The Jewish News - June 2018

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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

June 2018 - Sivan/Tammuz 5778 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 12 14 18 24 27 29 31

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

6 March of the Living: A journey from destruction to rebirth

11 Community Day School students enjoy adventures in Israel

29 Temple Sinai youth groups’ mitzvah projects

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT DISCLAIMER

This issue of The Jewish News contains a paid political advertisement. The ad does not reflect the views of, or serve as endorsement by, the staff or leadership of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

Volume 48, Number 6

LIFE & LEGACY program raises $8.8 million in first year!

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Staff Report

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ne year ago, The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee launched an initiative to transform the philanthropic culture of Sarasota-Manatee’s Jewish community with the LIFE & LEGACY™ program. The four-year program, which joins similar efforts in more than 50 cities around the country, is a partnership program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and managed by the Federation in this region. Through the program, lay leaders and staff from a cross-section of synagogues, social service agencies, and day schools receive training, support and monetary incentives to start conversations, secure legacy gifts, steward donors and integrate legacy giving into the philanthropic culture of the Jewish community.

More than 230 guests gathered to celebrate the completion of the first year of the initiative at the LIFE & LEGACY Celebration on April 26 at Michael’s On East. Gisele Pintchuck, the director of the program at the Federation, welcomed the enthusiastic audience, reporting that the results have been extraordinary. “Our original goal was exceeded in the first six months of the program,” she said to the packed

audience. “We raised an astounding $8.8 million in promised gifts for our community with $220,000 already received by the designated organizations. It’s truly remarkable.”

The 11 local agencies that are partners in the program are AvivaA Campus for Senior Life, Chabad of Sarasota, Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch, Chabad of Venice & North Port, Hershorin Schiff Commu-

nity Day School, JFCS of the Suncoast, The Jewish Federation of SarasotaManatee, Temple Beth Israel, Temple Beth Sholom, Temple Emanu-El and Temple Sinai.

During the evening, $7,500 grant awards were given out to organizations that secured 25 or more legacy commitments in the first year. These included Chabad of Sarasota, Chabad of Venice continued on page 2

Representatives from organizations that secured 25 or more legacy commitments during the first year of the program: (front row:) Mark Sharff (Temple Emanu-El), Rob Katz (Temple Beth Sholom), Rabbi Sholom Schmerling (Chabad of Venice & North Port), Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, Robert Landman and Elizabeth Weber (Chabad of Sarasota), Heidi Brown (JFCS of the Suncoast), (back row:) Howard Tevlowitz (The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee)

Federation earns 4-star rating from Charity Navigator Staff Report

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e are proud to announce that The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee has achieved a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. This coveted rating demonstrates strong financial health and commitment to accountability and

transparency. This is Charity Navigator’s highest possible rating and verifies that the Federation exceeds industry standards and outperforms

A publication of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee Klingenstein Jewish Center, 580 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota, FL 34232 Annual voluntary subscription: $25

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most charities in its area of work. Only a quarter of rated charities achieve this distinction.

Howard Tevlowitz, executive director of the Federation, said, “We are honored to have achieved this distinction, demonstrating our trustworthiness to the public. It’s important our donors trust that we are using their donations wisely to accomplish our mission in Sarasota-Manatee.” ▼

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LIFE & LEGACY...continued from page 1 & North Port, JFCS of the Suncoast, Heidi Brown, CEO of JFCS of The Jewish Federation of Sarasotathe Suncoast, added that the LIFE & Manatee, Temple Beth Sholom and LEGACY initiative “impacts not only Temple Emanu-El. Grants of $5,000 our Jewish healing program but all were issued to organizations that sethe clients we serve, including at-risk cured 18-24 legacy commitments. youth, families facing homelessness, These included Aviva- A Campus for veterans, seniors and those impacted Senior Life, Chabad of Bradenton & by cancer. We are grateful and appreLakewood Ranch, Hershorin Schiff ciative for everyone’s support.”

Community Day School, Temple Beth Anne Spindel, a member of the Israel and Temple Sinai.

Federation’s board of directors and Several community leaders spoke chair of Federation’s LIFE & LEGAat the event.

CY initiative, said she was thrilled to “This wonderful program helps see the large turnout for the event. “It’s wonderful to see our community come to create a better future for our Jewish together in common cause with such organizations and enables us to bond vibrancy and strength,” she says. “It’s with community members through such a positive and dynamic program, their pledges on a profound level,” said and ensures our ability to build for the Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz of Chabad of future.”

Sarasota. “Tonight, I and all the guests Howard Tevlowitz, the Federaseated at my table, feel proud to be tion’s executive director, thanked the Jewish and to be part of something that attendees for their significant comunites us all regardless of affiliation mitment to the future of our commuand political views.”

FEDERATION NEWS nity. “True leadership doesn’t require changing the world. A leader can choose to lead a community service initiative, help those in need, support a synagogue or simply be a helpful, supportive friend and family member.

Whatever type of leader you choose

to be, you can make an impact. To me, that is what a true leader, a true hero, does for his people. He helps each individual find the strength that already lies within, and you connect to that strength.”

Betty Schoenbaum, a renowned philanthropist and social activist, also touched the audience with her heartfelt words. “I’m interested in keeping Judaism alive for generations to come,” she told the audience. “I’m prouder and prouder for being a Jew in this world.By S It’s up to us to continue the wonderful work we’re doing, keeping Judaism alive. It is very important that you are here to be sure that generations later, Judaism will be here in Sarasota and Manatee counties.”

For more information about the LIFE & LEGACY program, contact Gisele Pintchuck at 941.706.0029 or gpintchuck@jfedsrq.org.

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Event co-chairs Al and Meredith Ernst

Representatives from organizations that secured 18-24 legacy commitments during the first year of the program: Laurie Lachowitzer (Temple Sinai), Isaac Azerad (Temple Beth Israel), Rabbi Mendy Bukiet (Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch), Jay Solomon (Aviva- A Campus for Senior Life), Howard Tevlowitz (The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee) and Rachel Saltzberg (Hershorin Schiff Community Day School)

LIFE & LEGACY Director Gisele Pintchuck, Betty Schoenbaum and Nelle Miller (photos courtesy Cliff Roles)

Federation raises $39,000 during Giving Challenge

Discover the secret history

By Marty Katz

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on display FEBRUARY 10 – JULY 15 AT THE FHM The Nazi responsible for transporting millions of innocent people to death camps mysteriously disappeared after World War II. Photographs, film and recently declassified espionage artifacts reveal the truth about his daring capture and historic 1961 trial.

or a 24-hour period on May 1 and 2, our Federation, along with 630 non-profits in SarasotaManatee, participated in Giving Challenge 2018. Within this short time, 74,682 gifts were made for a total of $6.1 million. The Patterson Foundation matched all gifts between $25 and $100, bringing the total amount raised to $11.7 million. This was the sixth Giving Challenge initiative in our community since 2012.

The Federation’s marketing campaign centered on a revolving set of graphics with the slogan, “Your Federation: Where Judaism comes to life.”

In the 24-hour period, 248 generous

donors gifted over $22,000 to our Federation. Combined with the matching dollars from The Patterson Foundation, our total raised was $38,980! Thank you to everyone who participated in the challenge and made a difference in the lives of Jews in Sarasota-Manatee, in Israel and around the world.

We would also like to express our gratitude to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and The Patterson Foundation for making the Giving Challenge possible.

For more information about our Federation’s development efforts, please contact Ilene Fox at 941.343.2111 or ifox@jfedsrq.org.

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FEDERATION NEWS

Stories of LIFE & LEGACY

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LIFE & LEGACY™ is a partnership of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee and 10 local Jewish organizations that promote after-lifetime giving to benefit synagogues, social service organizations, Jewish day schools and other Jewish entities. Legacy donors, such as those featured in the story below, are helping to secure the future of our Jewish com-

wned munity for generations to come. also rtfelt g Jume,” and orld.By Sandy Chase erful uisa and Rob Goldman believe single-greatest influence in my life.” aism fervently that Jewish life must What Rob’s father always said was, u are be strengthened and preserved.

“Opportunity comes only if you’re ater,By endowing Chabad of Venice & ready to accept it. So, be prepared and andNorth Port – part of their Florida famput your tie on every morning.” ily – with a legacy gift, the Goldmans And as a young lawyer – and at his thewill continue to reinforce Judaism for father’s urging – Rob was introduced ntactposterity. to his temple, Israel Bonds and the 9 or “There is a great need for Jewcommunity Federation. ish education and instilling the beauty “I grew up in a town where my faand wisdom of Jewish values in our ther was one of 30 founding members community. Chabad’s Hebrew school, of the Cranston Jewish Community adult classes and services are thriving.

Center, the predecessor of Torat YisBy pledging our gift, we fill a gap in rael, a Conservative shul. Not a deeply the Venice and North Port community religious man, he was a proud Jew and wanted his kids to support Israel and embrace Judaism.

“When I had graduated from law school, the first thing my father did was to take me to an Israel Bonds fundraising meeting in Rhode Island, our home state. Although that was in 1975, I remember the event vividly, including the location – a big house in the nicest neighborhood.”

But what Rob learned from that occasion and from his father’s upbringing was that it’s paramount to get involved with the Rob and Luisa Goldman with grandson Elijah Jewish community. outreach to our seniors and children.”

“I joined a newly formed group But the Goldmans have already for those younger than 40 years old: contributed so much of themselves Young Leadership Jewish Federation – from Rob’s collaborating in every of Rhode Island. We visited Washingphase of building the Chabad Center ton, D.C., on the first-ever mission, to to Luisa’s participating at the Hebrew my knowledge, to lobby our Congressschool and in other endeavors – helpmen FOR Israel.” ing Chabad realize its goals.

The beginning of a dedicated life According to Rabbi Sholom Schto Judaism and Israel, Rob became merling, “The Goldmans have been chair of the Initial Gifts campaign for involved since the beginning of our the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island.

Chabad Center for Jewish Life camFrom there, he accepted the position of pus, giving their heart and soul to our chair of Major Gifts, ultimately becomJewish community and sharing their ing a board member. He also became a vision, support and guidance for the board member of his temple. future of Judaism.”

Luisa was always encouraged by When asked about a philanthropher parents to volunteer in the commuic role model, the Goldmans say that nity. A longtime advocate for others, although neither of them grew up in Luisa had helped neighbors, visited the wealthy families, their parents helped elderly, and assisted with food drives. plant the altruistic seed. Rob says pas“Through the law firm, we supported sionately, “My father has been the Crossroads YMCA in Providence.”

Luisa and Robert Goldman: Helping to buttress Jewish life from the ground up

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Once moving to Venice, she dove right into philanthropy and non-profit work, volunteering for Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) for the past 12 years. Although Luisa is no longer the board chair, she still retains board membership. She also serves on various committees on behalf of the Venice Chabad.

“Legacy giving allows us to be a part of something that lives on – knowing what we care about and support today will be provided for once we are gone. Chabad is like family, and we want to ensure that it’s taken care of.”

A retired real estate and business lawyer, Rob practiced law in Rhode Island and Massachusetts before moving to Venice. Staying involved in the community, Rob now sells real estate.

“This full-time commitment allows me to use my intellectual capital to help people – something I’ve missed.”

A licensed title insurance agent, Luisa spent the bulk of her career as director of operations of Rob’s law firm.

Additionally, she provided consulting services to real estate companies and small businesses. And she also engaged in public speaking nationwide.

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When asked about perpetuating Judaism, the Goldmans talk about their children and grandchildren.

“Our two sons are committed to Judaism in their Denver and Boston communities, and we believe that our urging has been instrumental in their decision.” The Goldmans’ grandson, Elijah, for example, attends the shul preschool and will be attending the Denver Hebrew Day School for his K-12 education.

The Goldmans hope that their pledge serves as an example to others in the community – both young and old.

“Regardless of the amount, it’s easy to implement. And, more important, it feels great knowing that the charity you care for today will be taken care of when you are gone. You will make a difference and, more important, you’ll know that you’re living a life of purpose when you see your loved ones embracing Jewish values as well.”

For more information on the LIFE & LEGACY program, please contact Gisele Pintchuck, LIFE & LEGACY director, at gpintchuk@jfedsrq.org or 941.706.0029.

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FEDERATION NEWS

Young Leaders visit Jewish communities in Morocco and Spain Staff Report

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imone Knego, a board member of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, recently participated in the National Young Leaders Study Mission to Morocco and Spain. Participants in the annual study mission of The Jewish Federations of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet spent over a week visiting both countries. The trip, which highlighted the special relationship Morocco and Spain have with the Jewish people, also helped the group understand the importance of supporting vibrant Jewish communities throughout the globe. One of the Moroccan port cites, for example, is home to only 18 Jews, and Federation is there – ensuring they have access to kosher food, medical care and housing.

In Spain, Federation supports many programs and initiatives –

among them a day school which serves 300 students. The group visited the school and joined the students for an assembly on the basketball court to welcome Shabbat with songs, challah, candles and grape juice.

Simone said, “I found Morocco to

Simone Knego

be especially interesting, seeing the interaction between Muslims and Jews.

Although the Jewish population is very small, there are still Jewish schools and synagogues there.”

Simone was particularly taken

by Association Mimouna, a group of Muslim students striving to preserve and promote the history of Morocco’s ancient Jewish community. The group educates the Moroccan people about the Jewish culture that used to flourish in the country, and encourages harmony between Jews and Muslims.

Simone said, “The group even held a Holocaust conference in 2011. That is a powerful statement.”

Simone is currently the chair designate of the National Young Leadership Cabinet and will be chair next year.

“The Victim” donated to Federation by artist Sy Karpen (z’l)

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I lift mine eyes unto the mountain from whence cometh my help.

But there was no one there.

I walk through the valley of death and feared for evil surrounded me.

No one gave me comfort.

Why me? What have I done?

What have you done!! hese words were written by Seymour “Sy” Karpen, of blessed memory, and inscribed on a plaque at the base of a hauntingly beautiful statue he carved from a log of black walnut, titled “The Victim.”

Sy created this sculpture in 1996, more than 50 years after World War II ended. He was a decorated WWII combat veteran, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and was awarded both a Purple

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Heart and a Bronze Star. Sy served as an MP in Frankfurt, Germany, during the final years of the war and had vivid memories of the “prisoners” he was required to guard – victims of the Nazi regime. The images of these individuals who were broken, starving and holding out hope of liberation, stuck with him his entire life.

Sy was an accomplished artist in several media – sculpture, stained glass and mosaic. He created this sculpture to memorialize the victims of the Holocaust. It took him many years to attempt to tackle this project, and once started, it took several months to complete and was an extremely emotional journey for Sy. He drafted the poem, based on biblical texts, to accompany the piece.

Sy generously donated the sculpture to our Jewish Federation last year so that it could be displayed for all to see and experience. We are so grateful

Seymour “Sy” Karpen with his sculpture

to Sy for sharing this beautiful piece of art with our community. I encourage you to visit our Federation to experience it for yourself.

May his memory be for a blessing.

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June 2018

FEDERATION NEWS

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“Twice Promised Land and 100 Years War” – Suez and beyond A series by Dr. Steven Derfler 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 48, Number 6 June 2018 32 pages USPS Permit No. 167 July 2018 Issue Deadlines: Editorial: May 30, 2018 Advertising: May 30, 2018 CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Change of address inquiries can be sent to Brieana Duckett-Graves at bdgraves@jfedsrq.org or 941.552.6305.

PRESIDENT Michael Ritter EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Howard Tevlowitz SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING Marty Katz MANAGING EDITOR Ted Epstein ADVERTISING SALES Robin Leonardi – 941.552.6307 PROOFREADERS Edward D. Cohen, Jack Mansbach, Sharon Napshin, Elliot Ofsowitz, Merry Sanders, Bryna Tevlowitz

Editor’s note: The “Twice Promised Land and 100 Years War” series is included as part of our Federation’s year-long celebration of Israel @ 70. ollowing the truces that were engineered separately between Israel and her Arab neighbors, rapid movement could be seen in the status of nation-states in the Middle East. The most significant activity took place in Jordan and Egypt. On July 20, 1951, King Abdullah of Jordan would be assassinated by a disenfranchised Palestinian of the Dr. Steven Derfler Husseini family after he secretly met with Israeli officials to negotiate peace. This took place while attending prayer at the Haram in Jerusalem. Abdullah was succeeded by his son, Talal, even though he was mentally incompetent. By 1952, the 17-year-old prince would become King Hussein.

In Egypt, King Farouk’s days would also be numbered. With the growing resentment over the inept rule of the monarch, a popular, relatively bloodless military coup would oust Farouk. This occurred on July 23, 1952, led by a group known as the Free Officers, driven by Colonel Gamal Abdul Nasser and General Mohamed Naguib.

Naguib eventually would become the first titular head of the Arab Republic of Egypt, to be succeeded after troops loyal to Nasser kidnapped Naguib and removed him from power. Nasser was

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appointed second president in January 1955 by the Revolutionary Command Council.

This did not bode well for Israel. One of Nasser’s main assets was his charisma, and he “charmed” Egypt and the rest of the Arab world with his calls for Pan-Arab unity to rally to defeat Israel. Although the UN had begun its course of “Israel-bashing” as early as 1955, his charms fell on deaf ears in the Western world. Nasser knew that his military lacked the strength to enter into war with Israel, and if the West wasn’t going to supply him with the latest in military hardware, he would turn to other sources, namely the Soviet Bloc. As presumed leader of the world’s “non-aligned bloc,” he would wholeheartedly embrace the ideology of Yugoslavia’s Tito and India’s Nehru that was referred to as “positive neutralism.”

Israel found herself seeking allies to counter the growing boldness of an Egypt that would become more and more vocal in its saber-rattling rhetoric. The traditional allies of France and England would have their own agendas as they put forth an audacious plan designed to serve their needs as well as Israel’s.

The West needed a constant, reliable way for oil to continue to flow into its tanks. With Nasser’s nationalization of the Suez Canal in July 1956, this was in jeopardy. Led by France’s Guy Mollett and England’s Anthony Eden,

“Operation Musketeer” was more for the benefit of these countries than Israel.

