that today’s child may not request of his mother to see and enjoy the details of the intricate block structure just built, but rather to snap a picture and share it with others via Instagram, WhatsApp or other mode of electronic group messaging. The general addiction to electronic gadgets has overtaken us as a society, and often times diminishes from the quality time we would have spent with our precious children – our divine gifts. Yet, Shabbat is a gift from G-d that propels us back to spend a day enhancing our relationships with our spouse, children and G-d. When one experiences the rest, serenity and peacefulness that is associated with the Shabbat, it feels truly magical. However, this feeling comes with the effort to make Shabbat special and meaningful. Here are some ideas to incorporate in one’s home that can enhance the Shabbat experience and help to create an oasis of tranquility:  Prepare special foods for the Shabbat. The food served on Shabbat should be nicer or different than a typical weekday lunch or dinner.

 Use a nice tablecloth. Perhaps in anticipation of the Shabbat, set the table on Thursday with the beautiful candlesticks, Kiddush cup and other finer tableware.  Make your own challah for Shab-f bat. Children should join you ind this experience, and they will look forward to eating and sharing theirl – challah at the Shabbat table.  Buy ﬂowers for the Shabbat table. c  Build up excitement for Shabbatf and buy or prepare a special des-t sert. When you are out shoppingi with your kids, and they request aw certain treat, say “Sure, we will en-t joy this special snack on Shabbat.”  Everyone likes nice clothing, and from time to time when you see something nice on sale, it should be saved for Shabbat.  Buy special non-electronic games to play with the kids on Shabbat. Let them know you are available to play lots of fun games and read books together.  Cooking or starting the cooking on Thursday, will make one feel less rushed and more relaxed on Friday, enabling one to kindle the Shabbat candles with a calm and peaceful sensation. It is my hope that the peaceful feeling stirred by The Shabbat Project lingers in our community. If you can try at least one or two of the aforementioned approaches to enhancing the Shabbat experience for you and your family, I know that you, too, can experience the gift of Shabbat Yom Menucha – a day of rest, peace and tranquility. This extra effort will be long lasting and will hopefully imbue your children with the ability to pass on this divine gift Midor Lador – from one generation to the next. Sara Steinmetz is the education director at Chabad of Sarasota

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ctober and November were busy months for Temple Sinai’s SAFETY and JOOSY youth groups, and December promises to be just as productive and eventful! October 24-26 was a weekend well spent for ten of our SAFETY youth group members who traveled to Plantation, Florida, where they joined over 350 “Reform Jewish Teens from Central Florida to the Keys” for a weekend of “learning, fun, worship, community service and fellowship” at the North American Federation of Temple Youth - Southern Tropical Region Fall Kallah. Beginning on Sunday, November 9 and continuing into the month, youth group members could, and still can, be found in the youth lounge, where they are using their creativity in giving the room a makeover! This update of the

youth lounge will include a fundraiser for Camp Jenny. Camp Jenny, held at URJ Camp Coleman every Memorial Day weekend, “gives children the opportunity to receive the love of big ‘brothers and sisters,’ who are NFTY members looking to give back to those in need. The fundraiser includes painting a ceiling tile (for a small donation), which will remain in place as youth group members “Leave a Legacy.” If you are in grades 6-12 and haven’t joined our youth group yet, it’s never too late! You don’t have to be affiliated with a temple; just interested in sharing Jewish values and coming to fun-filled events. For more information about our SAFETY and JOOSY youth groups as well as future events, please contact Deb Bryan, Youth Group Director, at dbryan@sinaisrq.org.

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Temple Sinai’s SAFETY and JOOSY members at a fun gathering

Contact Jeremy Dictor 941.343.2106 or jdictor@jfedsrq.org The Klingenstein Jewish Center 580 McIntosh Rd Sarasota FL 34232

For lots of useful stuff, visit www.jfedsrq.org.

December 2014

FOCUS ON YOUTH

New students consecrated at Temple Emanu-El Simchat Torah service

emple Emanu-El celebrated the consecration of 36 new religious school students during a festive Simchat Torah service on Friday, October 17. Because Simchat Torah – which literally means Rejoicing in the Torah – marks the completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings, it is the perfect time to welcome new students to the excitement and joy of Jewish learning. New religious school students were welcomed into every grade of the school – from kindergarten through

Temple Emanu-El Religious School seventhgrader Natalie Mount was joined on the pulpit by her mother Marni and grandparents Dr. Stephen and Carol Altaker after being presented with her prayerbook

Confirmation reading – and were called to the pulpit by their Hebrew names by Director of Religious Education Sabrina Silverberg. Students were presented with a mini Torah scroll and led the congregation in the singing of the Shema before receiving a special blessing from Rabbi Brenner Glickman. In addition to consecrating new students, Temple Emanu-El recognized the students preparing to become Bar/ Bat Mitzvah during the Hebrew year 5775 with a ceremony called Kabbalat Siddur. The B’nai Mitzvah candidates were called to the pulpit, presented with the prayerbook they will use during their Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony,

Temple Emanu-El Religious School consecrants Lanie and Samantha Fineman helped hold the Torah scroll during Simchat Torah services

and honored with the recitation of the Shehecheyanu blessing. Following these moving ceremonies, worshippers celebrated the Simchat Torah holiday by unrolling an entire Torah scroll around the sanctuary, carefully holding its sacred parchment as Rabbi Glickman and Mrs. Silverberg chanted its closing and opening words. Spirited singing and dancing with the Torah scrolls followed. Temple Emanu-El Religious School continues to accept new students and invites prospective families to tour and “try out” the school. For more information, call 941.378.5567.

Carole and Howard Friedman helped hold the Torah scroll at Temple Emanu-El’s Simchat Torah and Consecration celebration

March

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d s COMPLETE INFORMATION, ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS & APPLICATION: www.jfedsrq.org n Questions? Contact Jeremy Dictor at 941.343.2106 or jdictor@jfedsrq.org o Klingenstein Jewish Center

Selected teens will spend a week in Poland and march from Auschwitz to Birkenau with thousands of fellow Jews from around the world on Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day). The particpants will then spend a week in Israel on Yom Hazikaron (Israel Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) seeing the incredible sites and sounds of our homeland. Student cost is $1,000, (trip value $5,700). Application deadline is November 30, 2014.

Get complete information under the Teen Section at www.jfedsrq.org Questions? Contact Len Steinberg at 941.552.6301 or lsteinberg@jfedsrq.org

580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, FL 34232

www.TheJewishFederation.org

PANIM EL PANIM

The Federation will be subsidizing a trip to Washington, D.C. for students in 10th, 11th or 12th grade to participate in the Panim el Panim Seminar on March 29-31, 2015.

Let your voice be heard!

During this subsidized trip to Washington D.C. you can learn how to make a difference and advocate for the issues most important to you while exploring our nation’s capital. The PANIM Institute of BBYO is creating a movement of young activists ready to take on the challenges facing the Jewish people, America and the world.

On March 1-3, 2015, Join over 6,000 activists for THE AIPAC POLICY CONFERENCE in Washington, D.C.! FEDERATION WILL BE SUBSIDIZING UP TO 6 STUDENTS! If you are a high school or college student, a leader, and passionate about Israel advocacy, apply today at

www.jfedsrq.org. Application Deadline: NOVEMBER 30, 2014

Application deadline: November 30, 2014. For more information, contact Jeremy Dictor at 941.343.2106 or jdictor@jfedsrq.org

Klingenstein Jewish Center 580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, FL 34232 941.371.4546 • www.jfedsrq.org

For more information, contact Jeremy Dictor at 941.343.2106 or jdictor@jfedsrq.org Klingenstein Jewish Center 580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, FL 34232

941.371.4546 • www.jfedsrq.org

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December 2014

FOCUS ON YOUTH

TBS Schools participates Mitzvah Trike-A-Thon at in “Bowls of Hope” The Gan at Temple Sinai ach year, the local All Faiths Food Bank sponsors an event, “Bowls of Hope,” to raise money for the organization. The teachers at Temple Beth Sholom Schools determined this project to be a good match for the children for several reasons: 1. It teaches about the acts of giving, empathy and compassion for others. 2. It incorporates the use of clay, which is an important aspect in the Reggio Approach to learning. Working with clay, young children exercise their fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and build their ability to focus. 3. It fosters beginning math concepts including beginning pattern making, understanding of three-dimensional shapes, and size and weight differences. The bowls were made in stages

Sponsored by

over the course of several weeks. The older Goldie Feldman Academy students worked with the younger children as they formed, decorated and glazed the clay bowls. They also made posters for the school food drive. The preschool children visited the All Faiths Food Bank at the end of October to deliver the bowls and food and to be shown around the facility where the food is stored.

n Wednesday, October 22, children from The Gan at Temple Sinai participated in a Trike-A-Thon to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Gan children learned about bike safety and the importance of a mitzvah. Before racing off on their adorable trikes and safely secured bike helmets, Laura Freedman, Director at The Gan, reminded them, “You are riding your trike today for those that cannot ride for themselves.”

Thanks to donations secured by events such as the Trike-A-Thon, children and families at St. Jude do not need to pay for treatment, lodging, food or travel. Approximately 60 children participated in the Trike-A-Thon at The Gan, and 24 families raised over $1,000 in tzedakah (donations) for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

MASA ISRAEL TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP The Federation offers scholarships to applicants who have been accepted to a MASA program! Scholarships are first come, first serve. (Up to $2,000 to cover travel to and from Israel only.) Visit www.TheJewishFederation.org.

S.K.I.P

F O R M O R E I N F O CO N TAC T: J E R E M Y D I C TO R 941.343.2106 O R J D I C TO R @ J F E D S R Q.O R G

Send-A-Kid-to-Israel Program

Klingenstein Jewish Center, 580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, FL 34232 Jeremy Dictor, Director of S.T.E.P. and Family Programs 941.343.2106 • jdictor@jfedsrq.org

TheJewishFederation.org

D I F F E R E N T

The SKIP program is funded in large part by the Betty and Herb Schiff Send-a-Kid-to-Israel Fund.

FAMILY

TOG E TH E R

TheJewishFederation.org

THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY.

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EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES

Israel

DIFFERENT TOGETHER EXHIBIT IN JAFFA

Winning artwork from students throughout Israel will be on display in the historic Port of Jaffa, Israel from March 19th until April 19th. With your generosity, celebrate Israel’s diversity with the

DIFFERENT TOGETHER EXHIBIT IN ISRAEL:

$2,000 will purchase a panel of exhibit artwork with you listed as sponsor. $1,000 will purchase a panel of exhibit artwork with you listed as co-sponsor. $500 will sponsor a quotation included in the exhibit artwork. Nelle Miller: Chairman, DIFFERENT TOGETHER TOGETHER, ISRAEL

QUESTIONS? Contact Marty Haberer at 941.552.6303 or email mhaberer@jfedsrq.org

MAKE A

GIFT

Online by visiting

www.jfedsrq.org/eodisrael

The Jewish News is a monthly nonprofit newspaper supported by generous readers, committed advertisers and The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

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December 2014

LIFE CYCLE ANNIVERSARIES 60th Martin & Barbara Arch Temple Emanu-El 60th Harvey & Arline Steinberg Temple Emanu-El 45th Gordon & Ronna Baum Temple Emanu-El 45th Jay & Iris Leonard Temple Sinai 40th Philip & Mary Chaikin Temple Sinai 30th Michael Bernstein & Sarah Skebba Temple Emanu-El

25th Joseph & Barbara Sander Temple Sinai 20th David & Donna Koffman Temple Emanu-El 15th Anthony & Janet Joseph Temple Sinai 10th Dr. Elliott & Judy Sauertieg Temple Emanu-El 10th Dr. David & Lynn Yamada Temple Emanu-El

Sarasota-Manatee Chevra Kadisha

During times of need for generations Jewish members of the Sarasota community have turned to Toale Brothers.

