Federation Star - April 2012 by Jewish Federation of Collier County

Celebrating Jewish Life in Collier County

Federation Star Published by the Jewish Federation of Collier County serving Naples, Marco Island and the surrounding communities

www.JewishNaples.org Y info@jewishnaples.org Y April 2012 - Nisan/Iyar 5772 Y Vol. 21 #8 INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

3A Community Relations Comm. 5A Community Focus 6A Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cultural Alliance 12A Tributes 13A Jewish Interest 17A Commentary 19A Synagogues 21A Organizations 24A Business Directory 26A Community Calendar 27A Community Directory 1B Recent Event Photos 5B Focus on Youth / Passover 8B Israel & the Jewish World

4A Israel Affairs Forum: Israel Today Part II

25A JCMIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 30 anniversary celebration th

3B Evy Lipp People of the Book event

4B Holocaust Museum gala

With my thanks Rosalee Bogo JFCC President

n the years I have been president of this Federation, I have written approximately 60 articles for this newspaper. This is probably my most difficult to write as it will be my last. I usually take my message from the annual meeting and use it as my article before the summer break. What special message do I want to share this time? I think I should acknowledge the incredible people with whom I have worked. A leader needs a strong support group, and I have had the best in the Trustees of the Federation Board with whom I have served. The Executive Committee evaluates the issues and brings its recommendations to the Board of Trustees. Much thought is given to every decision. Since I have led this group for six years, it is too difficult to list each name, but each one of those dedicated people made an impact on this community and they took this very seriously. There were lots of meetings, attendance at events, chairing of many committees, and a real dedication to growing and strengthening our Jewish community. I must acknowledge the many volunteers from the community who have stepped up to serve on committees for various programs and events. As you look through this newspaper each month and you see the programming that is offered to you, most of this is done by volunteers. They chair the committees, make the needed arrangements and promote the programs. They are ably assisted in their needs by our office staff, and our office staff is assisted by volunteers, for which we are most appreciative. It has been a privilege to work with the community rabbis and to have them as well as the synagogue

Jewish Federation of Collier County Inc. 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109

Prsrt Std US Postage Paid Permit #419 Ft Myers FL

presidents attend our monthly Board of Trustees meetings. To build a strong Jewish community, we need to work together and support each other. The support from the other organizations in the community must be acknowledged. It has been gratifying to have various groups from the community use our Community Room, which was our intent in having this space. Our Executive Director, David Willens, is the catalyst that makes it all work. He has an incredible work ethic and dedication to his job. He is dependable, trustworthy, detailoriented, organized, interested in everything in our community, available to all who need him, pleasant, and has a sense of humor, which is very helpful in this job. He has an unequaled knowledge of the residents of our community, Jewish and nonJewish organizations, and leaders in both. We have worked well together through the years and we have learned leadership techniques from each other. He is a true professional. Melissa Keel does an outstanding job as the Community Program Coor-

dinator for the Federation. She is active behind the scenes for every event that we offer, organizing the information needed and securing volunteers. She is assisted by Iris Doenias, who joined our staff last year and lends her skills wherever needed in the office. Deborah Vacca is our bookkeeper and quickly adapted to our organization and is knowledgeable in her field. Our staff is small, but competent and professional in their jobs. Nothing that was accomplished these last few years would have been possible without you, the donor. Your support has allowed us to enrich and enhance the lives of Jews locally and around the world. I hope our community reaches the one-million-dollar goal for 2012 so we can continue to do the work of the Federation, which is tikkun olam, repairing the world. I will miss my role as your president. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve in this capacity and to help in the growth of a vibrant Jewish community in Collier County. Thanks to all who were by my side on this journey.

Annual Community Celebration - see section B for 28 more photos

Happy Passover Passover is a time for family gatherings and happiness as we commemorate the story of the Exodus. The Jewish Federation of Collier County would like to wish your family a happy and healthy Passover.

Federation Star April 2012

JEWISH FEDERATION

Yochi Melnick Sales Associate

Languages: Hebrew/ English

Direct: (239) 269-6527 Office: (239) 262-7131 Email: yochi.melnick@comcast.net Coldwell Banker Previews International 550 Fifth Avenue S Naples, FL 34102

Opening doors For you

jewish Happenings March 26-30: April 15: April 15: April 15: April 17: April 18: April 22: April 22: April 25: April 29:

Holocaust Memorial Week at Edison State College, page 7A Jewish War Veterans meeting, page 10A GenShoah meeting, page 5A Hadassah Associates social brunch, page 23A NCJW closing luncheon, page 21A Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) program, page 9A Naples Jewish Social Club pizza, games, wine..., page 22A Humanistic Jewish Havurah program, page 23A Lunch and Learn at Chabad, page 20A Fed Cup IV at TwinEagles, page 4A

INDEX Columns Rosalee Bogo...........................1A David Willens...........................3A Jewish Federation....................1-4A Community Relations Comm....3A Women’s Cultural Alliance.......6A Features Book Review..........................16A Calendar, Candle Lighting......26A Commentary......................17-18A Community Focus...............5-12A Film Review..........................15A Focus on Youth.....................5-6B Tributes.................................12A Community Directory...............27A

Organizations Hadassah................................23A Holocaust Museum...................4B Humanistic Jewish Havurah....23A Jewish Women International...21A Naples Jewish Social Club.......22A NCJW.....................................21A ORT America...........................22A Synagogue News Beth Tikvah.............................20A Chabad..................................20A Jewish Cong. of Marco Island..19A Naples Jewish Congregation...19A Temple Shalom........................19A Business Directory................24-25A

Not Just a Bond, a Bond with Israel

This month’s advertisers This publication is brought to you each month thanks to the support of our advertisers. Please be sure to use their products and services, and mention that you found them in the Federation Star. Abbie Joan.............................7B A. Stephen Kotler, Attorney.24A Beth Adelman, Realtor®.......24A LTCi Marketplace...............24A Kevin Aizenshtat, Realtor®..24A Dr. Gary Layton, DDS..........11A Applebee’s........................insert LifeBridge Solutions...........25A ArtsNaples World Festival.....4A Dr. Morris Lipnik.................11B BBYO..................................5B Yochi Melnick, Realtor®........2A Bland, Erdsneker, Levin......25A Naples Bay Resort.................8B Brookdale Senior Living......18A Naples Coin & Bullion..........9B Classic Transportation.........25A Naples Diamond Service.....24A Clean Naples LLC.................6B Naples Envelope & Printing.24A Coni Mar Designs................24A Naples Luxury Travel Adv...25A Dr. William Ertag, FAAN.....24A Naples Players.....................16A FGCU...................................9A Naples Rug Gallery..............10A Fuller Funeral Home....16A,24A Needles & Thread................25A Ellen A. Goldman, Esq........24A ORT America......................12A RuthGordon,Psychotherapist.24A Palm Royale Cemetery..8A,24A Dr. David Greene.................17A PFLAG................................9B Gulf Coast Foot & Ankle.....17A Piano Lessons with Jo Ann...24A Gulfshore Playhouse.......3A,4B Preferred Travel..........14A,15A Hodges Funeral Home.........15A Publix................................12B Israel Bonds...........................2A Sheldon Starman, CPA........24A Jason’s Deli.........................13A Elli Taylor, Broker Assoc.....24A Jewish Museum of Florida.....9A Dr. Robert Teitelbaum.........24A Rickie Klein, Realtor®.........24A TheatreZone.........................9B Tyler B. Korn, Attorney........24A Debbie Zvibleman, Realtor®.10A

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3A Federation Star April 2012 JEWISH FEDERATION

Our Buenos Aires connection funds through the Joint Distribution Committee (the “Joint”) to Buenos Aires. That program was called Baby Help to assist expectant and new Federation VP mothers and their young babies with & Campaign formula, diapers and medical care. We helped their community for two years, Chair until their economy improved. s campaign chair, I feel it’s Greater Buenos Aires is a city of my responsibility to keep you approximately 13 million people and a informed of what our Jewish Jewish community of about 300,000, Federation does and has done in the the largest single Jewish population community, nationally, in Israel and in all of Latin America. We were so around the world. In other words – moved visiting their Federation’s Jews helping Jews – and in some cases AMIA (Asociacion Mutual Israelita non-Jews in need, as well. Argentina) building and seeing the My husband, Michael, and I have Agam Memorial, built on the site of recently returned from a month-long the original building that was bombed cruise from Lima, Peru, to Buenos in 1994. The Israeli Embassy that was Aires, Argentina. also bombed in 1992 chose to rebuild As we usually try to do on all our elsewhere. A pocket park now on the trips that have a Jewish community in site was a beautiful tribute to those our itinerary – or in some cases only who lost their lives, with 21 birch a handful of Jews and a synagogue – trees planted for the victims. The we planned a Jewish tour of Buenos victims of the bombings were Jews Aires. This tour was more of a priority and non-Jews. than most others. It was personal. It It’s great to get away, but it’s was our Jewish Federation’s conwonderful to get home to our beautinection to the Jewish community of ful community. I appreciate and am so Buenos Aires. Following the finanproud of all that we have, all that we cial meltdown in Argentina in 2001 have done and can continue to do with our Federation sent financial support your support. We have had a wonderthrough the Jewish Federations of ful season with so many successful North America for the Argentina Now events, but it’s not over yet. Our goal national initiative; and supplemental of $1 million is definitely within reach, thanks to you. We are just three months into the 2012 campaign and we are almost halfway there. To all of you who have already made your commitment to the campaign, thank you. Those of you who haven’t made your 2012 commitment, I hope you will help make Agam Memorial at the AMIA building in Buenos Aires this goal a reality.

Phyllis Seaman

Community Relations Committee update Ann Jacobson Community Relations Committee Chair CRC Upstander Award The Community Relations Committee created its Upstander Award in 2010 to recognize a person in the Jewish community who creates awareness and speaks out publicly on issues important to the Jewish community. Nominations may be submitted to Ann Jacobson, CRC chair, c/o Jewish Federation of Collier County, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201, Naples, FL 34109. The deadline for nominations for this award is April 30. The award presentation will be made at the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation in May. At that time the CRC Annual Educator Awards will also be presented. Catholic/Jewish Dialogue This year will mark the 10th anniver-

sary of the annual Kristallnacht Convocation. It will be held on Sunday, November 4. Rabbi James Rudin will be the keynote speaker. The theme of the Kristallnacht event and dialogue sessions for 2012-13 events will be “Forgiveness and Reconciliation.” The February dialogue session was attended by 120 participants. Table discussions centered on “Conversion – Finding One’s Faith.” A follow-up session is planned to continue the intense discussion that ensued. Klezmer Band Concert The Klezmer Band Concert that celebrated Florida Jewish History Month was held at the South Regional Public Library. The band played to a full house in January. Already the band has been invited to return to the library next January. Much appreciation goes to the the following donors who helped make this event possible: Diane & Gilbert Block, Dr. Elaine K. & Abbe Hankin, Ann R. Jacobson, Veora & Dr. John Little, and Blanche & Robert Stone.

April 2012 Federation Star

The 10 Gifts A Passover message from David Willens, Federation Executive Director ike many of us this Passover, you’ll join with family and friends at the seder table to tell the story of our escape from tyranny and oppression. You’ll rejoice in our ancestors’ triumphant journey to find a new life in freedom thousands of years ago. Our Passover seder orders us to relive this ancient saga, including the recitation of the 10 Plagues. Let me share with you a new twist for Passover…The 10 Gifts. While Pharaoh hardened his heart, your open heart can help to improve the Jewish community every day in many ways. Your gift… 1. Provides training to people who have lost their jobs 2. Delivers meals to those in need 3. Sends hundreds of thousands of young Jews to Israel via TaglitBirthright trips and other programs 4. Sponsors local gatherings from Jewish film festivals to holiday celebrations 5. Enables older adults, including Holocaust survivors, to stay healthy, independent and connected to the community 6. Provides life-saving humanitarian relief during times of crisis and natural disasters 7. Helps at-risk Jewish youths around the world close educational gaps through innovative technology and enrichment programs 8. Brings food, medical care and winter relief to 168,000 impoverished elderly Jews and more than 30,000 children in Russia and Eastern Europe 9. Helps immigrants to Israel prepare for their new lives at 27 absorption centers around the country 10. Funds a myriad array of vital community services provided by Jewish organizations including: Jewish Family & Community Services, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, ORT, Hillel and many other partners Today, wherever you find joy, caring and Jewish values…you’ll find the Jewish Federation of Collier County! Indeed, your valued support of the Federation is helping make the world a better place, and we thank you deeply. We wish you all a Happy Passover.

KRISTEN KR K R COURY, PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

PRESENT

S I M P LY C O M P L I C AT E D THE ELEGANT ESCAPADES OF A DANISH-ISRAELI OPERA-SINGING TANK COMMANDER

A CABARET F E A T U R I N G

BR OA DWAY STA R

CHARLOTTE COHN What do you get when you cross a Danish Orthodox Jew and a simple Israeli girl from a kibbutz? You get Charlotte Cohn, who at nineteen was already a Commander in the Israeli Army, but had her sights on a diﬀerent path. Join her in this eclectic evening of music ranging from Puccini to The Beatles and hear the stories that brought her from Ben Yehuda Street to Broadway.

APRIL 27 & 28, 2012 • 7:30 PM All Tickets $42

Including wine and snacks in an intimate jazz club setting

Call the Norris Center for Tickets: 239.213.3058 THE NORRIS CENTER 755 8th Avenue South• Naples, FL

www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org

Federation Star April 2012

JEWISH FEDERATION

Dr. Ralph Nurnberger – “A View from Washington Israel Affairs Forum: Israel Today Part II: The U.S./Israel Relationship, February 26 By Melissa Keel, Community Program Coordinator r. Ralph Nurnberger, a professor of international relations at Georgetown University, addressed the Fort Myers Jewish community and student members of Hillel at a brunch on February 26. Speaking at Gulf Coast University, Dr. Nurnberger discussed the issue he called the most important to Israel’s future, namely relations with the Palestinians and neighboring countries; and the issue he called the most urgent, specifically the implications stemming from the fact that Iran was developing nuclear weapons capabilities. Dr. Nurnberger pointed out that the Obama administration and the Israeli government are in agreement that any resolution of the conflict with the Palestinians must be achieved only through direct negotiations. President Barak Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both made this point at the United Nations in September. When, at the same venue, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called for the UN to recognize a “state” of Palestine, Obama threatened to veto a potential Security Council resolution to this effect, but then was able to prevent a vote on this issue by ensuring that fewer than nine Security Council members supported such a measure. Dr. Nurnberger said that recent

Israeli-Palestinian talks sponsored by King Abdullah II of Jordan did not lead to the start of real negotiations and that the “peace process” remains in limbo. He added that Abbas considered three options to ensure his “legacy.” When direct negotiations with Israel failed to produce the results the Palestinians wanted, he requested the UN to impose a solution. When the U.S. blocked this, he shifted gears and sought a reconciliation with Hamas. To this end, he signed an agreement with Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal on February 6, calling for a unified Palestinian entity with elections to be held by May. Dr. Nurnberger explained that this reconciliation is not likely to hold and that it is also a further impediment to peace with Israel. As Prime Minister Netanyahu stated, Abbas can have peace with Israel or reconciliation with Hamas, but not both as these are totally contradictory. Dr. Nurnberger also spoke about U.S. and Israeli concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. He stated that the biggest problem is the regime in Iran, which supports such terror movements as Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as the Assad regime in Syria. He explained that the U.S.-led international sanctions against Iran were undermining the Iranian economy, but that it was too early to determine

Melissa Keel, Community Program Coordinator; Richard Nemerson, Israel Affairs Committee Chair; Dr. Ralph Nurnberger, Speaker; Lenore Greenstein, Israel Affairs Committee Member; Lynzee Cohen, Hillel of FGCU President; Alana Martin, Hillel of FGCU Vice President

if these might also change Tehran’s nuclear policies. He mentioned that there had been a series of high level meetings in Washington and Jerusalem to ensure that the U.S. and Israel worked to coordinate their eventual responses to Iran.

Dr. Nurnberger also answered a number of questions at this event, including queries about the 2012 elections, anti-Israeli activities on college campuses, and the implications of the Arab Spring for both the U.S. and Israel.

Peter Gyori (pictured below with Federation Vice President Dr. Karen Ezrine) was the special guest speaker at the Federation’s Board Meeting in February. Peter is a Vice President of the Federation of Czech Jewish Communities. He is also the Executive Director of Bejt Praha, a religious, cultural and civic organization in Prague. Peter has worked to enhance engagement among the Jewish communities in Prague and to bring together the leaders of other religious and ethnic communities. The former, he has done with hard work; the latter has been happening through the power of music and art.

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Nancy Peery Marriott Foundation

April 29, 2012 at TwinEagles

A golf event for all skills & ages to benefit young Jewish children and 20 teens to experience Jewish Summer Camp and travel to Israel.

Z $136 per participant – includes boxed breakfast, golf, cart and buffet lunch Z 8:00am Registration and Warm Up Z 9:00am Shotgun Start Z Prizes for long drive and closest to the hole Z Boxed breakfast along with coffee and juice bar upon arrival Z Elegant country club buffet lunch after golf Z Awards and Auction

For more information about the event and hole sponsorships contact Kevin Aizenshtat at kevin@movetonaplesfl.com.

April 2012 COMMUNITY FOCUS 5A Federation Star Jewish Federation of Collier County 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201 Naples, Florida 34109-0613 Phone: (239) 263-4205 Fax: (239) 263-3813 www.jewishnaples.org Email: info@jewishnaples.org Officers

President: Rosalee Bogo Vice President: Dr. Karen Ezrine Vice President: Dr. Morton Friedman Vice President: Phyllis Seaman Recording Secretary: Kevin Aizenshtat Treasurer: Kenneth Shevin Assistant Treasurer: Jerry Bogo Immed. Past President: Bobbie Katz

Board of Trustees Alvin Becker Stephen Coleman Ted Epstein Eric Feinstein Beth Grossman Neil Heuer Linda Hyde Nancy Kahn Wallie Lenchner Susan Ritter Dr. Ronald Roth Sandra Roth Millie Sernovitz Michael Sobol Berton Thompson Dr. Joel Waltzer Beth Wolff

Past Presidents

Gerald Flagel, Dr. William Ettinger, Ann Jacobson, Sheldon Starman

Board Members Emeritus Ann Jacobson Hans Levy Shirley Levy

Synagogue Representatives Cantor Donna Azu Stephen Goldenberg Stuart Kaye Rabbi Edward Maline Rabbi Adam Miller Rabbi James Perman Dr. Donald Pomerantz Dr. Arthur Seigel Donald Shapiro Rabbi Sylvin Wolf Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Executive Director David Willens

Staff

Melissa Keel, Community Prog. Coord. Iris Doenias, Office Assistant Deborah Vacca, Bookkeeper

Federation is the central Jewish community-building organization for Collier County, providing a social service network that helps Jewish people in Collier County, in Israel and around the world. As the central fundraising organization for Jewish communal life in our area, strength is drawn from organized committees of dedicated volunteers. Programs include: • Annual Campaign & Endowment fund • Community Relations Committee • Educational & cultural programs • Long Range Planning for expected community growth • Publication of the Federation Star, our monthly newspaper; Connections, our annual resource guide; and Community Directory • Women’s Cultural Alliance • Women’s Division • YAD – Young Adult Division • Youth Activities Committee – sponsoring youth education and scholarships for Jewish Summer Camp and the Israel Experience

April 2012 Federation Star

New home for Jewish Family & Community Services of Southwest Florida By Jackie Faffer, JFCS of SWFL Executive Director, jfaffer@jfcsswfl.org am thrilled to be writing this column from my desk in the new offices of Jewish Family & Community Services of Southwest Florida. Our surroundings are new, as are our telephone and computer systems. Our new offices are perfect for what we do – mental health counseling, social services, financial assistance, and information and referral. What makes them so perfect? To begin, confidentiality and privacy, always so important to an agency like ours, are easy to achieve in our new setting. Here’s what we have: ÎÎ A separate waiting room for our clients. People who come to see our staff no longer have to sit and wait in a public area. ÎÎ New space for our Family Assistance Center. This new space houses our food pantry, and we have plenty of room for all the food you generously give us to

support those who are struggling with food insecurity. ÎÎ The same highly-skilled and caring staff: • Carrie Neville is handling information and referral, and financial assistance. Her email address is cneville@jfcsswfl. org. • Margaret Passeri is providing counseling and facilitating the bereavement group. Margaret’s email address is mpasseri@ jfcsswfl.org. • Leslie Weinreb, our case manager, is providing comprehensive case management services to our frail seniors. You can reach Leslie at lweinreb@ jfcsswfl.org. And our programs like The PJ Library are not only continuing, but thriving. Each month, more than 125 children between the ages of 6

months and 8 years are receiving ageappropriate books and media with Jewish content, developed to engage families with the broader Jewish community. Our “Seder in a Box” program, supported for Passover 2012 by Beth Tikvah Congregation, Jewish Congregation of Marco Island, Naples Jewish Congregation and Temple Shalom, will once again provide Kosher for Passover food to close to 100 households. A new address and a renewed commitment to addressing the needs of our community. Come and visit and say “hello.” Our new offices are located at 5025 Castello Drive, Suite 101, in Naples. Our phone number remains the same, 239.325.4444. Please check out our website at www.jfcsswfl.org.