Yet Israel would bear the brunt of their perfidy.

Beginning October 1956, Israeli tanks would take under 100 hours to roll across the Egyptian Sinai to the Canal. Meanwhile Britain and France, acting in a “peacekeeping capacity,” would attempt to disengage the Egyptians and Israelis by occupying Port Said and Ismailia on the ends of the Canal. This version of keeping the peace was devastatingly violent. Nasser’s response was to sink 40 ships in the Canal to effectively shut it down.

Following the cease fire of November 6, 1956, while England and France continued to occupy the Suez Zone, Israel would unilaterally withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula by March 1957.

Eventually the Canal would be cleared and re-opened, and a UN Emergency Force would patrol Sinai.

Although the northern border with Syria remained calm, tensions rose to an all-time high. Ongoing Syrian artillery fire created an untenable situation in all of the Galilee, nearly to the Mediterranean Sea. This would set the stage for events of the 1960s.

Dr. Steven Derfler is an international educational consultant, public speaker, archaeologist, historian, researcher, teacher and writer. He has been uncovering the histories of ancient civilizations for 40 years.

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June 2018

FEDERATION NEWS

March of the Living: A journey from destruction to rebirth

By Rabbi Jonathan R Katz, Community Chaplain

W

HAT: The March of the Living (MOL) annually brings more than 12,000 people (10,000 of them teens) from around the world to visit Holocaustrelated sites in Poland for a week.

They commemorate Yom HaShoah by marching two miles from Auschwitz to Birkenau. Most MOL participants then fly to Israel to tour locations associated with Israel’s fight for independence.

WHY: To inspire the fight Rabbi Jonathan R Katz against indifference, racism and injustice by witnessing where atrocities of the Holocaust took place. MOL seeks to strengthen Jewish identity and connections to Israel, and foster a new generation of committed Jewish leaders.

WHEN: Two weeks around April and May immediately following Passover. Since its inception in 1988, 260,000 marchers from more than 50 countries have participated. This year’s march was especially significant in marking both MOL’s 30th anniversary and Israel’s 70th birthday.

HOW: MOL is divided into regions. Sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, four local students (Phoenix Berman, Mackenzie Grace, Amy Levison and Abigail Zion) joined the Southern Region’s Boca Raton group for the trip.

Three Holocaust survivors traveled with 160 students and staff to share their personal stories. I was privileged to accompany our students and serve as a member of the group’s rabbinic staff. Below are significant moments that occurred during our journey. For more information about MOL, visit jfedsrq.org/mol or call Andrea Eiffert at 941.552.6308.

POLAND Cracow: After exploring the city’s well-preserved Kazimierz Jewish district featured in several scenes from Schindler’s List, we visited the site of the former Cracow Jewish ghetto.

Standing in a square scattered with numerous bronze chairs representing how possessions were strewn on the streets before Jews were sent from that very spot to Auschwitz and other camps, a survivor with us pointed to a building he stayed in during that har-

rowing time. At one end of the square, only a few minutes’ walk from Oscar Schindler’s enamelware factory, stands the former Eagle Pharmacy (now a museum which Steven Spielberg helped establish). The only pharmacy in operation during the time of the ghetto, its pharmacist, later recognized by Yad Vashem as a Righteous Gentile, supplied hair dyes to enable Jews to appear as young as possible before being sent away, as well as tranquilizers needed to keep fretful children quiet during Gestapo raids.

Majdanek: At a pre-trip program in Boca Raton, survivor Norman Frajman spoke about his life growing up in Warsaw, where, under penalty of death, he smuggled food into the ghetto. At 13, he was sent to Majdenek, where his mother and sister were killed and he endured horrific “hell on earth” slave labor. During our tour of the camp, Norman spoke to us on speaker phone from Florida as we passed his former barracks. Two weeks after he was sent to another camp, Majdanek became the scene of the largest mass execution at a concentration camp during the Holocaust. We held a memorial observance amid large, zigzagging trenches where more than 18,000 Jews were machinegunned to death on November 3, 1943.

While standing in one of the camp’s gas chambers, I noticed a single butterfly trying to escape near a small window.

I shared that it reminded me of I Never Saw Another Butterfly, a collection of works of art and poetry by Jewish children in Theresienstadt. A few moments later several students carefully removed the butterfly and freed it outside.

to Birkenau began with the sounding of two shofars before 12,000 MOL participants passed under the infamous wrought-iron Arbeit Macht Frei sign.

Display of shoes at Auschwitz

During the march, a group of Poles, Japanese and South Koreans pleaded for forgiveness. At Birkenau, marchers placed thousands of wooden markers with names of victims and adorned

the 800,000 murdered there. We then walked among thousands of jagged stones of various sizes set in concrete.

Many in this symbolic cemetery carry the name of the city or town that victims came from. A 26-foot-high granite stone has been erected where the camp’s gas chambers were located.

Warsaw: The stirring bas-relief Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto powerfully conveys the Nazi persecution of Polish Jews on one side (similar to the depiction of the Jews found on the Arch of Titus in Rome following the destruction of the Second Temple) and the virile, armed fighters of the ghetto on the other. It was noted that the leader of the insurrection and central figure in the frieze, Mordechai Anielewicz, is portrayed in a manner that resembles George Washington. At the remarkable nearby POLIN Jewish Museum, an array of exquisitely conceived exhibits shares more than 1,000 years of vibrant Jewish life in Poland.

At the ghetto’s Umschlagplatz (the railway deportation point to the death camps), we were told about Dr. Janusz Korczak, a well-known Polish figure

Amy Levison looks through the massive Book of Names at Auschwitz

with Jewish symbols on the railroad tracks leading into the camp. During the formal program, survivor Edward Mosberg, dressed together with his granddaughter in striped camp uniforms, spoke about losing his entire

Statue of Janusz Korczak in Warsaw

One of the trenches in Majdanek where 18,000 Jews were murdered in November 1943

Auschwitz-Birkenau: Auschwitz now possesses a museum-like quality even as its horrors are on full display.

In addition to seeing rooms filled with hair, shoes and glasses, we were all stunned to find a giant, room-length book containing 8,000 three-foot-tall pages filled with the names of 4.2 million victims of the Shoah. The march

family in the Shoah and how “Holocaust Remembrance Day is every day of my life.” While Israel President Reuben Rivlin reminded those present that significant anti-Semitism existed in Poland before WWII, Polish President Andrzej Duda, who’d recently signed a controversial Holocaust law criminalizing those asserting the Polish nation or government was in any way complicit with Nazi atrocities in Poland, suggested that Poland had been an undisturbed haven for Jews until Germany invaded the country in 1939.

Treblinka: Though virtually nothing remains of the camp, its memorial prompts profound emotion. Located deep in the woods, we sat in stone rows made to appear like a railroad track and learned about the barbaric fate of

who directed a Jewish orphanage in the ghetto. Offered an opportunity by Nazis to escape deportation, Korczak remained with his children on the day they were rounded up for transport to Treblinka and certain death. A survivor with us said her husband lived at the orphanage but was visiting a relative in another part of the ghetto when the Nazis ordered the transport to Treblinka. *** ISRAEL Atlit Detention Camp: Located 20 miles south of Haifa, the British established the camp to detain Jews illegally entering Palestine during the Mandate period. Between 1939 and 1948, tens of thousands of Jews were held there. Using a real boat, the experience of what it had been like to be on an overcrowded boat trying to reach Palestine was recreated. In 1945, the British captured 40 Iraqi Jews trying to enter Palestine.

They detained them at Atlit before continued on next page

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March of the Living...continued from previous page ate them were killed. Nevertheless, the deciding to send them back to Iraq. prison break boosted Jewish morale in Recognizing this would mean certain Palestine as it damaged British presdeath for them, future Israeli Prime tige. The retaliation for Minister Izaak Rabin the hanging of the four Irplanned and participated thenin a rescue that freed the gun fighters and the prisggedIraqis and more than 200 on break were considered rete.others in the camp. Hours major factors in Britain’s carrylater they reassembled at a subsequent decision to vic-kibbutz outside of Haifa. withdraw from Palestine. gran-Though the British knew Bet Elazraki Chilthethey were there, they did dren’s Home in Netan. not attempt to recapture ya: During our visit to eliefthem because more than the home, we heard Bet rsaw1,000 Jews legally living Elazraki’s inspirational Nazinearby had come to the director, Yehudah Cohen, sidekibbutz to protect them. describe its mission. FounJews Akko: During the Mandate years, ded in 1969, today 250 at-risk children, omea former Crusader fortress in this city ages 6-18, born into multi-generational condnorth of Haifa was utilized to imprison welfare families often affected by adhtersmembers of the Haganah and other diction and other forms of abuse, call otedunderground Jewish military organizaBet Elazraki home. Educational and andtions. Though warned by the Irgun not counseling staff who live on campus chaito do so, in December 1946 the British accompany the children throughout nnerdragged a 16-year-old Irgun member the day, every day. Cohen is detern. Atfrom his Jerusalem cell and lashed him mined that these children will grow up wish18 times for his role in a robbery. In to be important contributors to Israeli con-retaliation, the Irgun kidnapped four society and become the parents their ,000British officers and gave parents were unable to and.them each 18 lashes before become. Cohen maintains (thereleasing them. Though that, whatever a child’s eathno other Jews were ever background, all he or she nuszwhipped by the British, needs is someone to begurethey subsequently caplieve in them. The chiltured three Jewish fighters dren, who attend more with weapons who they than 20 local schools, redetermined were involved ceive significant personal in the flogging of their ofattention which continues ficers. When British aueven after high school thorities announced that when they enter the army. they, along with another The life stability, personal Irgun member (Dov Grongrounding, educational er), would be hanged, the achievement and wealth Irgun abducted two British of enrichment opportuniofficers and threatened to ties the home provides hang them in retaliation if has proven very successthe death sentences were ful in enabling the home’s carried out. We stood in the young people to escape same gallows where these the cycle of generationfour men were hanged on al despair. Bet Elazraki April 16, 1947, and sang graduates serve in elite “Hatikvah” as they had IDF units, earn advanced just before their deaths. In university degrees, work e inthe wake of these hangin prestigious jobs, get The Akko prison gallows, y byings, less than a month married and raise healthy czaklater, the Irgun undertook with the names of the Jewish families. While there, we prisoners hanged there listed daya complicated operation to in Hebrew on the wall joined with the students rt tofree other compatriots held in the prisin a moving Yom HaZikaron memorial vivoron. While the dramatic action resulted observance. t thein the escape of 27 Jewish prisoners Yom Ha’Atzmaut: As Israeli flags ve inand 182 Arab ones, six Jewish prisonflew everywhere, Jerusalem’s parks Na-ers and three fighters seeking to liberwere filled with families and thick ka.

June 2018 smoke from endless barbecues. Overhead, different Israeli Air Force squadrons flew thunderously by to salute the nation’s 70th birthday. Thousands of March of the Living participants gathered in a plaza where they boisterously sang “Am Yisrael Chai,” “Hevenu Shalom Aleinu,” “Geshar Tzar Me’od” and other songs. We then marched to the Western Wall where a program in honor of the occasion was held. That night, all marchers enjoyed a moving outdoor concert and fireworks show in Latrun.

Har Herzl: In Hebrew, one of the names for a cemetery is Beit Hayyim (House of the Living). This rings especially true for Israel’s National Cemetery where the nation’s history comes to life by virtue of the stories of those who are buried there. We viewed the graves of the four fighters hanged at the Akko prison as well as Hannah Senesh’s and so many others who made many notable contributions and sacrifices in order to establish and sustain the nation. In Auschwitz we had learned of an exceptionally resourceful survivor who, after the war, settled in Philadelphia. Inspired by his courage and love of the Jewish people, his grandson decided to move to Israel and join the IDF after high school. Though he knew little Hebrew and virtually no one in the country, Michael Levin was committed to becoming an IDF medic.

When he was initially turned away by the army for being a naïve American of slight build, he walked behind an IDF building, climbed a wall and then crawled through a second floor window. When he explained how he’d gotten into the building, he was permitted to enter the army. During breaks in his service, Michael would spend a great deal of time alone because there was no one for him to spend Shabbat and other occasions with. In 2006, during the 2nd Lebanon War, Michael was shot

and killed. At Har Herzl, we stood at his grave (one of the most visited in the cemetery) and met his parents. They shared about his life, determination to become a member of the IDF, and the loneliness he experienced as a soldier.

The grave of Michael Levin at Har Herzl

Following his death, his parents created the Lone Soldier Center, an organization that assists the more than 7,000 lone soldiers (3,500 from abroad) in the IDF with housing assistance, counseling, holiday observances and social gatherings. Today, the Center includes 20 full-time staff. A video about Michael, A Hero in Heaven, is shared on Israeli television each year on Yom HaZikaron. A short distance away from where Michael is buried I noticed a freshly dug grave. While in Poland only a few days before, I’d heard that an Israeli soldier had been killed in a tank accident near the Egyptian border.

I wondered whether the grave was his.

I soon saw that it was.

Rabbi Jonathan R Katz serves as a Community Chaplain and Director of JFCS’s Jewish Healing Program, a partnership between The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee and JFCS of the Suncoast.

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June 2018

FEDERATION NEWS

2018 AIPAC Policy Conference

necessarily fostered agreement, but incidents that have occurred on some to judge by the stunning success of school campuses, with both students AIPAC’s lobbying mission, its air of and professors expressing an extreme conviviality and presumed good faith bias against Israel. This presentation has indeed fostered compromise. opened my eyes to how deep anti-IsraThrough the great generosity of The el sentiments are and what can be done Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manato combat them. tee, I was honored to attend the conDuring the general session on the ference of this fantastically unlikely, second night, Vice President Mike fantastically successful force for good.

Pence, UN Ambassador Nikki Haley Perhaps the most moving conferand Senator Chuck Schumer spoke ence moment came during a muchto the entire audience. Haley spoke heralded interview with noted Soviet candidly about her experience at the dissident Natan Sharansky – an interUnited Nations during the first year of view hosted by his daughter, Times of the current administration. It really surAn air of compromise at AIPAC AIPAC-backed letter deploring antiIsrael blogger Rachel Sharanskyprised me how the UN has been doing

By Moses Glickman Israel bias at the United Nations was Danziger. What began as an analytic whatever it can to delegitimize Israel at ntering AIPAC’s general session to signed by all 100 senators. At each interview became deeply poignant as every opportunity. For example, Haley a spontaneous and near-unanimous general session, speaker after speaker Sharansky-Danziger drew allusions pointed out that monthly sessions take standing ovation, Israeli Prime Minisdeclared themselves and their combetween the fragmentation of activist place to discuss issues in the Middle ter Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu wasted rades across the aisle to be “united on movements and her own fraught but East. Instead of talking about topics no time in abandoning his podium (“I Israel.” But “united on Israel” might be supportive relationship with her father. such as the war in Syria, the famine in don’t want to stand behind this podioverstating it. Looking deeper, it gets “We argued as we loved, and we loved Yemen, and Iran, these sessions have um. Is it okay? What the heck. I’m the a little more complicated. At one genas we argued. We were united in the turned into Israel-bashing sessions.

Prime Minister!”). He gesticulated at a eral session, blue-collar Democratic same conversation, though we were Similarly, Schumer spoke openly about world map showing nations never united in agreehis support for Israel and differentiated colored in blue, representing ment within it… I think between what is fact and what is ficwhere a sitting prime ministhat’s what you’re saytion. He also praised President Trump’s ter had visited. “We’re coling, right?” decision to move the U.S. embassy to oring the world blue! There “No,” said SharanJerusalem. are those who talk about boysky, waving a finger On my last day in Washington, cotting Israel? We’ll boycott in the air. “I think I’m Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Nethem!” A constant current of saying something bigtanyahu spoke at the morning general applause rolled on beneath ger than this.” session. He started off by describing his words. He was charismatBut really, that was how Israel has grown in recent years ic and playful. He was having the only thing he could and all the great things it has aca very good time. have said – and the complished – including maintaining It didn’t seem like the crowd ate it up. a strong friendship with the United same crowd that attended Moses Glickman is a States. He then spoke about the isprevious general sessions Rachel Kalmanovich, Jacob Green, Abigail Zion, Moses Glickman, Aaron Prokupets senior at Pine View sues that Israel faces today. He talked at the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. during which Bibi’s left-wing School. about Syria and Iran, and about his firm counterpart, opposition leader stance to never allow them to harm IsSenator Amy Klobuchar rhapsodized Isaac Herzog, received raucous apBipartisanship at AIPAC rael or the rest of the world. Netanyahu about the efficiency of Israel’s singleplause, or when Labor Party Chairman

By Aaron Prokupets also stressed the importance of unity payer health care system. Twenty minAvi Gabbay’s call for an anti-corrupuring the AIPAC Policy Conand the continued support of foreign utes later, security-minded Republican tion drive, widely perceived as a disnations to work toward peace in the ference in Washington, D.C., I Senator Tom Cotton warned Israel that guised attack on Netanyahu, met with learned a great deal about the relationMiddle East and beyond. “diplomacy begins at the barrel of an a positive response. ship between the United States and Overall, my experience at AIPAC M4.” Klobuchar and Cotton might be The unparalleled degree of bipartiIsrael from leaders and thinkers spanwas eye-opening. I now have a more “united on Israel,” but they didn’t seem sanship at AIPAC, the largest pro-Israning all ends of the political spectrum. open perspective about Israel and its isto be united on all that much involving el lobbying group in America, is one of On my first day, I attended a sues thanks to the bipartisan views and Israel. the great strengths of the organization. breakout session entitled “BDS: On insights shared at the conference.

If 2018’s AIPAC was less of a vicIt lobbies both Democratic and Repuband Beyond Campus,” during which I’d like to thank The Jewish Fedtory for bipartisanship than it might lican members of Congress, and enjoys two speakers discussed what the Boyeration of Sarasota-Manatee for this appear, it was a far greater victory a high degree of success. Last April, an cott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) wonderful opportunity. for good-faith politics. AIPAC hasn’t movement is, and how it affects high Aaron Prokupets is a junior at Saraschool and college campuses and comsota High School.

