The community is invited to attend the
Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Service Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 p.m. Beth Tikvah ~ 1459 Pine Ridge Road, Naples The service is co-sponsored by all area synagogues and the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida.
Celebrating Jewish Life in Collier County, Israel and the World
Federation Star Published by the Jewish Federation of Collier County serving Naples, Marco Island and the surrounding communities
www.JewishNaples.org INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 3 Women’s Cultural Alliance 6 Men’s Cultural Alliance 7 Community Focus 11 Jewish Interest 17 Tributes 17 Business Directory 18 Israel & the Jewish World 22 Commentary 23 Rabbinical Reflections 24 Focus on Youth 26 Synagogues 28 Organizations 30 Community Calendar 31 Community Directory
5 A friend-raising and fundraising event on Marco
7 Education programs at the Holocaust Museum
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May 2014 - Nisan/Iyar 5774
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Vol. 23 #9
Jewish Federation of Collier County Annual Meeting report
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he Jewish Federation of Collier County held its 2014 Annual Meeting on April 1 in the Community Room of the Federation offices. Nearly 70 people were in attendance, as new Trustees and Officers were elected and to the Federation board. In advance of the meeting, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Federation presented its 2014 “Stand Up For Justice” Grant award. Beth Povlow, Chair of the “Stand Up For Justice” Grant Committee, commended this year’s recipient, Kathrene Pitt, a fifth-grade teacher at Sea Gate Elementary School, for her innovative project of inclusion geared at building friendships and a classroom community. Ms. Pitt offered remarks about her efforts and thanked the Federation for this recognition, as did Glennon Melton, mother of Chase Melton, a student in Ms. Pitt’s class. Ms. Melton posted Pitt’s strategies on her blog, which went viral and brought Pitt national recognition on NBC’s Today Show for the development and implementation of her teaching techniques. The “Stand Up For Justice” Grant awards educators in our public schools for their efforts in developing programs which counter bullying and bigotry. Following the election of Trustees and Officers, David Willens, Federation Executive Director, recognized Melissa Keel, who retired last June after seven years with our Federation, as our Community Program Director. Willens
commented that Keel was raised in the Federation system, as her father, Jesse Martin, was a founder of the Jewish Federation of South Broward County in Hollywood, Florida. Later in her Social Service career, Melissa returned to her home community to work for its Federa- Outgoing President Norman Krivosha, Past President Rosalee Bogo, incoming President Alvin Becker tion and spearheaded Federation their time and resources to its Community Relations Committee. enhance and enrich Jewish life in our When Melissa moved to Bonita Springs, community: we were most fortunate to attract her to Rosalee Bogo come and work with us. She was instruJerry Bogo mental in developing many wonderful Linda Hyde programs of our Community RelaNot present were: tions Committee, the Catholic/Jewish Dr. Karen Ezrine Dialogue and Israel Affairs Committee, Dr. Morton Friedman and worked on all of our fundraising Dr. Ronald Roth initiatives. Melissa was presented with Dr. Joel Waltzer a trophy in appreciation for her years Norman Krivosha, outgoing Presiof service and contributions to our dent, offered his report, noting several Federation and to Jewish communal accomplishments during his term, inlife in the area. cluding reaching a $1 Million CamWillens continued by recognizing paign Goal in 2013. Krivosha was then outgoing Officers and Trustees for their recognized by incoming President Alvin dedicated leadership and service to Becker, who applauded Krivosha for his our Federation. The following retiring valued term of service. members of the board have given this
8 Warsaw inspires 1,500 local patrons
David Willens with outgoing Officers and Trustee, Rosalee Bogo, Jerry Bogo and Linda Hyde
29 National Council of Jewish Women fashion show
Melissa Keel accepts recognition from David Willens
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
Chase Melton, Glennon Melton, Kathrene Pitt, fifth-grade teacher at Sea Gate Elementary School and recipient of the 2014 “Stand Up For Justice” Grant award, Beverly Budzynski, Principal - Sea Gate Elementary School, Beth Povlow
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Federation Star May 2014
Fed Cup VI
Sunday, May 4
at 20 TwinEagles
JEWISH FEDERATION
Remarks at Federation Annual Meeting, April 1 Alvin Becker Federation President ogi Berra, noted baseball philosopher, has said, “The future ain’t what it used to be.” Niels Bohr, world-famous physicist, put it differently. He said, “Prediction is very difficult, especially if it is about the future.” Despite the attitude of these two gentlemen, I would ask you to look forward in time with me to highlight three priorities for our Jewish Federation for the coming year. One, of course, is to successfully conclude our search for a successor to David Willens – someone with both administrative skills and fundraising experience and expertise to help lead us to new levels of performance in those areas. Second, is not to be satisfied with
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A golf event for all skills and ages to benefit young Jewish children and teens to experience Jewish Summer Camp and travel to Israel. For more information about the event and hole sponsorships contact Kevin Aizenshtat at kevin@gcipnaples.com.
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last year’s record-setting campaign but rather to enhance our fundraising capabilities – through organization, training, focus and new strategies – to take us to higher levels of giving so that we can better meet the increasing needs of our Jewish community here and in other places. This is in keeping with our mission to be the umbrella organization whose dollars touch many lives. Third, and aligned with our fundraising enhancement priority, we must create greater visibility of the Federation and of all the many diverse things we do in our community by working with our Federation-supported agencies and partners. We must create a sense of a collective Jewish community and take every opportunity to answer the question, “What does the Federation do?” To achieve these priorities and others, I look forward to working with my fellow Officers, Trustees, members and staff. Despite Berra and Bohr, I am confident that we will be successful going forward. To that end, I am committed, and I know that you all are as well.
Teamwork David Willens JFCC Executive Director t’s spring training. Baseball…Basketball…Football… Federation. Three are sports played in the arena. One is not a game, but is played in life’s arena. Their common ground is that they all take teamwork. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Federation team. First and foremost…Todah Rabah…thank you to our Donors, who, through your acts of tzedakah, fuel the enterprise and help build a caring community. We could not attain our goals without you; and for that you have our sincere thanks. Second, thank you to the Officers and Board of Trustees of the Federation. Through your leadership commitment, you give direction and purpose
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for all of the Federation’s activities and involvement. I want to thank Norman Krivosha, our outgoing Captain and to Alvin Becker, incoming Captain, and all of the Officers and board members, on the front line, for working together closely and responding to the needs of the local, national and international Jewish community. Our special thanks goes to all of the committee members and volunteers who don the uniform of the Federation and work so well together in their team activities. I would be remiss if I did not recognize the Federation staff, which responds to the needs of the team. We do our best to provide front office, on the field and off the field logistical support for our team’s needs. At Federation, everyone is a team player. The needs of our people will always be present, but with a strong team in place we can respond to the needs and build a better world for our people and all mankind. Thanks for joining our team!
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3 Federation Star May 2014 JEWISH FEDERATION
May 2014 Federation Star
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www.WomensCulturalAlliance.com / 215-820-6697
WOMEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE
Our members are the power behind WCA
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By Linda Simon, WCA Membership Director
hy is WCA membership over 1,000 women strong? What motivates our current members to encourage other women to join, so that in 2014 we surpassed 1,000 active members, all participating in a wide variety of activities throughout the year? There are several answers to these questions. As Membership Director for WCA, I have had opportunities to talk with many new members over the last three years, and I believe what makes WCA so successful are the woman who understand that the programs and activities WCA currently offers – and will continue to offer in the future – depend upon each person creating and/ or supporting programs that reflect her interests. In a word, volunteerism. Programs this year have included tours of exclusive art collections in private homes, glass blowing demonstrations, a visit to Vizcaya on Florida’s East Coast, foreign film discussions,
seven different book clubs, technology unteer opportunities for our members, willingness and motivation to volunteer classes, workshops on flower arranging, making membership in WCA an even their time and expertise will continue to more enriching experience. a seminar on travel photography, New be “the power behind WCA.” WCA members have been inWe love welcoming new members Member Coffees and numerous other programs of outstanding quality. strumental in making WCA what it is to our organization. If you are not alEach program was created by a today. With our continued emphasis ready a member of WCA, please join. on creating high quality programs and WCA member who has an interest, or You will be glad that you did! If you are welcoming new members to enjoy and even a passion, in an area or activity already a member, now is the time to participate in this vibrant organization, renew your dues so that this summer you that she feels other members would enjoy. Over 600 activities were offered there will be even more opportunities will receive the WCA Program Guide to WCA members this year, and with to meet like-minded women, make new and an invitation to our 2014 Welcome friends, learn about interesting subjects 1,000+ members, who knows what next Back Luncheon. A WCA membership and discuss the issues of the day. There year will bring? form is on this page. Just fill it out, attach This year, our vast array of proare no limits to the variety of programs your check, and mail it to the Federation. grams necessitated creating an addiWCA can offer. Our membership’s It is that easy! tional position – the WCA Volunteer Coordinator. Rona Segall was recently “Behold, how good and pleasant it “Behold, how good and how how pleasant it is for people “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is is for for appointed to fill this key role. Rona “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for to dwell together in unity.” Psalm 133 brings to this position fourteen years to dwell together in unity.” Psalm to dwell together in unity.” Psalm 133 133 of social services experience in Mon- “Behold, tohow dwell together init unity.” good and how pleasant is for people Psalm 133 treal, including five years as Director to dwell together in unity.” Psalm 133 of Volunteer Services at Jewish Family Services and Mt. Sinai Hospital. Rona will apply her expertise to expand vol-
PFLAG PFLAG Seventh Annual
PFLAG PFLAG
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for people “Behold,to how good and how is133for people dwell together inpleasant unity.” itPsalm
Interfaith Convocation Seventh Annual to dwell together in unity.” Sunday, May 4, 2014, 3:00 PM Interfaith Convocation Psalm 133
Unity of Naples Church 2000 Unity3:00 Way,PM Naples Sunday, May 4, 2014, ofand Naples Church PFLAG (Parents,Unity Families Friends of Lesbians and Gays) invites people of all 2000 UnitySharing Way,religious Naplestraditions and rituals unites us in faiths to worship together.
Seventh Annual Seventh Annual Interfaith Convocation PFLAG PFLAG Interfaith Convocation
At the February WCA New Member Coffee, new members Harriet Kleinman, Judy Fant and Andrea Stringer learn about WCA from WCA Membership Director Linda Simon (at left)
promoting acceptance and belonging for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) invites people of all persons and their families in our community. faiths to worship together. Sharing religious traditions and rituals unites us in promoting acceptance and belonging for Gay,PRAY Lesbian, Bisexual, PLEASE WITH US!and Transgender persons and their families in our community.
Seventh Annual Sunday, May 4, 2014, PM Seventh Annual to follow Service3:00 Reception Sunday, May 4, 2014, 3:00 PM Sunday, May 4, 2014, 3:00 PM PLEASE PRAY WITH US! Interfaith Convocation Unity of Naples Church Interfaith Convocation Unity Naples Church follow Service Reception Unitytoof of Naples Church 2000 Unity Way, Naples Sunday, May 4, 4, 2014, 2014, 3:00 PM Sunday, May 3:00 PM 2000 Unity Way, Naples 2000Unity Unity Way, Naples Unity of of Naples Naples Church Church Welcoming Houses of Worship
Beth Tikvah * Celebration Metropolitan Community Church * Cornerstone United Methodist * Emmanuel Lutheran Church First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) * Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ * Jewish Congregation of Marco Island Lighthouse Congregational UCC * Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ * Naples Jewish Congregation Naples United Church of Christ * Samudrabadra Buddhist Center * St. John the Apostle MCC Welcoming Houses of Worship St. Monica’s Episcopal Church * Temple Shalom * The Baha’I Faith * Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples Beth Tikvah * Celebration Metropolitan Community Church * Cornerstone United Methodist * Emmanuel Lutheran Church Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers * Unity of Naples Church * Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) * Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ * Jewish Congregation of Marco Island Lighthouse Congregational UCC * Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ * Naples Jewish Congregation United Church ofwww.pflaginterfaith.com, Christ * Samudrabadra Buddhist Center * www.PFLAGnaples.org St. John the Apostle MCC ForNaples information: or 239-206-3267 St. Monica’s Episcopal Church * Temple Shalom * The Baha’I Faith * Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers * Unity of Naples Church * Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church
Your #1 Source for 2000 Unity Way, Naples PFLAG Friends of Lesbians Unity Naplesand PFLAG (Parents, (Parents, Families Families and and2000 Friends ofWay, Lesbians and Gays) Gays) invite invite Expert Senior Housing Advice PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) invite PFLAG (Parents,Families Families andFriends Friends of Lesbians Lesbians and people ofof all all faiths together. Sharing religious traditions and ritual PFLAG (Parents, and of andGays) Gays)invites invites people faiths to to worship worship together. Sharing religious traditions and ritual faiths to worship together. Sharing religious traditions and rituals unites us in faiths to worship together. Sharing religious traditions and ritual Serving all of Southwest Florida faiths to worship together. Sharingfor religious traditions and rituals unites us in promoting belonging Gay, Lesbian, and promoting and acceptance and belonging for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Bisexual, and Transgender promoting acceptance acceptance and belonging for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and For information: www.pflaginterfaith.com, www.PFLAGnaples.org or 239-206-3267
239-595-0207
promoting acceptance and belongingfor for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,Bisexual, and Transgender promoting acceptance belonging Gay, Lesbian, an persons andand theirin families incommunity. our community. persons and their families our persons and their families in our community. persons and their families in our community. persons and their families in ourPLEASE community. PRAY WITH US!
PLEASE PRAY WITH US!
Bruce B. Rosenblatt National Senior Housing Expert Beth Tikvah
to follow Service US! Reception PLEASE PRAY WITH PLEASE PRAY WITH to follow Service US! Reception Welcoming Houses ofWITH Worship PLEASE PRAY US! Welcoming Houses of WorshipService to follow Reception Reception to follow Service Reception to follow Service
Beth Tikvah * Celebration Metropolitan Community Church * Cornerstone United Methodist * Emmanuel Lutheran Church First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) * Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ * Jewish Congregation of Marco Island Beth Tikvah * Celebration Metropolitan Community Church * Cornerstone United Methodist * Emmanuel Lutheran Church Lighthouse Congregational UCC * Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ * Naples Jewish Congregation of Christ) * Fort Myers*Congregational UnitedCenter Church* St. of John Christthe * Jewish of Marco Island First Christian Church (Disciples Naples United Church of Christ Samudrabadra Buddhist ApostleCongregation MCC Congregational UCC * Mayflower Church of ChristCongregation * Naples Jewish Congregation Lighthouse Episcopal Church * Temple Shalom Congregational * The Baha’I FaithUnited * Unitarian Universalist of Greater Naples St. Monica’s Naples Universalist United Church of Christ Samudrabadra Center* *Vanderbilt St. John the Apostle MCC Unitarian Church of Fort* Myers * Unity ofBuddhist Naples Church Presbyterian Church
Welcoming Welcoming Houses Houses of of Worship Worship Welcoming Houses of Worship
* Temple ShalomChurch * The Baha’I*Faith * Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples St. Monica’s Episcopal Church ** Celebration Community United Methodist ** Emmanuel Celebration Metropolitan Metropolitan Community * Cornerstone Cornerstone UnitedPresbyterian Methodist Emmanuel Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Church Myers * Unity of Naples Church * Vanderbilt Church
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Beth Tikvah Lu www.SeniorHousingSolutions.net Church (Disciples of Myers United Christ ** Jewish Congrega First For information: www.pflaginterfaith.com, www.PFLAGnaples.org or 239-206-3267 Beth Tikvah * Celebration Metropolitan Community Church * Cornerstone Unitedof * Emmanuel Lu Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Christ) ** Fort Fort Myers Congregational Congregational United Church Church ofMethodist Christ Jewish Congrega First Christian
Women’s Cultural Alliance Membership Form Please check one: r New r Renewal For more information: Linda Simon, lgsimon2947@yahoo.com
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
UCC United Co Lighthouse ChurchCongregational (Disciples of Christ) Fort MyersCongregational Congregational UnitedChurch Churchof ofChrist Christ Jewish Jewish Congrega First Christian For information: www.PFLAGnaples.org or***Naples 239-206-3267 Congregational UCC *www.pflaginterfaith.com, ** Mayflower Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ Naples Jewish Co Lighthouse Naples United Church of Christ * Samudrabadra Buddhist Center * St. John the Apostle MCC UCC * Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ * Naples Jewish Co Lighthouse Congregational Naples United Church of Christ * Samudrabadra Buddhist Center * St. John the Apostle MCC Monica’s Episcopal Church * Temple Shalom * The Baha’I Faith * Unitarian Universalist Congregation of St. Naples United Church of Christ * Samudrabadra Buddhist Center * St. John the Apostle MCC G St. Monica’s Episcopal Church * Temple Shalom * The Baha’I Faith * Unitarian Universalist Congregation of G Unitarian Universalist Fort Unity of Church ** Vanderbilt Presbyterian Chu Episcopal Church *Church Templeof Shalom * The **Baha’I * Unitarian Universalist Congregation St. Monica’s Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers Myers UnityFaith of Naples Naples Church Vanderbilt Presbyterianof ChG Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers * Unity of Naples Church * Vanderbilt Presbyterian Ch
Membership: $60www.pflaginterfaith.com, for the year includes www.PFLAGnaples.org all programming or For For information: information: www.pflaginterfaith.com, www.PFLAGnaples.org or 22 For information: www.PFLAGnaples.org or 2 andwww.pflaginterfaith.com, Federation membership. 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: ___________________________________________________ City: _____________________________ State: _____ Zip Code ____________ Email: _________________________________________________________ Florida home phone:____________________________________________ Cell phone: ___________________________________________________ Northern Address: ______________________________________________ City: _____________________________ State: _____ Zip Code ____________ Northern home phone: __________________________________________
Your membership check is your permission for Women’s Cultural Alliance to take and use photographs/videos for appropriate purposes in accordance with WCA’s mission.
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Federation Star May 2014
JEWISH FEDERATION
Cardozo Society hosts ADL Regional Director n mid-March, the Cardozo Society, a legal affinity group of the Jewish Federation of Collier County, hosted Hava Leipzig Holzhauer, AntiDefamation League’s (ADL) Regional Director for the State of Florida, at a luncheon for the society and other interested members of our community. Our appreciation goes to Cardozo Society member Yale Freeman, outgoing President of Temple Shalom, for arranging the event at Temple Shalom. Holzhauer discussed “The Current Face of Anti-Semitism and Bigotry” from the ADL perspective. She offered the attendees historical background about the founding of the ADL 101 years ago by a group of lawyers from Chicago, in their response to the Leo Frank lynching which took place in the deep South; and then quickly brought it forward to what is happening in Florida today that demands the ADL’s atten-
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tion. She focused on the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) activities on Florida college campuses and the existence of certain hate groups in Florida communities. Ms. Holzhauer oversees ADL’s work in Florida, including combating anti-Semitism, monitoring domestic extremist activity, providing anti-bullying/ cyberbullying education, training law enforcement on domestic extremism and hate crimes, preserving civil liberties and religious freedom, advocating for Israel, safeguarding Jewish institutions, and conducting Holocaust education workshops. Ms. Holzhauer is an experienced civil and criminal litigator, having served with the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office where she handled hate crime cases, and is a prominent member of the South Florida Jewish community.
Joel Pittelman - Federation JCRC Chair, Lonny Wilk - ADL Associate Regional Director, Hava Holzhauer, Judge Norman Krivosha, Yale Freeman
AIPAC’s Brad Gordon addresses Naples audience By Jeff Margolis
very March, thousands of delegates and representative from Jewish organizations around the country converge on Washington, D.C., for the annual AIPAC Conference. The aim of the conference is to focus on policy between the governments of the United States on Israel. The Israel Advocacy Committee of Collier County was fortunate to have committee member Pearl Thall attend this year’s conference. Thall noted that there were 14,000 attendees and over 2,000 of them were students. The two keynote speakers were U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In addition to the speeches, there was a display of the latest Israeli technology. Several other committee members have already registered to
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attend the AIPAC Conference in 2015. At the request of Rabbi Amos Chorny, AIPAC provided a speaker for a program held at Beth Tikvah on March 25. Fortunately for the community, Ambassador Brad Gordon, an expert on Iran, was available to give an informative presentation to a very appreciative audience. The Israel Advocacy Committee was pleased and honored to participate in this event. The committee, which meets all year, is planning its activities for next season. Committee members will be reviewing the opportunity of continuing with the successful Israel 101 program. In addition, committee members will be screening films and vetting speakers we think will be informative as well as timely.
Shalom Gardens
at Palm Royale Cemetery
We are a community Phyllis Seaman Federation VP & Campaign Chair
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ND WE NEED YOU! I am so thrilled and confident about our 2014 Campaign, with gifts and pledges already totaling over $500,000 in our first quarter of the campaign. We are one third of the way to our goal of $1.5 million. At the same time, I realize that we cannot be arrogant and take this past year’s success for granted. Tuesday, April 1 was our Annual Meeting and the election of the new President, Executive Board, and Trustees of the Jewish Federation of Collier County. We have a strong team in place, including many young and dedicated leaders joining our board or moving up the ladder and committed to our initiatives. I want to personally thank all those leaving the board after completing their terms. Their leadership was invaluable and made it possible to reach our million dollar goal for 2013. Todah Rabah – Thank You! The Women’s Division Luncheon we held on April 11 will also help boost our numbers. Another reminder to all Lions of Judah, please plan on joining me at the Lion of Judah Conference in New York City, September 7-10 at the Marriott Marquis. Let’s show our Pride! We have 38 Lions in Collier County! We need YOU to make our goal! We need your generosity and support. Too many people think it’s not their responsibility, that there are plenty of other people who will step up to the plate. Wrong! If we don’t step up to the plate and take responsibility for our people, community, Israel and the Jewish world’s needs – who will?