TAHARA admin 941.224.0778 men 941.377.4647 941.484.2790 women 941.921.4740 1050 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237

B’NAI MITZVAH

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Trust 100 Pre-Arrangement Center Locally Owned & Operated by the Toale Family www.ToaleBrothers.com

Gerry Ronkin

Jacob Carnes, son of Lisa Kleinberg, December 6, Temple Sinai Julianna Maggard, daughter of Jeff Maggard and Dr. Dori Goldfarb, December 13, Temple Emanu-El

Jewish Family Coordinator OFFICE

941-955-4171

IN MEMORIAM

CELL

Barbara Broner, 89, of Siesta Key, Oct. 12 Alfred Siemon Golding, 90, of Sarasota, formerly of New York, NY, Oct. 30 Ann R. Goldman, 84, of Sarasota, Oct. 20 Joele Jaffee, 72, of Pennsylvania, formerly of Sarasota, Oct. 13 John Lampel, 94 of Sarasota, Oct. 17 Marcia Liftman, 87, of Sarasota, Oct. 22 Mark Lee Lipman, M.D., 57, of Sarasota, Oct. 20 Joseph Arthur Saunders, 88, of Sarasota, Sep. 27 Maxine Trieloff (Nee Glazer), 76, of Sarasota, formerly of Palmetto, Sep. 17 Herman Israel ‘Herb’ Weiner, 94, of Sarasota, Oct. 9 Bernard Lewis White, 88, of Cortez, FL, Oct. 14

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CALL TBE AT 941-755-4900 FOR MORE INFORMATION

For information on purchasing grave sites contact: Ben Berman

941-355-2469

or Helene Kaufman

941-377-4309

Temple Beth Sholom

941-955-8121

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Out g n i s s i M e r ’ You On Birthda y Pres ents

CONNECT with your Jewish Community facebook.com/jfedsrq !

Please confirm your birth date with us and recieve a special message on your special day!

Shalom! We are in the process of updating our database. This information allows us to appropriately plan our yearly programs to better serve you.

Please submit your life cycle events (births, B’nai Mitzvah, anniversaries) to jewishnews18@gmail.com. Photos are appreciated; email as JPGs at 300dpi.

F A Q

How do I get items in The Jewish News? Email your articles and photos to jewishnews18@gmail.com. What are The Jewish News deadlines? Items are due the 25th of each month, or earlier if the 25th falls on a weekend or holiday. Where can I get a copy of The Jewish News? Papers are available at several local libraries, synagogues and offices throughout Sarasota-Manatee. Can’t find it? Email jhanley@jfedsrq. org and let her know where you’d like to see the paper. How do I place an ad in The Jewish News? Contact Robin Leonardi, account executive, at rleonardi@jfedsrq.org or call 941.552.6307.

SHA LOM BA BY Families who are expecting or have recently celebrated the arrival of a baby can receive a Complimentary Gift Basket, which includes special baby items and a helpful resource guide for our Jewish community.

Visit: www.jfedsrq.org/birthday Email: jnew@jfedsrq.org OR call: 941.552.6304

The Klingenstein Jewish Center 580 McIntosh Rd Sarasota FL 34232 941.371.4546 TheJewishFederation.org ary

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December 2014

L GHT M AY I T F I L L Y O U R H O L I D AY A N D Y O U R H E A R T

Celebrating Jewish Life in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Israel and the World FEDERATION NEWS

Serving our community since 1971!

Published by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee www.jfedsrq.org

December 2014 - Kislev/Tevet 5775

Volume 44, Number 12

Jewish Happenings SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30 Teen travel application due date Sponsored by

Be sure to turn in your Teen Travel applications to be eligible for all of the incredible travel opportunities offered by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. The deadline is midnight November 30. F or more information, contact J eremy Dictor at 941.343.2106 or jdictor@jfedsrq.org.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1 Torah Tots J oin other parents, grandparents and caregivers as we explore the child’s world through story, song, cooking, crafts and circle time. Torah Tots encourages multi-sensory experiences that stimulate emerging language, motor development, socialization and bonding between parents and child. Explore child rearing from a J ewish perspective, participate in group activities and learn J ewish customs that will enhance this unique time in your toddler’s life in these formative years. Torah Tots takes place from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at The Chabad House, 5712 Lorraine Road, Bradenton. Suggested donation: $6. F or more information, contact Rabbi Mendy Bukiet at 941.752.3030 x3 or info@chabadofbradenton.com.

Presidential Health, World History and Politics As part of the Michael B. Eisenstat Miniversity of J udaism, Dr. Allan Schwartz continues his fascinating series on the inﬂuential role residential health has played on American governance and diplomacy. Classes meet Mondays, December 1, 8 and 22 at 2:00 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Session I: Abraham Lincoln vs. J ohn Wilkes Booth. The role of depression on decisions made on slavery and the Civil War. Session II: James A. Garfield vs. Charles Guiteau. Destiny from Civil War to Presidency: Who really killed Garfield? Session III: William McKinley vs. Leon Czolgos. Civil War, Politics, Spanish American War to Assassination and Reluctant Doctors. Cost: $5; free for TBI members. For more information, contact the TBI office at info@tbi-lbk.org or 941.383.3428.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 Women’s Day featuring Camryn Manheim Sponsored by

J oin us at noon at Michael’s On East (1212 SE Ave., Sarasota) for lunch and a presentation by Camryn Manheim on “Mitzvah Therapy: Living Life Generously.” Tickets start at $75, with a $54 required gift to the 2014 development efforts of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. To RSVP or for more information, contact Andrea Eiffert at aeiffert@jfedsrq.org or 941.552.6603.

t u o d l so

Ask the Rabbi: Find Answers to Your Jewish Questions Rabbi Brenner Glickman’s newest adult education offering takes place on Tuesdays, December 2, 9 and 16. This is a fantastic opportunity to have your questions about J udaism answered in a welcoming, engaging setting. Questions are submitted one week in advance, and the classes are expected to range from lighthearted topics like why food is such a big part of J ewish gatherings to compelling and essential issues like what God wants from us, the problem of evil, and the afterlife. All are invited to these mornings of intimate, meaningful learning at 10:30 a.m. at Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. F ree with advance reservation. Please email Temple Emanu-El Adult Education Chair Beth Salzman at bethannys@ comcast.net with your reservation and questions.

100 Years of Journalism from Around the World J oseph E. Stiglitz, Columbia professor and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, talks to Anya Schiffrin, editor of Global Muckraking: 100 Years of Investigative Journalism from Around the World, about a wide range of global issues from economics to journalism to politics. The event takes place at 8:15 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Cost: $5; free for TBI members. F or more information, contact the TBI office at info@tbi-lbk.org or 941.383.3428.

World AIDS Day service J oin Temple Sinai at 6:00 p.m. for an interfaith candlelight service in honor of World AIDS Day, followed by a light reception. Temple Sinai is located at 4631 South Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota. F or more information call the temple office at 941.924.1802.

Merrill Lynch is proud to support The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee Giving back to your community is important to you — and to us. Merrill Lynch financial advisors are committed to helping you make a difference.

MLC & Associates Brian J. Mariash, CIMA® Senior Vice President – Wealth Management Senior Financial Advisor 941.364.5678 James E. Lowther, CFP® First Vice President – Wealth Management Senior Financial Advisor 941.364.5667 Christopher M. Caledonia Assistant Vice President Senior Financial Advisor 941.364.5657 Merrill Lynch 1819 Main Street, 12th Floor, Sarasota, FL 34236 http://fa.ml.com/mlc_and_associates Life’s better when we’re connected®

CFP® is a certification mark owned by the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards, Inc., and is awarded to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements CIMA® is a registered certification mark of Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC, and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value The Bull Symbol, Merrill Lynch and Life’s better when we’re connected are trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. © 2014 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. ARF68GTV | AD-10-14-1103 | 470947PM-0314 | 11/2014

December 2014

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3

JEWISH HAPPENINGS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4

The Musical Liturgy of the Worship Service

The Women of Sinai Luncheon & Program

Through a series of lectures, discussions and musical examples, the prayers that are already a part of our F riday night service will be given a new meaning through the lens of history, musical analysis and personal connection. This free course takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays, December 3 and10 at Temple Sinai, 4631 South Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota. For more information call the temple office at 941.924.1802.

This event, which begins at noon, takes place at Temple Sinai, 4631 South Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota. Men are always welcome. Cost: $12 for WOS members; $16 for nonmembers. RSVP to the temple office at 941.924.1802.

Temple Emanu-El’s “Lunch with the Rabbi” Are you looking for a great lunch date? Join Rabbi Brenner Glickman and nice, friendly, interesting companions for lunch, socializing, and a discussion of current events and subjects of J ewish interest. All are invited to this popular, stimulating and enjoyable program. Attendees are asked to bring a brown-bag lunch and are also welcome to bring a newspaper article for discussion. Homemade dessert and terrific company are provided! This free event begins at noon at Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. F or more information, please call 941.371.2788.

Rabbi Huntting’s Brown Bag Bring your lunch and come for this casual gathering at noon on Wednesdays, December 3 and10 at Temple Sinai, 4631 South Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota. The discussion on current events is determined by attendees. F or more information, call Mike Benesch at 941.924.1802.

Idelson Library Book Review Series Jane Greenfield will review and lead a discussion of The Family Markowitz by Allegra Goodman at 1:15 p.m. at Temple Beth Sholom, BandDesenberg Chapel, 1050 South Tuttle Ave., Sarasota. The author writes about a J ewish American family with warmth, humor and insight into the complexities of life. Most of the chapters were originally published as short stories in such magazines as Commentary and The New Yorker, but they work beautifully together as a novel. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. F or more information, contact Arlene Hamburger at 941.921.2554 or the temple office at 941.955.8121.

Danziger-Polejes Book Club SaBra Hadassah’s book club will meet at 1:00 p.m. at Marilyn Stark’s home to discuss The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich. Ruth Kirsch will lead the discussion. To RSVP, contact Marilyn at 941.925.1852 or 16pilcher@gmail.com.