Community invited to GenShoah meeting By Ida Margolis

enerations of the Shoah of SW Florida (GenShoah) will be holding its monthly meeting on Sunday, April 15 at 4:30 p.m. at the Holocaust Museum and Education Center of Southwest Florida. Past participants, new members, guests and individuals interested in our mission of Holocaust education and preservation of memories of the Holocaust are always invited. The agenda will include introductions, a discussion of activities and projects that support our mission, as well as a guest speaker. The speaker scheduled for this meeting is local author and lecturer Jeff Margolis. Margolis was an instructor at Rowan University and the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and a speaker at the Renaissance Academy. He will be speaking about Aaron Lansky and Lansky’s amazing adventure of rescuing a million Yiddish books and the establishment of the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts. He has previously

speakers or if you are not on the email spoken about the Yiddish Book Cenlist for this group and would like ter and has visited the center on the to be, please email Ida Margolis at campus of Hampshire College. Parmrsmarg@comcast.net. Individuticipation from individuals who have als who have requested to be on the visited the Book Center or who have email list have received updates about read Lansky’s story in the engaging meetings as well as minutes of meetand moving book, Outwitting History, ings that have been prepared by Steve is welcome. Anyone who has Yiddish Brazina. If you are planning to attend books that they would like to donate the meeting on April 15, RSVP by to the Yiddish Book Center can drop email at the above address. Our group off books at the Jewish Federation of meets on the third Sunday of every Collier County, or bring books to the month throughout the season. meeting. If you are a child of survivors (a 2g) or a grandchild of survivors (a 3g), please try to attend the meeting on April 15 at the Museum and share your ideas for future activities and meetings. If you have Carol Cohen, Shelly Goodman, a Toronto psychotherapist any questions, sugwho was the guest speaker at the February meeting, Ida Margolis (GenShoah chair), and Paula Federman gestions for future

Jewish Caregivers Support Group

Providing care for a chronically-ill relative can overwhelm even the best intentioned person. Often, caregivers themselves become ill because taking care of their loved ones has affected their own health. They think they’re handling the chores okay, but the stress keeps mounting as they must stand by and watch their loved one deteriorate and slip toward the inevitable. Statistics indicate that over ninety percent of caregivers eventually leave their sick relative. We’ve all heard stories about the frail and vulnerable parent shipped off to this child or that, only to be abandoned and sent to a nursing home when that caregiver can no longer go on. The needs are relentless. This is a job with no defined goals, one that can cause exhaustion, frustration, guilt and depression. The chores can be demeaning and unpleasant. But leave your spouse? Your parent, who tended you through childhood and put up with the same kinds of

unpleasantness? How could you? And yet it happens, more often than not, because the self-preservation urge is even stronger than the guilt. What to do? Come to the Jewish Caregivers Support Group that meets in the Temple Shalom chapel at 10:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month. Membership in the group, led by a retired licensed psychotherapist, is open – at no charge – to anyone in the Jewish community, irrespective of the kind of maladies being cared for. What happens here is totally confidential, so you can bare your soul, vent your frustrations, ask for advice – what has worked for others in this situation that you might apply to your own. Several started attending as caregivers and have now transitioned to needing grief support – which the group also embraces. Florette Kahn, LCSW, leads the group. An experienced psychotherapist,

she is also caregiver to her husband, who suffers from a debilitating illness. Both as a professional and as an active caregiver herself, she KNOWS. If this group sounds like just what you need, all you have to do is show up or, for more information, call Florette at 239.354.4209.

Next meetings: April 9 & 23

Federation Star April 2012 WOMEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE

COMMUNITY FOCUS www.WomensCulturalAlliance.com / 239-948-0003

Significance of membership in WCA By Lea Bendes, Membership Chair Previous articles have focused on the multitude of programs available through membership in WCA. The wonderful women who compose the WCA membership are the lifeblood of the organization. In the past year, new programs have been added at the request of members who felt there

was a need for additional activities. The WCA membership is the creative building block of a viable organization. During the period of rapid growth, Lea Bendes has been the membership chair. She has announced that she is resigning her post at the end of

Update Your Passport

WCA is planning a trip to ISRAEL April 4-12, 2013 for WCA and Update Your Passport…We’re going to Israel adult Federation WCA is planning a trip to ISRAEL members

4-12, 2013Jordan, April 13-15 Optional ExtensionApril to Eilat & Petra, for WCA and adult Federation members

What’s included: April 4-12 4 nights – Inbal Jerusalem We will also offer an Extension to Eilat & Petra, Jordan, April 13‐15 2 nights – Kfar Blum Pastoral Hotel – located in the What’s included: April 4‐12 Upper Galilee on the banks of the Jordan River 4 nights – Inbal Jerusalem 2 nights – David Intercontinental Tel Aviv 2 nights – Kfar Blum Pastoral Hotel – located in the Upper Galilee on the banks of the Jordan River • Transfers to and from airport / hotel 2 nights – David Intercontinental Tel Aviv • Guides • Transfers to and from airport / hotel • Full Israeli breakfast each day with a lunch or dinner • Guides • Entrance fees • Full Israeli breakfast each day with a lunch or dinner • Tips to guides, driver, hotel staff • Entrance fees • Two options for tours (included) on days 3, 4, 5 & 6 • Tips to guides, driver, hotel staff • Two options for tours (included) on days 3, 4, 5 & 6 Not included: Airfare, insurance, meals not mentioned

Not included: • EXTENSION: Airfare, insurance, meals not mentioned April 13-15 to Eilat

and Petra, Jordan

What’s Included: 3 nightsEXTENSION: April 13‐15 to Eilat and Petra, Jordan – Isrotel Royal Beach Eilat • Flight from Tel Aviv to Eilat and back to Tel Aviv What’s Included: • 1-day 3 nights – Isrotel Royal Beach Eilat Petra tour with guide • Full Israeli breakfast and Friday night dinner • Flight from Tel Aviv to Eilat and back to Tel Aviv •

1‐day Petra tour with guide

• Full Israeli breakfast and Friday night dinner PARTICIPATION LIMITED TO TWO (2) BUSES –

Approximately 80 Members

WE WILL LIMIT PARTICIPATION TO ONLY TWO (2) BUSES – Approximately 80 Members

COST OF TRIP – estimate of $2,500/person COST OF TRIP – estimate of $2,500 per person Single Supplement – estimate of $1,000 Single Supplement – estimate of $1,000

AIRFARE (COACH) – est. of $2,000/person AIRFARE (COACH) – estimate of $2,000 per person Business Class upgrade available Business Class upgrade available

EXTENSION EXTENSION TO EILAT AND PETRA – estimate of $1,200 per person TO EILAT AND PETRA – estimate of $1,200/person Single Supplement – estimate of $400 Single Supplement – estimate of $400

RESERVATIONS FOR LAND PACKAGE WILL BE ACCEPTED WITH $500 DEPOSIT PER PERSON PAYABLE TO THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF COLLIER COUNTY. ITINERARY AND APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FEDERATION OFFICE OR EMAIL IRIS@JEWISHNAPLES.ORG FOR AN ELECTRONIC COPY.



Women’s Cultural Alliance Membership Form Please check one: r New r Renewal

this season. Thank you Lea for your tireless efforts in assuring WCA has become a warm, friendly and welcoming group of women. You and the members of your committee have done a wonderful job in finding the best in each person and helping them to find the right spot in WCA to use their skills. – Elaine Soffer, WCA Publicity Chair

hen I was asked to write this month’s article about membership, I began to reflect upon the members we have and the women who will probably join. I reflected on what membership has meant to me and how it has changed my life. Who could imagine that WCA would quadruple its membership from its inception in 2008 to nearly 750 members? Where have the new members come from? What do we offer that women are so excited to be a part of this vibrant organization? What does the membership committee do? In 2008 a small group of women who had been involved with Brandeis Women’s Committee decided to begin its own organization. We were all women interested in cultural affairs, and we wanted to work together. The name, Women’s Cultural Alliance, reflects who we are. As the first membership chair with Amy Post, we began informing friends, neighbors and friends of neighbors about our exciting new venture with book groups of all genre, art groups, music groups, dining groups – whatever could be imagined! The members had incredible imaginations and group after group was formed to meet our growing needs and desires. We met the most incredible, informed, intelligent, interesting women who were looking to make new like-minded friends, and they enhanced our lives on so many levels.

When a new member joins, she receives a phone call welcoming her, and asking if she has any questions. She is also directed to our website at www.womensculturalalliance.com where she can learn about many of the activities that are available. During the year, she is invited to a New Member Coffee at someone’s home with about twenty other women. At the coffee, we chat in a small, informal and comfortable setting, get to know one another, and exchange ideas. We provide an orientation to our activities and explain how we have grown into the unique and fabulous organization we are today. At the coffees, we are always amazed to find the depth and breadth of our new members’ backgrounds. There are medical professionals, business women, educators, legal professionals, artists, speakers, writers, and on and on. Everyone has something to offer and everyone has a fascinating story. I particularly like the nurturing environment we create at the group coffees, and apparently many women do, as that is the most frequent compliment we receive after each event. Membership is now run by a committee of 10 women. We reach out to new members, are always available to answer questions, and we are the smiling, friendly faces you see at our activities. I have been fortunate to have committee members who always, unfailingly, respond ‘yes’ and then ask what else they can do. After April 1, I will be stepping down as membership chair, a position that has been gratifying and fulfilling. It is time to pass on the torch to Linda Simon who, I know, will enjoy it as much as I have. Through WCA I have met many remarkable women and have made some wonderful friends. Thank you to all the members who have made my job so much fun.

Membership: $60 for the year includes all study groups. r My information below contains new items.

In Southwest Florida: r full-time r part-time (from ________ to ________)

Name: ________________________________________________________ Spouse or Partner Name, if applicable: _____________________________ Local Address: ________________________________________________ Community: __________________________________________________

For more information: Linda Simon, lgsimon2947@yahoo.com

City: ____________________________ State: _____ Zip Code ____________

Please make your check payable to: Jewish Federation of Collier County and mail with this form to: WCA Jewish Federation of Collier County 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109

Florida home phone:___________________________________________

Email: ________________________________________________________ Cell phone: __________________________________________________ Northern Address: _____________________________________________ City: ____________________________ State: _____ Zip Code ____________ Northern home phone: _________________________________________

April 2012 7A Federation Star COMMUNITY FOCUS

April 2012 Federation Star

Holocaust Memorial Week at Edison State College

he Lee Campus of Edison State College will observe the Dr. Talbot Spivak Holocaust Memorial Week from Monday, March 26 through Friday, March 30. The program, now in its sixteenth year, is named in memory of Edison’s long-time professor, Dr. Talbot Spivak, whose determination to teach the lessons of the Holocaust both in and outside the classroom led him to create this week-long program with college-wide support in 1996. Dr. Spivak continued to chair the volunteer planning committee until his retirement and death in 2006. In selecting this year’s theme, “Surviving,” the planning committee wanted to place an extra emphasis on what has become the hallmark of Holocaust Memorial Week at Edison – an opportunity for the community to listen to, interact with, and learn from local Holocaust survivors. Survivors will share their personal Holocaust experiences in individual sessions and in “roundtable discussions,” where each survivor shares his personal history with a small group of attendees sitting at the table with him. In this informal environment, the conversations flow easily and attendees feel comfortable enough to ask questions they might not ask in front of a large group. Several other sessions will reflect on this year’s theme. Theme-related activities include a showing of the film, Schindler’s List, and lectures by Professor Frank Kohn on “Psychological Aspects of the Holocaust,” and by Dr. Mark Cole on “Hunger and the Holocaust.”

The arts are also an integral part of Holocaust Memorial Week. On Wednesday, March 28 at 1:00 p.m., there will be a musical performance by Cantorial Soloist Lawrence Dermer. Later that afternoon, Dr. Wendy Chase will speak on “Nihilism, Realism, and Fantasies of Revenge: Addressing Nazi Guilt and Justice in Contemporary American Cinema.” On Thursday, March 29, a student art exhibition opening reception will precede the presentation of Project Tolerance – a collaboration

of art and literary work by Sanibel artist Myra Robert and journalist Ella Nayor. Through the generous sponsorship of the Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties, once again the Holocaust Era boxcar from the Holocaust Museum and Education Center of Southwest Florida will be brought to the Lee Campus. The boxcar will be located in the parking lot adjacent to Building U (the location of most of the week’s activities), and will be open to the public and

the college community beginning on Sunday, March 25. A group of volunteer students and community members will conduct tours through the boxcar at various times throughout the week. Check www.edison.edu/holocaust for the boxcar schedule as well as the full program schedule. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call Professor JoAnn Lewin at 239.489.9429 or Professor Rona Axelrod at 239.432.9437.

For an up-to-date program, visit the Edison State College website at www.edison.edu/holocaust

COMMUNITY FOCUS

Federation Star April 2012

Kosher Food Alert – Preparing for Pesach By Lynda Stewart, Academic Dean for Maimonides Hebrew Day School and Beverly Leah Mitchell, Kosher Food Coordinator for Chabad of SW Florida

e have gathered information to assist you in finding kosher foods and items locally. Supplies of some items may be limited, so please don’t wait for the last minute. Plan ahead and order or purchase now to secure that you have what you want and need for your Shabbos, Pesach and simchas. The Publix at Market Place in Pelican Bay, Naples (8833 Tamiami Trail N): Publix Manager Steve Micheli and his assistants continue to serve the needs of their Jewish customers. We appreciate Publix’s ever expanding offerings throughout the year for kosher foods and additional items for special events and holidays. Fresh kosher meats and poultry, as well as oven-ready meals and a variety of kosher cheeses are now available. The bakery is helping you celebrate Pesach with marble, honey cakes, chocolate leaves and an assortment of pastry and cookies. You can call and place orders for Shabbos, a special event or holiday. Specify your KOSHER needs. In the Bakery Department, contact Joel Crepo or Susanna Taska; in the Meat Department, it’s Managers Raul Saldiyar or Jose Almanza. They can make arrangements to have a whole line of FRESH special made-to-order kosher foods with two weeks’ notice. Special order foods need to be placed by Monday and they will arrive on Wednesday of the following week. The Publix at Market Place can be reached directly at 239.596.1982.

Total Wine in Fort Myers, on S. Cleveland Ave. in the Target & Barnes & Noble Shopping Center, has new signage marked KOSHER/ Israel Wines. Their large selection of kosher O/U and CRC wines includes over 15 different brands and varieties of brands such as Baron Herzog, Rashi, Yarden, Bartenura and Hagafen. Manager Joshua or Assistant Manager Brian Ludlan can be reached at 239.432.0510 to confirm in-stock availability of wines. Please call to request anything special and secure large quantities or cases you might need to get you through your simchas. They are offering a 10% discount on orders of cases placed three weeks in advance, so order early for your Pesach seders and L’Chayim! w w w. J e w i s h B o n i t a . c o m / kosherfood is providing a service of kosher prepared lunches and dinners that can be ordered on the Internet and picked up at the Chabad in Bonita Springs or delivered. For more information, visit the website for a complete menu. Contact Rabbi Mendy Greenberg at 239.949.6900 with specific questions. Trader Joe’s at 10600 Tamiami Trail in North Naples in the Granada Shoppes is a trendy California-based grocery store chain that just opened. If a kosher item is not in stock, it can be ordered at the Customer Service Department. Service Manager Bernadette Pauls can be reached at 239.596.5631. Visit www.traderjoes. com for a complete list of the variety

Heading North? If you’re heading north at the end of the season, we’ll miss you! So let’s stay in touch. Please help us update our files by providing us with your northern address.

of foods and their kosher symbols grocery list. We welcome this new location for fresh Glatt Kosher poultry, ground beef, turkey, rib steak and stew meat, as well as organic produce, shelf foods, frozen foods and much more. Whole Foods at the Mercato in North Naples can be reached at 239.552.5100. Julie Joiner or Jessica Varnes will be happy to assist with orders. They carry Glatt Kosher Valley fresh chicken and ground beef, frozen kosher items, as well as Gelfon shelf products. Aroma Market & Catering at 8819 Stirling Road in Ft. Lauderdale can be reached at 954.252.2600 or www.aromamarket.net. They will take orders on the Internet for delivery to the Chabad in Naples on Thursdays.

For more information, call Rabbi Fishel Zaklos at Chabad of Naples at 239.262.4474. The store management of the shops listed above have made efforts to help the Jewish community observe kosher traditions and holidays. If you have any questions about information in this Kosher Food Alert please contact Beverly Leah Mitchell, Coordinator for Chabad Lubavitch, at 239.939.5888. She is diligently working with Rabbi Yitzchok and Nechamie Minkowicz in developing and researching kosher foods with our local supermarkets, health food stores and hospitals. She continues to work so that members of our Jewish community do not have to travel to the east coast to observe kosher traditions.

YIDDISH CLUB OF NAPLES

meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of December, January, February, March and April at 10:00am at Temple Shalom 4630 Pine Ridge Road Extension, Naples

You don’t have to speak Yiddish to enjoy. You just have to enjoy hearing it spoken, read or sung.

Come Schmooze and Enjoy!

got e-mail? SIGN UP FOR THE FEDERATION’S WEEKLY COMMUNITY eNEWSLETTER! Get the latest information on upcoming community events and cultural activities, news from Israel, important news updates and lots more.

Send an email to info@jewishnaples.org or visit www.jewishnaples.org.

Please choose one of the following methods to provide us with the information below: • call us at 239.263.4205 • email your information to info@jewishnaples.org • complete this form and fax it to 239.263.3813 • complete and mail this form to: Jewish Federation of Collier County 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201 Naples, FL 34109 nk you!

Tha

Name: ________________________________________________ Northern Address: _____________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Northern Phone: ______________________________________ Email: ________________________________________________ Leaving SW Florida: ___________________________________ Returning to SW Florida: ________________________________

Open 7 days a week Sunday business hours

Paul Haiman Family Service Counselor

COMMUNITY FOCUS April 2012 9A Federation Star

April 2012 Federation Star

Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) update By Gene Sipe, VP, Southwest Florida Chapter ZOA pril brings two opportunities to learn more about the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) and how to become involved. Our chapter will offer the program “Combating Anti-Semitism on our Campuses,” presented by ZOA’s Florida Regional Director, Joe Sabag, Esq., on Monday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. The program is graciously hosted by Temple Beth El, 16225 Winkler Road, Fort Myers. A meeting is also scheduled for Wednesday, April 18 at 7:00 p.m. The topic of this meeting is “Activism – Southwest Florida Has a Voice!”. This program will be hosted, also graciously, by Beth Tikvah, 1459 Pine Ridge Road, Naples.

The ZOA has extended a call to all Jewish organizations, pro-Israel groups and Congress to oppose continuation of aid to the Hamas/Fatah PA developing coalition. The agreement between Fatah and Hamas means that a foreign terrorist organization which has called for the destruction of Israel will be part of the Palestinian Authority government. Fatah President Mahmoud Abbas currently is still considered a negotiating partner, however Hamas desires Abbas be overturned in the upcoming elections. Hamas, evicted from Jordan in 1999, is currently holding meetings to return to Jordan, and the Jordanian government has asked Israel to release arch-terrorist Marwan

Barghouti, who is running against We hope you will be able to join Abbas. According to U.S. law, such us on both of these occasions. Both programs are open to the public and a government may not receive U.S. taxpayer funds (U.S. funds must not free of charge. RSVP no later than two days prior to each event. be used to support those who threaten the U.S., her security, interests or allies). Political involvement is essential at this highly pivotal moment. To learn more about the ZOA and what you can do to help, visit www.zoa.org. If you are interested in learning more about our local chapter or how to get involved, feel free to email chapter president Jerry Sobel at jerrysobel@aol. ZOA National President Mort Klein com or me at mrnsrvr@gmail. and ZOA Chapter President Jerry Sobel at the January ZOA meeting at Chabad Naples com with your questions.

National PFLAG honors Naples Interfaith Convocation By Ruth Dorfman

tomorrow for our sons and daughters. By building on the achievements of those who came before us, we will write the next great chapter in America’s story of progress.” At the highlight of the convention, the Awards Dinner, the Naples Chapter received the following award in recognition of the Fourth Annual PFLAG Interfaith Convocation that epitomized the threefold goals of PFLAG – Support, Education and Advocacy. “PFLAG, in special recognition and appreciation of PFLAG Naples for the outstanding support that has been provided for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, their families and friends in the community. PFLAG National thanks you for moving equality forward. PFLAG National Support Chapter Award 2011.” PFLAG will celebrate this triumph by returning to Temple Shalom, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary, for the 5th Interfaith Convocation. As always, the convocation will provide an opportunity for you to experience unity and harmony, blended with music and prayer. With the GLBT members of our families and friends, the Ruth Dorfman (center) receives National Award from Dorothy Sawyer and Jody Huckaby convocation is an occasion for

he Naples Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) recently received a National Award. The Interfaith Convocation was honored by PFLAG National as the outstanding program of 2011 at the National Convention. “Bringing the Message Home From Our House to the White House” was the theme of the very exciting and informative PFLAG National Convention in Alexandria, Virginia. At the convention, President Obama stated, “Events like the PFLAG National Convention remind us that the work of shifting attitudes, changing laws, and opening hearts and minds is unending, and that we must press on to achieve an even brighter

the community to celebrate our unity. While each of us has our individual identity, we must also recognize there are interconnections that bind us together. None of us is completely alone; we must rely on each other to use our individual blessings and talents to make the world a better place. As people of faith, as parents, families and friends of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, we must not allow others to use religion, the Bible, and the God who created us all, as weapons to separate anyone from their faith or family. A committee of clergy and lay people from many faiths has come together to create a special service that

Max Miller: Final Mourner’s Kaddish 333 Days In Painting Thru May 13, 2012 Max Miller's grief provides inspiration for a vivid account of his year spent saying Kaddish (the Jewish prayer of mourning), for his father. The 50 vibrant watercolors depict synagogues Miller visited in New York, Vermont, Ohio and Florida, along with commentary on his experiences. While honoring the Jewish tradition of memorializing a parent, Miller learned a great deal about his father and their shared heritage. Cuban Hebrew Congregation, Miami Beach, FL, watercolor, 2005.

This exhibition by Max Miller originated at the Yeshiva University Museum in New York City and is sponsored by New York Foundation for the Arts.

Local Sponsor: Robert Arthur Segall Foundation

Kehilath Jeshurun, Upper East Side, New York City, watercolor, 2005.