Our Federation is committed to munities across the U.S. I learned about these core Jewish values: Tikkun Olam, making the world a better place for children, the aged, the sick and hungry; Tzedakah, providing financial assistance to those in need; Darchei Shalom, keeping peace through ongoing interfaith relations and promoting mutual respect and understanding; Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh la Zeh, taking care of one another, continuously working to This publication is brought to you each month thanks support and aid Jews at home, to the support of our advertisers. Please be sure to in Israel and around the world.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) empowers pro-Israel activists across all ages, religions, races and political parties to be politically engaged and build relationships with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to promote the U.S.-Israel relationship. Each year during the three-day AIPAC Policy Conference, more than 18,000 Israel supporters get together to learn, listen and lobby on the issues most critical to Israel’s safety and security.

In March, The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee awarded scholarships for five local high school students to attend the 2018 AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. The students were chaperoned by Andrea Eiffert, the Federation’s teen and family program coordinator, and Maor Ben-Arie, the Federation’s community shaliach. The Federation also provided assistance for three students from Florida Gulf Coast University and a STEP Fellow alumna to attend.

Below are essays from two of the participating students.

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FEDERATION NEWS

Embracing change

omeBy Fallon Katz rowing up as swimmers, we dents often talked about change. eme We discussed the changes we ation Isra-needed to make in both our attitudes doneand our strokes in order to swim faster and smarter. When we hit a stagnant n thestage, we analyzed why. We often Mikecame to the conclusion that we were aleydoing the same thing over and over pokeagain but expecting different results. pokeMy personal growth had been halted theby my inability to step out of my comar offort zone and learn to be comfortable sur-being uncomfortable.

That changed when I took a step oing el ataway from my normal routine of school aleyand swimming to make the journey takeacross the world to Israel.

Thanks to The Jewish Federation ddle opicsof Sarasota-Manatee and its generous ne indonors, I received a Send-a-Kid-tohaveIsrael-Program scholarship to particions.pate in Masa Israel Journey’s volunteer boutprogram, Tikkun Olam. This experiatedence not only allowed me to make fic-a much-needed scenery change, but mp’sopened my eyes to new cultures and sy tonew controversies, and allowed me to grow as an individual.

One of the greatest lessons that I gton, Ne-took away from my time in Israel was neralthe idea of openness; openness to meet bingnew people, to try new things and to yearsnot judge. The most meaningful expeac-riences came from my volunteer work ningat the Israel Sports Center for the Disnitedabled where I met individuals from all e is-walks of life – young and old, menlkedtally and physically disabled, Jews and firmArabs. Despite the differences, the cenm Is-ter flowed with harmony. Individuals yahuwere not held back by their disabilities unitybut given the opportunity to partake in eignsports such as wheelchair basketball, therugby, swimming and ping pong.

One of the most amazing things PACthat I noticed while in Israel was the moreability to communicate through avts is-enues other than language. Although andmy understanding of Hebrew evolved while I was there, I was often at a loss Fed-for words when trying to communicate. this

G

At the sports center, I played basketball with a young man who only knew a few words in English. We’d laugh as we gestured to one another in our attempts to communicate. Sometimes he simply yelled “Judy!” in his thick Israeli accent to get the instructor’s attention so that she could translate what he wanted to tell me.

On my last day at the center I was surprised when all of the athletes asked why I had to leave. One even told me to come back and ask for a job when I finished my schooling. Their comments had such a strong impact on me. I realized that a simple act of compassion could mean much more to the recipient.

Along with my experiences at the sports center I had the opportunity to travel around the country learning about different religious customs and traditions. I spent Shabbat with an Orthodox family in Jerusalem. On Yom Kippur, I spent the day with a nonobservant family walking and playing at the park with their son. When my family visited me, I was able to show them around the country and share my newfound knowledge of the people and their customs. I was also able to share our Thanksgiving Day customs with my friends from France, Uganda, Israel and Brazil.

Growing is about our ability to not only listen and observe, but to share and teach others. My time in Israel showed me that it’s good to try new things even if you are uncomfortable at first. Trying new things emphasizes how there are always lessons to learn, whether they are good or bad. It’s how you react to the experiences to find the positives that will guide you toward success in every step of life.

Fallon Katz is finishing up a year off from college. She will begin her sophomore year at Florida State University this summer, where she is working toward earning a degree in exercise physiology. She hopes to attend graduate school to earn her doctorate in physical therapy.

ara-

June 2018

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Fallon Katz (in the paisley shirt in the center) at a Thanksgiving dinner

“These we honor” Your Tributes ANNUAL CAMPAIGN IN HONOR OF Barbara Jacob Richard & Rebecca Bergman Howard, Ilene, Rich & your Federation Family Emma Katz Gerald Ronkin Aaron Tevlowitz Gerald Ronkin IN MEMORY OF Bob Garner Harriet & Don Deutsch Howard, Rich, Ilene & your Federation Family

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND IN HONOR OF Morton Mandle Adele & Neil Bayer

ISRAEL PROGRAMS IN MEMORY OF Sandy Cohen Bryna & Howard Tevlowitz Robert Garner Jeremy Lisitza

SKIP (Send a Kid to Israel) IN MEMORY OF Sandy Cohen Bryna & Howard Tevlowitz

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.

2542 17th St Sarasota, FL 34234 941-366-2404 www.catdepot.org

10

June 2018

FEDERATION NEWS

From our Federation family to yours ...

Some fond memories from recent events.

DAY OF LEARNING

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June 2018

FEDERATION NEWS

11

Community Day School students enjoy adventures in Israel

By Sharon Kunkel | This program is Sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

I

n April, 11 students from the Hershorin Schiff Community Day School, along with faculty and parent chaperones, traveled to Israel.

The purpose of the visit was to see the sights, be exposed to the rich culture and history of the country, and continue building bridges of friendship with peers in Sarasota’s Sister City of Tel Mond. The trip was underwritten by a generous grant from The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

The students got a glimpse into the everyday life of Israeli families, saw

exercise with their Tel Mond friends through the streets of the port city of Jaffa. They saw the country come to a complete halt during Yom HaZikaron as the sirens rang and those lost in battle were honored. Hours later, they enjoyed an Israeli Independence Day barbecue party, complete with freshly made falafel and a wild foam spray battle. In short, they got to experience the country and people of Israel as a vibrant, real-life country and not just a place they see in the news.

Parent chaperone Chris Malkin

in bringing Israel alive for our whole school community as the children who have returned from Israel share their learning and passion with the younger students through post-trip programming.”

Several of the students mentioned that the WhatsApp channels they have established with their peers and host families in Tel Mond have been overflowing with hundreds of messages back and forth. “The connections happened really fast,” said Amelia Malkin.

“We’re just not that different, and the host families were so welcoming.”

The school’s engagement to Israel has been growing for years. Thanks to grants from the Jewish Federation, Community Day enjoyed last year and is benefiting again this year from the presence of a Young Shaliach from the

The Community Day students on a wall at Yad Vashem

some of the most significant historical sites in the country, spent as much time as possible with teens from Tel Mond – some of whom traveled to Sarasota as part of a student exchange last year – and were immersed into Israeli culture.

The timing of the trip added significant impact. The group was there for Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Independence Day). Seeing how Israelis observed these holidays gave the students key insights into how army service touches every Israeli family and how that sacrifice is deeply connected to the country’s existence.

The travelers toured Yad Vashem, visited and prayed at the Western Wall, climbed Masada and heard about its incredible history, floated in the Dead Sea, and shopped at a shuk in Tel Aviv.

They slept in a Bedouin tent, compared beaches in Rosh Hanikra with our own, and met the mayor of Tel Mond.

They participated in a blindfolded trust

was particularly excited to make his first trip to Israel. His father was the philanthropist behind the creation, in 2015, of the Jewish Federation’s Bob Malkin Young Ambassadors Program, Community Day student Jordyn Chessler gives tzedakah at a Tunisian synagogue in Akko

Community Day director of Jewish Learning Melissa Werbow floats in the Dead Sea

which has sent scores of teens on subsidized missions to Israel. Ironically, Bob Malkin never had the opportunity to see Israel firsthand, developing a deep respect and love for the country through his parents and grandparents.

“I know my father would be overjoyed. I am so grateful that I had this opportunity to go and share these experiences alongside my daughter,” said Malkin, whose wife, Jill, traveled to Israel for her first time as part of a Jewish Federation women’s mission in 2017. Chris was also touched by the group’s visit to the small synagogue at Masada, which his family helped to restore.

The students were most struck by how free and safe they felt in Israel. “All children are able to go out at night, till any time they wanted. We Community Day and Rabin High School students in front of expected it to be stricter Tel Mond’s Betty and Alex Schoenbaum Regional Library because it’s not known as the safest place in the world,” said Jordyn Chessler. “It’s not like what you see on TV. You feel very safe!”

“We believe this trip has been foundational in creating a love and connection to Israel in the children who will be tomorrow’s leaders,” said Community Day K-8 director Robin Sweeting.

The Community Day group hikes down Masada after a fascinating visit to the historical site “It is also a critical step

FAMILY jfedsrq.org

THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY.

Jewish Agency for Israel. The school’s seventh and eighth graders participated this year in the World ORT Kadima Mada Global Collaborative ProblemSolving Program, through which they worked asynchronously with students from Israel to solve a real-world sus-

Students from Community Day School pray at the Western Wall

tainability problem. Several holiday programs for Israeli-Americans have been hosted at the school as well.

“As a Jewish day school, we want our students of all faiths to understand and appreciate the rich history and beautiful culture of Israel,” said head of school Dan Ceaser. “We are honored to be able to provide these extraordinary international learning and cultural opportunities, and grateful to the Jewish Federation for its continued support of our school’s Israel programming.”

“We are so proud to have had a hand in creating lifelong memories for the Community Day students on this trip” said Jewish Federation executive director Howard Tevlowitz. “By sending our youth over to Israel, we are building a living bridge between our two communities. The bonds that are being built between these children will foster a stronger sense of Jewish identity while providing the students with a greater understanding of the values and cultures of their Israeli brothers and sisters.”

For more information about Community Day School, go to Community Day.org or call 941.552.2770.

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June 2018

COMMUNITY FOCUS

“American Jewish History in Bytes”

Te

By Marden Paru, Dean, Sarasota Liberal Yeshiva | This program is Sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

T

he history of Jews in America is 364 years in the making. Immigrants from all corners of the world landed here, bringing their ethnic identity, religion, family customs and languages, and quickly integrated into the emerging American landscape over the last four centuries.

Who were these groups of immigrants and just what did they find here?

A small band of Sephardic Jews came from Recife, Brazil, to New Amsterdam, fleeing from further inquisition in 1654. There is some ongoing debate in the academic world about who were the first Jews to alight in North America. Some now say it was Native Americans as descendants of the Ten Lost

Tribes. Recent studies show they have DNA close to those of Shemites, arriving here much earlier. Ipso facto, Native Americans were the ones greeting their blood cousins fleeing the Spanish Inquisition. (Columbus is reported to have brought many to this hemisphere.

There is even some evidence that he was Jewish.)

For the most part, significant Jewish immigration to the U.S. happened during the latter part of the 19th century.

Like the Pilgrims before them, running from religious persecution (anti-Semitism) was the main motivation. There are many wonderful pieces of American Jewish history to study and confront, especially since it seems we are

repeating the themes of that history in almost every generation.

The United States has been very hospitable to the Jews. Jewish culture is still alive and well. Notwithstanding anti-Semitism, the forces of assimilation and the decline in religious observance, the Jewish people have not yet vanished. The advent of liberal forms of Judaism with an expanding array of denominations enables those seeking “community” to continue to find second homes in synagogues and temples as well as at other Jewish communal institutions.

The Sarasota Liberal Yeshiva is offering an eight-week course titled “American Jewish History in Bytes,”

commencing Friday, June 8 at 10:30 a.m., and conducted on the Federation Campus, 580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. This course will concentrate on specific events and phenomena which enabled the Jews of America to achieve high status and acceptance as a minority group in this land of freedom.

To enroll or for more information, contact me at 941.379.5655 or marden. paru@gmail.com. Scholarships are available.

The Sarasota Liberal Yeshiva is the recipient of a grant from The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

Te

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The NCJW Blankee Bee Project

terni child finish it off.

Join NCJW as we continue ourcont mission during the summer months incont I making these soft, cuddly blankets. For sista further information, contact Joan Bour tingu at joanbour5@yahoo.com. mem that and not w “ disp

By Marion Marshak

T

he Blankee Bee Project, started in 2014, has involved National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) members in making no-sew fleece blankets.

The project spreads warmth through crafted blankets. It is like giving a hug to an at-risk child or a person undergoing chemotherapy. The first recipients of the blankets were the children involved in the Manatee Community Action Agency’s Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters program (HIPPY), which

NCJW has long supported.

The recent presentation to these preschoolers was indescribable. We will always remember their faces as they received their Blankees and began to snuggle in them.

NCJW also made blankets for residents of an assisted living facility. Currently we are making the blankets for adults at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital and the Florida Cancer Center infusion centers.

NCJW has worked on a joint venture with JFCS of the Suncoast to

make blankets for the children at Camp Mariposa, which is funded in part by a grant from the Moyer Foundation and is sustained and managed by JFCS. The children worked on these blankets for their arts and crafts project, tying knots around the blanket to

Okay boychiks and girlchiks! The Suncoast Jewish Music Ensemble is off and running. We had our first performance at Aviva on Lag B’Omer. We are looking for more musicians. If you can read music, play in tune, and love Jewish music, we are for you (and you are for us).

Unlike most people, I like sax and violins. I like all instruments. We play Yiddish, religious, klezmer, blues, jazz, calypso, Latin, rhumba and anything else that you like. All of our music has a Jewish tilt. We rehoise (sic) on Tuesdays from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. in my air-conditioned garage near Sarasota Square Mall. So please contact me, Steve Howard, at 302.388.9714.

If I don’t pick up, you can text or leave a message. Please don’t call on Shabbos or Yom Tov. Thanks for reading this. Zei Gezunt.

A group of children at Camp Mariposa, funded, in part, by a grant from the Moyer Foundation, and sustained and managed by JFCS

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TH

See more

Fe br ua ry 20

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18 - Sh

SUE: T H IS IS IN S ID E unity Focus

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rd relating and Howa broad tenets Jewishness: President, munity g tified four n deration to facilitatin members of our com olve Federatio Ritter, Fe contribute to inv e Jewish al data, and tion listens years, Th has been a nation 1. Federa ting feedback and choosin or many pee elo nat lec process of in dev ta-Ma by col h whic ages in the wit all s of Saraso trendsetter to engage of ion s zat and der s organi volunteer thought lea ing new approache listically, ivities and projects, act lement nity. Ho ividua es with ind ing and imp our Jewish commu for facilitating to partner; gene ly participat rise of and ive erp ers act ish ent mb an tion me both the Jew find 2. Federa er ourselves zations in ources to grams we consid and organi iety of pro devote res sens var s. re e We , nes mo wid es. ish ible ea Jew communiti tive approaches and t are flex tly provid me tha ren age cur ties eng ora ve, We ortuni cri pti new collab ate connections and s ment opp run no n-p res age ltion eng ilit and and we ways to fac makes sense, Federa ies in m inclusive it ivit We are Whenever programs and act 3. the coming. t hou rs oug ned to or sponso spaces thr us ; well positio rent gio are reli you a cur public and to be where on more introduce – we want us of Jews we serve tinue to foc unique 3 generation meant ly tion will con has 4. Federa our valuable and tru to what it create ish in the Road to utilizing osh to be Jew Int Mc organiz at being campus on by individuals and n past, wh itz use evolving ard Tevlow ties there space for er and How diverse and opportuni on Michael Ritt and what ish idento meet the ish community. Am ay, Jew and tod of s ans l . Studie st century Jew ounters comfortab Jewish me a enc the future 21 ate d in a cre late ish -re for p goal is to are to be Jew t the more Jewish are to do more things, our nment on our campus an tha y iro tity confirm the more likely the Shabbat candles, s, learn room” env ze, discus e, g Jews to sociali their terms. This people hav h,” whether lighting din age rea , all gue wis ness on h so things “Je ing a synago ing Jewish inning wit their Jewish a Seder, join ish music, watch erway, beg facili tikkun attending Jew already und es to our existing aging in Community listening to rad d, or eng ish blogs, continued needed upg Jewish foo Day School s, eating our in film you h of signs lease relate to eac We have idenolam, etc. does this ay? n So…how munity tod

7 Comm nings h Happe 15 Jewis h Interest is w Je 24 ish World & the Jew 30 Israel mentary m Co 33 h s on Yout 36 Focu cle 39 Life Cy

15

F20

By Michael

ANNUAL

www.TheJewishNews.org 4

Aly Raisman highlights Federation’s 11th Women’s Day event

8

tensio

val

June 2018

COMMUNITY FOCUS

13

Temple Sinai honors outgoing president Mark Richmond

O

ver the last four years, Temple Sinai’s Mark Richmond, serv0:30 ing as president for the last two ation Sara-years and prior to that for two years e onas vice president of development, has hichspearheaded countless initiatives and ievecontributed immensely to the success nor-of Temple Sinai.

On Friday, June 1, Temple Sinai tion,and the community will come together den.to honor Mark Richmond at the Rhythm are& Jews Erev Shabbat Worship Service and welcome reception. This festive s theservice is led by Rabbi Michael Churwishgel and Chazzan Cliff Abramson, with the Bruno Family Musicians providing .

Mark Richmond with Rabbi Emeritus Geoff Huntting

a special atmosphere for an uplifting service with a variety of traditional, Israeli, Sephardic and Chassidic melodies. The service is followed by a tasty summer supper catered by Michael’s On East, with a delicious make-yourown-sundae dessert and a program to honor Mark Richmond as he ends his role as president. The evening includes the installation of Gary Kravitz as the new president and the complete slate of officers for 2018-2019.

As he wraps up his final month as president, Mark expressed his appreciation for the entire congregation, staff and clergy contributing to his wonder-

ful journey.