Jewish Victories in History: The Maccabees Referred to as the “People of the Book,” the J ewish people from biblical times to the present day have proven themselves time and again as tenacious fighters and great strategists when military action was called for or when J ewish lives were at stake. The Maccabees led the J ews to victory over vastly superior forces in the world’s first war for religious freedom, which we celebrate today as Chanukah. J oin us at 2:00 p.m. at the Al Katz Center, 713 South Orange Avenue, Burns Square, Sarasota. Cost: $7 per adult; $3 per student; healthy kosher refreshments included. To RSVP, call Beverly Newman at 941.313.9239.

But Is It Good for the Jews? One of the world’s smallest minorities, J ews have often been characterized as being “a fifth column,” revolutionaries bent on changing the status quo of nations by exerting power over them and subjugating their populations. Rabbi Michael Eisenstat will examine several political and social revolutions that shook the J ewish world and explore whether or not J ews were party to these movements and how they were affected by them. The Michael B. Eisenstat Miniversity of J udaism classes meet Thursdays, December 4, 11 and 18 at 3:00 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Cost: $5; free for TBI members. F or more information, contact the TBI office at info@tbi-lbk.org or 941.383.3428.

Sarasota Jewish Chorale rehearsal dates The Sarasota J ewish Chorale rehearsal dates for the month are Thursdays, December 4, 11 and 18. Rehearsals take place from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Hecht School on the F ederation Campus, 580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, courtesy of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. Newcomers are welcome to join to sing the Chorale’s spirited and inspirational music. Call co-manager Susan Skovronek at 941.355.8011 for further information. To book a program for your organization, call Phyllis Lipshutz at 941.024.6717.

N’shei Chabad Women’s Rosh Chodesh Society N’shei Chabad Women invites all women to attend the Rosh Chodesh Society event at Chabad of Sarasota, 7700 Beneva Road. Included is a class entitled “Behind Closed Doors – J udaism’s View of Intimacy,” which will delve into the mysterious questions, “Is G-d comfortable in the bedroom?” and “Is sexual intimacy holy, profane or mundane?” At 7:15 p.m. there will be 15 minutes to socialize and enjoy dessert, followed by the talk. F ollowing the class women will have the opportunity enjoy making their own creative Chanukah cards with Annette F uchs. F or underwriting the course we thank Chabad’s F irst Lady, Anne Stein. All are welcome. Cost: F ree for Rebbetzin Circle members; $10 for N’shei Chabad Women members; $12 for nonmembers. Advance reservations are necessary at 941.925.0770.

America and Israel: The Way Forward

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF SARASOTA-MANATEE PRESENT

HANNAH ARENDT

Dalia Rabin, former Israeli Deputy Minister of Defense and current chair of the Yitzhak Rabin Center, and Ambassador Dennis Ross, who played a leading role in shaping U.S. involvement in the Middle East peace process, discuss the future of Israel. The event takes place at 8:15 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Cost: $5; free for TBI members. For more information, contact the TBI office at info@tbi-lbk. org or 941.383.3428.

A look at the life of philosopher and political theorist Hannah Arendt, who reported for The New Yorker on the war crimes trial of the Nazi Adolf Eichmann.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 | 7:00 PM | TICKETS $5 USF – SARASOTA-MANATEE | 8350 N. TAMIAMI TRAIL | SARASOTA, FL PLEASE RSVP AT WWW.JFEDSRQ.ORG

Dr. Suzanne Vromen has a PhD in sociology from New York University and is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Bard College, where she cofounded the Women’s Studies program. For years and in many venues, she has taught courses on the Holocaust, including presenting papers and publishing essays on Hannah Arendt. She will clarify points and address problems in Hannah Arendt after the film is shown. THIS MOVIE IS CO-SPONSORED BY USF SARASOTA-MANATEE

QUESTIONS? Contact Orna Nissan at 941.552.6305 or onissan@jfedsrq.org

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JEWISH HAPPENINGS

December 2014

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 BNC General Meeting and Chanukah Celebration Barbara Zdravecky, CEO & President of Planned Parenthood of Southwest F lorida will speak about vital sexual health services and comprehensive sexuality education provided to men, women and teens in Southwest F lorida. This Brandeis National Committee event begins at 10:30 a.m. on the F ederation Campus, 580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. F ree to both members and guests. F or more information, call Lenore Weintraub at 941.377.5958.

Rhythm & Jews Musical Shabbat Service J oin Rabbi Huntting, Chazzan Abramson, your friends and neighbors for the Rhythm & J ews F amily Erev Shabbat Service. Come and hear the Bruno F amily Musicians as they join the rabbi and chazzan for an uplifting service with a variety of traditional, Israeli, Sephardic and Chasidic melodies. The service takes place at 6:00 p.m. on F ridays, December 5 and 19 at Temple Sinai, 4631 South Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota. F or more information call the temple office at 941.924.1802.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 CHJ presents Rabbi Denise Handlarski The Congregation for Humanistic J udaism is pleased to host Rabbi Denise Handlarski, who will speak on “An Introduction to the Pew Report on the Condition of American J ewry Today.” Handlarski serves as the Assistant Rabbi at Oraynu and represents Oraynu on the board of the Society for Humanistic J udaism. She is also an active member of the Association of Humanist Rabbis. J oin us at 10:30 a.m. at Unity, 3023 Proctor Rd., Sarasota. All are welcome to this free event. F or more information, contact the CHJ office at 941.929.7771 or chjsarasota@hotmail.com.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 SaBra Hadassah’s Brunch ’n’ Books J oin us for brunch at 12:15 p.m. at F irst Watch (1395 Main St., Sarasota) then on to Bookstore1Sarasota just down the street (1359 Main St.) for a great book discussion and time to shop for Hanukkah. A $5 donation to Hadassah is appreciated. Members, Associates and guests are all welcome. Contact Cathy Reinitz at 941.306.5785 or creinitz@gmail.com to let her know you will attend.

Introduction to Judaism This complimentary workshop is open to the public and facilitated by Rabbi Huntting. Two text books will be used that can be purchased from Temple Sinai’s Office. The workshop takes place from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 4631 South Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota. F or more information call the temple office at 941.924.1802.

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An eight-week course and character study Mondays 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM Starting December 8, 2014

As the most important figure in Judaism, Moses undertakes to conduct a “mission impossible.” He goes from being a desert cowboy (okay—we mean shepherd) to persuader and magician with the simple goal of redeeming his enslaved people. (God made an offer Moses couldn’t really refuse.) He then faces off with a hard-hearted pharaoh, ultimately succeeds in ferrying the Jewish People out of Egypt and guides them to the Promised Land (and mind you without GPS.) The course will review the 120-year life span of this special human being, drawing upon stories from the Torah, Talmud, Midrash and commentaries both old as well as contemporary. We’ll also visit with members of his family as this character study unfolds in class. You’ll have a new opportunity to assess for yourself the life-time achievement of Moses, also known as the Law Giver. Instructor: Marden Paru; Fee $50. Classes are held on the Campus of the Jewish Federation, 580 McIntosh Rd. in Sarasota. To register or seek more information, please contact Marden Paru, Dean and Rosh Yeshiva; at 941.379.5655 or marden.paru@gmail.com. Please make checks payable to the Sarasota Liberal Yeshiva and mail to Marden Paru, 2729 Goodwood Court, Sarasota, FL 34235. NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS: The Sarasota Liberal Yeshiva admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other schooladministered programs. The Sarasota Liberal Yeshiva is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency. It is funded, in part, by a grant from The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee cordially invites you to the

SARASOTA ANNUAL EVENT featuring

B E S T L O C A L B A K E RY

Babka • Hamentashen • Strudel • Rugala

Bridge...

Anyone?

For more information

The Bridge Group meets Thursday afternoons from 1:00–4:00 pm on the Federation Campus (582 McIntosh Road). Open to intermediate and advanced bridge players.

Avi Dichter

Izzy Ezagui

Former Chief Director of Israel’s Security Agency (Shin Bet)

Squad Commander (res.), Israel Defense Forces

Monday, December 8, 2014 Dessert Reception 7:00 p.m. Program 7:45 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota For online reservations and donations please visit www.aipac.org/Sarasota. For more information, please contact Elana Rickel, AIPAC’s North & Central Florida Area Director, at (954) 382-6110 or erickel@aipac.org. $36 Couvert Per Person • Dietary Laws Observed • Business Attire This event is off the record and closed to the press.

AIPAC’s Sarasota Chairs:

call Bob Satnick at 941.538.3739

Edie & David Chaifetz

December 2014 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 YAD Happy Hour at Burns Court Café J oin other young J ewish adults for a drink and schmooze from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free! Just show up at 401 S. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota. F or more information about this event or the Young Adult Division, please contact Len Steinberg at 941.552.6301 or lsteinberg@jfedsrq.org.

Ashkenazic and Sephardic: Cooking/Foods Jewish foods are reﬂective of the divergence of our cultures from the luscious vegetables and fruits typically eaten by the Sephardim of the Mediterranean to the bulky, rich foods of the colder European climates in Russia, Hungary, Poland and Germany. This course will explore deeply the divides between the J ewish people and the ties that bind us as one. Learn, discuss and debate the essence of both Ashkenazic J udaism and Sephardic. J oin us at 2:00 p.m. at the Al Katz Center, 713 South Orange Avenue, Burns Square, Sarasota. Cost: $36 for the 7-part series; healthy kosher refreshments included. To RSVP, call Beverly Newman at 941.313.9239.

Sarasota Jewish Singles Sponsored by Temple Beth Israel, J ewish singles of all ages are invited to attend this dinner meeting at 6:00 p.m. at El Greco Café, 1592 Main Street, Sarasota. Meet new people and enjoy a good meal in a relaxed, social setting. Cost: Whatever you order off the menu (individual checks). F or more information or to make a reservation, call or text Rosalyn F leischer at 941.915.6631.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10 Club Fed Hits the Road - A Senior Chavurah Sponsored by

J oin Club F ed for a docent tour of the Dali Museum, including the featured Picasso exhibit. The bus leaves Sarasota at 8:30 a.m. from the F ederation Campus (580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota) and returns at 4:00 p.m. Cost: $55 all-inclusive, transportation, admission and lunch. To RSVP or for more information, contact J eremy Lisitza at 941.343.2113 or jlisitza@jfedsrq.org. You may also register at www.jfedsrq.org.

NCJW Chanukah Luncheon and Shopping Boutique J oin the National Council of J ewish Women from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sarasota County Technical School, 4748 Beneva Road. Entertainment by Betty Silberman. Cost: $18. To RSVP or for more information, call 941.342.1855.