NAOMI ALEXANDER Once Upon a Time in LITHUANIA & the Florida Connection T hru September 30, 2012 English artist Naomi Alexander, ROI, records the last remnants of Jewish heritage in Lithuania today. Alexander traveled the country depicting her impressions of the people and their communities. The Museum adds photographs, artifacts and stories from Floridian Jews whose origins are from Lithuania.

The Center for

Judaic, Holocaust, & Human Rights Studies Kitchen interior, Zeizmariai, detail, oil on wood, 2003.

Educating the Southwest Florida community through lectures, interfaith seminars, cultural events, teacher-training sessions, and other activities

will engage our hearts and minds. We pray that this communal experience will deepen our human understanding, uniting us and helping to break down the boundaries that separate people. We look to forward to celebrating the joy of community, the gift of diversity, and the vision of harmony together. Please join us and become part of the Fifth Annual Interfaith Convocation. Make it a truly unifying experience by inviting your family and friends to attend on Sunday, May 6, at 3:00 p.m. at Temple Shalom, 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples. As always, a reception will follow the service. To learn more, please visit www. PFLAGInterfaith.com.

Organized by the London Jewish Cultural Centre in association with the Ben Uri Gallery, the London Jewish Museum of Art.

Woman of Telz and red door, oil on wood-triptych, 2002.

Local Sponsors: Sarita, Jimmy & Lidia Resnick and Deborah & Bruce Kaye in memory of Sonia & Nochim Golomb.

Also enjoy our core exhibit MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida, Museum Store & Bessie’s Bistro

Visit our website for more information and upcoming events: http://www.fgcu.edu/hc

10501 FGCU Boulevard South • Fort Myers, Florida 33965 www.fgcu.edu

The Museum is supported by individual contributions, foundations, memberships and grants from the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts; the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners and its Cultural Affairs Council and Tourist Development Council; and the City of Miami Beach and its Cultural Arts Council.

Receive 2 for 1 admission with this ad

10A Federation Star April 2012

COMMUNITY FOCUS

Yom HaShoah – Oath of memory

By Abe Price, July 1, 2011

emember…this was a word frequently uttered to us by our parents during the Holocaust. Today, more than seventy years later, it appears for us survivors that this word is indeed superfluous. For how could it be possible for me, a survivor of Auschwitz, to forget even for one moment the horrific experiences endured in the concentration camps. Just witnessing the atrocities committed, during the deportations to the extermination camps and at the gate entering Auschwitz, is more than enough to keep me awake at night until the end of time. The brutality and bestiality that

occurred daily in the camps is indelibly etched in my mind. The look of pleasure and laughter on the faces of the Nazi murderers as they tortured innocent men, women and children is beyond description and will always linger in my consciousness. How can I erase the sight of the living skeletons, still alive – just skin and bones? How can I ever forget the smell of burning flesh that constantly filled the air? Auschwitz was a place many of us came to from different cities in Europe, not knowing each other in life; but many of us left together in the form of white-blue smoke emanating from the chimneys. The heartbreak-

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ing sobbing of the children as they were torn from their mothers arms by the inhuman actions of their captors, will ring in my ears until I am laid to rest. Since one and a half million beautiful children were murdered, the few of us who were fortunate enough to survive the horror of the Holocaust can neither forgive nor forget. Forgiveness can be granted only by the ones who were murdered. Thus, it is our obligation to instill in our children, and in future generations, what happens when prejudice and hatred are allowed to flourish. It is my conviction that only through education can a calamity such as the Holocaust be prevented from occurring again. We must teach our children tolerance and understanding, both at home and in schools. We must emphasize to all that

hate is never right and love is never wrong. My heroes are the soldiers that liberated Europe from the Nazi murderers. My super heroes are the soldiers who gave their lives in order to liberate Europe from the Nazi criminals. I, together with my wife and 5-year-old son, left the European continent that was soaked with innocent blood for two thousand years. We came to this beautiful country with two suitcases and were successful and raised three wonderful sons. With all the problems that we have right now in the U.S. with a bad economy and high unemployment, it is still the best country in the world. We should all count our blessings. With Sala, my wonderful wife of 63 years, we were singing every day a song, and the song was God Bless America.

Jewish War Veterans update

ewish War Veterans Post #202 meets the third Sunday of the month. The next meeting will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 15 in the Federation office, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201, Naples. As always, guests are welcome at our meetings. We hope that we can enlist some new members. For more information, please call Gil Block, Commander Post #202, at 239.304.5953. The Jewish War Veterans Posts in Naples and Fort Myers mailed four packages at the end of January to the

lay leaders in Afghanistan. Here is the first ‘thank you’ they received: Dear Mrs. Glocer and Mr. Block, My name is 1LT Aaron A. Rozovsky and I am a member of the Rhode Island Army National Guard currently deployed overseas. I recently received an extremely generous care package from you and JWV Post 202 of Naples. Toda Raba. This was an extremely kind act and I am very grateful. I wish you all the very best. Respectfully, Aaron A. Rozovsky 1LT MP

stay connected at www.jewishnaples.org

Therapy/Support Group Jewish Family and Community Services of Southwest Florida (JFCS) provides a therapy/support group. The group provides an opportunity to work on personal issues and concerns with the input and support of others. It is facilitated by professional staff, and is confidential and ongoing. If you would like to discuss how a therapy group differs from individual therapy, please call Margaret Passeri at 239.325.4444. The charge for this service is $5 per session. This is a committed group that meets weekly on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. at the JFCS offices, 5025 Castello Drive, Suite 101, Naples.

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April 2012 11A COMMUNITY FOCUS Federation Star

April 2012 Federation Star

11A

ORT America celebrates 90 years with Inaugural International Major Gifts Gala

RT America held its Inaugural International Major Gifts Gala on February 26 at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. Honoring those who have made a significant dedication to ORT America’s mission to “Educate and Elevate,” guests had the opportunity to meet ORT America officials, World ORT Board of Trustees from across the globe – Argentina, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Israel, South Africa and France – as well as world dignitaries during this special evening. As a pinnacle of the night, guests were treated to a special keynote from His Excellency Ron Prosor, Israel’s 16th Permanent Representative to the United Nations. “We are thrilled to be in Palm Beach to celebrate this great organiza-

tion’s milestone, and honored to have Ambassador Prosor as our keynote speaker,” said Shelley B. Fagel, National President of ORT America. Guests of the Gala enjoyed a pre-reception where they were able to mingle and speak with each other about the incredible work the organization performs in the United States and around the world. “This is an important night for ORT America as they are celebrating their 90th anniversary in the United States,” said Dr. Jean de Gunzburg, President of World ORT (and a descendant of ORT co-founder Horace de Gunzburg). “The Jewish community has undergone so many transformations over time and it is a true testament to World ORT and ORT America that this global organization has been able to endure the changes

ample of innovation and excellence. and continue to provide superior Together we must continue to invest education around the world.” in Israeli education, which is not Following the cocktail hour, only critical for our prosperity, but guests were escorted into the gala also vital for our security,” said His where His Excellency Ambassador Excellency. Ron Prosor addressed the donors and expressed his gratitude for the contributions to the Jewish community that results from supporters’ generosity. “Thank you for spreading the Jewish value of education from Brooklyn to Budapest to Chaim Shacham (Consul General of Israel to Florida), Shelley Be’er-Sheva. With B. Fagel (ORT America National President), His Excellency ORT’s support, Is- Ambassador Ron Prosor (Permanent Representative from rael has become a Israel to the United Nations), and Meryle & Daniel Verner of Boca Raton (co-Chairs, Major Gifts Gala) living, breathing ex-

Recent event photos Lincoln lecture on Marco Island, February 25

Gulf Beaches ORT Benefit Dinner, February 22

Jill Goode, Mike and Harriet Hirsch Entertainers Dawn and Billie Dean

Estie Karpman, chair of the event, and Lincoln historian Dr. Thomas Schwartz talk to an attendee

Mae and Mort Riefberg

Helene Fuchs with Billy Dean

GENTLE ENDODONTICS

GARY A. LAYTON, D.D.S.

(ROOT CANAL THERAPY) Carole Kendal dressed patriotically

Look for more event photos on pages 25A & 1B-4B.

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12A Federation Star April 2012

Tributes to the UJA Federation Campaign To: From:

Nancy Kaplan In celebration of your special birthday Cissy & Harvey Dezen Harriet & Merlin Lickhalter Arlene & Bob Subin Diane & Gilbert Block Helen & Ed Rosenthal Gracia & Merrill Kuller Delores & Corky Levin

To: From:

Robert Newman In memory of your beloved wife, Corinne (Corky) Newman Sanford Sirkus

To: Ed Cohen In honor of your 80th birthday From: Sheila & Alvin Becker To: Barbara Blumenfeld Speedy recovery From: Shereen & David Willens To: Mike Wolf In honor of your special birthday From: Judy & Dr. Robert Sommerfeld To: Alvin Becker Wishing you well From: Phyllis & Michael Seaman

To: From:

COMMUNITY FOCUS

Tributes

Naomi Rosen In memory of your beloved husband, Dr. Michel Rosen Elaine & Michael Griver

To: Sandy Raizes In honor of your special birthday From: Natalie Lebow To: From:

Anne & Peter Klein In memory of Anne’s beloved mother, Annette Bernstein Nancy & Harold Kaplan Arlene & Bob Subin Phyllis & Michael Seaman Delores & Corky Levin Helen & Dr. Edward Rosenthal

To: From:

Dr. Stephen & Susan Cohen In memory of beloved father, Irving Heller Rosalee & Jerry Bogo

To: Roz Citrin Wishing you a speedy recovery From: Judge Lewis & Sylvia Whitman To: Dr. Donald Pomerantz In honor of your 75th birthday From: Bunny Levere To: Paulette Margulies In appreciation From: The ladies in the WCA Spanish class

To: From:

Phyllis Aaron In memory of your beloved son, Roger Aaron Charlotte G. Milavsky

To: From:

Dr. Lawrence & Jerry Cibley & Families In memory of your beloved mother, Shirley Cibley Bunny Levere

To: From:

Melissa Keel In honor of the sweet voice at the other end of the telephone Maxine Newman

Jewish Federation of Collier County extends: • • • • • •

Special birthday wishes to Nancy Kaplan Special birthday wishes to Ed Cohen Special birthday wishes to Mike Wolf Special birthday wishes to Sandy Raizes Special birthday wishes to Dr. Donald Pomerantz Condolences on the passing of Gloria and Earl Brandon • Condolences on the passing of Dr. Michel Rosen • Condolences to Goldie Wetcher & Family on the passing of her sister, Maxine Cohen Lando • Condolences to Anne Klein & Family on the passing of her mother, Annette Bernstein

Educating Jews Against All Odds ORT is the largest Jewish education organization in the world, providing education to over 300,000 students worldwide annually.

ORT is In over 60 countries throughout the world.

ORT is In Argentina, where more than 85% of Jewish students attend an ORT school. In Israel, where the Kadima Mada (Science Journey) program has revolutionized science and technology education for over 45,000 students in 87 schools. In the United States, where 80% of the Class of 2011 are employed in their field of study.

Learn More: 800.590.7088 or ORTamerica.org facebook.com/ORTamerica | twitter.com/ORTamerica

JEWISH INTEREST 13A Federation Star April 2012

April 2012 Federation Star

13A

Stars of David: Jewish Celebrity News – Passover highlights By Nate Bloom, Contributing Columnist The Ten Commandments: Some back story Every year, for decades, ABC broadcasts the 1956 movie, The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton Heston as Moses. It usually beats all the competition in the ratings. This year, the showing will be on Saturday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m. In March 2011, a special edition of the film, with a lot of “extras,” was released on Blu-ray disc. The new edition was made with the participation of Fraser Heston, a director and writer who is the son of the late Charlton Heston. He says the new edition is not simply a re-issue. Rather, “it was a painstaking job, a complete shot by shot restoration.” Fraser Heston, by the way, was three months old when he appeared as “Baby Moses” in the 1956 film. Charlton Heston, who played Jewish characters in The Ten Commandments and in the 1959 Oscar-winning film Ben-Hur, was a devout Christian. He was also a big supporter of Jewish and Israeli charities. The filmmakers, as most people know, took a lot of liberties with the Biblical accounts of Moses’ life and the exodus from Egypt. Still, it is not an incredibly distorted version of the Biblical sources, and the film’s special effects were fabulous when the film was made – and are still “pretty cool.” Of course, the film dialogue includes some “howlers” that certainly don’t appear in the Bible, including this gem: “Oh, Moses! Moses! You stubborn, splendid, adorable fool!” (An Egyptian princess in love with Moses says this). EDWARD G. ROBINSON (as the evil “Dathan”) and OLIVE DEERING (as Moses’ sister, Miriam) were the only Jewish actors with important roles in the film (Yul Brynner, who played the Pharaoh of Egypt, had one Jewish great-grandfather.) Robinson (1893-1973), most famous for his early gangster roles, was born Emanuel Goldenberg in Rumania and came to the States in 1903. Always proud to be Jewish, he was also a highly cultured man due to a rigorous program of self-education. At one time, he owned one of the best collections of impressionist paintings in the world. Deering (1918-86), born Olive Corn, got good notices for her stage work in the ’50s and ’60s, but had a limited film and TV career. She was married to Jewish actor/director LEO PENN (1921-98), the father of actor SEAN PENN (born 1960), in the early ’50s. (Sean Penn, by the way, was raised secular and remains nonreligious.) Deering and Leo Penn had no children and Leo Penn went on to marry (1958) Sean’s mother, (Catholic) actress Eileen Ryan, now 83, after his divorce (1952) from Deering. Deering’s brother, actor ALFRED

RYDER (1916-1995), born Alfred Corn, was a top stage actor who also had a slew of TV guest roles through the early ’80s. (He guest starred in the first Star Trek episode). Ryder was married to actress KIM STANLEY (1919-86) from 1958-64. Stanley was one of the most acclaimed Broadway stage actresses of the 1950s and ’60s. She was twice nominated for an Oscar although she only made a handful of films. Almost everyone has heard Stanley’s voice – she was the unseen narrator of the opening and closing scenes of To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). Stanley converted to Judaism just before marrying Ryder. Their daughter, a practicing Jew, told a recent scholarly biographer of Stanley that her mother continued to observe some Jewish holidays until her death. An amusing sidelight about Olive Deering and the making of The Ten Commandments is found in the 1989 memoir, Which Reminds Me, by the late Jewish actor TONY RANDALL (born Arthur Rosenberg). Randall says that Deering originated a line that many actors – stuck filming a bad movie or stuck filming a movie under terrible conditions – have since used. After many weeks of filming The Ten Commandments in the heat and dust of California’s

Editor’s note: I contacted author Nate Bloom after reading his column in the Let My People Grow blog of the Jewish Federation of Tampa. Nate agreed to have his column appear in the Federation Star. Nate writes a weekly column on Jewish celebrities that appears in Jewish papers around the country (Detroit, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Northern N.J., San Francisco and Tampa). The column on this page is made up of highlights from past columns about Passover. Persons in BOLD CAPS are deemed, by 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. You can contact Bloom at middleoftheroad1@aol.com.

Mojave Desert, Deering said, “Who do you have to sleep with to get off this picture?” Pesach, the lighter side For two years running, Pulitzer Prizewinning humorist Dave Barry came up with very funny Passover-related remarks. Barry, who describes himself as an atheist, is the son of a Presbyterian minister. Since 1996, he has been married to Miami Herald sportswriter MICHELLE KAUFMAN. They had a daughter, SOPHIE, in 2000. Sophie is being raised Jewish and Barry sometimes accompanies his wife and child to synagogue services. On April 2, 2011 Barry did a radio interview held before a live (Miami) audience. He was asked if he would ever leave Miami. He replied, “No, because my wife won’t let me… My wife is really rooted here. She’s Cuban Jewish. Juban, they call them. Yes, there are Jubans in the audience.

They didn’t come over on rafts, they parted the Caribbean.” In 2010, Barry told the New York Times, “My wife is Jewish, and when it’s Passover, we’ll have a house full of people eating roofing materials for a week. I keep telling them, ‘Come over to the lapsed-Presbyterian side. We can eat anything.’” Jake Gyllenhaal does Pesach for kids In 2010, actor JAKE GYLLENHAAL, whose mother is Jewish, filmed a Passover segment (“Finding the Afikomen”) for the PBS series Shalom Sesame. It can be viewed www.you tube.com/watch?v=V4xwR0VPzbs. By the way, last fall, Jake Gyllenhaal, who was raised secular or “very lightly” Jewish, was spotted attending Yom Kippur services at a Manhattan synagogue. For more on Shalom Sesame, visit www.shalomsesame.org.

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14A Federation Star April 2012

JEWISH INTEREST

Old ladies on bikes By Adele Rabin

ots of Jewish offspring of parents of a certain age are witness to the snowbird syndrome, and I’m no exception. My parents (Dr. Saul and Mrs. Judith Finer) live in Naples for a few winter months out of the year, then return North in time to celebrate Passover with their children and grandchildren. They’re social and active, like to play tennis and bridge, take walks, and attend theater. But it still came as a surprise when my mother called the other day to say she had decided to try riding a bicycle again. My mother grew up in Brooklyn and never learned to ride a bike, at least not as a child. When she married my father and moved to upstate New York, he showed her how to straddle the seat, place the right foot on one peddle, push, roll and then smoothly glide through the motions of riding a bike. But then my mother had three girls in quick succession. Between feedings, piano lessons and shuttles to Hebrew School, there just wasn’t much time for learning bicycling basics. Then came the tandem. My father bought a shiny red tandem bicycle which he steered and commandeered with my mother seated in the rear providing a bit of power to the thing. It had a toddler seat in the back for one sister, and a basket in front for the youngest. Being the oldest, I rode

alongside on a bike equipped with training wheels and a tiny bell. I’m sure we looked like a circus act and got plenty of stares, especially since my father honked the rubber bulb horn rather loudly and often as we passed neighbors and friends on the street. Still, one doesn’t learn how to bike as the passenger of a tandem, and so my mother’s feelings of anxiety while riding solo went unstaunched. It occurred to me that my mother’s revived enthusiasm for learning

dismantling our tent with practiced precision especially as thunderclouds loomed overhead. For several years in a row my parents held a “casino night” party inviting at least one-hundred guests, and decorating our house with streamers, fake slot machines, and cardboard gold coins strung up like lights. We children were only allowed downstairs to gather armloads of coats for safekeeping upstairs, where we clung to the railings anticipating glimpses the excitement below. We As Passover approaches, of never really saw anything, just we are reminded that an heard laughter and music, and element of risk-taking is smelled the warm wafting air scented with perfume. vital to our daily lives. My mother-in-law is also to bike in the face of distinct limino stranger to the art of living well. tations (possibly less balance, fear She’s traveled to Europe “at least 100 of falling) was partly due to my times,” sells antiques at shows and father’s persistent urging, but also online, attends opera and eats in fine in keeping with my parents’ longrestaurants on a regular basis. Several lived joie de vivre. They had always years ago, before my father-in-law taught us the value of friendships, died, my mother-in-law broke her sports, art and music along with the hip, but when asked if she’d cancel academic achievements and familial their trip to London scheduled four responsibilities typical of a Jewish months later, she said, “Are you kidhousehold. ding?” Now in her eighties, she’s busy They showed that taking relative teaching reading to young day-school risks and going all out was exciting students, and entertaining guests and fun. We skied and ice skated every week. as a family, and played racquetball So it makes sense that my mother together at the local Y. One summer has decided to climb back into the we traveled cross-country by car and saddle in her retirement years (the camped in South Dakota, Nevada agreement with my father is that her and California, quickly erecting then new bicycle frame and seat are low

enough, so she can jump off to stop if applying the brakes is too cumbersome). Adding training wheels has since made her the target of senior citizen jokes, but that has only strengthened her resolve. I just hope that we’re able to follow our parents’ example and find joy in all earthly things. Right now our modern urban life seems confined to hour-long commutes, applications to day school and summer camp, twice-weekly grocery shopping, and keeping the apartment in a modicum of order. Mostly we feel much older than our physically, socially and culturally active parents. As Passover approaches, we are reminded that an element of risktaking is vital to our daily lives. As the Jews were enslaved in Egypt and grew weary and complacent, afraid to break free, so too can we allow our jobs and the mundane to restrict our power for change and growth. After much coaxing and cajoling, my parents convinced us to visit them in Florida this past winter. To our great joy, our young daughter rode backup with her grandfather at the helm of the third in an unbroken series of tandems. The choice remains clear: succumb to the lure of hypnotic drudgery or, like my mother, take a chance, and get back on that bicycle. Adele Rabin is an architect in New York City.

JEWISH INTEREST 15A Federation Star April 2012

The Sukkot guests By Don Pomerantz

Ushpizin – 2004, 90 minutes, PG, in Hebrew & Yiddish with subtitles, Netflix and amazon.com s Sukkot approaches, Moshe and Malli Bellanga, a poor Hasidic couple from Jerusalem, have little to celebrate. They have no money, no sukkah in which to eat their holiday meals, no guests (ushpizin) to share their food, and no children. If there ever were two people who needed a miracle, it is the Bellangas. Director Gidi Dar and screenwriter/star Shuli Rand create a touching portrait of a loving couple whose plight takes on the characteristics of a cautionary morality tale which demonstrates what happens when everything one wishes for is received. Just when their situation seems hopeless, an anonymous charitable organization leaves an envelope with $1,000 (why dollars and not shekels?). Moshe immediately gives $100 to the synagogue and rashly spends 1,000 shekels for the most perfect citron – an essential symbol for Sukkot. One of Moshe’s friends finds a sukkah that appears to be abandoned and brings it to Moshe. All that is missing for a perfect holiday is to find guests with whom he and Malli can share their good fortune. Their prayers are answered when Eliyahu, a friend from Moshe’s secular past, and Yossef decide to visit

Film Review

April 2012 Federation Star

15A

Comfort... To Temple Shalom

Moshe instead of returning to prison after a temporary leave. Boorish and menacing, the two guests behave badly, eat and drink to excess, and steal their money. Until the guests, in a drunken spree taunt and berate the religious community, the Bellangas tolerate their behavior because they are “ushpizin.” The guests are thugs and the “abandoned” sukkah belongs to a neighbor. But Moshe asks for and receives his neighbor’s forgiveness. It is the deep sense of forgiveness that permeates both the lives of the Bellangas and the Hasidic world in which they live that gives the film its warmth. An ending that may be too predictable is acceptable in light of the film’s belief in redemption. Don Pomerantz is Professor Emeritus and Chairman of the Department of Modern Languages and Humanities at Central Connecticut State University. He teaches at Hodges University and directs the winter Renaissance Academy film series. He is also president of Naples Jewish Congregation.