We want and need you to say, “Yes I care, and will join as a community in reaching the Federation goal.” The more money we raise, the more we can do. Remember, we are basically a distribution center – we collect money to give it away. Our Allocation Committee works very hard to make sure we can fulfill the many requests we receive for funds. I keep telling people when considering their gift to Federation – “Ask yourself, can I do more?” Without thinking twice, many of us go out to dinner three or four times a week. I realized we probably spend on average a minimum of $50 for a dinner and drinks for two in a local inexpensive restaurant. Over a year, that one dinner each week amounts to over $2,400. That $2,400 to Federation could do so much for so many – and it’s tax deductible. I’m not asking people to give up their social lives, just to be more aware. We are so blessed to be where we are, but even here in rich Naples there are so many people in need of our assistance. Please remember your Federation gift goes further to help more people, locally, in Israel and in over 60 countries worldwide. I wish all of you who are leaving us for the summer a wonderful, safe few months. Our door is open all summer and we will be working and planning programs and functions for 2015 as we continue our fundraising on our 2014 Campaign. The Jewish Federation doesn’t sleep. As a matter of fact, we barely rest. PLEASE CONSIDER AND MAKE YOUR PLEDGE NOW! With your support for our 2014 Campaign we can reach our $1.5 million+ goal. And if you have already made your gift or pledge, thank you. We are: The Strength of a PEOPLE, The Power of COMMUNITY
Read the Federation Star on your tablet!
Visit www.issuu.com. Enter “Federation Star” in the search box and click on the cover image of the issue you’d like to read. Then simply scroll through the pages. It’s that simple!
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You can also read Connections on your tablet. Search for “Collier Connections”.
NY
September 7-10, 2014
THE MARRIOTT MARQUIS TIMES SQUARE
You’ve spent the best years of your life in Naples, why Palm Royale Cemetery is committed to serving seal memories anywhere else? overlook this the your Jewish community. Through theDon’t knowledge of your mostgem sacred beliefs, memorialization pristine so close toyour home. Make Naples will yourbefinal truly representative of the life it represents. destination. Make Palm Royale your final resting place. Ask about our beautiful Shalom Gardens.
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Open 7 days a week Sunday business hours
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Experience the power and impact of the Lion of Judah. SAVE THE DATE for The Jewish Federations After the success of the 2012 International Lion of Judah Conferof North America’s 2014 International Lion of ence, don’t miss your chance join us again Judah Conference! Join the to most dedicated, New York City! women in the passionate and inphilanthropic Secure yourgather spot today for the inspirational 2014 International world as we for three days Lionofoflearning Judah Conference. Hear from world-class speakers, celand sharing. ebrate our philanthropy and change the world. For more information andWe to register, We Are. We Can. Do. visit www.lionconference.org. To learn more about being a Lion of judah or attending the 2014 conference, please contact Ilene Fox at 941.343.2111 or ifox@jfedsrq.org.
6780 Vanderbilt Beach Road • Naples
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© Palm Royale
5 Federation Star May 2014 JEWISH FEDERATION
Published by
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: Alvin Becker Vice President: Kevin Aizenshtat Vice President: Phyllis Seaman Vice President: Berton Thompson Secretary: Wallie Lenchner Treasurer: Jerry Sobelman Immed. Past President: Judge Norman Krivosha
Board of Trustees Joshua Bialek Harvey Brenner Stephen Coleman Amanda Dorio Michael Feldman Alan Gordon Neil Heuer Ben Peltz Joel Pittelman Dr. Tracey Roth Jane Schiff Arlene Sobol Michael Sobol Dr. Daniel Wasserman Beth Wolff Barry Zvibleman
Past Presidents
Gerald Flagel, Dr. William Ettinger, Ann Jacobson, Sheldon Starman, Bobbie Katz, Rosalee Bogo
Board Members Emeritus Hans Levy Shirley Levy
Synagogue Representatives Cantor Donna Azu Roger Blau Rosalee Bogo Rabbi Ammos Chorny Stuart Kaye Rabbi Edward Maline Rabbi Adam Miller Suzanne Paley Rabbi James Perman Dr. Arthur Seigel Neil Shnider Rabbi Sylvin Wolf Rabbi Fishel Zaklos
Executive Director David Willens
May 2014 Federation Star
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Your Federation dollars at work: Nirim program in Kfar-Saba, Israel The Jewish Federation of Collier County provides grant monies to The Shoshana and Pinhas Sapir Kfar-Saba Community Center each year for its programs that benefit new immigrant children and their families. ear David, I hope that you and your community are doing well. We have just returned from the Purim holiday, and we are so grateful to receive your kind $10,000 donation. Your continuous support to our programs is so highly appreciated. I wish to update you on recent activities in the Nirim program. As I have written previously, the Nirim Foundation’s primary goal is to provide youth-at-extreme-risk with an opportunity, in many cases their last, to overcome their harsh life circumstances, discover their strengths and become self-confident, successful, fulfilled and contributing members of society. We began operating a Nirim group in the “Aliyah” deprived neighborhood in Kfar-Saba last year, and in January we decided to widen the program’s influence to additional target groups. We are cooperating with the ORT Kfar Saba Education Center. The school serves over
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house” project next to Jerusalem, and 300 students and caters to students who are planting and cultivating, in addition have dropped out of other educational to cooking, preparing coffee outdoors frameworks. The school is providing a and meeting local farmers. “second home” and chance for practical We feel that the teenagers manifest and vocational advancement, holding higher motivation and the will to cooptracks such as accounting, hair design, erate. But much work still lies ahead. electricity and graphic design. We thank you and your community We continue to harness the youth for your assistance and we hope you will to a meaningful process of change. Rebe able to visit us and see all the wondercently, the main issue discussed is “my ful programs taking place in town for way to change” – what do I have to do the benefit of our deserving population. in order to succeed in the frameworks I Warmest Regards, attend. We have a small success story: Revital Lubinsky One boy’s school attendance and particiExternal Relations and Resource Development pation highly improved since he joined The Shoshana and Pinhas Sapir Kfar-Saba the program. A couple of weeks ago, he Community Center Organization Ltd. went to a preliminary military practice for a highly physically and mentally demanding week, and he returned with many good experiences and a feeling of achievement. During the Passover break, a survival trip is planned, with the purpose of working on placing limits. Once a month the youth leave to work in “Greenhouse” project in Kfar-Saba, Israel agriculture in a “Green-
A fun time at a friend-raising and fundraising event on Marco Island n March, the Jewish Federation of Collier County conducted another successful friend-raising and fundraising event at Hideaway Beach on Marco Island. Marco Island and the 951 Corridor have always been an important part of our community, with many fulltime and seasonal residents participating in rich Jewish life here.
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Nearly 80 people attended a delightful wine and cheese reception. Our thanks go to the able committee who solicited attendance and organized this wonderful affair, including Maxine & Chuck Shapiro, Sorley Sheinberg, Nan & Michael Suffian, Joan & Bert Thompson and Estie & George Karpman. Federation Campaign Chair Phyllis
Seaman spoke about all that we do for the community of Jews locally, nationally, in Israel and around the world. The event has always been an opportunity to welcome new members to our community and connect them with our Federation.
Phyllis Marco and Phyllis Seaman
“Meet Me in St. Louis” on Marco Island – Bruce & Carol Rosen, Nancy Bernstein, Richard & Merle Linkemer, Nan Suffian
Staff
Jill Saravis, Community Program Coord. Iris Doenias, Administrative 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
The work of the Jewish Federation of Collier County represents both our community and our community’s most generous tradition – to give to others even in the most difficult times.
(Standing) Mona & Tony Zeiger, Jean Brown, Phyllis Marco, (seated) Walter Cahn, Abe Brown
Harold Sadowsky, Selma Rosen, Myrna Sadowsky, June & Ray Riseberg
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(ROOT CANAL THERAPY)
Since 1976
Phone 262-2677
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Federation Star May 2014
JEWISH FEDERATION
Mark your calendars for 2014-15 MCA events By Jeff Margolis tart circling your calendars. In fact MCA members should go out and buy a 2015 calendar. That way you will keep up to date with next season’s luncheons, meetings, fabulous speakers and activities that the MCA executive committee has been planning. Here are some tentative dates and locations for luncheon meetings. Our first luncheon meeting of the new season will take place on Thursday, December 11 at Cypress Woods Country Club. The January meeting is scheduled for January 8, 2015, at the Club at Olde Cypress. The dates of the following two meetings are February 12 and March 12. Locations for these meetings have not yet been firmed up. Following up on this past year’s group of outstanding speakers, we are busy lining up exceptional presenters for the 2014-2015 season.
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Details will be announced in future issues of the Federation Star and in MCA member eblasts. Members can look forward to participating in their favorite activity group next season, as well as in a number of new groups being planned. Additionally, there will be a number of special activities and outings. A number of the activity groups will continue throughout the summer months. Details will be included in the weekly MCA eblasts, and members are encouraged to contact the activity leader for details. The New Member Breakfast was a huge success and the organization hopes to expand on this event next season. Other ideas that are currently in the planning stages include a speaker series where members can attend a presentation and a follow-up discussion on time-
MEN’S Cultural Alliance Membership Form Please check: r New
r Renewal
r I want to be listed in the MCA membership roster For more information, email Steve Brazina at sbrazina@aol.com Please make your check payable to: Jewish Federation of Collier County and mail with this form to: MCA Jewish Federation of Collier County 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109
ly topics. Additionally, the committee is renew your membership for 2014-2015. Details, including the renewal form, looking into a group outing to the Revs will appear in the weekly eblasts in the Institute Car Museum (the fabulous Colcoming months. A membership/renewal lier Car Collection that had been closed to the public, but recently reopened in form is also found below. Naples), and a tour and luncheon at the new Collier County 911 and Emergency Center. As always, members are encouraged to make suggestions for events that will be of interest to the group, now well over 200 strong. MCA needs volunteers to chair many of these new activities and programs. Please remember that most activities are open to MCA members only, so be sure to Jeff Margolis and John Rosengren, guest speaker at a recent MCA event
Membership: $56 or $64 (includes name badge) minimum
donation for the year, and includes Federation membership. Additional donation to the Federation is voluntary and encouraged. Name as you’d like it to appear on badge: ____________________________ In Southwest Florida: r full-time r part-time (from _______ to _______) Name: __________________________________________________________ Spouse or Partner Name, if applicable: _______________________________ Local Address: __________________________________________________ City: ______________________________ State: _____ Zip Code ____________ Email: __________________________________________________________ Florida home phone:_____________________________________________ Cell phone: ____________________________________________________ Northern Address: _______________________________________________ City: ______________________________ State: _____ Zip Code ____________ Northern home phone: ___________________________________________
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.
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 Thank you!
Like us on Facebook!
ConneCt with your Jewish Community
www.facebook.com/ facebook.com/jfedsrq JewishFederationofCollierCounty Interested in your family’s history?
Name: ____________________________________________________ Northern Address: _________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Northern Phone: __________________________________________ Email: ____________________________________________________ Leaving SW Florida: _______________________________________ Returning to SW Florida: ____________________________________
Do you have a similar photo in your home? Who are these people? Are they related to you? Do you know where your forebears came from? How do you find out? Do your grandchildren know who these people are? Researching your family genealogy can help you find the answers to all these questions. And the answers to questions you don’t even know to ask yet. Want to find out how to get started? Come to the next meeting of the Jewish Genealogy SIG (Shared Interest Group) at the Jewish Federation of Collier County offices (2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201, Naples) on Tuesday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. Seating is limited. RSVP to genresearch13@yahoo.com. You will receive an acknowledgement that you have a reservation. Bring a notebook and pen with you to the meeting.
For a continuously updated community calendar, visit www.jewishnaples.org.
7 Federation Star COMMUNITY FOCUS May 2014
May 2014 Federation Star
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JFCS installs Board of Trustees and Officers Dr. Jaclynn Faffer JFCS President/ CEO n March 25, the 2014-2015 Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS) of Southwest Florida Board of Trustees and Officers were installed as part of the agency’s Annual Meeting. Judge Norman Krivosha, outgoing Federation President, was the installing officer. Richard A. Goldblatt was installed at Chair, Nancy Colodny and Scott Hansen as Vice Chairs, Susan Ritter as Treasurer, and Stuart Price as Secretary. Board members include Edward Anchel, Edwin Ezrine, Myra Friedman, Michael Greenberg, Alan S.
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Jaffe, Bobbie Katz, Deborah Kohler, Marv Lader, Barbara Levine, David Rutstein, Millie Sernovitz, Jennifer Siegal-Miller, Linda Wainick, Debby Waranch, Ellen Wollman, Leda Zbar and Judy Zickler. Richard A. Goldblatt reviewed the accomplishments of the past year and thanked the board and staff for their assistance in making the year a success. On March 4, JFCS welcomed 184 guests to the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the JFCS Senior Center. Collier County Commissioner Georgia Hiller, Naples Daily News editorial page editor Jeff Lytle, and Eileen ConnollyKeesler, Community Foundation President, offered words of congratulations and support. The JFCS Senior Center is now open three days a week, offering lunch on Wednesdays, computer classes on Wednesdays and Fridays, cards and
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & ED CTR OF SWFL
Mah Jongg on Fridays, and art classes on Monday mornings. Attendance has far exceeded expectations, certainly speaking to the need in Collier County. JFCS held its first Volunteer Appreciation Brunch on March 27, thanking over 55 volunteers for the “hands on” work they are doing supporting JFCS, particularly in work with the frail elderly and in the JFCS Senior Center. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering, please contact Melissa Kahn at 239.325.4444 or mkahn@jfcsswfl.org. Would you like to help support the JFCS Senior Center? You can spon-
sor a lunch in honor or in memory of someone, or just to celebrate something special. Luncheon sponsorships are $500 per luncheon. Would you like to sponsor scholarships for seniors to become members of the Senior Center? Memberships are $15 per year, and $150 will sponsor 10 scholarships. For more information, please contact me at 239.325.4444 or jfaffer@jfcsswfl.org. And for all of our friends heading back north, as you empty your pantries, please don’t forget about the JFCS Food Pantry. Thank you for all of your support!
CORRECTION TO APRIL FEDERATION STAR
Please note the following correction in the April 2014 issue of the Federation Star, on page 10 within the JFCS column: Temple Shalom conducts a weekly food drive with the assistance of Maxine and Harvey Brenner. Due to an editing mistake, wrong information was included. The editor regrets the error and apologizes for any confusion this may have caused.
www.holocaustmuseumswfl.org / 239-263-9200
Holocaust Museum update Amy Snyder Executive Director
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pring is here and it’s the busiest season for the education programs of the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida. It has been a jam-packed year, with afterschool programs in Immokalee, programs at three Edison State College campuses, several tours with FGCU students, and our usual array of public and private schools. In this current school year, almost 12,000 stu-
dents have already participated in our programs, with 12 schools still on the schedule before the year ends! The boxcar is on the road again and has already been from Naples to Clewiston and back. In May, the boxcar will be at North Naples Middle School and Golden Gate Middle School. What a great way to end the school year for those students! Our Holocaust survivors have spoken to students in almost 20 schools this year, helping them to understand the different experiences throughout Europe under Nazi rule. Being able to meet someone who went through the Holocaust makes a lasting impression on the students and they are encouraged to become part of that survivor’s legacy
in the years to come. The Holocaust Museum is grateful to all of our community supporters who
make these programs possible. Thank you for the difference you are making for our students!
Boxcar at North Naples Middle School
T R I U M P H
2 0 1 4
lives of purpose A huge “thank you” to all those who made Triumph 2014 – Lives of Purpose Student looking at propaganda case at the Museum
such a memorable evening! Your generous support enables us to continue educating students and visitors about the importance of respect and understanding for others. Please visit our website for news
Cypress Palm Middle School students at the Museum
The Federation Star delivers!
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on upcoming Museum programs, exhibits and events.
www.HolocaustMuseumSWFL.org
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www.HolocaustMuseumSWFL.org
4760 Tamiami Trail North • Suite 7 • Naples, FL 34103 • 239.263.9200 www.holocaustmuseumswfl.org
8
Federation Star May 2014
COMMUNITY FOCUS
Warsaw, a Story in Song inspires 1,500 local patrons By Jeff Margolis t has been written that it takes a village to raise a child. Much the same can be said about a successful fundraiser. The production of Warsaw, a Story in Song was truly a community effort that would have a difficult time being replicated. Volunteers from the Collier-Lee Chapter of Hadassah and the Catholic/ Jewish Dialogue of Collier County were organized to provide transportation for the 30 actors, musicians and crew, to and from the airport and to the various rehearsal and performance venues. Many members opened up their homes to cast members, forming long-lasting relationships in the process. Still others took the time to solicit area businesses that were eager to help by supplying meals, snacks and bottled water for the events. Even cast members themselves, realizing the importance of getting the message out about the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, came to Southwest Florida on their own dime. Some cashed in accumulated airline
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miles, others called upon family members who were airline employees to aid in their pilgrimage. Even director Jamibeth Margolis, who happens to be a Life Member of Hadassah, donated all of her time and resources to the project. The 1,500 patrons who attended the performances rose to their feet in thunderous standing ovations, giving their overwhelming approval to the musical tribute to both the actors and the heroic ghetto fighters they portrayed. For two of the participants, this project was personal. Shira Averbuch, who played the role of Esther, is a dual U.S. and Israeli citizen who recently completed her tour of duty in the IDF. Her grandmother was a survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto. Jamibeth Margolis’ grandparents, Max and Janet Moskowitz, survivors of the Holocaust, were at Auschwitz-Birkenau. The emails and phone calls following the performances came streaming in. We would like to share a few with our readers.
Warsaw director Jamibeth Margolis (center) with Rhonda Brazina and Ida Margolis, co-chairs of the event (photos courtesy Ted Epstein)
helped make the project a success. Oh, “Warsaw: a Story in Song offers yes, they prayed for good weather. More more than a story and more than a than half of the cast came from New song. It touches our sensibilities as we York, a city that had been victimized exult in the beautiful music and cry at by several paralyzing snowstorms this the poignant reminders of man’s penwinter. So with prayers and good luck, chant for inhumanity as well as man’s the New York contingent arrived on time indomitable will to fight for freedom.” and returned home safely. – Carole Greene, President, The success of Warsaw, a Story in Naples Press Club Song has brought numerous inquiries “How extraordinary! Such a wonabout having the production travel to derful statement from Ida, who is behind other cities in the United States and so many other events in our community! Canada. The message of Warsaw is Words cannot express my pride, along important to be shared with as many with so many emotions this performance people as possible and, to that extent, the left me with and that I have expressed creative team and producers are anxious to you, but, more important the pride to talk to all interested parties who wish and satisfaction you both [Jeff and Ida Margolis] must feel for helping to create these reactions in so many people.” – Lynn Weiner, President, Collier-Lee Chapter of Hadassah “I came away from the matinee performance at St. Ann’s feeling all levels of emotion. I felt sad for what our people went through…I felt uplifted by their strength and endurance to resist and fight…I felt encouraged that this Eric Morris and Jennifer Babiak (in the lead roles of Roman and Ana) during a break at rehearsals musical drama proto make a production of Warsaw a realduction exists to tell the message of ity. If you are interested, please email history in such a meaningful, creative warsawmusical@yahoo.com. and artistic way.” Proceeds from the three local per– David Willens, Executive Director, formances of Warsaw will go to HadasJewish Federation of Collier County sah and the Catholic/Jewish Dialogue of Arranging the production of Warsaw Collier County. was no small feat. In fact, the planning For those who missed this extraorbegan almost a year ago. Co-chairs Ida dinary program, you can hear some of Margolis and Rhonda Brazina worked the music and learn about the project at tirelessly to arrange for the venues, sowww.warsawthemusical.com. liciting donors, planning publicity, and recruiting the myriad of volunteers who
Cast members at a rehearsal of Warsaw: a Story in Song prior to three performances in Fort Myers and Naples for 1,500 audience members
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9 COMMUNITY FOCUS Federation Star May 2014
May 2014 Federation Star
ADL Audit: Anti-Semitic incidents decline in Florida in 2013 Anti-Defamation League, www.adl.org, April 1, 2014 ccording to the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents released today, there were 68 incidents of anti-Semitism in Florida in 2013 marking a 23 percent decrease from 88 anti-Semitic incidents captured in ADL’s Audit in 2012. The drop in anti-Semitic incidents in Florida for the fourth consecutive year coincides with the decade-long decline in anti-Semitic incidents nationwide, reaching one of the lowest levels of incidents reported by ADL since the Audit was established in 1979. The 2013 Audit reported 751 anti-Semitic incidents in the United States, a 19 percent fall from the 927 incidents reported in 2012. “This latest snapshot of anti-Semitism in Florida reflects the positive progress being made in society, and the greater acceptance that the Jewish community has found,” stated Hava Holzhauer, ADL Florida Regional Director. “While we are encouraged by the decline in the total number of antiSemitic incidents, we are once again reminded that anti-Semitism still exists. Jews are still harassed. Jewish institutions are still vandalized. We will continue to do our part in eradicating anti-Jewish bigotry through education and public awareness campaigns.”