JEWISH HAPPENINGS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 Great Humorous Jews - Their Lives & Times J ewish humor is the best in the world, for it has served for centuries as our vehicle of survival in the worst of circumstances. How did such a persecuted people become so immersed in voluminous jokes and produce world-class comedians? From vaudeville to Broadway, radio, the silver screen, television and beyond, J ewish humorists have dominated the comedy scene throughout the 20th century and into the 21st, as highlighted by Victor Borge’s legendary piano comedy routines. J oin us at 2:00 p.m. at the Al Katz Center, 713 South Orange Avenue, Burns Square, Sarasota. Cost: $36 for the 6-part series; healthy kosher refreshments included. To RSVP, call Beverly Newman at 941.313.9239.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 Sarasota Jewish Chorale pre-Chanukah program The Sarasota J ewish Chorale will perform at a Pre-Chanukah program as part of the Shabbat service at Temple Emanu-El from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. This will be a lighthearted evening of familiar and not so familiar Chanukah music. The service is open to the public. Temple Emanu-El is located at 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. The Chorale is under the direction of Linda Stewart Tucker and meets most Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. F or more information, please contact Susan Skovronek at 941.355.8011 or visit www.sarasotajewishchorale.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 Tot Shabbat at Temple Emanu-El J oin us at 10:30 a.m. for a relaxed, welcoming and festive Shabbat celebration for young J ewish and interfaith families. This month we’ll be getting in the Hanukkah spirit with games of dreidel, a Hanukkah craft, a retelling of the Hanukkah story, and delicious sufganiyot – jelly doughnuts – traditionally eaten on the holiday. We’ll also enjoy playground time, a bagel breakfast, and age-appropriate Shabbat prayers, songs, movement, and a story with Rabbi Brenner Glickman. Lots of friendly faces and lots of fun. This free event takes place at Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. F or more information, call Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman at 941.379.1997.

Chabad Film Fest J oin Chabad for movie night to watch The Ten Commandments, a Hollywood depiction of the most important event in J ewish history. A discussion following the movie will dispel myths and uncover facts. Refreshments will be served. The screening begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Chabad House, 5712 Lorraine Road, Bradenton. Admission is $3. F or more information, please contact Rabbi Mendy Bukiet at 941.752.3030 x3 or info@chabadofbradenton.com.

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ADVERTISING DEADLINES ADVERTISING DEADLINES JANUARY ISSUE December 1 SEPTEMBER ISSUE July 31 FEBRUARY ISSUE December 19 OCTOBER ISSUE August 28 MARCH ISSUE January 29 1 NOVEMBER ISSUE October APRIL ISSUE March 2 DECEMBER ISSUE October 30

JEWISH HAPPENINGS

December 2014

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 Blood Drive at Temple Emanu-El Temple Emanu-El is proud to partner with Suncoast Communities Blood Bank for a blood drive. The need for blood is great, and this is an opportunity to save three lives with your single donation. In addition to performing a wonderful mitzvah, donors will receive “points” to use at the blood bank’s online donor rewards store. Donate from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. F or more information or to make a reservation to donate blood, please contact Bill Haiby at wh5446@gmail.com.

Chanukah Book & Gift Fair Bring the entire family to this delightful Chanukah fair, full of J ewish books and gifts to buy, to make the coming holiday truly special. Enrich the knowledge base and sense of enthusiasm of your children, grandchildren, spouse and yourself with books, pictures, cards made to order, and other Chanukah presents. Take an intergenerational family portrait and have it made on site into a card or frameable photograph! “Project Israel Image” posters can be ordered as Chanukah gifts. This free event takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Al Katz Center, 713 South Orange Avenue, Burns Square, Sarasota. Kosher refreshments available. F or more information, call Beverly Newman at 941.313.9239.

South Pacific at the Asolo Theater J oin the Brandeis National Committee at 11:30 a.m. for a pre-performance talk with members of the production followed by a box lunch on the mezzanine prior to the 2:00 p.m. curtain time. The Asolo Theater is located at 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Cost: $75 for BNC members; $85 for guests. If you have season tickets, you can change them to join us at $30 for members and $35 for guests. F or more information, call J anet Tolbert at 941.388.9624.

Falafel with Yoav Come and enjoy a terrific kosher falafel lunch at noon at The Chabad House, 5712 Lorraine Road, Bradenton. All you can eat falafel for $5. F or more information, contact Rabbi Mendy Bukiet at 941.752.3030 x3 or info@chabadofbradenton.com.

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Jewish Artists Explore The five-part Jewish Artists Explore series sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee and the Association of Professional J ewish Artists kicks off at 4:00 p.m. with a live interview by Brian Hersh of Elizabeth Weil Bergmann, choreographer and retired Dance Director at Harvard University. Additional artists will explore J ewish spirituality through the Exodus Process via text study (Rabbi Goldie Milgram), music (J uan De la Sierra), and movement (Leah VerierDunn) during the second half of the program from 5:00 p.m. Each “J ewish Artists Explore” event is $5 for APJ A members, and $10 for nonmembers (payable at the door). Refreshments will be served. The event takes place on the F ederation Campus, 580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. F or information, contact Rabbi Milgram at rebgoldie@gmail.com. Sponsored by

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11th Annual Comedy Central at Chabad of Sarasota J oin us for Chabad of Sarasota’s 11th annual Comedy Central Live with comedian Cory Kahaney. Cory is every woman – mother, daughter, wife, exwife. This year, she appeared on The Late Show with Craig Ferguson and a new TV special for NickMom. Cory appeared in the first season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing and made it to the finale, where host Jay Mohr called her performances “ﬂawless.” She was voted best comedian in New York City by Backstage Magazine and best female comedian by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a private pre-show for the event sponsors. The main event begins at 7:00 p.m. at Chabad of Sarasota, 7700 Beneva Road. Cost per ticket is $40. Be an event sponsor for $500. For more information, call the Chabad office at 941.925.0770.

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JEWISH HAPPENINGS

December 2014

Chanukah begins Tuesday night, December 16 MONDAY, DECEMBER 15 Club Fed – Chanukah celebration Sponsored by

Celebrate Chanukah with a latke bar, bingo and prizes from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Zell Room on the F ederation Campus, 580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. To RSVP or for more information, contact J eremy Lisitza at 941.343.2113 or jlisitza@jfedsrq. org. You may also register at www.jfedsrq.org.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16 Fifty Shades of “J” Happy Hour Sponsored by

This is a great opportunity for singles and couples to meet new and old friends. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at Apollonia Grill, 8235 Cooper Creek Blvd., University Park. Cash bar and light snacks offered. To RSVP or for more information, contact J eremy Lisitza at 941.343.2113 or jlisitza@jfedsrq.org. You may also register at www.jfedsrq.org.

Chanukah Menorah Lighting in Englewood J oin us at 5:30 p.m. as we celebrate Chanukah in Englewood on Dearborn Street with music, latkes and donuts. F or more information, contact Rabbi Sholom Schmerling at 941.493.2770 or rabbi@chabadofvenice.com.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17 Holocaust Survivors’ Luncheon Sponsored by

The luncheon for Holocaust survivors takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 4631 S. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota. It is sponsored by the Claims Conference of Germany, J ewish F amily & Children’s Service of the Suncoast, Gulf Coast F amily and Community Services of the Gulfcoast, and The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. RSVP required by F riday, December 5 to J ennifer New at 941.552.6304.

Idelson Library Film Matinee Series American Jerusalem: Jews and the Making of San Francisco is a documentary (2013; 57 minutes) that tells the remarkable story of the pioneering J ews of San F rancisco. Drawn to California by the Gold Rush, J ews went on to build a thriving community. With a newfound freedom, J ews played a central role in the transformation of this once-sleepy maritime village into the largest metropolis in the American West. The screening begins at 1:15 p.m. at Temple Beth Sholom, Madeline L. Sainer Social Hall, 1050 South Tuttle Ave., Sarasota. Refreshments, including popcorn, will be served, sponsored by the Men’s Club. Ralph Levitt will lead a question-and-answer session after the film. Suggested donation is $3 for members and $5 for nonmembers. Please call the temple office at 941.955.8121 for more information.

Grand Chanukah Celebration and Coin-Orah Lighting Help us build a giant coin menorah! Coins may be dropped off at The Chabad House (5712 Lorraine Road, Bradenton) in advance or brought to the event to benefit programs for Chabad’s Terror Victims Project (www.ctvp.org). The celebration includes The Klezmer F reilach Compilation in concert, kosher foods from F alafel with Yoav and Ed’s Tavern, Chanukah art, doughnut decorating, face painting, Judah Maccabee, dreidel moon bounce, hot latkes and rafﬂes. The fun begins at 6:00 p.m. on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. This free event is sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee and Lakewood Ranch Main Street. F or more information, contact Rabbi Mendy Bukiet at 941.752.3030 x3 or info@chabadofbradenton.com. Sponsored by

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18 TBS Sisterhood Knitting Mitzvah Group Handy with crochet hooks? Nimble with needles? A group from the Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood meets monthly to crochet and/or knit newborn hats. Bring your own needles, hooks and acrylic worsted weight yarn. J oin us from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Temple Beth Sholom, 1050 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota. Pizza and drinks available at $5. F or more information or to RSVP, contact Molly Ballow at 941.377.1340 or mollysquilts.bal@aol.com.

SaBra Hadassah Annual Membership Luncheon Hadassah members, Associates and guests are invited to join us at 11:30 a.m. at the Tournament Players Club at Prestancia. Entertainment will be provided by Klezmania on the Gulf. Couvert: $36. F or membership information, contact Adrea Sukin, Membership VP, at 941.929.0115 or asukin@aol.com.

Eminent Jewish Authors: Edwin Black F or thousands of years, J ewish writers have blessed mankind with some of the greatest written works in history. Beginning with King David’s timeless Psalms, the breadth and depth of J ewish writings are incomparable in their informational and inspirational value. Edwin Black has left his indelible mark of truth upon the world with two of his haunting works, IBM and the Holocaust and War Against the Weak, tracking the hideous history of eugenics against “undesirables” in America. J oin us at 2:00 p.m. at the Al Katz Center, 713 South Orange Avenue, Burns Square, Sarasota. Cost: $36 for the 7-part series; healthy kosher refreshments included. To RSVP, call Beverly Newman at 941.313.9239.

Grand Chanukah Klezmer Festival in Venice J oin us at 4:30 p.m. for the lighting of a 12' menorah at the Gazebo in Centennial Park in downtown Venice. There will be latkes, donuts, chicken soup and other refreshments available for sale. The event will featuring the F reylekh Band. F or more information, contact Rabbi Sholom Schmerling at 941.493.2770 or rabbi@chabadofvenice.com.

Temple Beth El’s Hanukkah celebration Temple Beth El and the TBE “Sing Out!” ensemble invite you to their annual downtown Bradenton Hanukkah celebration. Come for an evening of song, the telling of the victory of the Maccabees and the lighting of the Bradenton city menorah. This free event is open to the entire community and begins at 6:00 p.m. at the corner of Old Main Street and Barcarrota Blvd. For more information, please call the TBE office at 941.755.4900, Tuesday through F riday from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

JEWISH HAPPENINGS

December 2014

2014_Too Jay's Catering_5x5 11/3/14 4:24 PM Page 1

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19 CTeen at Chabad of Venice Sponsored by

Cteen is a J ewish teen club that compacts exhilarating fun and meaningful projects into a program that’s thrilling and uniting. Cteen events happen at least monthly, but the moments last a lifetime. The impact is magnificent, the experience priceless. The CTeen program is underwritten by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota and Manatee. J oin us at 5:00 p.m. at Chabad of Venice, 2169 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice. No cost. F or more information, contact Chaya Rivka Schmerling at 941.493.2770 or rivka@chabadofvenice.com.