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16A Federation Star April 2012

JEWISH INTEREST

Book Review From tragedy to triumph: a musical journey By Philip K. Jason, Special to the Federation Star

The prodigious young pianists Russia and its largest were celebrities. Though Ukrainian sister Soviet Republic anti-Semitism surrounded them, it had (Ukraine), Mr. Dawno pronounced effect on their lives son’s balancing act behough this book has been out until further inflamed by the Nazi comes more difficult. for a couple of years, it deinfection that would soon emerge. As He keeps the story of serves a larger readership than WWII exploded, Hitler’s purge of the his mother and aunt it has so far gained. It has all the ingreJews in the Ukraine put the family on in the sharpest fodients of a compelling story: hardship, the run. Though Dmitri could not save cus. The two young near catastrophe, ingenuity, persehimself, his parents or his wife, he did ladies are wanderverance, commitment manage an escape for his daughters ers in a war-torn and good fortune. Its through bribery. environment. Shelter, clothing and subtitle, “A Musical Now young adolescents, Zhanna sustenance are their needs, as well Prodigy’s Story of and Frina take new (non-Jewish) idenas maintaining the secrecy of their Survival, 1941-1946,” tities as Anna and Marina Morozova new identities. only hints at the and look to be sheltered in an orphanBy chance, a Nazi officer happens amazing Holocaust age. They maintain a to hear Zhanna playing Phil Jason narrative. simple, but effective, Chopin in the town The subject of Hiding in the cover story about their where his battalion is Spotlight is Zhanna Arshanskaya parentage and circumstationed. Before long, Dawson, born in Ukraine in 1927 into stances. Zhanna and Frina join an essentially secular Jewish family. In bringing his stoa troop of performers The author is her son. ry to this point, Greg charged with enterEarly in their lives, Zhanna and Dawson skillfully sets taining Nazi soldiers. her younger sister, Frina, were discovthe narrative of his Later, they perform ered by their father Dmitri, himself a mother ’s memories at labor camps. They musician, to have promising abilities. against a tapestry of are immensely popuHe managed to obtain for them all of history, particularly the lar, but always fearthe training available in their small shifting borders and ful. They are, indeed, Greg Dawson and mom Zhanna town, then moved the family to the alliances of Eastern “Hiding in the Spotmetropolis of Kharkov where the girls Europe during the early 20th century. light.” This part of Zhanna’s story excelled at the prestigious Kharkov goes on, with many ups and downs, Once Zhanna’s story falls within the Conservatory. story of Hitler’s confrontation with for five years until the war’s end. The horrifying details are difficult reading, but very effectively presented. After the formal resolutions of WWII, a major effort is made to reAPRIL 18-MAY 12, 2012 settle, possibly repatriate, refugees. Involved in these efforts is a man named Larry Dawson, an American who saw no combat but managed to find a way of helping his country and the war’s victims by working with refugees in Europe. It is with Larry Dawson’s over-the-top commitment to help the sisters find a new footing in life and, especially, to help them Hiding in the Spotlight, by Greg Dawson. Pegasus Books. 296 pages. $25 hardcover, $15.95 paperback.

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resume their piano studies, that their lives take on a new direction. Though Zhanna had dreams of returning to Kharkov, Frina did not. Soon enough, Zhanna realized that her idealized vision of a life “back home” after the war was impossible. Under Larry’s spell, they allowed themselves to be sent to live with his family in rural Virginia and awaited Larry’s own return from his duties. Upon that return, Larry was quick to act on his obsessional interest in the girls’ careers. His efforts led to them being accepted first at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and then at Juilliard in New York – his ultimate goal. Along the way, a relationship developed between Zhanna and Larry’s younger brother, David Dawson. David was, of all things, a successful professional musician and Juilliard alumnus. In time, Zhanna became his wife. Both sisters had careers as performers and as teachers in university music departments. Though for decades they did not speak of their experiences before and during the war, not even to one another, the time came when Zhanna was ready to open up. Fortunately, she had a professional writer in the family, her son Greg, to whom she could tell the tale. Philip K. Jason is Professor Emeritus of English from the United States Naval Academy. He reviews regularly for the Naples edition of Florida Weekly and for Fort Myers Magazine. For more of Phil’s insights and reviews, as well as literature/publishing links, visit his website at www. philjason.wordpress.com.

Greg Dawson will be the keynote speaker at the Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties’ annual Holocaust Memorial Service on Sunday, May 6 at 3:00 p.m. at Temple Beth Shalom, 702 SE 24th Avenue, Cape Coral.

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COMMENTARY 17A Federation Star April 2012

April 2012 Federation Star

17A

We Jews are a complicated people, aren’t we?

By David Harris, Executive Director, AJC, February 26, 2012 don’t sleep well. The prospect of an Iranian bomb keeps me up at night. And when coupled with the missile threat from Iran’s allies, Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as Syria should Assad stay in power (or perhaps even if he doesn’t), the danger to Israel – and the world – only grows, while the sleep diminishes further. I happen to believe that, through tried-and-tested courage, ingenuity and resolve, Israel will prevail over this multi-pronged security threat. After all, it has no choice, since the alternative is annihilation. What puzzles me is what I see in the Jewish community here in the U.S. – or, more precisely, what I don’t see. To be sure, many Jews I meet are acutely aware of the gravity of the situation, also lose sleep over it, and manifest their concern any way they can. They join organizations, travel to Israel to express solidarity, contact elected officials, write to the media about an Iranian bomb as a regional and global game changer, and attend meetings and rallies. They may or may not believe they can affect the final outcome. But, at least, they want to be able to look themselves in the mirror and say that, on their watch, they refused to remain indifferent to what is – let’s call it by its rightful name – the Iranian regime’s genocidal ambition. But there are quite a few other Jews who act differently. I encounter them just about every day. They appear strikingly unmoved by the situation, both as it affects Israel and beyond. Nothing has changed in their sleep pattern. Nothing has been altered in their daily life. Nothing has shifted in their thought process or emotional equilibrium. Life for them continues as if – well, as if Iran never existed... as if Iran’s end-of-days-obsessed leaders never declared their goal of a world without Israel (or proclaimed their undying hatred for the “Great Satan,” America)... as if the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) didn’t reveal that Iran was heading towards nuclear-weapons capability... as if the U.S. defense secretary didn’t state

walls between us and Israelis, or, for One telling illustration is the that matter, us and Argentina’s JewJewish campus center I recently saw ish community, which experienced that boasts exactly one advocacy sign Iran’s deadly reach in the 1990s? – “Save Darfur.” I assure you space Let’s also be clear about one is not the issue should anyone wish thing: Iran’s objections to Israel have to put up a second sign, “Stop Iran.” nothing to do with who is prime minClearly, a lack of interest is. ister and which parties have a Knesset This reflects what I call the ABJ majority. Rather, it has to do with the mindset – Anyone But Jews. These state’s very existence. Jews have a humanistic and compassionate streak, but, oddly, apply it to I’d say it is high time for some everyone but fellow Jews. Jews to get out of the business of And for the fifth group, it’s just making excuses for our avowed never the right time. They say they adversaries, or of disregarding the understand the situation, but they’re deadly seriousness of their threats. To just too busy with other things right think otherwise is to fall into the old now – other obligations, of believing that, if we somehow It is high time for some Jews commitments and plans. trap just behave differently or lie low, our to get out of the business Maybe in a year or two foes will reconsider their irrational calendar will clear up. hatred. of making excuses for our the Check back with us then. And it would be nice, wouldn’t avowed adversaries, or of I don’t approach Iran as it, to believe we can pick the time of disregarding the deadly a Democrat or Republican, our choosing to get involved. If only liberal or conservative, dove Iran’s leaders might accommodate seriousness of their threats. or hawk. I simply approach our busy schedules, life would be so it as one who takes Iranian leaders at much simpler. At the risk of stating the obvious, their word when they spell out their The fate of a nation hangs in the we Jews are not a monolithic people. goals – and when their clandestine balance, as Israelis must once again There couldn’t possibly be a one-sizeprograms are revealed by the IAEA, face unflinchingly the situation as it fits-all explanation for the thinking the Obama administration, Britain, is – and as they doubtless will. of those on the sidelines. France and Israel. We might be living thousands That said, I’ve noticed a few difHistory should have taught us of miles away, but surely American ferent mindsets. One group says they that we ignore such explicit threats Jews should be able to prioritize and think it’s all hype. According to this at our peril. Or are we condemned stand as one – if I may be allowed to view, anyone who asserts that Iran to learn history’s basic lessons again dream – in saying “no” to an Iranian and its allies pose a danger must be and again? Isn’t a threat to a Jew anybomb and “yes” to Israel. a warmonger, a militarist, a neo-con where a threat to Jews everywhere? If not now, when? at heart – and we want nothing to do Can some so easily build mental For more information, visit ajc.org. with them. You know, these are the very same drumbeaters who claimed Iraq was headed for the bomb, and look where that got us. A second group says Israel has no calling on them, evokes no special connection. We’re about building community here, they assert. What “they” do “there” is their business, as if, by the way, Iran’s ambitions have no bearing on America, either. A third group says, yes, there may be a problem facing Israel, but if it had a different government and policies, the danger would soon recede. Therefore, until Israel gets its house in order to our particular liking, they proclaim, no support. A fourth group says they express Jewish identity by helping others – in Asia, Africa, Latin America, anyProudly serving Naples for the past 12 years where, that is, except Israel.

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18A Federation Star April 2012

COMMENTARY

Passover is a time to remember our freedom Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

ree for a moment In the well-known movie The Shawshank Redemption, there is a moving scene in which Andy, an innocent banker and the hero of the story, breaks into the office of the prison warden, puts on a record of a Mozart symphony as it has become an Italian opera, and plays the music over the loudspeaker throughout the entire prison. The inmates immediately stop what they are doing, transfixed by music they have not heard in years or decades – or perhaps ever. As this beautiful music travels from the loudspeakers into their hearts, they all freeze in utter awe and silence,

captivated by this rare, moving experience. Red, the inmate narrating the film, says, “For a brief moment, we all felt free.” Of course they weren’t physically free. But for a few fleeting moments there was something transcendent that caused them to forget themselves, to forget their worries, and be free within their own minds and spirits. Cedar trees of freedom We read in the Torah that when Jacob and his family traveled from Canaan (Israel) to Egypt, he brought cedar saplings with him to replant upon their arrival. Throughout their long stay in Egypt, those trees matured and became beautiful, towering reminders of where the Jewish people came from. When the Jews in Egypt beheld and touched Jacob’s cedar trees, even if for a brief moment, they remembered the essence of who they really were and they felt free. It gave them

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the strength to endure a bitter and harsh exile, and reminded them that in their essence they were not slaves, and did not deserve to be beaten and oppressed. They were inherently free and one day they would see that freedom again. Generations later, as Jacob’s descendants prepared to finally flee the bonds of Egyptian slavery, they cut down Jacob’s cedar trees and carried the wood with them on their travels through the desert. The giant cedar planks eventually became the walls of the holy Mishkan, the traveling Tabernacle for G-dly worship. Passover: Bridging the gap As we gear up for Passover and we remember how G-d freed us from slavery, we are still plagued in the present with concern about world events and the various challenges in our personal lives. These concerns may easily leave us feeling hopeless and helpless. But when we reduce our focus in life to our worries and the stresses of life, we have given up our freedom. We have become slaves to our minds and the outside world. In many cases, reality may be very different from the way we interpret it. During these moments of distress, we have the ability to become truly free. One way to do this is by helping others, reaching out to someone in need, even in the smallest of ways. A simple phone call to check on a friend,

a warm smile, a genuine show of concern. There is a saying that when you give, you’re a fool, and when you take, you’re clever. But Judaism says the opposite: when you give and you think you’re not benefiting, you’re a fool. When we give, when we do for others, we sometimes fail to realize how much we are gaining ourselves. The various good deeds that we do can be a comfort and a way to break free of the stresses that keep us in shackles. Of course, there are inevitable moments in life when things seem like they are truly going wrong. But we are still descendants of Jacob, and although we no longer have cedar trees to cling to, we, too, can be free. Passover is a time to remember our freedom and how G-d took us out of slavery over 3,300 years ago. During this time, and anytime throughout the year, it is always good to remember that we can enjoy a simple moment, or even a day or more, and try as best we can to capture a deep, nurturing feeling of freedom. We can enjoy these moments not only at Passover, but anytime during the year. We just have to break free of the constrictions of our own worries, step outside ourselves for a moment, and hear the beautiful music. Have a liberating and joyous Passover.

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SYNAGOGUES 19A Federation Star April 2012

April 2012 Federation Star

19A

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TEMPLE SHALOM

Customs and traditions

By Cantor Donna Azu

rowing up in California, I always looked forward to my family’s Passover seder. Every year, my extended family of about 25-30 people would gather at my parents’ home for the first-night seder. My mother would spend hours preparing for days in advance, starting with the Hallig (Persian Charoset). She would put in almonds, pistachio nuts and dates, wine and pomegranate juice, as well as quince, apples and spices. She would make so much of it that it would last throughout the holiday, and she would have enough left over to give to all of our guests to take home with them at the end of the night. When preparing the seder table, in addition to the seder plate as our centerpiece, a special plate would also be placed on the table filled with green scallions. During the seder when we would sing Dayeinu, everyone would grab a long scallion and we would whack one another with them to simulate the whips of the slave drivers in Egypt. As a child I thought this was

something all families did, but I later learned that this was only a Persian custom. I always looked forward to this part of the evening. For me this was a wonderful opportunity to “settle scores” with my cousins without really getting into trouble! Even a husband and wife would playfully (and lightly) hit each other. We almost never got through singing all of Dayeinu; we just beat each other up! Unlike most Ashkenazi seders, our seder meal did not include brisket and matzah ball soup. Instead, we would eat traditional Persian food including grape leaves (dolmeh) stuffed with ground meat, dried fruits, nuts and rice, several varieties of rice dishes and choresht (meat and vegetable stew). My favorite is fesenjan, a sweet and sour walnut-pomegranate chicken stew ladled over white rice. Most non-Sephardic Jews are surprised to hear that I eat not only rice but certain legumes, grains, and beans called kitniyot during Passover. While kitniyot is forbidden by Ashkenazi Jews, Sephardic Jews do not have

naples jewiSh cONGREGATION

the same prohibition. The Torah (Exodus 13:3) prohibits Jews from eating leaven (chametz) during Passover. According to Jewish law there are only five grains that can ferment and become chametz. These are wheat, barley, spelt (also known as faro), oats and rye. These are also the only grains that can be made into matzah. Traditional Jewish law forbids eating, owning or deriving benefit from these five grains in any amount and in any form throughout the holiday (other than when they are baked into matzah). However, over the years there has been much debate over the prohibition of kitniyot. The earliest mention of the custom to prohibit kitniyot dates from the 13th century; the discussion concerning their use goes back to Tannaitic times. In the second century, Rabbi Johanan ben Nuri considered rice and millet to be close enough to the five grains that one could use them for matzah, and over the centuries there has been much debate over the custom. A later Talmudic discussion contradicts

www.naplesjewishcongregation.org / 239-390-0345

President’s message

OFFICERS Don Pomerantz, President Harvey Sandberg, Vice President Jim Silverman, Treasurer Art Blatt, Ass’t Treasurer Carolyn Greenberg, Recording Secretary Betty Schwartz, Corresponding Secretary

By Don Pomerantz, President

n addition to our weekly Shabbat services, monthly social and educational activities (Men’s Club lunches, game nights and films; Sisterhood book club discussions and game day; and Rabbi Wolf’s Adult Enrichment sessions), I would like to highlight the following events: Beginning with the March 2012 issue, the Naples Jewish Congregation newsletter was redesigned. Thanks to the hard work of Irene

Pomerantz, Helen Blatt and Betty & Les Schwartz, the new succinct format allows for the inclusion of all pertinent congregational information and the ability to include members’ input. On behalf of the Naples Jewish Congregation, the Board of Directors wishes to thank Cheryl Lash for all her work as editor for the last two years. On March 16, the Sisterhood, accompanied by Jane Galler, our Cantorial Soloist, presented its an-

nual Shabbat service. This service is a compilation of familiar traditional Jewish texts and new Jewish voices. Likewise, the music combines familiar beloved prayers with music that speaks to our Jewish hearts, souls and minds. As always, the effort and dedication of the Sisterhood succeed

JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND

President’s message By Bernie Seidman, JCMI President

aturday, February 18, 2012 was a very special night – a celebration of the ‘birth’ of a congregation – the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island. The occasion was the 30th anniversary of JCMI, honoring our founders Elena Rosner and Marjorie Seltzer, together with the founding members. It was also in every sense honoring each and every member present that night. The presence of the members made a very strong statement. It was a testimony to their devotion to JCMI, gratitude to our founders, and their solidarity with each and every member of our congregation. May we all grow in love for our congregation and be steadfast in our support.

The ambience was as breathtaking as the sunset we all viewed from the hotel’s terrace. The ballroom was elegantly decorated; the dinner was meticulously prepared by Marriott’s world-renowned chef; and the music to dance the night away was attuned to our generation. It was indeed a night to be long remembered. I would like to thank the four special members behind all the preparations. I couldn’t have had a better team than Joan & Bert Thompson and Maxine & Harvey Brenner, who worked hard, making it a truly unforgettable night. Kudos to you guys, you are the best.

See page 25A for photos and more coverage of this special event.

Rabbi Nuri and mentions that the rabbis of the third to sixth centuries used to put rice on the seder plate. To date, there is still much debate over the custom of kitniyot. Customs and traditions are important aspects of our familial history, whether they have a basis or not. They are an important element in the understanding of who we are as a people and the experiences that we have faced. As I have grown and moved away from my family, my seder customs have evolved as well. The Passover seder embodies layers of customs, both modern and ancient, that live on to our day. Thank goodness the holiday lasts for eight days, giving us an opportunity to celebrate our own traditions as well as explore new ones. Every year I still honor my Persian ancestry during Dayeinu, but you may also see a plate of rice next to some brisket and matzah ball soup. Whatever your seder customs may be, I wish to you all a very sweet Pesach!

DIRECTORS Leonard Lash Arlene Rutstein Barry Weissman Erich Haller Peter Weissman Stan Weiner

in creating a work of beauty and moving spirituality. The annual congregational meeting will be held on Friday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m. to ratify the revised ByLaws and to elect the nominees for the 2012-2013 Board of Directors.

marcojcmi.tripod.com / 239-642-0800

SYNAGOGUES

20A Federation Star April 2012

www.bethtikvahnaples.org / 239-434-1818

BETH TIKVAH

Beth Tikvah update Stuart Kaye Beth Tikvah President

his has certainly been Beth Tikvah’s busiest year since its appearance on the Naples scene almost six years ago. A wide range of exciting programs, the opportunity to host activities of other organizations, and the extremely busy schedule of our rabbi search has kept us running nonstop. As we swing into spring and summer, we hope to slow down a bit. Aside from its practical necessity, our rabbi search activities have had great educational value for our community. Reading so many impressive resumes, having the opportunity to find out more about the skills and interests of many Conservative movement rabbis through Skype interviews, and hosting five exceptional rabbis has been an eye-opening and consciousness-raising experience. The person at the Rabbinical Assem-

bly who runs its Placement Office provides a comprehensive booklet on the hiring process for congregations to use. He titles it “Aliya,” suggesting that the rabbinic search process is an uplifting religious experience. And so it has been. Special thanks to Judge Norman Krivosha for chairing our Search Committee. We’d like to thank all of those who came to Beth Tikvah this winter to share their talents and learning. Thanks to Gerald Ziedenberg for his three-part series “Heroes of the Holocaust.” Thanks to Dr. June Sochen, who presented us with two very special lectures, one of them with her sister Joyce Schrager. Thanks to Fran and Bernie Alpert, who made their archeological expertise come alive. Thanks to Dr. Allen Malnak for this energetic talk about the making of his novel Hitler’s Silver Box. Thanks to “Take Four Plus” for its splendid performance of Broadway classics (and to Edythe Winters for sponsoring and running the event). Regarding Beth Tikvah’s operations, we thank Barbara Bresnick for handling our “thank you” corre-

spondence, and Arnold Bresnick for editing The Trumpet, our quarterly newsletter. We look forward to hosting ZOA’s April 18 meeting and the WCA/Technion program on April 24. Passover We wish everyone an uplifting, meaningful and joyous Pesach. Please join the Beth Tikvah family in supporting the Jewish Family and Community Services effort to provide every Jewish family with financial needs a “Seder in a Box.” Beth Tikvah’s Pesach services will be held on Friday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 7 at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday, April 8 at 9:30 a.m.; Friday, April 13 at 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, April 14 at 9:30 a.m. We will not have Kiddush luncheons after those morning services. Book events On Monday, March 26, the Book Discussion Group will explore Rise: A Novel of Contemporary Israel, by Yosef Gotlieb. This political thriller provides an authentic feel for living in Israel today. For Monday, April 23 the selection will be The Spinoza Problem, a highly original novel by

Chabad Jewish Center OF NAPLES

Dr. Irvin D. Yalom, professor emeritus of psychiatry at Stanford University. Adult education At Beth Tikvah, Torah Study is a friendly weekly activity. It meets Tuesdays at 12:15 p.m. and features a lively discussion of the Torah portion for the upcoming Shabbat. No charge. If you wish, bring a dairy lunch. Looking to improve your computer skills? Arnold Bresnick is offering classes on Thursday evenings. Please contact Arnold at 239.566.1126 or abnaples@comcast.net for details. Religious services schedule Friday services begin at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude with a Kiddush luncheon. Sunday morning minyan runs from December through May at 9:00 a.m. We regularly convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request. Please join us at any service. Our participatory worship services and most other events are held at 1459 Pine Ridge Road just west of Mission Square Plaza. For more information, call 239.434.1818, email bethtikvahnaples@aol.com, or visit www.bethtikvahnaples.org.

www.chabadnaples.com / 239-262-4474

Chabad Jewish Center of Naples update By Ettie Zaklos

ommunity Passover Seder (led by Rabbi Fishel Zaklos): Join us Friday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m. Enjoy Passover as the story of Exodus comes alive through mystical meanings and Kabbalistic insights told and explained through humor and melody. Savor a full course, sumptuous seder feast with all the traditional delicacies, and lots of wine! Reservations are required. For more information, call 239.262.4474 or email office@chabadnaples.com. Camp Gan Israel: Camp registration is in full swing! Now in its 8th successful year, Camp Gan is gearing up for the most exciting summer yet! Our camp, located in the heart of Naples, enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a trendsetter with creative programming. Campers participate

F A Q

in a wide range of exciting activities and field trips in a warm, upbeat environment. Camp runs from June 25 until July 20 for children ages 6-13. Registration is available on a weekby-week basis. Call 239.263.2620 for more information or to register. We are also excited to announce Summer of the Arts, our summer program for children ages 2-5. Summer of the Arts runs from June 11 until July 20. Chabad Naples Annual Partner Project: On Wednesday, March 21, Chabad held an appreciation event to honor all who have joined the Annual Partner Project. It was so beautiful to see so many people who have partnered with Chabad come together for a special evening of unity. The Chabad Naples Annual Partner

How do I get items into the Federation Star? Email your articles and photos to federationstar@comcast.net. What are the Federation Star deadlines? Items are due the 1st of each month. If the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the next business day. Where can I get a copy of the Federation Star? If you’re not on our mailing list, send an email to federationstar@ comcast.net with your name and address. Copies are also available at several local synagogues and the Federation office. How do I place an ad in the Federation Star? Send an email to jacqui1818@gmail.com or call Jacqui at 239.777.2889. For a media kit, visit the Federation Star page at www.jewishnaples.org.