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The annual ADL Audit includes incidents of assault, vandalism and harassment targeting Jews and Jewish property and institutions, and includes both criminal and non-criminal incidents reported to ADL’s Florida office and to law enforcement. The breakdown of incidents in Florida in 2013 includes: Harassment, threats and events: 55 incidents in 2013, compared with 68 in 2012 Vandalism: 13 incidents in 2013, compared with 22 in 2012 Assaults: 0 incidents in 2013, compared with 2 in 2012 In contrast with ADL’s national Audit, which exposed a rise in violent anti-Semitic assaults, ADL’s Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents in Florida revealed that no physical assaults against Jews were reported to ADL in 2013. Nationally, the Audit recorded a total of 31 anti-Semitic assaults on Jewish individuals or those perceived as Jewish in 2013, up from 17 in 2012. One third of anti-Semitic incidents evoked Holocaust/Nazi imagery Of particular note is an emerging trend uncovered by ADL’s Audit in Florida: one third of anti-Semitic incidents in Florida last year evoked Holocaust or Nazi imagery – a total of 24 reported incidents.
Thank you to GenShoah SWFL presenters and participants By Ida Margolis
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ike many groups in Southwest Florida, GenShoah is required to plan its programs months in advance. As we start planning for next season, I was reflecting on how many excellent presenters and events we had this season, as well as how pleased I was with the support we had from the community for our programs. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our
Temple Shalom was kind enough to allow GenShoah to use its facility to show the stirring documentary Nicky’s Family in February. Many of the 200 attendees are still talking about the emotional story of Sir Nicolas Winton’s rescue of over 660 children just before the outbreak of WWII. GenShoah was extremely fortunate to have its own member, psychiatrist
GenShoah members attending a special conference on “The Holocaust in Hungary,” held at FGCU, were (bottom row) Ida Margolis, Jeff Margolis, Shelley Lieb, (middle row) Rene Geist, Felicia Anchor, Chris Lapidus, (top row) Steve Brazina, Sam Geist, David Lapidus
presenters and participants, because as has been said, “We could not have done it without you.” Following our first business meeting, Steve Brazina showed the 2011 documentary Hitler’s Children, which was followed by a lively discussion. During our Hanukkah meeting, hosted by Shirley and Marshall Besikof, Ken and Goldie Wetcher told us about their attendance at the 20th anniversary of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and their trip to Prague, where Ken led a synagogue service. Professor Herbert Herman gave us insight into “The Destruction of Hungarian Jewry” in December. The overflow crowd in January who attended Steve Brazina’s screening of The Long Way Home agreed with Steve that the often untold story of Jewish Holocaust survivors who were moved, after WWII, into Displaced Persons’ Camps was extremely gripping and moving. Author Cami Green Hofstadter’s talk and PowerPoint presentation on “The Jews of Scandinavia During the Holocaust” was extremely interesting.
Marlene Steinberg, speak on “Surviving and Healing from Traumatic Experiences: Understanding Post-Traumatic Symptoms and Dissociation.” In March, in addition to having the opportunity to attend a special international conference on “The Holocaust in Hungary,” sponsored by the Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University, a number of GenShoah members participated in the annual Holocaust Memorial Week at Edison College. The mission of GenShoah Southwest Florida is the promotion of Holocaust education, preservation of memories of the Holocaust, connection of the Second Generation with one another, and support of the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida. If you are interested in supporting this mission, please join us at future GenShoah meetings and events. For more information about GenShoah or to suggest future program ideas, contact me at ida.margolis2@ gmail.com or 239.963.9347.
“It is disheartening that a portion of anti-Semitic incidents, which are already so hurtful, stooped to the level of using inappropriate Nazi and/or Hitler imagery thereby trivializing the memory of the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust,” stated Scott Notowitz, ADL Florida Regional Chair. “As ADL continues to safeguard the Jewish community from anti-Semitism, we also continue to work on a parallel track through the provision of much needed Holocaust education.” The following is a list of selected instances of anti-Semitic incidents that evoked Holocaust/Nazi imagery: Palmetto Bay: Flyers with images of uniformed Nazi soldiers and swastikas were leafleted by a white supremacist group on driveways, under windshield wipers and in mailboxes in the Mangowood neighborhood. (October) Coconut Creek: A Jewish teenager working at a restaurant was harassed by his employer and other staff through anti-Semitic messages and images drawn on the restaurant’s white board, including a swastika and anti-Semitic comments. (May) Clearwater: A swastika was carved into fresh concrete of a sidewalk in front of a Jewish family’s home. (March) Deerfield Beach: Swastikas, “white power,” and the word “Jew” were painted on a visible overpass in a busy area. (February) Fort Myers: Vandals scrawled large anti-Semitic swastikas and the infamous SS bolts on a quiet residential street, offending local residents. (July)
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State-By-State Totals
While the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. decreased in 2013, ADL recorded increases in some states when compared with 2012 figures, such as in Connecticut, Michigan, Ohio and Texas. Additionally, continuing a consistent trend for many years, the states with the highest totals were those with large Jewish populations. Once again, New York and California, while each experiencing declines compared to the previous year, topped the list: ¡¡ New York State, with 203 incidents in 2013, down from 248 in 2012 ¡¡ California, with 143 incidents, down from 185 ¡¡ New Jersey, with 78 incidents, down from 173 ¡¡ Florida, with 68 incidents, down from 88 ¡¡ Massachusetts, with 46 incidents, up from 38 ¡¡ Pennsylvania, with 43 incidents, up from 37
Statewide and countywide statistics Florida continues to rank fourth nationwide with the highest amount of reported anti-Semitic incidents, following three other states with large Jewish populations: California, New York and New Jersey. For a state-bystate breakdown, visit http://www. adl.org/assets/pdf/press-center/2013audit-of-anti-semitic-incidents.pdf. From a countywide perspective in Florida, the 2013 Audit revealed that a drop in incidents occurred in each county where incidents were previously reported in 2012, except for Hillsborough County where the total number of incidents remained the same over the last two years. Also noteworthy is the finding that 40 out of the 68 anti-Semitic incidents reported to ADL in 2013 took place in South Florida.
continued on next page
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Federation Star May 2014
COMMUNITY FOCUS
ADL Audit...continued from page 9 For a county-by-county breakdown, visit http://florida.adl.org/news/2013adl-audit-of-anti-semitic-incidentscountywide-statistics-in-florida/. Selected incidents in 2013: Anti-Jewish vandalism The ADL Audit recorded 13 cases of anti-Semitic vandalism in 2013, down from 22 in 2012. Vandalism incidents are individually evaluated by ADL and are categorized as anti-Semitic based on the presence of anti-Semitic symbols or language; the identity of the perpetrator(s), if known; and the target of the vandalism and its proximity to Jewish homes, communities and institutions. The 2013 Audit includes in its totals swastikas that targeted Jewish property or communal institutions. Swastikas targeting other minorities or those used out of context simply for shock value were not counted. The following is a list of selected instances of anti-Semitic vandalism in 2013: Miami Beach: Anti-Semitic and racist graffiti, including imagery such as “KKK” and the letter “A” enclosed by a circle to represent anarchy, were found on a condominium building, a youth center, a Jewish institution and a homeless outreach center all within close proximity. (December) Miami: Anti-Semitic graffiti including a swastika in front of the words “will guide you” were painted on a building adjacent to the Lubavitch Educational Center. (December) Tavernier Key: A large raw ham was thrown at the entrance of the Keys Jewish Community Center. (February) Boca Raton: A 9-foot menorah was stolen from a Rabbi’s yard. (December)
Selected incidents in 2013: Harassment, threats and events The ADL Audit recorded 55 cases of anti-Semitic harassment in 2013, down from 68 in 2012. Incidents included verbal attacks and slurs against Jewish individuals (or individuals perceived to be Jewish); anti-Semitism conveyed in written or electronic communications, including anti-Semitic cyberbullying; and anti-Semitic speeches, picketing or events. The following is a list of selected instances of anti-Semitic harassment in 2013: Tampa: Upon moving to a new neighborhood, a Jewish resident found a rolled up note in their front yard that said, “Jesus hates Jews. There are no Jews in heaven.” (October) Broward County: The website of a prominent Jewish organization was targeted for being Jewish by a Syrian hacking group through a virus that removed every page of the agency’s website, one page at a time, until the website was completely shut down. (March) Miami: A series of anti-Semitic emails were sent to a Jewish person referencing their last name embedded with links to white supremacist websites. (April) Boca Raton: A man was taken into custody after repeatedly threatening a Jewish family with antiSemitic rants. (September) Boca Raton: Dozens of KKK stickers were plastered all over stop signs and other places in the Old Floresta neighborhood. (November) Selected incidents in 2013: Anti-Semitic incidents on campus The ADL Audit reported a total of 5 incidents on college campuses in 2013, the same number of incidents reported in 2012. With nearly 40,000 Jewish
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students enrolled in Florida’s college campuses, ADL prepares college students in Florida with a broad range of preventive and reactive programs and resources to address the challenges of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel activity on campus. This past weekend, ADL was proud to co-sponsor the Future Leaders for Israel (FLI) student conference at Florida Atlantic University to promote pro-Israel advocacy on Florida college campuses, and help students identify and navigate responses for incidents of legitimate anti-Israel expressions that cross the line into overt and offensive anti-Semitism. During the conference attended by over one hundred students from college campuses across Florida, ADL presented its newly-launched interactive education program in Florida called “Words to Action: Empowering Jewish Students to Address Bias on Campus.” The following is a list of selected anti-Jewish incidents that took place on campuses in 2013: Lakeland: A student displayed a giant Nazi flag with an image of the swastika from a dorm room window on the night of the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht. (November) Orlando: A Jewish student on the campus Senate Board was asked during a meeting: “Where is your yellow star…why aren’t you wearing one?” The offender explained that without the student and their friends wearing the Jewish yellow star on their shirts, it would be hard to point them out. (October) Tampa: Students for Justice in Palestine hosted an event called, “Palestinian Nakba: Holy Land Holocaust.” (May) Gainesville: A protestor in front of the Florida Loves Israel conference held a sign declaring “What’s the difference between chosen people and master race?” (April) Anti-Semitic bullying among children and teens ADL continues to receive a troubling number of complaints about children, adolescents and teenagers engaging in anti-Semitic behavior, both on and off school grounds. These incidents include physical assaults, threats of violence, and verbal and written taunts promoting anti-Semitic stereotypes or evoking disturbing Holocaust themes.
The following is a list of selected incidents in 2013 that represent antiSemitic bullying of children, adolescents and teenagers by their peers: Miami-Dade County: An elementary school student was bullied by another student who said things such as “I am going to kick your white Jewish a--,” and “I love Hitler…too bad he didn’t get to kill all the Jews.” (January) Hollywood: During a parental meeting for a children’s soccer team, one dad said, “The damn Jews need to go f--k themselves with their religion!” (October) Internet hate a factor, but remains unquantifiable General anti-Jewish expressions on the Internet, while possibly playing a role in fomenting real-world anti-Semitism, are not counted for the purposes of the Audit unless they target a specific individual. The daunting number of online anti-Semitic events and expressions that appear on countless and fluid websites and social media outlets are virtually impossible to quantify. However, ADL does receive and address reports from community members who have seen anti-Semitic content online. In addition, when a Jewish individual is targeted personally in an online forum and feels threatened, such an incident would be included in the Audit. About the ADL Audit The Audit identifies both criminal and non-criminal acts of harassment and intimidation, including distribution of hate propaganda, threats and slurs. Compiled using information provided by victims, law enforcement and community leaders, and evaluated by ADL’s professional staff, the Audit provides an annual snapshot of one specific aspect of a nationwide problem while identifying possible trends or changes in the types of activity reported. This information assists ADL in developing and enhancing its programs to counter and prevent the spread of anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry. Founded in 1913, the Anti-Defamation League is one of the nation’s premier human relations and civil rights organizations, fighting antiSemitism and bigotry of all kinds. Visit our websites: www.adl.org and http:// florida.adl.org.
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11 Federation Star May 2014 JEWISH INTEREST
May 2014 Federation Star
11
Shave for the Brave – When there are no words By Rabbi Adam Miller
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arlier this year I shared the story of Sam Sommer, son of my colleagues Rabbis Michael and Phyllis Sommer. After a year and a half battle with acute myeloid leukemia, Sammy died at the age of 8 in December 2013. His mother blogged their story – sharing the highs and the lows (supermansamuel.blogspot.com). Tens of thousands followed their posts, feeling connected and inspired by Sammy’s journey. In November, Phyllis shared that Sammy’s cancer had reached the point of no return – there were no more treatments or options left. For those who had been drawn into Sammy’s story, our hearts broke to hear the news. Tears blurred our vision and we wondered, “How do you respond when an event like this occurs?” Tradition teaches that there are moments in life when there are simply no words. In Leviticus, we read the story of Aaron’s two sons dying while making an offering with alien fire on the altar. When Aaron hears of their deaths, the
text simple reads, “Vayidom Aharon – And Aaron was silent.” When there are no words, there can still be action. Thus, Shave for the Brave began, inspired by Sammy. The plan was to find 36 rabbis willing to shave their heads to raise awareness of pediatric cancer and research funds to fight it. Organized through www.stbaldricks. org, we set an initial goal of $180,000 and planned to shave our heads on April 1 in Chicago at the Central Conference of American Rabbis’ (CCAR) annual convention. By the time April 1 arrived, more than 70 rabbis, including 10 women, had signed up. We had smashed our original objective and had raised more than $570,000 (with a new goal of $613,000 in our sights). Emotions ran the gamut as we gathered that night for the big shave. Preceded by a moving healing service, we watched with tears in our eyes as Michael and Phyllis stepped up to the stage with the first group and had their hair shaved off. They descended to hugs, kisses and tears from family and friends.
Once they were finished, others began to ascend the stage. When it came time for my turn, the moment felt surreal. As the warm clipper touched the back of my neck, I thought about Sammy and
Rabbi Adam Miller after shaving his head
the beautiful lessons he taught through his life. Images and memories of close friends and loved ones who had died from cancer danced before my eyes. My hair fell all around me as I reflected on
those to whom I provide spiritual support as they continue to battle various forms of cancer. Shaving my head to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer is an insignificant loss. My hair will return. More importantly we brought Sammy’s story and awareness of pediatric cancer across the country. The money we raised will allow the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to provide six research grants in the field of pediatric cancer. Beyond all those accomplishments, the greatest moment for me happened as I walked off the stage, my head now bare. Before my feet hit the ground, I found myself embraced by Michael and Phyllis. A moment when no words were needed. A couple of weeks before his death, Sammy told his parents, “I want to do something amazing before I die.” Sammy, we are all trying to live up to that ideal. To do something amazing, and to honor the legacy that you have left us.
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.
Rabbi Adam Miller (center) at the Shave for the Brave event in Chicago
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12
JEWISH INTEREST
Federation Star May 2014
Murder mystery follows a young reporter into Ultra-Orthodox Judaism’s closed world By Philip K. Jason, Special to the Federation Star Invisible City, by Julia Dahl. Minotaur. 304 pages. Hardcover $24.99. ebekah Roberts, about three years out of journalism school, is a stringer for a New York tabloid, the Tribune. She hustles around on various assignments trying to please her bosses and build a career. Her social life is built around other University of Central Florida grads who have made it to the big Phil Jason city. It’s deep winter in New York when on one freezing day Rebekah is asked to check out a gruesome story – a woman has been found naked in a Brooklyn scrap metal yard. As Rebekah attempts to question neighborhood people and find possible witnesses, we see how unskilled she still is in framing questions and taking notes. No, she’s not a basket case, but she has a long way to go. In fact, she’s learning on the job, making her mistakes and striving to overcome them. She is also learning about herself in expected and unexpected ways. The deceased is identified as the thirty-year-old wife of a prominent member of the Hasidic community – the very man who owns the scrap metal yard. The police investigation seems compromised, and – as one expects in this Orthodox Jewish community – there is no autopsy planned. Rather, a time-honored rush to burial. Moreover, the investigation seems to have been
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taken over by the Shomrim, the comHer quest, now connected munity’s own quasi-police force. This to unraveling the murder mysgroup of guardians not only protects tery, is aided by several other lives and oversees observance of Jewpeople. One is a social workish religious laws and proprieties, but er named Sara Wyman, who it also protects reputations. helps “questioning” OrthoRebekah feels that the activities of dox women find support and the Shomrim and the seeming inactivdirection. Another is Malka ity of the police force are both inexcusGrossman, connected to able. Where is the search for truth and the Jewish funeral home justice? The fact that Aron Mendelsthat prepared the body for sohn, widower of the murdered womburial. She allows Rebekah an, bankrolls the Shomrim, suggests a (whom she calls Rivka) to compromised investigation. inspect the body in the presence of the At the beginning of this assignOrthodox policeman, Saul Katz. They ment, Rebekah’s curiosity seems as discover blunt force trauma as the numb as her fingers and toes. Only probable cause of death. slowly and cautiously does she engage. And yet Malka, who has imporPerhaps this is because she’s afraid tant information, is another person not of coming too close to the world her interviewed by the police. She is coumother was raised in – a mother who rageous enough to go on the record abandoned her soon after giving birth. with Rebekah, offering as well the More and more, her reporter instinct information that Mrs. Mendelssohn’s and her need to explore her personal infant daughter was also a victim of history charge her blunt force trauma. curiosity and push Saul is instrumenher forward. tal to several other disRebekah, who coveries that Rebekah was raised in Florimakes in the course of da by her non-Jewher fact-finding. Among ish father and gets these is the existence of along with him faira “safe house” in Coly well, never gets ney Island for the same quite enough infor“questioning” women mation out of him. who are helped by Sara. She doesn’t know Rebekah finds this place whether her mother and learns much from is living or dead. those who seek shelFilled with quester and companionship Julia Dahl (credit Chasi Annexy) tions about why there. Saul is the only she was abandoned and just who her person, besides Rebekah’s father, who mother is, Rebekah accepts her inherknew her mother, Aviva. He had met ited Jewishness though she has almost her at that safe house. no knowledge of its traditions. Eventually, Rebekah’s reporting
and her persistence moves the case forward, with suspenseful twists and turns, to a surprising conclusion. Among the many intriguing aspects of Invisible City is Julia Dahl’s authoritative (she’s been there) portrait of the newspaper stringer’s world. The crisp telephone exchanges between Rebekah, her colleagues, and superiors involved in covering the story make this world come alive, and with it Rebekah’s anxieties, determination and the texture of her daily life. Dahl’s portrait of the Ultra-Orthodox community is on balance unsympathetic, though not excessively so. She explores with sufficient nuance the benefits and disadvantages of being raised in a closed world. However, the book’s heart is the young, fumbling reporter indirectly searching for her lost mother. I’m smitten by her striving to deepen her professional savvy. Rebekah’s assignment takes her into a world at once foreign and yet, ironically, the home of the secrets she must pierce. Philip K. Jason is Professor Emeritus of English from the United States Naval Academy. He reviews regularly for Florida Weekly, Jewish Book World, Southern Literary Review, and other publications. Please visit Phil’s website at www.philjason.wordpress.com.
To reach the editor of the Federation Star, send an email to fedstar18@gmail.com.
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13 Federation JEWISH INTEREST Star May 2014
May 2014 Federation Star
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Annual Breaking the Glass Ceiling Awards at JMOF-FIU honors four inspiring women
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our women will be honored on Sunday, April 27 at Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU’s 18th Annual Breaking the Glass Ceiling Awards ceremony. The Award Reception and Ceremony features presentations made by the honorees, describing the obstacles and inspirations they encountered on their individual journeys to success. This year’s honorees are Iris Acker, Melissa Fronstin, Susan D. Kronick and Dr. Zena Lansky. The Museum is proud to recognize these women as examples to others to aim for the stars, and to welcome them into our prestigious group of more than 80 Breaking the Glass Ceiling honorees to date. “This event is always an uplifting experience,” said Tamra Sheffman, a chair of the award committee. “We especially encourage students to attend, as it is such an inspiration to hear these women’s personal stories of their often rocky paths to success.” Iris Acker (Hallandale, Florida) broke through the glass ceiling nearly 30 years ago, when she served as the executive producer and host of the local arts program On Stage with Iris Acker. She was also the first woman president of the South Florida Chapter of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), in an era before women were accepted
within these organizations’ leadership roles. Melissa Fronstin (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is a forerunner in the sports arena management business, an industry that continues to be dominated by men. In 1987, she became the first Director of Sales and Marketing for South Florida’s original entertainment facility, Miami Arena, which was home to the Miami Heat, Florida Panthers and live entertainment events including concerts and family shows. In 2011, Melissa’s career came full-circle when she was named the first woman arena director of the 4,500-seat Don Taft Arena at Nova Southeastern University. Susan Kronick (Miami, Florida) has had a distinguished 37-year career in retail management. Her climb to the top of the corporate ladder began at Bloomingdale’s, where she rose to senior executive Vice President of Stores. In 1997, she was named chairwoman and CEO of Burdines in Miami. In 2010, she retired as vice chairwoman of Macy’s, Inc., a 25 billion dollar company, where she was responsible for all Macy’s divisions and Bloomingdale’s nationwide.