Chanukah dinner and services at Kol HaNeshama Congregation Kol HaNeshama invites the community to a musical, joyful Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6:00 p.m., followed by a light supper celebrating the fourth night of Chanukah. Bring your Chanukah menorah and candles. Services are held at the Southgate Community Center, 3145 Southgate Circle, Sarasota. Cost: $15 for members; $20 for nonmembers. Reservations can be made at steve.kolhaneshama@yahoo.com or by mail to Congregation Kol HaNeshama, 1633 Boathouse Circle, HA-131, Sarasota, F L 34231. F or more information, call 941.244.2042.

Hanukkah Happening at Temple Emanu-El J oin Temple Emanu-El for a joyful and festive Hanukkah celebration for the entire family. We’ll begin with a delicious dinner that includes brisket with all the trimmings, roast chicken, salad, rolls, and plenty of latkes prepared fresh and homemade by Temple Emanu-El Brotherhood. There’s also a menorah-making contest, a visit from J udah Maccabee, crafts, doughnut decorating, a silent auction, songs, blessings and fun. Dreidels and gelt for all! The event begins at 6:00 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. The beautiful Hanukkah service follows at 7:30 p.m. F or reservations and pricing, please contact the Temple Emanu-El Religious School at 941.371.2788 or teers@sarasotatemple.org.

CHJ presents Dr. Steven Derfler The Congregation of Humanistic J udaism is pleased to host Dr. Steven L. Derﬂer, who will speak on “The Parting of the Ways: Judaism of the 1st Century CE.” Dr. Derﬂer is a retired professor from the University of Wisconsin River F alls, and is Executive Director of Educational Resources, Inc., a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote understanding and tolerance among different ethnic and religious groups. He is also an international educational consultant, archaeologist, historian, researcher, teacher and writer. J oin us at 7:30 p.m. at Unity, 3023 Proctor Rd., Sarasota. All are welcome to this free event. F or more information, contact the CHJ office at 941.929.7771 or chjsarasota@hotmail.com.

Shabbat Chanukah Live! A Musical Service Join the fun as Temple Beth El celebrates Chanukah and rocks the house! There will be electronic musical instruments and talented soloists offering our prayers in a brand new style. This is the first time our SarasotaManatee community will hear Debbie F riedman’s soulful Blues Kaddish. Bring your own menorah to light along with our cherished TBE menorah rescued by a righteous Christian in Holland during the Holocaust. This free event is open to the community and begins at 7:30 p.m. at 4200 32nd Street West, Bradenton. For more information, please call the TBE office at 941.755.4900, Tuesday through F riday from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

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Learning for the joy of it! Special Lecture Series Jan. 15: A Reason for Survival Dr. Renate Frydman considers the Holocaust.

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JEWISH HAPPENINGS

December 2014

CLUB

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20

FED

Wednesday, December 10, 2014* Dali Museum – Picasso Exhibit

St. Petersburg, FL Reservation & payment due by December 1, 2014. Leaving the Federation campus at 8:30 am – 4pm $55.00

Tuesday, February 3, 2015*

Louis Comfort Tiffany @ The Morse Museum of American Art Winter Park, FL Reservation & payment due by January 23, 2015. Leaving the Federation campus at 8am – 4pm $35.00

Wednesday, March 25, 2015* Compotier/Frutero (Fruit Dish) Pablo Picasso, 1917 BE ONE OF THE

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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. * All outings are: All Inclusive • Transportation • Admission to Museum • Docent Tour • Lunch (No full refunds two weeks prior to event.)

Questions? Contact Jeremy Lisitza at 941.343.2113 or jlisitza@jfedsrq.org Klingenstein Jewish Center 580 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota FL 34232

941.371.4546 • jfedsrq.org

TBS Hanukkah Havdalah celebration Temple Beth Sholom will hold its annual Hanukkah celebration for all ages from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at 1050 South Tuttle Ave., Sarasota. Listen to the Temple Beth Sholom Schools Band and Paver Choir as the giant chanukiah is lit. Sing and dance, play with dreidels and gelt, and enjoy latkes and doughnuts. No cost. F or more information, please call the temple office at 941.955.8121 for more information.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21 A Taste of Chanukah The 4th annual Taste of Chanukah festival, sponsored by Chabad of Sarasota, will be held at the Sarasota F airgrounds (3000 Ringling Blvd.) on Sunday, December 21 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The event will feature live music and entertainment by the Yom Hadash rock ‘n roll band. The menorah garden will feature an ice-sculpted menorah which will be kindled at 4:00 p.m., a balloon menorah and an exclusive custom designed 15-foot Tube Dude menorah. A delicious selection of glatt kosher food will be sold for all to enjoy. Entertainment for the young and young-at-heart will include motorcycle madness, a snake and bird show presented by J ungle Gardens, a petting zoo, pony rides, a 3-ton snow slide, stilt walkers, juggling show and much more. A fabulous array of vendors with specialty items and crafts will be exhibiting and selling their merchandise. Parking and admission are free. F or more information, please visit www.atasteofchanukah.com or www.facebook. com/atasteofchanukah, or call 941.925.0770. Sponsored by

Jewish War Veterans breakfast/meeting J ewish War Veterans, Sarasota Post 172, will hold its monthly breakfast/ meeting at Temple Beth Sholom, 1050 South Tuttle Ave., Sarasota. Breakfast at 9:15 a.m. will be followed at 10:00 a.m. by the meeting. The guest speaker will be Terry Acton, Veterans’ Service Officer. A veteran does not need to have served in war or combat to become a member of the Post. If you are a veteran who served, and were honorably discharged, between 1990 and the present, the Post will pay your first year’s dues of $45 when you join. Please come and meet the members of the Post. F or more information, call Stan Levinson, Post Commander, at 941.907.6720.

Chanukah in the Lab

Enjoy our special Jewish programs in January and February 2015 Special Program: Thursday, January 15 • 11:00 AM-1:15 PM Lunch & Laugh!—Where Harry Met Sally: The Jewish Deli in America – Ted Merwin, Ph.D.

J oin the Chabad Hebrew School of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch to experiment with Chanukah lights and candles. Prepare for crazy experiments and the odd explosion with a Mad Science show. The event takes place from 11:00 a.m. to noon at The Chabad House, 5712 Lorraine Road, Bradenton. Cost: $5; free to CHS students and families. F or more information, contact Rabbi Mendy Bukiet at 941.752.3030 x3 or info@chabadofbradenton.com.

“To Life!” with Jo Ann Goldwater

u American Jewry and the Civil War

In J uly 2013, J o Ann Goldwater planned her second genealogical trip to Riga, Latvia and Zagare, Lithuania. Armed with more information, she revisited the places where her paternal grandparents were born and lived before moving to Montreal in 1893. Her search proves that the past to the present equals life itself. This free J ewish Genealogical Society of Southwest F lorida event is open to the public and begins at 1:00 p.m. at Kobernick House, 1951 N. Honore Ave., Sarasota. F or more information, please contact Kim Sheintal at 941.921.1433 or klapshein@aol.com, or visit http://jgsswf.org/.

u The Tragedy of Leo Frank: 100 Hundred Years Later

Chanukah Menorah Lighting in North Port

C O U R S E S

J oin us at 5:30 p.m. as we celebrate Chanukah in North Port at the North Port City Hall with music, latkes and donuts. F or more information, contact Rabbi Sholom Schmerling at 941.493.2770 or rabbi@chabadofvenice.com.

Enjoy a humorous presentation on the evolution of the Jewish deli in America, followed by schmoozing and a deli luncheon.

One -Time Lectures: Tuesdays, 3:00-4:30 PM

u The Holocaust—Preserving the Memory January 6 – Thomas O. Hecht, Ph.D. January 27 – Bud Livingston

February 10 – Diane Steinbrink

Jongg – Grace McGee. . W Mah February 2–February 23 .............. 11:00 AM–12:30 PM Tuesdays W Re-Imagining Genesis – Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman January 6–January 27 .................. 9:00–10:30 AM Wednesdays W The Yiddish World From Past to Present— Put the Shtetl to the Metal! – Baila Miller Mondays

February 11–February 25 ........... 1:00–2:30 PM

The Three Great Faiths and The New Islamic Anti –Semitism – Ken Hanson, Ph.D. February 4 and February 11 ....... 3:00–4:30 PM Thursdays

Bad Things Happen to Good People— W When The Book of Job – Jerome Rosenthal, Ph.D. February 5–February 26 .............. 9:00–10:30 AM

Jewish/Israeli Film Festival – Marty Haberer February 5–March 12 .................... 2:15–5:00 PM February 19–Special presentation by Marcia Jo Zerivitz and film on the Jewish legacy of Broadway musicals

Lights In Bloom

December 19-23, 26-29 • Nightly 6:00 ~ 9:00pm Bring the whole family for an unparalleled holiday happening! The magic of the Gardens comes alive for 9 fun-filled nights as fantastic, botanically-themed holiday lights transform all of Selby Gardens into a tropical wonderland. This annual event is a treasured holiday tradition that delights all ages — you won’t want to miss the fun!

Tickets available beginning December 1 Sponsored In Part By

Fun With Yiddish – Betty Silberman January 8–29.................................... 11:00 AM–12:30 PM

For prices and a brochure listing over 150 adult enrichment courses, lectures and special events call 941-383-8811 or visit www.lbkeducationcenter.org. THE LONGBOAT KEY EDUCATION CENTER IS LOCATED AT 5370 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE.

www.lbkeducationcenter.org

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

811 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236

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For a continuously updated calendar, visit www.jfedsrq.org

JEWISH HAPPENINGS

December 2014

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25

Rosh Chodesh Society – Soulmates

Winter in the Tropics Open House

Sponsored by

J oin Chanie Bukiet for RCS’s new and intriguing seven-week course, “Soulmates: Behind Closed Doors.” The first class is entitled “Two Halves, One Whole - The Cosmic Root of Love.” This course is sponsored by The Jewish Federation of SarasotaManatee. The course begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Chabad House, 5712 Lorraine Road, Bradenton. Cost: $75 per course, textbooks included; $15 per class. F or more information, please contact Rabbi Mendy Bukiet at 941.752.3030 x3 or info@chabadofbradenton.com.