Over these years, Mark accomplished so many important things, from starting our LIFE & LEGACY™ Endowment Fund, to installing a stateof-the-art security system and contributing to numerous community efforts, just to name a few. He states, “It has been an honor to guide such an amazing synagogue. My role as president may be ending, but I will continue my dedication and commitment to Temple Sinai as a volunteer, the place I call home.” Mark also extends his best wishes to Gary Kravitz, the new president.

Temple Emanu-El and Rabbi Shefrin renew partnership

W

hen Temple Emanu-El Assistant Rabbi Michael Shefrin returned from paternity leave after the birth of his first child, he had sixteen months left on his contact. Temple leaders asked that the contract be torn up.

In his first year and a half as Assistant Rabbi, Rabbi Shefrin had distinguished himself as such an essential member of Temple Emanu-El’s clergy that Senior Rabbi Brenner Glickman and the Board of Trustees simply could not wait to renew their partnership.

“Rabbi Shefrin has become an indispensable part of our team,” Rabbi

Glickman and Temple Emanu-El President Toby Halpern explained. “He has exceeded every one of our expecta-

tions and hopes, with competence and dedication. He has become a part of our family, and found a place in our hearts.

“We approached Rabbi Shefrin with the idea of ending his first contract a year early and beginning an extended term with the new title of Associate Rabbi,” they continued. “After a brief Newly-minted Associate Rabbi Michael Shefrin, center, is joined by consultation with Senior Rabbi Brenner Glickman and President Toby Halpern in signing his new contract with Temple Emanu-El his wife and family,

he immediately said yes. Within two weeks, a team of temple leaders and Rabbi Shefrin negotiated a new contract for the upcoming years. We are overjoyed!” they concluded.

“Signing this contract as Associate Rabbi at Temple Emanu-El is one of the most humbling and gratifying moments of my life,” Rabbi Shefrin said.

“Knowing that I will get the chance to do good works with this sacred community, for many years to come, is inspiring. My whole family is overjoyed to be a part of the Temple Emanu-El family.”

New adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah class at Temple Beth Sholom

A

re you one of the many adult Jews who did not have a Bar/ Bat Mitzvah and would like to? Many people, for various reasons, did not celebrate becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah at age 13. For Jews-by-choice, for women raised in a tradition which did not celebrate Bat Mitzvah, for those who were raised without formal

Jewish education, or for any number of other reasons, many adults are choosing to go through a cycle of learning and study, preparation and personal growth that leads to this powerful and deeply moving celebration of Jewish accomplishment.

Join Rabbi Michael Werbow for an educational experience with focus

on prayers, customs, Hebrew literacy, Jewish rituals, holidays, chanting and more! This is an ongoing class that meets weekly on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. There is no cost for this class that is open to the entire community. New participants are always welcome.

Please let us know if you plan on

TheofFuture the Jewish Community is in Your Hands

attending and make sure to call ahead in advance, in case of any cancellations.

For more information, please contact the Temple Beth Sholom office at 941.955.8121 or info@templebeth sholomfl.org.

LIFE & LEGACY™ LIFE & LEGACY™ is a partnership of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee and ten other local Jewish organizations that promotes after-lifetime giving to benefit synagogues, social service organizations, Jewish day schools and other Jewish entities.

The Jewish Federation is the only local organization focused on the whole-all of us thriving together. We are the center of Jewish life-serving as community convener; fostering an open exchange of ideas; developing programs and strengthening services that connect our constituents to their Jewish identity.

Start planning today to help assure Jewish tomorrows!

Your Jewish Federation Legacy Gift

Our Legacy Society Members are people like you. By leaving a legacy to Federation, you ensure that your values will be sustained for future generations. Please remember The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee with a gift in your will, trust, retirement account or life insurance policy.

…

FOR INFORMATION ON LEAVING YOUR LEGACY, CONTACT Ilene Fox ifox@jfedsrq.org | 941.343.2111 www.jfedsrq.org/legacy

14

June 2018

JEWISH HAPPENINGS

Jewish Happenings FRIDAY, JUNE 1

SATURDAY, JUNE 2

“Let’s Visit Israel”

Shabbat Shaboom & Youth Havurah

In this five-part course, historic and beautiful sites in Israel will be explored through lecture, photos and films. Masada is the site of ancient Israel’s last stand against the Romans. Ein Gedi features a cornucopia of wildlife and breathtaking scenery. The Western Wall is the only remaining remnant of the Second Temple. Eilat, Israel’s southern port, was first mentioned in the Book of Exodus. The astounding Dead Sea is 9.6 times as salty as the ocean. Join us at 10:30 a.m. on Fridays, June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 at the Al Katz Center, 5710 Cortez Road West, Bradenton. Cost: $10 per class; $45 for the series; healthy foods and study materials included. To RSVP, call Beverly Newman at 941.313.9239.

Parents and their children through grade 2 are encouraged to join Melissa Werbow for Shabbat Shaboom every Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon to play, learn and grow. Snack provided. Youth Havurah is an ageappropriate Shabbat service for students in grades 3-7 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Help prepare our youth for a life of Judaism. These events take place at Temple Beth Sholom, 1050 S. Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota. For more information, please contact the temple office at 941.955.8121 or info@ templebethsholomfl.org.

Rhythm & Jews Erev Shabbat Worship Service Join Rabbi Michael Churgel and Chazzan Cliff Abramson for our Rhythm & Jews Shabbat Worship Service and hear the Bruno Family Musicians as they join in for an uplifting service with a variety of traditional, Israeli, Sephardic and Chassidic melodies. Temple Sinai is honoring outgoing president Mark Richmond, followed by a Summer Supper catered by Michael’s On East, and a make-your-own-sundae dessert. The service begins at 6:00 p.m., preceded by a Welcome Reception at 5:15 p.m., at Temple Sinai, 4631 South Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota (enter from Proctor Road only, between Beneva and Swift). For more information, call the temple office at 941.924.1802 or email office@sinaisrq.org.

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Temple Emanu-El Beach Picnic and Havdalah Temple Emanu-El Brotherhood and Sisterhood happily host the annual Beach Picnic and Havdalah at 5:30 p.m. at Turtle Beach Pavilion, on Siesta Key at the south end of Midnight Pass Road. Under the shaded pavilion, Brotherhood members will man the grill for the cookout. We’ll also have delicious side dishes, homemade desserts, and plenty of watermelon and ice-cold beverages. Enjoy cornhole, lawn games and time on the playground and beach. We’ll conclude with a beautiful, musical Havdalah service as the sun sets over the ocean. This is an intergenerational celebration and all are welcome. For registration and pricing, please contact Steven Leavitt at 941.587.8944 or leaveit2leavitt@gmail.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 3 Morning Minyan Join us for an egalitarian daily morning Minyan Sundays through Thursdays from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at Temple Beth Sholom, 1050 S. Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota. Experience community, observe a loved one’s Yahrzeit, and start your day in meditative, contemplative, value-setting prayer. For more information, please contact the temple office at 941.955.8121 or info@templebethsholomfl.org.

Chabad Sarasota Annual Meeting Members and friends are invited to attend Chabad of Sarasota’s annual meeting at 9:00 a.m. at Chabad of Sarasota, 7700 Beneva Road, Sarasota.

The meeting will begin with breakfast followed by a D’var Torah, an annual report and the election of officers. In addition, recognition will be given to our dedicated board and host of devoted volunteers. The event is free but advance reservations are necessary. To RSVP, call 941.925.0770 or email info@chabadofsarasota.com.

In Our Hands Filmed upon the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel and the Jewish people, In Our Hands recreates and captures the events during the 1967 Six-Day War that led to Israeli control of the Old City of Jerusalem, placing it again in Jewish hands for the first time in 2,000 years. Israel went to great lengths in order to avoid damage or destruction to holy sites of all religions in the Holy City. Join us at 2:00 p.m. at the Al Katz Center, 5710 Cortez Road West, Bradenton.

Cost: $10 per adult; $5 per student; healthy foods and discussion materials included. To RSVP, call Beverly Newman at 941.313.9239.

Member: ANA, NGC & PCGS

“Blessing of the Animals” at Temple Emanu-El Bring your pet and celebrate the gift of animal companionship at Temple Emanu-El’s “Blessing of the Animals.” Enjoy the chance to meet other pet lovers in the Jewish community; a brief and inspirational message from Rabbi Brenner Glickman and Rabbi Michael Shefrin about the importance of kindness to animals in Jewish tradition, and the special love we share with our pets; and the opportunity to have pets individually blessed and a family pet portrait taken. This free event begins at 4:00 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. For more information, please contact Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman at 941.379.1997 or elaine-glickman@ comcast.net.

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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. call Bob Satnick at 941.538.3739

1605 Main Street | Sarasota, FL 34236 | 941.951.6660

June 2018

JEWISH HAPPENINGS MONDAY, JUNE 4

15

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6

Susan Schwaid Early Learning Center Summer Camp

Minyan Breakfast

In a clean, safe, loving and nurturing Jewish environment, preschool-age campers will enjoy fun themes like oceans, circus, traveling and camping; science, cooking, singing and art; free indoor and outdoor play; and special activities including a visit from a real scuba diver and the Humane Society! Campers will also enjoy “water days,” storytime, special guests and – of course – pizza lunches and Shabbat celebrations every Friday with Temple Emanu-El’s wonderful rabbis. The camp is located at the Susan Schwaid Early Learning Center of Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. For the schedule and tuition information, call Elaine Sharrock at 941.377.8074.

Join us at 9:00 a.m. after our daily morning Minyan each Wednesday for a delightful breakfast. There is no cost. Open to the community. New faces are always welcome. The breakfast takes place at Temple Beth Sholom, 1050 S. Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota. For more information, contact the temple office at 941.955.8121 or info@templebethsholomfl.org.

NCJW’s “The Blankee Bee” The National Council of Jewish Women has an ongoing project called “The Blankee Bee.” The project has involved its members in making nosew fleece blankets which have been distributed to various agencies, such as Manatee Community Action Agency, HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters), residents of Anchin Pavilion, patients at the Florida Cancer Center, and children at Camp Mariposa as a joint venture with JFCS. Join us from 10:00 a.m. to noon on the Federation campus (580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota) to make these blankets. For more information, contact Joan Bour at 941.281.2133 or joanbour5@yahoo.com.

Temple Emanu-El “Lunch with the Rabbis” Are you looking for a great lunch date? Join Rabbi Brenner Glickman, Rabbi Michael Shefrin and friendly, interesting companions for lunch, socializing and discussion of current events and subjects of Jewish 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 desserts and terrific company are provided. The event begins at noon at Temple EmanuEl, 151 McIntosh Road. For more information, call the temple office at 941.371.2788.

TUESDAY, JUNE 5 Torah and Tea Join Chanie Bukiet in her home for a weekly dose of delicious tea and refreshments and learn about Tanya and mystical psychology of the soul.

This free class takes place from 11:00 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays, June 5 and 12. For more information, contact Rabbi Mendy Bukiet at 941.752.3030 or rabbi@chabadofbradenton.com.

Mah Jongg All are welcome to join in our weekly game of Mah Jongg. Bring your friends, meet new friends and have a great time! Snacks are provided.

Games take place from noon to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, June 5, 12, 19 and 26 at Temple Beth Sholom, Multi-Purpose Room, 1050 S. Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota. Cost: $2 for TBS members; $3 for nonmembers. New participants are always welcome. We meet all summer, and lessons are provided for beginners. For more information, please contact the temple office at 941.955.8121 or info@templebethsholomfl.org.

CTeen – BBQ at the Beach Sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

Join us in remembering the wonderful year we had together and celebrate the beginning of summer vacation with a delicious kosher BBQ, unpoppable bubbles and exciting beach-worthy activities. We will meet at 7:00 p.m. at The Chabad House, 5712 Lorraine Road, Bradenton. Special thanks to The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee for sponsoring CTeen 5778. An annual CTeen membership is $180 and includes all events, trips and dinners excluding the International Shabbaton. For more information, please contact Rabbi Mendy Bukiet at 941.752.3030 or rabbi@chabadofbradenton.com.

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NEW P AT I E N T S & M O S T I NS U RA N C E S AC C E P T E D

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June 2018

JEWISH HAPPENINGS

Sarasota Foot Care Center, PA Board Certiied American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Podiatric Consultants for the Sarasota Ballet of Florida since 1994

Paul G. Yungst, DPM, DABFAS Robert Frimmel, DPM, DABFAS Craig Conti, DPM, DABFAS Candice Kepich, DPM, DABFAS

THURSDAY, JUNE 7 Chug Ivri (Advanced Hebrew Circle) If you are interested in keeping up your spoken Hebrew skills, this ongoing informal study group is right for you. Read Israeli newspapers, chat with friends, have a good time – in Hebrew! There is no cost. New participants are always welcome. Join us from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Thursdays, June 7, 14, 21 and 28 at Temple Beth Sholom, Idelson Library, 1050 S. Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota. For more information, please contact the temple office at 941.955.8121 or info@templebethsholomfl.org.

“Yiddish 101 – From Oy to Vey!” Deeply rooted in Jewish culture, Yiddish remains one of the largest spoken dialects in the world. Largely preserved by the efforts of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, this unique language is as essential to Jewish culture and identity as your bubbe’s recipe for matzo ball soup! Professor Betty Silberman leads these classes through song, film and tradition.

Perfect for beginners and experts alike. This free class takes place on Thursdays in June at 11:00 a.m. at Aviva- A Campus for Senior Life, 1951 North Honore Ave., Sarasota. No RSVP required. Please call 941.377.0781 and speak to Maria Leonardo for more information.

Rosh Chodesh Society Course All women are invited to the Rosh Chodesh Society course “Pause & Affect” at 7:15 p.m. at Chabad of Sarasota, 7700 Beneva Road. Although this is a 7-part monthly course, each segment stands alone. This month’s segment, entitled “The Farewell,”The willBridge examine the meets Havdalah ritual and Group Thursday how Shabbat and the weekday are two important modes of our afternoons from 1:00–4:00 pmspiritual service. For assistance with underwriting this course, on the Federation Campusappreciation is extended to Anne Stein. Cost: free for Rebbetzin Circle, (582 McIntosh Road). $10 for members, $12 for nonmembers. Anyone joining N’shei Chabad Women’s Rosh Open to intermediate Chodesh Society class for the first time is our guestplayers. at no charge. For more and advanced bridge information or to RSVP, For call more Sara information, Steinmetz at 941.925.0770 or email NCWSarasota@gmail.com. call Bob Satnick

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THE 60 MOST INFLUENTIAL JEWS MONDAYS 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Starting June 4 (Eight Weeks)

How many influential Jews can you name, if asked?

What are the criteria used for identifying the most significant individuals who have contributed so greatly to the Jewish enterprise and the world at-large over the last three and a half millennia? This course is designed to discuss achievement and recognition of outstanding Jewish individuals, who, for many in their day, might have been nominated for a Nobel Prize. Instructor: Marden Paru; fee $60.

OUR JEWISH YEAR (This course is based on the popular new book by Abigail Pogrebin “My Jewish Year”) TUESDAYS 10:30 AM Starting June 5 (Eight Weeks)

Take a journey with us through the entire Jewish calendar year as the noted author and columnist, Abigail Pogrebin did in her new book.

My Jewish Year will be used as our text and guide with many ancillary embellishments. The goal is to explore the rhythm and purposes of every holiday including festivals, high holidays, fasts and latter year commemorations. Copies of My Jewish Year are available at the Yeshiva for $15. Instructor: Marden Paru; fee $60.

AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY IN BYTES FRIDAYS 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Starting June 8 (Eight Weeks)

The history of Jews in America is 364 years in the making. Immigrants from all corners of the world landed here bringing their ethnic identity, religion, family customs and languages and quickly integrated into the emerging American landscape. This course will concentrate on specific events and phenomena which enabled the Jews of America to achieve high status and acceptance as a minority group in this land of freedom. Instructor: Marden Paru; fee $60.

Friendly

SUNDAY, JUNE but 10 serious game!

G.I. Jews: Jewish Americans in World War II Featured at Jewish film festivals across the nation, this award-winning film shares the profound, unique story of the 550,000 Jewish men and women who served in World War II, bringing to life their participation in the fight against Hitler, bigotry and intolerance. Like all Americans, they fought against fascism, but they also waged a more personal fight – to save their brethren in Europe. A panel discussion with distinguished veterans of our armed services follows the screening. The event begins at 2:00 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. Cost: $5 at the door. For more information, please email howardkilman@hotmail.com.

MONDAY, JUNE 11 Love of Learning Summer Camp The Al Katz Center presents six weekly activity and academic summer camps for children ages 6-13. Individualized instruction is provided by Beverly Newman, who holds a doctorate in education and child psychology, and is also an author and artist. The theme for the week of June 11-15 is Creative Arts; for June 18-22 it is Anti-Bullying; for June 25-29 it is History & Geography. Camp meets Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Al Katz Center, 5710 Cortez Road West, Bradenton. Cost per weekly session: $100 per student; healthy foods included. To register your child, call Beverly Newman at 941.313.9239.

NCJW Book Club National Council of Jewish Women’s Book Club will meet at 1:00 p.m. at the Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota. The book for discussion is Shanghai Girls by Lisa See, and will be reviewed by Susan Horwitz. The club usually meets the second Monday of the month. For more information and to sign up, email Barbara Aferiat at barbara@aferiat.com.

Inquire about multi-course discounts. Scholarships are also available.

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, 5445 Pamela Wood Way #160, Sarasota, FL 34233.

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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 school-administered 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.

June 2018

JEWISH HAPPENINGS

17

TUESDAY, JUNE 12 Mitzvah Knitting Group at Temple Emanu-El Are you a knitter or crocheter interested in using your talent to brighten the lives of others while making new friends? If so, please come to the Mitzvah Knitting Group sponsored by Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood. We gather monthly to craft and socialize, and our beautiful handiwork has been donated to local new parents as well as needy families in SarasotaManatee and in Israel. Bring your needles or crochet hook and a favorite pattern – we’ll supply the yarn and great company! The group meets at 10:00 a.m. at Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. For more information, email Susan Bernstein at susanhope22@comcast.net.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13 Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class Join Rabbi Michael Werbow for an educational experience with a focus on prayers, customs, Hebrew literacy, Jewish rituals, holidays, chanting and more. If you are an adult who did not have a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony for some reason, this class is for you! Classes meet from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesdays, June 13 and 20 at Temple Beth Sholom, 1050 S. Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota. There is no cost. New participants are always welcome.