Dr. Zena Lansky (Clearwater, Florida) is a woman of “firsts.” She was the first woman to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine (1967); the first female surgical resident at NYU’s Bellevue Hospital, where she rose to become its first female Chief Surgical Resident; the first female surgeon at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater and its first female surgeon to be named Chief of Surgery; the first female member on Plant Hospital’s Medical Executive Committee; and the first female general surgeon in Florida. Dr. Lansky’s career highlights include establishing a nationally recognized Patient Nutrition Program and developing the G-Tube, a device that allows a pump to add liquid food directly into the stomach. This device alone is credited with keeping tens of thousands of nutritionally-challenged people around the world alive. A true philanthropist, Dr. Lansky has made significant contributions to organizations in the
Tampa Bay area. She and her husband are co-founders of the Annual Not for Profit Workshop, the largest nonprofit educational event in the state, and she is a valued member of the Florida Holocaust Museum’s Leadership Council. Thank you to our Event Sponsors: Isabel Bernfeld Anderson, Commissioner Sally Heyman, Kenneth Bloom in memory of Ilse Posner, Ruth Greenfield, and Lori Gold & Allan Hall. About JMOF-FIU: The Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of 250 years of Florida Jewish heritage, arts and culture. The museum is housed in two adjacent, lovingly restored historic buildings at 301 Washington Avenue on South Beach, that were once synagogues for Miami Beach’s first Jewish congregation. The museum’s permanent exhibition is MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida, 1763 to Present. Current exhibitions are Growers, Grocers, and Gefilte Fish: A Gastronomic Look at Florida Jews & Food and CINEMA JUDAICA: The War Years, 19391949 (on view through October 5 and August 24, 2014, respectively). For more information, call 305.672.5044 or visit www.jewishmuseum.com.
JAHM announces 2014 theme: American Jews and Tikkun Olam: Healing the World ewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), a national commemoration of the contributions that American Jews have made to the fabric of our nation’s history, culture and society, announces the theme for the May 2014 celebration. This year, honoring the 100th anniversary of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), JAHM celebrates American Jews who have made significant contributions to humanitarian causes, social justice, medical and scientific research, community-building and philanthropy. JAHM is pleased to partner in this milestone year with JDC, which remains the essential Jewish international humanitarian organization, putting into action the precept that all Jews are responsible for one another and for all humankind. Since JDC’s founding in 1914 at the outset of WWI, the organization’s ten decades of rescue, poverty alleviation, Jewish community development, leadership training and cultivation, social innovation, and disaster relief work has benefited millions of people and transformed countless lives in Israel and more than 90 countries. Visitors to the JAHM website, www.jahm.us, will find educational resources directly related to the 2014 theme. A simple click on photos on the home page will link to information provided by the JDC and other institutions. “Speaking of Being Jewish,” JAHM’s online resource for speakers who can be contacted for JAHM
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community events and programs, this year includes JDC’s medical director, Dr. Rick Hodes, and JDC disaster relief expert and assistant executive vice president, Dr. William Recant, among other scholars and authors whose area of expertise is American Jewish heritage and history. The interactive website also features a calendar listing of JAHM events and programs nationwide. This year’s JAHM celebration also features a special partnership with its founding corporate sponsor, Manischewitz. The company is releasing limited-run packaging on each of its five matzo boxes inside 5-lb packages. The matzo boxes feature fun facts about notable Jewish American inventors, comedians, historical figures and more. Each of the five boxes offers a different set of stories. The matzo boxes also feature Passover in America: Historical Perspectives, a full-color compilation of 18 documents, letters, recipes, newspaper articles and photographs from the rich collections of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives. Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is a national month of recognition of the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture, celebrated in May. JAHM acknowledges the achievements of Jewish Americans in fields ranging from sports and arts and entertainment to medicine, business, science, government and military service.
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14
Federation Star May 2014
Jerusalem Post Crossword Puzzle
JEWISH INTEREST
The tragedy of the St. Louis By Paul R. Bartrop, PhD
n May 13, 1939, a German luxury cruise ship, the St. Louis, set sail from Hamburg carrying 937 German Jews who were seeking refuge abroad. As this event took place precisely 75 years ago this month, it is likely that there will be a number of reminders in the Jewish press and elsewhere to remind us of the tragDr. Paul Bartrop edy that unfolded. Given this, it is appropriate that we recall the facts of what happened, and why this voyage is worth remembering. The Kristallnacht of November 1938 was, for many Jews, the final prod needed to realize that no accommodation could be reached with Nazism. If ever there was a time to leave, it was now. However, the inhibitions to successful emigration were many, not the least of which was a hardening of attitudes in countries around the world to the admission of Jews. Visas were
following a request of Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau Jr. Far from seeking to deny the St. Louis entry, he was concerned for the passengers’ welfare, and wanted the ship followed in case a change in government policy would allow it to land. He was practically alone, however, as the government was not about to retreat from its stated position. American Jewish organizations, such as the Joint Distribution Committee, then worked feverishly on the refugees’ behalf. Knowing that the U.S. option was unlikely to be successful, pleas were made to secure admission to any Western Hemisphere country. Again, none of these amounted to anything. With little other alternative available, and with both food stocks and patience dwindling, the ship turned around. First, it left American waters and returned to Cuba, and then, a few days later, the captain, following orders from the ship’s German owners, made the decision to return to Europe. The St. Louis docked at Antwerp, Belgium, on June 17, The story of the St. Louis has become 1939. After further symbolic of the failure of the countries negotiations involvof the Americas to assist the Jews of ing the Joint DistriNazi Germany in their hour of need, a bution Committee, most of the Jews on symbol brought into even starker relief board were accepted by the legitimacy of the documentation for temporary refuge by a number of counthe refugees possessed. tries including Britain often practically unachievable, and the (228 refugees), Belgium (214), France speed with which they were needed – (224) and the Netherlands (181). given that lives were on the line – only Of those admitted into Britain, all served to place further obstacles in but one survived World War II – a victhe path of German and Austrian Jews tim of a German air raid in 1940. After seeking sanctuary. the Nazis ran all over Western Europe, For those who managed to obtain however, many of the others did not passage on the St. Louis, therefore, this share the fate of those who went to seemed to be not only their best chance the U.K. Nearly ninety managed to to leave Germany, but also their opemigrate before the German invasion portunity to start a new life in a free of Western Europe in May 1940, but country. some 532 St. Louis passengers were When the ship left Hamburg, its trapped when Germany conquered destination was Havana, Cuba. AddWestern Europe. Among the 254 who ing to the optimism of those on board, were murdered subsequently, 84 had it had been arranged that most of the been granted refuge in Belgium, 84 in Jewish passengers would have visas Holland and 86 in France. enabling them to land temporarily Their heartbreaking fate was to bewhile they obtained permanent resicome victims of the Holocaust – a fate dence elsewhere. they could have escaped had their iniUpon their arrival, however, the tial visas been accepted and the gates president of Cuba, Federico Laredo of the refuge they had sought not been Bru, refused the ship permission to barred. dock; under such circumstances, the The story of the St. Louis has bepassengers would be unable to land. come symbolic of the failure of the In an attempt at making profit from the countries of the Americas to assist the refugees’ plight, Bru demanded a payJews of Nazi Germany in their hour ment of 500,000 U.S. dollars as an enof need, a symbol brought into even try fee. After a great deal of hesitation, starker relief by the legitimacy of the negotiation and standoff, only 22 Jews documentation the refugees possessed. were permitted to land. The definitive study of their nightmare, What made the situation even more written by Gordon Thomas and Max intolerable was the fact that some sevMorgan Witts in 1974, was entitled en hundred of the refugees possessed Voyage of the Damned. In light of subUnited States immigration quota numsequent events, it might be said that bers that would have seen them eligino truer statement, embedded within a ble for entry to the U.S. at some point book title, could have been made. within the next three years. Of course, the death factories of Denied entry to Cuba, and with no 1942 and 1943 could not have been other alternative but to leave, the ship foreseen in 1939, but the desperate turned towards the Florida coast in the plight of the refugees should have gendesperate hope that the refugees might erated some measure of official comperhaps negotiate with the American passion in this country and elsewhere. Seventy-five years later, it is to be authorities for an earlier entry. The government of President hoped that their ordeal was not in vain, Franklin D. Roosevelt, however, was and that, should the scenario ever be adamant: no early admissions, no landrepeated, a different outcome will be ing of refugees, and no docking of the forthcoming. St. Louis. Some accounts refer to vesDr. Paul Bartrop is Professor of Hissels from the U.S. Coast Guard having tory and the Director of the Center for been ordered to intercept the ship so as Judaic, Holocaust, and Genocide Studto ensure that it would not enter U.S. ies at Florida Gulf Coast University. territorial waters. In reality, however, He can be reached at pbartrop@fgcu. edu. the Coast Guard had actually been sent
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By David Benkof, DavidBenkof@gmail.com
Solution on page 29
Every clue in this puzzle is Jewish-themed! Across 1. “The Kept Man” novelist Attenberg 5. Bedouin, e.g. 10. Gefilte fish fish 14. The Talmud discusses what happens if they gore cows 15. It’s next to an egg on the seder plate 16. Riding Noah’s Ark 17. Dorsal ___ (type of circumcision) 18. Polish king kind to the Jews 20. “Mein ___” (Kander/Ebb song from “Cabaret”) 21. Letters replaced with “Der Yiddisher” in the title of some productions of “Pinafore” 22. Ellis is a famous one in American Jewish history 23. ___ Blue (Olivia Newton-John’s onetime clothing chain) 25. “Jewish ___ Second Language” by Molly Katz 26. Alternative to the anti-Semitic explanation for the Black Death 28. Those who took the humiliating “Oath More Judaico” in European Jewish history 33. Some of what used to be a red heifer 34. Prominent LA rabbi Kanefsky 36. ___ House (Warsaw structure built for an Israeli writer) 37. Kind of rock for Gene Simmons 39. Deborah Jiang Stein’s “Even Tough Girls Wear ___” 41. Chumash number 42. Purim feeling 44. Theodor Herzl was known as the Jewish one 46. Israeli calendar start-up bought by Apple for $40 million 47. Rube Goldberg was a Jewish one 49. Synagogue name in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Omaha, and New Rochelle 51. Every rabbi before Regina Jonas 52. 2005 Gwyneth Paltrow movie about math 53. “The ___ Regime,” by Betty Behrens 57. Neckwear for Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz 58. Kind of “seafood” in kosher sushi 61. One way into the Old City 63. Verb for Shabbat afternoon 64. Sea bordering the territory of the Khazars 65. Kind of kosher gum 66. Kvelling comment: “I ___ proud!” 67. Ofer Shechter is this kind of Israeli model 68. Dirt ___ (Simon Rex persona) 69. Big problem in Eric Garcetti’s city
Down 1. Charles who plays Will in “The Good Wife” 2. Part of the vehicle invented by Siegfried Marcus 3. Kach party founder 4. JDate arranges them 5. Jerusalem neighborhood of the Machane Yehuda market 6. He got 70 percent of the 2012 Jewish vote 7. “Jewish Renaissance in the Russian Revolution” author Kenneth 8. “___ v’atah” (Israeli song about “you and I will change the world”) 9. Chevra Kadisha concern 10. Astronomer Sagan 11. Eilat’s location, if you want to be technical 12. Expert at Latin-American Jews Raanan 13. Exchanged money at the deli 19. Chess master Mazel 24. Singer-songwriter Winehouse (“Back to Black”) 25. Dustin Hoffman’s Ishtar, notoriously 26. It’s inside the volcanos in the Golan 27. A major religion in Israel 28. ___ Hill University (location of the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education) 29. Jerry Seinfeld-produced TV series “The Marriage ___” 30. Author of the 1956 book “The Art of Loving” 31. “Sondheim on Sondheim,” e.g. 32. Prolific author Danielle 35. “Suddenly ___” (TV show with Judd Nelson) 38. Immense Jerusalem yeshiva 40. Goal of the residents of LA’s Beit T’Shuvah 43. 1999 film “___ & Jaguar” 45. Nazi lead-in 48. “Heaven Can Wait” Oscar nominee Dyan 50. She hosted a Paris salon with Stein 52. French for “katan” 53. Artist in 3-D 54. Arlo Guthrie’s sister 55. Org. of Rabbi Jill Hammer and Rabbi Joseph Telushkin 56. Eric whose show “Spamalot” had a song about how Broadway success requires Jews 57. Some rooms at Barnes-Jewish Hospital 59. Crypto-Jews (___ known as Marranos) 60. eJewishPhilanthropy, e.g. 62. Vilna’s most famous Jewish sage, initially
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15 Federation Star May 2014 JEWISH INTEREST
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Federation Star May 2014
Stars of David
By Nate Bloom, Contributing Columnist Editor’s note: Persons in BOLD CAPS are deemed by Nate Bloom to be Jewish for the purpose of the column. Persons identified as Jewish have at least one Jewish parent and were not raised in a faith other than Judaism – and don’t identify with a faith other than Judaism as an adult. Converts to Judaism, of course, are also identified as Jewish. Major League Hebrews, 2014 Edition The following list was prepared with the help of Jewish Sports Review magazine. The following Jewish players were on a major league roster as of April 2, 2014: RYAN BRAUN, 30, outfielder, Milwaukee; CRAIG BRESLOW , 33, pitcher, Boston; IKE DAVIS, 27, first base, N.Y. Mets; SCOTT FELDMAN, 31, pitcher, Houston; SAM FULD, 32, outfielder, Oakland; RYAN KALISH, 26, outfielder, Chicago Cubs; IAN KINSLER, 31, second base, Detroit; JOSH SATIN, 29, infielder, N.Y. Mets; DANNY VALENCIA, 29, third base, Kansas City. All these players have at least one Jewish parent and all were raised either Jewish or secular. There are about five other Jewish players now in the high minor leagues that are likely to see some major league playing time this year. Catching Up with TV Hebrews There are so many ways, these days, to catch-up with an already-aired TV show (DVR, encore showings, online) that a post-facto heads-up usually isn’t too late anymore. Maybe you weren’t aware that the hit Comedy Central show, Inside Amy Schumer, began its second season on Tuesday, April 1. There are more and longer sketches this season and AMY SCHUMER, 32, has more well-known guest stars, including RACHEL DRATCH, 48, ZACH BRAFF, 38, and JOSH CHARLES, 42. (Obviously, Charles has a TV life after the shocking death of his character on The Good Wife.) Schumer was a guest-star on the second episode (aired
first on Sunday, April, 20), of the new Comedy Central series, Comedy Central Underground with Dave Attell. This eight-episode series airs at 1:00 a.m., Sunday morning, so the three or four comedian guests (per episode) can perform a virtually uncensored standup act. Expect most of them to be quite graphic, like host ATTELL, 49. The Showtime series, Californication, has never shied away from graphic content. The seventh and final season of the comedy/drama about a semi outof-control writer (played by DAVID DUCHOVNY, 53) began on Sunday, April 13, and runs through this June. Three of the main Californication supporting characters are played by Jewish actors (PAMELA ADLON, 47, STEPHEN TOBOLOWSKY, 62, and EVAN HANDLER, 53) and the romantic triangle that has linked these actors’ characters continues this season. Duchovny, by the way, is already set to start filming a 13-part NBC series called Aquarius. The time period is the late ’60s and Duchovny plays a cop who becomes aware of the Manson gang before they became infamous. Premiering on Tuesday, April 15 (10:00 p.m.) was the new, 10-episode FX cable series, Fargo, based loosely on the COEN brothers’ Oscar-winning film of the same name. Billy Bob Thornton plays a manipulative drifter who meets a small-town Minnesota insurance salesman and sets him on a path of destruction. Co-stars include ADAM GOLDBERG, 43, and JOEY KING, 14. Premiering on Thursday, April 24, at 9:30 p.m., was the CBS
JEWISH INTEREST
Interested in Your Family’s History? Ten years of doing a Jewish celebrities column has turned Nate Bloom (see column at left) into something of an expert on finding basic family history records and articles mentioning a “searched-for” person. During these 10 years, he has put together a small team of “mavens” who aid his research. Most professional family history experts charge at least $1,000 for a full family tree. However, many people just want to get “started” by tracing one particular family branch.
So here’s the deal: Email Nate at nteibloom@aol.com, tell him you saw this ad in the Federation Star, and include your phone number (area code, too). Nate will then contact you about doing a “limited” family history for you at a modest cost (no more than $100). No upfront payment. sit-com, Bad Teacher. It, too, is loosely based on a film of the same name. ARI GRAYNOR, 30, a favorite actress of mine, stars as a former trophy wife who masquerades as a teacher in order to find another rich husband – her ex-husband left her penniless. The co-stars are talented: Kristin Davis of Sex in the City, David Alan Grier and SARA GILBERT, 39. Secret to a Long Life: Tongue-in-Cheek Advice Mickey Rooney was certainly not Jewish, but he was a very talented man. When he died, age 93, on April 6, I remembered that famous clarinetist ARTIE SHAW, who died in 2004, was just a little over ten years older than Rooney. In other words, they lived almost exactly the same lifespan. Moreover, they both were married eight times and both were married to Ava Gardner. So, friends, the secret to a long life is eight marriages and one has to be to the gorgeous Gardner.
Mila and Ashton You’ve probably heard that MILA KUNIS, 30, and Ashton Kutcher, 36, have confirmed that she is pregnant and that they are engaged to be married. The odd thing is that Kutcher, who isn’t Jewish, knows more about Judaism and Jewish religious practice than Kunis. Kunis, who is Jewish, didn’t have much of a formal religious background, while Kutcher has picked up a lot of Jewish knowledge (including some real fluency in Hebrew) while attending the Kabbalah Centre for the last decade. He has also visited Israel a number of times on religious and business trips. Call it a hunch, but my sense, based on a lot of Kutcher/Kunis watching, is that Kutcher’s affiliation with the controversial Kabbalah Centre will result in Kunis – and her child – being quite involved in mainstream Jewish religious practice.
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17 Federation TRIBUTES / BUSINESS DIRECTORY Star May 2014
Tributes
May 2014 Federation Star
17
Tributes require a minimum donation of $18.
Tributes to the Federation Campaign
To: Saundra & Erwin Neiman In honor of your son’s wedding From: Louise & Sidney Kaye
To: The Family of Abe Price In memory of your beloved From: Jean E. Morrison
To: Dena & Jerry Robbins & Family In memory of your beloved grandson, Max Robbins From: Rita Bernstein & Mort Sapkin Barbara & Arnold Karp David Willens Carol Kimmel
To: Pauline Grossel & Family In memory of your beloved husband, Stanley Grossel From: Rhoda Balk
To: From:
To: Barbara Blumenfeld & Family In memory of your beloved husband, Norman Blumenfeld From: Sonia V. Boodman
To: Sherry Welsh & Family In memory of your beloved, Neal Welsh From: Ida & Jeff Margolis
To: From:
Janis Siegel & Family In memory of your beloved husband, Dr. Saul Siegel Doralu & Frank Chanen
To: Gail Ufberg In honor of your very special birthday From: Gracia Kuller To: From:
Paulette Margulies Gracias, Paulette. You made our season in paradise even more special. The 2014 Español Divas
To: Diane & Joel Treewater Mazel Tov on the birth of your grandson, Henry From: Jacqueline & Lucian Sitwell To: From:
All the grandchildren of Rochelle Baron In their honor. That I can make a difference in the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign to help other children in need of help. Rochelle Baron
To: From:
Susan & Bob Schwartz In appreciation of your friendship and warm hospitality Rosalee & Jerry Bogo
To: David Willens & Family Thank you for all you do From: WCA Board of Directors
To: From:
Alvin Becker In honor of being elected President of the Jewish Federation Helen & Dr. Edward Rosenthal
Geana Madison & Family In memory of your beloved husband, Dr. Leonard Madison David Willens
To: Sheldon Levin In honor of your special birthday From: Gail & Dr. Melvin Ufberg
The Jewish Federation of Collier County extends condolences to: • • • • • • •
The family of Madeleine Michaels on the passing of their beloved Dottie Lipschultz & Family on the passing of her beloved sister, Ada Rubenstein Rennie Spanier & Family on the passing of her beloved husband, Donald Spanier Roslyn Schneider & Family on the passing of her beloved husband, Bernard Schneider Geana Madison & Family on the passing of her beloved husband, Dr. Leonard Madison Sandy & Leonard Schuman & Family on the passing of Sandy’s beloved mother, Belle Weinberger The family of Anne Frankel on the passing of their beloved
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Federation Star May 2014
ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD
Your favorite TV show was probably conceived in Israel MIPTV is saluting the phenomenal international success of Israeli television formats at this year’s prestigious conference in Cannes. By Viva Sarah Press, ISRAEL21c, www.israel21c.org, April 6, 2014 sraeli TV content is such a hot ticket today that MIPTV 2014 – the world’s “most powerful and prestigious market and creative incubator for content on every screen” – is dedicating a special event, “Focus on Israel TV.IL,” to exploring the international success of Israeli TV at its April 7-10 event in Cannes. Two sessions – “How to Create Successful Scripted Formats/Dramas” and “Israeli Innovation Seminar: From Startup to TV” – will focus on the Jewish state. Avi Nir, CEO of Israel’s Keshet Media Group, will give a keynote address on how to drive television innovation in the digital age. Yoni Bloch, CEO and cofounder of Israel’s Interlude, will head a panel on how content creators can help the entertainment industry engage kids in digital media. Top Israeli formats now screening around the world are Rising Star, Prisoners of War/Homeland, Hostages and I Can Do That. That’s not to belittle the likes of New York, Little Mom, Magic Malabi Express, The Ran Quadruplets, Mom and Dadz or Only One Knows,
I
Hostages
among many other international shows based on Israeli formats. “The Israeli market is a very creative one, and we see it in more than just the TV industry,” says Avi Armoza, CEO of Armoza Formats. “Israel is known as the startup
nation, and is incredibly advanced in the fields of high-tech, medicine and R&D across various sectors. Much like with these industries, Israel is rapidly becoming well known for its creativity in the TV formats industry. Every sucAvi Armoza has cess helps the next the winning touch for TV formats format and gives confidence to broadcasters that Israeli formats can, and will, travel well,” he tells ISRAEL21c. According to Eurodata TV Worldwide, more than 60 percent of entertainment programming launched in Israel in 2013 was original production, as were 50% of fiction series. And that has international producers tuning in to Israeli originality. “The Israeli audiovisual industry combines innovation and creativity with the cutting-edge use of new technologies to better engage the audience around programming. As the world’s leading event dedicated to content development and new creative trends, it is opportune that MIPTV should host this special focus on Israel,” says Laurine Garaude, director of the television division at Reed MIDEM, producer of MIPTV. Not lost in translation Homeland (Prisoners of War/Hatufim) is Israel’s biggest success in a local format converted to an international one. However, for the last decade, Israel’s production houses have been innovating and creating content for the global audience.