Project was created to bring the joy of Judaism – including successful social and humanitarian programs – to many more people throughout Collier County. This project was launched in August and since then so many people have joined to support the good work of Chabad. Many Partner opportunities are still available and we will gratefully acknowledge all our Partners and Premier Partners for their dedication to the Naples Jewish community. For more information or to receive your partnership package, please call us at 239.262.4474, email rabbi@ chabadnaples.com or visit www. chabadnaples.com. Lunch and Learn: Rebbetzin Ettie Zaklos is leading a lunchtime program dedicated to inspiring and empowering Jewish women through cultural learning experiences. In this course we uncover the soul, spirit and mystical dynamism of being a woman, discovering a pragmatic approach to implement these feminine strengths in practice. Guided by classical Jewish and Kabbalistic texts, we examine issues such as beauty, love, relationships, career, family, education and spirituality – tying together the various facets of womanhood in synchronized harmony. The group will meet Wednesday, April 25 at the Chabad Naples Jewish Community Center. Learning begins

at 11:00 a.m. followed by a delicious lunch. All women of the community, regardless of affiliation, are welcome. If you have any questions, would like more information, or to RSVP, call Ettie Zaklos at 239.207.7645 or email chabadnaples@gmail.com. Regular Shabbat services: Our warm and welcoming Shabbat services are held each and every Saturday morning beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Torah service begins at 11:00 a.m. and includes the Rabbi’s insights during the Torah reading which always has a contemporary, meaningful and relevant message. Services are followed by a delicious Kiddush buffet lunch. Weekly email & mailing list: If you would like to be added to our weekly updates or mailing list, contact the Center at 239.262.4474 or email rabbi@chabadnaples.com. Amongst the programs offered at the Center are: Preschool of the Arts, Hebrew schools, teen groups, youth programs, synagogue services, Flying Challah, holiday outreach projects and adult education classes. On the social services front, the Center offers crisis counseling and hospital visitations, and operates the nonsectarian Friendship Circle, providing special assistance and programming for children with special needs. For more information, please call Chabad at 239.262.4474.

ORGANIZATIONS 21A Federation Star April 2012

April 2012 Federation Star

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

21A

239-353-5963 / 239-354-9117

National Council of Jewish Women update By Linda Wainick, co-President t our February meeting, Howard Isaacson, Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, gave a very informative presentation on “Preparing for Significant Life Events.” He discussed what every woman should know about finances and other important information for present and future needs. Thanks to Howard for a thorough and comprehensive presentation. Our closing luncheon is on Tuesday, April 17 at the Vineyards Country Club at 11:30 a.m. We will be installing our new officers, honoring our Life Members, Naples Envelope & Printing Co., RCMA and JFCS. To make a reservation, please send your check ($22/members, $25/ nonmembers) to Marlene Oshry, 793 Regency Reserve Cr, #4501, Naples, FL 34119. Our knitters, chaired by Gayle

Dorio, were recently invited by Naples Community Hospital to a breakfast to thank them for the hats and booties that our wonderful women continue to provide for the newborns at NCH. International Agunot Day NCJW recently joined with the International Coalition for Agunah Rights to observe International Agunot Day on March 7. NCJW is deeply disappointed that despite numerous efforts to reform divorce laws by the Knesset and Rabbinical Courts, no progress has been made since the first International Agunot Day 12 years ago. An agunah (pl. agunot) is the term for a woman who is ‘chained’ to her marriage because her husband is unwilling or unable to grant her an official bill of divorce, called a get. Until she receives a get, an agunah is unable to remarry or have legitimate children. In modern times, many

JEWISH WOMEN INTERNATIONAL

agunah cases arise as the result of a husband withholding a get in order to extract a more favorable divorce settlement, or as a means of vindictively delivering a parting abusive blow to his wife. Since Israeli marriage laws are governed solely by religious law and religious courts, Israeli women are more vulnerable to becoming agunot if their husbands are unwilling or unable to grant them a divorce. International Agunot Day is part of an international effort to promote solutions to this problem through change in Jewish law. It is observed on the Fast of Esther (day before Purim) to contrast the essential contributions women make to Jewish life to women’s second-class status under marital law. NCJW applauds Senate Committee vote to reauthorize VAWA NCJW CEO Nancy K. Kaufman recently released the following state-

ment: NCJW has worked hard over the years on behalf of legislation that addresses the prevention and prosecution of violence against women, and we applaud the vote taken in the Senate Judiciary Committee that would reauthorize the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The reauthorization will extend the law’s existing provisions and improve efforts to meet the needs of survivors of sexual domestic abuse. NCJW’s efforts to address domestic violence is embodied in our campaign, Higher Ground, which seeks to help women escape domestic violence in part by achieving economic autonomy. For the last two years we have also worked with our partners on the National Taskforce to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women and our allies in Congress to ensure a strong VAWA reauthorization going forward.

www.jwi.org / 239-498-2778

JWI introduces Rethinking Purim, a women’s study guide, at Temple Shalom Millie Sernovitz

JWI Past International President

ewish Women International (JWI) released the first in a series of study guides related to Women, Relationships and Jewish Text. Rethinking Purim is designed to spark new conversations about relationships by offering a fresh look at old texts. Temple Shalom’s Rosh Chodesh women’s group, led by Cantor Donna Azu and Jane Perman – and, for this program, Millie Sernovitz, past international president of JWI – used this guide for its March study session. The guide is a project of JWI’s Clergy Task Force on Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community, a group of prominent clergy committed to promoting Jewish responses and

resources that end violence against women. Rethinking Purim takes a thematic approach to the story of Purim, and uses text of the megillah, midrash and modern commentary to encourage conversations about relationships. Each section of the guide discusses a characteristic of healthy relationships: developing a voice of one’s own; cultivating the conscious use of self; and striving for parity. The guide is designed for use in both formal and informal settings, including synagogues, study groups, book clubs, or simply by a group of friends getting together. “This guide combines a respectful reading of classic texts with provocative and perceptive insights, questions and ideas that can help shape healthier relationships,” said Rabbi Richard Hirsh, co-chair of JWI’s Clergy Task Force. “It can help raise awareness of the ways in which issues of gender and power intersect with, and can be addressed through such Jewish values as k’vod ha-briot (respect for the

Are you looking for delicious kosher food? Chabad of Naples has partnered with the well-known Aroma Kosher Market and Catering of Cooper City, Florida, to bring kosher food to you. Please call the Chabad office at 239.262.4474 for an order form and instructions. Aroma Market delivers orders to the Chabad of Naples, 1789 Mandarin Road, once a week.

dignity and integrity of each person) and kedusha (sanctification), among others.” “Jewish women today are making a new kind of ‘noise’ on this holiday by using it as a time to speak out against the mistreatment of women and against abusive relationships. We decided to go a step further and see what Purim could teach us about healthy relationships,” said Rabbi Donna Kirshbaum, lead author of the guide. “Although the topic of healthy relationships is a serious one, we hope that – in the spirit of Purim – those using the guide will have a little fun, too.” The guide is available for download, free of charge, at www.jwi.org/ purim. Jewish Women International is

the leading Jewish organization empowering women and girls through economic literacy, community training, healthy relationships education, and the proliferation of women’s leadership. Our innovative programs, advocacy and philanthropic initiatives protect the fundamental rights of all girls and women to live in safe homes, thrive in healthy relationships, and realize the full potential of their personal strength. To learn more about the JWI’s Purim Study Guide or other JWI endeavors locally and nationally, please contact Millie Sernovitz at 239.498.2778 or millie@sernovitz. com. Also, please visit the JWI website at www.jwi.org or its companion website for Jewish Woman magazine at www.jwmag.org.

Is there a Treasure in your Attic? Yiddish Books are a Cultural Treasure of the Jewish People The National Yiddish Book Center is a non-profit organization working to save Yiddish culture. Please check around your home for old Yiddish books and records, and inquire among friends and relatives. Gifts of these books are tax deductible. Please drop off your Yiddish books and records at the Jewish Federation, for further delivery to the National Yiddish Book Center, or call Louis Rusitzky at 455-6447 to schedule a pick-up. Visit the National Yiddish Book Center at www.yiddishbookcenter.org.

ORGANIZATIONS

22A Federation Star April 2012 ORT AMERICA – GULF BEACHES CHAPTER

www.ort.org / 239-649-4000

Proclamation in Congressional Record celebrates ORT America’s 90th birthday By Helene D. Fuchs evi Halberstam fits the timehonored image of an Orthodox young man: beard, yarmulke, dark suit, eye glasses. He stands at the lectern in a large room at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, talking earnestly about his experiences as an ORT student. At his Yeshiva in Brooklyn, he was steeped in Talmudic studies, Chasidic mysticism, and philosophy. But he had no defined goals or practical grounding to prepare him for real-life work. His mother begged a friend, a teacher at ORT Bramson, to step in and help her “drifting”18-year-old. The teacher brought him into the ORT school, and he was immersed in courses that provided practical training that also encouraged creativity and stimulated leadership qualities. But in 2009, Halberstam was “enveloped with uncertainty,” he told an ORT audience at the Kravis Center. “I was unsure of what would become of my future. Then…I heard about an engaging new program which took a nontraditional approach to higher education, offering individuals from religious backgrounds the opportunity to receive a college education. It allowed me to further my rabbinic studies while pursuing a college degree – meshing together the best of

both worlds.” Today, the “drifting” young man has become an eloquent, enthusiastic proponent of ORT schools as he awaits admission to law school. Levi’s story is just one of thousands. After all, ORT America is part of a global network that educates more than 300,000 students annually. At the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach on February 27, ORT America held its annual meeting as it celebrated 90 years of ORT in America. In honor of that special anniversary, Rep. Theodore Deutch of Florida introduced a proclamation into the U.S. Congressional Record, as follows: Dear Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate ORT America on the occasion of its 90th anniversary. This outstanding organization promotes Jewish values and combats poverty by providing educational programs to vulnerable communities across the United States. ORT America, the national arm of World ORT, is part of a global network that educates more than 300,000 students throughout 55 countries every year. Even more impressive is the sophistication of ORT’s curricula, which boasts courses in computer technology, telecommunications, robotics, nanotechnology, bioengineer-

Gulf Beaches members at the ORT National Meeting in West Palm Beach

naples jewiSh Social Club

ing and biochemistry. ORT strives to provide underprivileged children with the kind of education that will help them compete in the 21st century global economy. As supporters of ORT America celebrate the 90th anniversary of its founding on February 27th, 2012, I commend the members of its Florida region for helping make South Florida a community that truly values education. I am confident that ORT America will continue to change lives by promoting education as a path to prosperity throughout our nation and the world. ack in Naples, Gulf Beaches ORT launched its support of the Zarem/Golde ORT Technical Institute by dedicating the proceeds of its Annual Benefit Dinner on February 22 to the Skokie, Illinois, school. Board member Maury Raizes of Naples and Deerfield, Illinois, who has been an officer or director since Zarem/Golde’s inception more than 20 years ago, attributed the personal rewards of his long service to a couple of factors: “When the Russian immigrants arrived in Chicago, (Zarem/Golde) was the bulwark for teaching them English as a second language as well as offering technical skills. Once the Russian immigration subsided, we created and offered many innovative programs, such as pharmacy technician, medical aide, legal assistant, accounting assistant and other semiprofessional courses. Our English-

as-a-second-language training has caused countless new immigrants from all parts of the world to seek instruction at our school. At the recent graduation, there were graduates from most of the European countries as well as from Africa, the Middle East and Korea. One of the most interesting groups are Christian Assyrians who suffered terrible discrimination in the Middle East. I want to personally thank the Naples ORT chapter for helping to support our school.” Whether the ORT story unfolds in Brooklyn, Skokie, Israel or Argentina, where more than 80 percent of Jewish students in Buenos Aires attend an ORT institution and Argentine students regularly walk away with gold, silver and bronze medals in national and international technology competitions, the ending is the same: ORT educates for life. As Levi Halberstam so movingly expressed it: “Three years ago, I entered ORT’s Brooklyn campus for the first time…it was the start of a new beginning…I was enthralled by the various subjects. From history to the arts to the sciences, things began unfolding around me. I was constantly challenged, always made to think critically. Long-lasting relationships were built with teachers who became mentors, and educators who became everlasting partners. “Yet ORT did so much more than simply educate me. ORT empowered me to educate others. ORT helped me understand who I was. But more importantly, ORT showed me who I could become.”

See page 11A for information on ORT America’s Inaugural International Major Gifts Gala in Palm Beach and photos from the Gulf Beaches ORT Benefit Dinner.

imtwirl@sbcglobal.net / 440-221-6468

Naples Jewish Social Club update By Illeen Mittleman, President he Naples Jewish Social Club is a friendly group from southern Lee, Collier and Marco representing the entire Jewish spectrum. We encourage members to jump on board and let your ideas take shape. The Naples Jewish Social Club presents its first annual pizza, games, wine and more afternoon on Sunday, April 22 from 3:00 to 6:30 pm. The location is the Southern Pines Club House, located at 26300 Southern Pines Drive near beautiful downtown Bonita Springs. Bring your friends, your favorite table game, cards, Scrabble, Mah Jongg, bridge, Monopoly, Mexican Train, dominoes, checkers, chess, Rummy Cube and

more! And bring your appetite. The menu includes pizza, salad, wine, iced tea, tea, soft drinks and dessert. The games will be played from 3:00 -5:00 p.m. and food served from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. The event will feature a door prize and a 50/50 raffle. The cost is only $10 for members and $15 for guests. Send your reservation checks by April 15 to Carolyn & Harvey Chodock (239.949.4927), 26445 Williamsburg Dr., Bonita Springs, FL 34135. Board meetings Board meetings are open to any members who wish to attend. Bridge and Mahjongg In addition to our regular monthly events, we offer bridge and Mah-

jongg. Our special interest groups of bridge and maj remain an active, social part of our group. Our terrific bridge games, which include social and duplicate, are played respectively on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at Sterling Oaks Clubhouse in Naples. Games begin at 6:00 p.m. Coffee and cookies are served. Cost is $8 per couple. Reservations are a must by the preceding Thursday. Contact Tilda Ellis at 239.949.9913. Our Mahjongg game is a spirited one played every Thursday at Long Shore Lake Clubhouse in Naples. Lunch is available at the Clubhouse followed by a fast-paced game for experienced players. Be there for lunch at 11:30 a.m. and continue with play

ending at 4:00 p.m. Contact Pauline Taxman at 239.592.7760 or Sondra Greer at 239.353.4468. We are always open to suggestions for special interest groups as we do in bridge and mahjongg. For Sunshine matters, please contact Judy Lansat for updates on members’ health and life events at 239.352.0287. For Membership matters, call Sondra Greer 239.353.4468. For any general questions or suggestions, contact Sheila Marks at 239.514.8289. To contact the Naples Jewish Social Club, contact Illeen Mittleman, President, at 440.221.6468 or imtwirl@sbcglobal.net.

ORGANIZATIONS 23A Federation Star April 2012 HUMANISTIC JEWISH HAVURAH

April 2012 Federation Star

23A

www.humanisticjewishhavurahswfl.org / 239-495-8197

Invitation to our Humanistic seder Paula Creed President

he Humanistic Jewish Havurah of Southwest Florida will celebrate its Passover seder Saturday, April 7 at Bonita Bay Club, 26660 Country Club Drive, Bonita Springs. The event begins promptly at 5:30 p.m. and is open to the public. A traditional Passover menu will include gefilte fish, matzo ball soup, choice of chicken or brisket, dessert, beverage and more. Vegetarian plates are also available. The cost is $55 per person. Price includes gratuity. Reservations may be made by mailing a check payable to “HJH” to Cynthia Cook, 25051 Banbridge Court, # 202, Bonita Springs, FL 34134. Be sure to indicate your choice of entree with your payment. For more information, send an email to CynthiaECook@aol.com. The Four Questions: 1. Why should one come to a Humanistic Jewish seder? All other seders have a high probability of being tedious and uninspiring, but this seder promises to be beautiful, meaningful and delicious as well. It allows those who share the philosophy of Humanistic Judaism to celebrate this popular holiday with like-minded friendly people.

2. Why do Humanistic Jews celebrate Passover? Humanistic Judaism is a nontheistic alternative in contemporary Jewish life. It provides a voice for Jews who value their Jewish identity and who affirm the right of individuals to shape their own lives independent of supernatural authority. We recognize the Jewish holidays as major vehicles of our Jewish identity in the Diaspora. Like traditional Jews, we feel most inclined to do something “Jewish” when holiday times come around. Passover, one of the holidays most often celebrated by Jews, has its roots in pre-biblical times as a celebration of the coming of spring, but was merged into the biblical story of the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. As a celebration of freedom and national unity, it becomes a holiday of deep humanistic significance. Many times in our history Jews have struggled for freedom or sought escape from persecution. The twentieth century exodus of thousands of Jews from Europe and Muslim countries to America and Israel is the latest chapter in that long saga. It is also important to give recognition to the continuing efforts of people all over the world who still suffer from persecution and who are searching for freedom. 3. How will this seder differ from all other seders? While all other seders commemorate this holiday with a retelling of the exodus as engineered by supernatural intervention, the Humanistic Jewish

HADASSAH

seder recognizes the efforts employed by those who were the victims of oppression and used their human talents to extricate themselves from untenable circumstances. Our Passover celebration emphasizes the principles of humanism. It celebrates the vision of those Jews who were slaves in Egypt, who searched for hope and found it. Our Haggadah addresses not only the yearning for freedom, but also the responsibilities of freedom and the courage it takes to live freely. 4. All other Jews celebrate this holiday as a tribute to the powers of a supreme being. How, then, can Humanistic Jews take part in this celebration without compromising their beliefs? Jewish holidays were appropriated

by the priests and rabbis from preexisting holidays that were human celebrations of natural events, human achievements and human desires. The holidays have undergone long periods of evolution. To celebrate Passover humanistically is to celebrate the human element in Jewish tradition. It is to build bridges to the past while laying the foundation for a meaningful Jewish future. Upcoming event Hear Rabbi Sherwin Wine’s second lecture on “The Humanistic History of the Jews” on Sunday, April 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the Jewish Federation of Collier County, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road. For more information, contact Dena Sklaroff at denas27@ aol.com or 239.353.0909.