Please let us know if you plan on attending. For more information, contact the temple office at 941.955.8121 or info@templebethsholomfl.org.

L’Chayim

SUNDAY, JUNE 17 Father’s Day Barbecue and Concert The Ten Commandments instruct all Jews to “Honor thy Father and thy Mother.” Celebrate Father’s Day with a delicious kosher barbecue and special musical tribute by Israeli concert pianist Eleonora Lvov, whose father, Boris Lvov, was one of the top concert pianists in Russia and Israel.

Hear Eleonora’s personal story in her father’s honor. Join us at 4:00 p.m. at the Al Katz Center, 5710 Cortez Road West, Bradenton. Cost: $10 per adult; $5 per student. To RSVP, call Beverly Newman at 941.313.9239.

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

TUESDAY, JUNE 19 Sarasota Jewish Singles Dinner Meeting The Sarasota Jewish Singles is an outreach program of Temple Beth Israel to give all Jewish singles in the area the opportunity to meet other men and women who are alone. The group meets once a month for dinner, laughter and a time to turn acquaintances into lifelong friends. Join us at 6:00 p.m. at The Coolinary Restaurant and Bar, 1359 Main St., second floor, Sarasota. To make a reservation or for more information, call or text Rosalyn Fleischer at 941.915.6631 or rozfleischer@gmail.com.

MONDAY, JUNE 25

Stacy Hanan, Realtor 941.266.0529

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StacyHanan@michaelsaunders.com

1605 Main Street | Sarasota, Florida 34236 | 941.951.6660

TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM

Chabad of Sarasota’s Camp Gan Israel Chabad of Sarasota’s Camp Gan Israel 2008 summer season opens at 9:00 a.m. at 7700 Beneva Road, Sarasota. Camp Gan Israel provides two weeks of fun activities, including swimming, art, taekwondo, trips and theme days with a Jewish twist. The camp staff, brought in from out of town, are known to enthrall children ages 5-11 while imbuing lots of ru’ach (spirit) and Jewish pride. For girls in grades 7-8, there is a separate teen program.

Camp hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The cost is $200 per week. For further information, call Sara Steinmetz at 941.925.0770.

Sarasota's Conservative Synagogue

"Where community is family and egalitarian Conservative Judaism thrives in Sarasota through prayer, learning, and community service.”

Catering Services Continuing Education Daily Morning Minyan Holocaust Garden Idelson Library Jewish Cemetery Judaica Museum Judaica Shop

Kosher Kitchen Mah Jongg (weekly) Room Rentals Sisterhood & Men's Club Youth Groups (PREP)Paver Religious Educational Program

Shabbat Services

Sig nU He p re

Friday 6:30 pm Saturday 9:00 am

Shabbat Shaboom & Youth Havurah

for our children Saturday 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Morning Minyan

Sunday - Friday 8:00 am - 9:00 am

OFFICE HOURS

Stay up-to-date on: • Events • News • Opportunities in the SarasotaManatee Jewish Community

Monday, CLOSED Tuesday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Wednesday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Thursday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Friday, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

JUDAICA SHOP Summer Hours Wednesday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

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Let us help with your Judaic needs!

Registering for The Jewish Federation’s weekly email newsletter means you won’t miss out on important community information.

Get updated EVERY Thursday!

1050 SOUTH TUTTLE AVENUE SARASOTA, FLORIDA 34237 941.955.8121

Sign up at JFEDSRQ.org

INFO@TEMPLEBETHSHOLOMFL.ORG WWW.TEMPLEBETHSHOLOMFL.ORG

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June 2018

JEWISH INTEREST

OLDER ADULT S E R V I C E S

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

HELPLINE FOR CAREGIVERS 941.364.7560 Information and referral to community resources, services, and benefits Counseling — individual and group sessions, in home visits Social Engagement Education and Wellness Seminars MindSet Brain Fitness Classes Caregiver Support — weekly group sessions and individual appointments Respite for Caregivers Geriatric Care Management Caring from a Distance program Friendly Visitors End of Life and Bereavement Support Jewish holiday celebrations at the Fruitville campus, JCV, and in the community Financial Assistance Program Holocaust Survivor Services Jewish Aging Mastery Program Transportation to programs and activities

Contact Pamela Baron, MSW, Director of Senior Services 941.366.2224 ext. 112 pbaron@jfcs-cares.org

Holocaust Awareness Offering holiday celebrations and social gatherings for area Holocaust Survivors (presented in partnership with Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast, Inc., Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services and The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany) Contact Jessi Sheslow at 941.343.2109 or jsheslow@jfedsrq.org Indigent Burial Services Contact Howard Tevlowitz at 941.343.2110 or htevlowitz@jfedsrq.org

• • • • •

The staff positions that provide many of these services are funded by

•

}

Aviva University: Lifelong Learning Contact Natalie Chuquizuta Healthy Learning Lecture Series at 941.757.8520 Youthful Aging Lecture Series Parkinson’s Support Group Contact Nancy Rubin at 941.379.3553 Volunteer Program Contact Director of Volunteers, Donna Albano at 941.379.3553 Holocaust Survivors Support Group Contact Lifestyle Director, Maria Leonardo at 941.377.0781

COMMUNITY RESOURCES FRIENDSHIP CENTERS

941.955.2122

www.friendshipcenters.org Resource center for information, education and support

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) 407.888.8751 Works to improve the health of low income persons (at least 60 years old) by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA foods.

SENIOR BLUE BOOK

Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee 941.747.4655 www.mealsonwheelsplus.org Assisting individuals to live independently by providing nutrition and caring, supportive services. Also operates The Food Bank of Manatee.

United Way 2-1-1 Referral Program of Manasota, Inc. Dial 211 www.unitedwaysuncoast.org A free and confidential service that helps people across North America find the local resources they need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Meals on Wheels – Sarasota 941.366.6693 Providing meals for those who are unable to shop or prepare meals for themselves.

www.seniorsbluebook.com This FREE resource guide for aging well is available in most Walgreens stores, libraries, health care facilities and more.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS

Seniors vs. Crime 800.203.3099 This program is sponsored by the Office of the Attorney General of Florida. It allows consumer-conscious seniors to be actively involved in protecting their communities and their fellow seniors from becoming victims of consumer fraud.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

JFCS The Salvation Army – Manatee County The Salvation Army – Sarasota County

FOOD SERVICES

941.366.2224 941.748.5110 941.954.4673

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) www.myflorida.com/accessflorida Provides nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and families

866.762.2237

Florida Department of Elder Affairs

1.800.414.2000

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

EMERGENCY: Fire/Police/Ambulance/Poison Abuse Hotline (children, disabled or elderly persons) Health Department of Sarasota County Veteran’s Affairs – Sarasota Vet Center VA Medical Clinic, Bradenton VA Medical Clinic, Port Charlotte

911 1.800.962.2873 941.861.2900 941.927.8285 941.721.0649 941.235.2710

All Faiths Food Bank (AFFB) 941.379.6333 AFFB works with 184 partners and programs to deliver healthy food to families in need in Sarasota and DeSoto counties.

A SERVICE OF

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

g

June 2018

JEWISH INTEREST

19

The boxer who cared

By Paul R. Bartrop, PhD

E

xactly eighty years ago, on June 22, 1938, arguably the most famous boxing match in history took place at Yankee Stadium, New York, when the German heavyweight champion, Max Schmeling, confronted American hero Joe Louis. The fight was to have implications beyond a simple sporting contest.

Of modest background, Schmeling was born on September 28, 1905. He became a profesDr. Paul Bartrop sional boxer at the age of 19 and won the German light heavyweight title two years later. On June 19, 1927, he won the European light heavyweight title, and then the German heavyweight crown. Moving quickly to the number-two ranking and a shot at the heavyweight title, on June 12, 1930, he met Jack Sharkey to settle the title. Schmeling won when Sharkey was disqualified after delivering a low blow – the only occasion in boxing history when the heavyweight championship was won by disqualification.

In April 1933, not long after Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany, he summoned Schmeling for a private dinner meeting with himself and several leading Nazi officials. He told Schmeling that while in the United States he should inform the American public that reports about Jewish persecution in Germany were untrue.

When Schmeling arrived in New York he complied, saying that there was no anti-Semitism in Germany and empha-

sizing the point that his manager, Joe Jacobs, was Jewish.

Later that year, Schmeling suffered defeat at the hands of Max Baer before a crowd of 60,000 at Yankee Stadium. The loss was deemed a “racial and cultural disgrace” in Germany, where it was considered outrageous that Schmeling would even have had to fight a “non-Aryan.” Baer’s father was Jewish, and Baer himself fought wearing shorts emblazoned with a Star of David.

By this stage Schmeling was viewed as a something of a Nazi puppet. On March 10, 1935, he fought and knocked out American Steve Hamas in Hamburg, and the 25,000 spectators spontaneously stood and sang the Horst Wessel (the Nazi anthem), with arms raised in the Hitler salute. This caused outrage in the United States, with Schmeling now being publicized in Germany as the very model of Aryan supremacy and Nazi racial superiority, something he would detest all his life.

The American public was desperate for Schmeling to return to the United States for another fight, this time against the young American hero, the “Brown Bomber,” Joe Louis. On June 19, 1936, the fight took place at Yankee Stadium. As Schmeling’s record of late had not been strong, he was a 10-1 underdog, and many people thought that at 30 years of age he was past his prime.

Yet Schmeling had studied Louis’s technique closely and found a weakness in his defense. In the 12th round, he scored what some consider the upset

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

of the century, when he sensationally knocked Louis out. In Germany, the Nazi press – to Schmeling’s dismay – boasted that the victory represented white Aryan supremacy. When he returned to Berlin, he was invited by Hitler to join him for lunch.

The rematch, at Yankee Stadium on June 22, 1938, became a cultural and political event. It was billed as a battle of the “Aryan versus the Negro,” a struggle of evil against good. Held before a crowd of over 70,000, the match saw a determined and highlymotivated Joe Louis knock Schmeling out within two minutes and four seconds of the first round.

Schmeling said later he was relieved to have lost, as the defeat removed Nazi expectations of his abilities. It made it easier for him to refuse to act as a Nazi, and he was shunned

by Hitler and the Nazi hierarchy for having “shamed” the Aryan Superman ideal. Hitler never forgave Schmeling for losing to Louis.

On the night of November 9, 1938, as anti-Semitic mobs were sacking Jewish property throughout the Reich during the Kristallnacht, Schmeling’s opposition to Nazism was tested as never before. One of his Jewish friends, David Lewin, begged in desperation for Schmeling to shelter his two sons, Heinz (14) and Werner (15). Without hesitation, Schmeling took them to his room in the downtown Excelsior Hotel and kept them there for three days, telling the desk clerk that he was ill and must not be disturbed. Risking his life to save the two brothers, he then helped them escape Berlin. After things settled down, he drove them to his house for

VOTED 2017 BEST OF ASSISTED LIVING FOR SARASOTA!

A Trusted Choice for Over 20 Years

A POWERFUL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

Holocaust, Genocide and Tolerance Education

T

he 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.

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.

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Many Inspiring Speakers to Choose from Including HILDE MANDEL PAUL MOLNAR RIFKA GLATZ GINETTE HERSH HENRY TENENBAUM

further hiding. Waiting another two days, he then delivered them safely to their father.

In 1939, Schmeling helped the family to flee the country altogether.

They went to the United States where Heinz (now Henri) became a prominent hotel owner in Las Vegas.

During World War II a still enraged Adolf Hitler saw to it that at the age of 35, Schmeling would be drafted into the Luftwaffe as an elite paratrooper, where he served during the Battle of Crete in May 1941. It was said that the Führer took a personal interest in seeing to it that the former champion would be sent on suicide missions.

After the war and in retirement, Schmeling became one of Germany’s most revered and respected sports figures. He remained popular not only in Germany, but also in America. He became friends with many of his former foes, particularly his old opponent, Joe Louis. Schmeling would often help him financially, and their friendship lasted until Louis’s death in 1981, when Schmeling, in a final tribute, paid for the funeral.

Max Schmeling was a man in conflict with both the Hitler regime and the racial policies of Nazism. The degree of resistance he showed was built around a sense of what it was to be a decent human being. On February 2, 2005, he died at age 99, at his home in Hollenstedt, near Hamburg.

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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Savannah Grand avannah Grand is different from other assisted living communities. While anyone can vacuum, clean, serve food, fo rt wit medications—we truly go a step f od, transport r residents and assist with further! We work to assure that our residents are emotionally and socially content, collaborating with health and social service professionals to ensure that each resident is happy and healthy.

Savannah Grand offers a full range of amenities within a comfortable, home-like design. Our intimate size, just 37 apartments, allows us to utilize this personalized approach to create an environment where our residents thrive! That’s a tangible difference you’ll understand after a visit to our community. Come see why The Grand has been a treasured retirement choice for over 20 years.

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June 2018

JEWISH INTEREST

The YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus

By Arlene Stolnitz

B

rowsing through music websites on the Internet is one of my favorite preoccupations.

That’s what becomes of a “wanna-be” writer with a focus on the Judaic music world! Recently, I happened upon a unique group that caught my attention.

The incredible power of music is evident in this wonderful group of young singers who are destined to beArlene Stolnitz come the leaders of peace in their communities. They are known as the YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus. Learning about them makes me think it will be the younger generation who will be on the forefront of “repairing the world.”

For starters, their home page is written in three languages: English, Hebrew and Arabic! That says a lot in itself, since the goal of the program is to encourage understanding through song and dialogue among Israeli and

Palestinian youth in Jerusalem. Their mission states, “Through the cocreation of music and the sharing of stories, the chorus seeks to empower youth in Jerusalem to become leaders in their communities and inspire singers and listeners around the world to work for peace.”

The singers are young people, high school students, ages 14-19, from East and West Jerusalem, who come together in a common experience and, in the process, experience understanding, community and a shared identity.

Their music can be described as somewhere between Pop, Arabic Classical, Hip-Hop and Chant. In the words of a description in their album Home, ‫תיב‬ ‫تيب‬, braving violence and fear, the singers, both Israeli and Palestinian alike, support each other in creating a space that is a home for all, and in doing so show what Jerusalem can be.

The group was established in 2012

by Founder and Director Micah Hendler, an award-winning singer and music director from Yale University who has studied the intersection between music and conflict transformation.

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Hendler has spent years developing this model based on his paper, “I Am a Seed of Peace: Music and Israeli-Arab Peacemaking.” Much of this writing and other papers he has authored are the basis for the YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus model. It is an official program of the Jerusalem International YMCA and the Jerusalem Foundation, an independent community foundation that supports an equitable and open place where people from all walks of life can feel comfortable.

The chorus’ current director is Nizar Alkhater, an Israeli classical pianist and composer who brings a wealth of musical experience to the group, both from his work in Israel and throughout Europe. He has specialized in organizing projects for youth music education and youth orchestra. In addition to the YMCA Youth Chorus, he directs a choir for people with physical limitations and special needs.

The chorus has about 30 singers with an equal balance between Arab and Jewish membership. The Arab members are roughly one-third Christian and two-thirds Muslim with a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds among them. The repertoire is diverse, sung in several languages, including English, Arabic, Hebrew and others.

The music is a type of East-West musical fusion with a mix of creative and innovative arrangements. One number is an arrangement of a Sufi chant. Rehearsals are held weekly and run for three and a half hours, mostly in Eng-

lish except for necessary translations for speakers of Arabic and Hebrew.

Here are some of the comments from the singers themselves: “You get to know the other side… you get to be together, you get to see what it’s like being with kids different than you.” – Avital, Israeli singer “The choir is beautiful and we enjoy it because we are Arabs and Jews together at the same time.” – Ameer, Palestinian singer “I only knew Israelis. I had never met any Arabs before I came here. I wasn’t sure what I expected, but what I realized was we are all the same.”

– Shifra, Israeli singer “I live in Israel, I’m an Arab, there’s Jewish people… but I never talked to them… I never knew their opinion.

After joining this choir it changed my life. It made me know what they think.

It made them know what I think.” – Samia, East Jerusalem I urge you to visit the YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus website at www. ymca.jerusalemyouthchorus.org. As with me, you will be blown away. I promise.

You may even buy their CD. Arlene Stolnitz, founder of the Sarasota Jewish Chorale, is a member of the Jewish Congregation of Venice. A retired educator from Rochester, New York, she has sung in choral groups for over 25 years and also sings in Venice’s Chorale (formerly Exsultate!). Her interest in choral music has led to this series of articles on Jewish folk music in the Diaspora.

K’zohar Ha-Ivrit Av – Father

By Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin

I

n 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a bill that recognized the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. This recognition came after decades of attempting to mark a special day in honor of fathers commensurate with honoring mothers in our society. In honor of the day, let us explore the Hebrew words for “father” and “dad.”

Dr. Rachel Dulin The most common word for “father” in the Bible is av, (plural avot), which is mentioned, in different forms, 1,015 times in Hebrew and nine times in Aramaic.

However, depending on context, av also means “patriarch,” progenitor” and “ancestor.” And, in some cases av means “inventor,” “leader,” advisor,” “patron,” “head of family or tribe” and “founder of a settlement.”

In post-biblical Hebrew the word abba entered the Hebrew lexicon from Aramaic. Abba is a combination of two words: av and the suffix a, which, in Aramaic, stands for the definite article “the.” Thus, abba in Aramaic means “the father.” In Hebrew, however, abba means “father” or affectionately, “dad.”

With so many meanings, it is not surprising that av is at the center of many idioms and terms in the Hebrew language. We will mention but a few.

Coming to mind first is the prayer Avinu Malkaynu, literally “our Father our King,” noting that the suffix nu indicates the plural possessive “our.”

The same structure is echoed in the prayer avinu sheh-ba-sha-mayim, literally “our Father in Heaven,” and in the words of Isaiah who called God ata avi-nu, “You are our Father.” (Isa 63:17) Another example using Av as an epithet for God is Av Ha-ra-chamim, literally “compassionate Father,” found in Sabbath prayers.