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Featured at MIPTV will be the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute, Keshet International, Dori Media, Armoza Formats, Satlink Communications, HOT, Acappella – The Big Picture, The Box/Screenz, Reshet, United Studios of Israel, YES, United King Films (TELAD), Invest in Israel – Ministry of Economy, Talit Communications, i24news, Ananey Communications, and Gil Productions. Armoza Formats, the pioneer of Israeli formats sold abroad, last year signed 135 new international deals involving 37 formats across all genres. The company has a catalogue of 60plus formats, and currently more than 60 productions taking place in about 30 countries. “There are three main reasons that these regions are looking to Israeli formats,” Armoza tells ISRAEL21c. “The first is that Israeli culture is very comfortable with risk-taking and living with uncertainty. The formats industry is the business of not knowing – no matter what you do, you can never know 100% that a format will be a success. Therefore being relatively comfortable working with uncertain situations helps in taking the risks that are necessary to creating successful formats. “The second key success factor lies in the budgetary restrictions of the market. While the Israeli market doesn’t work with the same budget levels as some other countries, the viewers here are accustomed to seeing incredibly well-produced shows. Therefore, we have gained the experience and knowledge on how to be creative with our solutions and produce cost-effective shows that still have the appearance of big-budget productions, making them more accessible and attractive to other territories,” he says. Jonathan Baruch, of Rain Management Group/StoryBy Entertainment in the U.S., concurs. “Israelis produce TV shows for a very modest budget so they have to focus on characters and stories,” he tells ISRAEL21c. “It’s not about loud noises and explosions. People are demanding smarter programming.” Plotlines about real people constitute the third reason Israeli content is in high demand, says Armoza. “There seems to be something in the essence of Israeli dramas that makes them appealing to viewers. People respond well to the combination of stories of everyday, real people within the setting of a greater social and national drama,” he says. The strength of Israeli storylines is crucial for adaptation to foreign audiences. After U.S. broadcasters announced that they were picking up formats for New York, Little Mom and Magic Malabi Express, Dori Media Group CEO Nadav Palti said: “These formats can be easily adapted to other cultures across all continents, so we hope this international success can be extended in the future.” Armoza Formats marked new territory when the BBC and Canal+ purchased rights to Hostages (a 10-part thriller about a surgeon’s family taken hostage in order to coerce the doctor to assassinate the prime minister on the operating table) and picked it up as a ready-made format – making it their first Israeli drama to air in Hebrew with English subtitles. Reality and game shows In addition, Armoza says, producers are always looking for new game
shows and unique reality television series. Israeli content creators happily watched CBS pick up The Money Pump and NBC snag Who’s Still Standing? game shows. ABC snatched the reality series Rising Star and Shixi Media snapped up Master Class and Girlfriends. Among the hyped shows set to be unveiled at MIPTV are Keshet’s Boom! – a trivia game replete with a fake bomb that explodes when an incorrect answer is given; and The Big Picture – in which home viewers vie for $1 million with in-studio players. Armoza will unveil Runway In My Closet, a fashion-related game show; Pull Over, an on-location game show
Pull Over
where owners of old vehicles can win a brand new car; and Celebrity Battle, a music-based prime-time format with a twist. In fact, Armoza is bringing nine
Celebrity Battle
new formats to MIPTV, ranging from game shows to drama. “We look to provide the type of shows that our clients need, but within a format that they would have never expected,” Armoza says. “This MIPTV, we are focusing on these in-demand genres, bringing them to the table with a fresh perspective.” An MIPTV session called “Business Opportunities in Israel” will no doubt ring in new business deals. Filming in Israel It took a team of 150 Dutch builders and craftspeople just 10 days to recreate Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s palace in Israel. The set is part of the $30 million production of FX’s new drama, Tyrant, now filming in Kfar Saba 20 minutes from Tel Aviv. The big-budget Tyrant is part of a new trend of filming shows on location in Israel. The first was last year’s Dig filmed by NBCUniversal in Jerusalem. Tyrant is even grander. In addition to the set, the 12-acre Kfar Saba compound includes two studios, dining tents and dressing rooms. The municipality will receive about $145,000 in rent and property tax, as well as educational and cultural events for residents courtesy of the production company. The big screen is also part of the trend. Natalie Portman is in town filming her directorial debut based on A Tale of Love and Darkness, while the Chinese romantic comedy Old Cinderella filmed in Israel in 2013. Segments of Homeland also were filmed locally. Viva Sarah Press is an associate editor and writer at ISRAEL21c. She has extensive experience in reporting/editing in the print, online and broadcast fields. She has jumped out of a plane, ducked rockets and been attacked by a baboon all in the name of a good story. Her work has been published by international media outlets including Israel Television, CNN, Reuters, The Jerusalem Post and Time Out.
For lots of useful stuff, visit www.jewishnaples.org.
19 Federation Star May 2014 ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD
May 2014 Federation Star
Canadian report on Jewish refugees could be important first step to peace ’nai Brith Canada commended Canadian members of Parliament who joined together across party lines on March 26 to concur with the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development Report on Jewish Refugees from Arab Lands. By doing so, Canada becomes only the second country, along with the Jewish State of Israel itself, to recognize the plight of over 850,000 Jews who were forced to flee Arab countries from 1948 on. Under the rules of the House, a motion to concur marks the endorsement of the report as a whole – a report which contained two recommendations. However, Mark Adler, MP for York Centre, rose to explain that the Government, while prepared to support
B
the first recommendation that Canada officially recognize the experience of Jewish refugees, could not at this time support the second recommendation, which called for the inclusion of this historical fact in the current Middle East peace negotiations. Frank Dimant, CEO of B’nai Brith Canada stated, “This recognition is an important first step on the road to a true and lasting peace. However, the job is not done until this recognition is put into practice. It would be most disappointing to see this become another report that is left on the shelf. At least 100 UN resolutions have been passed referring explicitly to the fate of the Palestinian refugees. Not one has specifically addressed Jewish refugees.” “The Time is now right for the Government of Canada to continue to
show its leadership role on the international front by first updating its own Policy on Key Issues in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, which as it now reads makes no mention of the plight of Jewish refugees. The Government’s position is that it would not advocate for this recognition to be part of the present peace negotiations. Despite concurring in the full report, this position fails to recognize that a just solution requires consideration of all refugees.” David Matas, Senior Honorary Legal Counsel, added, “The notion that Canada is helping peace by keeping this issue of justice for Jews from Arab countries out of the negotiations is mistaken. What has driven the wars against Israel from their inception to today is anti-Zionism. The wars against Israel are primarily ideological.
19
Keeping the ideology of the war partly intact means keeping the will to wage war, the incitement to war and the war itself intact. The only way to peace is to combat the anti-Zionist narrative straight on.” Central to the current narrative is the false notion that only one group of victimized refugee population exists, namely the Palestinians. In order to discredit the anti-Zionist narrative and pave the road to peace, it must be acknowledged that there were two refugee populations, both of which are entitled to redress. No recognition of that fact means there will be no peace. B’nai Brith Canada has been active in Canada since 1875 as the Jewish community’s foremost human rights agency. For more information, visit www. bnaibrith.ca.
BRIEFS ISRAEL’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPS TO RECORD LOW Israel’s unemployment rate dropped to a record low of 4.9% in February, down from 5.4% in January, according to data released March 24 by the Central Bureau of Statistics. (Zeev Klein, Israel Hayom)
OVER 25,000 RUNNERS IN JERUSALEM MARATHON
Over 25,000 runners took to Jerusalem’s streets Friday morning, March 21, for the city’s fourth annual marathon. Mayor Nir Barkat, an avid runner, participated as well. Participants included 2,460 foreign runners from 54 countries. (Times of Israel)
CHRISTIANS RALLY IN ISRAEL AGAINST EU SILENCE ON “ETHNIC CLEANSING” OF MIDDLE EAST CHRISTIANS
150 Christian citizens of Israel demonstrated on March 23 outside the EU’s delegation in Tel Aviv against the EU’s silence on “the ethnic cleansing of Christians throughout the Middle East.” The protesters demanded that the EU act on their own cry for human rights and fight for the Christians who are quickly becoming extinct everywhere but Israel. Father Gabriel Nadaf, a Greek Orthodox priest from Nazareth and
strong proponent of Christian enlistment in the IDF, demanded that the attacks on Christians be stopped, and thanked Israel for being a warm home for Christians. Shadi Halul, spokesman of the Christian Lobby (CL) which organized the protest, said: “We constantly receive reports from our Christian brethren throughout the Middle East imploring that they be helped, envious of our status as Israeli citizens.” (Aryeh Savir, San Diego Jewish World)
UKRAINIAN JEWISH IMMIGRATION TO ISRAEL RISES 70 PERCENT AMID INSTABILITY
Ukrainian Jewish immigration to Israel has risen 70 percent in 2014 amid the recent political upheaval in that country. According to the Jewish Agency for Israel, 375 new immigrants from Ukraine arrived in the first three months of 2014, compared to 221 in the same period in 2013. More than 100 new immigrants have come from Odessa alone, the Ukrainian Black Sea city where nearly 30,000 Jews live and can move to Israel under the Law of Return. Before leaving for Israel, they attended a model Passover Seder held by the Jewish Agency and the International Fellowship of Christians. They plan on celebrating another one when they arrive in Israel. Both organizations also pledged further emergency financial assistance to Ukrainian Jews.
Did you know?
“The immigrants’ choice to come to Israel on the eve of Passover and build their home and their children’s future has symbolic meaning,” Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky said. (JNS.org)
company could save up to 15 million pounds a year by using Mapal’s technology. Mapal systems have been installed in Israel, Brazil, South Africa and India. (David Shamah, Times of Israel)
ISRAEL TO HELP PURIFY BRITAIN’S WATER
ISRAELI ARABS HELP TO DEBUNK APARTHEID MYTHS
Britain’s largest water provider, Eight Israelis who identify as Jewish, Muslim, Druze or Bedouin were Thames Water, has a deal with Israel’s Mapal Green Energy to provide its brought to Toronto by StandWithUs bubble aeration technology water puCanada as part of a program called WordSwap, hoping to get the last word rification system for use in municipal and regional water supply systems. on the Israeli apartheid debate. Muhamed Heeb, 27, a Bedouin Muslim, In the first stage, Mapal will set up a purification system in Chesham, said he was happy to have an oppornorth of London. Later, Thames Water tunity to tour Ontario universities to will have the option of adding more dispel some of the damaging myths WORLD CLASS Mapal systems to its network. perpetuated by Israel Apartheid Week Joint research by Mapal and ENTERTAINMENT ~ SOUNDcontinued & LIGHTING on next page Thames has shown that the water
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20
Federation Star May 2014
BRIEFS continued from page 19 (IAW) organizers. “Some did not know there are Arabs in Israel. A lot of people were surprised,” said Heeb, a University of Haifa student who is obtaining his master’s in public policy. Rabea Bader, 23, a Tel Aviv University student and a member of Israel’s Druze community, said he met a number of people at U of T who were shocked to learn that Arabs live in Israel. “I said, ‘I’m living proof,’” he said, and conversed with them in Arabic to convince them. “I see how Israel is misrepresented in the media...They’re accusing Israel of apartheid...and you know it’s not true, but if you don’t stand up and say it’s not true, a lot of people are going to believe these lies.” Heeb described an IAW event at U of T: “They wanted to boycott BenGurion University, so I said, ‘Listen guys, Ben-Gurion University has the most Arab girls, Bedouin girls, studying there, more than [schools in] Arab countries.’” (Sheri Shefa, Canadian Jewish News)
AMERICAN JEWRY – BY THE NUMBERS
A new study utilizing data synthesis, rather than polling, estimates that 6.8 million Jews live in the United States. The extrapolated results identify 1.6 million Jewish children, 4.2 million adults (who self-identify as Jews) and 1 million non-religious (who say they have a Jewish background). Six states account for 65 percent of American Jewry: New York (20 percent), California (14 percent), Florida (12 percent), New Jersey (8 percent), Massachusetts and Pennsylvania (5 percent each). Illinois, Maryland, Texas and Ohio combined are said to account for 15 percent. The major Jewish metropolitan areas remain New York City, Los Angeles and South Florida. The population estimates, computed by Steinhardt Social Research Institute and the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University,
indicate that the numbers do not reflect an increase in the U.S. Jewish population. The study blends data from 350 national surveys and thousands of respondents, both Jewish and non-Jewish. (World Jewry Digest)
objects. The work of Prof. Amir Amedi at the Center for Human Perception and Cognition at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine has been patented by Yissum, the Hebrew University’s technology transfer company. (Jewish Business News)
ISRAEL TO INVEST 70 MILLION POUNDS IN UK ECONOMY
CHINA-ISRAEL RELATIONS ARE BOUND TO BLOSSOM
More than 70 million pounds will be invested in the UK following Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit to Israel, creating hundreds of UK jobs. They include a 50 million pound commitment by Israel’s Noy Infrastructure and Energy Investment Fund to the UK’s renewable energy sector, 12 million pounds spent by Israeli pharma company Teva in clinical development, a 10 million pound investment by Israel-based AposTherapy, and an additional 600,000 pounds to support research into dementia. (EN for Business-UK)
S&P RENEWS ISRAEL’S A+ CREDIT RATING
International financial services and credit ratings agency Standard & Poor’s affirmed Israel’s international credit ratings and economic outlook as positive on Friday, March 28, giving it an A+/A-1 score. (Israel Hayom)
ISRAELI RESEARCHERS: BLIND CAN “HEAR” COLORS AND SHAPES The blind and visually impaired are being offered tools, via training with sensory substitution devices (SSDs), to receive environmental visual information and interact with it in ways otherwise unimaginable. Using a visual-to-auditory SSD, users wear a miniature camera connected to a small computer (or smart phone) and stereo headphones. The images are converted into “soundscapes,” using a predictable algorithm, allowing the user to listen to and then interpret the visual information coming from the camera. With the EyeMusic SSD, available free at the Apple App store, one hears musical notes to convey information about colors, shapes and location of
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ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD
At the 2013 Solar Decathlon competition, the Israeli team hosted a dinner party, movie night, and did laundry using only solar power. By the end of the competition, the house they designed produced more energy than it used!
www.rethinkisrael.org find the question on previous Find question on pagepage 19.
Israeli President Shimon Peres embarked on a state visit to China in early April. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Israel in December. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited China last May. Tens of thousands travel between China and Israel every year. Famous Chinese actor Liu Ye wrote in his microblog that “Israel is a beautiful and peaceful country, and the Israeli people are the most friendly people I have ever met.” The friendship between the Chinese and Jewish nations dates back more than 1,000 years. From the 1880s onward, thousands of Jews went to northeast China because of rising anti-Semitism in Russia and Eastern Europe, forming the largest Jewish community in the Far East. Before and during World War II, when Jews were struggling for survival against the Nazi Holocaust, Shanghai received over 23,000 Jewish refugees and helped them make it through the most difficult times. Diplomatic ties were established between China and Israel on January 24, 1992. China is Israel’s third-largest trading partner globally, and its biggest trading partner in Asia. The two-way trade volume has increased from $50 million in 1992 to more than $10 billion in 2013. For China, Israel is never a small country, but rather a happy and innovative startup nation with many cuttingedge technologies and rich experience in governing social affairs. Quite a number of Israeli companies have already invested in China and more are joining in. I have no doubt that the close cooperation between China and Israel will be conducive to regional stability, world peace and global prosper-
ity. (Amb. Gao Yanping, the People’s Republic of China’s ambassador to the State of Israel, Jerusalem Post)
CHINESE BELIEVE THAT JEWS ARE CLEVER
In China, Jews are widely perceived as clever and accomplished, and these are meant as compliments. Scan the shelves in any bookstore in China and you are likely to find best-selling selfhelp books such as 101 Money Earning Secrets From Jews’ Notebooks and Learn to Make Money With the Jews. The Chinese recognize, and embrace, common characteristics between their culture and Jewish culture. Both have a large diaspora. Both place emphasis on family, tradition and education. Both boast civilizations that date back thousands of years. Prof. Xu Xin, 65, launched the Institute of Jewish and Israel Studies at Nanjing University in 1992 once diplomatic relations between Israel and China were established. Today there are more than half a dozen similar programs across the country, many started by Xu’s former students. One course at the institute is “Jewish Culture and World Civilization,” which attracts 200 undergraduate students per term. He is the author of the best-selling A History of Jewish Culture, and translated the Encyclopedia Judaica into Chinese. The institute is funded largely by foreign Jewish donors. Chinese state media has long championed positive portrayals of the Jews, in part because Judaism, with its ethnically-based and non-evangelical nature, has proved less of a threat to the Communist Party than other foreign monotheistic religions, like Christianity or Islam. (Clarissa Sebag-Montefiore, Tablet)
INDIAN ‘LOST JEWS’ MAKING ALIYAH
The Israeli government has paved the way for relocating 899 Bnei Menashe from India to the Holy Land by the end of 2014. By a unanimous vote, the Knesset
continued on next page
21 Federation ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD Star May 2014 continued from previous page
recently agreed that the so-called ‘Lost Jews,’ believed to be the descendants of one of the ten ‘lost tribes’ of ancient Israel, will have the right of return. Almost 300 of the Bnei Menashe already arrived in 2013, with relocations facilitated by Shavei Israel, an organization devoted to helping assimilate Jews newly arriving to Israel. (World Jewry Digest)
FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN ISRAEL TOTALED $74 BILLION IN 2012
Foreign investment in Israeli companies in 2012 totaled $74.4 billion, a 14.5% increase over 2011, data published recently by the Central Bureau of Statistics shows. Initial figures for 2013 indicate that foreign investment continued to grow. (Israel Hayom)
IDF SEES STEEP RISE IN SUBMARINE OPERATIONS
The IDF’s submarine fleet has seen a sharp increase in the number and duration of its at-sea operations, with a special focus on Lebanon, according to a senior Israel Navy officer. Some of the deployments lasted several weeks and took the submarines thousands of kilometers from Israel. Israel has bought its top-of-the-line Dolphin submarines from Germany, with two new subs to be delivered in the second half of 2014, the INS Tanin and INS Rahav. The new submarines have engines that don’t require surfacing to acquire new air supplies. (Times of Israel)
ISRAEL’S ARABS LIVE LONGER THAN AMERICANS
According to a study released in 2010 by Ben-Gurion University, the life expectancy of Israeli Arabs is 79 years, one year more than that of Americans, and almost ten years longer than in the Arab world. Infant mortality for Israeli Arabs is 8 per thousand live births, a figure driven upward by the Bedouin who are more affected by hereditary diseases. Still, it is less than half of the global median of 17 per thousand. (Joshua Muravchik, Fathom-BICOM)
ARGENTINA SHIFTS AWAY FROM TEHRAN AND TOWARDS ISRAEL The Argentinian government has suspended dialogue with Iran, heralding a shift in policy that coincides with improved relations with Israel. The Kirchner government is understood to have taken the measure after becoming frustrated with the lack of progress in the investigation into the 1994 AMIA Jewish community center bombing in Buenos Aires in which 85 people were killed and 300 injured. According to sources cited by the Argentine daily La Nacion, Foreign
Minister Hector Timerman has admitted that dialogue with Iran stalled some time ago and has been suspended since December. At the same time, there is talk of cooperation with Israel on human rights, bilateral dialogue on legal matters and a potential purchase of Israeli military planes by Argentina. An aide to Timerman this week said “there is a very good climate with Israel and we are much friendlier than before.” (Isabel de Bertodano, Jewish Chronicle-UK)
ANCIENT TOWN DISCOVERED IN ISRAEL IS 2,300 YEARS OLD The remnants of a rural settlement inhabited for two centuries during the Second Temple Period were uncovered during work on a natural gas pipeline to Jerusalem. The site reached the height of its development in the Hellenistic period during the third century BCE. The excavations yielded numerous finds including grinding and milling tools, pottery cooking pots, jars for storing oil and wine, oil lamps, and over sixty coins from the reigns of the Seleucid King Antiochus III and the Hasmonean King Alexander Jannaeus. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
May 2014 Federation Star
A SIGN OF REJECTION Big red signs beside Israeli roads leading to Palestinian-governed territories say in three languages: “This road leads to Area ‘A’ under the Palestinian Authority. Entry for Israeli citizens is forbidden, life-threatening, and against Israeli law.” As those of us who live here know all too well, a trip inside one of these areas can indeed prove fatal. Yet not all Israelis need avoid entering these areas. Israeli Arabs come and go freely. Only Jewish Israelis are at risk of death. One encounters such signs on the fringes of Jerusalem and the outskirts of Tel Aviv, just a few miles
ISRAEL DESALINATION SHOWS CALIFORNIA NOT TO FEAR DROUGHT
from Ben-Gurion International Airport. (Yoav Sorek, Mosaic)
ISRAEL SHOE TECHNOLOGIES HELP PEOPLE AVOID FALLS
Six decades of providing water in a country that’s 60% desert have made Israel a technological leader in the field. Desalination of sea water, reuse of treated sewage for agriculture, software creating an early-warning system for leaks, computerized drip irrigation and careful accounting of every drop have become the norm in Israel, the world’s 40th biggest economy. North of San Diego, Israel’s IDE Technologies Ltd. is helping to build the largest seawater desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere. The facility, when finished in 2016, will provide 50 million gallons of potable water a day. In Israel, desalination now provides onequarter of the country’s water supply. (Alisa Odenheimer and James Nash, Bloomberg)
Biomechanical engineer Yonatan Manor noticed as his father aged and began to fall frequently. With electronic engineer partners Abraham Stamper and Aharon Shapiro, Manor dug the heel out of a sneaker and installed a sensor-driven motorized mechanism that can drive the shoe backward in a controlled and gentle manner to prevent falling. People who tried shoes from B-Shoe Technologies said they felt it improved their balance. The Step of Mind company makes Re-Step high-tech shoes used by physical therapists to train cerebral palsy patients, stroke and brain injury patients how to walk. (Abigail Klein Leichman, Israel21c)
Documentaries Promotional Videos
ZUBIN MEHTA TALKS ABOUT HIS “LASTING MARRIAGE” TO THE ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC
Zubin Mehta first led the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in 1961 when he was 25 years old. He was named the IPO’s first music director in 1977 and music director for life in 1981. What he calls their “lasting marriage” of 46 years (and counting) has no real equal on today’s world symphonic stage. He says conducting the philharmonic is “something I do for my heart.” He recalls the day in 1967, at the outset of the Six-Day War, when he hopped the last plane to Israel before the closing of Tel Aviv airport, to demonstrate solidarity with the people of his adopted nation. During the 1973 Yom Kippur War he conducted special concerts dedicated to soldiers in the field. (John Von Rhein, Chicago Tribune)
21
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22
Federation Star May 2014
COMMENTARY
Beating back the assault on Israel’s legitimacy By Jerry Silverman and Steve Gutow, March 11, 2014 In light of recent heightened press about the BDS movement, we’d like to draw your attention to a piece published yesterday in JTA, authored by me and JCPA’s Rabbi Steve Gutow, about Israel Action Network and the BDS movement. This particular piece – the first we’ve ever co-authored – takes you behind the scenes to understand the thinking and strategy behind The Jewish Federations of North America’s biggest commitment to fighting this attack on Israel’s legitimacy. —Jerry Silverman, CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America EW YORK (JTA) — Leaders of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement say they are protesting Israel’s policies in the West Bank. They are doing far more than that. BDS advocates routinely oppose a two-state solution and seek to delegitimize the sovereign, Jewish State of Israel. In some cases, BDS becomes the latest form of anti-Semitism. The BDS movement aims to isolate and punish Israel, using the same techniques applied to apartheid South Africa. Not hesitating to misrepresent facts and ignore context, these Israel bashers take advantage of ignorance and naïveté within civil society circles, mostly in Western Europe, to advance their anti-Israel agenda. BDS advocates view the situation in the West Bank through a one-way lens, seeing only a single perspective. They cite, for example, the security checkpoints that make life difficult for Palestinians but conveniently overlook the reasons for those checkpoints. They ignore the fact that hurting Israel’s economy would also hurt Palestinians who earn their livelihoods from Israeliowned businesses. BDS backers don’t bother to protest the many countries that have horrific human rights records, instead singling out the world’s only Jewish state, often based on false or misrepre-
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sented information. A tipping point for the Jewish community’s response to BDS came in 2009 when a number of anti-Israel groups called for a boycott of the Toronto International Film Festival because one of its themes was Tel Aviv’s 100th anniversary. The Toronto and Los Angeles Jewish Federations joined forces and, with the involvement of major figures in the entertainment industry, fashioned an effective response. With calls for BDS escalating in the mainline Protestant churches, on college campuses and elsewhere, Jewish community leaders realize that the situation calls for more than an ad hoc approach: local communities need a strategic approach with national support and coordination. In 2010, The Jewish Federations of North America, representing more than 150 local Federations, allocated significant resources so that the Israel Action Network could serve this purpose. The Jewish Council for Public Affairs – with its 16 national member organizations, including all four of the religious movements, and 125 Jewish community relations councils, which work with non-Jewish coalition partners on a range of international and domestic concerns – was the JFNA’s obvious partner. One principle that guides this work is that we should understand our audiences. And when we speak with others, we should do so with a respect for the sensitivities of that constituency so that our important messages are authentically heard. Whether on a campus, in a church or speaking with an LGBT group, we should always be clear that we stand as partners, sharing the goal of a future with peace and security – not one of conflict and BDS. Experience and research demonstrate that what works best with these audiences – mostly made up of political and religious progressives – is not an all-good-vs.-all-bad characteriza-
Opinions and letters printed in the Federation Star do not necessarily reflect those of the Jewish Federation of Collier County, its Board of Directors or staff, or its advertisers.