Jewish Heritage Video Collection

The Jewish Heritage Video Collection (JHVC) is now housed and maintained at the Federation’s offices. The JHVC video library contains nearly 200 films and television programs carefully chosen to stimulate learning, thinking and discussion about Jewish history and culture. The Collection also provides courses that address vital issues of Jewish history, identity and culture. These courses will be available to schools, organizations and congregations in the area. For a list of available titles organized by category (Children, Comedy, Holocaust, International Jewry, Israel, Jewish Experience in America, Religion and Identity), visit www.jewishnaples.org. For more information, call us at 239.263.4205.

www.hadassah.org / 239-598-1009

Hadassah update Lynn Weiner President

would like to share with you the newly elected Hadassah Officers for 2012-13. They are: President-Shelley Skelton, Executive Vice President-Chris Lapidus, Treasurer-Tussy Shnider, Records Administrator-Carol Weisberg, Membership co-Vice Presidents-Iris Shur and Lynn Weiner, Education Vice President-Elyse Morande, Recording Secretary-Leda Lubin, and Corresponding Secretary-Jane Markwood. I will be stepping down as president after four years and handing the torch to Shelley Skelton, who has previously held the positions of fundraising vice president and membership co-vice president. Shelley begins her term in April and will be a strong leader to take our Chapter to new heights. Please join me in

congratulating Shelley and the members of the 2012-13 Hadassah Board. It has been a privilege to serve as Hadassah president over the last four years and I look forward to continuing in a leadership role. Did you know that soon after Hadassah was founded in 1912, Nathan Straus, owner of Macy’s and philanthropist, offered to fund a medical clinic in Jerusalem if Hadassah could find a nurse to staff it and pay the nurse’s salary for five years? At the time, Hadassah only had $263 in its treasury. Within six weeks, Hadassah raised enough money to fund not only one, but two nurses, and Straus sailed with them to begin Hadassah’s medical mission in Jerusalem. Between 1912 and 1948, Hadassah opened more than 130 hospitals, clinics, infant welfare stations and dispensaries in Palestine. Today, Hadassah Medical Organization operates two major hospitals and has just opened the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Tower addition to Hadassah Hospital, Ein Kerem, in Jerusalem, which will be dedicated

October 15-18 at Hadassah’s Centennial Convention in Israel. “I look forward to gathering in Israel with over 2,000 Hadassah members and supporters from all over the United States and around the world,” said Marlene Post, Centennial co-Coordinator and Past Hadassah National President, “as together we share and celebrate the impact our organization has had – and continues to have – on the landscape of Israel. From the Hadassah University Medical Center to the Hadassah Academic College Jerusalem to the rescue of at-risk children through Youth Aliyah, from our Young Judaea Israel programs, to our partnership with the Jewish National Fund – for all of these projects, our support in Israel is valued at more the $1 billion dollars over the years. Come and join us and celebrate the works of our hands.” For more information on Hadassah’s Centennial and Tower Dedication, visit www.hadassah.org. On April 15, the Hadassah Associates, the male affiliates of Hadassah, will sponsor a social

brunch. For details, please contact Jack Wiadro at 239.269.6200 or jwiadro@comcast.net. From April 20-22, Florida Central Region will have its Spring Conference/Shabbaton at Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. The conference theme will be “Looking Toward the Future: Hadassah’s Second Century.” For more information, contact Lynn Weiner at 239.598.1009 or lynninaples@yahoo.com. If you would like to become a member of Hadassah, Annual Membership is $36 and Life Membership, Child Life Membership and Associate Membership is $212. If you become a Life Member, you will also receive a lovely Centennial Key silver and crystal necklace and $100 will be credited to our chapter’s quota. For information, contact Iris Shur at 239.593.9328 or irisjimshur@aol. com, or Lynn Weiner at 239.598.1009 or lynninaples@yahoo.com. Have a happy Passover and for those of you who are leaving for other locations, have a wonderful spring/ summer.

24A Federation Star April 2012 ACCOUNTANT

BUSINESS DIRECTORY ATTORNEY

A. STEPHEN KOTLER

TYLER B. KORN, ESQ.

Sheldon W. Starman, CPA Rogers Wood Hill Starman & Gustason Certified Public Accountants 2375 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 110 Naples, FL 34103 Tel: 239-262-1040  Fax: 239-262-8403 Email: sstarman@rwhsgcpa  www.rwhsgcpa.com

ATTORNEY - REAL ESTATE • Residential and commercial closings • Title insurance • Community Association Law

Ellen A. Goldman, Esq.

Direct: 239.593.2954 Toll-Free: 800.876.7962 Fax: 239.593.2990 egoldman@porterwright.com

Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP 9132 Strada Place, 3rd Floor, Naples FL 34108

FUNERAL SERVICES

THE KORN LAW FIRM, P.L. TAX AND CORPORATE LAW NEW YORK, NY

NAPLES, FL

WWW.KORNTAX.COM NEWGATE TOWER, SuiTE 302 5150 TAMiAMi TRAil N. NAPlES, FlORidA 34103

PHONE (239) 354-4300 FAX (239) 354-4310 TKORN@KORNTAX.COM

CEMETeRY

PALM ROYALE

C E M E T E R Y

•

ATTORNEY

M A U S O L E U M

Advanced Cemetery Arrangement Planning

Teresa Shepp Family Service Counselor 6780 Vanderbilt Beach Rd. • Naples, FL 34119 Telephone: (239) 354-5330 www.palmroyale.net

INSURANCE

Board Certified Wills, Trusts and Estate Lawyer

Comprehensive Wealth Transfer Planning Asset Preservation • Federal Transfer Tax Probate and Trust Administration Elder Law and Special Needs

KOTLER LAW FIRM P.L. Phone 239.325.2333

999 Vanderbilt Beach Road Suite 200 Naples, Florida 34108

skotler@kotlerpl.com

DIAMONDS & JEWELRY FRANK WEINBERG

NAPLES DIAMOND SERVICE Diamonds, Watches and Jewelry Bought/Sold, Repaired and Appraised Coins – Bullion 660 9th St. N., Ste. 31-B Naples, Florida 34102

Phone 239-403-1055 Fax 239-403-0946

E-mail mrfrank3@centurylink.net

Interior DECORATOR

Long Term Care Insurance • Life Insurance Income Protection • Critical Illness Coverage North Naples 1625 Pine Ridge Rd. 592-1611

East Naples 4735 Tamiami Trail E. 417-5000

Mitchell Dannenberg, cltc

Advanced Funeral Planning Specialists

(239) 461-5511

NEUROLOGY

PIANO LESSONS

Call about our Pre-Planning Discounts

http://ltcimarketplace.com

Piano Lessons with Jo Ann Kravitz

PODIATRIST DIPLOMATE, AMERICAN BOARD OF PODIATRIC SURGERY

FELLOW, AMERICAN PROF. WOUND CARE ASSN.

DR. ROBERT D. TEITELBAUM PODIATRIST

239-293-6819 In your home Ages 6 to 106 Affordable Rates BS in Music Education

P R I N TING

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Ruth Gordon, Psychotherapist MA/MSW/LCSW 30+ years experience helping people just like YOU discover and attain their hopes & aspirations

Expert, professional help with: Relationships • Anxiety • Depression • Addiction Located in North Naples

Office: 239.692.8060 Cell: 239.293.4314

rgordon117@comcast.net

REAL ESTATE

www.foreverfabulousyou.com

REAL ESTATE

Rickie Klein Your trusted, credible, expert advisor for Naples luxury real estate mobile 239.404.2618 RickieKlein@comcast.net www.RickieNaples.com

239-263-4595 FAX 239-263-8851

4763 TAMIAMI TRAIL, N. NAPLES, FL34103

DrBob@NaplesPodiatry.com

REAL ESTATE

Beth Shaw Adelman, GRI, Realtor® Naples Fine Home Specialist

239.571.4791 Beth@Bocaexecutive.com www.Bocaexecutiverealty.com/Naples Newest location at Naples Bay Resort! 1490 5th Avenue South, #A1-104 Naples, Florida 34102

REAL ESTATE

Elli Taylor, P.A., Broker Associate To receive quarterly market reports or monthly newsletters, please contact me: (239) 860-2064 etaylor@johnrwood.com www.ellisellsnaples.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY 25A Federation Star April 2012 SENIOR SERVICES LifeBridge Solutions is your one-stop shop for the services your family needs to manage the business of life. • • • •

Daily Money Management Household Transition Services Estate Administration Support Family Transition Coaching/Caregiver Support

Call 239.325.1880 to schedule your complimentary coaching session. 999 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 200, Naples www.LifeBridgeSolutions.com

TRAVEL

April 2012 Federation Star

Want to see your business in this spot? For more information or to place an ad, call Jacqui at (239) 777-2889.

25A

TRANSPORTATION

TUTORING

School, Home-school & College Iris Bland, PhD. 352-1027 cell: 682-9965 Mathematics, SAT, ACT

Martin Erdsneker, MS 784-2677 Physics, Science, Mathematics, SAT, ACT Florence Levin, MS 793-7965 cell: 777-5046 HS & College Biology, AP Biology, Anatomy, Physiology Call individual instructor for rate and scheduling

JCMI’s 30 Anniversary Dinner/Dance th

t was a night to remember. The weather was perfect. There were cocktails on the veranda of the Marco Island Marriott Resort. Watching the sunset. It couldn’t have been choreographed more beautifully (even for those who are so spoiled when it comes to Gulf views). For a

fleeting moment we had the feeling that at any moment someone would pick up a megaphone and shout “cut,” and we would be directed to leave the “set” for a more ordinary spot. Dinner was served in a closed section of a ballroom, but big enough to

Founder Marjorie Seltzer reads an original poem that she composed

comfortably accommodate everyone. You couldn’t help but be impressed with the environment, the elegant dinner settings and the festive, warm and welcoming ambience created by the committee that saw to it that everyone was quickly and comfortably seated. An ample dance floor and a DJ were ready to accommodate the dancers in the crowd – and I don’t mean playing only “oldygoldies.” I mean the place was rocking. Age was not a factor. On the dance floor were Bitty & Ellie Bittman, George (90 years young) and Reva Miller, and so many others, right there alongside

the “young” crowd like Harvey & Maxine Brenner and Roger & Joanne Blau among others. After a wonderful dinner, coChairs Maxine & Harvey Brenner and Joan & Bert Thompson presented the founders, Elena Rosner-Fink and Marjorie Seltzer, and several of the founding members in attendance at this historic event, a beautifully engraved Jerusalem limestone plaque honoring the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island. This plaque has been permanently installed in JCMI’s Raskin Hall. A great time was had by all who attended. Article written by Ralph Segall and Harvey Brenner. Photos by Harold Baum and Harvey Brenner.

President Bernie Seidman welcomes the guests

Co-Chairs Joan Thompson, Maxine Brenner, Harvey Brenner and Bert Thompson welcome the guests

Founder Elena Rosner-Fink shares about JCMI’s beginning

The Founders and Founding Members plaque made of Jerusalem Limestone, which will be permanently installed at JCMI to commemorate the 30th anniversary

Reva Miller, Herb & Hanita Kern and Harvey Brenner during the cocktail party on the terrace

26A Federation Star April 2012

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

April 2012 / 5772Get the Service you Deserve SUNDAY

MONDAY

9:00am BT Religious School 10:00am NCJW Board Mtg 10:00am CHA Hebrew School 1:00pm HDH Board Mtg 10:00am TS Sunday School 5:30pm JCMI Bingo 5:30pm HDH Evening Group Progressive Dinner

8 Passover

9:00am BT Services 10:00am CHA Services 10:00am NJC Ed Program 10:00am TS Adult Ed 10:00am TS Sunday School

10:30am TS Caregivers Support Group 5:30pm JCMI Bingo

9:00am JFCS Exec Comm 10:00am JCMI choir practice 10:30am JCMI-S Gen Mtg 10:00am Yiddish Club 11:30am TS-S Luncheon 12:15pm BT Adult Ed 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 1:30pm CJD Meeting

10:00am JCMI choir practice 10:00am TS-S Board 10:30am JCMI-S Board 12:00pm JCMI-S Lunch 12:00pm NJC Men’s Club 12:15pm BT Adult Ed 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 7:30pm JFCC Board Mtg

9:00am BT Religious School 12:00pm NJC-S Book Club 9:30am JWV Meeting 1:00pm HDH Study Group 10:00am CHA Hebrew School 5:30pm JCMI Bingo 10:00am TS Sunday School 12:00pm HDH Assoc. Br. 4:00pm TS Yom HaShoah

9:00am BT Religious School 10:30am TS Caregivers 10:00am CHA Hebrew School Support Group 10:00am NJC Ed Program 5:30pm JCMI Bingo 10:00am TS Sunday School 7:30pm BT Book Group 2:00pm HJH Comm Mtg

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

9:00am JFCS Board Mtg 10:00am JCMI choir practice 10:00am Yiddish Club 11:30am NCJW Lunch Mtg 12:15pm BT Adult Ed 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 2:00pm NJC Board Mtg 7:00pm TS Exec Comm

THURSDAY 5

10:00am JFCS Support Grp 10:00am JFCS Bereavement 11:30am CHA-M Lunch Support Group 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 11:30am JCMI Mah Jongg 1:30pm WCA New Yorker 1:00pm NJC Board Mtg 2:30pm CRC Meeting 4:00pm BT Religious School

FRIDAY 6 First Seder

SATURDAY 7 Passover

11:30am ORT Board Mtg 7:00pm CHA Community Seder 7:30pm BT Services 7:30pm TS Services 8:00pm JCMI Services

8:30am TS Torah Talk 9:30am BT Services 9:30am JCMI Services 10:00am CHA Services 10:00am TS Services 5:30pm HJH Passover Seder 6:00pm TS Cong. Seder

13 PASSOVER

14 Passover

10:00am JFCS Support Grp 11:30am CHA-M Lunch 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 2:30pm Israel Affairs Mtg 4:00pm BT Religious School

10:00am JFCS Brvmt Group 11:30am JCMI Mah Jongg 3:00pm HM Exec Comm 7:00pm TS Town Hall Mtg

10:00am TS Yiskor 10:00am CHA Services 7:30pm BT Services 7:30pm NJC Services 7:30pm TS Services 8:00pm JCMI Services

9:30am BT Services 9:30am JCMI Services 10:00am CHA Services 10:00am TS Services

9:30am HJH Board Mtg 10:00am JFCS Support Grp 11:30am CHA-M Lunch 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 4:00pm BT Religious School 7:00pm ZOA Mtg at BT

10:00am JFCS Brvmt Group 11:30am JCMI Mah Jongg 1:30pm TS-S Book Bag 7:00pm BT Board Mtg 7:00pm TS Exec Comm 7:15pm HDH Evening Group

7:30pm BT Services 7:30pm NJC Services 7:30pm TS Services 8:00pm JCMI Services

9:30am BT Services 9:30am JCMI Services 10:00am CHA Services 10:00am TS Services

10:00am JCMI choir practice 12:15pm BT Adult Ed 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 6:00pm TS Annual Meeting 7:00pm TS Board Meeting

10:00am JFCS Support Grp 11:30am CHA-M Lunch 1:00pm CHA Lunch & Learn 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 4:00pm BT Religious School

10:00am JFCS Brvmt Group 11:30am JCMI Mah Jongg 3:00pm HM Board Meeting 5:00pm TS Rosh Chodesh 7:30pm JCMI Board Mtg

7:30pm BT Services 7:30pm NJC Services 7:30pm TS Services 8:00pm JCMI Services

9:30am BT Services 9:30am JCMI Services 10:00am CHA Services 10:00am TS Services

Candle lighting times: 29

8:00am JFCC FED CUP 5:30pm JCMI Bingo Golf Event 9:00am BT Religious School 10:00am CHA Hebrew School 10:00am TS Sunday School

April April April April

6: 13: 20: 27:

7:29 7:32 7:35 7:39

Throughout the year, some holidays fall within the normal work week. The Federation office will be closed in observance of those holidays which are listed in all CAPITAL LETTERS.

Key: • AJC: American Jewish Committee • ATS: American Technion Society • BT: Beth Tikvah • CHA: Chabad Jewish Center of Naples • CHA: Chabad Men’s Club • CJD: Catholic/Jewish Dialogue • CRC: Community Relations Committee • HDH: Hadassah • HJH: Humanistic Jewish Havurah • HM: Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida

Federation Star Publication Policy The Federation Star is a subsidized arm of the Jewish Federation of Collier County (JFCC). Its purpose and function is to publicize the activities and programs of the “Federation,” and to publicize the ongoing activities of the established and recognized Jewish organizations within Collier County. The mission of the JFCC is to reach out and unite all Jews of the greater Collier County area. While offering opinions and points of view do, and will continue to, exist about many issues of importance to Jews, the Federation Star will confine itself to publishing ONLY items that report the facts of actual events of concern to Jews and will only offer commentary that clearly intends to unite all Jews in a common purpose or purposes. Critical or derogatory comments directed at individuals or organizations will NOT be published in the Federation Star.

• ISRB: Israel Bonds • JCMI: Jewish Congregation of Marco Island • JCMI-M: JCMI Men’s Club • JCMI-S: JCMI Sisterhood • JFCC: Jewish Federation of Collier County • JFCS: Jewish Family and Community Services • JNF: Jewish National Fund • JWV: Jewish War Veterans • MDA: Magen David Adom • NCJW: National Council of Jewish Women (Adopted by the Officers and Board of Trustees of the Jewish Federation of Collier County 1/98) To avoid misunderstandings, controversies and destructive divisions among our people, the Officers and Board of Trustees of the “Federation” have adopted the following publication policy: Advertisements: All advertisements, regardless of their sponsor, shall be paid for in full, at the established rates, prior to publication. The contents of all advertisements shall be subject to review and approval of the Federation Board or its designee. Commercial advertisers may make credit arrangements with the advertising manager, subject to the approval of the Federation Board. Regular Columns: Regular columns shall be accepted only from leaders (Rabbis, Presidents, Chairpersons) of established and recognized Jewish organizations within Collier County and the designated Chairpersons of the regular committees of the Jewish Federation of Collier County.

• NJC: Naples Jewish Congregation • NJC-M: Naples Jewish Congregation Men’s Club • NJC-S: Naples Jewish Congregation Sisterhood • NJSC: Naples Jewish Social Club • ORT: Organization for Rehabilitation/Training • TS: Temple Shalom • TS-M: Temple Shalom Men’s Club • TS-S: Temple Shalom Sisterhood • WCA: Women’s Cultural Alliance • ZOA: Zionist Organization of America

Special Announcements: Special announcements shall be accepted from established Jewish organizations within Collier County and may, at the discretion of the Federation Board, be subject to the conditions applicable to paid advertisements, as set forth above. News Items: Only those news items pertaining to matters of general interest to the broadest cross-section of the Jewish Community will be accepted for publication. Note: Items of controversial opinions and points of view, about political issues, will not be accepted for publication without prior approval of a majority of the Federation Officers and Trustees. All persons and organizations objecting to the actions and rulings of the Editor or Publications Committee Chairman shall have the right to appeal those rulings to the Officers and Board of Trustees of the JFCC.

Federation membership

According to the By-Laws of the Jewish Federation of Collier County, members are those individuals who make an annual gift of $36 or more to the UJA Federation Campaign in our community. For more information, please contact the Federation at (239) 263-4205.

April 2012 COMMUNITY DIRECTORY 27A Federation Star TEMPLE SHALOM OF NAPLES (Reform) 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34119 Phone: 455-3030  Fax: 455-4361 Email: info@naplestemple.org www.naplestemple.org Rabbi Adam Miller Cantor Donna Azu James H. Perman, D.D., Rabbi Emeritus Donald L. Shapiro, President Susan Shechter Daugherty, Exec. Dir. Caren Plotkin, Religious School Dir. Seyla Cohen, Preschool Director Peter Lewis, Organist/Choir Director Shabbat Services: Shabbat Eve - Friday 7:30 p.m. Shabbat - Saturday 10:00 a.m. • Sisterhood • Men’s Club • Adult Education • Havurot • Youth Groups • Religious School • Judaic Library • Hebrew School • Pre-School • Adult Choir • Social Action • Outreach

Naples’ only Judaica Shop

CHABAD NAPLES JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER serving Naples and Marco Island 1789 Mandarin Road, Naples, FL 34102 Phone: 262-4474 Email: info@chabadnaples.com Website: www.chabadnaples.com Rabbi Fishel Zaklos Dr. Arthur Seigel, President Ettie Zaklos, Educational Director Shabbat Services Shabbat - Saturday 10am • Camp Gan Israel • Hebrew School • Preschool of the Arts • Jewish Women’s Circle • Adult Education • Bat Mitzvah Club • Friendship Circle • Smile on Seniors • Flying Challah • Kosher food delivery The Federation Star is published monthly, September through July, by the Jewish Federation of Collier County. 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road Suite 2201 Naples, FL 34109-0613 Phone: 239-263-4205 Fax: 239-263-3813 E-mail: info@jewishnaples.org Website: www.jewishnaples.org Volume 21, No. 8 April 2012 40 pages in two sections USPS Permit No. 419 Publisher: Jewish Federation of Collier County Editor: Ted Epstein, 239-249-0699 FederationStar@comcast.net Design: Federation Media Group, Inc. Advertising: Jacqui Aizenshtat 239-777-2889 May Issue Deadlines: Editorial: April 2 Advertising: April 6 Send news stories to: FederationStar@comcast.net

April 2012 Federation Star

27A

JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION (Reform)

(Conservative)

991 Winterberry Drive Marco Island, FL 34145 Phone: 642-0800  Fax: 642-1031 Email: mgr.jcmioffice@embarqmail.com Website: MarcoJCMI.tripod.com

Services are held at: The Unitarian Congregation 6340 Napa Woods Way Rabbi Sylvin Wolf Ph.D, DD 234-6366 Email: sylvinwolf@comcast.net www.naplesjewishcongregation.org

1459 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34109

Rabbi Edward M. Maline, DD Hari Jacobsen, Cantorial Soloist Bernie Seidman, President Shabbat Services Friday 8:00 p.m.

Don Pomerantz, President Jane Galler, Cantorial Soloist Shabbat Services

Torah Study and Saturday Services

Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. May - August: services once a month

• Sisterhood • Men’s Club • Brownstein Judaica Gift Shop

Sisterhood • Men’s Club

Bad Heir Day Are you having one? Does trying to tie up the split ends of your estate or figuring or how to part with a life’s worth of assets lead you with a wave of anxiety? And nothing seems to gel? Well, fear knot! We can help you comb through some estate planning techniques, such as charitable trusts, bequests, or insurance vehicles, to try to trim your tax bill before you and your beneficiaries get shorn of your assets. If you calculate how much you’ll have toupee in estate taxes and find barely a whisker left, then resolve today before it’s too late to brush off the tax burden with some careful planning and some charitable giving to the community through the Federation’s endowment fund. Like now. Close shave. For more information on gift planning, contact David Willens, Executive Director, at 239.263.4205.