Spend Christmas Day at Temple Beth Sholom, 1050 South Tuttle Ave., Sarasota. Visit the inﬂatable jumping castle, make arts and crafts, and play carnival games. F ood will be served. No charge; donations accepted. The event will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. F or more information, please call the temple office at 941.955.8121.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31 New Year’s Eve Silent Disco

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24

The very first Silent Disco in Sarasota will take place from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Louies Modern rooftop, 1289 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. The Silent Disco features multi-channel wireless headphones on the dance ﬂoor to choose between two live DJs. Done dancing? Take off the headphones to talk with friends while enjoying incredible views of the city and the Sarasota fireworks from the top ﬂoor of Palm Parking Garage. General admission tickets are $70 and include a cash bar and cash food vendors, a free party favor and champagne toast at midnight. VIP tickets are $150 and include a VIP lounge with open bar, assorted hors d’oeuvres, free food station ticket and champagne toast at midnight. F or more information, please contact Len Steinberg at 941.552.6301 or lsteinberg@jfedsrq.org. Sponsored by

Goodbye to Chanukah On the final day of Chanukah, join us for Jewish movies, kosher foods, Chanukah songs, lively music, and watching all eight lit candles together. On the eighth day of Chanukah, it is time to let this joyous holiday go, but not so fast. Let it linger in our hearts even longer with more memorable activities. Take photographs of our many menorahs. Sing traditional songs together. Fill this final night with the light of all the other nights combined. J oin us at 5:00 p.m. at the Al Katz Center, 713 South Orange Avenue, Burns Square, Sarasota. Cost: $7 per adult; $3 per student; healthy kosher refreshments included. To RSVP, call Beverly Newman at 941.313.9239.

Movie and kosher Chinese dinner What are you doing on Christmas Eve? Join the Temple Beth Sholom Men’s Club for a showing of Irving Berlin - An American Song and a kosher Chinese dinner. Open to the public, the event begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Temple Beth Sholom Social Hall, 1050 South Tuttle Ave., Sarasota. The cost for dinner is $30 for members and $35 for nonmembers, cash or check only. F or more information or to RSVP by December 16, contact Paul Rabin at 941.921.0901 or paulconslt@aol.com.

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Christmas Eve Chinese Food and Game Night It’s a J ewish tradition – Chinese food and spending time with J ewish friends on Christmas Eve. Temple Emanu-El invites the community to the third annual “traditional” December 24 celebration as we enjoy a catered Chinese dinner, a homemade dessert extravaganza, and a fun, relaxed, social night of games. Whether you like spring rolls and bridge, or moo shoo and mah jongg, or chicken fingers and checkers, we promise you a welcoming and yummy evening with old and new friends! The fun begins at 7:00 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. F or reservations, dinner pricing or more information, please call 941.371.2788.

     

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

GOLDEN BULL:

STAMPEDE:

Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants - Gulf Coast Chapter Gold Coast Eagle Distributing Pittsburgh Pirates/Bradenton Marauders The Tillie, Jennie & Harold Schwartz Family Charitable Foundation, Inc. The Tarr Charitable Family Foundation, Inc. Turner Tree and Landscape

BULL RING:

. . .

Core Construction FELD Entertainment, Inc. Frederick Derr & Co. Friends of Lifelong Learning Academy Gulf Coast Community Foundation Kerkering Barberio & Co., P.A. Publix Super Markets Charities Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Sir Speedy Willis A. Smith Construction

. .

BULL PEN:

On November 2nd, Brunch on the Bay raised over $390,000* in support of USF Sarasota-Manatee scholarships. We thank you on behalf of our students. To learn about making a gift that makes a difference in a student’s life, contact Dennis Stover: 941-359-4582 or dstover@sar.usf.edu.

* includes $50,000 from annual Brunch Endowment earnings



Gerri Aaron & Marvin Albert Ajax Building Corporation Cindy & Ross Alander Bank of America Bealls, Inc. Benderson Development Biological Tree Services Blake Medical Center Bob Carter Companies Bouchard Insurance Bradenton Area Sports Commission Bright Future Electric Cheryl & Jeff Burstein C1 Bank Caldwell Trust Company Cannons Marina Elizabeth Carlson, CPA Cavanaugh & Co., CPA Myra & Dug Cooley Dolphin Aviation

BULLSEYE:

Engineering Matrix, Inc. Fawley Bryant Architects, Inc. FCCI Insurance Group Florida Power & Light Company Goodwill Manasota Hill, Barth & King LLC Lynn & Arthur Guilford Anila Jain & Roger Frazee Key Agency, Inc. Kolter Elizabeth Lindsay Lodwig Family & Friends Mariotti Site Development Co., Inc. Medallion Home Janet & George Miles Miles & Thirion, CPA Firm Mixon & Wiggins Najmy Thompson, PL Neuro Challenge Foundation New College of Florida Foundation Northwestern Mutual

Dina & Terry Osborn Sally & Rick Piccolo Porges, Hamlin, Knowles & Hawk, P.A. Property Perspectives Teresa Rawe Ringling College of Art & Design Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation Sarasota Memorial Hospital Schroeder Manatee Ranch Shinn & Co. Rick Smith Dennis Stover & Phil King Sun Hydraulics Corporation SunTrust Tandem Construction The Furniture Warehouse USF Alumni Association USF Health U.S. Tent Rental Wagner Realty Christi Womack-Villalobos & Gregory Villalobos

. Angie & Jim Brewer . Kimberly Choto . Lorna & John Clarke . Community Foundation of . Michelle Crabtree . Ben Ellinor & Mark Keller . Grapevine Communications . EvanGuido.com . Gloria Moss . R. E. Crawford Construction . S&P Hauling . Norma & Sam Savin . Jennifer & Greg Steube . Roberta Somach . Jenny & David Townsend Al Purmort Insurance Sarasota County

MEDIA SPONSORS

10B

December 2014

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

10 extraordinary tastes from Israel

Try the best baklava, chocolate, marzipan, halva, challah, bourekas and other mouthwatering treats that Israel has to offer. By Viva Sarah Pressman, ISRAEL21c, www.israel21c.org

aste buds must work overtime in Israel thanks to the countless and diverse mouthwatering morsels waiting to be eaten here. “When you’re eating in Israel, all your senses are involved. You can smell it and see it being made. In Western countries, almost everything is prepackaged so you don’t get to see or smell it. F ood here really overwhelms the senses, but in a great way,” says Inbal Baum, culinary tour guide from Delicious Israel. Baum helped ISRAEL21c create this list of 10 extraordinary dishes you need to try: 1. Zalatimo’s mutabak Dozens of Israeli bakeries boast the best baklava. But Zalatimo’s Bakery in the Old City of J erusalem, close to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, opened

Zalatimo calls its pastries “mutabak” but everyone else calls them Zalatimos. The BBC program Jerusalem On a Plate featured a segment on Londonbased Israeli chef Yotam Ottolenghi all but fainting from pleasure with each mouthful of the goat’s-cheese-andclarified-butter-filled variety. 2. Benny’s Soda At Benny’s Soda (Gazoz, in Hebrew) at 41 Levinsky Street in Tel Aviv, artisanal soda-shop wizard Benny Briga uses all-natural ﬂavors to create original ﬂavored bubbly drinks. This thirst-quenching master adds wedges of fruits (lemon, pomegranate, guava), herbs (lavender, lemongrass, lemon verbena) and roots (ginger) to fizzy non-alcoholic cocktails. “It’s something really special,” Baum tells ISRAEL21c. 3. Ika’s Chocolate J udges at the 2012 International Chocolate Awards competition swooned over a lemon praline handcrafted by Tel Aviv chocolatier Ika Cohen. She returned to the Italian contest with a gold medal-winning Za’atar Ganache in 2014.

Z alatimos (photo by Emily Livingstone-Parker/ Touring with Madeleine blog)

in 1860 and is the oldest operating baklava bakery in the world. It is hailed by everyone from man-on-the-street to culinary greats as “the” place to bite into a warm, hand-thrown wad of filo dough soaked in sugar syrup.

Ika Chocolate, Tel Aviv

Join the feast! with Israeli Chef Yaron

February 16 – February 24, 2015 Various Events throughout Sarasota-Manatee

“CHEF YARON LETS HIS CREATIVITY TAKE OVER THE COOKING ANEW EACH TIME”

Questions? Contact Orna Nissan 941.552.6305 or onissan@jfedsrq.org

www.jfedsrq.org

Ika continues to appear on international “’best chocolate shops” lists as well. A visit to her F rench-style chocolate boutique in Tel Aviv is a wise choice for any chocolate fan. Chocoholics will be delighted to know that the culture of chocolate in Israel continues to ﬂourish. Keep an eye on Yulia F reger of Bruno Chocolate – she recently won two silver awards at the International Chocolate Awards for her Mumbai Crunch and Halvah Cream pralines. 4. Albert’s marzipan The official Marzipan Museum may be located in Kfar Tavor in the Lower Galilee, but true aficionados of this sweet nutty treat know that Albert Confectionery in South Tel Aviv (36 Matalon) is the place to get it in Israel.

Some of the marzipan treats at Albert Confectionery in Tel Aviv (photo by Inbal Baum/Delicious Israel)

The small pastry shop doesn’t look like much, but the secret family recipes for this almond candy dough handed down through the generations by Greek immigrant Albert Yehuda is the reason people queue up here. The handmade almond cookies are equally delicious. While you’re here, walk over to the Levinsky Market for another taste-bud overload. 5. Pomegranate wine and beer Everyone already knows that pomegranates are packed with vitamins, anti-oxidants and other health benefits. Israeli scientists have improved the pomegranate’s genetic makeup and Israeli entrepreneurs have innovated new ruby-red tastes such as pomegranate wines and beers. Rimon Winery is the best known for its premium high-end pomegranate wines in about a dozen varieties. You’ll also want to swish around Gaaton or Haluza pomegranate wines and Pomegranate Ale by Dancing Camel brewery. 6. Eli Mamman’s Halva Halva can be bought at markets, stores and gourmet shops throughout Israel. But the main go-to place for this sesame-paste candy is Halva Kingdom in J erusalem’s Machane Yehuda market. Eli Mamman stirs Moroccan family secrets into his recipes to produce more than 100 ﬂavors of this sweet confection. The first Halva Kingdom store opened in 1947 in the Old City of J erusalem; the current location, at 12 Etz