tion of Israelis and Palestinians. Instead, a more nuanced narrative is the one that is likely to defeat the one-sided and hostile stance of those seeking to delegitimize Israel. This means honestly conveying the situation’s complexity, expressing empathy for suffering on both sides (without implying moral equivalency) and offering a constructive pathway to helping the parties move toward peace and reconciliation based on two states for two peoples. Whether we are dealing with a boycott of Israeli academic institutions adopted by the American Studies Association or an attempt to remove Israeli products from a Brooklyn food co-op, the most effective opponents of these initiatives are the people who travel in those circles. While we in the organized Jewish community should not remain silent in the face of Israel’s delegitimization, we should strongly support and accentuate the efforts of these third-party validators who share our values and viewpoints. The 247 (and counting) universities and colleges that have denounced academic boycotts generally – and academic boycotts of Israel specifically – are just such validators. It is not enough to only expose the true goals of the boycotters and their allies. Israel’s supporters must also go on the offensive and drain the swamps
of ignorance that allow the poisonous ideas of the Jewish state’s opponents to incubate. Thus, we are taking the initiative to inoculate vulnerable politically progressive sectors, presenting a more factual perspective on Israel and taking prominent leaders to the region to see the real situation firsthand. The Israel Action Network, of course, does not work alone in this arena. On a daily basis, numerous organizations stand up for Israel. Through the IAN, JFNA and JCPA are working together to convene around a common strategic planning table not only with our affiliates but also a range of other North American, Israeli and European groups in order to share best practices and coordinate our collective resources in confronting this global danger. There is no imminent threat to the critical and broad North American support for Israel. But American support for Israel is not something to be taken for granted in light of the organized campaign we now face. While we should not be panicked, we cannot be complacent either. We pledge to continue to work hard to prevent any erosion of that support. Rabbi Steve Gutow is president and CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. Jerry Silverman is president and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America.
COMMENTARY BRIEFS A MURDERER’S LIFE AND THE CHANCES OF PEACE
The New York Times did a valuable public service by profiling the life of Muqdad Salah, demonstrating how unlikely peace between Israelis and the Palestinians is. Salah, 47, who was freed from an Israeli jail last year, was given $100,000 at his release by the Palestinian Authority, a no-show salary of $1,800 a month, an honorary rank of brigadier general in the PA military, and praise from his neighbors and fellow Palestinians. Salah wasn’t sprung from jail because of new DNA evidence or a witness who has recanted their testimony. There’s no doubt that it was he who took an iron bar and struck a 72-year-old Holocaust survivor over the head and murdered him in cold blood in 1993. Salah and dozens of other Palestinian terrorists were released last year as part of the price Israel paid to get PA leader Mahmoud Abbas to return to peace negotiations. That most Palestinians consider a guy who brutally killed an elderly Jew as a hero worthy of a public subsidy (actually paid for by the PA’s foreign donors) tells us all we need to know about the chances for peace. The very fact that Palestinians treat men with Jewish blood on their hands as heroes illustrates that theirs is a culture which is not ready for peace with Israel. (Jonathan S. Tobin, Commentary)
THE TEACHING OF CONTEMPT RETURNS
Most Christians eventually reacted to the Holocaust with responsibility and remorse. They recognized that centuries of negative Christian teachings about Jews and Judaism likely helped predispose Europe towards Hitler’s racial anti-Semitism. In 1987, the Presbyterians repudiated negative teachings about Jews, writing: “It is agonizing to discover that the church’s teaching of contempt [for the Jews] was a major ingredient that made possible the monstrous policy of annihilation of
Jews by Nazi Germany.” Sadly, the Presbyterians are now emerging as the first major Christian denomination to resume the teaching of contempt in the form of Zionism Unsettled, a wicked book produced by the Israel-Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The book is critical of Israel’s very existence. It slanders Israel, Israelis and all who support them in their struggle for survival. It is a passion play about bloodthirsty Jews driven by their supremacist Judaism to devour innocent gentile victims. The Presbyterian Church should rush to repudiate this libel. (David Brog, executive director of Christians United For Israel, Times of Israel)
YA’ALON JUST SAID WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS THINKING
“No agreement with the Palestinians will be reached in our lifetime,” a newspaper recently quoted Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon as stating publicly. Both Israel and the Palestinians have red lines they are not willing to cross. The Palestinians claim that Jerusalem is their capital and at the same time Israel says that under no circumstances will Jerusalem be divided. The Palestinians demand that the Jordan Valley be demilitarized of Israeli forces, whereas Israel insists that IDF troops remain. The Palestinians demand that refugees be allowed to return to Israel, but Israel refuses. Israel is demanding that the Palestinians recognize Israel as the state of the Jewish people, but the Palestinians refuse. The only concrete action that has taken place during all these months of discussion was Israel’s release of Palestinian terrorists. The Palestinians made no concessions whatsoever. The only thing the Palestinians did was to repeatedly make statements condemning Israel. Everyone knows that no agreement will be reached at the present time, but Ya’alon is the only one who said this out loud. (Lior Akerman, former brigadier-general who served as a division head in the Israel Security Agency, Jerusalem Post)
23 Federation Star RABBINICAL REFLECTIONS May 2014
May 2014 Federation Star
23
Counting our days and making our days count Rabbi Sylvin L. Wolf
each us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (psalm 90:12) Beginnning with the second night of Pesach, it is customary to count off each day leading to the Festival of Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks). These 49 days are called the Days of Omer. An Omer is a measure of the first grain harvest of the new year, which was brought to the Temple in Jerusalem The counting of these days has taken on a spiritual meaning, investing the counting of the days with meaning. Rabbi Simon Jacobson has written A Spiritual Guide to Counting the Omer, in which he suggests exercises which can help give meaning to these days. Day 1 - Chesed-Lovingkindness:
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Ask yourself: What is my capacity to love another person? Do I have problems with giving? Am I stingy or selfish? Is it difficult for me to let someone else into my life? Am I afraid of my vulnerability, of opening up and getting hurt? Exercise for the day: Find a new way to express your love to a dear one. Day 2 - Gevurah of Chesed: Discipline in Lovingkindness. Ask a parent who, in the name of love, has spoiled a child; or someone who suffocates a spouse with love and doesn’t allow them any personal space. Exercise for the day: Help someone on their terms, not on yours. Apply yourself to their specific needs, even if it takes effort. Day 3 - Tiferet of Chesed: Compassion, Harmony in Lovingkindness. Compassionate love is given freely and expects nothing in return – even when the other doesn’t deserve love. Tiferet is giving also to those who have hurt you. Exercise for the day: Offer a helping hand to a stranger.
Zman Kabbalat Hatorah Rabbi Ammos Chorny
fficially, in the Jewish liturgy, the festival of Shavuot is designated as Zman Matan Toratenu, “the time of the giving of our Torah [Law].” Which raises the question: Did God give the Jewish people the Torah because it was theirs, or did it become theirs after He gave it to them? No matter how one answers this question, it remains true that what is significant in relation to the Law [Torah] and its giving, is rather its acceptance. Thus, one can tentatively argue the festival be called by a new name: Zman Kabbalat Toratenu, “the time of the receiving of the Torah [Law].” Better still, the time of our acceptance of our Torah. There is good foundation for the concept that the Torah was accepted,
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not just given. In fact, its giving without the acceptance would be quite useless, would it not? Everything about the Torah’s description of its own giving bespeaks the acceptance by the people. Naase Venishma, “We will do and we will obey,” the people proclaimed in one voice to Moses after he gives it to them, or rather he offers them the Torah. We are responsible for the Torah, not because God gave it, but because WE accepted it. We signed on the dotted line. Covenant, not compulsion, is the key to Jewish religion. There is something basically democratic about this notion. We are too prone to emphasize Revelation as coming from on high, and too often forget that it is our acceptance of Torah that binds us, not its mere giving. Without Kabbalat Hatorah, “the acceptance,” all the giving amounts to nothing! As we anticipates the arrival of Shavuot, let us recommit ourselves to renewing our commitment to accept the Torah, and to bring it to life in everything we do.
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Day 4 - Netzach of Chesed: Endurance in Lovingkindness. Is my love enduring? Does it withstand challenges and setbacks? Do I give and withhold love according to my moods or is it constant regardless of the ups and downs of life? Exercise for the day: Reassure a loved one of the constancy of your love. Day 5 - Hod of Chesed: Humility in Lovingkindness. Hod introduces the aspect of humility in love; the ability to rise above yourself and forgive or give in to the one you love just for the sake of love even if you’re convinced that you’re right. Arrogant love is not love. Exercise for the day: Swallow your pride and reconcile with a loved one with whom you have quarreled. Day 6 - Yesod of Chesed: Connection or bonding within Love. For love to be eternal it requires bonding. A sense of togetherness which actualizes the love in a joint effort. An intimate connection, kinship and attachment, benefiting both parties. This bonding bears fruit;
the fruit born out of a healthy union. There’s bonding in love – not just to love someone but to actually bond with them so there’s a deep connection. You spend quality time with them and you share a common vision. Exercise for the day: Start building something constructive together with a loved one. Day 7 - Malchut of Chesed: Nobility in Lovingkindness. Mature love comes with – and brings – personal dignity. An intimate feeling of nobility and regality. Knowing your special place and contribution in this world. Any love that is debilitating and breaks the human spirit is no love at all. For love to be complete it must have the dimension of personal sovereignty. Exercise for the day: Highlight an aspect of your love that has bolstered your spirit and enriched your life… and celebrate. These exercises, of course, may be recited throughout the Days of Omer. May they be days filled with love and blessing.
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Include your name, full address and daytime phone. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. We reserve the right to edit for length and/or accuracy. Letters do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the Jewish Federation of Collier County, the Federation Star or its advertisers. We cannot acknowledge or publish every letter received.
The community is invited to attend the
Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Service Sunday, April 27 2:00 p.m. Beth Tikvah 1459 Pine Ridge Road, Naples The service is co-sponsored by all area synagogues and the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida.
Mah Jongg at the Jewish Congregation Marco Island for advanced beginners, intermediates and advanced players on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Reservations are a MUST. Call Shirley Posner at 239.389.7872.
24
Federation Star May 2014
FOCUS ON YOUTH
Preschool of the Arts update By Ettie Zaklos, Preschool Director
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he month of April ushered in spring and what better reminder of spring than the hatching of baby chicks. Preschool of the Arts students had the unique experience of watching a baby chick wrestle itself out of its eggshell right in front of their very eyes. Then, the children and their families had a chance to take the chicks home on weekends, caring for and nurturing these chicks with their families, returning them a bit bigger and a bit stronger on Monday mornings. This is
A Preschool of the Arts student enjoys holding a new baby chick
similar to how we raise our preschoolers. We feed their minds and watch their curiosities blossom, we nourish their souls and watch them become more caring and loving individuals. Now that May has come, I cannot help but reflect on our humble beginnings at Preschool of the Arts. Three years ago, we hired our first teacher with only two students enrolled – my two little girls. And now, three years later, we are bursting at the seams with over 85 students, and adding another VPK class in the fall to accommodate the growing demand. We are honored to fill this need in our community. We have a waiting list for four of our five classes, and conduct tours for prospective students daily. The growth is beyond my wildest dreams. With an amazing staff of teachers, who not only teach, but EDUCATE, the joy and excitement with which they approach each day is truly awe-inspiring. They are in tune with cutting-edge educational philosophies and have immersed themselves in both Reggio, Montessori and conscience discipline practices. In early April, we were excited to add Kindermusik to our program, enriching our students through music and movement. This innovative addition to our program was fully embraced by our parents and is thoroughly enjoyed
by our preschoolers. With the addition of Kindermusik to our curriculum, we are excited to welcome instructor Allison Arnold to the Preschool of the Arts staff. Kindermusik is a highly successful program that develops not only music skills, but also other areas of cognitive, emotional, social, physical and language skills. Our children will have the benefit of high-quality recordings, books, rhymes, monthly e-newsletters, as well as games and activities for parents and children to share at home. As always, we have offered My Gym, Yoga, Little Chefs, Music and Art and, of course, the weekly celebration of Shabbat, complete with challah baking. But this year, we have added a monthly visiting artist to channel the creativity
Preschool of the Arts welcomes new Kindermusik teacher, Allison Arnold
that is inside all of us, a Greenhouse to grow our own vegetables which we incorporate into our cooking classes and, as mentioned, Kindermusik. Our facility will always be top-notch. We utilize only USA handcrafted tables and chairs, hardwood floors, opting for wood toys over plastic, minimal carpeting, and we are Eco-Friendly certified. We are constantly updating our toys and resources in order to provide the best, healthiest and most appropriate stimulation for our preschoolers’ brain development.
Summer of the Arts is a dynamic six-week summer program for The Minors (ages 18 months to four years) and The Majors (children ages five to nine). Your child will be a part of a warm and nurturing environment under the professional care of experienced, welltrained and qualified teachers. The goal of Summer of the Arts is to expose children to the world around them through a fun-filled program where they get to experience the arts, music, culture, food, games, crafts and activities. While The Minors will stay on campus throughout the program, The Majors will also get to participate in exciting field trips. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 239.263.2620 or visit www. NaplesPreschoolOfTheArts.com.
BBYO Summer Experiences are a home away from home
Fed Cup VI
Sunday, May 4
at 20 TwinEagles
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A golf event for all skills and ages to benefit young Jewish children and teens to experience Jewish Summer Camp and travel to Israel. For more information about the event and hole sponsorships contact Kevin Aizenshtat at kevin@gcipnaples.com.
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ith BBYO, in the few months between the end of one school year and the start of another, teens can explore interests and find new passions, learn about oneself and the world around them, travel the world and connect with peers from both near and far. BBYO Summer Experiences bring together the best of the year-round AZA and BBG experience – lessons in leadership, community service, global connections, exploration and understanding of Jewish heritage and tradition. Teens arrive looking forward to a fun few weeks, and they return home inspired and energized by what they’ve learned, setting the course for a successful school year and future ahead. Naples BBYO teens are heading this summer to BBYO on Campus programs and traditional AZA and BBG Member Programs. BBYO on Campus programs teach teens how to lead, serve and impact their communities. These programs, such as IMPACT: D.C., are designed to provide participants with a well-rounded experience while still having a unique focus on advocacy, philanthropy or service. “I’m looking forward to attending IMPACT: D.C. to gain more ideas for future programs within Naples,” said Taylor Bollt, chapter president. Chapter Leadership Training Conference (CLTC) is a program where tradition and innovation intersect for the
Jewish community’s top teen leaders. It supports BBYO’s model of pluralism where teens are able to plan and celebrate Shabbat and Jewish observances in the way they are comfortable. Teens build friendships within an inclusive community made up of teens across North America and beyond. “Teens return home from a BBYO Summer Experience with increased independence and a greater sense of self. They build lifelong friendships and take pride in being a part of something greater than themselves,” said Lory Conte, BBYO Director. To learn more about BBYO Summer Experiences, please visit www. bbyo.org/summer.
Jack Melnick, Zoe Van Slyke and Taylor Bollt attend a Naples BBYO Color War in March
Naples BBYO hosted a pool party for 8th through 12th grade teens
25 Federation Star May 2014 FOCUS ON YOUTH
May 2014 Federation Star
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Rising young star: Nash Oluwek By Jean L. Amodea Naples resident since age three, Nash Oluwek has formed close relationships with friends and schoolmates that he maintains today. At age 13, for his Bar Mitzvah project, Nate served as team captain for Susan Komen’s “Race for the Cure.” The organization is one that his family fully supports. As a junior at Barron Collier High School, Nash favors math and science, and attains As and Bs. An avid sports enthusiast, he enjoys team sports, including football, which he has played since his freshman year, and lacrosse. “I have been playing lacrosse since I was eight years old. We just played against a Gainesville team and we won, 7 to 5.” With BBYO, Nash attends meetings a couple of times a month, and has made friends with whom he attends activities. He has a broad array of acquaintances and said he has never been the recipient of discrimination from any
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of his friends. “At BBYO, we are doing a color war. We do physical activities with girls and boys in grades six or eight through 12. It’s a chance for kids to meet each other and form friendships,” Nash said. As for his faith, the teen explained that his family does not attend services very often, but that they do attend on the High Holy Days at Temple Shalom. He said they have also observed Passover at home. “It’s important to attend services on the High Holy Days. You don’t have to be so kosher as long as you go to temple on the days that are important to attend,” he added. Desirous of staying in state for college, Nash has his sights set on attending the University of Central Florida. Eyeing a major in exercise science, he said he may look into a program for physical training. Citing his brother Jared, age 21, who attends the University of South-
ern Florida, as his inspiration, Nash said that he appreciates the way his brother has always pushed him to strive to do his best and helped him to develop a competitive sports spirit nurtured during the years they played sports together. Leisure time is spent with his family and “hanging out” with friends. As for his sage advice to others his age, Nash was pensive. “I think teens my age should work hard to live up to their responsibilities and deadlines, whether personal or schoolrelated, and try their best to be conscientious,” he said. “Do what makes you happy and don’t give in to whatever everyone else thinks or says. Be your own person.”
