’ L
S A TV
!
A H N O
5779 5780
Celebrating Jewish Life in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Israel and the World FEDERATION NEWS PUBLISHED BY
The Jewish Federation OF SARASOTA-MANATEE
THE LARRY GREENSPON FAMILY CAMPUS FOR JEWISH LIFE
October 2019 - Tishrei 5780 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 10A Community Focus 19A Jewish Interest 26A Israel & the Jewish World 29A Commentary 34A Focus on Youth 39A Life Cycle 1B Jewish Happenings
3A The heart behind the Epstein Family Chuppah
4A 2019 Momentum Trip to Israel: If you inspire a mother, you inspire a family
www.jfedsrq.org
Volume 49, Number 10
Town Hall meetings: Community input is vital Staff Report
A
s we complete our due diligence on re-imagining The Larry Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life, it is of the utmost importance that we have the community’s input. The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee hosted two informational Town Hall meetings in the past few months with another one scheduled for later this month. We are gratified to see the interest in this exciting project that is certain to shape and transform the Jewish community in Sarasota-Manatee for decades to come. Our Federation’s mission is to strengthen Jewish life and identity in our community, provide for Jewish people in need, and promote support for Israel. This informs our vision of building a vibrant, inclusive, engaged Jewish community that responds to its constituents’ needs and aspirations, while sustaining a meaningful and strong connection with the people of Israel. For more than 60 years, we’ve been doing just that – serving those in need in our community, offering educational and cultural enrichment opportunities and maintaining a successful business model that continually refocuses our programming to remain
relevant, vital and vibrant. Our community and our Federation model have changed. The traditional Federation model that got us here is no longer relevant – we are more than just a fundraising and allocations organization. The demographics of our community, as will be presented in our soon-to-be-released population study, show that our community is increasingly interfaith, spending more time in Sarasota-Manatee and getting younger. Central to our unique model is developing and utilizing our 32-acre property on McIntosh Road to create a one-stop campus for Jewish life and a multi-use facility for the entire community. The Federation is uniquely po-
sitioned to broadly engage our 50-mile county service area through meaningful programs, education, advocacy, events and more. This state-of-the-art, secure campus will attract area visitors, community members and partners, and those wanting to engage in Jewish life on Florida’s Gulf Coast – from Tampa to Naples, Anna Maria Island to Myakka City and beyond. The Federation will always be the central place that unites our Jewish community and promotes Israel while also serving and uniting people of all backgrounds and beliefs. This project will transform the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish community and, indeed, the entire area and beyond. continued on page 2A
Town Hall meeting on August 29
“A Federation Celebration” By Gayle Guynup
12A New frontiers of Jewish learning explored at Letter Lift Off workshop
37A Community Day School’s second annual Interfaith Back-toSchool Shabbat Potluck Dinner
O
n Wednesday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Beatrice Friedman Theater on The Larry Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life, you are invited to attend The Jewish Federation of SarasotaManatee’s “A Federation Celebration.” Co-chairs Anne Spindel and Nancy Wolk have planned an inspiring evening that will include the annual awards ceremony and a campus update – complete with a 3D video presentation showcasing possible changes to the Federation campus. The event will honor outgoing Board of Directors President Michael Ritter and incoming President Randon
A publication of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee The Larry Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life Klingenstein Jewish Center, 580 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota, FL 34232 Annual voluntary subscription: $25
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID MANASOTA FL PERMIT 167
Carvel, along with volunteers who have made a special contribution to the Federation. These awardees were selected by staff members to recognize volunteers and lay leaders for their hard work on behalf of the Federation, and the many relationships built between the Federation and the SarasotaManatee community. “I am thrilled to co-chair with Nancy Wolk on this extra special annual meeting,” said co-chair Anne Spindel. “With the excitement surrounding the vibrant creation of The Larry Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life, this year’s annual meeting is an opportunity to be united in celebration of ▼
Fine
t FineJewelry
Jewelry ▼ Expert t Expert Repairs Repairs ▼ Jewelry t Jewelry Appraisals Appraisals
both our Federation and our people. As the awards are chosen by the staff, it highlights the importance of the shared passion and meaningful relationship created between our most valued volunteers and the Federation’s exceptional staff members. For me, this evening demonstrates the dynamic strength that has guided our past and present, and will see us forward into the future.” Co-chair Nancy Wolk added, “It’s such an honor to be part of an event that celebrates individuals who have given so much of themselves to making the Jewish community in SarasotaManatee relevant and vibrant.” continued on page 2A ▼
Watch
t Watch Battery
& Battery Bands & Bands ▼ Pearl t Pearl Re-string Re-string t Buying Gold
941.907.3418 941.907. 3418
Located in in Lakewood Lakewood Ranch Located Ranch