BETH TIKVAH

(just west of Mission Square Plaza)

Phone: (239) 434-1818 Email: bethtikvahnaples@aol.com Website: www.bethtikvahnaples.org President: Stuart Kaye Vice President: Phil Jason Secretary: Sue Hammerman Shabbat Services Friday evenings at 7:30pm Saturday mornings at 9:30am Youth Education - Adult Education Community Events

Jewish Organizations to Serve You in Collier County (All area codes are 239 unless otherwise noted.)

Jewish Federation of Collier County Phone: 263-4205  Fax: 263-3813 Website: www.jewishnaples.org Email: info@jewishnaples.org • Federation President: Rosalee Bogo • Executive Director: David Willens

American Technion Society • Chapter Dir: Jennifer Singer, 941-378-1500 • Naples Chairman: L.C. Goldman, 592-5884

Hadassah, Collier Co. Chapter • President: Lynn Weiner, 598-1009

Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida • President: Joshua Bialek, 263-9200

Humanistic Jewish Havurah of Southwest Florida • Paula Creed, 495-8484

Israel Bonds • Reva Pearlstein, 800-622-8017 • Tyler Korn, 254-0400

Jewish Family and Community Services of Southwest Florida Phone: 325-4444 • Chairperson: Millie Sernovitz • Executive Director: Dr. Jaclynn Faffer

Jewish National Fund • Clearwater office, 888-563-0099

Please note our email addresses: David Willens, Executive Director – david@jewishnaples.org Melissa Keel, Community Prog. Coord. – melissa@jewishnaples.org Iris Doenias, Office Assistant – iris@jewishnaples.org Deborah Vacca, Bookkeeper – deborah@jewishnaples.org

Jewish War Veterans Post 202,Collier Co. Chapter • Commander, Gil Block, 304-5953 • Senior Vice Commander, M/Gen. Bernard L. Weiss, USAF Ret. 594-7772

Naples Friends of American Magen David Adom (MDA) • Exec Dir: Robert Schwartz, 954-457-9766

Naples Jewish Social Club

General information requests – info@jewishnaples.org

• President: Illeen Mittleman, 440-221-6468

Federation Star advertising – jacqui1818@gmail.com

National Council of Jewish Women

Ted Epstein, Editor, Federation Star – federationstar@comcast.net

• Co-President: Bobbie Katz, 353-5963 • Co-President: Linda Wainick, 354-9117

ORT - Gulf Beaches Chapter

Read the current and previous editions of the Federation Star in a unique online format at

www.jewishnaples.org

• Co-President: Hella Amelkin, 649-4000 • Co-President: Midge Rauch, 353-3065

Women’s Cultural Alliance • President: Jane Hersch, 948-0003

Zionist Organization of America • President Southwest Florida Chapter: Jerry Sobel, 597-0855

Wherever you find joy and caring and Jewish values, that’s where you’ll find the Jewish Federation. the jewish federation helps countless people overcome poverty, hunger and despair, and helps support programs that sustain jewish identity and enrich our community. together, we can make a world of difference this passover and throughout the year. JewishFederations.org

YOU MAKE IT POSSIBLE!

jfederations

@jfederations

FS0412 Everything Federation does is made possible through the generous donations from members of the community. Please consider making a gift today!

 I hereby pledge and promise to pay my Federation for the 2012 JFCC/UJA Annual Campaign a contribution of:  $36  $72  $180  $540  other $_________  Contribution enclosed (Check #__________)  Please charge my:

 MasterCard

 Visa

 Please bill me  American Express

Jewish Federation may add a 3.0% donation to my payment to offset credit card service fee _____ (initials or √ denote authorization)

Account #______________________________________________ Exp. Date____________ ccv#_________ Name: ________________________________________________ Signature:_________________________________________ Billing Address:____________________________________________________________________________________ City: ___________________________________ ST: _______ Zip: _______________ Phone: ______________________________ Please send to: Jewish Federation of Collier County, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Suite 2201, Naples, FL 34109-0613 JFCC/UJA CAMPAIGN OF UNITED JEWISH COMMUNITIES

Celebrating Jewish Life in Collier County

Federation Star Published by the Jewish Federation of Collier County serving Naples, Marco Island and the surrounding communities

Section B

www.JewishNaples.org Y info@jewishnaples.org Y April 2012 - Nisan/Iyar 5772 Y Vol. 21 #8

Annual Community Celebration, February 11 thanks to the following

Sponsors

for helping to make our

2012 Community Celebration Event so special

Gold Sponsor

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel A. Cohn

B.R. Cohn Winery and Olive Oil Company

Silver Sponsors

Mrs. Fredrick H. Gohl, Sr. & Chicago Blower Corp. Lin & Ron Klein Yamron Jewelers & Mr. Bruce Yamron

Bronze Sponsors

Rosalee & Jerry Bogo Annette Pakula & Lawrence Kessel Dr. & Mrs. Joel F. Waltzer Chateau Charly Northern Trust

Friends of the Federation Dan Fisher â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Wells Fargo Advisors Shereen & David Willens

and special thanks to Alan

Weinberg Photography

continued on page 2B

Federation Star April 2012 Annual Community Celebration, February 11

Photos courtesy Alan Weinberg 239.405.8111 ~ alan4712@aol.com www.alanwphotos.com

RECENT EVENTS

Federation Star April 2012 3B RECENT EVENTS

April 2012 Federation Star

Evy Lipp People of the Book Cultural Event Featuring Ted Koppel and Patrons Dinner, February 21

Photos courtesy of Ivan Seligman

Federation Star April 2012

RECENT EVENTS

Holocaust Museum’s “Driven to Triumph” a superlative affair By Carole J Greene

he strongest show of support for the Museum’s mission of teaching respect was obvious when a sellout crowd of 550 people came to Naples Luxury Imports on February 28. It was a gathering of some of the most generous people in town in one of the most luxurious venues, amidst the most magnificent automobiles – stunning models from Jaguar, Maserati, Porsche and Bentley. The tastiest food and happiest wines tickled our palettes, from some

of Naples’ most prestigious eateries: to name just a few, Shula’s, Capital Grille, M Waterfront Grill. The most compelling artists – like photographer Erik Kellar, artist Juan Diaz and video producer Rob Kircher – donated their time, leading up to the most scintillating performance by composer Charles Fox. In every way possible, this was a superlative event for a most significant tenth anniversary celebration of this most extraordinary museum. Rob Kircher, Myra Daniels, Michelle & John Mansika

Ruth Bielski Ehrreich and Stewart Ehrreich

Charles Fox and Denyse Mesnik

Founders Homer and Diane Helter

Survivors Sabine and Jacques van Dam with their son Marc

KRISTEN COURY, PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PRESENTS

“I Witness” black-and-white exhibit by Erik Kellar

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FOCUS ON YOUTH Federation Star April 2012 5B

April 2012 Federation Star

Preschool of the Arts update By Ettie Zaklos, Preschool Director

t is hard to believe that it is already April! Last April, Preschool of the Arts was still a dream. I can’t help but look back on how far we have come, and to look ahead at all the great things we still have planned. Over the past year, Preschool of the Arts has become a vibrant, successful school community. Children

are thriving, blossoming and growing in a safe, warm and welcoming environment. We are proud to be recognized as an Eco-Healthy Child Care Facility certified by the Children’s Environmental Health Network. One thing is very clear. While parents are blown away by our beautiful, state-of-the-art facility and our well-crafted, balanced program

The community is invited to these Hillel at FGCU events The Hillel at FGCU invites members of the Jewish community to attend these events. RSVP to swflhillel@eagle.fgcu.edu.

and curriculum, they are equally impressed by the staff and teachers who make our school so special. I would like to take this moment to thank our dedicated staff: Colleen Lewis – Preschool Administrator; Jennifer Feinstein, Renee Bialek and Marcia Zuccarello – Lead Teachers; Katie Hamill and Kristin Lee – Assistant Teachers.

Fri, March 30 Wed, April 11 6 to 9pm noon to 2pm Tie-Dye Pool Party Passover Seder Student Union 214 West Lake Wed, April 4 Fri, April 20 8pm to midnight 6:30 to 8pm Bat Mitzvah Fundraiser Charoset Event Student Union 214 Applebee’s on Corkscrew

Preschool of the Arts is already filling up rapidly for the 2012-2013 school year. We have plans to add another new classroom as we continue to grow. Preschool of the Arts really is a dream come true! To learn more or to schedule a personal tour, call 239.263.2620 or visit www.NaplesPreschoolOf TheArts.com.

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Federation Star April 2012

FOCUS ON YOUTH / PASSOVER

Temple Shalom Preschool Art Auction set for May 3 By Seyla Cohen, Preschool Director

tudents have been working hard to ready their masterpieces for display at the annual Temple Shalom Preschool Art Auction scheduled for Thursday evening, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. Each year, pieces crafted by children at the preschool adorn the walls of the social hall where parents gather to view artwork created by their children under the guidance of Art Director Linda Ginsberg. Various mediums and innovative techniques are used to produce remarkable designs by the students in their preschool years. Children are thrilled to preview the show earlier in the day, excited and proud to see their projects displayed for all to observe. Such an exhibition gives them a sense of pride and confidence, so important to the self-esteem of our preschool students. Art is just one of the many extracurricular subjects offered to children at Temple Shalom Preschool. Music, the performing arts, Spanish, fitness, Storyland Children’s Library, and

computer are enrichment programs providing young students with a wide variety of learning experiences so vital to the emotional, physical and intellectual growth of little ones in this age group. Because their minds are like sponges, preschoolers are able to absorb the many choices available to spark individual likes and preferences. Temple Shalom Preschool’s skilled staff realizes the importance of promoting pride, delight and stimulation; thus a curriculum has been created

Passover Recipes

that addresses this need and encourages growth and encouragement. The Annual Art Auction is an opportunity for parents, relatives and friends to gather, mingle and enjoy a pleasant evening of wine, refreshments and music. At the same time, they are given the opportunity to purchase students’ creations, participate in the silent auction, and bid on many other items and services auctioned and raffled. This wonderful evening leaves everyone with a smile!

Scenes from Temple Shalom’s Safety Day on February 19

MATZAH BALLS

APPLE APPLE MATZAH KUGEL KUGEL MATZAH

CHEESE LATKESLATKES CHEESE

Blais-ing thru Passover

Submitted by Margaret Boyle by Margaret Boyle Submitted

Submitted by Heather Wolfsonby Heather Wolfson Submitted

MATZAH BALLS

APPLE APPLE MATZAH KUGEL KUGEL MATZAH

CHEESECHEESE LATKESLATKES

Blais-ing thru Passover

Submitted by Margaret Boyle by Margaret Boyle Submitted

Submitted by Heather Wolfsonby Heather Wolfson Submitted

Ingredients: 4 eggs

Ingredients: 3 matzahs

Ingredients: 3 eggs, well beaten

1/3 cup schmaltz Ingredients: 1 tablespoon & a pinch kosher salt 4 eggs 1/4 teaspoon white pepper 1/3 cup schmaltz 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 tablespoon & a pinch kosher salt 1 1/3 cups matzah meal 1/4 teaspoon white pepper 1 tablespoon curly parsley, minced 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 tablespoon chives, sliced thin 1 1/3 cups matzah meal lemon zest from 1/2 a lemon 1 tablespoon curly parsley, minced

3 large apples, pared and diced Ingredients: ¾ cup raisins 3 matzahs 2 teaspoons cinnamon 3 large apples, pared and diced dash of nutmeg ¾ cup raisins ¾ cup packed brown sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon 4 tablespoons melted butter or non-dairy margarine dash of nutmeg 6 eggs, beaten ¾ cup packed brown sugar

1 cup milk Ingredients: 1 cup cottage cheese 3 eggs, well beaten 1 cup matzah meal 1 cup milk ¾ tsp. salt 1 cup cottage cheese ½ tsp. cinnamon 1 cup matzah meal 1 tbsp. sugar ¾ tsp. salt

1 tablespoon chives, sliced thin Beat the eggs, schmaltz, salt, pepper & baking powder lemon zest from 1/2 a lemon until somewhat smooth. Stir in the matzah meal and mix aggressively with a wooden spoon. Fold in the Beat the eggs, schmaltz, salt, pepper & baking powder herbs and lemon zest. Chill this mixture in the fridge for until somewhat smooth. Stir in the matzah meal and at least an hour, or overnight. Roll into small balls (the mix aggressively with a wooden spoon. Fold in the matzah will inflate during cooking). Simmer in chicken herbs and lemon zest. Chill this mixture in the fridge for stock or salted water. at least an hour, or overnight. Roll into small balls (the matzah will inflate during cooking). Simmer in chicken

4 tablespoons melted butter or non-dairy margarine Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 6 eggs, beaten Soak matzah in water until soft. Press out as much water as possible. Add apples, raisins, cinnamon, Preheat oven to 350 degrees. nutmeg, sugar and butter/margarine. Mix well. Soak matzah in water until soft. Press out as much Add eggs. Mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into water as possible. Add apples, raisins, cinnamon, greased casserole. nutmeg, sugar and butter/margarine. Mix well. Bake for 45 minutes or until apples are tender. Add eggs. Mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into

½ tsp. cinnamon Beat eggs, milk, and cheese together. Combine the 1remaining tbsp. sugaringredients and add to egg mixture, blend well. Drop by tablespoonfuls in a hot well-greased Beat eggs, milk, and cheese together. Combine the frying pan or griddle, and brown on both sides. Serve remaining ingredients and add to egg mixture, blend with sour cream, applesauce, or syrup. well. Drop by tablespoonfuls in a hot well-greased frying pan or griddle, and brown on both sides. Serve Makes 16 with sour cream, applesauce, or syrup. Makes 16

greased casserole. Bake for 45 minutes or until apples are tender.

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PASSOVER Federation Star April 2012 7B

April 2012 Federation Star

Passover traditions – from Brooklyn to Naples By Susan Shechter Daugherty

he Passover seder was always held at my parents’ house when I was a child. It took weeks to prepare. We kept kosher during much of my childhood, and we would have to schlep the two sets of Passover dishes, and the two sets of Passover pots, and the two sets of Passover silverware out of the garage and start washing everything. Different dish towels. Different sponges. Different everything! Mom, my hat is off to you. You worked like a dog. Every year there were so many people at the seder that even with the extra leaves in the dining room table, we needed to add tables so that we would extend into the living room. My mother sat in the seat closest to the kitchen, knowing she would have to get up and down a hundred times. I sat in the seat across from my father, no matter how large the table, and even though the expanded table took me too far from the kitchen to be

of any help to my mother. My father sat at the head of the table and led the seder, but everyone present took turns reading from the Haggadah. We all secretly hoped that we wouldn’t be the one having to read the paragraph that listed all the unfamiliar and unpronounceable names of the rabbis. You would see everyone counting paragraphs several pages in advance of that dreaded section to determine if a bathroom break would be necessary in order to avoid that particular humiliation. Each person at the table read in turn until we got to the part about the four children. No matter where we were at the table, my sisters and brother and I read based on our birth order. I was always the wise child, Jill was always the wicked child, Laura was always the simple child, and Jay did not know to ask. It remains so to this day. Enough said. My father’s voice was – and is –

Resolving conflicts of Easter and Passover By Sunie Levin

very year the Easter/Passover dilemma surfaces in interfaith families with children. This year, the first seder and Good Friday fall on the same day. Passover and Easter are holidays where the religious element is definitely in the forefront, and that makes the situation more difficult. The confusion and conflict where too different religious cultures are sharply contrasted is a tough balancing act for parents. Passover and Easter involve often deeply held beliefs that can make it far more difficult for the parents to reconcile, and for the children to understand. More than half of all Jews who wed these days marry non-Jewish spouses. Grandparents are finding that the tradition of passing on their heritage to their grandchildren has become a perplexing problem in diplomacy. Problems for the interfaith family may arise when visits are made to each of the grandparents’ homes. For example, Sally and Ben Weiss have stopped visiting Sally’s parents for Easter. Her mother cannot accept Sally’s conversion to Judaism and talks constantly about a baptism for her grandchildren. These visits have become too stressful, so the young parents have chosen not to visit at holiday time so as to remove the strain and conflict. For grandparents one of the biggest challenges is to listen non-judgmentally to interfaith grandchildren as they try to understand and tell about their beliefs. In my book, Mingled Roots: A Guide For Jewish Grandparents of Interfaith Grandchildren, my advice is not to meddle in the religious upbringing of your grandchildren. I remind grandparents that the number one rule of interfaith grandparenting is “follow the parents’ wishes. These are your grandchildren, not your children,

so play by the rules. Don’t be judgmental, and try to accept the parents’ choices even when you might not agree. It will make the family a more harmonious one.” Agree in advance with the parents on what may or may not be said to their children. It is essential that the two sets of grandparents support each other and make an effort to compromise where it is needed. There are many things that may be new and strange to the other family. If possible, share the holiday. Invite the Christian grandparents to your Passover seder and join the fun if you are invited for an Easter egg hunt. In this way, the grandchildren will have an opportunity to develop an understanding of both cultures. You can’t expect to be privileged to attempt to transmit your heritage without accommodation being made for the other side of the equation. Here are some suggestions to avoid in-law problems: ¡¡ Do talk frankly with the parents about how you plan to transmit heritage to the grandchildren. ¡¡ Do indicate your respect for the rituals your children or the other grandparents observe in their home, even if unfamiliar to you. ¡¡ Don’t take your grandchild to religious service or give books or religious objects without parental approval. Being a part of a Jewish/Christian extended family offers special challenges at holiday time. With patience, the families can learn to adjust to the difference. It’s not easy and it takes effort on the part of all generations, but it is worth it. Sunie Levin has held workshops around the country and has been on national TV and radio. She is also the author of Make New Friends...Live Longer – A Guide For Seniors (www. makenewfriendslivelonger.com).

deep and rich and strong. He would transition us from section to section. Dad washed his hands. Dad dipped the bitter herbs (and then passed the bowls of celery and salt water). Dad broke the matzoh. Dad sang the words of Dayenu in English, and we all joined in for the chorus. In fact, although we used a very traditional Haggadah (it might even have been the Maxwell House Haggadah that seemed to blanket New York), the vast majority of the seder was in English. If there was Hebrew to be read, Uncle Richard read it; and if anything could be said in Yiddish instead, Mom or Buba would make it so. As children, we were – of course – hungry and impatient from the moment we sat down, but in truth, we all loved the seder. Part of what we loved was the anticipation of another amazing meal prepared by my mother. She was a great cook. (She is now a great restaurant patron. She earned her retirement!) We also anticipated the search for the afikomen. We looked anywhere and everywhere, and in retrospect, I’m impressed with the care my father took in placing the elusive piece of matzoh. The hiding spots were ingenious! Never too obscure; never obvious. The ransom we received was not nearly as important as the pride inherent in being the one who found it. I remember my mother’s voice carrying above everyone else’s while

we sang Eliyahu ha-Navi, Eliyahu ha-Tishbi ...that’s not a good thing. There are so many things my mother does extraordinarily well. Singing is not among them. The seder was a gift my parents gave me, and a gift I now pass on to my children. I do not change dishes, but now it is my turn to spend days cooking, and my mother’s turn to sit at the seat farthest from the kitchen. My father still leads much of the seder, but now John and I share that responsibility. There are still lots of people, but we’re not in Brooklyn anymore, so we set up tables outside by the pool. The traditional Haggadah has been traded in for The 30-Minute Seder, and we spend a lot more time talking about social justice and world events. We still wash and dip and drip wine as we recount the plagues. The songs are still sung. The afikomen is hidden. My children do help with the preparations. They set the table. They taste-test the food. They invite their friends. They look forward to the seder. They look forward to having everyone at the house, to reading from the Haggadah, to impressing their friends by reciting the four questions in Hebrew, and to laughing because Mommy is the wise child, Aunt Jill is the wicked child, Aunt Laura is the simple child, and Uncle Jay doesn’t know to ask. Susan Shechter Daugherty is Executive Director at Temple Shalom

Federation Star April 2012

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

Jewish Agency to provide emergency aid to the Jewish community of Greece Special campaign to address immediate needs in wake of country’s financial crisis

ew York, NY; Feb. 27, 2012 – The Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel, comprised of leaders and representatives of Jewish communities around the world and meeting this week in Jerusalem, voted to grant emergency aid to the Jewish community of Greece in order to address immediate needs in the wake of the crippling financial crisis in the country. Jewish Agency Chairman of the Executive Natan Sharansky convened an urgent meeting of the organization’s leadership, which decided to provide some $1 million over two years to help the Greek Jewish community weather one of the worst crises it has faced in living memory. The

funds will enable communal institutions to continue their operations, including programs to strengthen the community’s ties with Israel and the development of unique aliyah (immigration) tracks for those members of the community who wish to immigrate to Israel. The aid package will be funded by the Jewish Agency and by its partners, Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. The Jewish Agency leadership, including the leaders of Keren Hayesod-UIA and the Jewish Federations of North America, also announced a special fundraising campaign for the Jews of Greece, and the Jewish Agency decided to dispatch Hebrew

teachers to local schools and summer camps in Greece, within the coming months, in order to preserve Hebrew instruction in the community. Some 5,000 Jews live in Greece, of whom some 3,500 reside in Athens and an additional 1,000 in Thessaloniki. The Jewish community operates synagogues, a Jewish school, a museum and a soup kitchen. According to community leaders, the majority of Jewish communal institutions in the country are on the verge of closure due to the financial crisis gripping the country, which has led to a dramatic decline in donations, the collapse of income from communal assets, and a series of new taxes imposed on the communal institutions themselves.

China learns agri-tech in Israel

his past November, 13 seniorlevel officers from China came to Israel for 13 days to learn all they could from the Israeli experience in water management and agriculture. China is a new global superpower. For decades it’s been the factory of the world, but coming into its own China understands the modern idea of sustainability. Its government and leaders know that a future without a sustainable source of water or food

to meet its large population’s needs is not a bright one. A country that grew from a backwater state in the middle of the last century to a global leader in water technologies today, Israel seems like an unusual teacher for vast China. But although in many ways the two countries are very different, China is turning to Israeli expertise in agricultural technologies, or agri-tech, to ensure a future that China’s land and environment can depend on.