From biblical days to modern

Hebrew, av is a word used to identify a person who was the progenitor of a group, the inventor of an idea, or an advisor. Abraham, for example, was called Avi-nu, “our father” (Ta-anit 2:5), and Moses was recognized as Avi Ha-ne-vi-im, “the father of the prophets.” (Lev. Raba 1) The first musician, Yuval, was called avi kinor, literally “the ancestor of lyre players” (Gen 4:21), and Joseph, the advisor to the king of Egypt, was identified as av to Pharaoh (Gen 45:8).

With the years, the meaning of av expanded even further to mean “basic factor,” “origin” and “source.” Thus, av is used as a key word in many terms.

For example, the president of the court is called Av Bait ha-Din, literally “the father of the court.” (Sanhedrin 1:3) The concept of z’khut avot, “ancestral merit,” reflects the importance of parental legacy and the right for inheritance. (Avot 2:2) And anatomically speaking, the term av ha-or-kim, literally, “the father of the veins,” is the Hebrew name for “the aorta.”

I wish to end our short survey of av with two biblical sayings which highlight the relationships between fathers and children. First, the prophet Jeremiah warns fathers that their misdeeds will affect the lives of their children. To wit, Jeremiah coined the phrase avot akh-lu boser or “fathers have eaten sour grapes,” and ve-shi-nay ba-nim tik-henah, “and the children’s teeth are on edge.” (Jer. 31:28) The second biblical teaching, highlighting parent-child relationships, is found at the heart of the Ten Commandments, where it is written: ka-bed et avi-kha ve-et ime-kha, “honor your father and your mother.”

(Ex 20:12) Accordingly, respect and honor of fathers and mothers is fundamental to the strength of society.

Happy Father’s Day! 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.

f

June 2018

JEWISH INTEREST

Stars of David

Interested in Your Family’s History?

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.

The Second Jewish Solo and More Solo: A Star Wars Story, which opens on Friday, May 25, is described as a “space Western.” The film covers Han Solo’s early days as a smuggler and his friendship with Chewbacca, a wookie.

We also find out how he met Lando Clarissian. ALDEN EHRENREICH, 28, plays Solo, with Donald Glover playing Clarissian.

Ehrenreich, who was discovered at a bar mitzvah reception by STEVEN SPIELBERG, told Collider.com that the young Solo “was more of an idealist” than the one in the original films. He also added that he consulted with the “original Solo,” HARRISON FORD, now 75, about how to play the role. (Ford’s late mother was Jewish).

The script is by LAWRENCE KASDAN, 68, and his son, JONATHAN KASDAN, 38. The elder Kasdan previously co-wrote two of the best “Star Wars” films: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and The Return of the Jedi (1983). The younger Kasdan has a small role in Solo as Tag Greenly, and JON FAVREAU, 51, provides the voice of Rio Durant (described as a very cool and important alien character in film publicity).

Tag, opening on Friday, June 15, is based on a true story. It’s about a group of old friends who meet up once a year for a rousing game of tag. Of course, mental games also go on. Co-stars include RASHIDA JONES and ISLA FISHER, both 42.

Cable and Streaming Remember PAIGE DAVIS? This musical actress was the perky host and star of the TLC series Trading Spaces for most of its original run (2000-2009).

Early in April, the show was “rebooted” on TLC (new episodes air Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.). Davis, 48, is again the host, and the premise is the same: couples swap homes and have a limited budget to redo each other’s homes with the help of a designer.

Now streaming on Hulu is the first season of The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, the classic ’60s animated

series. The show functioned on two levels. It worked as a children’s show, but frequently made references and jokes that were directed at adults (often hip, well-read adults). Two Jewish actors voiced a lot of the series’ iconic characters. PAUL FREES (19201966), born Solomon Hersh Frees, was the voice of baddie Boris Badanov and Captain “Wrongway” Peachfuzz.

JUNE FORAY (1917-2017) was the voice of Rocky, baddie Natasha Fatale and every other female character in the show (including distinct cartoons within the show, like Dudley Do-Right).

Foray (born Forer) was the daughter of a Lithuanian Jewish immigrant and a French Canadian mother who converted to Judaism. Look up the amazing list of voice roles she created during a career that lasted 70 years.

Foray was the greatest female voice actor of all time. Her only competition for the greatest, male or female, is MEL BLANC (1908-1989). Look him up, too.

Reasonable people can differ on whether they like the usually dirty stand-up humor of GILBERT GOTTFRIED, 63. Sometimes I like Gottfried’s humor – dirty or not – and sometimes he doesn’t amuse me at all.

However, I was charmed and touched by the documentary film about his life, Gilbert, which was released in 2017 and is now streaming on Hulu. He wed his girlfriend of ten years, DARA KRAVITZ, now 48, in 2007, and they now have two lovable young children.

Kravitz is a film producer and a former top record promotion executive.

She is the perfect wife for Gilbert – a miracle really. She’s smart, funny, nurturing and tolerant of his huge quirks and neuroses. She laughs at stuff that would turn off many other women.

Gilbert’s wife and kids clearly adore him and just seem to accept his quirks and his absences due to frequent road trips. The unexpected continues as we see how kind Gilbert is to his sisters (lots of home movie stuff) and how they, too, adore him. Forget whether

21

Nate Bloom (see column at left) has become a family history expert in 10 years of doing his celebrity column, and he has expert friends who can help when called on. Most family history experts charge $1,000 or more to do a full family-tree search. However, Bloom knows that most people want to start with a limited search of one family line.

So here’s the deal:

Write Bloom at nteibloom@aol.com and enclose a phone number.

Nate will then contact you about starting a limited search. If that goes well, additional and more extensive searches are possible.

The first search fee is no more than $100. No upfront cost. Also, several of this newspaper’s readers have asked Bloom to locate friends and family members from their past, and that’s worked out great for them. So contact him about this as well. you like his comedy. This is a great and oddly heartwarming Jewish family story.

Michelle Wolf The now-famous comedian Michelle Wolf is not Jewish. The Times of Israel, while mentioning her tour of Israel a few years back, stated she is not Jewish. Also, LARISA KLEBE, the Deputy Director of the Jewish Women’s

Archive, a quite good website, says she asked Wolf if she was Jewish by messaging her via Instagram last year and Wolf replied that she isn’t Jewish. Google Larisa Klebe and Michelle Wolf and you’ll find two articles Klebe wrote about Wolf. The most recent one is a smart exploration of how the criticism of Wolf often veers into antiSemitic tropes.

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June 2018

JEWISH INTEREST

Highly original novel explores the damage that false spiritual gurus can inflict Book review and interview by Philip K. Jason, Special to The Jewish News

in the author’s view, many are. movie-star looks. He is polite, caring, And in that group, perhaps, is and alternates between seeming vulRabbi Joachim, whose writnerable and sure of himself. There is a ings on the curative powers genuine attraction between this couple. esserman has penned a fasciof herbs are under attack. The However, they have backgrounds nating portrait of an insecure “clover cure” has caught the that put pressure on a possible relaJewish woman, Sharon Berg, attention of the FDA. tionship. What is Sharon doing, she who in her mid-thirties becomes inAnd yet Priceman, who imagines others saying, flirting with fatuated with a somewhat charismatic as publisher is likely to be this younger man. She wonders herspiritual leader. Rabbi Albert Joachim sued, is willing to believe self. The image of Rabbi Joachim flits is the head of The Center for Mystithat Rabbi Joachim is sinthrough her mind, his gravitas, learncal Judaism. Sharon studies there and cere, although misguided in his ing and remarkable allure so much in becomes a slave enthusiasms. contrast to Junior’s aura. Lots of little to her “KabbalThere is a lot to like about this things define him. “He smelled pleasah Master.” She book. Many chapters read like detachantly of trees in the rain.” Sharon has works long hours able vignettes of New York life, the always believed her destiny is to marry for little pay and main characters peripheral to others a Jewish man, to raise Jewish children, scant attention. who populate these scenes. These secand to deepen her Jewish knowledge Sharon’s life tions are not at all distracting; rather, and identity. She already attempted that had run aground. they set Sharon into a larger, richer and life, and though the Jewish children are Divorced, with two more complex cultural environment. still there, the husband is gone. children, and with Moreover, though the story’s main Can she really flourish in a relaPhil Jason few prospects, she thrust aligns with serious current contionship with this Italian-American is easy prey to her own imagination. cerns about false, manipulating gurus Vietnam War veteran? Is her attraction Her needs are projected on an imagtaking advantage of women, readers to him a counterbalance to her adorained version of a caring Rabbi Joachim will find a smile on the author’s face. tion of Rabbi Joachim? Won’t she alwho seems to be simply using her.

The book is rich with a wise and unexways seem an old lady in his circle of Sharon fantasizes that he will return pected humor. friends? her love. Perhaps divorce his wife and Will Sharon be able to build a new Rabbi Joachim is not present for a marry her. life for herself? Read substantial part of the Unable to properly parent her chilthe book and make your novel. He is off visitdren, she had invited her mother to own decision. ing his wife and chilmove in and help out. This situation About the author dren in Israel. Jewish has an upside and a downside.

Recipient of the Theomysticism, however, Set in Brooklyn’s Coney Island dore Hoepfner Fiction continues to be repand other sections of New York, The Award and past writresented by a neighKabbalah Master offers a rich ethnic er-in-residence at the borhood occult book taste. Its temporal setting is 1972, a Mishkenot Sha’ananim store owned and run time of social change and continuing Artists’ Colony in Jeruby Seymour Priceexperimentation initiated in the 1960s. salem, Pushcart Prizeman. He is also Rabbi Perle Besserman knows the territory nominee Perle BesserJoachim’s publisher.

Perle Besserman and handles it with authority. man was praised by Isaac Bashevis An astute businessman, he admits to Sharon, a somewhat time-worn, Singer for the “clarity and feeling for having absolutely no personal interest nice Jewish girl, is desperate for valimystic lore” of her writing, and by in the concerns of the books he sells dation. Enter Junior Cantana. Junior Publisher’s Weekly for its “wisdom and publishes. is seven years younger than Sharon [that] points to a universal practice of Ms. Besserman, through Priceand gives the first impression of being the heart.” Houghton Mifflin published man’s stance, suggests that most who much younger than that. Their meeting her autobiographical novel Pilgrimdabble in mysticism, Jewish or otheris fortuitous. To Sharon’s eyes, he has age, and her short fiction has appeared wise, are charlatans. Clearly enough, in The Southern Humanities Review, AGNI, Transatlantic Review, Nebraska Review, Southerly, North American BARZELL • BREGG • GREEN • CAREY • KAPLON Review and Bamboo Ridge, among others. Her books have been recorded WINSTON E. BARZELL, MD, FACS, FRCS and released in both audio and e-book Diplomate of the American Board of Urology versions and translated into over ten KENNETH J. BREGG, MD, FACS languages. Her most recent books of Diplomate of the American Board of Urology creative non-fiction are A New Zen JOSHUA T. GREEN, MD, FACS for Women (Palgrave Macmillan) and Diplomate of the American Board of Urology Zen Radicals, Rebels, and Reformers, ROBERT I. CAREY, MD, PhD, FACS 3325 S. Tamiami Trail Suite 200 Diplomate of the American Board of Urology coauthored with Manfred Steger (WisSarasota, FL 34239 Fellowship trained in Robotic Surgery, Laparoscopy & Endourology dom Books). Two novels, Kabuki Boy 5350 University Pkwy Suite 207 DANIEL M. KAPLON, MD, FACS and Widow Zion, and Yeshiva Girl, a Sarasota, FL 34243 Diplomate of the American Board of Urology story collection, are available from Fellowship trained in Robotic Surgery, Laparoscopy & Endourology PH: 941.917.8488 FAX: 941.917.8475 Aqueous Books, Pinyon Publishing urologytreatmentcenter.com A Division of 21st Century Oncology, LLC and Homebound Publishing, respectively.

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A Q&A with Perle Besserman, author of The Kabbalah Master: A Novel When did you start writing?

I published my first story when I was 9.

What inspired you?

I was trained as an actor, singer and dancer from an early age, so my life as a performer influenced my vision of life as a narrative filled with multiple characters and situations calling for expression.

Where do those characters and stories come from?

They are enacted on the stage of my imagination, my dreams and my memories, similarly to what William Butler Yeats described as a sort of mediumistic trance.

What was your childhood like?

My parents were both storytellers.

Books, movies and the arts in general were the basis for the life drama enacted at home – a perfect maelstrom of love and conflict between creativity and Jewish orthodoxy.

Why write about Kabbalah?

It was part of my spiritual search. I also made trips around the world and wrote books about “Oriental Mysticism” and women’s spirituality (The Way of Witches). I sat with Tibetan and Sufi teachers and found my home, finally, in Zen. How do you feel about writing in the digital age?

I start out with a problem, so I can’t answer that question objectively. Years ago, when first working on a computer, I discovered that my electromagnetic field was antithetical to computers and most digital devices. Things got so crazy, when I was teaching at Illinois State University, that my department chair had to bring in the IT staff to see why I was killing the list serve, and why my syllabi couldn’t get downloaded. Anyway, the IT people tested me (a couple of Bell Labs physicists had studied the problem years before) and found that I was among 4 % of the population with that electromagnetic field problem. So, all I can say is that my creative urge, the characters and situations demanding to be written, are still alive and well despite my fraught relationship with the digital age.

Who are among your favorite authors?

James Joyce, Flaubert, Dickens, the Brontes, Alice Munro, W.B. Yeats, Homer... In spite of his solipsism and sexism, I kind of like Karl Ove Knausgaard, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, to name a few.

Where do you get your material?

The stage of my imagination is filled with characters and stories needing to be told. I tune in and listen. Sometimes that stage is bare, so I have to stay quiet and respectfully wait for the characters and their stories to enter.

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.

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June 2018

JEWISH INTEREST

23

Aging Jewishly – What our traditions teach us about growing old

Could married priests and women priests revive the Catholic church?

Perle r ofBy Rabbi Barbara Aiello ster: remember when I lived in Brooklyn, my best girlfriend was Cathstart olic,” says Helen C., now in her story90s. “When we walked to school we’d pass her church, St. Lucy’s. Sometimes we’d stop to say hello to the priest. He ctor,was a nice man but he always seemed m anso sad. I told my girlfriend, “My rabbi has a wife and as a kids. Your priest f life should have that, chartoo!” presThe issue of whether priests stoshould marry and whether women my should be priests memutler Rabbi Barbara Aiello has been a topic of conversation misfor decades. During all those years, Jewish men and women have offered lers.their often unsolicited opinions, mainnerally because we noticed, just as Helen en-C. had, that there are good reasons for tromclergy to be permitted to marry.

In Brooklyn, St. Lucy’s church is ivity now closed. Here in Italy where I live and work, I notice the same problems alsopersist. In fact, Father Luigi Iuliano wrote(Don Gigi), my friend and colleague, andcontends each day with the closing of itch-village churches and the difficulty of chersministering to hundreds of Catholics n. who no longer have a priest to serve n thethem. And he is not alone. According to the Vatican’s own statistics, nearly can’thalf of the world’s parishes and misYearssions do not have a resident priest.

As rabbi in the same Italian village uter, where Don Gigi served for more than netic and25 years, I think about my own work cra-as a married female rabbi and wonStateder if the College of Cardinals would chairever consider allowing married priests why Iand women priests to join the Catholic y myclergy – something that many believe Any-would bring an enormously positive uplechange to the Roman Catholic Church.

I arrived in Italy in 2004 to serve d the as Italy’s first woman and first nonhat I withOrthodox rabbi. In 2006 I returned . So,to Serrastretta, my father’s Calabrian urge,village to establish the first active and-synagogue in the south of Italy since wellInquisition times. Over the years I have withhad the pleasure and privilege of getting to know a number of priests, who, au-like Don Gigi, are deeply dedicated.

Yet no matter how meticulously they theorganize their time, it seems imposeats,sible for these priests to keep up. No

I

“

and ausz, to

? filled ng to imes quiet cters

How

surprise there. FutureChurch, a Vatican sanctioned organization, reports that worldwide there are an estimated 125,000 priests who have left the ministry and their reason for leaving – to get married.

In Italy the priest shortage is monumental. In America it’s not much better. In fact, at least 25,000 American men have left the priesthood since 1970, among them my cousin’s husband, Bernie. His wife Patricia recalls that although Bernie loved his secular job, if priests had been permitted to marry, Patricia is certain that Bernie would have stayed. In fact, FutureChurch tells us that 50 percent of married priests would be willing to return to active ministry if they could.

Sadly, Bernie has passed on, but if he were here today he certainly would be surprised to know that although for him marriage was out of the question, in America there are now nearly 100 married priests in the Roman Catholic Church. So who are these priests who serve American Catholic parishes with their wives and children in tow? They are men who formerly served Protestant churches as ordained ministers but who made conversion to become Roman Catholics. Following a period of study and examination, these married men were ordained as Catholic priests.

What about women? The Jewish religion has ordained women since the early 1970s, although Regina Jonas, who was murdered in Auschwitz, holds the distinction of serving as the first woman rabbi in modern times. Today, hundreds of women serve synagogues as senior pulpit rabbis. We make up nearly 25 percent of rabbis worldwide, and as wives and mothers we divide our time, as do most professionals, between work and home responsibilities.

In the modern Catholic Church, where the number of priests has declined rapidly, deacons have stepped in to help. Interestingly, of the number of Catholic lay people and deacons currently providing pastoral care, 50 percent are women. Maybe more important are the results from a survey of a group thought to be the most traditional among all Catholics – Irish priests. When they were asked to respond anonymously, 58 percent supported the ordination of women priests.

Given that there are a paltry 400,000 priests in service compared with the al-

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most 800,000 women religious-serving Catholics worldwide, the ordination of women could be the force to bring priests back to abandoned parishes.

Could change like this really happen? Many Catholic scholars believe so. Since the rules regarding priestly celibacy and the ordination of women are not dogma but canon law, Pope Francis, who is seen by many as a reformer, might one day consider including married priests and women priests among Catholic clergy.