HaChaim Street in the market, opened in 1986. 7. Leon’s bourekas Bourekas are also ubiquitous in Israel, and everyone has a favorite Turkish/ Bulgarian bourekas place. Leon and Sons bakery in J affa (17 Olei Tzion) is a three-generation family business known far and wide for its delicious ﬂaky filo offerings made without margarine. Other places people swear by when it comes to bourekas are Tel Aviv’s Habourekas Shel Ema (46 Levinsky), Beersheva’s Bourekas Umi (107 Hapalmach), Yehud’s Hazan Bourekas (26 Hatoucha), Bourekas Bachar Ha’agala in Haifa (35 Derech Ha’atzmaut), and J erusalem’s Bourekas Musa (30 J affa). 8. Specialty sandwiches F alafel and shawarma joints abound, but extraordinary bites can best be found in the multicultural specialty sandwich shops in every town and city across the land. In Ramle, take your growling tummy over to HaTunisay Shel Eli (3 Shlomo Hamelech) for a Tunisian F ricassee; in Givatayim, head over to HaSabich Shel Ovad (7 Sirkin) for the most famous J ewish Iraqi breakfast sandwich in Israel; and in J erusalem, Chochi’s Sandwich (14 Dahomay) reportedly serves up the best schnitzel sandwich in Israel. In Tel Aviv, Itzik and Rutie (53 Shenkin) is a second-generation family takeout shop known for legendary sandwiches (egg salad, cream cheese, herring, sauerkraut). At Miznon (21 Ibn Gvirol), the new kid on the block, chef Eyal Shani serves up contemporary Tel Aviv in a pita. 9. Abu Salem’s tea When strolling through the shuk (market) in the Old City of Nazareth, follow your nose to Abu Salem’s Coffee House just off the main street, down an alleyway. While the home brew is good, the real reason to stop here is for the nut-infused cinnamon tea. The café is a second home for many of the city’s elders, who come to play backgammon all day long and drink the otherworldly hot beverages on the menu. Proprietor Wessam gave up a career in graphic arts to carry on the tradition of his father and grandfather in running the café. 10. Viznich’s challah The ultimate place to buy fresh challah is a matter of opinion. But there’s no denying the extraordinary experience of a visit to Viznich Bakery in Bnei Brak on a Thursday night or F riday morning as these white braided loaves of soft goodness are snatched up as they come out of the ovens. The bakery, which has been

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Challah bread (photo by Flash90)

around for more than 60 years, is in a neglected alleyway (Shimshon Hagibor). You’ll know you’ve arrived at the correct location by the dizzying smell of freshly baked challahs and the ever-growing lines of people, both secular and religious, waiting to buy them. Viva Sarah Press is an associate editor and writer at ISRAEL21c. She has extensive experience in reporting/editing in the print, online and broadcast ﬁelds. Her work has been published by international media outlets including Israel Television, CNN, Reuters, The J erusalem Post and Time Out.

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

December 2014

Caprese Latkes recipe and photo courtesy of Joy of Kosher with Jamie Geller magazine (Chanukah 2011) for this and more great recipes visit JoyofKosher.com/Caprese

H A K U N A H C THIS

For all your Chanukah celebration needs, visit a store near you: 1325 S. Tamiami Trl. in Sarasota

2881 Clark Rd. in Sarasota

3301 17th St. in Sarasota

5400 Fruitville Rd. in Sarasota

5805 Manatee Ave. in Bradenton

4230 Bee Ridge Rd. in Sarasota

winndixie.com

11B

12B

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

December 2014

BRIEFS ISRAEL TO REDUCE DEPENDENCE ON U.S.MADE WEAPON SYSTEMS Things that had been taken for granted in U.S.-Israeli defense relations, like the fact that Israel could always count on a U.S. airlift of ammunition in time of trouble, are no longer certain since the U.S. decision during the Gaza war not to enable the shipping of ammunition to Israel. About ten days into the war, Israel submitted a request for various types of munitions, including Hellfire missiles, to replenish dwindling inventories. Yet the U.S. completely stopped all connections with Israel’s defense procurement delegation. F or days, no item could be shipped. The order to stop the processing of all Israeli requests came from a senior echelon – probably the White House. The arms issue was resolved toward the end of the war, and strategic defense relations between the two countries continue, including extensive intelligence cooperation. Nevertheless, the Israeli defense establishment has decided to reduce the production of weapon systems in the U.S. and will rely more heavily on Israeli-made products. Israel will also intensify the manufacture of Israeli missiles that can substitute for U.S.-made munitions. (Amir Rapaport, IsraelDefense magazine)

ISRAEL SEES GAS AS KEY TO TRANSFORMING MIDEAST RELATIONS Israel has a new foreign policy tool to build relations with its neighbors: natural gas. By the end of the year, Israel may have binding agreements to sell billions of dollars of gas to Egypt, J ordan and the Palestinian Authority. Israel’s chance to be a regional energy power comes from two mammoth fields under the Mediterranean Sea, holding more gas than the

country could consume in decades. “We are much more accepted in the world as a result of us finding natural gas,” said Israeli Energy Minister Silvan Shalom. (Shoshanna Solomon and Calev Ben-David, Bloomberg)

In addition, Israelis are also providing Africa with an infra-red camera that measures the body temperature of passengers at airports to quickly diagnose potential Ebola patients. (Udi Etsion, Ynet News)

TWENTY YEARS OF ISRAELI-JORDANIAN PEACE

COULD AN ISRAELI INNOVATION END WORLD HUNGER?

October 26 marked the 20th anniversary of the Israeli-J ordanian peace treaty. While the treaty was celebrated by Israelis, it has not been popular with the J ordanian public. In a 2011 poll, 52% of J ordanians said their government should cancel the agreement. Once the treaty was signed, it opened the ﬂoodgates of U.S. economic and military assistance to J ordan. In 1993, Washington provided Amman with just $35 million in economic support; the 2014 figure is $700 million. Moreover, last year, U.S.-J ordanian trade reached $3.3 billion, a nearly tenfold increase from 1994. Similarly, J ordan received just $9 million in U.S. F oreign Military F inancing in 1993, compared to $300 million this year. Washington has provided 58 F -16s and a state-of-the-art counterterrorism facility – the King Abdullah Special Operations Training Center (KASOTC) – constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2006-2007. (David Schenker, Washington Institute for Near East Policy)

Between a third and a half of all food grown today is lost to spoilage. Thanks to an invention by Israel’s Pimi Agro, using hydrogen peroxide “with a few key additions,” fruits and vegetables remain fresh and viable for up to 10 weeks, significantly cutting losses due to rot and deterioration during the transportation process, said Nimrod Ben-Yehuda, CTO and co-founder of Pimi. “F or places like India, China and Africa, this is huge, especially because the transportation systems in those areas are slow and refrigeration is hard to come by,” he said. Agricultural and food authorities in the U.S., UK, Germany, Australia, China and many other countries have approved Pimi’s all-natural, zerochemical method of preserving produce. “They’re not necessarily organic, but they are much healthier than ordinary produce – besides having a much longer shelf life – because farmers can cut down significantly on the use of fungicides.” Pimi Agro’s secret: Its products are formulations based on 99.4% Stabilized Hydrogen Peroxide (STHP), which decomposes into oxygen and water, leaving no chemical residue. The trick, said Ben Yehuda, was getting that other 0.6% of the formulation right – and that took him, along with researchers at the Technion and at Hebrew University, 15 years. (David Shamah, Times of Israel)

ISRAELI INNOVATIONS HELP COMBAT EBOLA

Special inﬂatable isolation tents manufactured by Israeli company SYS Technologies have been installed recently in Guinea to help contain the spread of Ebola. The company has also developed an incubator-like stretcher for the safe transfer of patients to the isolation tents.

invite you to join us for the experience of a lifetime to

CELEBRATE ISRAEL’S DIVERSITY THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS, AND FLAVORS OF THIS UNIQUE COUNTRY SHONIM B’YACHAD (DIFFERENT TOGETHER)

6, 2015 – 1 h c r a M , Monday 25, 2015 h c r a M , y a Wednesd A MISSION UNLIKE ANY OTHER • Tours featuring the diversity of Israel and its fine ethnic foods and wine, museums, music, dance, fashion, and exploring what a 21st century Israel means in the current Middle Eastern climate

Additional Information: Jeremy Lisitza at the Jewish Federation, 941.343.2113, or missions@jfedsrq.org

• Artistic and cultural explorations of Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Jerusalem, southern Israel, and much more • Thursday, March 19th Opening of Embracing Our Differences Israel Shonim B’Yachad (Different Together) at the Port of Jaffa • Visit Sarasota’s Sister City – Tel Mond • Accommodations at the Royal Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv • Mission Co-chairs: Nancy Roucher and Patti & David Wertheimer

Cost: $3,300 per person land only, double occupancy, single supplement: $1,090 Airfare: On your own or through the Jewish Federation

In Partnership with Embracing Our Differences, Sister Cities of Sarasota, and Tel Mond

ISRAELI FIRM ADAPTS IRON DOME FOR INTERCEPTS AT SEA Israel’s Rafael Ltd. is developing shipbased versions of Iron Dome, the system that has scored more than 1,200 operational intercepts since its initial deployment in 2011. Dubbed C-Dome, Rafael said the system aims to defend offshore patrol vessels, corvettes and other small ships. (Barbara Opall-Rome, Defense News)

NEW POLL: 75 PERCENT OF ISRAELI JEWS OPPOSE A PALESTINIAN STATE ON THE 1967 LINES, ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL FROM THE JORDAN VALLEY, AND THE DIVISION OF JERUSALEM According to a poll conducted October 12-14, 2014, by Shivukim-Panorama for the J erusalem Center, 75% of the Israeli J ewish public continue to oppose Israel’s withdrawal from the J ordan Valley and the division of J erusalem. Moreover, the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) in the Middle East has made the Israeli public even less ready for territorial concessions in the West Bank. While 70% report that the rise of the Islamic State has not affected their position, 17% say it has made them less

ready for concessions, while 5% say they are more ready for concessions. Some 75% of Israeli J ews oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state if it means an Israeli withdrawal from the J ordan Valley. A similar percentage would oppose the replacement of the IDF with international forces in the J ordan Valley. Notably, 52% of Israelis who identify with “the left” oppose the replacement of the IDF with international forces in the J ordan Valley. Overall, 74% of Israeli J ews oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 lines, while 76% oppose a Palestinian state if it means the division of J erusalem. (J erusalem Center for Public Affairs)

THE GAZA AID CONFERENCE WAS A CHARADE

At the Gaza reconstruction conference in Cairo, Norwegian F oreign Minister Borge Brende announced that the nations of the world had raised $5.4 billion to rebuild the Strip. But a closer look at the numbers shows some creative accounting was used. F or starters, much of the $5.4 billion was not actually earmarked for Gaza reconstruction. Many countries included in their contributions money they had already allotted to Palestine, including the West Bank, since the beginning of the year under normal aid programming. In other words, a good amount of the aid is not new money, but represented a re-announcement of money that’s already been given. Moreover, it seems to be common practice for states to renege on their commitments. (Laura Dean, GlobalPost)

HALF OF PALESTINIANS KILLED IN GAZA WAR WERE TERRORISTS – PART 6 OF EXAMINATION OF NAMES

The Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center has now examined 1,017 names of Palestinian war fatalities in Gaza. Of the 874 dead who could be identified, terrorist operatives constitute 49.8% and non-involved civilians constitute 50.2%. (Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center)

ISRAEL’S EXPANDING ASIA TRADE

Since formally establishing diplomatic relations with China in 1992, IsraeliSino trade has ballooned 220-fold to reach $11 billion last year. China (including Hong Kong) has become the second biggest destination for Israeli exports, after the U.S. Israel’s hightech exports to China have grown 170% since 2008. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu recently met with Indian Prime Minister Modi at the UN, where they discussed cyberspace and defense collaboration, as well as expanding an economic relationship that stood at $6 billion last year. (Ian Bremmer, Politico)

For daily news stories related to Israel & the Jewish world, visit www.jfedsrq.org.