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Israel has about seven million people, compared to China’s 1.3 billion. But there are some basic similarities and curiosities that the two nations share, says Yani Xie, director of cooperation with China at the Galilee International Management Institute in Israel (formerly the Galilee College). Sharing passion and historical challenges “I think both countries share a central passion,” she says. “Israelis like the Chinese very much and the Chinese like Jewish people very much. They both have a long history, which has for both cultures been difficult at times.” Valuing education, excellence, innovation and plain and simple hard work, “the Chinese think the Jewish people are very smart and they want to come to Israel to see how this amazing and smart people have survived in the Middle East. It’s a mystery to them, and they are very curious about Israel,” says Xie, who oversees seven or eight different Chinese delegations to the institute’s training seminars every year. Some of the groups include high-profile VIPs from China. In general, the Chinese visitors come to learn agriculture the Israeli way, but sometimes they also learn management skills at kibbutz-based programs on best practices in healthcare for epidemics such as AIDS, says Xie. The most recent delegation, from the China Association for International Exchange of Personnel, brought agronomists, researchers, university professors and business people to Israel to learn new skills under the event banner “The Management Programme for Beijing.” The VIP group included Zhenbo Lin, director of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture. According to Xie, this group from a dry western region in China shares similar water security issues as Israel. In Israel, they learn about drip irrigation technologies, desalination and a range of topics that cover facilities management in agriculture and dry-

Many members of the Jewish community are now unemployed and falling below the poverty line. Some 70 elderly members of the community require financial support to pay for basic necessities such as food and shelter. Natan Sharansky said, “The Jews of Greece are known for their tremendous generosity toward their needy brethren in Israel and around the Jewish world. They have contributed some $20 million to Keren Hayesod-UIA over the past decade, a huge per capita sum that has helped support the disadvantaged in Israel and elsewhere. Today, this wonderful community needs us, and it would be unthinkable for us not to come to their aid in their time of need.”

farming agricultural cultivation techniques using greenhouses. Some Israeli companies have already made a mark in China, like the drip irrigation innovator Netafim, and IDE Technologies, the desalination company from Israel that has built China’s largest desalination facility – with green-tech elements to boot. The curious Chinese visitors wanted to see some of these companies in action and to see Israelis in their native environment. Israel would welcome many more Chinese visitors Visiting Israeli farming cooperatives, they also learn all there is to know about modern agricultural technology inside the greenhouse so they can go back and teach farmers how to grow food efficiently in China’s high-altitude and cold areas. During their 13 days in Israel, the Chinese delegation took courses (taught in English) and enjoyed a range of study and recreational tours to see the land of Israel with the help of a Chinese-speaking guide. “They really want to learn how we manage our water,” says Xie. And as far as breaking the ice, the trust is already there. “I know that during World War II, when Jewish people were refugees of the world, the Chinese opened their doors and helped many Jewish people. The older people in China still remember this, so they still have a very special relationship.” Xie says that Joseph (Yossie) Shevel, president of the Galilee Institute, wishes that 1,000 Chinese, rather than only 80, would come to learn in Israel every year. Xie, who is from China, joined the Institute about seven years ago after marrying an Israeli and moving to Israel. She knows from personal experience what the Chinese know and think about Israel. A big highlight for the group in November was the institute’s international evening of socializing and dancing with guests from many different countries. “We are not only

continued on next page

April 2012 ISRAEL & THE WORLD Federation StarJEWISH 9B

April 2012 Federation Star

The Jewish confidant of Pope John Paul II Jerzy Kluger, 1921-2011

n 1989, Pope John Paul II asked his trusted friend Jerzy Kluger to return to their hometown of Wadowice in southern Poland, where they had first met as 5-year-olds, to help dedicate a plaque where the town’s synagogue had stood before World War II. Kluger was initially hesitant; he had not visited the country in the five decades since most of his family was killed in Nazi death camps. He eventually assented, though the trip “was not easy for him,” the pope later wrote. It was one of the many tasks Kluger carried out for his

longtime friend, culminating in the pontiff’s trailblazing efforts to heal Catholic-Jewish relations. Growing up as the son of a successful lawyer, Kluger knew the future pontiff by his boyhood nickname, Lolek, said The Washington Post. The young friends played soccer in the streets, helped each other with homework, and were constant presences in each other’s homes. They lost touch during World War II, when Kluger and his father were jailed in a Soviet prison camp. It wasn’t until 1965 that their friendship was

rekindled, said The New York Times. Kluger, then living in Rome with his wife, chanced upon his friend’s name in a news report about the Second Vatican Council. He left a phone message, never expecting a reply. “Lolek called right back.” The two remained close for the next four decades, corresponding regularly and often enjoying long conversations over dinner, said the London Telegraph. When John Paul became pope, in 1978, he granted his first private audience to Kluger and his family. At the pope’s request,

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

China...continued from previous page catering to Chinese groups but have programs and people from all over the world visit us every month.” Just recently, the Nigeria government, for instance, turned to Israel to help them rehabilitate some 20,000 oil-field rebels who negotiated with the government and agreed to put down their weapons in exchange for land and new skills. Two groups of Nigerians have been to Israel this year – 28 men and women who came to learn about creating businesses from fisheries, farming and livestock. Every month there are people from Africa and sometimes Europe and North and South America at the international evening. Everyone has to bring their traditional clothes and sing a song and dance. “The Chinese, who sang songs about how much they loved their country, enjoyed it very much,” Xie remarks. In all there were about 20 Chinese who joined in the November festivities, including some business people who were in Israel for other reasons. Looking to incubate new ideas So far, the institute has hosted custommade management training seminars for people from 160 different countries, including people from nations that have no official diplomatic relations to Israel. The seminars are paid for by governmental or nongovernmental organizations. The basic idea is to impart the best practices from the Israeli experience. Israel is known the world over as a leader in growing more “crop per drop,” and coaxing all kinds of produce from the desert sand, in a hostile climate – and under difficult political circumstances in the Middle East region. Jack Levy, a partner at Israel Cleantech Ventures, knows how to translate the value of Israeli clean-tech companies to international investors and stakeholders. His firm has invested in a range of Israeli clean-tech pioneers, including Metrolight for energy savings in lighting systems, and Better Place electric cars. Recently he’s put a special eye on scouting out opportunities in Israeli agri-tech. Why is this a good bet for his portfolio? “Israel has always been at the forefront of agri-tech innovation,” Levy says. “The clear and present need to

meet growing food demand is most apparent in emerging markets such as China and so it is natural for the Chinese government to acknowledge the value of bilateral cooperation in this sector. As investors in Israeli clean-tech companies, we welcome these efforts to increase bilateral trade and partnerships which can accelerate the adoption of Israeli innovation in this critical market.” What’s next in store for China in Israel? Xie, now on maternity leave, says that the Chinese are very interested in exploring the Israeli model for incubating startup companies. She is putting together some ideas for a possible program. Source: Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, www.mfa.gov.il

Kluger played a key behind-thescenes role in the 1993 establishment of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Israel. The pope’s other efforts to improve Catholic-Jewish relations – he was the first pontiff to visit a synagogue, the first to visit Auschwitz, and the first to condemn anti-Semitism as a sin – sprang largely from the men’s long friendship, which Kluger said had transformed his life. “I became somebody,” he said. “I was nobody before.” Source: The Week, www.theweek.com

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ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

BRIEFS NETANYAHU TO AIPAC: WE CAN’T AFFORD TO WAIT MUCH LONGER TO STOP A NUCLEARARMED IRAN

to complete by 2016, will stretch over For more information, visit www. • “This is how Iran behaves today, 287 km. (178 miles) at a depth of tamuseum.com. To see several cool without nuclear weapons. Think of 2,000 meters. images of the building, Google “Herta how they will behave tomorrow, The “Euro-Asia Interconnect” & Paul Amir Building” and click on with nuclear weapons...There’s been will have a capacity to transfer 2,000 images. plenty of talk recently about the costs MW (megawatts). Additional underof stopping Iran. I think it’s time we Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ISRAEL NAMED water cables are to connect Cyprus started talking about the costs of not told the AIPAC Policy Conference on WORLD’S 2ND-BEST and mainland Europe via Greece. stopping Iran.” Monday, March 5: “Israel will be able to receive • “For the last decade, the internaCLEANTECH INNOVATOR • “We are determined to prevent Iran backup (electricity) from Cyprus and tional community has tried diplomacy. Israel is among the top three nations from developing nuclear weapons; Europe, and in the future, we will be It hasn’t worked. For six years, the worldwide that provide the best conwe leave all options on the table; able to provide them with energy,” international community has applied ditions for clean technology startup and containment is definitely not an said Energy Minister Uzi Landau. sanctions. That hasn’t worked either... companies, a recent ranking by the option. The Jewish state will not al(AFP) None of us can afford to wait much CleanTech Group stated. low those who seek our destruction longer. As Prime Minister of Israel, Topping the list was Denmark, to possess the means to achieve that TEL AVIV MUSEUM I will never let my people live in the followed by Israel, Finland Israeli Innovations Save American Lives on theSweden, Battlefield goal. A nuclear armed Iran must be WINS DESIGN AWARD shadow of annihilation.” and the U.S. (Ynet News) stopped.” The Herta & Innovations Paul Amir Building, • “Today we have a state of our own. Israeli Save American Lives on the Battlefield • “Some are prepared to accept...a Tel Aviv Museum of Art, received PENTAGON TO REVIEW And the purpose of the Jewish state is world in which the Ayatollahs have the T+L 2012 Design Award for Best to defend Jewish lives and to secure OF JEWISH INNOVATIONS SAVE AMERICAN LIVES ONCASES THE BATTLEFIELD atomicFIRST bombs. EDITION Sure, they say, Iran ISRAELI Museum, as reported in the March the Jewish future. Never again will we SERVICEMEN DENIED is cruel, but it’s not crazy. It’s detest2012 issue of Travel + Leisure maganot be masters of the fate of our very HONORS able but it’s deterrable. My friends, zine. survival. Never again. That is why A WWI war hero who selflessly pulled responsible leaders should not bet Wedged into a tight, triangular Israel must always have the ability his comrades R ISK TO U.S. TROOPS: Bleeding on wounded the troops Battlefield Every innovations are helping towithin save of American into safety unthe securityday, of theirIsraeli countries military on the site thethe city’s lives central cultural to defend itself, by itself, against any der German machine gun fire may belief that the world’s most dangerous Ninety ofofAmerican battlefield deaths occur before the piece architectural threat.” (Prime Office) Afghanistan and Iraq. Because theMinister’s United States complex, has aTOpercent deep strategic relationship with Israel, RISK U.S. TROOPS: Bleeding on the Battlefield finally be rewarded with the Medal of regimes won’t use the world’s most origami uses a reach soaring,field twisting, the wounded hospitals. Half of those fatalities Honor. William Shemin’s act of the U.S. military is able to learn fromELECTRIC the Israel Defense Forces’ vast combat experience. Ninety percent American deaths occur before dangerous weapons.” UNDERWATER 87-foot-tall atrium, of called Lightfall,battlefield bravery was never acknowledged are due to hemorrhaging. • Below “From the beginning, the Ayatollah are some of the life-saving Israeli military to advances the States today. thelink wounded reach fieldUnited hospitals. Half of uses those fatalities CABLE TO CONNECT a series that of refreshingly unduring his lifetime because of disregime has broken every international complicated galleries. In contrast to ISRAEL, EUROPE are due to hemorrhaging. crimination against his Jewish faith, ISRAELI INNOVATION: Emergency Bandage rule and flouted every norm. It has many dramatically shaped new art Israel and Cyprus signed an accord according to his Israeli daughter, Elise seized embassies, targeted diplomats. Carried in every Army soldier’s aid kit, the museums, it succeeds in beingEmergency at once first recently to lay an underwater electricISRAELI INNOVATION: Bandage Shemin-Roth, 82. She mounted a It sends its own children through mine breathtaking and deferential to theprevents art ity cable between them, the first stage bandage stems blood loss, infection and allows decade-long to have the Carried Army soldier’s first aid kit,campaign the Israeli fields; it hangs gays and stones womon display. in Theevery building was designed in a bid to transfer power between the heroic acts of Shemin and others like non-medically trained soldiers to stabilize the wounded, en; it supports Assad’s brutal slaughter bandage stems blood prevents infection and allows by Preston Scott Cohen. Theloss, museum Jewish state and mainland Europe. of the Syrian people; it is the world’s attack. following anShaul continued on next page is located at 27 Hamelech Blvd. to stabilize The cable, which the sides hope non-medically trained soldiers the wounded, foremost sponsor of terrorism.”

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U.S. Risks, Israeli Solutions. U.S. Risks, Israeli Solutions.

“It is difficult to find any other technology in the following an attack. Department of Defense that “The emergency bandage has saved time and lives and is well on its in a single decade has made “Thetoemergency has saved time and lives personnel and is wellcan onhave.” its way being onebandage of the greatest assets emergency such a tremendous impact.” way to being one of the greatest assets emergency personnel can have.”

T EDITION ISRAELI FIRST EDITION

BOB SCAVELLI, U.S. ARMY (RET.), SPEAKING ABOUT THE DYKE U.S. DEPT. PRAISING USE OFWEATHERINGTON, THE ISRAELI BANDAGE ON OF THEDEFENSE, BATTLEFIELD. INNOVATIONS SAVE AMERICAN LIVES ONLIVES THE BATTLEFIELD ISRAELI INNOVATIONS SAVE AMERICAN ON THE BATTLEFIELD ISRAELI UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES BOB SCAVELLI, U.S. ARMY (RET.), SPEAKING ABOUT THE USE OF THE ISRAELI BANDAGE ON THE BATTLEFIELD.

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Editor’s note: This is the third in a series from the Israel Affairs Committee that will appear monthly and will highlight Israeli ay,Every Israeliday, military are helping save the American troops achievements that have safeguarded andin improved American Israeliinnovations military innovations aretohelping tolives saveof the lives of American troops in lives. Reprinted with permission from AIPAC (www.aipac.org). istan and Iraq. Because the United States has a deep strategic relationship with Israel,

U.S. Risks, Israeli Solutions.

Afghanistan and Iraq. Because the United States has strategic relationship Explosives with Israel, RISK a TOdeep U.S. TROOPS: Remote-Controlled . military ismilitary able to is learn from the Israel Defense vast combat experience. RISK U.S. TO U.S. TROOPS: U.S. Armored Vehicles Attacked Remote-controlled explosive devisesexperience. have caused more the able to learn from the IsraelForces’ Defense Forces’ vast combat RISK TO U.S. TROOPS: Remote-Controlled Explosives Since 2001, Iraq life-saving and Afghanistan haveadvances killed areBelow some of the life-saving Israeli military that60 the United States uses than percent of the U.S. casualties in today. Iraq and Afghanistan. areinsurgents some ofin the Israeli military advances that United States uses today. Remote-controlled explosive devises have caused more hundreds of U.S. soldiers by targeting armored personnel carriers with explosive devices.

than 60 percent of U.S.Advanced casualties Detection in Iraq andofAfghanistan. ISRAELI INNOVATION: Explosives The U.S.INNOVATION: military uses various Israeli technologies that can ISRAELI Advanced Detection of Explosives detect remote-controlled explosive devices. For example, The U.S. military uses various Israeli technologies that can 1,200 Marine Corps vehicles are equipped with system detect remote-controlled explosive devices. For example,to signalsCorps that detonate bombs. addition, jam theMarine 1,200 vehicles roadside are equipped withInsystem to U.S. Army vehicles have a device that uses radio frequencies jam the signals that detonate roadside bombs. In addition, to detect U.S. Armypartially vehiclesburied have aimprovised device thatexplosive uses radiodevices frequencies (IEDs). The U.S. military also uses unmanned aerial vehito detect partially buried improvised explosive devices cles thatThe have sophisticated IED sensors. (IEDs). U.S. military also uses unmanned aerial vehi-

“It is difficult to find to anyfind any “It is difficult other technology in the in the other technology Department of Defense that that Department of Defense in a single has made in adecade single decade has made such a tremendous impact.” such a tremendous impact.”

ISRAELI INNOVATION: Bradley Reactive Armor Tiles Created by the Israel Defense Forces, the tiles overlay the vehicle’s armor with embedded explosives that blast outward to suppress incoming fire. The tiles have protected thousands of U.S. troops in armored personnel carriers.

RISK TO U.S. TROOPS: Booby-Trapped Safe Houses cles that have sophisticated IED sensors. On many missions, U.S. forces apprehend enemy combatants DYKE WEATHERINGTON, U.S. DEPT. OFU.S. DEFENSE, PRAISING DYKE WEATHERINGTON, DEPT. OF DEFENSE, PRAISING ISRAELI UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES ISRAELI UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES and terrorists holed up in urban safe houses. Breaching RISK TO U.S. TROOPS: Suicide Attacks the doors of these houses can be a deadly proposition when Since Operation Iraqi Freedom began in 2003, there have RISK TO U.S. TROOPS: Suicide Attacks U.S. troops come face to face with armed insurgents. been more than 1,700 suicide attacks American Since Operation Iraqi Freedom began targeting in 2003, there have and allied forces as well as civilians. been more than 1,700 suicide attacks targeting American ISRAELI INNOVATION: Distance Door-Breaching System and allied forces as wellConcealed as civilians. Israeli SIMON door-breaching system is capable ISRAELI INNOVATION: Weapons Detector U.S. The TROOPS: U.S. Armored Vehicles Attacked RISK TO U.S. TROOPS: U.S. Armored Vehicles Attacked of blasting or up to 130 feet Israel developed the Coral-SD—a that 1, insurgents indown Iraq steel and Afghanistan have killed Since 2001, insurgents in wooden Iraq anddoors Afghanistan have killed ISRAELI INNOVATION: Concealed portable Weaponsdevice Detector away. Theofsystem has reduced soldiers’ exposurepersonnel to the detects explosivesthe and other weapons concealed of U.S. soldiers by targeting armored personnel hundreds U.S. soldiers by targeting armored Israel developed Coral-SD—a portable deviceunder that and saved lives. the clothing of an enemy, from a far distance. ith enemy explosive devices. carriers with explosive devices. detects explosives and other weapons concealed under

Risks, U.S.Israeli Risks,Solutions. Israeli Solutions.

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April 2012 ISRAEL & THE WORLD Federation StarJEWISH 11B

April 2012 Federation Star

11B

continued from previous page him recognized by the military. Now, thanks to Shemin-Roth’s efforts, the Pentagon will review several cases of Jewish servicemen denied honors because of their faith. “A wrong has been made right here,” she said. (The Week, www.theweek.com)

ETHIOPIAN IMMIGRANT APPOINTED ISRAEL’S AMBASSADOR TO ETHIOPIA

ISRAEL AND THE PLIGHT OF MIDEAST CHRISTIANS

Middle Eastern Christians’ share of the region’s population has plunged from 20% a century ago to less than 5% today and falling. In Egypt, 200,000 Coptic Christians fled their homes last year after beatings and massacres by Muslim extremist mobs. Since 2003, 70 Iraqi churches have been burned and

nearly a thousand Christians killed in Baghdad alone, causing more than half of this million-member community to flee. Conversion to Christianity is a capital offense in Iran, where last month Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani was sentenced to death. Saudi Arabia outlaws private Christian prayer. As 800,000 Jews were once expelled from Arab countries, so are Christians being forced from lands

they’ve inhabited for centuries. The only place in the Middle East where Christians aren’t endangered but flourishing is Israel. Since Israel’s founding in 1948, its Christian communities (including Russian and Greek Orthodox, Catholics, Armenians and Protestants) have expanded more than 1,000%. (Michael Oren, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S., in the Wall Street Journal)

Belaynesh Zevadia, 43, has been named as Israel’s envoy to Ethiopia, the first representative of the Ethiopian community in Israel to become an ambassador. She was previously stationed in Illinois and Texas, and has a masters degree in African studies and international relations. (Ynet News)

POLL: PALESTINIAN SUPPORT FOR ARMED RESISTANCE AT 14-YEAR LOW

Support by Palestinians for armed struggle against Israel is at a 14-year low, according to a new poll by the Jerusalem Media and Communications Center (JMCC). Just 29% of Palestinians recently polled support military operations against Israelis, down from 85% in September 2001 in the midst of the Second Intifada. Pollsters said they were surprised to find that even though virtually no peace talks have been conducted in three years, Palestinians were less inclined than ever to favor violence. “The Palestinians have seen that the last wave of violent confrontation and armed resistance, the Second Intifada, wasn’t very useful to the Palestinian cause,” said Ghassan Khatib, director of the Palestinian Government Media Center. (Media Line-Jerusalem Post)

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ISRAEL’S TOP 20 GREATEST INVENTIONS OF ALL TIME

Indispensable Israeli inventions are being displayed and demonstrated at the Bloomfield Science Museum in Jerusalem. Israel’s top inventions highlighted at the exhibition include: Netafim smart drip micro-irrigation, Ormat geothermal power plants, Pythagoras Solar windows, Hazera Genetics slow-ripening cherry tomato, EpiLady electric hair remover, MobileEye safe auto navigation system, Leviathan Energy silent wind turbine, BriefCam video-synopsis technology, Better Place electric car network, Intel Israel computer processors, TA Count real-time microbiology detection, Solaris Synergy solar panels that float on water, HydroSpin internal pipe electricity generator, Elbit electro-optic observation system, Turbulence interactive movie, Decell Technologies GPS and phone-based road traffic information monitoring, PrimeSense 3D vision technologies, Takadu water utilities monitoring, EarlySense hospital patient monitoring, Panoramic Power energy monitoring. (Jerusalem Post)

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The china was your grandmotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. One day, it will go to your granddaughter. More precious are the stories handed down along with it. Best wishes for a joyous Passover. Life is Hope.