Would it work out? If the Jewish experience is any indication, when women entered the rabbinate, their presence created opportunities for small and struggling synagogues to have their own ordained spiritual leader. Fewer synagogues closed their doors as congregants seriously considered hiring women and adjusted emotionally to the presence of a woman on the pulpit.

More than 30 years ago, the late Pope John Paul II said it best when he told the world, “With Judaism… we have a (special) relationship… You are our dearly beloved elder brothers.”

With that statement the late Pope rekindled the familial relationship between Jews and Christians – a relationship that had been dormant for centuries.

It is my hope that we Jews can continue to lead by example so that our Catholic brothers and sisters might have the opportunity to embrace the positive changes that married priests and women priests would bring to their church.

For ten years Rabbi Barbara Aiello served the Aviva Campus for Senior Life in Sarasota as resident rabbi. Currently as Aviva’s Rabbi Emerita, she shares her experiences on Aging Jewishly. Contact her at Rabbi@Rabbi Barbara.com.

24

June 2018

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

Israel’s population nears 9 million

Israel’s population stands at 8.84 million on the eve of its 70th birthday, and there are 8,000 active high-tech companies.

By ISRAEL21c Staff, www.israel21c.org, April 16, 2018

I

lation grew by 163,000 people, some 28,000 of them new immigrants to the country.

Since Israel was founded, more than 3.2 million people have immigrated to the country – most arriving in the 1950s, when the population doubled within four years, and then again in the 1990s, as nearly one million immigrants from the former Soviet Union made their way to Israel.

Over the last 70 years, Israel has undergone massive societal changes.

srael’s population on the eve of the country’s 70th birthday stands at 8.84 million according to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 10 times more than it was in May 1948, when the population was just 806,000.

The Jewish population now stands at 6.59 million (74.5% of the total), the Arab population is 1.85 million (20.9%), and others (Christians or members of other religions) make up 404,000 (4.6%) of the population.

Over the last year, Israel’s popu-

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also love to travel out of the country.

In 1948, the population made some 30,000 trips abroad. In 2017, they made a staggering 7,597,400 trips overseas.

Today, 44% of Israelis live in the country’s 15 largest cities, and Jerusalem is the largest of them all with some 882,000 residents.

By 2048, Israel’s population is predicted to reach 15.2 million.

In the high-tech industry, there are now 8,000 active high-tech companies operating in Israel, according to Israel Venture Capital Research Center. The center also reported there are 1,487 life science companies, 505 cyber security companies, 356 Israel accelerators and incubators, and 365 active foreign R&D centers.

BRIEFS ISRAEL IS 11TH HAPPIEST NATION IN THE WORLD

Israel remains the 11th happiest country in the world for the fifth year running, according to the UN’s annual “World Happiness Report,” published Wednesday, March 14.

The report for the first time evaluated 117 countries by the happiness and well-being of their immigrants. It notes that Jews who immigrated to Israel from the former Soviet Union have much better lives than before they immigrated. (Times of Israel)

ISRAEL HAS HIGHEST FERTILITY RATE IN THE WEST

The average number of children per mother in Israel – 3.11 in 2016 – is the highest in the West, according to Central Bureau of Statistics data published Tuesday, March 13.

In most Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, fertility rates in recent years were less than 2.1.

73.9% of babies born in Israel in 2016 were born to Jewish women, 20.7% to Muslims, 1.4% to Christians, 1.3% to Druze and 2.6% not classified.

(Amir Alon, Ynet News)

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In 1948, the average life expectancy in Israel was 64 years for men and 67 for women. Today that figure has risen to 80.7 years for men and 84.2 years for women. In the UN World Happiness Report earlier this year, Israel was ranked fifth on the longevity scale, after Japan, Korea, Switzerland and Italy.

In the same report, Israel came in at 11th place in overall happiness.

In 1948, 43% of the population owned their own homes, and just 3% owned a car. Today, 68% of Israelis own their own homes, and 70% own at least one vehicle.

Tourism has also seen tenfold growth, rising from 33,100 tourists in 1948 to Israel’s highest-ever figure of 3,863,400 tourists in 2017. Israelis

41 PERCENT OF PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS FREED IN EXCHANGE FOR CAPTIVE SOLDIER GILAD SHALIT HAVE RETURNED TO TERRORISM

420 of the 1,027 Palestinian terrorists released in exchange for captured IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit in November 2011 have returned to terrorism and violence, according to a senior security official.

The major damage comes from the freed prisoners who were deported to or sent back to Gaza, beyond Israel’s reach.

Prisoners released in the Shalit deal have seized control of Hamas in Gaza and are hatching plans for terrorist attacks in the West Bank.

Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas in Gaza who himself was released in the deal, is thinking up plans for another abduction. Hamas’ fingerprints are all over many of the attacks that Israel managed to thwart in the past year.

(Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom)

AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL AT RECORD HIGH: WHAT THE GALLUP POLL SAYS

Recently, Gallup released its annual poll on American attitudes toward Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As it has for decades, the survey showed overwhelming American support for Israel.  What is remarkable about the poll-

ing on Israel is how consistent it has been. Notably, despite endless talk about the Democratic party “turning against Israel” under Obama, Democratic support for Israel is essentially the same in 2018 (49%) as it was when Obama took office in 2008 (48%).  Israel is viewed even more positively than head-to-head polling about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would indicate. When asked simply whether they viewed Israel favorably (rather than to choose a side in the conflict), “83% of Republicans, 72% of independents and 64% of Democrats view Israel favorably.”  Support for Israel is higher among older brackets, but still robust among the young. As Gallup puts it, “Israel also receives higher favorable ratings from adults 55 and older (80% favorable) than from those 35 to 54 (72%) or 18 to 34 (65%).” (Yair Rosenberg, Tablet)

ISRAEL TO BROADCAST 2018 SOCCER WORLD CUP TO ARAB STATES FOR FREE

One of the most watched events in the world, the FIFA World Cup, will be broadcast via satellite in Arabic for free by the Israel Broadcasting Authority.

The Israel Foreign Ministry called the move “a historic step that confirms the status of the Arabic language and Israel’s respect for it.”

The IBA paid $7.8 million to purchase the rights to broadcast the 2018 World Cup. For millions of soccer fans in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, to watch the World Cup costs $45 per household through Qatar’s beIN Sports channel. (i24News)

IS FAVORING ISRAEL AN AMERICAN NATIONAL SECURITY INTEREST?

The State Department, over the years, has been reluctant to “take sides” in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, this has magnified Palestinian intransigence, while draining American taxpayer dollars, propping up a corrupt Palestinian Authority without demanding anything substantial of it.

For the U.S., there is no better source of reliable information in the Middle East than Israel. The Israelis live in this bad neighborhood and understand the realities better than those on the outside. It was Israel that discovered the North Korean-built Syrian nuclear reactor and destroyed it. Can you imagine if there were loose nukes in today’s Syria?

Today the U.S. has a reliable naval port in Haifa, joint military exercises continued on next page

June 2018

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

BRIEFS

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continued from previous page preparing its soldiers, American troops manning the X-band anti-missile system in Israel to protect Europe, Israeli security technology for U.S. homeland security, and Israel’s advances in drone technology to benefit our military.

You need only to look at Erdogan’s Turkey, the eastern flank of NATO, to know how important Israel has become to American long-term security interests in the region. Favoring Israel is an American national security interest. (Eric R. Mandel, director of the Middle East Political and Information Network, The Hill)

WORLD JEWISH POPULATION HAS STILL NOT RECOVERED FROM THE HOLOCAUST

Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics announced Tuesday, April 10, that world Jewry numbers 14,511,000 people, some two million fewer than the 16.6 million Jews in the world in 1939 on the eve of the Nazi Holocaust.

In 2018 there are 6.5 million Jews living in Israel and 5.7 million in the U.S. (Times of Israel)

ISRAEL-BOUND PLANE FLIES OVER SAUDI ARABIA FOR FIRST TIME

Saudi Arabia has opened its airspace for the first time to an Israel-bound Air India passenger plane, breaking a 70-year ban on flying over the Arab kingdom. “This is a historic evening.

The Israeli skies are connecting with

the Saudi Arabian skies in one direct flight,” said Israeli transport minister Yisrael Katz. “We are celebrating the strengthening relations with India and the first civilian connection with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states.”

There was no confirmation that the Israeli flagship carrier El Al will be granted airspace access. Avoiding Saudi Arabia typically adds hours to Israel-bound flights. (Oliver Holmes, Guardian - UK)

25

tor in Syria would represent a potential existential threat to the State of Israel.

“When faced with today’s reality, the decision to destroy the reactor is one of the best decisions made in Israel over the past 70 years,” said Lt. Gen. Amikam Norkin, Commander of the IAF. “We realized that we were facing an event of national significance,” said continued on next page

OECD: ISRAEL ONE OF WORLD’S LEADING ECONOMIES

A new report by the 35-member Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has found that the Israeli economy is one of the strongest in the world.

Israel’s economy grew by 3.3% in 2017, helped by strong population growth and a robust high-tech sector, and the OECD forecasts 3.5% growth in 2018.

“The Israeli economy has grown faster and more consistently than nearly any other in the OECD for the past 15 years,” said OECD acting Chief Economist Alvaro Pereira. (Ariel Whitman, Israel Hayom)

THE UNTOLD STORY: THE ISRAEL AIR FORCE ATTACK ON THE SYRIAN NUCLEAR REACTOR

Declassified: In September 2007, Israel destroyed the nuclear reactor in Dier ez-Zor, Syria, one of the most important military operations in the IDF’s history. The premise that led Israel in its decision to attack was that the existence of an operational nuclear reac-

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June 2018

BRIEFS continued from previous page Lt.-Col. (res.) S. “During this operation I learned that when facing a crisis, every branch and department in the IDF can work together and focus on the mission.” (Tal Giladi, Israel Air Force)

IDF TRAINS U.S. JEWS TO HELP THEMSELVES, ISRAELIS IN EVENT OF NATURAL DISASTER

The IDF Home Front Command has begun training dozens of Jewish American volunteers to help Israelis in the event of a devastating natural disaster.

Recently, representatives from the Home Front Command, Israel Fire and Rescue Services and Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon flew to Atlanta, Georgia, to teach locals how to use household items in search and rescue efforts.

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

Similar training sessions have been held in Israel since 2013. Seven sessions are planned for 2018, where hundreds of American civilians will be trained to help in the aftermath of a natural disaster, both in Israel and in their own communities.

“We learned from events around the world that 90% of people who were trapped after earthquakes were saved by their neighbors,” said Lt. Inbar Levy of the Home Front Command. (Hanan Greenwood, Israel Hayom)

ISRAEL FAST-TRACKS NEW SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR U.S. EMBASSY IN JERUSALEM

Israel’s National Council for Planning and Construction, its top zoning and planning body, on Tuesday, March 27, approved new construction work at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem ahead of its planned transformation into the American embassy in time for Israel’s

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70th independence day on May 14.

The construction work will reportedly include paving an escape road from the compound – every U.S. embassy has one – and building a threemeter (10-foot) security wall around the site. (Times of Israel)

BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL PARTICIPANTS SAVE OVER 200 LIVES

More than 53,000 participants in Birthright Israel have given tissue samples for testing to see if they can be bone marrow donors. 1,543 matches were made and 205 saved others’ lives. (Judy Siegel-Itzkovich, Jerusalem Post)

TOURISM TO ISRAEL KEEPS SMASHING RECORDS

February was a record month for tourism in Israel and 2017 was a record year, with more than 3.6 million visitors, says Dana Shemesh, the Southeast U.S. director of public relations for the Israel Ministry of Tourism.

Israel welcomed 949,000 tourists in the first three months of 2018, up 29% from the same quarter in 2017.

The biggest increases in March came from Poland, Sweden, Spain, Germany and France. (Sarah Moosazadeh, Atlanta Jewish Times)

SAUDI CROWN PRINCE RECOGNIZES JEWISH PEOPLES’ RIGHT TO “THEIR OWN LAND”

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told me he recognizes the right of the Jewish people to have a nationstate of their own next to a Palestinian state. “I believe the Palestinians and the Israelis have the right to have their own land.” No Arab leader has ever acknowledged such a right.

“Our country doesn’t have a problem with Jews. Our Prophet Muhammad married a Jewish woman. Not just a friend – he married her. Our prophet, his neighbors were Jewish. You will find a lot of Jews in Saudi Arabia, coming from America, coming from Europe.”

“Israel is a big economy compared to their size and it’s a growing economy, and of course there are a lot of interests we share with Israel.”

If Prince Mohammed actually achieves what he says he wants to achieve, the Middle East will be a changed place. (Jeffrey Goldberg, Atlantic)

ISRAELI MEDICAL HUMANITARIAN WORK ALONG SYRIAN BORDER DESERVES UN RECOGNITION

On recent visits we each have taken to Israel, we witnessed both the horrors of war and the compassion of healers. Israel has implemented a good neighbor policy since 2013 that calls for medical treatment of all Syrian civilians seeking care. More than 4,000 Syrians have been treated in Israel, including 1,000 children. Israel has even opened up a

maternity hospital on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights.

Syrian children are also receiving necessities to improve their quality of life, such as eyeglasses and hearing aids. Israel treats any Syrian who needs it, free of charge. In addition, the Israeli Army has an official program, Operation Good Neighbor, that provides food, clothing, fuel, equipment and medical supplies to 250,000 Syrians.

We call upon the UN Human Rights Council to acknowledge that Israel has saved thousands of Syrian lives during one of the largest human rights atrocities in the world. Administering medical care to any injured person, regardless of whom they are, is a standard Israelis and Americans live by – and is who we are as nations. (Randy Hultgren, U.S. Congressman (R-Ill.), and Aviv Ezra, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, based in Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times)

ISRAEL EARMARKS $5.6 MILLION FOR TECHNOLOGY PARKS IN ARAB TOWNS

The Knesset committee for Arab affairs recently approved $5.6 million for the creation of technology parks within Arab towns in Israel.

“The plan is expected to create conditions for the creation of thousands of new jobs” for Arabs in the high-tech sphere, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

In 2015, the government earmarked NIS 15 billion for the economic development of the Israeli Arab sector.

“Within just two years we have already witnessed a significant increase of many growth indicators in Arab society,” said Social Equality Minister Gila Gamliel.

These include more Arab students taking high school matriculation exams, more Arab students enrolled in higher education programs, and higher employment rates. (Shoshanna Solomon, Times of Israel)

EXPOSING IRAN’S NUCLEAR ARCHIVE: A FANTASTIC INTELLIGENCE FEAT

The Israeli intelligence community has once again proved it has extraordinary capabilities.

Reaching the secret Iranian nuclear archives, stored in an ordinary building so as not to attract attention, entering the facility and transferring the contents to Israel are all abilities that will remain important in future efforts to identify any Iranian attempt to deviate from the framework of the nuclear accord.

The Iranians should internalize that they have been penetrated, that Israel has the ability to reach the most sensitive places in Tehran, and that they should think twice before they act. (Maj.-Gen. [ret.] Yaakov Amidror, former National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Israel and former Head of Israel’s National Security Council, Israel Hayom)

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June 2018

COMMENTARY

27

Hamas protest covers up failure to govern

de of

vingBy Rabbi Howard A. Simon y of amas, the terrorist group that controls access to Gaza in order to stop aring currently governs Gaza, has Hamas from receiving arms that would eeds launched attacks against Isbe used to attack Israel. sraerael, proclaiming such forays would The leadership of Hamas has choOpcontinue until May 15, which is known sen an age-old Arab ploy to deal with vides among the Palestinians as the hardships facing and “Nakba Day” (or “Day of Caits people: divert ats. tastrophe”), following the proctention from perman lamation of the existence of the sonal suffering by that State of Israel on May 14, 1948. blaming Israel for yrian The goal of these protests is to their problems, and man create enough pressure to break mobilize resistance inisa border blockade enforced by to Israel as the only perIsrael and Egypt. solution that will is a create a better life Hamas has ruled Gaza since e by 2007 and has consistently called for the citizens of andy Rabbi Howard A. Simon for the destruction of Israel.

Gaza. The result has Ill.), been weeks of burning tires, firebombs What Hamas has failed to do is care for f Isthe needs of the citizens they are supand continued attacks on the fence that ago, posed to govern. Gaza’s economy is at separates Israel from Gaza. Deaths the lowest ebb in years. The blockade have occurred, many people have been wounded, and the struggle goes on of borders makes it impossible for peowith Israel determined to defend itself ple to enter or leave the area. Residents and its people. have only a few hours of electricity per day. The continued dispute between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made Israel’s position rethe Palestinian Authority and Hamas b afgarding attacks by Hamas or any other makes for even greater tension. Israel n for ithin

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organization or country perfectly clear when he recently stated, “We have one clear and simple rule and we seek to express it constantly. If someone tries to attack you, rise up and attack him.

Security in the present is necessary for security in the future.”

The sad fact is that Netanyahu has stated time and time again that if Hamas would disarm its military and renounce violence, the suffering experienced by Gaza’s two-million people would end. Hamas refuses to accept these terms, so the struggle continues.

The leaders of Hamas have said there will be no end to the protests until the fence separating the people comes down or Israel complies with the wishes of Hamas. This means Israel will remain vigilant, the death count will rise, more people will be wounded, and the fence will not be breached. This confrontation need not happen, but Hamas will not listen to reason and will not put the welfare of its people above the desire to attack and destroy Israel.

The situation in Gaza and through-

out the Middle East feels hopelessly sad. Syria’s war continues unabated.

Iran continues to make inroads in this part of the world. Russia continues to seek its goal of becoming a major player in all facets of the Middle East.

Israel watches it all unfold, determined to defend itself, while at the same time seeking peace with its neighbors.

How will it all end? No one is sure, but an anxious world waits and wonders if peace can come to this part of the world or if warfare is to be the way of life for the present and the future.

Rabbi Howard A. Simon is the founding chair of the Robert and Esther Heller Community Relations Committee, formerly known as the Heller IAI.