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COMMENTARY

December 2014

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Now the world ﬁddles as Gaza cries By Moshe Phillips and Benyamin Korn, November 6, 2014

nce more, Gaza is under attack. Gazans are being evicted from their homes, a curfew has been imposed, and a crossing that enables Gazans to leave has been closed. Yet the world is silent. Strange, is it not? Hundreds of residents along one of Gaza’s borders have suddenly been ordered to evacuate, on just two days’ notice. Their homes are to be demolished. There is no talk of compensation. Why isn’t the United Nations Security Council denouncing this outrage? Because it is the Egyptian government, and not Israel’s, that is doing the evicting. The Egyptians have decided they need a buffer zone along their border with Gaza. They don’t trust the Hamas regime, which they say has been assisting terrorists who have been attacking Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai. Apparently Cairo does not accept the Obama Administration scripted fiction that the new Hamas-PA government is run by “technocrats.” Egypt understands that a Hamas-appointed “technocrat” is,

first and foremost, a functionary of Hamas. Of course, the Egyptians could establish their buffer zone along their own side of the border, without evicting anyone. But why should they yield their own territory when it is Hamas creating the menace? So they are kicking out Gazans who reside along the border, and setting up a buffer zone that will be nine miles long, and with water-filled trenches that will be more than 500 yards wide – that’s half a kilometer, or five football fields. Yet nary a word of protest from the White House, nor any suggestion of delaying any U.S. arms deliveries to Egypt. That’s not all. In response to the recent attacks in Sinai, the Egyptians have imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew all along the Egypt-Gaza border. In other words, no resident of that part of Gaza can leave his or her home after dark, for any reason. Yet Thomas F riedman has not written any columns in The New York Times with heart-rending stories about

Gaza women being forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions because they can’t travel to the local hospital after sundown. Egypt has also shut down the only crossing along the Egyptian side of the Gaza border. With the passageway closed, no Gazan can get out. So where are the snarky political cartoonists depicting Gaza as a Holocaust-era ghetto? Nor is Secretary of State J ohn Kerry warning of Egypt becoming ostracized and isolated in the world. Western academics are not threatening to boycott their Egyptian counterparts. J Street is not lobbying for U.S. intervention against this new assault on Gaza. It’s the ultimate example of the double standard. Israel does it, the world screams. Egypt does it, the world is silent. Could the hypocrisy of the international community be any more blatant? Evidently, if they genuinely cared about the well-being of the residents of Gaza, the White House would be holding up arms to Egypt – exactly as it held up Hellfire missiles to Israel. If he were sincerely concerned about Gaza,

Thomas F riedman would be blasting the Egyptians on the op-ed page of The New York Times. If they truly wanted to help the Gazans, J Street’s lobbyists would be working overtime to get the Obama Administration to intervene against Cairo. But the truth is that they don’t really care about Gazans’ welfare at all. The Palestinian cause interests them only if it presents an opportunity to bash Israel. When Palestinians are squeezed by their fellow Arabs, the State Department and the pundits and the “peace camp” fall silent. So let’s all learn an important lesson from this experience. Israel and its supporters should stop worrying about the latest Thomas F riedman diatribe or the latest J Street conference or the latest unfriendly remarks by the Obama White House and the State Department. They will go on blaming Israel – and excusing Egypt and other Arab countries – no matter what. Nothing Israel does will ever satisfy them – so there’s no point in trying. Moshe Phillips and Benyamin Korn are members of the board of the Religious Zionists of America.

Opinions and letters printed in The Jewish News of SarasotaManatee do not necessarily reﬂect those of The Jewish F ederation of Sarasota-Manatee, its Board of Directors or staff, or its advertisers.

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FOR ISRAEL Enjoy the opportunity to educate your civic group, Church or Synagogue and community about Israel with the Speakers Bureau for Israel. The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee through the Heller Israel Advocacy Initiative has put together a group of passionate and highly informed speakers to give clear and direct factual information about Israel and current events surrounding Israel both political and militarily.

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The Holocaust Speakers Bureau offers teachers a unique opportunity to expand their students’ classroom experience. We have a large number of Holocaust survivors who reside in this community. They are very motivated to visit school children and give their eyewitness accounts of the Holocaust. Also available are speakers who were hidden children, those saved through the “Kindertransport”, resistance fighters, refugees, as well as World War II camp liberators.

HILDE MANDEL PAUL MOLNAR RIFKA GLATZ MARK SOLENT HENRY TENENBAUM

All speakers are authentic to their respective experiences and feel a strong commitment to bring an awareness of the consequences that result when evil is allowed to flourish. They feel privileged and grateful to live in this wonderful country where their voices are being heard. For Booking Contact

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RECENT EVENTS

December 2014

An insider’s look at the war in Gaza and its aftermath Staff Report

n Monday, November 3, The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee hosted the first Heller Israel Advocacy Initiative event of the year with guest speaker Gil Hoffman, chief political correspondent and analyst for The Jerusalem Post. His topic, “Peace, Politics, and Projectiles - An insider’s look at the war in Gaza and its aftermath,” was provocative and poignant, while Mr. Hoffman himself was both charming and humorous. The event drew a crowd of nearly 500 people at Temple Beth Sholom. Rabbi Howard Simon, co-chair of the Heller IAI, had this to say about the lecture: “Gil Hoffman, with a combination of humor and unfettered

fact, told the story of Israel – what the people face today, how they have dealt with the realities of yesterday, and what dreams of tomorrow exist in the

Gil Hoffman interviewed by a local TV reporter

minds and hearts of the Israelis. It was a clear and concise description of our people, our land and our responsibilities regarding that people and that land. It was an inspiring, thought-provoking, powerful evening for one and all. How special was this night. How wonderful it is that our F ederation introduces our community to such special moments. May we be fortunate to share many more programs of this nature in the future.” Hoffman concluded the evening by informing attendees about how they could help Israel from their homes. “I say helping Israel is easy,” Hoffman said. “E.A.S.Y., which stands for Education, Advocacy, Solidarity and

Gil Hoffman addresses an audience of nearly 5 00 people at Temple Beth Sholom

Your money.” This was a great way to kick off our season and we look forward to continue bringing the community quality speakers – such as Nathan Miller and Alan Dershowitz – throughout the year on topics of Israel and global anti-Semitism. Please visit www.jfedsrq.org for more details on future events.

FDR and the Holocaust: Dr Allan B Schwartz gives stimulating presentation at Kristallnacht Commemoration By Orna Nissan

n Sunday, November 9, The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee hosted an evening commemorating Kristallnacht (“Night of Broken Glass”), 76 years since that infamous pogrom. During the event, the Sarasota J ewish Chorale performed stirring renditions of traditional J ewish songs, and Anne Stein, coordinator of the Holocaust Speakers Bureau, served as master of ceremonies. The featured speaker of the evening was Dr. Allan B. Schwartz, professor of medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine, who spoke about President F ranklin Delano Roosevelt’s awareness of, and reaction to Kristallnacht and the surrounding events of the Holocaust. Dr. Schwartz asked the audience to ponder the following questions: Was F DR aware of the atrocities in Europe before and during World War II? Was

there a U.S. J ewish quota limiting immigration? Was FDR an anti-Semite? How did F DR relate to Willkie and Lindbergh and Congress? Who were the isolationists? What did FDR plan with Churchill and Stalin? Did the audience know about F DR’s “J ewish Cabal?” Dr. Schwartz reminded the audience that F DR was inaugurated on March 4, 1933, just weeks after Adolf Hitler became the German chancellor on January 30, 1933. The inﬂuence of the Great Depression was intertwined with the earlier publishing of Hitler’s Mein Kampf. F DR signed the Social Security Act as his signal action of the New Deal. Hitler promoted the Nuremberg Race Laws, which established anti-J ewish rules throughout Germany. The Aryan race was promoted as superior to all others, with the J ews at the bottom of the heap as biologically in-

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ferior. Signs throughout Germany and Austria read “J uden Verboten.” J ews were excluded from public positions and professions, required to be described by nose size and eye color on official government forms, and to carry ID papers with “J ” boldly noted. The J ews were ultimately forced to leave Germany and, later, formally deported to concentration camps. The German government stood by as Kristallnacht, a series of coordinated attacks against J ews throughout Germany and parts of Austria, destroyed J ewish businesses and synagogues, caused the deaths of 91 J ews, and arrested, deported and incarcerated 30,000 J ews. What was Roosevelt’s reaction? He merely recalled the American ambassador to Germany. The U.S. immigration system severely limited the number of German J ews admitted during the Nazi years to about 26,000 annually. But even that quota was less than 25 percent filled during most of the Hitler era due to bureaucratic delays. Why did the F DR administration seek to discourage and disqualify J ewish refugees from coming to the United States? Dr. Schwartz’s presentation included vivid descriptions of the tragedy of the MS St. Louis (known as “The Voyage of the Damned”) in 1939. It has been estimated that 600 J ews from the ship, refused entry into Havana and the United States, ultimately died in Nazi-controlled Europe and concentration camps. The Warsaw and Lodz ghettos served as areas of isolation of J ews in preparation for “loading like cattle into boxcars” and shipment off to concentration camps. The deported

Dr. Allan Schwartz

J ews were transported in an elaborate network of railroads supervised by Adolf Eichmann. Why didn’t F DR order the bombing of the railroads, gas chambers and crematoria? White House documents were shared with the audience, one of which stated, “The War Department is of the opinion that the suggested air operation is impracticable.” Was FDR an anti-Semite? In his earlier years, F DR had supported the concept that the J ews should be spread thin all over the world. Did this sentiment inﬂuence his administration’s distancing from the hands-off policy toward the persecution of German and European Jews? However, as Dr. Schwartz pointed out, F DR also engaged more J ews to participate in government than prior presidents, including Bernard Baruch, F elix F rankfurter, Louis Brandeis and Henry Morgenthau. After the presentation, the audience participated in an emotional and stirring question-and-answer session. For more information about Holocaust programs, contact Orna Nissan at 941.552.6305 or onissan@jfedsrq.org.

RECENT EVENTS

December 2014

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Temple Emanu-El Religious School students Katie Hurwitz and Shelby Savitz enjoy the sukkah party at the home of Rabbis Brenner & Elaine Glickman

Hannah Schuh and Lucy Thomas had the honor of blowing the shofars at Temple Sinai’s Selichot Service

Bea Friedman and Betty Schoenbaum, who recently celebrated her 97 th birthday at Temple Beth Sholom

Chabad of Bradenton Hebrew School students decorate a home for their yearlong curriculum about the Jewish Home

Temple Beth Sholom Schools ﬁrst-graders enjoy a musical moment with Mr. Stine

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Rabbi Sholom Schmerling of Chabad of Venice dances with friends and congregants at a recent Klezmer Festival

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WOMEN’S GIVING CIRCLE YOUR VOICE WILL BE HEARD. To become a member or for more information: Contact Ilene Fox at 941.343.2111 or ifox@jfedsrq.org The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee Klingenstein Jewish Center 580 McIntosh Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232

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December 2014