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
October 2015 - Tishrei/Heshvan 5776 INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
8 Community Focus 14 Jewish Happenings 22 Jewish Interest 29 Israel & the Jewish World 32 Commentary 36 Focus on Youth 39 Life Cycle
6 Where are they now? – Sarah Genn
7 My incredible summer in Israel
Coming to a radio near you – “Milk and Honey” on WSRQ By Federation Staff
J
oin us on an exciting new adventure! The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee now has its own radio program called “Milk and Honey.” We broadcast every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. on WSRQ 98.9 FM. “Milk and Honey” will inform the public on the Jewish perspective and rally the support of our friends. It exemplifies the morals and values of our Jewish leaders while encouraging dialogue and understanding on modern topics that impact the world. The program will shine a light on three main topics: Israel, anti-Semitism and Jewish culture. Each of these topics offers a vast array of ways to connect to you, our valued donors and community members. Each weekly show will be available as a downloadable podcast, which means that if you have Internet accessibility you can listen to the show even if you miss it in real time. During one episode a month we’ll feature a guest to talk about the Holocaust, including survivors, educators, and students who experienced the March of the Living mission. This month, you’ll hear experts in the field of combating anti-Semitism, a topic that is on many minds these days. We’re delighted to announce that our guest in February will be the former Prime Minister of Israel and the most decorated soldier in Israeli history,
Ehud Barak. You will not want to miss this incredible honor for our Sarasota-Manatee community. Host Jessi Sheslow, who serves as Director of Community Relations for The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, will interview guests with a discerning voice for the Jewish people. As a former television producer and lead professional within the Federation dealing with the Heller Israel Advocacy Initiative and the newly formed FAST (Fighting AntiJessi Sheslow Semitism Today) initiative, her skills will be well exercised. Now, more than ever, the topics of Israel, antiSemitism and Jewish culture are in need of being lifted up. Day after day they are being dragged through
the mud in the international media. We intend on educating, raising awareness and opening meaningful dialogue. We hope you will join us!
Why converting to Judaism was worth it to me
29
Lab bus helps kids hitch a ride to college
Volume 45, Number 10
By Katie Callaluca-Sucherman the Family Jeweler Name: ________________________________________________
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hen G-d led the Jews from slavery in college philosophy professor. A rabbi, he was one Egypt, He could have taken them directly of the most captivating teachers I have ever experito Israel. Instead, He forced them to wanenced. His classes were riveting, intellectually chalder the Sinai Desert for 40 years. Some schollenging and enjoyable. After college, I moved to New York ars see that time as punitive and harsh, but I believe it was a necessary part of the learning City, where I began working as an exprocess. My experience converting to Judaecutive assistant for a Jewish businessman and recent widower. My job was ism can hardly be compared to enduring years of adversities in the Sinai Desert. My period split between managing his business This Proof must be signed and returned before of wilderness wandering was far shorter (and affairs and helping run his household, Annual Picnic we can proceed with your order. This is your climate-controlled), but it was more demandincluding looking after his two daughProof prior to printing. Please examine all spelland Havdalah ing, circuitous and frustrating than ters. I quickly grew familiar with Jewish ing and information carefully. RFJD willsometimes not be welcomes held responsible for would any unnoticed errors. Any most expect. culture, holidays and – most importantKatie Callalucawill be up customer’s soleMassachusetts, I had familieserrors to found after printing Growing in rural ly – values. I admired my boss’s values Sucherman responsibility. virtually no exposure to Judaism. I was raised Cathoand those of his Jewish friends, family and business Temple lic, and almost everyone I knew was Christian. The partners. By the time I left New York for a job in Approval Emanu-El first memorable Jewish person in my life was my continued on page 2 Approved
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