COMMENTARY BRIEFS

Proud to be serving the Jewish community of Sarasota

Did You Know?

rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the United States from 2016 to 2017

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

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alize that most that they dror, r to forurity

With hundreds of Palestinians chanting, “We are going to Jerusalem, millions of martyrs,” Hamas leaders made clear that their “March of Return” is only the latest tactic in their efforts to destroy Israel. However, that hasn’t convinced much of the global community to abandon its comfortable narrative of a peace-loving Palestinian

E OF W I RA E S A S H F E D E AT E RAS N A O TA - M

What are we doing about it?

EDUCATION.

The Robert and Esther Heller Community Relations Committee takes a firm stand against anti-Semitism. We use community resources and influence to combat a rise in anti-Semitism and anti-Zionist sentiments, which often result in aggressive acts and rhetoric against Jews. Through education, advocacy, and building relationships with the greater community, together we can combat hatred, bigotry, and harassment of Jews and other minorities.

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clear ding ering conwill s to viate r ac-

HAMAS ATTACKS ISRAEL – AND THE WORLD CONDEMNS ISRAEL

people in Gaza driven to violence by an iron-fisted Israel. However carefully it responds to violent efforts to breach its borders and attack its people, Israel finds itself falsely portrayed, secondguessed and ultimately condemned.

“Palestine and Jerusalem belong to us,” top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh declared recently. Maybe Israel’s critics don’t realize that with their one-sided condemnations, they’re emboldening Hamas. Or maybe they do.

(Larry Haas, senior fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council, served as senior communications director for Vice President Al Gore, The Hill)

O

ON CAMPUS

rkedCampus anti-Israelism does not operevel-ate like a genuinely academic movement governed by ordinary intellectual e al-norms (such as objectivity, rigor, and easethe pursuit of truth) and moral or social b so-norms (such as civility and respect).

A movement governed by those ister norms would favor freedom of speech dentsand welcome the diversity of views.

But campus anti-Israelists refuse exd ineven to consider the possibility that Isgherrael is not entirely evil and that Israeli Solo-Jews, being not entirely demonic, have their own legitimate claim to self-determination.

No, anti-Israelism – particularly in its invasions, disruptions and personal attacks – is about something much darker. y has nary

Not dialogue, debate and free exchange of ideas; not openness, pluralism and diversity, and the pursuit of knowledge that (ought to) characterize the Western university, as well as the civilization of which the university is the heart – but rather: Silencing.

(Andrew Pessin and Doron Ben-Atar, Tablet)

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28

June 2018

COMMENTARY

Israel versus Hamas: The case for moral clarity

By David Harris, AJC CEO, April 10, 2018

T

wo centuries ago, the great German poet Goethe said, “The hardest thing to see is what is in front of your eyes.”

It’s as true today as it was then.

The difference between Hamas and Israel couldn’t be greater, yet you wouldn’t know it when listening to some observers.

For them, whether it’s Turkish President Erdogan or Swedish Foreign Minister Wallström, it’s basically all about Gaza’s innocence and Israel’s guilt. With nothing else to do but consider how to provoke peaceful, serene, Hamas-ruled Gaza, the big, bad Israelis have decided to make life difficult for local residents.

For a fair share of the media, it’s above all a story of Palestinian suffering at the hands of Israel’s military machine.

This is a perfect illustration of reverse causality. Hamas threatens and harasses Israel, but it is only Israel’s response that warrants close attention and scrutiny.

Indeed, Goethe was right. There are those who can’t, or won’t, see what’s right in front of them.

Ideological blinders get in the way.

Or a failure of imagination about the true nature of Hamas. Or a gullibility that allows people to believe whatever the Hamas propaganda machine churns

out. Or, in some cases, downright hostility to anything that Israel, the Jewish state, does.

It’s high time for moral clarity, not moral fog.

Hamas is a terrorist organization.

That’s its official designation by the United States, the European Union, Australia, Canada and others.

Israel is a democratic country with an independent judiciary, the rule of law, free and fair elections, and a robust civil society.

Hamas is anti-Western, anti-Semitic, anti-gay, misogynist and antiintellectual.

Israel is the exact opposite.

Hamas has territorial ambitions on Israel. In fact, that’s putting it too mildly: it would like to replace Israel in its entirety with a Muslim Brotherhoodruled state.

Israel has no territorial ambitions on Hamas-ruled Gaza. To the contrary, Israel left it totally 13 years ago, with the hope of never having to return.

Hamas has a vested interest in using its Gaza base for permanent confrontation with Israel.

Israel, which, alas, can’t change its geography, has a vested interest in a peaceful, moderate and developing state on its border.

Hamas, the sole ruler of Gaza since 2007, has used the last 11 years

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to smuggle in weaponry and develop military punch, rather than building the foundation of a responsible state.

Knowing this arsenal has been stockpiled for the sole purpose of being used against it, Israel seeks, as any nation would, to prevent Hamas from attaining its lethal goal.

Hamas has no compunction about deploying terrorist cells and weapons in the midst of civilian population centers in Gaza, or, most recently, deploying people along the border and encouraging breaches, fully aware that Israel would have no choice but to appear to be targeting “innocent” people.

Israel goes to unprecedented lengths to avoid falling into the Hamas trap, even phoning and dropping leaflets in advance to warn civilians to leave target areas.

Hamas cynically tells the civilian population to stay put, not to react to Israeli warnings about imminent strikes. The more Palestinian casualties, the better, as far as Hamas is concerned, including women and children.

Israel makes every effort to alert its entire population, Jewish, Christian and Muslim, to Hamas missile strikes and move people into shelters as quickly as possible.

Hamas uses mosques for storing arms.

Israel uses houses of worship, including mosques, solely for prayer.

Hamas uses schools as weapons depots.

Israel uses schools solely to educate its children, Jewish, Christian and Muslim.

Hamas uses hospitals as terrorist redoubts.

Israel uses its hospitals solely to cure the ill and injured, including residents of Gaza who can’t find adequate care there.

Hamas aspires to kill as many Israelis as possible, firing rockets indiscriminately in all directions.

Israel seeks out only the Hamas terrorist infrastructure, and has aborted many operations when the risks of civilian casualties were too great.

Hamas, as the record amply shows, has no qualms about falsifying information, doctoring photos, staging scenes and inflating numbers to make its case to the outside world.

Israel, by contrast, goes to great lengths, even to the point of sometimes losing the edge in the “media race,” to verify information that it presents about its operations.

Hamas supporters explode in paroxysms of glee when Israeli targets are hit.

Israelis don’t honk horns, shoot in the air and pass out candy for doing what they wished they didn’t have to do in the first place, and voice regret when the inevitable mistakes in warfare occur.

Hamas wouldn’t know how to spell the words “international humanitarian law,” much less adhere to it.

Israel’s defense forces have specialists in international humanitarian law assigned to every unit in an effort to ensure maximum compliance.

Hamas shouts from the rooftops that Israel is a brutal enemy.

Israel, unlike any other targeted nation in history, is actually providing – right now – most of Gaza’s electricity and much of its fuel and foodstuffs, even as Hamas leaders call for Israel’s annihilation and refer to Jews as targets to be exterminated.

Hamas celebrates death, something few people of good will can understand.

Israel celebrates life, something all people of good will should understand.

The AJC West Coast Florida office, located in Sarasota, can be reached at 941.365.4955.

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June 2018

FOCUS ON YOUTH

Community Day School tennis team takes league championship

T

he Hershorin Schiff Community Day School recently won the 2018 Florida Gulf Coast League Tennis Championships, triumphing over the other five private schools in the league. The Purple Panthers, led by Coach Gina DaMaia, earned a 7-0 record and took the championship match against second-ranked Incarnation in late April.

Of the 11 team members, about half had some prior tennis experience while the rest were fairly new to the sport. Students in grades 4-8 participated and none are graduating – potentially all of the champions will be returning again next year.

“When the season began, I didn’t know how the team would do, but I was

more concerned with the kids having as much fun as possible. My goal was for them to want to play more tennis when the season was over,” said Coach DaMaia. “The school is very supportive of the tennis team and seems supportive of all of the kids’ endeavors, which helps to grow successful children into successful young adults in every way.”

At Community Day, the focus of the athletics program is for students to challenge themselves, enjoy being part of a team, and have fun. The school may not have the largest prospect pool for its athletics program but, what it lacks in numbers, the school makes up in enthusiasm and attitude.

The 2018 Community Day School tennis team members are Gustavo

CTeen Chabad Sarasota has a new lounge

T

eens, children, parents, community members, community leaders and sponsors joined together for the start of a new era for CTeen Sarasota to attend a recent ribboncutting ceremony for a new CTeen lounge.

Under the dynamic leadership of CTeen Director Ella Steinmetz, and after months of planning, with countless hours of teens spending time scraping, spackling and painting the walls, the community came together to acknowledge and appreciate all that is being done for Jewish teens in our community.

After introductory remarks by Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, Howard Tevlowitz of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee shared his well

wishes, followed by remarks from Ella Steinmetz. Vivien Kalvaria, who assisted and provided not only financial assistance but also shared her expertise knowledge and talent, spoke, followed by CTeener Lexi Jones who represented the teens. After the ribbon cutting by Dr. Isaac and Vivien Kalvaria, everyone enjoyed delightful refreshments in the lounge.

For contributing to this project, appreciation is also extended to Arthur and Sheila Fox. The CTeen lounge is still seeking contributions to cover the cost of bookshelves, a chalkboard, window shades, and a large wall-mounted TV. To assist or for more information about CTeen at Chabad of Sarasota, contact Ella at the Chabad office at 941.925.0770.

Mayer, Michel Mayer, Aiden Pressman, Sophie Pressman, Dexter Reichel, Oakley Clements, Josh Saltzberg, Jake Saltzberg, Caroline Ceaser, Ella

29

Schaefer and Aiden Seymour.

For more information about Community Day, go to communityday.org or call 941.552.2770.

The Community Day tennis champions with Coach Gina DaMaia (in sunglasses)

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Ella Steinmetz (at left) with parents and teens

Dr. Isaac & Vivien Kalvaria cut the ribbon

Temple Sinai youth groups’ mitzvah projects

T

emple Sinai’s youth groups, SAFETY, JOOSY and Kesher, are comprised of enthusiastic youngsters who have participated in numerous mitzvah programs throughout the year supporting Temple Sinai’s theme, “The Year of the Volunteer.”

These youth group members give promise to the future of Temple Sinai and the Jewish community.

Starting with their kick-off skating event and continued on Mitzvah Day, money was raised to send a disadvantaged child to Camp Jenny.

This year the youth groups chose a project to collect items for the YMCA Youth Center, which provides temporary housing and safe care for youth ages 10 to 17 who have run away, are experiencing family conflict or have been locked out of their homes. The year-long collection of body wash, hair products, pajamas, sweatpants and sweatshirts, to name a few items, is

designed to provide help and support to youngsters undergoing a most difficult period in their lives.

Other projects included the Purim Carnival and Hamentashen Bake.

Along with some helpful parent volunteers, 22 Temple Sinai youth ran the entire carnival. Afterwards, some of the 150 hamentashen that temple member and expert baker Jerry Thomas made for us were taken next door to Aravilla as a friendly gift for the residents. While visiting, everyone was entertained by Daphne Churgel and Liya Elan, who sang, and the Fletcher Trio of Maxwell, Renee and Jack, who played beautiful music on their string instruments. The residents were delighted. Hearing the residents singing along inspired the youth group members. Youth Director Deb Bryan exclaimed that “the bulk of their activities involve giving back to the community and I am very proud of them.”

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30

June 2018

FOCUS ON YOUTH

Temple Emanu-El families celebrate Israel’s 70th birthday

E

xcited children, parents and staff gathered at Temple Emanu-El on Sunday, April 15 for a special birthday celebration marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel!

The wonderful morning began with the singing of “Hatikvah” and the screening of an inspiring video about

Israel in Benderson Family Hall. Children and families then entered Temple Emanu-El’s school building, which – under the leadership of Director of Education Sabrina Silverberg and a group of dedicated, creative and visionary parent volunteers – had been transformed into a microcosm of the State of Israel. Families explored rooms

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devoted to the various religious and ethnic groups that live and thrive in Israel, sampling their food, art and culture, and learning about their customs and beliefs.

One room, devoted to the Bedouin tradition, was given the feeling of a welcoming tent, adorned with colorful tapestries and stocked with Bedouinstyle desserts and a Bedouin-inspired craft. At another learning station, children studied the history of Israelis of North African origin and received elaborate henna tattoos. Other stations taught children about the Jews, Christians, Druze and Muslims who call Israel home.

The event ended with birthday cupcakes festooned with the Israeli flag as families celebrated Israel’s 70th birthday – and the conclusion of an educational and inspiring morning.

Temple Emanu-El Religious School student Jake Maggard and his mother, Dr. Dori Goldfarb, enjoyed cupcakes adorned with an Israeli flag

Everyone left with smiles – and frosting! – on their faces, plus resource sheets, homemade Israeli snacks, and art projects ranging from glasses of colorful sand to meticulously carved and decorated camels made from traditional Bedouin clay.

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Susan Schwaid Early Learning Center at Temple Emanu-El Temple Emanu-El Religious School students Brooks Protigal, Woody Bryant and Wyatt Daniel ate birthday cupcakes to celebrate Israel’s 70th birthday

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June 2018

LIFE CYCLE ANNIVERSARIES

65 David & Mollie Lafferman Temple Emanu-El 65th Jerrold & Joan Wexler Temple Emanu-El 60th Barry & Suzy Benjamin Temple Emanu-El 60th Dr. Bertram & Renee Gold Temple Emanu-El 60th Judson & Louise Werbelow Temple Emanu-El 55th Paul & Rosalyn Kline Temple Emanu-El 55th Terry & Sam D. Roth Temple Emanu-El 55th Marilyn & Ronald Shapo Temple Sinai 55th Sally & Jay Steele Temple Emanu-El 50th Kathy & Myron Bernstein Temple Sinai 50th Drs. Marvin & Lynda Geller Temple Emanu-El 50th Dr. William & Joanne Haiby Temple Emanu-El 50th Dr. Nigel & Geraldine Newman Temple Emanu-El th

45 Marc & Dr. Jill Halman Temple Emanu-El 40th Philip Sterdt & Diane BrowneSterdt Temple Emanu-El 40th Drs. Richard & Phyllis Yonker Temple Emanu-El 35th Eileen & Terry Blumenstein Temple Sinai 35th Alison Piper & Allen Goldberg Temple Sinai 35th Margaret Goldberger & Rob Grant Temple Emanu-El 30th David & Robin Shapiro Temple Emanu-El 25th Ken Marsh & Dr. Tanice Knopp Temple Emanu-El 20th Martin & Melinda Bloom Temple Emanu-El 20th Frances & Russell Brandt Temple Sinai 15th William & Shawn Gross Temple Emanu-El th

Please submit your life cycle events (births, B’nai Mitzvah, anniversaries, weddings) to

31

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Logan Rosenberg (pictured), son of Stacy and Jamie Rosenberg, June 2, Temple Emanu-El Jake Pullam, son of Danielle Warren, June 23, Temple Emanu-El

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Valentine Z. Chilk, 97, of Philadelphia, PA, formerly of Sarasota, November 12, 2017 Howard Cobin, 87, of Sarasota, formerly of Brookline, MA, April 12 Sanford A. Cohen, 50, of Sarasota, formerly of Utica, NY, April 2 Jacqueline Eisenberg, 94, of Woodstock, VT, formerly of Bradenton, April 13 Sanford K. Figdor, 92, of Sarasota, formerly of Bronx, NY, April 9 Sally Fine, 82, of Charleston, SC, formerly of Sarasota, April 4 Jean Freeman, 91, of Sarasota, April 11 Robert W. Garner, 92, of Sarasota, formerly of Harrisburg, PA, March 28 Marcella Halpert, 89, of Sarasota, April 20 Fred Howard, 89, of Sarasota, formerly of West Bloomfield, MI, April 10 Janet Johnson, 78, of Sarasota, January 16 Michael B. Kesselman, 67, of Punta Gorda, formerly of Livingston, NY, April 15 Donald C. Leidel, 91, of Sarasota, formerly of Madison, WI, April 19 Joan Mendell, 87, of Sarasota, formerly of New York, NY, April 16 Mariam Miller, 92, of Longboat Key, formerly of Marks, MI, April 15 Ron Morris, 83, of Sarasota, formerly of London, England, March 7 Betty Ruth Pelletz, 84, of Sarasota, April 4 Bernard Stein, 98, of Sarasota, formerly of Harlem, NY, April 21 Robert Arthur Stein, Sr., 98, of Sarasota, formerly of Chicago, IL, February 15 Alan Garber Tober, 85, of Sarasota, formerly of Springfield, MA, March 25 Beverly Winslow, 81, of Middletown, OH, formerly of Sarasota, April 19

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32

June 2018

CELEBRATING SHAVUOT

anyone ?

cheesecake che esecake SHAVUOT IN ISRAEL

Photo by Te’enainjerusalem

Israelis eat cheesecake, have water fights, show off their agriculture and learn all night on this holiday honoring the receipt of the Torah Photos by Sliman Khader, The Times of Israel

Photo by Te’enainjerusalem

Shavuot customs include • Stay up all night learning Torah • Wake up early to pray in the morning • Study the Book of Ruth • Hear the reading of the Ten Commandments

at synagogue • Eat at least one dairy meal • Decorate the home and synagogue with flowers • Wear all white

Shavuot was celebrated last month. In Israel, it is a very tasty and colorful holiday.

Children in Israeli preschools (ganim) wear white to school and wreaths of flowers on their heads. Learning to make a wreath or zer is a prized skill for many parents who also make them for their young children to wear at birthday celebrations. Baskets of fruits (fresh and dried), vegetables and dairy treats are brought to school.

There is a very strong custom to eat dairy on Shavuot, which has made cheesecake the most popular food of the holiday. There are several reasons that are given to explain this custom, but the most popular one is about the laws of kashrut. Israelis also devour blintzes and bourekas (Sephardic cheese, mushroom, potato-filled pastry pockets) during the holiday.

Many kibbutzim celebrate the holiday of first fruits with great fanfare, hosting colorful ceremonies that display produce from the kibbutz. In urban areas, in contrast, women and men often hurry off to a Tikkun Leil Shavuot—a night of Torah study.