Jared and Nash Oluwek
Jean Amodea, a former school principal from New Jersey is a freelance writer for the Naples Daily News and its community publications as well as director of Peter Duchin Music of Naples/Entertainment Direct. She also performs with her husband Ron’s dance band, jazz ensemble and Caribbean quartet. Reach Jean at jeanamodea@earthlink.net.
Want to see your “rising young star” featured in the Federation Star? Send an email to jeanamodea@earthlink.net with the details.
Temple Shalom Preschool update By Seyla Cohen, Preschool Director ummertime, an exceptionally warm season here in Southwest Florida. Children look forward to their school vacation and parents search for constructive ways to occupy and enrich their children’s lives during these months. A wonderful alternative to consider is Temple Shalom’s Summer Camps for children ages 2-8. Once again, Temple Shalom is offering two programs: Camp Shalom for children ages 2-5 and Camp Einstein for boys and girls ages 5-8. Both camps offer seven weekly sessions beginning June 9. As in the past, CAMP SHALOM provides a fun-filled program for the younger crew including music, art, water play, science, computer, storyland and dance. New friendships are formed and social interaction, so important at this age, is sustained. A weekly theme entertains little ones, making each week a new and exciting experience. For older kids, CAMP EINSTEIN
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proves a wonderful link between a carefree atmosphere and maintaining a stimulating educational environment. Parents concerned about keeping learning alive and inquisitive minds active have come to welcome this wonderful program. Literature, science, math, reading, computer and art are provided in a relaxed and engaging climate, helping to provide continuity in education during the long summer holiday. For more information on the summer camp experience, please call me at 239.455.3227. Temple Shalom Preschool Art Auction Students have been working hard to ready their masterpieces for display at the annual Temple Shalom Preschool Art Auction to be held Thursday, May 1 at 6:00 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 innovation 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. The Annual Art Auction is an opportunity for parents, relatives, congregants 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 student creations, participate in the silent auction, and bid on many other items and services auctioned and raffled off. As in the past, the evening
will prove a welcoming, warm and attentive fundraiser from which students, families and the preschool benefit. Money raised during this entertaining event, along with grants from the Jewish Federation of Collier County, provide funds to support scholarships for Temple Shalom Preschool families in need of aid with tuition. *** The Congregation of Temple Shalom cordially invites you to attend a service of Confirmation for the Year 5774 when our tenth grade children will confirm their commitment to the faith and heritage of the Jewish people. All are welcome on Sunday, June 1 at 10:00 am. For more information, please call the temple office at 239.455.3030.
Sign up for The PJ Library and you’ll receive a FREE, high-quality children’s book or CD each month. The PJ Library will enrich your family’s life with Jewish stories and songs – and it’s absolutely FREE for families with children from six months up to eight years of age in Collier County.
Sam Harris, Holocaust survivor and a key figure in the film Skokie: Invaded But Not Conquered, speaks to a group of Temple Shalom’s Religious School students
Read the Federation Star on your tablet! Visit www.issuu.com Enter “Federation Star” in the search box and click on the cover image of the issue you’d like to read. Then simply scroll through the pages. It’s that simple!
The PJ Library is brought to the Collier County community by Jewish Family and Community Services of Southwest Florida, Inc. For more information, call 239.325.4444.
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You can also read Connections on your tablet. Search for “Collier Connections”.
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Federation Star May 2014
SYNAGOGUES www.naplestemple.org / 239-455-3030
TEMPLE SHALOM
Temple Shalom update By Yale T. Freeman wo years have come and gone, and I’ll always be grateful that I had the honor of leading our congregation into our next 50 years. As I was taking office, we had just renewed our commitment to our outstanding rabbi, Adam Miller, and to our stellar cantor, Donna Azu, and they, in turn, had renewed their commitment to our temple community. During these past two years, we grew closer as a temple family, and closer to our Jewish community by fulfilling the 613th Commandment of scribing a Torah – which several Bar and Bat Mitzvahs have already read from. In addition to our nearly 75 dedicated volunteers who took part in this year-long endeavor, I was amazed and gratified that more than 900 individuals, couples, families, havurot and organizations from Temple Shalom, as well as the Naples Jewish community and our greater community, scribed a letter and left a legacy. Thank you for being a part of it! We have achieved much. In addition to Our Torah, we prepared a long-term strategic plan and have begun its implementation. We began the restructuring of our management, staff and committees, based on the concept of “Relational Judaism.” We have moved forward with our One Family initiative, also driven by Relational Judaism, which places an emphasis on making meaningful connections, forming genuine relationships and, ultimately, feeling a part of something larger than oneself – a Jewish community. As I shared with our congregation
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the other day, I saw an ad for a hospital in The New York Times that said, “Amazing Things Are Happening Here.” Our full-time preschool is growing in both number of students and excellence of curriculum. Our religious school, with more than 180 children, is looking to the future as educators engage parents and explore new methods and curriculum. We offer countless educational and enriching opportunities for adults. Our many programs and activities have a new focus and vibrancy. Friday night and Saturday morning services take place year-round. We “Talk Torah” on Saturdays, provide minyans for those sitting shiva, and care for our members in senior living facilities and hospitals. We are blessed with diversity. We are a congregation of very young, very old and every generation in between. We come to Temple Shalom from many different states and backgrounds. We embrace people from all walks of life – our family is comprised of singles and married members, members of the LGBT community, and families who are share an interfaith marriage or relationship. Today, as we continue our exciting transition, Temple Shalom is one family. We are a loving and caring community that welcomes Jews from throughout Southwest Florida. On behalf of both Temple Shalom and myself, I sincerely thank the Jewish Federation of Collier County for supporting our Jewish community and our temple in so many ways. Amazing Things Are Happening Here.
JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND
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hey say that April showers bring May flowers. Well, season may be over, but life is still in full bloom at Temple Shalom. Lego Jerusalem Imagine a 20’ x 20’ scale replica of the city of Jerusalem erected entirely out of Lego blocks. On Sunday, May 18, architect Stephen Schwartz comes to Temple Shalom to bring his unique brand of experiential learning. Children, along with adults, will work under his supervision to first build and then take a virtual walking tour through the Old City of Jerusalem. Teams will build such iconic symbols as the Western Wall, David’s Citadel and seven gates. PFLAG Convocation Service Naples is blessed to have an annual interfaith service celebrating the openness of our community to LGBT individuals. This event brings together dozens of houses of worship, representing the range of faith traditions in Naples. A proud partner in this endeavor from the beginning, Temple Shalom encourages the whole community to attend this year’s event at Unity of Naples on Sunday, May 4 at 3:00 p.m. Confirmation The ancient custom was to count sheaves of grain, called omer, for the seven weeks from Passover to Shavuot. Today we could do it counting down how many boxes of matzah are still in our pantries! However you count,
Shavuot will be here at the start of June, and with it the ritual of Confirmation. We joyfully celebrate our 10th grade Confirmation class on Sunday, June 1. All are welcome to attend this annual event when students confirm their Jewish identity and place as Jewish adults. Services start at 10:00 a.m. and will be followed by a celebratory meal. Interested in learning more about Temple Shalom? Visit our website, www.naplestemple.org, or even better, stop by anytime for a visit. We would love to see you!
For daily news stories related to Israel & the Jewish world, visit www.jewishnaples.org. www.marcojcmi.com / 239-642-0800
President’s message Roger Blau JCMI President
n late February, my wife Joanne and I took a four day mini-vacation to San Juan, Puerto Rico, with two other couples who are also JCMI members and dear friends. We’ve been to San Juan several times over the years, but never as a destination. We typically spent one night either before continuing on to our Caribbean destination or on our way back. Our friends told us that they go to San Juan every year and they enjoy the dining and the nightlife, including the excitement of the casinos. We joined them for four days and we did, indeed have a great time. We visited the rain forest on a guided tour and were astounded by its natural beauty and history.
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Joanne and I have established a precedent in recent years. Wherever we go, we try to find a synagogue and pay a visit to demonstrate our support for the local Jewish community. When I suggested this, our traveling companions were enthusiastically in support of the idea. So…having my iPad along and free Wi-Fi in our room, I was able to locate three synagogues on this island that has a total population of only 1,500 Jews. There was an orthodox (Chabad) shul, a conservative synagogue and a reform temple. We chose to visit the conservative and reform congregations. The next day, the six of us went on our tour of San Juan’s Jewish houses of worship. What a wonderful experience it was! The conservative synagogue, Shaarey Zedek, was created from a fabulous donated mansion. It was an impressive campus. There was an elegant fashion show during the time of our visit. The beehive of activity and all of the beautiful Puerto Rican Jewish
How do I get items into the Federation Star? Email your articles and photos to fedstar18@gmail.com. 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 fedstar18@gmail. com 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.
women were really something to see. They also showed us their preschool, where a group of toddlers were playing games with their teachers. And they showed us their classrooms for Hebrew School students. Their Judaica shop was also fascinating to see. We were greatly impressed! Next we went on to the reform temple, Beth Shalom. This was a more modest edifice, but still very impressive. Beth Shalom holds regular weekly services and has a religious school for children of all members. The sanctuary was lovely. We immediately felt as though we had “found our home” in Puerto Rico! I suggest that the next time you plan a vacation, incorporate a visit to the local synagogue(s). The visit will undoubtedly make you feel more at home wherever you happen to be.
BROWNSTEIN JUDAICA GIFT SHOP AT JCMI Looking for the perfect gift? Choose from our many items: Mezuzahs Menorahs Travel bags Jewelry Gifts for pets Novelty aprons Designer Hand Bags Silk and Handmade Kippot Mah Jongg Jewelry, Cards & Supplies
991 Winterberry Drive Marco Island (239) 642-0800 Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:30 - 1:30 Friday Evening: Before & After Shabbat Service
CMI had a wonderful 2013-2014 season celebrating many events. We started with the celebration of Rabbi Maline’s 50th anniversary in the rabbinate at a wonderful sumptuous dinner. JCMI then hosted its first annual Jewish Deli Fest. This was an enormous success with well over 1,000 people attending from all over the community from as far away as Estero. JCMI looks forward to hosting the second annual Jewish Deli Fest in January 2015. Our Saul Stern Cultural Series and Jewish Film Festival were tremendous successes and will return next season with more entertaining and informative programs. Please check our website for details of these programs as they become available. Rabbi Maline’s Adult Education Series will resume in January 2015, addressing the topic “New questions of Jewish law that could not be asked in the Biblical and Talmudic periods.” Ongoing events Friday night services will continue at JCMI at 8:00 p.m. Bingo on Monday nights will continue until May 5 and then will resume in the fall. Mah Jongg on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. will continue at JCMI through the summer, as will Wednesday Bridge at 1:00 p.m. Please call the JCMI office at 239.642.0800 for more information on any of our programs.
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PLEASE SUPPORT THE ADVERTISERS WHO SUPPORT OUR FEDERATION
27 Federation Star May 2014 SYNAGOGUES BETH TIKVAH
May 2014 Federation Star
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www.bethtikvahnaples.org / 239-434-1818
Beth Tikvah update By Stuart Kaye and Rosalee Bogo, co-Presidents
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any of our northern members and fellow Beth Tikvah worshippers are beginning to prepare for their journeys back to homes in Chicago, New York, Toronto, Minneapolis and elsewhere. Others will still be with us for a while, sharing in our Shabbat and holiday observances and our social and educational activities. It is this slow, gradual leave-taking that saddens us each spring. We promise to keep in touch, and look forward to your return in the fall or winter. You are very important to our community. Special thanks to Sue Brown for heading up our office staff and chairing our Passover Seder preparations. Thanks as well to all who assisted her. Thanks to Rabbi Chorny for helping to arrange the talk by Brad Gordon of AIPAC. This presentation, co-sponsored by the Israel Advocacy Committee of the Jewish Federation of Collier County, was superb. Adult education Rabbi Chorny offers two courses on Tuesdays. Jewish Perspectives, which
explores contemporary issues through the lens of Jewish teachings, meets at 12:15 p.m. Liturgical Hebrew, designed to make people comfortable with the siddur, meets at 4:00 p.m. Call to confirm the schedule. Rabbi Chorny’s Conservative Judaism course is keyed to chapters in The Observant Life, an amazing compendium of information and insight valuable to Jews of all stripes. The course usually meets at 8:00 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Topics coming up include: May 7 – The Yoms (HaShoah, HaZikaron, HaAtzmaut, Yerushalayim) and June 4 – “Between Grandparents and Grandchildren.” Israel Night On Monday, May 5 at 6:00 p.m., our joint commemoration of Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAzmaut runs the gamut of emotions as we celebrate Israel’s birth and remember those who have died to defend it. Join us for Israelistyle food, a few moments of prayer, some music and a short film. Cost: $15 per adult; children under 13 no charge.
CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF NAPLES
RSVP required. Lag B’Omer Picnic Join us on Sunday, May 18 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Veterans Community Park, 1895 Veterans Park Drive, Naples. This is on the south side of Immokalee Road between Goodlette-Frank and Airport Roads. We meet in the large pavilion. Our picnic is strictly kosher, with hamburgers, hot dogs, salads and all the trimmings. Enjoy games and learning with a smile. Cost: Nonmember adults - $12; member adults - $10; children under 13 no charge. RSVP to Phil or Ruth Jason at 239.598.2880. Book group On Monday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m., join in our discussion of Julia Dahl’s Invisible City, a debut novel set in today’s New York City. (See Phil Jason’s review on page 12.) When Rebekah Roberts is called to cover the story of a murdered Hasidic woman, she is shocked to learn that, because of the NYPD’s habit of kowtowing to the powerful ultra-Orthodox community, not only will the woman be buried without an
www.chabadnaples.com / 239-262-4474
Chabad Jewish Center of Naples update Women’s Circle The final Women’s Circle event in the series will be both exciting and informative. When women come together, they invariably discuss serious matters, and what could be more serious than nutrition and wellness! A Registered Dietitian and personal trainer, guest speaker Betsy Opyt is professionally trained to discuss “Allowing Healthy Concepts Into Your Life” and to answer your questions, following a healthy lunch. The event begins at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, and costs $20. If you are interested in volunteering or hosting one of these future events, just let Ettie know. Flying Challah Here is your chance to bring a smile to someone’s face. If you know someone who needs a visit or just a little caring attention, your suggestion via a phone call will bring a freshly-baked challah flying to their doorstep. Chabad Naples Men’s Club The Men’s Club has become a vital force with all the vibrant energy of Chabad.
The final meeting of the season was held in April. Meetings will resume after the High Holidays. Shavuot On Wednesday, June 4, we will celebrate Shavuot, the holiday which marks the receiving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, 3,322 years ago. The Midrash tells us that before G-d gave the Torah to the Jewish people, He demanded guarantors who would indeed keep the Torah. The Jews made a number of suggestions, which were all rejected by G-d. Finally, they suggested, “Our children will be our guarantors that we will cherish and observe the Torah.” G-d immediately accepted and agreed to give them the Torah. So let us make sure to bring all our “guarantors” along to the synagogue on the first day of Shavuot so they can hear the Ten Commandments and receive the Torah once again. At the shul, we’ll be reading the Ten Commandments at 5:00 p.m. The service will be followed by awesome, traditional dairy treats.
NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION
autopsy, her killer may get away with murder. Rebekah can’t let the story end there. But getting to the truth won’t be easy. Even as she immerses herself in the cloistered world where her mother (who abandoned her) grew up, it’s clear that she’s not welcome, and everyone she meets has a secret to keep from an outsider. Shavuot Services will be held on Wednesday, June 4 at 6:15 p.m., combined with an end-of-school program, and Thursday, June 5 at 9:30 a.m. with Yizkor. Religious services schedule Friday services begin at 6:15 p.m.; Saturday services begin 9:30 a.m. with a Kiddush Luncheon. Yahrzeit minyanim convened upon request. Please join us at any service. Our participatory worship services and 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. Rabbi Chorny’s direct line is 239.537.5257.
Weekly services and children’s program Join us every Shabbat at 10:00 a.m. for weekly uplifting services, and bring the kids to the incredible children’s program at the same time. Kiddush and social gathering for the family follow services. Partner Project We cherish our partners and try to make them feel as special as they are by honoring them annually with a warm social event, which we planned for May of this year. Birds of a feather seem to enjoy flocking together, as our generous partners demonstrated with enthusiasm. Our Partner Project has grown to 300 members since its inception. Choose your own participation level to help us continue to thrive. For more information or to receive your Partner Package, call 239.262.4474 or visit www.chabadnaples.com. First mikvah in Naples Be a part of a stunning, elegant, stateof-the-art, women’s mikvah, often seen as the cornerstone of Jewish life and the continuity of a community. Contact
us for more information, private tours to see our magnificent new addition, and to take advantage of opportunities for dedications and memorials that are being offered. Hebrew School Graduation takes place on Wednesday, May 21, following a hugely successful year at Hebrew School with once-amonth incredible workshops touching on topics from a Matzah Bakery to a Shofar Factory to learning how to write a Torah to a Havdalah workshop. Now is the time to sign up for Hebrew School for next year. Introduce your children to their heritage and ensure their meaningful participation. Varied stimulating programs include projects, activities and discussions providing insights into contemporary Jewish life that make it come alive. We also have Jewish story time one Wednesday every month with large-screen programs followed by a practical lesson and activity. Hebrew School is held on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
www.naplesjewishcongregation.org / 239-234-6366
Naples Jewish Congregation update By Suzanne L. Paley, President
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ollowing what has been one of our busiest winter seasons ever, I’m looking forward to the calm of May. We enjoyed all of our Pot Luck dinners, our special speakers at Shabbat services, the films presented at our “Sunday Night at the Movies” series (a big Thank You to Les and Betty Schwartz for the outstanding job of choosing and researching all the films), and our special Purim Fest. The Men’s Club and Sisterhood provided us with some interesting and fun activities as well. We closed out the
season with the Women’s Seder and our community Seder, enjoyed by over 100 members and guests. Next year we are looking forward to more of the same, along with the addition of some new and different events. The fact that we, a very small congregation, are able to do so much, is a tribute to the dedicated and generous volunteers who work so hard to make us the best we can be. Following our Annual Meeting, several new officers and directors were elected to our Board of Directors. Our
Vice President is Hal Fogelson, Assistant Treasurer is Elaine Rapoport, with Bill Greenberg, Chuck Naumoff and Barry Weissman as directors. They join the rest of us whose terms continue. At our monthly Torah Service, Rabbi Wolf conducted an installation of new board members and at the same time we honored the outgoing board members who served their terms with commitment, selflessness and creativity: Helen Blatt, Carolyn Greenberg, Harvey Sandberg, Stan Weiner and Peter Weissman. You are all a very
special and important group of people, without whom we would not be who we are today. Beginning with May and continuing through August, we hold Shabbat services only on the last Friday of each month. For information about our congregation, visit www.naplesjewishcongregation.org, where you will find a complete directory of board members, professional personnel and contact information.
What if there was one place… ÎÎ to meet the needs of Jews and non-Jews, young and old, wherever they live? ÎÎ inspired by bold, often daring pursuits of social justice and human rights? ÎÎ you could make stronger by rich traditions of advocacy, education, responsibility & tzedakah? ÎÎ where you provide the spark that helps others make connection to Jewish values & people?
There is! Federation. It starts with you!
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Federation Star May 2014 COLLIER/LEE CHAPTER OF HADASSAH
ORGANIZATIONS www.hadassah.org / 239-598-1009
Hadassah update Lynn Weiner President
s the season comes to an end, we say good-bye to those of you who have left or will be leaving for other locations. I thought this would be a good time to tell you about a Hadassah program that you might not know about. Hadassah Leadership Fellows is a two-year leadership experience designed to inspire and cultivate future leaders. The program offers 24 women from across the country an opportunity to network, receive leadership training, experience the work of Hadassah, journey to Israel, meet with government officials in Washington, D.C., and advocate for change. During the first year, the participants went to New York City to experience Hadassah’s impact both past
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and present. In March, the group went on a Mission to Israel where they were able to see Hadassah projects in action! The mission concentrated on four themes: Women’s Health and Medical Research; Venture Capitalism; Public Policy; and Social Justice. In July, they will have a seminar with leading experts on these four themes. Then in October, the group will have an advocacy experience in Washington, D.C., where they will meet with members of Congress and hear up-to-the-minute briefings on issues of concern to American Jewish women. During the second year, Hadassah Leadership Fellows will join Hadassah Impact Boards to create a program of their choice in the four theme areas. The purpose of Hadassah Leadership Fellows is to educate and empower women to become leaders in their communities and in Hadassah. For more information, visit www.hadassah.org. The Hadassah Florida Central Region Spring Conference, “Women Making an Impact,” will take place
ORT AMERICA – GULF BEACHES CHAPTER
May 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency, Sarasota. I’d like to encourage you to attend. This is a way to learn more about Hadassah and network with Hadassah members in other Florida chapters. There will also be a special dinner cruise. We will plan to carpool there. If you are interested, please email me at lynninaples@yahoo.com. This summer, Hadassah’s 2014 National Convention, “Inspire, Imagine, Ignite,” will be held in Las Vegas from July 21-23 at the Palazzo Resort Hotel. Some of the many speakers include Bret Stephens, Pulitzer Prizewinning Wall Street Journal editor; Ari Shavit, author of the highly acclaimed My Promised Land; Daniel Silva, New York Times best-selling author; and Jamie Gangel, NBC Today Show national correspondent. The convention package is $575 if you register by May 21 and $625 after May 21. The registration package includes the banquet, two lunches and two light breakfasts as well as materials and sessions. Hadassah is also offering a special “duo” registra-
tion package of $1,000 for two people if you register by May 21 and $1,150 if you register after May 21. The duo must register together at the same time and must include one of the following: Intergenerational: mom/daughter, aunt/ niece, member/Associate, etc.; Member and a First-Time Convention Delegate; Two First-Time Delegates Hotel rates are $164 plus tax (single/double occupancy). Some triple and quad rooms will be available. Please let me know if you plan to attend Hadassah’s National Convention as a Delegate. I hope you will join me at the convention! For more information, please visit www.hadas sah.org/convention2014 or call Suzie Burstein at 212.303.8239. Our ongoing Daytime Study Group continues through June and our Evening Activity Group will continue to meet during the spring and will have some summer activities. If you would like to join Hadassah, please email Donna Goldblatt at mom443@aol.com.
www.ort.org / 239-649-4000
ORT and the arts: a season in review By Helene Dorfman Fuchs
t was a season for all seasons: Gulf Beaches chapter served up programs of theater and art that animated the senses and fueled the intellect – and the appetite. In March, a new concept, “Just Desserts,” put diets on pause for a good cause. All proceeds of this series, as well as the entire season, were earmarked to provide safe transportation for students enrolled in the four ORT schools in Ukraine. The series offered (mostly) homemade delicacies plus three programs: Ellaine Rosen presented a vivid story and slide show of Jewish artists, such as Chagall and Modigliani, who lived and worked in Paris; bookended by Dottie Magen’s dissection of Caravaggio as an artist and a man whose vices nearly overshadowed his paintings. The series centerpiece was a visit to the studio of noted clay artist Richard Rosen (no relation to Ellaine), which afforded an up-close and personal demonstration by the prize-winning artist himself. Art historian/docent Magen summed up her presentation of Caravaggio: “Most of us had no idea how disturbed he was. He was a gambler, duelist, drunk; he hung around prostitutes, and
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was always being arrested for various crimes, including murder. Some of his paintings depict that side of him; others show a refined perception of beauty and use of light from which Rembrandt drew his own understanding.” To Sara Christensen, granddaughter of board member Hella Amelkin, “it was culturally stimulating to hear about the private life of an artist,” while her boyfriend, Nikko Swenson, who had “never heard of Caravaggio,” enjoyed the presentation so much he said he regretted not having seen the other programs. Gulf Beaches President Marina Berkovich offered her take on the season: “There are other groups that present art programs; we do not compete with them. We are a fundraising chapter, and our followers recognize that we must raise money for education while offering quality programs. “Just Desserts” is a perfect example. All three presenters – Ellaine and Dottie, docents and art historians, and Richard, clay sculptor – are experts in their fields, ‘wells’ of refined knowledge. They love to educate, enlighten and challenge their audiences. ORT is all about emphasizing education, so one might say that even our fundrais-
JEWISH WOMEN INTERNATIONAL
ORT America (Organization for Rehabilitation through Training)
Did you know that: ¡¡ ORT supports 300,000 students annually in 56 countries by providing technical education that emphasizes employable skills? ¡¡ ORT’s most famous (and least publicized) mission was to educate Holocaust victims in DP camps so they were able to move on with their lives? ¡¡ ORT America has four college campuses in the U.S., including two in New York, one in Chicago and one in Los Angeles, that serve the most vulnerable communities? ¡¡ ORT America is active in Southwest Florida? Please attend Gulf Beaches Chapter events and support ORT’s educational mission. Help ORT raise funds to save lives through education. To join/renew/transfer, please contact ORT America Gulf Beaches Chapter President Marina Berkovich at 239.566.1771, or Membership Chair Marebe Crouse at 239.263.4959. Please visit www.ortamerica.org for a virtual ORT experience.
ing activities support that goal.” “Just Desserts” ended the season at the Norris Center, where ORT members and friends saw an afternoon performance of Gulfshore Playhouse’s Something Intangible, a funny yet poignant tale of two brothers – one a creative genius, the other a numbers guy – and the unbreakable bond between them. Dinner and discussion at the Chapel Grill capped the evening. “Theater and dinner proved to be a wonderful idea,” said Gulf Beaches member Lea Mendel. “The subject matter was an unusual and revealing look at the Disney brothers, and the acting was
very good. I’m hoping a similar program is offered next season.” The chapter’s main fundraiser and second annual private-art tour in January were held at the home of Dr. Larry and Rita Sibrack, who have collected glass and ceramic art for more than 20 years and have personally met many of the internationally known artists. Larry and Rita told stories about the artists and shared their enormous knowledge of the art they clearly love. Stay tuned for news about next season’s private-art tour. It’s bound to be another spectacular event in another amazing season.
www.jwi.org / 239-498-2778
Temple Shalom partners with JWI to bring comfort to at-risk women on Mother’s Day
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Millie Sernovitz JWI Past International President emple Shalom is partnering with Jewish Women International (JWI) to honor the 45,000 women and children spending Mother’s Day in battered women’s shelters through JWI’s annual Mother’s Day Flower Project. For these women, urgent concerns like housing, safety and employment make the holiday just another day to survive. The Flower Project
offers donors a way to honor the special women in their lives, while making a difference in the lives of thousands of at-risk women. The Mother’s Day Flower Project delivers hope – both in the bouquets and beauty products it sends to 200 shelters across the U.S. on this special day, and through initiatives, supported by Flower Project proceeds, that work every day to educate communities, empower women and break the cycle of abuse. For each $25 contribution, JWI will send a Mother’s Day card to any woman the donor chooses, thanking her for the inspiration to help women in need. “Gifts of this kind raise the spirits of women who are trying to move
forward towards a second chance at a better life,” said one shelter representative, a Flower Project recipient. “Our heartfelt thanks for the beautiful flowers for Mother’s Day.” Throughout the year, JWI works on behalf of victims of abuse – building libraries in shelters, advocating for domestic violence legislation, and preventing abuse by teaching young people about healthy relationships. The Mother’s Day Flower Project is an opportunity to touch these women personally; to tell them that we care about them as much as the issue. OPI Products, Inc. is joining JWI this year in delivering bouquets and beauty products to the shelters.
To learn more about this important project, or to make a donation and send a card, visit www. jwi.org/fp or call 800.343.2823. To donate through Temple Shalom, use the application form included in The Voice or found on the community table in the temple lobby. To learn more about the JWI’s Mother’s Day Flower Project 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.
29 Federation Star May 2014 ORGANIZATIONS
May 2014 Federation Star
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239-353-5963 / 239-354-9117
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN
National Council of Jewish Women update
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By Linda Wainick, co-President e ushered in spring with our annual fashion show, which was a wonderful success. We enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by the Vineyards, the fabulous fashions and terrific raffles. Thanks to Pretty Women for the fresh fashions to welcome spring. From classic black and white, to splashes of color, the fashions ranged from casual to dressy, offering choices for everyone, including jewelry and accessories. Our models, Carol Alderman, Marilyn Dano, Gayle Dorio, Ellen Gurnitz and
Luba Rotsztain, looked fabulous in every outfit. Chaired by Bobbie Katz, the committee members were Carol Emerson, Carolyn Greenberg, Muriel Hurwich, Carol Klein and Linda Wainick. The fashion show was in memory of Doris Feuer, and her husband Paul shared some fond memories with us. Once again, NCJW along with Jewish Family & Community Services delivered Passover baskets to Jewish residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and private homes. Thanks
Fashion models Gayle Dorio, Ellen Gurnitz, Marilyn Dano, Luba Rotsztain, Carol Alderman
HUMANISTIC JEWISH HAVURAH
to our volunteers who provide a little bit of Pesach to these elders. We know these visits are greatly appreciated. We also had a program for Jewish residents at Tuscany Villa. If you would like to be involved in basket delivery next season, please contact Bobbie Katz. Each spring, NCJW observes International Agunot Day. At this time, the “chained women” are remembered. Thousands of Jewish women all over the world are still denied the basic right of divorce by a system of Jewish laws that allow only a husband to initiate divorce proceedings. In Israel, because religion and state are not separated, only the halachic option, one in accordance
with Jewish religious law, is available to couples seeking marriage or divorce. Moreover, any woman who desires a divorce, a get, and is denied one by her husband, is relegated to the status of agunah – one chained to a marriage – and lacks any civil recourse. The National Council of Jewish Women sees the withholding of a Jewish divorce as a serious violation of a woman’s freedom. The inability to liberate oneself legally from a marriage is an affront to individual rights and freedom. The right to divorce as well as the right to marry should be a choice made by equal partners.
Fashion Show committee members Carolyn Greenberg, Linda Wainick, Bobbie Katz (Chair), Carol Klein
www.humanisticjewishhavurahswfl.org / 239-398-3935
An afternoon at the movies Paula Creed President umanistic Jewish Havurah of Southwest Florida will show the beautiful and touching film Fugitive Pieces at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 11 in the community room of the Jewish Federation of Collier County. Writer and speaker Carole Soling, a Havurah member, will review the film and lead the discussion after the viewing. Reservations are recommended. Contact Dena Sklaroff at denas27@ aol.com or 239.591.0101. This outstanding film was the official opening night selection for the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival and garnered worldwide recognition. “Courageous...a film of special humanity,” wrote Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times film critic. Fugitive Pieces was first a novel by Canadian poet Anne Michaels, published in 1996. It received the Books in Canada First Novel Award, along with many other accolades. It is the story of Jakob Beer, who, as a Jewish child in Poland, narrowly escapes being killed by the Nazis, but witnesses the murder of his parents. The boy then becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to his sister.
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Jakob is rescued by a Greek archaeologist who adopts him and takes him to live on a Greek Isle. Eventually the two move to Toronto, and we now meet Jakob as an adult. Both he and his savior are committed to recording the past so it will be saved from oblivion. The story is not about the Holocaust as much as it is about memory, how we use it, how we must treasure it, but not be enslaved by it. After suffering these traumatic childhood experiences, the protagonist demonstrates great courage while on his long search to find meaning in his life. A Humanistic Jewish reading titled “Courage” contains the following thought: Courage begins with honesty, the willingness to confront the world as it is and not merely as we want it to be. In his book Staying Sane in a Crazy World (The Center for New Thinking, 1995), Rabbi Sherwin Wine writes, “Despair begins with the complaint, ‘If the world is meaningless, then human existence is meaningless.’ ‘If the world provides no guarantee of hope, then life is hopeless.’ Despair rests on the hidden premise that life’s meaning come primarily from outside of us. It is given to us by the fates, by destiny, by God. An absurd universe can only yield an absurd human story. The universe we live in is meaningless. For all its infinite complexity, it has no agenda. It does not want to live or die. It does not want to love or
Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the preservation of the Jewish history of this region. Currently, the organization is seeking individuals interested in serving on the Board of Directors. For more information, email jhsswf@gmail.com.
hate. It does not want to help or harm. It has no desires. It just happens. There is force and motion, but there is no passion. However, human beings do care. We want to live. We have desire. And desire breeds passion. We turn the world into a drama of good and evil by what we want and need. Through our struggle to live we divide the world into the useful and the useless, the beautiful and the ugly, the wonderful and the terrible. The universe does not give meaning to human existence. It is
human desire that gives meaning to the universe. Realistic people welcome the indifference of the universe. Given all the painful surprises of life, it is a relief not to have to figure out why me. ‘That’s the way the cookie crumbles,’ may sound flip, but it is really profound in a simple and honest way and saves a lot of time. So many people spend their time asking why when asking why is useless. They have no energy left over to cope with disaster.”
For a continuously updated community calendar, visit www.jewishnaples.org.
Jerusalem Post Crossword Puzzle Solution to puzzle on page 14
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Federation Star May 2014
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
May 2014 – 5774Get the Service you Deserve SUNDAY MONDAY Candle lighting times:
WEDNESDAY
TUESDAY
May 2: 7:41 May 9: 7:45 May 16: 7:49 May 23: 7:52 May 30: 7:56
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
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11:00am JCMI Mah Jongg 7:00pm TS Preschool Fundraiser
11:30am ORT Board Mtg 5:30pm HJH Potluck Shabbat 6:00pm TS Shir Joy Shabbat 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
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10
4
5
6
7
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8:00am JFCC FED CUP 9:00am BT Religious School 9:30am JCMI Rabbi Lecture 9:30am TS Sunday School 10:00am TS Annual Mtg 1:00pm HM Summer Exhibit Opens
2:00pm HDH Bd Mtg 5:30pm JCMI Bingo 6:00pm BT Israel Night
10:00am TS-S Board Mtg 12:15pm BT Torah Study 1:30pm CJD Steering Cmte 4:00pm BT Liturgical Hebrew 4:00pm JFCC Exec Cmte
1:00pm JCMI Bridge 1:30pm JCRC Mtg 4:30pm BT Hebrew School 4:30pm CHA Hebrew School 4:30pm TS Hebrew School 8:00pm BT Conservative Judaism
7:30pm BT Services 11:00am JCMI Mah Jongg 7:30pm TS Services 3:00pm HM Exec Cmte Mtg 8:00pm JCMI Services 6:30pm HDH Evening Grp 7:00pm JFCC Annual Community Calendar Mtg
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9:00am BT Religious School 9:30am JCMI Rabbi Lecture 9:30am TS Sunday School 2:00pm HJH Meeting
10:30am TS Naples Jewish Caring Support Group 5:30pm JCMI Bingo
10:00am Jewish Genealogy 11:00am JCMI-S Board Mtg 12:15pm BT Torah Study 4:00pm BT Liturgical Hebrew 7:30pm JFCC Board Mtg
9:30am HJH Board Mtg 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 1:30pm Israel Advocacy Cmte 4:30pm BT Hebrew School 4:30pm CHA Hebrew School
11:00am JCMI Mah Jongg 12:00pm NJC-M Meeting 1:30pm TS-S Book Bag 5:00pm BT Board Mtg 7:00pm TS Exec Cmte
7:30pm BT 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
18 Lag B’Omer
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20
21
22
23
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11:00am JCMI Mah Jongg
10:30am TS Preschool Grad 6:00pm BT Eat/Learn Shabbat 7:30pm BT 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
9:00am BT Religious School 9:30am JCMI Rabbi Lecture 4:30pm BT Lag B’Omer Picnic
25 9:00am BT Religious School 9:30am JCMI Rabbi Lecture 4:00pm HM Memorial Day Program
12:00pm NJC-S Book Club 1:00pm HDH Study Group 5:30pm JCMI Bingo
26 MEMORIAL DAY 7:30pm BT Book Group
12:15pm BT Torah Study 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 4:00pm BT Liturgical Hebrew 4:30pm BT Hebrew School 7:00pm TS Exec Cmte Mtg 4:30pm CHA Hebrew School 5:30pm CHA Storytime/ Dinner
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1:00pm JCMI Bridge 12:15pm BT Torah Study 4:00pm BT Liturgical Hebrew 4:30pm BT Hebrew School 7:00pm TS Board Mtg
9:30am BT Services 9:30am JCMI Services 10:00am CHA Services 10:00am TS Services
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11:00am JCMI Mah Jongg
5:30pm HDH Under the Stars 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
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-M: Chabad Men’s Club • CJD: Catholic/Jewish Dialogue • HDH: Hadassah • HJH: Humanistic Jewish Havurah • HM: Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida • JCMI: Jewish Congregation of Marco Island
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.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE ADVERTISERS WHO HELP MAKE THE FEDERATION STAR POSSIBLE. Be sure to mention you saw their ad in the Federation Star.
• JCMI-M: JCMI Men’s Club • JCMI-S: JCMI Sisterhood • JCRC: Jewish Community Relations Council • JFCC: Jewish Federation of Collier County • JFCS: Jewish Family & Community Services • JNF: Jewish National Fund • JWV: Jewish War Veterans • MCA: Men’s Cultural Alliance • 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.
Create a Jewish Legacy I give, devise and bequeath… Create a legacy to benefit the Jewish Federation of Collier County and our overall Jewish community in your will or trust. Call 239.263.4205. "I did not find the world desolate when I entered it. And as my parents planted for me before I was born, so do I plant for those who will come after me." -The Talmud
• 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.
31 Federation Star COMMUNITY DIRECTORY May 2014 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 Neil Shnider, President 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, Education 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 23, No. 9 May 2014 32 pages USPS Permit No. 419 Publisher: Jewish Federation of Collier County Editor: Ted Epstein, 239-249-0699 fedstar18@gmail.com Design: Federation Media Group, Inc. Advertising: Jacqui Aizenshtat 239-777-2889 June Issue Deadlines: Editorial: May 1 Advertising: May 7 Send news stories to: fedstar18@gmail.com
May 2014 Federation Star BETH TIKVAH
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: www.marcojcmi.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 Roger Blau, President
Suzanne Paley, President Jane Galler, Cantorial Soloist
Torah Study and Saturday Services
Shabbat 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 Adult Education • Adult Choir Social Action • Community Events
Shabbat Services Friday 8:00 p.m.
Play Ball Runs. Hits. Errors. That’s what they tally in the score box. In the game of estate planning, striking out is not an alternative. We don’t want to see you sitting on the bench or out in left field in the late innings. The single most important thing you can do to triple your satisfaction is to redouble your efforts to include a lifetime gift or bequest to benefit the Jewish community through the Endowment Fund of the Federation. Here’s our pitch. We’ve dugout a number of seasoned estate planning hits on which we can coach you, and on which you can base your decisions. Go ahead and bat this ball around. There’s no easy out if you want to hit a home run with your estate plan. Keep your eye on the ball…after our umpire asks you to play ball!...we’ll be cheering as you cross the plate a winner.
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(just west of Mission Square Plaza)
Phone: (239) 434-1818 Email: bethtikvahnaples@aol.com Website: www.bethtikvahnaples.org Rabbi Ammos Chorny Stuart Kaye & Rosalee Bogo, co-Presidents Phil Jason, Vice President Sue Hammerman, Secretary Shabbat Services Friday evenings at 6:15pm 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: Norman Krivosha • Executive Director: David Willens
American Technion Society • Chapter Dir: Jennifer Singer, 941-378-1500
Collier/Lee Chapter of Hadassah • President: Shelley Skelton, 676-3052
Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida • President: Joshua Bialek, 263-9200
Humanistic Jewish Havurah of Southwest Florida • Paula Creed, 495-8484
Israel Bonds
Hot dog!
• Reva Pearlstein, 800-622-8017 • Tyler Korn, 354-4300
For information on planning and charitable giving, call David Willens, Executive Director, at 239.263.4205.
Jewish Family and Community Services of Southwest Florida
Please note our email addresses: David Willens, Executive Director – david@jewishnaples.org Jill Saravis, Community Program Coord. – jill@jewishnaples.org Iris Doenias, Administrative Assistant – iris@jewishnaples.org Deborah Vacca, Bookkeeper – deborah@jewishnaples.org General information requests – info@jewishnaples.org Federation Star advertising – jacqui1818@gmail.com Ted Epstein, Editor, Federation Star – fedstar18@gmail.com
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Phone: 325-4444 • Chairperson: Richard A. Goldblatt • President/CEO: Dr. Jaclynn Faffer
Jewish National Fund • West/Central FL Office, 800-211-1502 Uri ext 8910, Beth ext 8911
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
Men’s Cultural Alliance • President: Steve Brazina, 325-8694
Naples Friends of American Magen David Adom (MDA) • SE Reg Dir: Marc Glickman, 954-457-9766
National Council of Jewish Women • Co-President: Bobbie Katz, 353-5963 • Co-President: Linda Wainick, 354-9117
ORT - Gulf Beaches Chapter • President: Marina Berkovich, 566-1771
Women’s Cultural Alliance • President: Jane Hersch, 948-0003
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 Annual Federation Campaign in our community. For more information, call the Federation office at 239.263.4205.
IF WE DON’T TEACH OUR CHILDREN WHO THEY ARE,
OTHERS WILL. As they grow up, young Jews will face challenges to their beliefs and identity. We believe the best way to protect our children against ignorance and hate is to educate them. From the pride of a preschooler learning his first H.ebrew words to the confidence of a college student prepared to grapple with anti-Israel sentiment on campus, we’re strengthening Jewish identity and inspiring a lifelong connection to Jewish values. But we need your help.
Donate. Volunteer. Get involved. www.jewishnaples.org • 239.263.4205 THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY.
YOU MAKE IT POSSIBLE!
JewishFederations.org jfederations @jfederations
Everything Federation does is made possible through the generous donations from members of the community. Please consider making a gift today!
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I hereby pledge and promise to pay my Federation for the 2014 JFCC/UJA Annual Campaign a contribution of: $36 $72 $180 $540 other $_________ Contribution enclosed (Check #__________) Please charge my:
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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 JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA