Federation Star - November 2013 by Jewish Federation of Collier County

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:

7A Community Focus 11A Jewish Interest 15A Tributes 19A Focus on Youth 21A Commentary 23A Rabbinical Reflections 24A Synagogues 26A Organizations 29A Business Directory 30A Community Calendar 31A Community Directory 1B Arts & Culture 5B Women’s Cultural Alliance 6B Men’s Cultural Alliance

4A Federation success story: The Greenbergs

November 2013 - Heshvan/Kislev 5774

Vol. 23 #3

Doubling your pleasure Judge Norman Krivosha President

n November 28 this year, a special event will occur. The first day of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and the American holiday of Thanksgiving will be on the same day, an event that has never before occurred and will not occur again, absent some changes either in the Jewish calendar or the Gregorian calendar, for more than 70,000 years from now. The reason is simple enough. By current law, Thanksgiving is set as the fourth Thursday in November, meaning it cannot be later than November 28 in any year. Hanukkah on the other hand, because of the Jewish calendar, cannot be earlier than November 28.

The Jewish calendar repeats on a 19year cycle while Thanksgiving repeats on a seven-year cycle; therefore, one would expect the two holidays to coincide every 133 years (19 x 7 = 133). However, while a form of Thanksgiving has been celebrated in “the new world” since perhaps as early as 1621, Thanksgiving was not first formally enacted until 1863 by President Lincoln during the Civil War. The last time the overlapping holidays could have happened was in 1861, two years before the formal proclamation. And why you might ask, won’t it happen again for more than 70,000 years? The reason is that the Jewish calendar is slowly moving ahead of the Gregorian calendar at the rate of four days per 1,000 years. So, while in the foreseeable future, Hanukkah should be as early as November 28, in the future, because of the movement of the days, the earliest date for Hanukkah will be November 29, a

day after Thanksgiving’s latest date to occur. Currently, the earliest date for Hanukkah and the latest date for Thanksgiving will be in 2146; that is on a Monday, too late for Thanksgiving. Thus, we shall have to wait more than 70,000 years for the two holidays to repeat themselves; the Jewish calendar will have looped around the Gregorian calendar and Hanukkah will fall on November 28, the same date as Thanksgiving in the year 79,811. This is probably not worth worrying about or even thinking about for most of us. This, however, is a wonderful day, while we are eating our turkey and latkes, to give dual thanks for much of what we have and what we have been blessed with. We are thankful that the Maccabees, under the leadership of Mattathias and then his son Judah, retook the Temple from the Greeks and with G-d’s help

continued on page 2A

Community Chanukah Celebration

11A Ken Wetcher leads High Holiday services in Prague

Jewish Federation of Collier County and our Community Synagogues and Organizations invite you to join us

Wednesday, November 27 at 5:45 p.m.

The Lawn at Mercato Across from Silverspot Cinema

19A Rising young star: Zachary Schiller

2B New museum exhibit

Greetings from Community Leaders Candle Lighting Concert by the Naples Klezmer Revival Band and lots of holiday spirit for the whole family! WE CELEBRATE OUR JEWISH COMMUNITY Jewish Federation of Collier County • Beth Tikvah • Chabad Jewish Center of Naples Jewish Congregation of Marco Island • Naples Jewish Congregation • Temple Shalom Jewish Family & Community Services of SWFL • Hadassah • Humanistic Jewish Havurah • Israel Bonds • JNF Jewish War Veterans Post 202 • NCJW • Naples Friends of Magen David Adom • Naples Jewish Social Club • ORT

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

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Federation Star November 2013

Norman Krivosha...continued from page 1A rededicated and restored the Temple; and that our Founding leaders paused to give thanks for being in this wonderful country. Upon reflections, both events are somewhat of a miracle. The Ner Tamid, the Eternal Light in front of the Ark, miraculously burned for eight days in order to have sufficient time to rededicate oil for the lamp; and, America evolved from a simple colony to a great world power. It is also an appropriate time for all of us who can to likewise give thanks for the goodness we enjoy both as Americans and as Jews, and show that thanks by helping our fellow Jews who are less fortunate. As you approach the end of the calendar year,

if you are still not counted among our many contributors to the Jewish Federation of Collier County, we urge you to do so immediately. There is no better time than now. Show your appreciation and thanks for the joint holidays by sharing what you have been blessed to receive with those who are less fortunate and in need. On their behalf, I thank you. Be sure and join us on the evening of Wednesday, November 27 at the Mercato at 5:45 p.m., when we come together to light the first candle of Hanukkah. Helene joins me in wishing all of you our warmest best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving and a Joyful Hanukkah.

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JEWISH FEDERATION

It’s not all glitz and glamour David Willens

JFCC Executive Director

or so many of us in Collier County and the surrounding environs, we are fortunate to be living in an idyllic community – one which presents all the best that life has to offer. And our Jewish Federation offers its members and the community many meaningful social, cultural and educational events that enrich and enhance our lives…hopefully making it even that much better. But the good life is just a byproduct of what we do as a Jewish Federation. We are a humanitarian relief organization, with a primary focus on assisting the most vulnerable among us. From our camp scholarship program to our annual JCRC Fund for Human Needs awards and Stand Up For Justice grants, to our support of Jewish Family & Community Services, the national initiatives we support – like Hillel, Birthright Israel,

F A Q

Jewish Council for Public Affairs, The Israel Project, American Jewish World Service and the ADL – and to all of our overseas partners in Israel and around the world, we are about helping our fellow Jews, wherever they are and whenever they need our help. What we do is not all glitz and glamour…nor should it be. We know that if we don’t take care of our own… no one else will! That’s why we need your help. For your support, we thank you. For your interest in our community we thank you, too. Without you, our donors and members, we could not provide the lifeline of support that reaches out from our community to Jews around the world and back again. If you have already made your gift to the 2013 Federation Campaign, we thank you. If you find at the end of this year that you can give more, we hope that you will consider doing just that…a 10% or 20% increase, or even doubling your gift, will help us do that much more. And if you have not yet made your pledge or gift for this year, then please do so TODAY. You’ll be glad that you did…with our thanks.

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, please send an email to iris@ jewishnaples.org 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.

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3A Federation Star November 2013 JEWISH FEDERATION

November 2013 Federation Star

Federation honors Rosalee and Jerry Bogo By Carole J Greene

ou see this name everywhere in our community. I know what you’re thinking. When you see these four letters, BOGO, your mind connects with the successful marketing ploy of Publix and other stores. But no, this piece is not about the “Buy One Get One” offer; but I’m sure Rosalee and Jerry Bogo find it amusing that their name is used widely in advertising media. OUR Bogo duo has an even more compelling connection to our community because their devoted involvement in the Jewish Federation of Collier County has guided us to ever-

greater heights of accomplishment. It is no wonder, then, that Jerry and Rosalee will be honorees at our February 8, 2014, Community Celebration Event at Wyndemere Country Club. Rosalee led the Jewish Federation of Collier County for an unprecedented six years, from 2006 to 2012, although some would have liked her to remain as “president for life.” During that time, she spearheaded the move to our present office location and provided encouragement and leadership for annual increases in our campaign goals, despite the recession. Also benefitting from Rosalee’s profound leadership skills are the Holocaust

Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida and Beth Tikvah Congregation, where this year she is co-president. The recipient of numerous community awards, Rosalee is also a life member of Hadassah. Jerry doesn’t sit quietly and let his wife tend to all the volunteer tasks. Since 2011 he has served on the Federation board as assistant treasurer. It was Jerry who created the annual FED CUP golf outing that, since 2008, has raised funds for our camp scholarship program. Jerry is also a board member of Beth Tikvah. This touches just the high points. When the mail delivers your invita-

tion, send in your reply. Then come and help this community honor our Bogo team. The event includes a reception and cocktails, dinner, a comedy show, and remarks from guest speaker Alison Lebovitz, co-chair of the National Young Leadership Cabinet for The Jewish Federations of North America. Couvert is $125 per person. Your attendance confirms your commitment to a minimum pledge of $150 per person to the 2014 Federation Campaign. For more information, contact the Jewish Federation of Collier County at 239.263.4205.

Sold-out crowd anticipated for tenth anniversary of Evy Lipp People of the Book Cultural Event By Carole J Greene

ebruary 19, 2014, will mark the tenth time the Jewish Federation of Collier County has brought noted authors – book people – to share insights with members. Thanks to the continual sponsorship by the Federation, generous patrons and the Lipp family, this alwayssold-out event has become an annual tradition. “Sold-out” is a misnomer as the event is free to members of the JFCC, which searches diligently every year to discover the right speaker for the occasion. This tenth anniversary

event brings to our midst a New York Times columnist and author of several books: Bruce Feiler. Although we can detail the background of our speakers, we are never certain of their topics, as they want to surprise us. Feiler’s writings cover two areas of expertise – family dynamics and the role of religion in contemporary life – either of which should keep us spellbound. Perhaps he’ll talk to us about some “a-ha! moments” he relates in his Walking the Bible - A Journey By Land Through the Five Books of Moses. Or he might choose some

aspects explored in one of his several other books that focus on religion, perhaps from Where God Was Born: A Daring Adventure Through the Bible’s Greatest Stories. “Family” has lately become a significant buzzword. We talk about the nuclear family, the non-traditional family, the extended family, the family within our religious organizations, the family of nations. Feiler may speak on any of these. His most recent book, published in February 2013, titled The Secrets of Happy Families, could easily form the basis of his presentation.

He could even take us on a personal journey through his battle against a malignant tumor, a quest for life he details in The Council of Dads. Watch your mail and this newspaper for Evy Lipp People of the Book reservation forms and respond immediately. The venue, Temple Shalom, always fills to capacity – in other circles, that would read “sold-out.” To be sure you do not miss this opportunity offered gratis to JFCC members, join or renew your membership in the Jewish Federation of Collier County. For details, call 239.263.4205.

Some history is worth repeating. Come join our family tree.

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Federation Star November 2013

JEWISH FEDERATION

“If we don’t take care of ourselves, who will?” A Federation success story By Carole J Greene

ank and Nancy Greenberg became involved in the Jewish Federation of Collier County before it even existed. When they became Naples residents in 1984, the Federation hadn’t been organized, so they jumped right in with their support of the United Jewish Appeal. They embraced this philanthropy for Jews everywhere as a responsibility. “We view our support as a requirement of being Jewish,” said Hank. When asked why he and Nancy initially dedicated time and money to the UJA and now to the JFCC, Hank had a ready answer. “It’s validation that we are Jewish.” From childhood forward, both had learned from parents and their synagogues: “If we don’t take care of ourselves, who

will?” The Jewish Federation supplied the best conduit for their charity, Hank said, “because they reach out to so many – to fill local and regional needs as well as international and, especially, Israel.”

Nancy and Hank Greenberg

Reviewing how our Jewish Federation of Collier County gives them particular pride of membership, Nancy pointed to the Catholic/Jewish Dialogue. “Especially in a city the size of Naples,” she said, “it is important for the Jewish community to support interfaith activities.” Hank emphasized the importance of two other areas helped by our local Federation: Neve Michael in Israel – the foremost home and school for at-risk children – and Jewish summer camps in this country. Nancy recalled hearing re-

ports from teens about their experiences at Camp Coleman. In Naples, where Jews are a tiny minority, these youngsters rarely have Jewish friends at school, so they find it comforting to mingle with other Jews at camp, where they share common bonds. One returning camper said: “I know these camp-mates can become lifelong friends.” Nancy wrapped up her feelings about their involvement with the Federation: “We’ve been lucky. Naples has been good to us. We are glad to give back.”

Look for more Federation success stories in upcoming issues of the Federation Star.

Introducing Jill Saravis, Federation’s new Community Program Coordinator By David Willens

ith the start of a new season in our community, we also welcome a new addition to our Federation staff – Jill Saravis, our Community Program Coordinator. With the retirement of her predecessor, Melissa Keel, came the awesome task of finding her replacement. It was beshert that Jill walked into

our office in early September inquiring about joining the WCA. In conversation, I learned of Jill’s qualifications, her enthusiasm about her Judaism, and interest in getting involved with our Jewish community. Jill’s background is not in communal work, but she has worked extensively with the public through

our court system as a Certified Court Reporter and Notary Public. Jill hails from Connecticut, and moved with her family to Southwest Florida ten years ago, subsequently moving to Naples four years ago. We welcome Jill to our Federation. When you come to the Federation office, please stop by to meet her.

Jill Saravis

Save these 2014 dates for major Federation events Monday, January 13: Major Gifts/ Lions of Judah event

Saturday, February 8:

Community Celebration Event

Wednesday, February 19: 10th Annual Evy Lipp People of the Book Cultural Event

Friday, April 11:

Women’s Division Luncheon

Hosts for this elite evening are Bobby and Jack Myers. Guest speaker is Michael Siegal, chairman of the Jewish Federations of North America. Northern Trust has graciously stepped forward to sponsor this fundraiser.

The Federation will take that opportunity to honor Rosalee and Jerry Bogo for ten years of dedicated leadership to our organization and community. This dinner will be held at the recently remodeled and redecorated Wyndemere Country Club. To top it off, the program – a night of comedy – will provide plenty of healthy laughter.

This annual event always fills the venue at Temple Shalom. This year’s speaker may not be an immediately recognized celebrity like former presenters Alan Dershowitz or Ted Koppel, but rest assured that Bruce Feiler, author of Walking the Bible, is a most significant writer, speaker and thought-provoker.

After a few years of having no activity specifically for the Women’s Division, 2014 marks its comeback year. Under the leadership of co-chairs Nancy Greenberg and Carolyn Roth, this fundraiser luncheon for the 2014 campaign – women only – will be held at beautiful Grey Oaks.

The Federation Star will feature more information on each of these events as the dates approach.

JEWISH FEDERATION 5A Federation Star November 2013 Jewish Federation of Collier County

2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201 Naples, Florida 34109-0613 Phone: (239) 263-4205 Fax: (239) 263-3813 www.jewishnaples.org Email: info@jewishnaples.org Officers

President: Judge Norman Krivosha Vice President: Dr. Karen Ezrine Vice President: Dr. Morton Friedman Vice President: Phyllis Seaman Recording Secretary: Kevin Aizenshtat Assistant Secretary: Alvin Becker Treasurer: Jerry Sobelman Assistant Treasurer: Jerry Bogo Immed. Past President: Rosalee Bogo

Board of Trustees Harvey Brenner Stephen Coleman Alan Gordon Neil Heuer Linda Hyde Wallie Lenchner Ben Peltz Joel Pittelman Dr. Ronald Roth Dr. Tracey Roth Arlene Sobol Michael Sobol Berton Thompson Dr. Joel Waltzer Dr. Daniel Wasserman Beth Wolff Barry Zvibleman

November 2013 Federation Star

Jewish Community Relations Council update By Joel Pittelman, JCRC Chair was pleased to welcome the members of the Jewish Community Relations Council to their first official meeting on Wednesday, October 9. I was very impressed

David Willens presents Ann Jacobson with a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the Jewish Community Relations Council

with the quality and capacity of the appointed members from the various organizations in Collier County. These individuals bring an array of interest and reflection, and a deep commit-

ment for community social justice issues. The JCRC will do a fine job of representing the Jewish community in developing relations with the broader Collier County community.

Members of the JCRC present for their first official meeting: Jill Saravis, Ida Margolis, Marina Berkovich, Sandy Wolf, Melissa Keel, David B. Goldstein, Beth Povlow, Joel Pittelman, Ruth Dorfman, Morris Herstein, Steve Brazina. Several members of the JCRC were not present.

Why create a Jewish legacy?

A message from David Willens, Federation Executive Director

ewish tradition teaches that one of our key duties is to make the world a better place for future generations. Chances are you already donate generously to the Jewish charitable organizations of your choice. But have you considered including those organizations in your will or trust, so you can continue to make a difference for generations to come?

Whether you use a will or other estate planning vehicle, your generosity can do a world of good. We can help you start this rewarding process. Your legacy can reflect everything that is most important and meaningful to you. The legacy planning process can engender heartfelt conversations with your family and build bonds with your partners in the community.

The act of creating a legacy empowers you to complete the work of your heart, and to enjoy the peace that it brings. You are assured that your work will continue and the Jewish future will be bright. I invite you to call me at 239.263.4205 for more information about creating a Jewish legacy that will benefit you and your family and our Jewish community.

Past Presidents

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

Board Members Emeritus Ann Jacobson Hans Levy Shirley Levy

Synagogue Representatives Cantor Donna Azu Roger Blau Rabbi Ammos Chorny Yale T. Freeman Stuart Kaye Rabbi Edward Maline Rabbi Adam Miller Suzanne Paley Rabbi James Perman Dr. Arthur Seigel Rabbi Sylvin Wolf Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Executive Director David Willens

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

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

GENTLE ENDODONTICS

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Federation Star November 2013

Catholic-Jewish Dialogue in Commemoration of the

75th

Anniversary of Kristallnacht

“The Night of Broken Glass” Presents A Memorial Service and The Dramatic Reading of “WITNESS” Sunday, November 3 2:00PM Temple Shalom of Naples 4630 Pine Ridge Road Sponsored by: Catholic/Jewish Dialogue of Collier County Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Collier County Diocese of Venice in Florida Holocaust Museum & Education Center of SW Florida Temple Shalom of Naples WITNESS is being presented in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida and the Interfaith Council of Central Florida

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

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JEWISH FEDERATION

Israel 101 program comes to Naples By Jeff Margolis

here are many members of our community who have been to Israel on numerous occasions. There are also those who have yet to make the trip. Whether you have visited Eretz Yisroel or not, the fact is that hardly a day goes by without some article or commentary about the government or people of Israel. The Israel Advocacy Committee, under the auspices of the Jewish Federation of Collier County, is pleased to announce a series of informative and thought-provoking classes called Israel 101. The program will take an introspective look at topics such as “delegitimization,” education, and Israel’s many contributions to the

world community. Classes will include films and discussions, and will be offered once a month from December to March. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Betty Schwartz at bettyofnaples@gmail.com or Steve Brazina at sbrazina@aol.com. The Israel Advocacy Committee would also like to invite the community to attend a compelling presentation by Dr. Eric Mandel on Thursday, December 19 at 5:00 p.m. at Temple Shalom in Naples. Dr Mandel will be speaking about “How Israel Will Survive the 21st Century.” Be sure to circle the date and tell your friends.

Camp scholarships By Beth Wolff, Scholarship Committee Chair he Jewish Federation of Collier County has a proud tradition and responsibility of helping our Jewish youth with scholarships for various Jewish camps and programs available throughout the country and the world. One of our priorities is a focus on our youth and youth-related programs as they represent the future of our Jewish community. The forthcoming summer should be no different than last summer for our students. Again, qualifying students will have an opportunity to apply for partial scholarships through the Federation. If your child or a child you know is deserving of a scholarship and wants to have a rewarding Jewish summer experience, we urge you to submit an application. Please remember that the deadline for the applications to reach the Federation office is November 30, 2013. I know what you’re thinking – that’s early to consider what your child may be doing next summer. It’s really not. Most camps want you to give a deposit to a camp session by February of that year. Our committee needs times to evaluate all the applications that come in to the office. The following is an excerpt of a

letter written by one of our scholarship recipients, who attended the JCC Maccabi Games for Basketball last summer. He had a great time and your child can too. “My experience at the JCC Maccabi Games in Orange County was truly a tremendous opportunity. The magnitude of the games was incredible. As all of the Jewish athletes walked on the big stage at the opening ceremony, our faces lit up. We walked through the arch and realized the amazing journey ahead. Our journey included passionate competition and new friendships in a Jewish environment. The Games had officially begun.” If your child is thinking about camp, a leadership program, Birthright trip, March of the Living or other Jewish experience, start your research soon. Just do a search of “Jewish Summer Camps” and you will be surprised at what you can find. If your child is a BBYO member, check out www. bbyo.org for some options, too. You can always call the Federation office for guidance at 239.263.4205, or email me at winggy1@gmail. com for additional information. All requests are kept confidential.

Tikkun olam at the YMCA By David Willens

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n Thursday, October 3, sevwas made in keeping with our ancient precept of tikkun olam – to repair the eral Officers of the Jewish world – not just for ourselves, but Federation Board of Trustees for the overall community in which arrived at the Greater Naples YMCA to present Paul Thein, President/CEO, we live. and Deborah Campbell, Vice Chair, with an Emergency Grant of $2,500 from our Federation to the Y. This special grant is dedicated to the restoration of property and services caused by the recent fire. We were led on a tour of the destruction that is extreme. In the burned-out gymnasium are David Willens, Dr. Mort Friedman, This special emer- Dr. Karen Ezrine, Rosalee Bogo, Deborah Campbell, Paul Thein, gency assistance grant Judge Norman Krivosha and Jerry Bogo

7A November 2013 Federation Star COMMUNITY FOCUS

November 2013 Federation Star

HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & ED CTR OF SWFL www.holocaustmuseumswfl.org / 239-263-9200

Learning from history Amy Snyder Executive Director

his morning I received a phone call from a college friend that took me a little bit by surprise. She was calling just to encourage me and let me know that she had been thinking about and praying for me. What a blessing to have friends like this! As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, I am reminded to give thanks for my wonderful group of friends that have been with me since college (over 20 years ago!). Not only is it a blessing to have friends who encourage, but also friends who know how to speak truth in love. There are times when my frustrations and complaints are not helpful, and this group of ladies is not shy in telling me so. In a way, though, that helps me to find my way through tough situations. Connecting this to the events of the Holocaust may seem like a stretch, but I think there are parallels. In addition to the big picture laid out by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, much of the work of the Holocaust was personal. It was friends and colleagues turning their backs; it was neighbor turning in neighbor; it was a fear of speaking

the truth. On the other side, it was a friend putting himself and his family at risk; it was a diplomat risking his career and his life; it was choosing to exercise our rights as human beings to stand up for others. These people made all the difference and deserve our thanks even today. Kurt Messerschmidt, a Holocaust survivor from Germany now living in Maine, shared his perspective on Kristallnacht during his oral history interview with the Shoah Foundation. He described a scene in Berlin on November 10, 1938, in which a very old man, the owner of a cigar shop, was forced by the SA (the “Brownshirts”) to pick up, piece by piece, the shattered glass of his storefront window. All around a crowd had gathered, most likely made up of others who worked and shopped on that street. Chances are high that many in the crowd knew this man personally. Kurt, then 23 years old, and a friend decided that they needed to do something. They laid down their bikes and began to assist the man in picking up the shards of glass. Kurt recalls that he thought many people disapproved of what had happened, but “their disapproval was only silence and it was the silence that did the harm.” It is my personal hope that as we reflect upon all the things we have to be thankful for, we also understand the responsibilities that are intertwined with the blessings. We should

Upcoming ZOA presentations and events By Jerry Sobel, President, Southwest Chapter ZOA ark your calendar for the next ZOA (Zionist Organization of America) chapter educational presentation. Dr. Andrew Bostom, author of The Legacy of Islamic Anti-Semitism, The Legacy of Jihad, Sharia Versus Freedom, will be the guest speaker at a breakfast meeting, Sunday, November 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the Chabad Jewish Community Center, 1789 Mandarin Rd., Naples. Dr. Bostom will present “Understanding Islamic Anti-Semitism.” Admission, including breakfast, is $10. RSVP to Jerry Sobel at jerrysobel@ aol.com or Gene Sipe at mrnsrvr@ gmail.com. Other programs through the season include, Dan Pollak, ZOA Director of Government Relations, Tuesday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m.; Bret Stephens, 2013 Pulitzer Prize Winner and Editor of The Wall Street Journal, Tuesday, January 28 at

7:30 p.m.; Film Festival, (film to be announced), Tuesday, February, 18 at 7:30 p.m.; and Daniel Pipes, President of the Middle East Forum and Publisher of the Middle East Quarterly Journal, Tuesday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. Our goal is that the high caliber of this programming will inspire and promote the most informed Zionists in Southwest Florida. We want our members to be active and involved, and would love to hear from you with your thoughts, ideas and suggestions. We also need our members to share these programs with those who are not yet members. Dues are only $25 per year and help us continue this fine programming. If you would like to become a member or have not yet paid your 2013-14 dues, please send your check, payable to ZOA, to Jerry Sobel, 4003 Upolo Lane, Naples, FL 34119.

House sitting/pet sitting services available Non-smoker / non-drinker available for house sitting and/or pet sitting (long or short term). Excellent references. Reasonable rates. For more information, call 239.285.4722.

be sharing encouragement daily with those with whom we come into contact and be willing to break the silence when we see injustice. This also means that we must be discerning about what is “right” versus what is popular or prevalent in our society. Going along with the crowd wasn’t something that had a positive outcome in Europe under the Nazi Regime. We can learn from that piece of history and apply those lessons in many areas of our lives today.

As we encourage students to do after a Holocaust Museum program, think about ways you can make a positive impact on your family, community and nation. Do something that makes others think of you as a blessing in their world. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.

See page 8B for the Holocaust Museum’s season of events.

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Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU BIT XHI E NEW CONFESSIONAL COMICS BY JEWISH WOMEN Opens November 4 How did women contribute to the history of comics, and in particular, to autobiographical comics, a genre they helped birth? This exhibit explores topics from intermarriage to children to views on Israel, through the deeply personal stories of 18 artists. Curated by Michael Kaminer and Sarah Lightman. Traveling exhibition developed by Yeshiva University Museum curator Zachary Paul Levine.Sponsored by Funding Arts Network.

Through October 5, 2014 From the “King of Citrus” and groves three times the size of Manhattan, to sixth generation dairy farmers, Growers, Grocers & Gefilte Fish spans nearly 200 years of Florida Jews in the food industry, with artifacts, figures and photographs. Opening event sponsors: Congregation Beth Jacob and Morris & Rhoda Levitt & Families. Additional support includes: Publix Super Markets Charities; Southern Wine & Spirits.

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FedStar

Hans Sachs Poster Collection Thru December 15, 2013

This poster collection, the largest and most significant in the world, was confiscated by Nazis 75 years ago and finally returned to the Sachs family this year. Come see select works from this rare and stunning collection. Peter Sachs and Family in honor of the Legacy of Hans Sachs. Courtesy Guernsey's, New York.

Also see the Museum’s core exhibit, MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida, with over 500 artifacts and photographs of unique history. Visit the Orovitz Museum Store for one-of-a-kind gifts and have a snack at Bessie’s Bistro!

301 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach Open daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. P 305-672-5044 Except Mondays and Holidays www.jewishmuseum.com The Museum is supported by individual contributions, foundations, memberships and grants from the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners and the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council.

Federation Star November 2013

COMMUNITY FOCUS

Giving thanks Dr. Jaclynn Faffer

JFCS President/ CEO

an it be that Thanksgiving and Hanukkah are just around the corner? What better time to say “thank you” to our community for helping Jewish Family & Community Services help so many! A very special “thank you” to Beth Tikvah Congregation and the Naples Jewish Congregation for their successful High Holiday Food Drives for the JFCS Food Pantry. Close to 100 bags of food were delivered to JFCS. Each congregation had a list

of our most needed food items. If you are interested in seeing what we need, please visit our website, www. jfcsswfl.org. We are so grateful for the holiday food collection because food insecurity continues to be a major concern of our neighbors in Collier County. In fact, in the recently completed Naples Area Senior Needs Assessment, the availability of food support through community pantries was among the concerns of individuals over age 65. With projected cuts in food stamps and Meals on Wheels, we know this concern will increase. And, the JFCS Food Pantry usage indicates that the necessity of food support is on the rise. This summer, for the first time since I have been at JFCS, I had to shop for tuna, canned fruit and pasta

for the shelves of our pantry. Our “Friends of JFCS” campaign is well under way. Donations to the annual Friends campaign help us provide mental health and senior services to the community, as well as financial assistance to the Jewish community. We thank our Friends who have already contributed. Again, if you are interested in becoming a “Friend” of JFCS, please visit our website for more information or to make a donation. The JFCS annual fundraising event, “Planting Seeds for Better Tomorrows,” co-chaired by Carol and Marvin Lader and Susan and Dr. Nat Ritter, will be held on Tuesday, January 14 at Artis—Naples. Kim Lear, generational specialist, will be discussing “Four Generations of

Family and Philanthropy.” Prior to the program, guests will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and will be able to walk through the Artis—Naples galleries. Tickets are $225 per person. On Thursday, January 9, JFCS Patrons who contribute at the $5,000 and above level will enjoy a lovely evening of cocktails and dinner at the home of Susan and Nat Ritter, and will be entertained by Matt Savage, a young and impressive jazz pianist and composer. And, as always, a very special “thank you” to the Jewish Federation of Collier County. The organization launched us and continues to be our major supporter. Together we serve our community. Best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving and Hanukkah!

Temple Shalom “Food for Life” donations reach $150,000 over 12 years! embers of Temple Shalom have reached a milestone by raising more than $10,000 for the Harry Chapin Food Bank during the High Holy Days this year. Because of their generosity, the congregation has raised $150,000 for the food bank since 2002, when Temple Shalom first began collections between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. “Both the temple and the Food Bank are near and dear to my heart, and I’m thrilled by what we’ve been able to accomplish,” said Yale Freeman, President of Temple Shalom. These donations have enabled the food bank to distribute $900,000 in food to families in our communities. Rabbi Adam Miller said, “Judaism teaches that we are to offer words of thanksgiving after each meal. In addition to expressing our gratitude for the food that nourishes us and the land on which it is grown, we have a

responsibility to recognize those who lack nourishment, and who lack the resources to stave off their hunger. It is quite powerful to know that while we fast voluntarily on Yom Kippur, there are many who go without food because they have no choice. I am moved to know that Temple Shalom’s membership has risen to the challenge over the years to address this need in our community and share our blessings with others in partnership with the Harry Chapin Food Bank. These acts have brought nourishment to those in need, and nourished the souls of our congregation. We look forward to continuing our work with the Harry Chapin Food Bank in the fight against hunger, and the effort to bring hope to those in need.” “We thank members of Temple Shalom for their generosity,” said Miriam Pereira, the food bank’s development director. “Their contributions have helped feed children, families

OFF-SEASON DEALS Huge Discounts on Entire Inventory

and others in our community at a time when they have most needed support. Not only has Temple Shalom helped feed our neighbors in need, but the congregation has given them another gift: the gift of hope.” The Harry Chapin Food Bank solicits, collects and stores quality food for distribution to families and others in need through a network of 150 nonprofit agencies that provide food to more than 30,000 people monthly. More than 1 million pounds of food are distributed by the Harry Chapin Food Bank monthly. For

each donated dollar, the food bank can distribute $6 worth of food and grocery items. In 2012-2013, the Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed 16.6 million pounds of food and other grocery items valued at more than $27 million. This is roughly the equivalent of 13.8 million meals to people in need. For additional information or to contribute financially to the Harry Chapin Food Bank, call 239.334.7007 or visit www.harrychapinfoodbank. org.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS. THEY HELP MAKE THE FEDERATION STAR POSSIBLE.

Interested in your family’s history?

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? Why do you want to know? How do you find out? Do your grandchildren know who these people are? Why should you or they care? 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, November 12 at 10:00 a.m.

SUMMER HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY

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.

9A November 2013 COMMUNITY FOCUS Federation Star

November 2013 Federation Star

Dr. Ken Wetcher to speak at next meeting of Generations of the Shoah of SW Florida

By Ida Margolis

The Naples Jewish Caring Support Group By Phyllis Lazear

the stress of being a caregiver or a lonely survivor of that journey. We help each other overcome uncomfortable and unwanted feelings, such as anger and frustration, that are the normal human reactions to undesired change. The upbeat attitude and acceptance we find in our bi-monthly meetings comfort us and give us the confidence we need. Our meetings are held the second and fourth Monday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Temple Shalom has kindly offered the use of its chapel. This is a free service to the entire Jewish community. After our meetings many of us go out for lunch. For more information, please call me at 239.352.2907.

Next meetings: November 11 & 25

Stay connected at www.jewishnaples.org

sociation.” Dr. Steinberg will share insights about key ways that people survive and heal from traumas. This event will be held at Chabad Naples at 4:00 p.m. A $5 donation will be requested at these special events. Reservations are required for all events. If you are interested in attending the November 17 meeting, or if you would like more information about GenShoah and receive its email notifications, please contact me at ida.margolis2@gmail.com or 239.963.9347.

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Join us in celebrating our

10th ANNIVERSARY! 2013-2014 SEASON EVENTS

Itzhak Perlman and Perlman Music Program Alumni Perform Chamber Music Celebrating Israel’s 65th anniversary November 6, 2013, 7:30 p.m. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Van Wezel box office: 941-953-3368 Tickets: $30-$120 In partnership with

PMP Sarasota Winter Residency

in partnership with

20+ free musical events led by Itzhak Perlman and other acclaimed mentors December 22, 2013-January 4, 2014 USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus

10th Anniversary Celebration Concert Featuring Itzhak Perlman conducting the PMP String Orchestra

ting 10 Y ra

January 4, 2014, 5 p.m. • Sarasota Opera House Sarasota Opera box office: 941-366-8450 Tickets: $40, $60, $80 For gala and special events, call 941-350-2338

2003

rs! ea

hen some of my friends and I watched illness attack our loved ones, we found ourselves isolated by the job of caregiving. Some of us became surviving spouses and that left an empty spot filled with grief and loneliness. We craved the closeness we once had with family and friends. Where could we find companionship where it was safe to discuss our distress and find the encouragement we needed? It was then that we joined the Naples Jewish Caring Support Group and found compassionate friends who shared so much with us. Some of us had to make life-changing decisions and it felt good to talk things through in this safe and friendly environment. All this we could do because we knew that confidentiality was paramount to our group. We are our in our fifth year now and the group has helped us to accept

March. At 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4 at Temple Shalom, the community will have the opportunity to see the stirring 2011 documentary Nicky’s Family. The film covers the emotional story of Sir Nicolas Winton, his rescue of 669 children just before the outbreak of WWII, and the projects that followed. On Sunday, March 2, psychiatrist Marlene Steinberg will speak on “Surviving and Healing from Traumatic Experiences: Understanding Post-traumatic Symptoms and Dis-

Cele b

presentation. enerations of the Shoah of In addition to the programs that SW Florida (GenShoah) will feature guest speaker Dr. have been planned for members and Ken Wetcher following the general friends of GenShoah, a number of meeting on Sunday, November 17. events that are open to the public have Meetings for members and friends already been scheduled. of GenShoah are scheduled the third “The Destruction of Hungarian Sunday of each month at 4:30 p.m. Jewry” is the topic of a public presenGenShoah is open not only to tation by Professor Herbert Herman, children of Holocaust survivors (the on Sunday, December 15 at 5:00 p.m. Second Generation), but to all those Professor Herman, who was a Muwho are interested in its mission of: seum Docent, will be available for a promotion of Holocaust education, question-and-answer period after his preservation of memories of the formal presentation. Holocaust, connection of members Also open to the public is the of the Second Generation to one anscreening of the award-winning, inother, and support of the Holocaust sightful and gripping film “The Long Way Home,” which will follow the Museum. After the meeting for meeting on Sunday, members and guests that January 19. At 5:00 p.m., Steve Brazina will be held from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m., GenShoah will present the oftenmember and psychiatrist untold story of Jewish Dr. Wetcher will faciliHolocaust survivors who are moved, after tate a continuation of a discussion of “Reactions WWII, into Displaced to Holocaust Memorials, Persons’ Camps. The Commemorations and documentary by MoDr. Ken Wetcher Museums.” riah Films shows how after delays, more physical hardship, He and his wife Goldie will then and years of uncertainty, the survivors speak about their attendance at the are finally permitted to begin new recent 20th anniversary of the U.S. lives in Israel and the U.S. Brazina Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and their recent will facilitate a discussion following the film. trip to Prague (see article on page 11A), where Ken conducted holiday Cami Green Hofstadter will give services for the past two years. Ken a public presentation following the Sunday, February 16 meeting. Her was recently a presenter at Holocaust Memorial Week at Edison College. topic will be “The Jews of Scandinavia During the Holocaust.” Plans are being made for a Hanukkah dinner for members and guests, Two very special public events will be presented in February and which may follow Dr. Wetcher’s

2013

The Perlman Music Program S U N C O A S T

For information, call 941-955-4942 or visit PMPSuncoast.org

COMMUNITY FOCUS

10A Federation Star November 2013

Temple Shalom events open to the community

emple Shalom proudly hosts the live broadcast of the 92nd Street Y featuring Alan Dershowitz. You know that Dershowitz, the preeminent defense lawyer in America today, has had an impact on the lives of storied clients like O.J. Simpson, Claus von Bülow, Bill Clinton, Julian Assange, Patty Hearst and many more. But who has affected Dershowitz himself? The attorney and author is now Taking the Stand in a new memoir and on 92Y’s stage. Jeffrey Toobin, author (The Oath: The Obama White House and the Supreme Court), New Yorker writer and CNN analyst, interviews Dershowitz. Please join us on Monday, November 4 at 7:00 p.m. for a wine, coffee and cake reception, followed by the broadcast at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers. Tickets may be purchased at the door. RSVP to the temple office at 239.455.3030.

*** Join Temple Shalom on Friday, November 8 at 7:30 p.m. for our annual Veterans Shabbat Service as we honor the men and women who have so proudly served in the Armed Forces. All are welcome. *** The community is invited to scribe a letter in the Torah! There is still time to make an appointment to be part of Temple Shalom’s Our Torah project. Scribing appointments are available for Sunday, November 10. To schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Michael Rubner at OurTorah@ naplestemple.org, or call the temple office at 239.455.3030. *** On Sunday, November 10, the entire Jewish community is invited to join together and celebrate everyone’s return to Naples with our annual Welcome Back Community Dance. This is a great way to see your friends

who have been away and see some new faces as well. The festivities will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Temple Shalom, and will feature the band Night Train. Their music is guaranteed to get you on the dance floor! Let’s join together for friends, fun, light refreshments and dancing. Tickets are still only $18 per person. Call 239.455.3030 to make your reservations. *** Temple Shalom’s Sisterhood invites you another extraordinary performance by the incomparable Bobbi Bassewitz. Bobbi’s dramatic portrayals are mesmerizing and should not be missed! Join us on Tuesday, November 12 at 11:30 a.m. for a wonderful luncheon and incredible show. Tickets are $25 for members, $28 for nonmembers, and $50 for sponsors. Please send your check, payable to Temple Shalom Sisterhood, to Temple Shalom, Attn: Judi Spintman, 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34119.

*** The Temple Shalom Sisterhood Book Bag invites you to join them on Thursday, November 21 at 1:30 p.m. in the Perman Library. This month’s selection is Raquela, A Woman of Israel by Ruth Gruber. Raquela Prywes lived on the front lines of Israel’s history. This book tells the powerful and deeply moving true story of an Israeli woman who knew passionate love, great danger and shattering loss, and who witnessed the darkest and most triumphant moments in the history of the Jewish people. Read, talk, nosh! Book Bag is open to all and there is no charge. For more information, please call the temple office at 239.455.3030.

Jewish National Fund to host annual Tree Of Life™ Award Dinner in Naples

ewish National Fund (JNF) will host its annual Tree of Life™ Award Dinner at TwinEagles Country Club on Thursday, January 23, 2014. The dinner will honor local philanthropist Janet Cohen with the prestigious Tree of Life™ Award, a humanitarian award given in rec-

ognition of outstanding community involvement, dedication to the cause of American-Israeli friendship, and devotion to peace and security of human life. Gil Tamary, Washington Bureau Chief for Israel’s Channel 10 News, will address the audience as the evening’s guest speaker.

The event will take place at TwinEagles Country Club, 11725 TwinEagles Blvd. RSVP by January 9 at jnf.org/naplestol or by contacting the JNF office at 800.211.1502 or RSVPNorthFL@jnf.org. For more information including sponsorship opportunities, please contact Uri Smajovits at usmajovits@ jnf.org or Beth Glickman Morris at bmorris@jnf.org, or call 800.211.1502 x890/891.

FIFTH ANNUAL MARCO ISLAND COMMUNITY CHANUKAH CELEBRATION Sponsored by Jewish Congregation of Marco Island and Jewish Federation of Collier County

Residents and Guests on Marco Island and Vicinity are invited to CELEBRATE on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2013 TIME: 5:45 PM Jewish Congregation of Marco Island 991 Winterberry Drive Marco Island, FL 34145 (239) 642-0800 www.marcojcmi.com Join us for a Candle Lighting Ceremony, Chanukah Music, and lots of holiday spirit for the entire family

Light Refreshments

JEWISH INTEREST 11A Federation Star November 2013

Jerusalem Post Crossword Puzzle

November 2013 Federation Star

11A

Local resident leads High Holiday services in Prague Plus an in-depth look at the city’s Jewish community By Goldie Wetcher his year for the second time, my husband, Dr. Kenneth Wetcher, and I traveled to Prague, Czech Republic, where he led High Holiday services at the beautiful Spanish Synagogue. After our trip last year, I wrote an article that appeared in this newspaper. When people learned about this trip, they wanted to know more about the circumstances that led Ken to conduct High Holiday services in Prague. They were curious about who attended the services at Congregation Bejt Praha, which meets at the Spanish Synagogue, part of the Jewish Museum, and about the Prague Jewish community. So I’d like to share our experiences at the High Holidays this year and describe how it might feel to be a Jew living in Prague. Ken felt more comfortable this year on the bimah of the magnificent Spanish Synagogue, named for its Moorish architecture, because he knew what to expect of the congregation and himself. He had written his sermons and sent them to be translated into Czech for the non-English speaking audience who were also given prayer booklets with Czech translations of the Hebrew as well as phonetic Hebrew pronunciations. English speakers had the Silverman machzorim available. Ken took singing lessons over the summer so he was prepared to do all the services from Erev Rosh Hashanah through Kol Nidre, to the closing moments of Yom Kippur. He had some assistance from cantorial soloist Michael Forst, who also had

to lead services, and there he honed his skills. By the time he went into private practice as a psychiatrist in Clear Lake City, Texas, a new Conservative congregation had organized. Shaar Hashalom needed his administrative skills as congregation president, and his assistance with helping the various rabbis lead services. Similarly, when we moved to Vail, Colorado, he was also recruited to help lead services. As our children grew up, they would watch their dad conduct services. When our son Steve moved to Prague in 1991, he wanted to join a Conservative synagogue like the one he had grown up in during our years in Texas. When he learned that the congregation needed a rabbi to conduct High Holiday services, he began asking Ken if he would do it. Finally, we were able to travel to Prague last year and again this year for the High Holidays. Ken’s sermons this year were inspired by his Orthodox upbringing and his training as a psychiatrist. That is, he thought about how often people didn’t truly listen to one another and how many problems were caused by a lack of communication in relationships. He reflected on prayer and the quality of communication between man and G-d. He wanted to give sermons that emphasized that prayer needed to be directed to G-d with conviction, with “kavanah,” and that we must also know how to listen for G-d’s answer to our prayers. He selected several frequently recited prayers like the Asher Yatzer and Elohay Nishama, which are prayers for the body and for the soul, and which illustrate that our prayers are often couplets. Perhaps the most important couplet of the High Holiday liturgy is the one between the Al Cheit and its response: that reGoldie Wetcher in Old Town Square, walking to the synagogue for Kol Nidre pentance, prayer responsibility for another congregaand righteousness avert the sever tion outside Prague, and from Peter decree. How did the services turn out? Gyori, Executive Director of Bejt Ken definitely got much praise from Praha. Steve and the congregation. Peter said Ken’s background he appreciated the continuity from Ken learned how to conduct services last year. While Ken was pleased when he attended Flatbush Yeshiva in with his performance, he said, “I Brooklyn as a scholarship student afwould not want to be a rabbi and ter immigrating to the U.S. in August 1947 from a displaced persons camp have the challenge of coming up with in Germany. “All the kids learned how a meaningful sermon each week. I believe that G-d listens to our prayers to conduct services in Yeshiva. I grew up in Orthodox congregations where when they are said with kavanah, and sometimes it is difficult to hear G-d’s people moved along at their own pace because they knew the service answers or to accept them.” He added, “Prague is an inspiring city, filled and didn’t require much direction,” said Ken. with beauty and history. I loved walkAs a child, he attended Camp Boiing to services and being with new berik in New York and was recruited continued on page 13A

By David Benkof, DavidBenkof@gmail.com Across 1. Locust, e.g. 5. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) 9. Egyptian resort where Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams met 13. Theory of Relativity, e.g. 14. Bible’s first grandkid 15. Celestial body with a tail 16. “Cosmos” creator 18. Capital of Russia? 19. Talmudic tractate about the census 20. Hospital signs 21. Rabbi Dov ___ of Mezeritch 22. Strove for 23. “Pajama Game” composer 28. Computer programmer Swartz 29. Photographer Goldin and others 30. A son of Noah 33. Be aware of 34. Bava ___ (Talmudic tractate) 36. “From a long ___ of rabbis” 37. Uri Geller talent, supposedly 38. Lerner and Loewe’s 1958 hit musical 39. ___ and lox 40. It was annexed in 1981 43. Bais Yaakov and Solomon Schechter 46. Give an uzi to 47. Borneo beasts 48. Game plan 53. Tier at Teddy Kollek stadium 54. Behrman House competitor 55. Swoon over 56. “You go not till ___ you up a glass”: Hamlet 57. B’nei ___ (Heavily Orthodox city) 58. Fabulous flyers 59. Kinley, e.g. 60. Szechwan sauces Down 1. What Spielberg makes, for short 2. ___ HaChareidis

Solution on page 22A

3. Like the Negev 4. ___ radio (Dennis Prager’s medium) 5. Undercoat of paint 6. Surround 7. Author/linguist Chomsky 8. US IRS ID 9. Promoter 10. “I’m mean and green, and I ___” (“Little Shop of Horrors” lyric) 11. “Lost in Yonkers” character 12. “This is only ___!” (radio message) 15. Woody Allen’s “___ and Misdemeanors” 17. Forbes 400 member Haim ___ 20. Home of a famous Gaon 22. Month before Nisan 23. Garden implement 24. Kinsler and Ziering 25. Kibbutz output, often 26. First word of “Blowin’ in the Wind” 27. Memoirist immigrant Mary 30. Rosh Hashana is this kind of holiday 31. Janis Ian album “Working Without ___” 32. Brooks and Blanc 34. Graham and Maher 35. “It’s___!” (wow!) 36. ___ Ba’Omer 38. Sergey Brin’s company 39. Synagogue platform 40. Hopeless causes 41. The ADL fights it 42. Second-edition section 43. Kind of year that isn’t lunar 44. The “Ani Maamin” (I believe), e.g. 45. Total chaos 48. Shrug-eliciting, maybe 49. Word processor settings 50. Shekel alternative 51. Ashen 52. Won’t be quiet 54. Opposite of ‘tain’t

Be sure to see our annual Arts & Culture section in this issue, highlighting shows, events, exhibits and more in the 2013-14 season.

JEWISH INTEREST

12A Federation Star November 2013

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he Pew Research Center, an independent research organization, recently released its much-anticipated 2013 Survey of U.S. Jews, the most comprehensive national study of the American Jewish population in a dozen years. The study covers a wide range of topics, including population estimates, demographic characteristics, Jewish identity, religious beliefs and practices, intermarriage, child rearing, connections with Israel, and social and political views. It also estimates a total of 6.7 million American Jews, who make up 2.2% of the U.S. population. The study highlights both strengths and challenges facing the American Jewish community. Majorities of American Jews say being Jewish is important to them, are proud of being Jewish, and feel a deep sense of connection to, and responsibility for other Jews. In addition, more than four-inten U.S. Jews have been to Israel, including 44% of 18 to 29-year-olds, a direct result of Federation-supported Birthright Israel. And American Jews have high levels of education and have experienced significant economic success, important resources for the communal system. At the same time, the report underscores growing gaps in engagement in Jewish life between those who are Jewish by religion and secular Jews, between in-married and intermarried Jews, and between those who identify with a religious movement and those who don’t. And significant pockets of low income characterize some segments of the Jewish population, including nearly a quarter of those 65 and older. These facts present continuing challenges not only to Federations but to the broader communal system as well. The full report is currently available on the Pew Research Center ’s website (www.pewforum. org/2013/10/01/jewish-americanbeliefs-attitudes-culture-survey/) and is summarized briefly as the Berman Jewish DataBank Featured Study (www.jewishdatabank.org). In addition to the Pew study, researchers at Brandeis University recently released a new study (www. brandeis.edu/ssri/pdfs/AmJewish PopEst2012.pdf) with an updated estimate of the size of the Jewish population. Using a different methodology than the Pew survey, the Brandeis researchers came to a very similar conclusion, estimating the American Jewish population at 6.8 million. Key findings from the report are summarized at www.brandeis.edu/

ssri/noteworthy/amjewishpop.html. The study underscores existing challenges: XX The Pew study’s updated, extensive information about American Jewry adds significantly to our understanding of the communal landscape. XX At the same time, the study’s findings underscore and reconfirm what we’ve learned from many other studies including the 2000-01 National Jewish Population Survey (NJPS): there is a growing gap between those who are very involved and those who aren’t at all. XX The study highlights that there are challenges everyone in the organized Jewish world (and, by the way, in the wider non-profit world) is contending with: how to engage the large segment of people who are less involved. Also, how to engage younger people who want to connect in very different ways. XX Federations are taking a leadership role in this area, especially in reaching out to younger, less involved Jews through creative, innovative programs in Federations like Detroit, Boston, New York, Los Angeles and many others. Population numbers There was a general consensus that the population estimate was low in the NJPS and the new study reflects that understanding. The study highlights very promising Jewish connections: Despite these challenges, the study highlights some very positive trends. The majority of Jews are proud to be Jewish, say being Jewish is important to them, and feel a deep sense of connection to, and responsibility for other Jews. XX The study says almost a fifth of American Jews ages 18-29 have been on a Birthright Trip. That’s an incredible success story that shows a Federation-supported program is not only reaching many young Jews but deepening their connections to the Jewish people. XX Further, the study shows almost half (45 percent) of all American Jews have been to Israel (the NJPS showed about 35 percent). Jewish Federations can say with great pride they have played a leading role in bringing Jews to Israel on missions and in forging that critical connection between the Diaspora and Israel.

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

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JEWISH INTEREST 13A Federation Star November 2013

November 2013 Federation Star

13A

Prague...continued from page 11A elected to be the President of the friends and family.” Attending High Holiday serEuropean Council of Jewish Comvices were Bejt Praha regulars and munities (ECJC), an organization Americans like our son who came to founded “more than 30 years ago Prague and fell in love with the city to build strong links between the and its business opportunities. I met many Jewish communities across several Americans who had retired Europe. to Prague. Barbara, a writer from Is the Jewish community growNew York and a dedicated opera ing in Prague? Evan says, “During fan, loved that she could frequent the the years that I have lived in Prague opera in Prague at a nominal price. the Jewish community has grown I also met a retired college math and grown stronger. In the early professor who found not only a city 1990s there was only a focus on a he loved but also a wife. There are small group of members. Today, Czech people in the congregation holiday celebrations and other who survived the horrendous years events are well attended not only by of WW II and the challenges of adults but also by children.” Communism. Among the congregation were Israelis who have come to Prague for business opportunities. Israelis are also among the many tourists from all over the world who decide to attend services at Bejt Praha. Bejt Praha Bejt Praha was established in 1994 by a group of both Czechs Ken Wetcher and Peter Gyori lead the Taslich service and expats in Prague with the Bejt Praha congregation at the Vlatva river to create an alternative to the Orthodox Jewish comSynagogue choices munity. Peter Gyori describes that There are many other choices of for the first High Holidays of the synagogues in Prague, representnew congregation at the Spanish ing all denominations, but they are Synagogue there was no electricity mainly Orthodox. There are three and some windows were broken, but regularly functioning Orthodox synafter fifty years it was being used agogues: The Altneuschul (Old-New as a synagogue again. Peter recalls Synagogue) is the oldest functionthat other holiday observances ing synagogue in Europe, the High followed including “Is Chanukah Synagogue is modern-Orthodox, Your Holiday,” for which profesand the Jubilee Synagogue, also sional marketing was used to reach known as the Jerusalem Synagogue. anybody with a Jewish background It is important to mention Chabad, to teach the basics of this holiday in which is located in the heart of the the synagogue. He said that almost Jewish community, because Rabbi 2000 people showed up and this proManis Barash and his lovely wife gram was repeated twice. Recently, Dini, are brother and sister-in-law Peter created a cultural event under of our wonderful Chabad Rebbitzen, the auspices of Bejt Praha called Ettie Zaklos. “Concert Light of Understanding,” The Reform community also to include both the synagogue and a has a few congregations, of which nearby church. Beit Simcha is one of the oldest. Evan explains that the main Prague Jewish organization is the Prague Obec (or Jewish Community Organization), whose funding is from dues and donations but mainly from rental income from buildings in central Prague that the Obec received title to after the Velvet Revolution Ken Wetcher in front of the Spanish Synagogue in 1989. Prague’s Jewish community One of the founders of Bejt Considering the Jewish commuPraha is Evan Lazar, an attorney who nity in the context of history, I am also has a major role in the global amazed at its current vitality. At law firm, Dentons, which has more the outbreak of World War II, over than 2,600 lawyers in 79 locations 92,000 Jews lived in Prague, almost around the world. Evan writes, “In 20 percent of the city’s population. the fall of 1994 we founded Bejt Given the numbers that were murPraha to be an open Prague Jewish dered in the Holocaust, immigrated community focused on outreach and to other countries or were dissuaded inclusiveness.” Evan served as the from being practicing Jews under Chair of Bejt Praha for more than Communism, it seems remarkable ten years and in May 2011 he was

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that there is not only a strong Jewish presence there today but also that Jewish topics are so popular in the city at large. For instance, the close of Yom Kippur was also Museum Night in Prague, and as we left Yom Kippur services after folding away all the chairs, we saw a huge line of people stretching around the block who were waiting to get in to see the Spanish Synagogue. As of today, the Federation of Jewish Communities believes there is about 3,000 to 5,000 people who are registered members of the Jewish community in the Czech Republic, of which about 1,600 live in Prague. They think that there may be as many as 15,000 unregistered Jews living in the country. It has only been about twenty-five years since the fall of Communism, an era when it was dangerous to be identified as Jewish, and mentioning the Holocaust was

considered an act of subversion. From 1983 to 1985, the Jewish Museum held its largest foreign exhibition, called “Precious Legacy,” across the United States and Canada, and it inspired great interest in Prague. The historic synagogues began reopening in the 1990s and Rabbi Barash of Chabad arrived with his family in Prague in 1996. Our son Steve arrived in Prague in 1991 and other eager young people were drawn there by the developing market economy in this beautiful city. Ken and I are hopeful that the Jewish community will continue to grow for our two little grandsons who live in Prague, and for the other beautiful children of this new generation of Prague Jews whom we have the privilege of knowing along with their parents. The Prague Jewish community is in our thoughts and prayers.

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This Chanukah, serve an This an extraChanukah, helping ofserve Thanks extra helping of Thanks This year, for the first time ever, Chanukah starts on Thanksgiving. Both holidays are about gratitude and giving. So as you plan your holiday meal, please give to the Jewish Federations of North America. Even a

small donation can do so much for a grateful person in genuine need. As a token of our appreciation, we’ve This year, for the first time ever, Chanukah starts on Thanksgiving. Both holidays are about gratitude and asked the best Jewish cooks in the country to create a special Chanukah-Thanksgiving dinner menu just for giving. So as you plan your holiday meal, please give to the Jewish Federations of North America. Even a you when you give an extra helping of thanks. small donation can do so much for a grateful person in genuine need. As a token of our appreciation, we’ve Donate at www.JewishFederations.org now, while you’re thinking about it. asked the best Jewish cooks in the country to create a special Chanukah-Thanksgiving dinner menu just for We’ll rush you your Chanukah-Thanksgiving menu when you do. you when you give an extra helping of thanks. Donate at www.JewishFederations.org now, while you’re thinking about it.

www.jewishnaples.org 239.263.4205

We’ll rush you your Chanukah-Thanksgiving menu when you do.

YOU MAKE IT POSSIBLE!

FS1113 Everything Federation does is made possible through the generous donations from members of the community. Please consider making a gift today!

 I hereby pledge and promise to pay my Federation for the 2013 JFCC/UJA Annual Campaign a contribution of: 10/9/13 3:54 PM  $36  $72  $180  $540  other $_________

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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

TRIBUTES 15A Federation Star November 2013

Sandra Gershman In memory of your beloved husband, Mel Gershman Aileen Marcus Bunny Levere Dorothy & Irving Litt Carole Soling

To: From:

David Willens In memory of your beloved wife, Shereen Willens Andrea Willens

To: From:

Jacqui & Kevin Aizenshtat & Family In memory of Jacqui’s beloved father, Joaquim Ruela David Willens Rosalee & Jerry Bogo

To: From:

Linda Hyde In honor of your 70th birthday Your sisters-in-law: Audrey Yett, Joan Shapiro and Judy Swartz

To: From:

Gail & Les Nizin In honor of your Anniversary Judith & Donald Smolev David Willens

To: Lea Bendes Wishing you a swift recovery From: Sharyn & Dr. Larry Harris

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Tributes require a minimum donation of $18.

To: Bobbi Bassewitz By Abe Price, Holocaust To: survivor Gloria Nilsen & Alf & Family th In honor of your 80 birthday In memory of Anita Oks From: Bunny Levere From: Debbie & Pete Smith

To: From:

In honor of the High Holidays and the Jewish People From: Deana & Dr. Paul Rosofsky

15A

Let us remember the children of the Holocaust

Tributes

Tributes to the UJA Federation Campaign

November 2013 Federation Star

To: Lorie Mayer Wishing you a speedy recovery From: David Willens

To: Judith & Jack Sloane In your honor From: Karen Sloane

To: Herbert H. Herman In honor of your special birthday From: Ann Jacobson

To: From:

Ellaine & Richard Rosen In memory of Ellaine’s beloved mother, Irma Heller Bunny Levere

To: From:

Cathy & Dr. Scott Silver & Family In memory of your beloved mother, Esther Carlitz Rosalee & Jerry Bogo

To: Shirley Siegel In honor of your special birthday From: Carol & Armand Pepper To: Murray Hendel In honor of your very special birthday From: Gracia & Merrill Kuller To: From:

Jason Katz In honor of your 83rd birthday and 2nd Bar Mitzvah Maxine & Harvey Brenner

To: Patsy-Ann & Bernard Wolfe & Family In memory of Patsy-Ann’s beloved mother From: Rosalee & Jerry Bogo To: From:

To: Jason Katz In honor of your 2nd Bar Mitzvah From: Carol & Dick Polinsky

Sue & Phil Dean & Family In memory of Sue’s beloved mother, Rosaline Schneider Golub Natalie & Jerry Lewis Lea & Michael Bendes Elaine & Michael Griver Susan & Mort Shane

The Jewish Federation of Collier County extends: • Condolences to Ellaine & Richard Rosen on the passing of Ellaine’s beloved mother, Irma Heller • Condolences to Jacqueline Simenauer & Family on the passing of her beloved husband, Peter Simenauer • Condolences to Sue & Phil Dean & Family, on the passing of Sue’s beloved mother, Rosaline Schneider Golub • Condolences to the Solomon Family on the passing of their beloved, Yale Solomon • Condolences to Michele Dean & Family on the passing of her beloved father, Kenneth Fleischman

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16A Federation Star November 2013

JEWISH INTEREST

Pogroms and persecution By Paul R. Bartrop, PhD, Professor of History, Director, Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies, FGCU henever I think of the month of November relative to the Holocaust, my thoughts are drawn to the November Pogrom in 1938, colloquially known by the name the Nazis gave to it, Kristallnacht. In this 75 th anniversary year of that event, our reflections must be even more focused, as the pogrom was, in the view of many, a Dr. Paul Bartrop watershed episode after which nothing could ever again be the same for the Jews of Germany and Austria. Since 1945 the history of antiJewish persecution has been dominated by the Holocaust, and rightly so. The scars are still far from healed. In its shadow, earlier outrages against Jews are often downplayed, even overlooked. The destruction suffered by the Jews after the Bar Kochba Revolt (132-135 CE) was of genocidal proportions. The Chmielnicki Revolt (1648-1650) killed more than 100,000 Jews, and destroyed over 600 communities. These, tragically, are little discussed today. In between these horrific events and the Shoah lay a series of much smaller persecutions, remembered by us today through the term “pogrom.” Taken from the Russian word grom

and whipped up popular anger. In the ensuing violence, 49 Jews were murdered, over five hundred were injured, and well over a thousand Jewish houses and shops were plundered and ruined. Two thousand families were left homeless as a result of the devastation wrought by the rioters. The violence saw mobs rampaging through Jewish neighborhoods for two full days, burning, smashing, raping and killing. It shocked the world and changed the course of Jewish history, as the nascent Zionist movement began to see the necessity of working harder than ever to achieve a Jewish homeland free of such viciousness. It might be said that Kishinev was the last medieval-style pogrom and the first anti-Jewish atrocity of what became the century The line between Russia in 1903 of anti-Jewish atrociand Germany in 1938, heart- ties. The brutality sent breakingly, was thus a straight shock waves across one that, with the advantage Russia and around of hindsight, can be drawn with the world. Rallies in support of the Jews precision and foreboding. were held in Paris, London and New York, and repreOn April 6-7, 1903, a pogrom sentations were made to the Tsar’s took place against the Jews of the city government to do something definite of Kishinev (modern-day Chişinău, to stop the possibility of a repetition. the capital of the Republic of MolWhen compared to the later atrocdova), prompted by the murder of a ities committed against the Jewish boy in the nearby town of Dubossary. people, the Kishinev Pogrom of April Anti-semitic newspapers, anxious 1903 was but a minor blip on the radar to trace the murder to a blood libel, screen. Two years later, following blamed Jews for the crime of murder, Russia’s 1905 Revolution, some 3,000 Jews were killed in the civil unrest it generated. During World War I, the Eastern Front saw the death of at least a quarter of a million additional Jews, and over a million who were forced to become refugees. In the Russian Civil War from 1918 onwards, Ukrainian nationalists under Symon Petliura massacred as many as 200,000 Jews. And all this, of course, was but a dress rehearsal for the eruption of Vesuvius that was the Holocaust a few short years later. Why, then, should we remember the Kishinev Pogrom of 1903? Apart from the fact that the victims were all individuals who were created in (thunder), from which is derived pogrimit (to smash or destroy), the term is usually associated with mob attacks against Jewish communities, especially in Tsarist Russia, before 1917. The term also encompasses numerous additional anti-Jewish persecutions in other countries up to relatively recent times. The term became common when describing anti-Jewish riots in the Russian Empire that had been organized by (or at least arranged with some form of assistance from) local authorities. While the period of Russian pogroms was at its height during the 1880s and 1890s, it is to another anniversary – a centenary, in fact – that we must give recognition at this time.

Tax tips

e thank you for your support of the Jewish Federation of Collier County. It’s that time of the year when you may be considering your charitable contributions. We would like to remind you that you have until December 31, 2013 to use the IRA charitable rollover provision to make a gift to the Federation, and receive certain tax benefits. Who can take advantage of the IRA charitable rollover? What is the maximum gift? If you have an IRA, and you and/ or your spouse are 70 ½ or older, you each can make a tax-free charitable distribution of up to $100,000 from your IRAs directly to a public charity, such as the Jewish Federation,

the image of God and that they are entitled to our memory owing to their undeserved and brutal deaths; and apart from the fact that my sense of humanity and my Jewish identity have linked me with them across the century – when all is said and done, their deaths helped to initiate a century in which the Jewish world became devastated beyond anything its greatest thinkers could have envisaged beforehand. Why remember the Kishinev Pogrom? Because every Jew who is alive today is a product of the terrible forces it unleashed. It isn’t the scale of the killing, but, rather, the precedent it created. When Jews fled Russia for lands that would bring them some respite from persecution – such as Germany, for instance – their hope was that this would be an end to the horror. We know it did not end that way, and in this we see the link between the pogrom at Kishinev and the November Pogrom in 1938 in Germany and Austria. Those who sought sanctuary in freer lands after 1903 could not bring themselves to think a recurrence possible; they and their children, a generation later, preferred to remain in a Nazi-dominated Germany for as long as they could in the hope that Hitler would be a passing phenomenon and that the next anti-Jewish assault, if not the worst, would always be the last. And then, on the night of November 9, 1938, came the Kristallnacht, after which everything changed, forever. The line between Russia in 1903 and Germany in 1938, heartbreakingly, was thus a straight one that, with the advantage of hindsight, can be drawn with precision and foreboding. We cannot help but think that sometimes, perhaps, it would be more comforting not to know what happens next as the story of the Jewish people unfolds. Dr. Paul Bartrop is Professor of History and the Director of the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. He can be reached at pbartrop@ fgcu.edu.

through December 31, 2013. What are the benefits? Your IRA charitable rollover transfer to the Jewish Federation counts towards your minimum required annual withdrawal from your IRA. By taking advantage of this opportunity, the funds you transfer to the Jewish Federation will not be included in your taxable income. In some cases, lowering your taxable income may place you in a more favorable tax bracket, and using IRA assets for the charitable rollover can also reduce your overall taxable estate. Please note that while your taxable income will be lowered, the distribution to the Jewish Federation will not be eligible for a charitable tax deduction.

JEWISH INTEREST 17A Federation Star November 2013

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. New TV Season – More Jewish Thespians Last month, I clued you into the Hebrews lucky enough to land a part in a new “scripted” TV show. Here’s some more I discovered since that column was written: I previously wrote that the CBS series The Crazy Ones, which began on September 26, co-stars Robin Williams and SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR, 36, as a father and daughter who run an ad agency. I also noted that JAMES WOLK, 28, co-stars as an agency copywriter. Add one more Jewish thespian: the darkly beautiful AMANDA SETTON, 27, co-stars as an agency assistant (with a Jewishsounding name). A former Gossip Girl co-star, Setton is Syrian Jewish on her father’s side and Ashkenazi on her mother’s side. Her wealthy family supports New York yeshivas. Like JERRY SEINFELD (whose late father was Ashkenazi and whose mother is Syrian Jewish), Setton grew up in Nassau County, Long Island, New York. (She’s from Great Neck and he is from Massapequa.) I previously wrote that Mom, a CBS sit-com which began on September 23, was created by CHUCK LORRE and starred Anna Faris as a waitress/recovering alcoholic with a spirited teen daughter. Well, the daughter’s boyfriend, Luke, a series regular, is played by actor SPENCER DANIELS, 20, whose mother is Jewish. The ABC series Betrayal, which began on September 29, was not previously mentioned in this column. It stars HANNAH WARE, 30, as a photographer who is having an

extramarital affair with a lawyer for a powerful family. A murder trial complicates things further. Ware, a UK native, is the sister of JESSIE WARE, 28, a singer/songwriter whose 2012 debut CD was huge in Great Britain. The Ware sisters, who have both described themselves as “Jewish” in interviews, are the daughters of a Jewish mother who is a social worker. I don’t believe their father, John Ware, a prominent BBC TV journalist, is Jewish. Hannah is so strikingly beautiful that when she was interviewed in early September by Jimmy Kimmel, practically the first question he asked was: “Were your parents attractive, too?” And Yet More Tribe Members Join the Cast of Hit Shows / Charles Gets Married The CBS series The Good Wife ended last season with Alicia (JULIANNE MARGULIES, 48), and another partner, Cary (Matt Czuchry), preparing to secretly leave their law firm, Lockhart-Gardner, with the intention of setting up their own firm. BEN RAPPAPORT, 27, has joined the cast, playing a smart young associate who leaves Lockhart-Gardner at Alicia and Cary’s invitation and joins their new firm. Rappaport was the star of the short-lived series Outsourced, and appeared last season on Elementary. JOSH CHARLES, 41, who costars as Will Gardner on The Good Wife, wed his long-time girlfriend, SOPHIE FLACK, 30, on September 6. No details of the private small wedding were released. Flack, whose mother is Jewish, is a performance and visual artist, novelist, and former dancer with the New York City Ballet.

November 2013 Federation Star

17A

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 middleoftheroad1@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. Charles’ Jewish father was a prominent Baltimore advertising exec and his mother used to write a popular local newspaper gossip column. (His mother wasn’t born Jewish. Whether she “converted-in” is unknown to me.) This is Charles’ first marriage. He was previously romantically linked with Oscar-winner JENNIFER CONNELLY, 42 (her mother is Jewish). Last year, Charles told the Hollywood Reporter that during his two-year stint (1998-2000) on the HBO program In Treatment, which was based on an Israeli TV series, he did work that he was “very proud of” – and that the therapy in the series echoed therapy that had helped him. He added that the series touched him for one other reason: “The fact that it’s something that started in Israel gave

me, as a Jew, a tremendous sense of pride, to be perfectly frank with you. There’s such great creativity coming out of that country, and a lot of times we don’t always hear about that.” The second episode of the HBO show Boardwalk Empire found star character Nucky Thompson in Tampa. The year is 1924, Prohibition is in effect, and Thompson, a powerful underworld figure in Atlantic City, was in Tampa to explore the possibility of a creating a new avenue to bring in (illegal) alcohol to the States and make a lot of money. While in Tampa, he meets Sally Wheet, a tough-as-nails speakeasy owner. As I write this, it looks like that these two toughies will become more than friends. PATRICIA ARQUETTE (her late mother was Jewish) 45, plays Wheet.

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18A Federation Star November 2013

JEWISH INTEREST

Jewish life in Southwest Florida – alive and growing By Ted Epstein, Editor

s editor of the monthly newspapers and Connections resource guides of the three Jewish Federations in Southwest Florida, I have a pretty good handle on all-things Jewish in the area. And I can say without a doubt that Jewish life is alive and growing in Southwest Florida! The three Federations serve the Jewish communities of Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties, covering the 140 miles from Bradenton to Marco Island. Here are some of the highlights of Jewish spiritual and cultural life in the area. In Southwest Florida there are: ¡¡ 28 temples: 13 in Sarasota-Manatee, 10 in Lee-Charlotte, and five in Collier; about 50% are reform; a handful are conservative, humanistic, reconstructionist; and there are eight Chabads. Three of the rabbis are women. ¡¡ Numerous special interest groups, including four Hadassah, three ORT, two NCJW, three Jewish War Veterans, and two ZOA chapters ¡¡ Two second-generation groups ¡¡ Two klezmer bands ¡¡ A Brandeis group (500 members) in Sarasota-Bradenton; the Women’s Cultural Alliance (900

members) and Men’s Cultural Alliance (300 members) in Collier County ¡¡ Two operational mikvahs (Chabad of Sarasota, Chabad of Fort Myers) with a third one almost complete (Chabad of Naples) ¡¡ One official Mohel – Rabbi Ammos Chorny of Beth Tikvah in Naples ¡¡ A Holocaust museum in Naples with a traveling boxcar that is used as an educational tool for students in the area ¡¡ Three Jewish Family Services agencies: a huge one in Sarasota, one in Naples, and one in Fort Myers ¡¡ Three PJ Library divisions serving families with children ages six months to eight years ¡¡ Numerous religious schools, preschools, camps and youth groups Jewish population Let’s start with the big picture: There are approximately 15 million Jews on the planet: • 6 million live in Israel • 6.7 million live in the U.S. • 500,000 in France • 380,000 in Canada • 290,000 in Britain • and another 1.2 million are scattered around the globe

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Statistics show that about 650,000 of the 6.7 million Jews in the U.S. have a home somewhere in Florida. Southwest Florida: • Collier: 9,000 + 2,500 seasonal • Lee-Charlotte: 8,000 • Sarasota-Manatee: 25,000 + 4,000 seasonal • Total in SWFL: 42,000 + 6,500 seasonal East coast of Florida: • Palm Beach: 210,000 (Boca Raton ALONE has 60,000 residents) • Miami-Dade: 106,000 • Broward: 170,000 • Total in Southeast Florida: 486,000 + 70,000 seasonal So while the number of Jews in all of Southwest Florida doesn’t come close to just the population of Boca Raton, you can still be involved as much as you want – socially, spiritually, culturally, intellectually and creatively – especially from November through April. And without the traffic, crowds and noise you would find in major metropolitan cities or even on the east coast of Florida. Here is an overview of what’s available to you in the areas of culture, education and fun: ¡¡ Four Jewish Film Festivals (Sarasota, South County-Venice, LeeCharlotte, Marco Island) ¡¡ Jewish Book Fairs ¡¡ At least a dozen Book Discussion Groups ¡¡ Mah Jongg galore (plus Bingo on Marco Island) ¡¡ Many Jewish Food Festivals and Israel Festivals ¡¡ Scores of Federation-sponsored

educational and cultural events ¡¡ Numerous Scholars-in-Residence and dozens of expert speakers ¡¡ Holocaust Memorial Services and Kristallnacht Convocations ¡¡ Holiday Celebrations: Purim shpiels, Passover seders, Chanukah events (outdoor celebrations on almost every one of the eight nights) ¡¡ Volunteer opportunities galore Our demographics: • 65+: 65% • 50-64: 25% • under 50: 10% The three Jewish Federations in Southwest Florida reach about 27,000 potential Jewish readers through their monthly newspapers. The Jewish News (The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee) reaches approximately 10,500 households; the Federation Star (Jewish Federation of Collier County) reaches 3,200 households; L’CHAYIM (Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties) reaches 2,500 households. The three annual Connections resource guides reach even more Jewish people in the area since the publications are distributed at 30 Publix Supermarkets in the area during January, February and March. Seasonal residents, visitors to the area and those not on the Federation mailing lists keep Connections flying off the media racks. So when your friends and family up north or on the east coast of Florida ask you whether there is Jewish life where you live, the answer is a resounding “YES!”

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FOCUS ON YOUTH 19A Federation Star November 2013

November 2013 Federation Star

19A

Rising young star: Zachary Schiller By Jean L. Amodea t’s not often that you can meet a 13-year-old with boundless energy and a marked sense of maturity. But, that’s exactly what you’ll discover when you meet Zachary Schiller. An “A” student at the Community School, he takes honors English and math classes, revealing an equal proclivity for creative arts and analytical thinking. After school, Zachary is most consumed with his passion for tennis, a sport for which he has particular skill, swinging a racket since age eight. On court for as many days as the weather allows, he works under the tutelage of local tennis pros Nestor and Hernan Nunez. With practice sessions running for several hours daily, he has attained junior level and participates in Florida United States Tennis Association tournaments. His immediate goal is to improve his ranking by year’s end and be one of Florida’s top 100 players. “I feel energized and alive when I play. I am pretty competitive on the courts and do better in tournament play than at practices. It’s a nice feeling to win,” Zachary said. Tapping into his creative side, Zachary also enjoys playing the violin, which he started at age two, and continues today at home and as a member of the school orchestra.

“I enjoy Bach and Beethoven’s classical pieces and like music like that of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ that we get to play in music class. It makes me feel good that I can play an instrument, and I like the fact that it actually sounds pretty good most of the time,” he said. A voracious reader, Zachary devours historical fiction and nonfiction, like a recent book on the assassination of Lincoln. He also has a penchant for hyperimaginative genres like sci-fi and

Zachary took a giant leap as he crossed over to manhood at his bar mitzvah, while undertaking study of the Torah and Haftorah portions dictated by his birth date, March 16. Preferring a more concentrated one-on-one experience, he opted to study with Rabbi Fishel Zaklos of the Chabad Jewish Center of Naples. He said that unlike other kids who want to shorten their portions to three or four parts, thinking it too long, he wanted to tackle learning both sections. “Zachary came to us not knowing any Hebrew at all. He was dedicated and learned Hebrew so quickly. He is an exceptional young man, I was so proud of him,” said Rabbi Zaklos. Conflicted that he could not devote time to complete a mitzvah project due to his hectic schedule, he decided, instead, Zachary Schiller after an intense tennis practice session under the tutelage of tennis pros Nestor and Hernan Nunez to offer to become dystopian, a genre that explores antiZaklos’ assistant, as a way to give utopian social and political themes, back to the community. akin to the bleak futuristic world Having accomplished the 10 levportrayed in the blockbuster film els in Hebrew study and able to speed Hunger Games. read 100 words a minute, Zachary As for growing his spiritual side, helped nine- through eleven-year-old

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Scholarship request deadline is November 30, 2013.

students learn Hebrew and gave them, as he says, “pointers and tips.” He also assisted Preschool of the Arts teachers with classroom activities. “I think it’s important to observe the holidays to understand our heritage. For non-Orthodox Jewish people, certain rules seem impractical, but I understand the reasoning behind them, like most of the kosher rules are given for health reasons,” he said. When asked if he had any advice for his peers, Zachary responded with measured thought that since he has not yet endured or overcome any particular challenges or obstacles in his life, for which he is thankful, that he wasn’t really qualified to comment. “I don’t know if it’s my place,” he said. Zachary Schiller, intelligent, pensive, humble and an exemplary role model for his younger sister Sydney. And, with the support from his devoted mother Robin, father Stephen and four loving grandparents, he truly has a bright future ahead. 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.

Temple Shalom Preschool introduces tech lab By Seyla Cohen, Preschool Director n our pursuit of the ideal learning center for preschoolers, Temple Shalom Preschool has once again initiated a brand-new program into its curriculum. Last year an innovative, state-of-the-art science laboratory was created. Now, a forward thinking and futuristic tech lab, geared to the level of preschoolers, is opening its doors. On Tuesday, November 12 at 6:00 p.m., a ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned to introduce this unique program. Experts feel that it is appropriate to begin teaching technology early in life in our rapidly changing technological age. Young children introduced to technology at an early age are more apt to become accelerated, enriched and creative. The ability to acquire basic skills is deepened and students are more likely to learn

to work independently. Technology increases efficiency in learning and facilitates cooperative learning. It has been shown that its use motivates and encourages students so that they have the desire to learn more. Created with the abilities and interests of preschoolers in mind, this work center will include age-appropriate tablets, laptops, interactive iPad and TV interfaces, digital cameras, and child-friendly photo and video editing software, as well as many other technology-related learning opportunities. The atmosphere will be comfortable, encouraging and allowing little ones to learn about technology as well as test out their abilities to design and create. Students, their families, temple members and the general public are invited to attend this exciting, enlightening and informative event. For more information, please call me or Gloria Mellman, Office Manager, at 239.455.3227.

20A Federation Star November 2013

FOCUS ON YOUTH

Preschool of the Arts update By Ettie Zaklos, Preschool Director

derstand that any relationship is most rewarding when there is frequent and open, multifaceted communication. With teacher-parent communication we understand that this communication demonstrates mutual respect for each other’s role in a child’s life and we know that when families are positively involved in a child’s education, the child will flourish; this is the ultimate objective, benefit and reward. Because preschoolers are often too young to be able to remember and share the details of their week, our e-newsletters are valuable prompts for parents to use in their conversations with their children. Once the parents have had these conversations with their children, my teachers and I gain valuable feedback when our preschool parents let us know how the children are making use of what they have learned during the school day, at home. Communication then becomes three-way: teacher-parent, parent-child, and parentteacher. Through these interactions, prompted by our e-newsletters, crucial information is gained about a child’s developmental progress, social skills, and learning preferences. Through the consistent exchange of information, our parents and teachers work together to achieve the common goal of maximizing the child’s potential. Parents and teachers fill singular roles in the preschool child’s development; the value of those roles is enhanced Abigail and Katherine have made friends on the Preschool of the Arts playground when communication is

Communication To be an exceptional teacher, you need to be a good communicator. Whether you are sharing new information with a student or participating in a classroom discussion, the ability to convey facts, ideas and thoughts is essential to the effectiveness of the message. At Preschool of the Arts, we believe frequent communication between parents and teachers is another key element to help our preschool children be successful in the world. At Preschool of the Arts, our teachers are exceptional communicators. The lead teacher in each of our six classes sends an e-newsletter to her classroom parents at the end of each week. The teachers take a great deal of time and care with recording the details of the week’s activities and then sharing these details about the classroom experience with the parents. At Preschool of the Arts, we un-

BBYO Regional Kallah

BYO’s Regional Kallah is scheduled for the weekend of November 8-10 at Cedarkirk Camp near Tampa. Transportation is provided for Naples teens and registration is now open. Kallah is a weekend convention open to 9th through 12th graders. The program is entirely teen led, with programming based around self-identity, an open exploration of who you are and who you want to become. In North Florida Region, Kallah provides the opportunity for teens to create a network of friends in Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota and Naples, and to learn about Jewish ritual, values and Israel. No topic is off limits, and no opinion is taboo. Kallah opens discussions on anything and everything. The November weekend features a Jewish song leader, a campfire Shabbat Shira, a presentation by Israel advocacy organization StandWithUs, a meaningful Shabbat atmosphere, and opportunities to form fast friendships with teens from across the region. The camp environment fosters growth, learning and meaningful

relationships. For more information and to register, please contact Lory Conte at LConte@bbyo.org.

open and encouraged. We feel extremely fortunate at Preschool of the Arts to have dedicated, professional teachers who help us promote sustained learning at home through their e-newsletters, and we feel equally fortunate to have supportive parents who can be counted on to reinforce at home what is learned during the preschool week. Conscious Discipline Last month, I wrote about the Conscious Discipline Workshop led by Fran Rubio Katz that my teaching staff and I were fortunate to attend. Recently, our preschool parents had an opportunity to attend the same workshop. The workshop was helpful for all of us – parents and teachers alike – as we all have the same goals in mind: to help our children become responsible, helpful, kind, thoughtful and productive members of society. Conscious Discipline is a comprehensive self-regulation program that integrates social-emotional learning and discipline. Conscious Discipline empowers adults to consciously respond to daily conflict, transforming it into an opportunity to teach critical life skills to children. It is evidence-based and was named as a national model for character education by the Florida

State Legislature. At Preschool of the Arts, it has been amazing to see how the Conscious Discipline program in our classrooms has become more than just words, and has shown positive behavioral benefits for both the teachers and our preschool children. For more information, contact me at 239.263.2620 or naplespre schoolofthearts@gmail.com, or visit www.naplespreschoolofthearts.com.

Oliver reads Johnny Appleseed in the Preschool of the Arts Cute Cassatt Class

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.

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. Part-Time (15 hours/week) Position Available BBYO Naples Program Associate

Organization Summary: Since becoming an independent international organization in 2002, BBYO has built a powerful platform of professionals, volunteers, teens and community stakeholders who deliver a wide menu of compelling Jewish experiences to connect Jewish teens in their post-b’nai mitzvah years. The number of teen participants has increased to over 40,000, and staff has grown to over 100 professionals. BBYO continues to offer clearly defined learning objectives, more program experiences, more opportunities to connect and more substantive tools to measure impact, ultimately sending a more passionate generation of young Jews on to campus and young adulthood. The North Florida Region BBYO program has been growing stronger each year. There are currently close to 200 BBYO members in chapters spread throughout Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa, and Naples with an additional 200 teens involved through BBYO Connect and other community-wide programming. With an AZA and BBG Chapter in Naples, we are seeking an energetic individual who will help continue to grow and strengthen the Naples program.

The ideal candidate will take an entrepreneurial approach to creating Jewish activities that resonate with teens today, encouraging them to experience Judaism on their terms, and providing them the tools, resources and guidance to program in a way that adds value, meaning and identity to their lives. Experience in working with youth is preferred and evidence of self-motivation and initiative preferred.

Position Summary: The Naples BBYO Program Associate will:

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       

Inspire and support Jewish teens by creating leadership development opportunities and serving as a Jewish role model/experiential educator. Work with teens in AZA and BBG to develop innovative programs that engage teens socially, culturally, communally and intellectually and reflect the diversity of Jewish life, including: Israel, philanthropy, current events, community service, recreation, education and Shabbat. Develop annual BBYO Connect (for 6-8th graders) program calendar, budget and implementation plan/timeline. Serve as the BBYO liaison to parents, alumni, Jewish organizations and the community at large. Coordinate annual regional events in concert with the NFR BBYO Program staff such as J-Serve, kickoffs, dances, conventions, and more. Lead in the planning process, administration and supervision of BBYO Connect in Naples and surrounding communities if applicable. Maintain and build collaborative partnerships with Jewish and secular community organizations and reach out to the entire community to engage new teens in BBYO. Attend and supervise local programming, as scheduled, primarily on evenings and on weekends. Enhance BBYO’s community visibility and teen involvement through targeted marketing (including on-line) and stellar programming. Optional opportunity to staff one of BBYO’s Summer Experiences.

Send cover letter and resume to Gary Levin, BBYO Southeast Director of Field Operations, glevin@bbyo.org

COMMENTARY 21A Federation Star November 2013

November 2013 Federation Star

21A

And we are silent By Dr. Emanuel Tanya

man, whose family was German aristocracy prior to World War II, owned a number of large industries and estates. When he was asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism. “Very few people were true Nazis,” he said, “but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories.” We are told again and again by ‘experts’ and ‘talking heads’ that Islam is a religion of peace and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the spectre of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam. The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march.

It is the fanatics who wage any one of 50 shooting wars worldwide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder or honor-kill. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals. It is the fanatics who teach their young to kill and to become suicide bombers. The hard, quantifiable fact is that the peaceful majority, the ‘silent majority,’ is cowed and extraneous. Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. China’s huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people. The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across Southeast Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most

What do you think?

Send your letters & comments to fedstar18@gmail.com. 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.

For more information, please contact North Florida Region Program Associate Lory Conte at nfr@bbyo.org.

killed by sword, shovel and bayonet. And who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into butchery. Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were peace loving? History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason, we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points: Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence. Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don’t speak up, because like my friend from Germany, they will awaken one day and find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun. Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Serbs, Afghans, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians and many others have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late. Now Islamic prayers have been introduced into Toronto and other public schools in Ontario and, yes, in Ottawa too, while the Lord’s Prayer was removed (due to being so offensive?). The Islamic way may be peaceful for the time being in our country until the fanatics move in. In Australia, and indeed in many countries around the world, many of the most commonly consumed

food items have the halal emblem on them. Just look at the back of some of the most popular chocolate bars and at other food items in your local supermarket. Food on aircraft have the halal emblem, just to appease the privileged minority who are now rapidly expanding within the nation’s shores. In the U.K, the Muslim communities refuse to integrate and there are now dozens of “no-go” zones within major cities across the country that the police force dare not intrude upon. Sharia law prevails there, because the Muslim community in those areas refuses to acknowledge British law. As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay attention to the only group that counts – the fanatics who threaten our way of life. Lastly, anyone who doubts that the issue is serious is contributing to the passiveness that allows the problems to expand. So, extend yourself a bit and share this. Let us hope that thousands worldwide read this and think about it, and they also share it before it’s too late. And we are silent... Dr. Emanuel Tanya is a very wellrespected forensic psychiatrist. His family was German aristocracy prior to World War II and owned a number of large industries and estates.

History speaks for itself By Gene Sipe, VP Southwest Chapter ZOA

ere we are, the 20-year anniversary after the signing of the Oslo Accords and history speaks for itself. More than 1,500 Israelis have been murdered and thousands more injured by Arab terrorists. Yasser Arafat received a Nobel prize for peace and Israel continues to fight for her existence. The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) is virtually the only American organization that has held a position against Oslo since the very beginning. In a recent press release, acknowledging the 20th anniversary of Oslo, Morton A. Klein, president of the ZOA, stated: “If Arafat and the PLO had changed their ways by fulfilling their written agreements and spoken loudly and clearly to the people about the need to make peace with a Jewish state, changed their school textbooks and curricula, maps and stationary to include Israel, changed their Charter, ceased glorifying Jew-killing terrorists, ended incitement to hatred and murder, and honored the rest of their pledges for a significant period of time, that would have shown seriousness on their part. Israel could have worked with such a Palestinian leadership and society. But that has never happened, not even after twenty years of Israeli concessions.” Twenty years of successful indoctrination has produced an entire generation of Palestinians who be-

lieve, and who have literally witnessed that violence and propaganda are rewarded by their own population with honor, and by the world with impunity and is a conduit to statehood. As much as Israel desires to find a long-term peace with its Arab residents and Muslim neighbors, not a single authority or individual in their communities has the strength to honor or enforce any such agreement with Israel. Nevertheless, the U.S. government continues to try to impose a new peace accord. As commendable as the intention of that effort may be, the civil war in Syria, which constantly threatens to spill over the Israeli border, and the nuclear proliferation of Iran, despite the “new attitude” image painted over the old Khomeini regime, continue to be more critical issues to Israel’s security. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made great efforts not to impede the U.S. driven peace initiative, but at the same time, he has remained quite firm in his position that Israel intends to continue her efforts to maintain her sovereignty and defend her population. In his most recent address to the United Nations, he expressed that Israel is here to stay. There can be no peace until Palestinians accept the existence of the Jewish State of Israel and the threat of a nuclear Iran is eliminated.

COMMENTARY

22A Federation Star November 2013

A Middle East quiz

By David Harris, Executive Director, American Jewish Committee (AJC), September 15, 2013 This morning, I read, as always, The New York Times Sunday Review, and found, to my dismay, an article, “Two-State Illusion,” given as much prominence, space and art work as any I can recall. It dismissed the two-state idea for Israelis and Palestinians, and instead envisioned a one-state outcome. In so many ways, the article was shocking, both in its content and in the newspaper’s decision to devote so much attention to it, all the more so this week with everything else going on in the Middle East. This article is my response. ere’s a quiz. What Middle East story does The New York Times, the newspaper of record in the United States, deem so important that it devotes most of the front page of its 12-page Sunday Review section this week, including eye-catching art work, and the bulk of two inside pages? Is it about Syria? After all, the U.S. Administration’s surprise decision to turn to diplomacy and partner with Moscow to forge a deal on the Syrian chemicalweapons arsenal is one of the biggest geopolitical developments in recent history. Whether the deal is workable, and if it will result in President Assad’s shortened or, perhaps, lengthened tenure as Syria’s strongman, is not an idle question. Moreover, the ongoing stream of refugees from Syria, now numbering over two million and flooding into neighboring countries, including fragile Lebanon, is about as striking a political and human drama as they come. No, it’s not about Syria. Is it about the fate of Christians in the region? Whereas Christians once consti-

tuted a significant percentage of the populations of many Middle East countries, their numbers have dropped rapidly, as minority communities suffer violence and persecution. Since the status of minorities is a rather accurate bellwether of the health of societies, this, too, is no trifling matter. But no, this week’s front-page Sunday Review story is not about the travails of Christians in the region, and what it means for where things are headed. Is it about Turkey and how, exactly 90 years after the Kemalist vision of a modern, Western-oriented nation was introduced, Prime Minister Erdogan is dismantling that vision brick by brick, and replacing it with a different outlook, one that would make Atatürk turn over in his grave? Just as Atatürk’s revolution nearly a century ago was among the 20th century’s biggest developments, so, too, is Erdogan’s quieter, but no less significant, about-face. At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, abutting the Middle East, and a member of NATO, what happens in Turkey has implications far beyond its borders. No, it’s not about Turkey. Perhaps it’s about the rivalries for supremacy in the Middle East, with Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia, among others, on the playing field, all seeking advantage in the shifting sands of the region, trying to protect their core interests, and sensing a vacuum created by America’s retreat. This is a new version of the great power rivalry, and while the outcome is far from certain, the stakes couldn’t be higher. No, it’s not about rivalries or axes. Perhaps it’s about Egypt, the largest Arab country. After all, the country is still in

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the midst of sorting itself out after the mega-events of recent years, and the direction it ultimately takes has profound implications for the region, the West, and the world. Can the country resolve its internal conflicts, restart its economy, and provide some semblance of a future for its burgeoning population? If not, stay tuned. No, that’s not this week’s feature, either. Perhaps it’s about Iraq. Ten years after the country’s invasion by the United States, Iraq is descending into the abyss of sectarian strife, with daily killings and bombings, while the country as a whole has moved closer to the Iranian orbit. No, it’s not about Iraq. Or perhaps it’s about the endemic problems plaguing the Arab world, those underlying issues which were highlighted in the UN-sponsored Arab Human Development Report and that continue to plague the region, making it so violent, unstable and unpredictable. No, it’s not about lagging literacy, limited women’s rights, sparse innovation or a culture of blame rather than introspection. Rather, the Sunday Review story is all about the “chimera of a negotiated two-state solution” between Israelis and Palestinians. Elsewhere in the lengthy article, it’s referred to as a “mirage,” “pretense” or “fantasy.” Zero chance for a two-state accord, the author, Ian Lustick, alleges, so back to the drawing boards he goes. The answer he comes up with – drum roll, please – is a one-state solution, just what none other than the late Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi advocated on The New York Times op-ed page in 2009. Lustick envisions a future in which “Israelis whose families came from Arab countries might find new

reasons to think of themselves not as ‘Eastern,’ but as Arab.” Zionism, he asserts, has become “an outdated idea,” and Israelis should accept that “Israel may no longer exist as the Jewish and democratic vision of its Zionist founders.” So, from his rarefied perch in West Philadelphia, Lustick dispenses with the foundational Jewish link among a people, a land and a faith. He suggests that a nation whose population has grown from 650,000 in 1948 to over eight million in 2013, has been a member of the UN since 1949, belongs to the OECD club of the world’s most industrialized nations, has more start-ups listed on NASDAQ than all but one or two other nations, has the most potent military in the region, and continues to have a powerful national ethos, Zionism, in reality has no future. Speaking of illusions, the word used in the title of the article (“TwoState Illusion”), he also blithely ignores the in-your-face Middle East reality that his solution will lead straightaway to inter-communal violence and bloodshed on a vast scale. And he nixes the two-state path, even as many in the U.S., Europe, Israel and some parts of the Arab world, knowing that Lustick’s answer is no answer, have laudably recommitted themselves to its achievement. Oh, and on a personal level, I checked in with a few of those “Israelis whose families came from Arab countries” to sound them out about Lustick’s recommendation that they start to redefine themselves as “Arab.” Their reactions were largely unprintable, but rather colorful. Suffice it to say, they could only wonder if Lustick knows the first thing about the Middle East, even if The New York Times seems to think so. For more information, please visit www.ajc.org.

Jerusalem Post Crossword Puzzle Solution to puzzle on page 11A

23A November 2013 RABBINICAL REFLECTIONS Federation Star

November 2013 Federation Star

23A

“What jar of oil?” Rabbi Adam F. Miller

riting about Chanukah in October feels unnatural. Yet, this year we have the unusual situation in which we will be lighting our first Chanukah candle before taking one bite of our Thanksgiving turkey. Might I suggest latkes as a side dish at your Thanksgiving table, or at least a deep-fried turkey this year? One of the most recognized Jewish holidays, Chanukah is also one of the least well understood. The story most often shared, the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days, was not the original story of Chanukah. In fact, Chanukah is not even referenced in the Bible. The oldest explanation for Chanukah derives from the Book of Maccabees, dated around the 1st century BCE (Before the Common Era).

Maccabees belongs to a collection known as Apocrypha, texts that were excluded from the Bible. In Maccabees, we read the story of Mattathias and his five sons, led by Judah, as they rebelled against Antiochus IV, the Seleucid ruler. These texts detail the military victories of the Maccabees. Among their accomplishments, we learn that the Maccabees capture and rededicate the Temple after its desecration by the Syrian-Greeks. Chanukat ha’bayit, rededicating the Temple, is where the name Chanukah derives from. Newly rededicated, the people immediately celebrate their most important holiday, Sukkot. An agrarian society, the people were eager to offer thanksgiving for the bounty of the land. They observed the eight-day festival beginning on the 25th of Kislev, and declared that the date should be a holiday from that time going forward. Communities began to celebrate Sukkot twice – once at its Torah ordained time, and again on the 25th of Kislev (a hard time to find an etrog!). Eight days of Chanukah match the eight days of Sukkot. So where

did the lighting of candles come from? During the time of the Temple, Sukkot included a magnificent water festival, transporting water into Jerusalem using a bucket brigade system. Lights were lit along the bucket path, and giant bowls of oil were ignited in Jerusalem to celebrate the festival. Some scholars believe these rituals to be the origins of our lighting candles today. The Book of Maccabees makes no reference to the miracle of the oil. That story appears six centuries later, introduced by the rabbis in Babylonia as part of Talmud. Scholars believe those rabbis were concerned that some individuals might find inspiration from the stories of military rebellion from Chanukah and incite revolt. Wanting to keep the community together, they incorporated the jar of oil story, to shift the focus of Chanukah away from rebellion, while emphasizing the miraculous rededication of the Temple. Having spent our lives telling the jar of oil story, it is difficult to comprehend the story of Chanukah without this piece. As “jarring” as this

may feel to us, it gives us an opportunity to reconnect with the meaning of Chanukah as adults. Chanukah is more than a children’s holiday, it is a celebration of our freedom. The Maccabees fought for religious freedom, a right that we have today. We can observe our Judaism in our homes, and in public. Indeed, it is fitting that each year we celebrate our religious freedom at the time when we feel acutely aware of the religious differences that separate us from our Christian neighbors. Moreover, we should embrace the message of community taught by the introduction of the jar of oil story. The oil miracle began as a way to prevent the Jewish people from fragmenting. Similarly, the Community Chanukah Celebration organized each year by Federation brings the entire Jewish community of Collier County together to celebrate this important holiday as one people. May our observance of the holiday as a community, and the celebration of Chanukah in our homes, bring us joy, blessing and light.

Is your personal ‘Adelson’ running? Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

ooking forward to celebrating special events, we anticipate joyfully the family gathering around a Thanksgiving dinner table or coming together to light Chanukah candles. One unique aspect of Chanukah is the way we light the candles. The Talmud teaches us, that by lighting one candle on the first night, and adding one each night until the eighth, we fulfill the mitzvah in the most scrupulous and devoted manner possible. Even though by lighting one candle on night one we ‘raise the roof’ on our Chanukah observance, on night two, yesterday’s ‘top of the line’ just won’t cut it. Each night we face the same challenge – to make it better than the last. This applies when taking stock of our lives and noting what still lies ahead. We often feel tired yet satisfied with our accomplishments and, in most cases, justified to take pride in our achievements. However, the Chanukah lights insist that yesterday’s peak must be today’s jumping-off point. Part of the lesson of Chanukah is: do not be satisfied with yesterday but continue to practice and exercise giving and taking. “Practice makes perfect,” parents often remind their children, along with the well-worn epithet: “Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good is better, and your better best.” The more you open your heart to others, the easier and more natural it becomes,

and the better you will feel. As easy as it is to rest on our laurels of success, we might want to see life more as a continuum, an ebb and flow. Having balance in one’s life is not a new concept, but how to get it? In the Book of Proverbs, King Solomon makes a statement that seems superficially contradictory: “Matan adam yarchiv lo – a person’s generosity brings him abundance.” Logically, whether you’re giving away a slice of your life or your possessions, you would have less for yourself, right? Yet the passage says you will have more – not less – for yourself! How can that work? Abundance is not a static condition. In a healthy economy lots of money doesn’t sit in people’s bank accounts. There is constant cash flow, like water passing through an aqueduct – but in a healthy situation, the river flows both ways. It’s that way with everything in life. In order to breathe, you can’t just inhale oxygen, you also have to exhale carbon dioxide. Air-conditioning takes in hot air and blows out cold air. There needs to be a flow, an exchange, give and take, movement. That’s what abundance and blessings are – exchanges of spiritual energy and vitality. As our sages put it: “Greater than the favor that the wealthy man does for the pauper by giving – is the favor the pauper does for the wealthy man by receiving!” As a rabbi, I hear many stories and this one resonated with me. How often can we relate to “walking in another’s shoes.” Sheldon Adelson, chairman and CEO of Sands Las Vegas, sponsors Birthright Israel, providing free trips to Israel for Jewish children. His father, a Lithuanian-born, dirt-poor taxi driver, put his spare change into

a pushka (a tzedakah box) for the Jewish National Fund and instructed Sheldon to put one penny from every dollar he earned into the pushka. He never forgot. From a penny a day to $110 million for thousands of kids to visit Israel is quite a living legacy for a person with empathy. Adelson said he and his father wore the same shoe size and when

he took his first trip to Israel after his father passed away, he wore his late father’s shoes to explore the length and breadth of the Holy Land, fulfilling his father’s hopes and dreams. Why wait for special events like Thanksgiving or Chanukah? Like Adelson, we all have the light to share. Knowing when it is needed and spreading it, is precious.

24A Federation Star November 2013

SYNAGOGUES www.naplestemple.org / 239-455-3030

TEMPLE SHALOM

President’s message

By Yale Freeman, President s many of you are aware, Temple Shalom opened its doors during the High Holy Days, at no cost, to members of our overall Jewish community who had not yet attended services with us. Our sanctuary was full and at times, from the bimah, it looked as if it was overflowing. The spirit of us connecting was palpable and there was an incredible sense of excitement that lasted throughout all of the services. On Simchat Torah we unwound

our Torah. We were all bound to one another by the process of holding a section of the Torah as it flowed throughout the sanctuary. We are at an incredible point in time in the history of Temple Shalom. We are so glad that we have been able to share it with the Jewish community of Naples. Since December 2012, we have been scribing our new Torah. The creation of this new Torah was designed to symbolize the creation of a new era at Temple Shalom and its connection

naples jewiSh cONGREGATION

to the Naples Jewish and non-Jewish community. The commitment to this project was symbolic of our commitment to our future. There are still scribing dates available in November. Once again I extend the invitation to you and your families to be a part of the creation of this wonderful new Torah and to be part of performing the 613th commandment, “That all Jews should, at some time in their lives, take part in writing a new Torah.” Please visit www.NaplesTemple.

org to set up a scribing appointment. If you have any questions, please call Debra Antzis at 239.455.3030. Finally, our Board of Trustees and the congregation are moving forward with our “One Family” initiative. That is, to put substance behind our aspirations to continue to be a caring, connected temple family and utilizing Relational Judaism as our roadmap. Over the next several months I will keep you up-to-date in this regard. Be well.

www.naplesjewishcongregation.org / 239-234-6366

NJC update By Suzanne L. Paley, President Chanukah It’s November, the weather is getting more comfortable, there is no more Daylight Savings Time, and everyone is frantically shopping in either Naples’ beautiful shops or online for Chanukah gifts! I can’t believe the holiday is just around the corner. Naples Jewish Congregation is looking forward to our annual Chanukah Party, which will be held on Monday evening, December 2 at the Naples Heritage Golf and Country Club. The party is open to our community as well as our members. The food is great

and the DJ and his music are so much fun. If you are interested in finding out more information, or already know you want to attend, please contact Iris Weissman at 239.431.7944. Adult Enrichment Rabbi Sylvin Wolf will be conducting his Adult Enrichment classes starting on Sunday, November 10. Classes meet at the Federation offices at 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road from 10:30 a.m. noon. The theme for this year’s classes is Jewish Literacy: Major Jewish Themes Rooted in the Bible, along with Rabbinic commentary.

The first session is titled “The Chosen People.” Sessions are held the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month, November through April. Newly Revised Website Marvin Weisberg is our new “Web Maven” and he has updated and made some revisions and additions to our website. To view our site and find out what is going on in our temple community, visit www.naplesjewish congregation.org. You will like what you see, and it’s simple to navigate. Friday Night Services On November 1 we will conduct our

Chabad Jewish Center OF NAPLES

monthly Torah service, complimented by the singing of our choir. On November 8 our service will focus on honoring our military veterans. On November 15 and 22 we will have our regular Friday night services, but there will be no service on November 29, the day after Thanksgiving. Guests are always welcome at services, so please feel free to join us to satisfy your spiritual needs as well as your social needs (we serve delicious food at our Onegs). I look forward to meeting you.

www.chabadnaples.com / 239-262-4474

Chabad Jewish Center of Naples update Adult Hebrew Reading Crash Course Here’s your chance to learn to follow the prayers in Hebrew. Chabad Naples Jewish Center offers two Hebrew reading “crash courses,” both taught on Wednesdays from 4:35 to 5:35 p.m. and again from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The same material will be covered in both classes; students may attend either class or both each week. Questions? Contact instructor Ellen Seigel at ellenseigel@hotmail.com or 239.207.0806. Jewish Women’s Circle We are planning six exciting and stimulating programs to be held at Chabad Naples , from award-winning movies to good health and contemporary thought. The next two offerings are: Thursday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m.

Program: Taking Care of Your Skin at All Ages of Life; (with coffee and dessert); Guest speaker: Daniel Wasserman, M.D., board certified dermatologist Thursday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m. Program: Looking Good and Being Organized; (dessert and questions will follow) Chanukah This year we are lighting up the city, literally, with a huge Chanukah Car Parade featuring lots of vehicles, many with a menorah on top – it will not scratch your car. The parade leaves Chabad at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, and follows a surprise route before heading to the Village on Venetian Bay for the Giant Menorah lighting. This will be a spectacular event! If you would like to participate in any way – as a sponsor,

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

your car with a menorah – please call the office for more information. Many thanks to Police Chief Tom Weschler and Special Operations Sergeant Greg Sheridan for assisting us with the parade, security, and motor vehicles. An historic evening with Anne Frank’s stepsister Chabad Naples invites you to join us for a memorable evening on Monday, February 24, as we get a unique opportunity to enter the world of Mrs. Eva Schloss of London, UK, the stepsister and childhood friend of Anne Frank. Like her stepsister, Eva was hidden in Holland, but was betrayed, captured and sent to the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. Hear a firsthand account of the discovery and publication of Anne Frank’s famed diary. Share insights into the life and times of Eva Schloss and Anne Frank. Ongoing Events Flying Challahs: Freshly-baked challahs are distributed weekly to families in our community. Call in your suggestion, and a Flying Challah will be delivered. Weekly Services and Kids’ Program: Join us each Shabbat for weekly uplifting services, and bring

the kids to the incredible children’s program at the same time. Kiddush for the family and a social gathering follow services. Partner Project: Our Partner Project has grown to 275 partners since its inception. Choose your own participation level to help us continue to thrive. This year, our goal is 336 partners. 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, state-of-theart women’s mikvah, often seen as the cornerstone of Jewish life and the continuity of a community. Contact us for more information, private tours, a look at the construction plans and site, and opportunities for dedications and memorials that are being offered. Hebrew School: Introduce your children to their heritage and ensure they will learn to participate in a meaningful way. Registration is still open. There are varied stimulating programs that include projects, activities and discussions, providing meaningful insight into contemporary Jewish life. Hebrew School is held on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

25A SYNAGOGUES Federation Star November 2013

November 2013 Federation Star

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www.bethtikvahnaples.org / 239-434-1818

BETH TIKVAH

Beth Tikvah update By Stuart Kaye and Rosalee Bogo, co-Presidents his won’t happen again! We are wishing you Happy Chanukah in November! If you don’t get the chance to accessorize your Thanksgiving turkey with potato latkes, please consider catching up on this traditional item at our Latke Dinner (see below). Otherwise, enjoy the silliness represented by the “Thanksgivukkah” craze and the invention of the Menurky, that quirky candelabra in the shape of a you-know-what. Let us celebrate the festival of lights and maintain our Chanukah traditions to show our appreciation for the holiday. Adult Education Rabbi Chorny offers two adult courses on Tuesdays. Torah Study, which includes exploration of contemporary issues examined through the lens of Torah, meets at 12:15 p.m. Liturgical Hebrew, designed to make people comfortable with the siddur, meets at 4:00 p.m. Each runs 75 minutes. Conservative Judaism, also led by Rabbi Chorny, is keyed to chapters in The Observant Life, an amazing compendium of information and in-

sight valuable to Jews of all stripes. The course generally meets at 8:00 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Latke Dinner? A Beth Tikvah favorite, Latke Lunch will be Latke Dinner this year. Light the final candle with us on Wednesday, December 4 at 6:30 p.m. and share in our Chanukah festivities with a dinner featuring latkes and other delights. $15 per person. No charge to our religious school families. However, all (members and nonmembers) are asked to volunteer to bring salads, desserts and other items to supplement the meal. Songs, games and stories. Contact Phil at pjason@aol. com to RSVP and volunteer. (Because the originally scheduled December 1 Latke Lunch ended up being part of Thanksgiving weekend, we decided to reschedule.) Book Group Our Book Discussion Group continues on Monday, November 25, when we take up Naomi Ragen’s latest, The Sisters Weiss. This new title, reviewed on page 12B, is sure to please Ragen’s

fans and bring her new ones. The December 30 selection is Seth Lipsky’s The Rise of Abraham Cahan, a compelling biography of the protean cultural giant who gave the Jewish world (among other things) one of its great novels: The Rise of David Levinsky. All book group meetings are on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Film: Eyes Wide Open – Wednesday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m. “With respect and compassion, Eyes Wide Open explores the conflict between sexual desire and religious obligation...illuminating a cosmos of intense and hidden feeling.” – A.O. Scot, The New York Times. “A haunting tale of a doomed Orthodox Jewish gay couple.” – New York Magazine. Winner - Palm Springs International Film Festival 2010 - John Schlesinger Award for Outstanding First Feature. Aaron, a butcher and a devout family man in Jerusalem’s ultraOrthodox Jewish community, has his quiet existence interrupted one day when Erzi, a handsome, young Yeshiva student, happens on his shop.

JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND

Intrigued by the young man, Aaron offers Erzi a job, and over time becomes his friend and mentor. The two men, working side by side, grow closer, and soon other feelings surface. As their forbidden desire for each other grows, Aaron begins to neglect his business and his family, but guilt, torment and pressure from the community lead him to make a radical decision. Religious Services Schedule Friday services begin at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude with a Kiddush Luncheon. Sunday morning minyan runs from December through March at 9:00 a.m. We convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request. Please join us at any service. Our participatory worship services and most other events are held at 1459 Pine Ridge Road just west of Mission Square Plaza. For more information, call 239.434.1818, email bethtikvahnaples@aol.com, or visit www.bethtikvahnaples.org. You can reach Rabbi Chorny directly at 239.537.5257.

www.marcojcmi.com / 239-642-0800

President’s message Roger Blau JCMI President

y wife Joanne and I received a call a few days ago from our niece who lives in St. Louis. Even though we still think of her as a “girl,” she is now, in fact, a lawyer and a very accomplished one at that. After reconsidering, we realized that she is, after all, our grand-niece. Her father is our nephew.

The reason for her call was to inform us that she is pregnant and that she and her husband are expecting their first child in April. Naturally, we were overjoyed and wished her “Mazel Tov” and told her how happy we were for her and her husband. We then called my sister to share her excitement at becoming…oh my G-d… a GREAT-grandmother! This set a whole bunch of emotions swirling in our minds. Wait a minute! Our handsome young nephew was himself going to be a grandfather! Could this be? Had we miscalculated something? No, it’s true. The generation of our children and their cousins

who we think of as youngsters, are about to emerge as “grandparents,” a role that we are only just becoming comfortable with ourselves. Individuals in our age group like to share reflections on life with one another. We talk about how “time flies” and how the years go by at breakneck speed. We speak about the passage of time with good natured banter. But once in a while something smacks us hard and makes us really think about where we are in the cycle of life. So, how do we put on the brakes? How do we stem the tidal wave of time that seems to be trying to overtake us? Ultimately, we realize that

this is the wrong question, although it’s a compelling one. The real answer, of course, is to focus on the blessings we enjoy and to gracefully adjust ourselves to the period of our lives in which we are currently living. Joanne and I agree that in many ways this is the best time of our lives. We’re retired and living in one of the most beautiful places on earth. We have friends and family to enjoy. And we have the time to focus on whatever takes our fancy. That was far from the case during the working years of our youth. So, here’s to all of us, to our children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren!

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

ORGANIZATIONS

26A Federation Star November 2013 ORT AMERICA – GULF BEACHES CHAPTER

www.ort.org / 239-649-4000

Grab your friends, see great theater, support ORT

By Helene Dorfman Fuchs aughter and tears, family dynamics, two strong characters surrounded by a talented ensemble – all are attributes of great theater, and all are contained in Something Intangible, Gulfshore Playhouse’s offering at the Norris Center. “These elements contribute to the cinematic quality of the play, which is set in 1940s Hollywood, with its vibrant personalities, glittering costumes and glamorous locales,” said Cody Nickell, artistic associate of Gulfshore Playhouse. “It’s a well rounded ensemble piece, but at the center are two brothers – one creative, the other a financial guy – whose relationship personifies family dynamics,” Nickell, who directs the play, said. “These complicated family bonds can be the source of your greatest support but also of your harshest criticism. It’s a very funny play but also quite poignant, with great roles for actors,” he added. These are just some of the reasons to grab your friends, make up a party and join ORT members at the theater. Head for the Norris Center (755 8th Avenue South, Naples) at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 10. Tickets are $50 for center seats, with proceeds going to ORT educational programs worldwide. Dinner will be available after the performance at The Chapel Grill (811 7th Avenue South, Naples) at a special price for theatergoers. Call Midge Rauch at 239.676.7674 for more information and reservations. Other reasons are more universal: You will be supporting ORT schools and the

300,000 students enrolled annually throughout the world. Here’s an example of two beautiful Jewish women whose lives were changed when they enrolled in an ORT school. “At ORT I learned who is a Jew,” said Helen Praysman. “My life would have been quite different if I had not gone to the Lyceum (the ORT Technology Lyceum in Kiev, Ukraine). Like so many other people in the former Soviet Union, Helen grew up not only unaware of what being Jewish meant but unaware that she could even be considered Jewish. But all that changed when she and her twin sister, Viktoriya, joined the ORT Technology Lyceum in Kiev. The twins were following in the footsteps of their elder sister, Marina, who saw a television advertisement for the Lyceum and decided it would offer a superior education to the one being offered by their local school. They were not wrong. The school’s reputation of being one of the best in Ukraine was reaffirmed recently when Microsoft chose it to become the country’s only Pathfinder School – one of a small, international group of schools with a proven record of

innovation and the ability and willingness to change when necessary. But in addition to a quality practical education, Helen and her sisters were given the opportunity to explore far more personal and profound matters. “When we were born, our parents decided to give us my mother’s Ukrainian surname, Danilenko, rather than my father’s Jewish name, Praysman, so that we would not have any ‘problems,’” Helen said. “But at ORT I learned who is a Jew, about the traditions and history of my people. I learned that I belong to the Jewish people and that I am an integral part

of it. My sister and I began to identify ourselves as Jewish women and, together with Marina, we decided to take on our father’s name.” Now studying personnel management and economy of labor at Kiev National Economic University, Helen remembers fondly the ORT Shabbat dinners, the ORT school’s tours of Jewish sites in Eastern Europe and the celebration of Jewish holidays. And love bloomed through ORT, too: Helen met her fiancé at the Lyceum, and Viktoriya is engaged to an alumnus of the ORT school in Odessa, whom she met at a Jewish youth-movement summer camp.

2013-14 Calendar of Events • Sunday, November 10 at 3:00 p.m.: ORT opening event, Gulfshore Playhouse production of Something Intangible, Bruce Graham’s awardwinning new play, at the Norris Center, 755 8th Ave. S., Naples. • Thursday, January 23 at 11:30 a.m.: 2nd annual private-art collection viewing at a private residence. • Friday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m.: ORT Shabbat at Beth Tikvah Synagogue, 1459 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples. Speaker: Rabbi Ammos Chorny. • Sunday, February 16 at 11:00 a.m.: ORT special brunch at the Jewish Federation of Collier County offices. • Thursday, March 13 at 2:00 p.m.: “Just Desserts”* at the Jewish Federation of Collier County offices. Speaker Ellaine Rosen will talk about “Jewish Artists of the Paris School.” • Wednesday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m.: ”Just Desserts”* at the Rosen Studio and Gallery, 2172 J & C Blvd., Naples. Host: Richard Rosen. • Monday, March 24 at 2:00 p.m.: “Just Desserts”* at the Jewish Federation of Collier County offices. Speaker Dottie Magen will talk about “Caravaggio, the Artist and the Man.” * This new series features elegant desserts followed by outstanding programs on a variety of art topics. It is being held on three different days of the week in order to accommodate busy schedules. Note: All members are invited to attend ORT board meetings, which are held on the first Friday of every month at 11:30 a.m. in the Jewish Federation of Collier County boardroom.

Helen and Viktoriya Praysman

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

239-353-5963 / 239-354-9117

National Council of Jewish Women update By Linda Wainick, co-President ur section is committed to our community service projects which benefit children. Our COURTWATCH PROGRAM fights domestic violence by observing cases involving domestic violence and by working with the Shelter for Abused Women and Children. When Courtwatch began, the Court was hearing injunctions for orders of protection in a closed court without advising the petitioners of their rights to have a hearing before a judge. After we started documenting the cases, in conjunction with the Shelter’s assistance in training in the dynamics of this type of violence, there were meetings with Collier County officials. Dramatic changes were made to the system. It is now a much more effective and equitable process. To learn more about Courtwatch, please

contact Carol Klein. Our KNITTERS keep busy making caps and booties, which are donated to the birthing center at NCH and given to every newborn. We also make baby blankets for the nursery at RCMA (Redlands Christian Migrant Association), and security blankets for the children at the Shelter for Abused Women and Children. These lovely handmade gifts are so appreciated by the new moms and the children. If you knit or would like to, please contact Iris Abel. PARKSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL serves the neediest population in Naples. Over 80% of the students are from non-English-speaking homes and over 80% qualify for food assistance. There are a variety of opportunities to volunteer, including mentoring, assisting in the classroom,

reading to/with students, as a book club facilitator (NCJW supplies the books), and special events. Last season, I had the pleasure of working with second-graders in the classroom. I also chaperoned trips to the Phil and the Children’s Museum. The children were eager to learn, sweet and friendly, and the staff is so appreciative of volunteer involvement. I look forward to returning to Parkside this season. To learn more about Parkside, please contact Judy Kaufman. RCMA is a statewide organization that opens doors to opportunities through quality child care and education from crib to high school and beyond. The programs strive to increase the school readiness of young children in low-income families. We provide support for services for young children. To learn more about RCMA,

please contact Myra Shapiro. JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES provides counseling services to families and children. We provide support for services for children. Please join us at our luncheon at the Vineyards on Tuesday, November 19 at 11:30 a.m. Our guest will be Amy Snyder, Executive Director of the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida. Reservations can be made by sending a check ($22 for members, $25 for nonmembers) to Muriel Hurwich, 11030 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples, FL 34108. Save the dates: • Wednesday, January 15 Broadway Palm Theater • Thursday, March 20 Fashion Show Luncheon

27A ORGANIZATIONS Federation Star November 2013 HUMANISTIC JEWISH HAVURAH

November 2013 Federation Star

27A

www.humanisticjewishhavurahswfl.org / 239-398-3935

Reclaiming Shabbat Paula Creed President

HABBAT, the most frequent Jewish holiday, is the one holiday totally independent of the moon-sun calendar. Although its origin is obscure, some scholars maintain that the Sabbath, at least in its present form, is an original Jewish creation. Traditional Shabbat observance features a complete cessation of work and commerce. One of the oldest passages in the Torah, Exodus 34:21, states, “Six days thou shalt work but on the seventh day thou shalt rest.” The commandment to “keep” and “remember” the Sabbath is repeated in later portions of Exodus and Deuteronomy. The authors of the later “P” texts in the Torah, representing the later priesthood, emphasized the cosmic dimension with the Shabbat origin

story found in Genesis. There God is depicted as resting after the six days of creation. Shabbat was historically considered to be one of the major symbols of Jewish identity. As such, it was at the center of the controversies that led to the Hasmonean (Maccabean) Revolt in the second century BCE. When the Greek ruler Antiochus Epiphanes forbade the observance of Shabbat under penalty of death, Shabbat became one of the rallying cries to war. Though few non-Orthodox Jews observe Shabbat in its details, there is something about the humanitarian aspects of it that continue to inspire. The Torah assigns it as a day of rest for Jews, non-Jews and even beasts of burden. This was an unusually universalistic application for those times. Over the millennia, more and more restrictions were imposed on Shabbat. Today’s Orthodox Jews must navigate through a large number of prohibitions on such diverse activities as employing electricity, driving a car and cooking. The Hebrew Bible lacks such specificity, but the Rabbis of the Mishnah and Talmud identi-

naples jewiSh Social Club

fied 39 areas of Shabbat prohibitions that they based upon various intricate interpretations of the Torah. These remain the basis of Shabbat observance for traditional Jews to this day. For oppressed Jews of the Middle Ages, the Sabbath was a key element of Jewish life. Persecution and economic instability bolstered the importance of Shabbat as a time for cessation from earthly labor and turning to God. Many of the customs observed today, such as the hours of study, elaborate meals, special table coverings, dishes, clothing and food, developed during the medieval period. For thousands of years Jewish Sabbath observance provided few obstacles to economic life. Jews lived apart and were politically, socially, linguistically and culturally isolated from the surrounding world. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, when Jewish emancipation came to the Christian West, secularized Jews found it difficult to stop working on a secular workday. Shabbat, the ultimate day of rest and withdrawal from the secular world, no

longer fit the modern world. This was particularly true for Jews who sought to assimilate into American and other western societies. Modernity made it very difficult to turn any single day in a highly secularized world into a complete day of rest. Every movement in Jewish religious life has had to struggle with the juxtaposition of Shabbat and modernity. Humanistic Judaism is an exception. Humanistic Jews do not struggle to retain customs that are not harmonious with modern life. Instead, they acknowledge Shabbat as a part of Jewish culture. Shabbat activities – meals or even a nontheistic service – provide opportunities to celebrate Jewish culture and the human spirit. For Humanistic Jews, Shabbat can provide moments of peace, restoration, study and experiences that bring families and communities together. *** SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, December 3, Humanistic Jewish Havurah Chanukah. Details on our website and the next issue of this newspaper.

bhbnaples@gmail.com / 239-566-1126

Connecting Jewish people from Naples, Marco Island, Fort Myers and Estero By Arnold Bresnick, President

Chanukah Dinner Dance Our Enjoy our annual Chanukah Dinner Dance on Saturday, November 23 at the Heritage Bay Golf and Country Club in Naples. Join us for cocktails and appetizers which include wonderful potato latkes. There are numerous entrée selections. Heritage Bay is known for its catering throughout the area. Rabbi Troupp will conduct the traditional Chanukah ceremony. To add further enjoyment to the evening, there will be a DJ to provide music for dancing until 10:00 p.m. Sondra Greer is the contact person at Sondanc1016@comcast.net or 239.353.4468. Please save this very important date for a lovely evening you will thoroughly enjoy. Annual Gala Plan to attend our Annual Gala on Sunday, January 26 at Longshore Lake Country Club in Naples. It promises to be an extraordinary event. Your committee has been meeting with the caterer and arranging for the entertainment.

Bridge and Mahjongg In addition to our regular events, we offer bridge and mahjongg. These special interest groups remain an active, social part of our group. Our terrific bridge games, which include social and duplicate, are played respectively on the first and third Sundays of the month at Sterling Oaks Clubhouse in Naples. Games begin at 6:00 p.m. Coffee and cookies are served. The cost is $8 per couple. Reservations are a must by the preceding Thursday. For social bridge, call Tilda Ellis at 239.949.9913; for duplicate bridge, call Rhoda Abramovitz at 239.514.1296. Mahjongg is played every Thursday at the Longshore Lake Clubhouse. Play begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch being served at 12:30 p.m. The afternoon ends at 3:30 p.m. The game is played with experienced players only. Call Barbara Bresnick at 239.566.1126 or Sondra Greer at 239.353.4468. For updates on members’ health and life events, please call Rowena

Galerston at 239.596.9037. For membership information, call Sondra Greer at 239.353.4468. For all other information, contact Arnold Bresnick, President, at 239.566.1126 or bhbnaples@gmail. com, or Harvey Chodock, Vice President, at 239.949.4927 or harvey chodock@earthlink.net. Closing of the Social Club For several years, attempts to revitalize the Board of Directors have failed. No new volunteers have come forward to take the reins of the Social Club. Consequently, the current members of the board, most of whose terms expire at the end of our fiscal year, have voted to terminate the Club. The Club, from its beginning 25 years ago, was a social haven for a small number of Jewish couples. The Club grew to include approximately 300 members in its heyday. The Club served a real need in light of the limited number of Jewish organizations to benefit Jewish needs. The Club numbers have sorely dwindled and

What if there was one place… ÎÎ ÎÎ ÎÎ ÎÎ

to meet the needs of Jews and non-Jews, young and old, wherever they live? inspired by bold, often daring pursuits of social justice and human rights? you could make stronger by rich traditions of advocacy, education, responsibility and tzedakah? where you provide the spark that helps others make connection to Jewish values and people?

the membership has aged with no new blood joining the organization. Consequently, there has been no enthusiasm and no new willing members to carry on the operation of the organization. The Club has a rich history that was a credit to its past leadership and members. The Club was able to offer a great number of monthly events of all types for the enjoyment of its members and to provide a valuable outlet for Jewish couples to meet each other and form lasting relationships in the Naples Community. After the Chanukah Party and Annual Gala, the board will take the necessary steps to close down as provided in our bylaws. The Annual Gala will be a major celebration as our last event, so come join us for our closing ceremonies. The Bridge and Mahjongg groups are expected to continue to operate as independent entities. This should not be a problem since they have been largely self-governing for some time.

There is! Federation. It starts with you! Call 239.263.4205 to get involved.

28A Federation Star November 2013

ORGANIZATIONS

COLLIER/LEE CHAPTER OF HADASSAH

www.hadassah.org / 239-676-3052

Hadassah update Shelley Skelton President

urrounded by color, I marveled at the fact that this year, I had no planting to do since I had replaced all of the annual growing plants with perennials – those which just automatically “pop up” every year, blooming in all their magnificent color. I only needed to plant them once and they reward me yearly upon their return. And so it goes with Life Membership in Hadassah. You will only pay once, but you reap the rewards for a lifetime! For the rest of this year, 2013, you can feel secure in the knowledge that for only $212, your support of Hadassah is like the perennials – you only pay once but your name “pops up” yearly on the membership roster!

Many of you are aware that the special $212 fee for Life Membership will most likely revert back to $360 at the end of this year. What you may not know is that our chapter, to date, has realized 99% of our chapter membership goal, and we are still growing! And now, for the kicker – out of 842 members, only 27 are NOT life members. They pay their dues on a yearly basis. They are the “annuals” of our Collier/Lee Chapter. We are certainly very happy and grateful to all of our members for their continued support. However, wouldn’t it be awesome if each and every one of our annuals upgraded to perennials and our 100% Life Membership goal was reached in support of the extraordinary work of Hadassah? Please contact one of our Membership VPs – Lynn Weiner at 239.598.1009 or Iris Shur at 239.593.9328 – if you or someone you know would like to either upgrade or join our chapter. This time of year is a very busy and active one for our Collier/Lee

JEWISH WOMEN INTERNATIONAL

Chapter. If you ask most members why they joined Hadassah, the answer would most likely be, “to meet people,” with rare exceptions. But once they join and begin to learn about and understand more and more about Hadassah, they become more and more involved and find themselves volunteering to be an integral part of the day-to-day operations. But, if that is not in their plan, they may just volunteer to join a committee and offer assistance when necessary. That is what makes our Hadassah Chapter so special. We are a family, opening our hearts to victims of disaster when necessary, and opening our hearts to those who volunteer their valuable time. We treat each other with respect, honor other opinions, and work together so that everyone is an integral part of our chapter. Without this cooperation, we could not exist, nor could we achieve the successes that we do on a regular basis. Many charitable organizations are able to make changes in people’s lives, only because of the loyal and

dedicated help of volunteers. They depend upon and exist solely because of the willingness of those who devote their time and energy to fundraising, caregiving and all the other tasks necessary to run the organization on a day-to-day basis. Along with the concept of volunteerism in an organization, it is important to remember that we still need firm and committed leadership. Leaders will give the organization guidance and direction. They will influence without controlling, they will supervise without dominating, and they will not rule but will inspire initiative. A leader is someone whom people follow, even though the leader is often unaware that they possess these qualities. Whether you want to be a member-at-large or strive for a leadership position, the friendship shared with members of Hadassah is enjoyed by all.

www.jwi.org / 239-498-2778

JWI’s Young Leadership National Conference Millie Sernovitz JWI Past International President n 2013, Jewish Women International (JWI) launched a Young Women’s Leadership Network for Jewish professional women in their 20s and 30s in the Washington, D.C., area. This network provides participants with opportunities to develop their professional and leadership skills, connect to a community of strong Jewish professional women, and engage with mentors and community leaders. More than 200 young women have attended events this year and over 300 young women have

signed up to receive invitations to our events. On Sunday, December 8, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, D.C., the network will be hosting its inaugural National Conference for 75-100 young professional Jewish women from around the country. It’s a way to roll out a larger strategy for engaging young professionals around the country and creating a network of engaged and empowered women. This half-day conference will precede JWI’s annual Women to Watch celebration and bring together some of the most dynamic Jewish women leaders in America to discuss major issues and topics important to women today. All of the featured speakers are current or former Women to Watch honorees who have made exceptional contributions in their professional

lives and communities. The goals of the conference are multifold: to develop participants’ professional and leadership skills, strengthen the Jewish community, and facilitate connections among a vibrant group of Jewish professional women. The conference is an opportunity to build on the success of the network, maximize JWI’s reach, and host the first-ever national leadership training specifically for young Jewish professional women. The conference

will include an opening plenary, six skill-building workshops, a speedmentoring activity, and a wine and cheese reception. To learn more about the JWI’s Young Leadership Conference 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.

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.

For daily news stories related to Israel & the Jewish world, visit the Federation’s website at www.jewishnaples.org.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY 29A Federation Star November 2013 ACCOUNTANT

November 2013 Federation Star

ATTORNEY - TRUSTS & PROBATE A. STEPHEN KOTLER

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

DIAMONDS & JEWELRY

Board Certified Wills, Trusts and Estate Lawyer

COUNSELING

Kathy A. Feinstein, MS Licensed Mental Health Counselor ~ Sport Performance Consultant

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

KOTLER LAW FIRM P.L. Phone 239.325.2333

999 Vanderbilt Beach Road Suite 200 Naples, Florida 34108

skotler@kotlerpl.com

FUNERAL SERVICES

29A

2180 Immokalee Road, Suite 216, Naples

(239) 594-0900

www.KAFCounselingandSportPerformance.com

INSURANCE

FRANK WEINBERG

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

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

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

East Naples 4735 Tamiami Trail E. 417-5000

Advanced Funeral Planning Specialists

Mitchell Dannenberg, cltc

(239) 461-5511

Call about our Pre-Planning Discounts

http://ltcimarketplace.com

Interior DECORATOR

Want to see your business in this spot? For more information or to place an ad, call Jacqui at 239.777.2889.

NEUROLOGY

OPHTHALMOLOGY

PODIATRIST

P SYCHOTHERAPI S T

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DIPLOMATE, AMERICAN BOARD OF PODIATRIC SURGERY

FELLOW, AMERICAN PROF. WOUND CARE ASSN.

DR. ROBERT D. TEITELBAUM PODIATRIST

Psychotherapist

Stephen G. Schwartz, M.D., M.B.A.

Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology Medical Director, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at Naples 311 9th Street North, Suite 100 Naples, Florida 34102 www.bascompalmer.org

Phone: (239) 659-3937 Fax: (239) 659-3984 sschwartz2@med.miami.edu

P R I N TING

239-263-4595 FAX 239-263-8851

4763 TAMIAMI TRAIL, N. NAPLES, FL 34103

NAPLES 239.514.4908

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REAL ESTATE

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TRANSPORTATION

30A Federation Star November 2013

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Get the Service you Deserve November 2013 – 5774 SUNDAY MONDAY Candle lighting times:

November 1: November 8: November 15: November 22: November 29:

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

6:27 5:23 5:20 5:18 5:17 7

SATURDAY

9:00am WCA Board Mtg 11:30am ORT Board Mtg 6:00pm HJH Shabbat Dinner 7:30pm BT Services 7:30pm NJC Torah Services & Choir 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

9:00am BT Minyan 9:00am BT Religious School 9:30am TS Sunday School 2:00pm Kristallnacht Convocation 5:30pm HDH Welcome Back Dinner

10:00am NCJW Board Mtg 2:00pm HDH Board Mtg 4:30pm HM/BT Film 5:30pm JCMI Bingo 7:00pm TS 92nd St Y Prog

10:00am TS-S Board Mtg 12:15pm BT Torah Study 1:30pm CJD Steering Cmte 4:00pm BT Liturgical Hebrew 6:00pm TS RS Seniors Stdy

10:30am JCMI Mah Jongg 11:30am CHA-M Meeting 5:30pm TS Rosh Chodesh 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 1:30pm JCRC Meeting 4:30pm BT Hebrew School 4:30pm CHA Hebrew School 4:30pm TS Hebrew School 8:00pm BT Consrv. Judaism

5:30pm CHA Community Shabbat 7:30pm BT Services 7:30pm NJC Services 7:30pm TS Veterans Shabbat 8:00pm JCMI Services

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

9:00am BT Minyan 10:30am TS Naples Jewish 9:00am BT Religious School Caring Support Group 9:30am TS Sunday School 5:30pm JCMI Bingo 10:00am ZOA Speaker 10:30am NJC Adult Enrich 4:00pm HM Vets Day Film 7:00pm TS Comm Dance

10:00am Jewish Genealogy 11:00am JCMI-S Bd Mtg 11:30am TS-S Luncheon 12:00pm JCMI-S Mtg 12:15pm BT Torah Study 4:00pm BT Liturgical Hebrew 7:30pm JFCC Board Mtg

11:30am CHA-M Meeting 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 1:30pm Israel Affairs Mtg 4:30pm BT Hebrew School 4:30pm CHA Hebrew School 4:30pm TS Hebrew School

10:30am JCMI Mah Jongg 11:00am WCA Welcome Back Luncheon 3:00pm HM Exec Cmte Mtg 7:00pm TS Exec Cmte Mtg

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

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

9:00am BT Minyan 12:00pm NJC-S Book Club 9:00am BT Religious School 1:00pm HDH Study Group 9:30am JWV Meeting 5:30pm JCMI Bingo 9:30am TS RS Maccabee Games 9:30am TS Sunday School 4:30pm HM GenShoah Mtg

11:30am NCJW Gen Mtg 12:15pm BT Torah Study 4:00pm BT Liturgical Hebrew 7:00pm TS Board Mtg

11:30am CHA-M Meeting 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 4:30pm BT Hebrew School 4:30pm CHA Hebrew School 4:30pm TS Hebrew School 5:30pm CHA Jewish Storytime/Dinner 8:00pm BT Consrv. Judaism

10:30am JCMI Mah Jongg 12:00pm NJC Mens Mtg 1:30pm TS-S Book Bag 5:00pm BT Board Mtg

6:00pm BT Eat/Learn 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 6:00pm NJSC Chanukah Party

27 Chanukah

12:15pm BT Torah Study 4:00pm BT Liturgical Hebrew 7:00pm TS Board Mtg

11:30am CHA-M Meeting 1:00pm JCMI Bridge 4:30pm BT Hebrew School 4:30pm CHA Hebrew School 4:30pm TS Hebrew School 5:45pm JFCC Community Chanukah Event

28 29 FEDERATION 30 THANKSGIVING OFFICE CLOSED 9:30am BT Services

9:00am BT Minyan 10:30am TS Naples Jewish 9:00am BT Religious School Caring Support Group 9:30am TS Sunday School 5:30pm JCMI Bingo 10:30am NJC Adult Enrich 7:30pm BT Book Group

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

• 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.

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

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

Federation membership

According to the By-Laws of the Jewish Federation of Collier County, members are those individuals who make an annual gift of $36 or more to the UJA Federation Campaign in our community. For more information, please contact the Federation at 239.263.4205.

November 2013 COMMUNITY DIRECTORY 31A Federation Star TEMPLE SHALOM OF NAPLES (Reform) 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34119 Phone: 455-3030  Fax: 455-4361 Email: info@naplestemple.org www.naplestemple.org Rabbi Adam Miller Cantor Donna Azu James H. Perman, D.D., Rabbi Emeritus Yale T. Freeman, President Susan Shechter Daugherty, Exec. Dir. Caren Plotkin, Religious School Dir. Seyla Cohen, Preschool Director Peter Lewis, Organist/Choir Director Shabbat Services: Shabbat Eve - Friday 7:30 p.m. Shabbat - Saturday 10:00 a.m. • Sisterhood • Men’s Club • Adult Education • Havurot • Youth Groups • Religious School • Judaic Library • Hebrew School • Pre-School • Adult Choir • Social Action • Outreach

Naples’ only Judaica Shop

CHABAD NAPLES JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER serving Naples and Marco Island 1789 Mandarin Road, Naples, FL 34102 Phone: 262-4474 Email: info@chabadnaples.com Website: www.chabadnaples.com Rabbi Fishel Zaklos Dr. Arthur Seigel, President Ettie Zaklos, 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. 3 November 2013 48 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 December Issue Deadlines: Editorial: November 1 Advertising: November 6 Send news stories to: fedstar18@gmail.com

November 2013 Federation Star

31A

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 Shabbat Services Friday 8:00 p.m. Torah Study and Saturday Services • Sisterhood • Men’s Club • Brownstein Judaica Gift Shop

Suzanne Paley, President Jane Galler, Cantorial Soloist Shabbat Services Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. May - August: services once a month Sisterhood • Men’s Club Adult Education • Adult Choir Social Action • Community Events

Let’s Talk Turkey With a planned gift to the Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Collier County, your estate plan Mayflower into a horn of plenty for you, and the Jewish community gets the gravy. Don’t get stuck at the kids’ table. Carve out a piece of the pie for the Jewish community. This is no small potatoes when it comes to letting a flock of taxes gobble up your estate.

BETH TIKVAH

(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 7:30pm Saturday mornings at 9:30am Youth Education - Adult Education Community Events

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

Jewish Federation of Collier County Phone: 263-4205  Fax: 263-3813 Website: www.jewishnaples.org Email: info@jewishnaples.org • Federation President: 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

We’ll be happy to guide you through the maize of charitable gift planning. You’ll get the bountiful end of the wishbone.

Humanistic Jewish Havurah of Southwest Florida

Let a charitable gift to the Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation be the centerpiece of your estate plan.

• Reva Pearlstein, 800-622-8017 • Tyler Korn, 354-4300

Give. Thanks.

For more information on gift planning, call David Willens, Executive Director, at 239.263.4205.

Please note our email addresses: David Willens, Executive Director – david@jewishnaples.org Jill Sarvis, 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

Like us on Facebook!

ConneCt with your Jewish Community

www.facebook.com/

facebook.com/jfedsrq JewishFederationofCollierCounty

• Paula Creed, 495-8484

Israel Bonds

Jewish Family and Community Services of Southwest Florida 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

Naples Friends of American Magen David Adom (MDA) • SE Reg Dir: Marc Glickman, 954-457-9766

Naples Jewish Social Club • Co-President: Arnold Bresnick, 566-1126 • Co-President: Harvey Chodock, 949-4927

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

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

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

November 2013 - Heshvan/Kislev 5774

Vol. 23 #3

Arts & Culture

Your guide to upcoming cultural events

By Ted Epstein, Editor

elcome to the fourth annual Arts & Culture section in the Federation Star. When we surveyed our readers and asked what their main interests and hobbies were, theater, film, reading and concerts (arts and culture) were the top four replies. Museums and galleries also placed near the top. And over the years, some of the most consistent supporters of the Federation Star, through their advertising dollars, have been the local cultural centers. So we decided to combine our readers’ interests and give our arts and culture advertisers a little bit of space to tell you about

their upcoming offerings. As you browse this 16-page section, you’ll find much to keep you busy in November and the coming months. Here’s an overview: ¡¡ Theater offerings from Gulfshore Playhouse, The Naples Players, and TheatreZone ¡¡ Women’s Cultural Alliance bus trips ¡¡ Men’s Cultural Alliance opening luncheon meeting ¡¡ Exhibits at the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida ¡¡ “Growers, Grocers & Gefilte Fish: A Gastronomic Look at

¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡

¡¡ ¡¡

Florida Jews in Food,” at the Jewish Museum of Florida on Miami Beach The Jewish Film Festival on Marco Island The Saul Stern Cultural Series “From Broadway to Bimah” – a concert featuring five amazing cantors Itzhak Perlman & The Perlman Music Program Alumni concert Refuge: Stories of the Selfhelp Home – a film that tells the story of a final generation of Holocaust survivors Estero Fine Art Show Israeli Folk Dancing

¡¡ Naples Klezmer Revival Band Concert ¡¡ Annual Welcome Back Community Dance ¡¡ Two Israel Affairs Committee programs I compile eleven issues of the Federation Star each year, and you can see why the November issue has become my favorite. This Arts & Culture section would not be possible without our advertisers. The staff at the Jewish Federation and I thank each of them. I hope you will patronize our advertisers through the end of 2013 and into 2014.

THE

EXPERIENCE

Start Here Be a part of it!

Schedule Now! Email: OurTorah@NaplesTemple.org Call: 455-3030, ext 202 Visit: NaplesTemple.org CROWNING CEREMONY DECEMBER 8, 2013

Last Two Scribing Dates: Nov 10 & 11

Federation Star November 2013

ARTS & CULTURE

“Growers, Grocers & Gefilte Fish” explores nearly 200 years of Florida Jews in the food industry

ews in the Sunshine State are better known for serving up delicious corned beef on rye than for their work in the fields. However, Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU guests may be surprised to learn that Florida is home to the “King of Citrus,” a grove three times the size of Manhattan, and even sixth-generation dairy farmers, all businesses owned and operated by Jews. A new exhibit, “Growers, Grocers & Gefilte Fish: A Gastronomic Look at Florida Jews in Food,” spans nearly 200 years of history, with artifacts, figures and photographs that will feed your memories and tempt your taste buds, including produce growers, “ma and pa” grocers, gefilte fish distributors, butchers, bakers and world-renowned chefs. The exhibit opened to the public on Tuesday, October 15 and will remain on display for approximately one year. “This exhibit has been a long time coming,” said Executive Director Jo Ann Arnowitz. “We’ve always known that we wanted to have an exhibit on food, but there’s so much material, we could have filled three museums just on this subject! What we have now is a sampling of the growers, farmers, supermarkets, restaurateurs, chefs, bakers and others who’ve contributed to the foods and memories we recall when we think of eating either at home or at a restaurant in Florida.

We also included a few of the well known ‘foodies’ today, like Michael Schwartz and Michelle Bernstein, who continue to redefine the industry both here at home and on a national scale.” Select highlights include photographs and artifacts from the following Jewish businesses or individuals: ¡¡ Dr. Philip Phillips (Orlando): Named the “King of Citrus,” Phillips was the world’s largest citrus producer in the early 1900s. Phillips developed the revolutionary process of flash-pasteurizing, enabling him to can juice without altering the taste. The American Medical Association even endorsed his orange juice label that

¡¡

read, “Drink Dr. Phillips Orange Juice because the Doc says it’s good for you!” Joshua Groves (Arcadia): This grove was planted with 3 million orange trees, three times the size of Manhattan! It was a distinguishing landmark for astronauts who took aerial photos of it on the first manned satellite in orbit. Sheldon’s Drugstore (Surfside): With 18 retail drug stores, Jewish-American author Isaac Bashevis Singer was having breakfast at the Surfside location when he learned he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1978. Davie Dairy (Okeechobee): This sixth-generation dairy business has 960 acres and two milking facilities that produces 15,000 gallons of milk daily! Today, Davie Dairy is home to over 4,500 cows. Restaurant chains: • Royal Castle: William Singer opened the chain in the 1930s and by the time the company sold in 1969, it had 175 restaurants. • Burger King: Started by Ben Stein of Jacksonville in 1955. • Pollo Tropical: Established in 1988 by Larry & Stuart Harris of Miami.

¡¡ Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant (Miami Beach): An iconic restaurant now in its 100th year, it is still owned and operated by the family of Joe & Jennie Weiss, the first Jews to settle on Miami Beach. ¡¡ Meyer Fish & Produce (Jacksonville): This seafood company created the new process of quick freezing and cold storage of

shrimp in 1929. The shrimp was frozen in ready-to-eat packages for the consumer, which were marketed throughout the U.S. under the “Sel-ect-ed” label. ¡¡ South Beach Wine & Food Festival (Miami Beach): Originally a one-day festival, Lee Schrager took over in 2002 and produced a four-day event that has become a national destination to over 65,000 guests. The show is known for showcasing the world’s most renowned chefs

continued on next page

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ARTS & CULTURE

November 2013 Federation Star

Growers, Grocers & Gefilte Fish...continued from previous page and culinary personalities. “Growers, Grocers & Gefilte Fish” is comprised of more than 400 photographs and 60 objects, and includes over 250 Florida Jewish families and companies. The exhibit has also inspired a variety of public programs, including cooking demonstrations, a walking food tour, films, a creative writing contest for students, and many more exciting and interactive activities. Please visit www.jewishmuseum.com for a complete and up-to-date list of programs. Opening event reception sponsors: Congregation Beth Jacob and Morris & Rhoda Levitt & Families. Additional exhibit supporters include (as of 8/29/13) Publix Super Markets Charities; Southern Wine & Spirits;

Dolly Harris & Family in memory of Ernest E. Harris; Mardi & Ron Shader; Dottie Jacobs in memory of Marvin “Buddy” Jacobs; Harriet Singer in memory of Lawrence Singer; Isabel Bernfeld Anderson IMO Leon & Anita Bernfeld; Al & Sandee Burger; David Posnack Foundation; Robert Arthur Segall Family Foundation Inc.; Kenneth Bloom in memory of Harold & Ilse Posner. About the Jewish Museum of Florida-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 focal point is its core exhibit, MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida, 1763 to Present, and its temporary history and art exhibits that change periodically. Also on display: POSTERS FROM THE HANS SACHS COLLECTION through December 15, 2013. A Collections and Research Center, several films, Timeline Wall of Jewish History, museum store filled with unique items, and Bessie’s Bistro complete the experience for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. For more information, please call 305.672.5044, visit www. jewishmuseum.com or search Facebook for JewishMuseumofFlorida.

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Broadway comes to Hadassah!

adassah will be bringing the highly-acclaimed New York musical Warsaw: A Story in Song to Temple Shalom in Naples on Sunday, March 9, and to Temple Beth El in Fort Myers on Saturday, March 8. Both productions will begin at 7:00 p.m. The Florida premiere of this musical, which is a vital Hadassah fundraiser, will feature a professional New York cast, many of whom have performed on Broadway and have

been in this production throughout the East Coast. This deeply-moving musical drama based on the heroic story of the Warsaw ghetto uprising is an event that no one will want to miss. A preview of this show can be heard on www.warsawthemusical.com. More exciting details to follow. For now, save the dates. For more information, please call Ida Margolis at 239.963.9347.

Naples Jewish Congregation Sisterhood Presents its 3rd Annual Fun Mah Jongg Party Tables for Bridge, Canasta, Dominoes also being played

Monday, December 16 Pelican’s Nest Golf Club, Bonita Springs Doors open at 9:00 a.m. for a continental breakfast Play from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Buffet lunch (including soup, salad, main courses, dessert) at 11:30 a.m. Beverages provided all day Silent raffle items, door prizes, and fun, fun, fun

Cost: $30

Please bring your mah jongg sets, cards and/or dominoes Send your check, payable to Sisterhood NJC, to: Ruth Ruskin, 136 April Sound Drive, Naples, FL 34119

For additional information, call Ruth at 239.352.6992 or Marilyn Goldenberg at 239.566.1464.

Be ready to play at any age. NaplesOrthopedic.com or call 239-348-4253 Physicians Regional Medical Center 6101 Pine Ridge Road–3rd Floor · Naples

Federation Star November 2013

ARTS & CULTURE

Gulfshore Playhouse set to begin 10th anniversary season

pening the Gulfshore Playhouse 2013-2014 season will be Something Intangible by Bruce Graham, playing November 1-24. Set among the glitz and glamour of 1940s Hollywood, this lush new award-winning drama goes inside the movie studio and inside the lives of two brothers. One is the creative genius responsible for bringing the first animated feature film to the screen, and the other is his loyal brother, who struggles to keep the money coming in to fund the next big dream, a featurelength animated film set to classical music that will ultimately change the film industry forever. With deft wit and endearing humanity, Something Intangible explores the ties that bind, artistic inspiration, and that intangible something that can elevate the mundane to the sublime. In December, bring the whole family for Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol by Tom Mula. In a hilarious twist on the beloved Christmas tale,

Jacob Marley finds himself in Hell and learns that saving Scrooge’s soul is the only road to his own salvation. Actor Cody Nickell wends his way through this one-man show, sliding

effortlessly from Heavenly hijinks all the way to Hell and back. Join us for an evening with Scrooge, Cratchit, and 16 other Angels, Demons, Goblins and Ghosts that once again remind us all of the true meaning of Christmas. Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol will play December 6 through 22. Starting the Spring 2014 portion of the season will be the world premiere drama The God Game by Suzanne Bradbeer in association with Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, New York. The play will run from January 17 through February 9. Tom is a Virginia Senator and a rising star in the Republican Party. He’s asked to join the ticket as the Vice Presidential candidate. The only catch: he needs to sound “more Christian” on the campaign trail. Will he sacrifice his firmly held belief that faith and religion are private matters or give up an opportunity to govern the most influential country in the world? Privacy, politics and public personas take center stage in this world premiere drama by a hot new American playwright. From the playwright who brought us The Fox on the Fairway, Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot will be on the Gulfshore Playhouse stage February 21 through March 16. This brand new hilarious play from one of the masters of comedy brings murder, mystery, mayhem and madcap adventure to our stage. Broadway

superstar William Gillette, famous the world over for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, has invited fellow cast members to his opulent home

for a dinner party. But when one of the guests winds up dead, Gillette will have to summon every ounce of Sherlock he can to solve the mystery. This play will keep you laughing and trying to figure out whodunit until the final bow. The final production of the 20132014 season with be the Arthur Miller drama All My Sons. This electrifying American classic focuses on two families in the aftermath of World War II. In a quiet Ohio neighborhood,

a marriage proposal unlocks secrets and threatens to shatter the American dream. Arthur Miller won the first Tony Award ever given to a playwright for this timeless, powerful and thought-provoking play about money, morals and the legacy you leave behind. All My Sons will be presented March 28 through April 19. On February 27, Gulfshore Playhouse will host its 4th Annual Bubbles, Baubles, and Broadway Gala Fundraiser. The event will be held at the Naples Beach Hotel and will honor Gulfshore Playhouse’s longtime board chairman, Bob Harden. This year’s theme will be “The Great White Way” and will feature Leah Edwards, who was last seen in Gulfshore Playhouse’s production of Master Class by Terrance McNally. All shows are presented at the Norris Center, 755 8th Avenue South, Naples. Subscriptions and single tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 866.811.4111 or visiting www.gulfshoreplayhouse. org. For more information, please call 239.261.PLAY (7529).

The Zionist Organization of Southwest Florida Presents A Breakfast/Presentation with

Dr. Andrew Bostom KRISTEN COURY, PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Chabad Jewish Center of Naples 1789 Mandarin Rd., Naples

Sunday, November 10 at 10:00am

SOMETHING INTANGIBLE by

Considered by many to be the preeminent authority of Islamic History, Dr. Bostom is the author of three critically-acclaimed books: The Legacy of Islamic Anti-Semitism, The Legacy of Jihad, and his most recent work, Sharia versus Freedom: The Legacy of Islamic Totalitarianism.

Admission $10 RSVP to: Jerry Sobel - 914-329-1024 or jerrysobel@aol.com or Gene Sipe - 239-470-8468 or mrnsrvr@gmail.com

BRUCE GRAHAM

Dreams really can come true. SET AMONG THE GLITZ AND GLAMOUR OF 1940’S HOLLYWOOD, this lush new award-winning drama goes inside the movie studio and inside the lives of two brothers. One is the creative genius responsible for bringing the first animated film to the screen, and the other is his loyal brother, who struggles to keep the money coming in to fund the next big dream which will ultimately change the industry forever: a feature-length animated film set to classical music. With deft wit and endearing humanity, Something Intangible explores the ties that bind, artistic inspiration, and that intangible something that can elevate the mundane to the sublime.

NOVEMBER 1-24, 2013 www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org •

Call for Tickets: 1-866-811-4111

Single Tickets Start at $40 • 1/2 Price Tickets 1/2 Hour Before All Matinee Performances The Norris Center • 755 8th Ave. Naples, FL SEASON BENEFACTORS PATTY & JAY BAKER

CORPORATE PARTNER

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS BOB & LINDA HARDEN CHRISTINE PADDOCK

Make your Memory a Docu Docu--Memory

www.abg www.abg--world.com 239 239--566 566--1771

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ARTS & CULTURE

November 2013 Federation Star

WOMEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE

www.WomensCulturalAlliance.com / 239-948-0003

Hop aboard the WCA bus for some Florida treasures By Maureen Schaab, WCA Events Coordinator

eautiful sunsets, fabulous climate, views of nature, birds, flowers, fish and palm trees – these are all reasons that people choose to have a residence in Florida. This year, three of WCA’s bus trips will show off lovely Florida resources as we visit two estates and a botanical garden built by three different men who chose to live in Florida for these very reasons. Henry Flagler, the brains behind Standard Oil, built the magnificent estate “Whitehall” in Palm Beach. James Deerfield, from the International Harvester Company, built “Vizcaya” in the Coconut Grove area in Miami. Robert Hiester Montgomery, one of the founding partners of PricewaterhouseCoopers, led the effort to establish Fairchild Gardens, the magnificent Botanical Gardens in Miami. WCA’s first bus trip, Tuesday, December 10, will take us to the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach and will include a docent-led tour and a Gilded Age Tea Lunch. The Flagler museum was originally Henry Flagler’s winter estate, Whitehall. Henry Flagler is the person who is most singlehandedly responsible for the development of the East Coast of Florida. We will get to view his 100,000-square-foot mansion as well as exhibits related to Florida’s history and the Gilded Age. Henry Flagler’s private railcar No. 91 will also be on exhibit. Our second bus trip, Tuesday, January 14, 2014, will take us to Matlacha, and will please all of your senses!! SMELL the fresh Florida air along the water on this quirky little arty isthmus. LISTEN to colourful local artist Leoma Lovegrove share her story about how she was able to make a splash with her designs on the local and national stage. TOUCH your own paintbrush to canvas and create your own masterpiece to take home.

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LOOK around and browse through the art galleries in the area. TASTE the freshest local faire prepared just for us by a local chef. The third WCA bus trip, Tuesday, Feb 11, 2014, is to the Fairchild Gardens and American Orchid Society in Coral Gables. The Garden offers more than 83 acres of unmatched beauty and features unparalleled tropical plant collections, including rare and endangered plants from around the world, a tropical rainforest, a butterfly garden, and a world-renowned display of palms. We will take a tram tour and visit the Tropical Rainforest, the Tropical Fruit Pavilion, and the Sibley Victoria Amazonica Lily Pool. We will talk to experts in horticulture and conservation science, view impressive art, see butterflies and birds at every turn, and, of course, have lunch. The destination for our fourth bus trip will be the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee and the Immokalee Farmers Market. Two tours are planned: Tuesday, February 25, and Friday, February 28, 2014. The local bus trip includes a tour of the early childhood education center, one of the most amazing schools in Florida! The visit to the farmers market will give us an opportunity to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables. Our fifth and final bus tour of the Season will take us to Vizcaya in the Coconut Grove area of Miami. It is anticipated that the trip will be scheduled for March 2014. Vizcaya was the winter residence of James Deering. Built between 1914 and 1922, it has been said that “the Main House and the formal gardens appeared as a dreamlike vision in the midst of the jungle on the shores of Biscayne Bay.” We will take a guided tour of the estate and of the gardens. Vizcaya’s Main House and gardens are furnished

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

with a collection that represents many cultures and art periods – ancient Roman sculptures, Renaissance tapestries and architectural elements, seventeenth- and eighteenth-century statues and garden decorations, Chinese ceramics, Rococo and Neoclassical furniture, and early twentieth-century sculptures and paintings. Lunch will be included. Registration information for these trips will be in WCA’s weekly e-mail blast. If you are not already a mem-

ber of WCA, join today so that you can take advantage of the wonderful programming available to our members. Simply fill out the membership form on this page. Shortly after you join, you will receive weekly e-mail notices of WCA programs. Want to know more about WCA? Check out our website at www.WomensCulturalAlliance.com for additional membership benefits and for details about these and other wonderful programs available to WCA members.

WCA A – WOMEEN’S CULTU URAL ALLIA ANCE OF THEE JEWISH FED DERATION OF COLLIER COUNTY WCA A – WOMEEN’S CULTU URAL ALLIA ANCE IALLY INVITE ES YOU TO R 2013 CORD OF THE E JDEWISH FEDDERATION OFOU CUOLLIER COUNTY ORD DIALLYEINVITE ES YOU OU UR 2013 WCELCOME BACK LU UTO NCHEON N

FEEATURING WELCOME BACK LU UNCHEON N

Peggy Post Peggy Post

FEATURING Peggy Post, Emily Post's great-granddaughter-in-law, is a Director of The Emily Post Institute and the author of more than a dozen etiquette books.Peggy Peggy’s most recent book is the 18th edition of EmilyisPost's Etiquette. Post, Emily Post's great-granddaughter-in-law, a Director of The Emily Post Institute and the author of more than a dozen etiquette Peggy writes a monthly column in Good as well as a books. Peggy’s most recent book is theHousekeeping 18th edition ofmagazine, Emily Post's Etiquette. biweekly online column in The New York Times called "The Well-Mannered Wedding." Her media include Oprah, Dr. Phil, The View, Livemagazine, with Regisasand Peggy appearances writes a monthly column in Good Housekeeping wellKelly, as a the Today show, Goodcolumn Morning America, Dateline, and"The CNN. Peggy conducts lectures biweekly online in The New York TimesVH1, called Well-Mannered Wedding." and seminars for appearances businesses, trade associations, organizations Her media include Oprah, Dr.and Phil,community The View, Live with Regis throughout and Kelly, the U.S. She and her husband have lived in Bonita Springs for the pastconducts 14 years.lectures the Today show, Good Morning America, Dateline, VH1, and CNN. Peggy and seminars for businesses, trade associations, and community Thursday, November 14, 2013organizations throughout the U.S. She and her husband have lived in Bonita Springs for the past 14 years. GREY OAKS COUNTRRY CLUB Thursday, November 14, 2013 11:00 –OUNTR 2:00RP.M. GREY OAA.M KS. C Y CLUB A.M. IS – REQ 2:00 P.M.TO ATTTEND MEMBERRSHIP IN11:00 THE WCA QUIRED

$10 OF THE M LUNCH HEON COUVERT IS A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CATTTEND ON TO EMBER RSHIP IN THE WCA IS REQ QUIRED TOCONTRIBUTIO JEWISH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

$10 OF THE LUNCHHEON COUVERT IS A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTIO C ON TO JEWISH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

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

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

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

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

City: ____________________________ State: _____ Zip Code ____________

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

Florida home phone:___________________________________________

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

Federation Star November 2013

TheADVOCACY Israel Aﬀairs Commiiee ISRAEL COMMITTEE of the Jewish Federron of Collier County

ARTS & CULTURE

ISRAEL COMMITTEE ISRAELADVOCACY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Presents

AND

ISRAEL 101

December 2013 - March 2014 This series of classes will reveal the story of how the Jewish people restored their national independence in their ancestral homeland after 2,000 years of living under the rule of others. Through the use of ﬁlm and discussion, we will document this young state’s struggle to build a vibrant society, while facing huge challenges and obstacles. The goal of these classes is to increase the participants’ knowledge base of the complex challenges facing Israel, through a discussion of the History, Politics, Geography, and Culture of the people of Israel, to enable our community to better combat and respond to the campaign to delegitimize the Jewish State.

DR. ERIC MANDEL

East Cost co-Chair of StandWithUs and Founder of Middle East Political and Information Network (MEPIN) IN DISCUSSION OF:

SEASON #1 : ISRAEL REBORN Mon. Dec. 23rd

PROUDLY PRESENT

Geography and historical evolution of the region

Thur. Jan. 16th

Zionism and restoring the Jewish Homeland

Thur. Feb. 20th

The British mandate and the War of Independence

Thur. Mar. 20th

Establishing a State and the ingathering of the Refugees

All classes will take place at the Jewish Federation ofﬁces from 2-4p.m. 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201, Naples.

Space is Limited No Charge

Admissionand andtextbook textbook provided provided by advance registration ONLY Admission with advance registration ONLY. Contact: Steve sbrazina@aol.com to register To register, email Steve Brazina at sbrazina@aol.com.

“What is Happening Today in Israel and the Middle East” StandWithUs is an international organization founded in 2001 and dedicated to informing the public about Israel and combating extremism and anti-Semitism.

Thursday, December 19 4:30 P.M. Temple Shalom 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples

RSVP requested by December 17 to Betty Schwartz at 239.254.9085 or israeladvocacycommittee@gmail.com

For daily news stories related to Israel & the Jewish world, visit www.jewishnaples.org. Top Wall Street investment strategist to speak at MCA December luncheon meeting By Jeff Margolis

he Men’s Cultural Alliance of Collier County (MCA) will kick off the 2013-14 season with its first luncheon meeting on Wednesday, December 18 at the Cypress Woods Country Club. The guest speaker will be fellow MCA member Stu Schweitzer, Global Markets Strategist for J.P. Morgan Private Bank. Members will want to register early for what is expected to be a sellout event to hear Stu’s timely

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comments about the economy and investments. A last count, there were 24 programs and activities that are open to MCA members. Ongoing programs include fishing, birding, discussion groups, bicycling, as well as computer classes. There are also many special event programs scheduled, including museum trips and outings to area sporting events. Program chairman Les Nizin

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

has done a fabulous job of getting ready for MCA’s second season. Members are encouraged to check their email for the schedule of upcoming events and activities, and register for the activity groups while space is available. Incidentally, if you or your colleagues have an idea for an activity or program, please contact Les or Steve Brazina. We encourage all members to be current in their dues to be able to

participate in this year’s activities. To our snowbirds, the MCA planning committee wishes you a safe journey to Naples and we look forward to seeing you in the near future. To become an MCA member, please complete the form below or contact the Jewish Federation of Collier County at 239.263.4205. For more information about MCA and its programs, please contact Steve Brazina at sbrazina@aol.com.

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: _________________________________________

ARTS & CULTURE

November 2013 Federation Star

The Naples Players promises another year of magnificent musicals, comedies and more

he Naples Players was conceived in 1952 as friends gathered for a sunset cocktail party at the home of Henry and Mary Watkins. 61 years later the Players successfully stage more than 220 performances year round at the beautiful Sugden Community Theatre on 5th Avenue South in the heart of downtown Naples. The 2013-14 season promises to provide another year of magnificent musicals, comedies and more. Now through November 23, audiences can enjoy The Mystery of Irma Vep, a sidesplitting gothic spoof that leaves no stone unturned when it comes to satirizing the melodramatic likes of Dracula, Rebecca, Wuthering Heights, The Wolfman, The Mummy’s Curse and many more. From November 27 through December 21, Our Town takes to

the 400-seat Blackburn Hall Stage. This timeless classic set in the early 20th century in the fictional town of Grover’s Corners explores the beauty

of love, marriage, family and the everyday precious moments that can be taken for granted in life. Black Tie will be performed in Blackburn Hall from January 15 through February 8. This play is a perceptive and amusing look at how each generation navigates their past in the ever changing present. From February 5 through March 1, the thought-provoking play Good People serves as a snapshot of the great American divide between the haves and have-nots. Good People will be performed in the smaller black box Tobye Studio.

begs the question of how we expect today’s children to not be hyperactive in a hectic, computerized and distracting world where multi-tasking is considered a prerequisite for success. From April 23 through May 17, the Ken Ludwig farce Moon Over Buffalo will entertain theatre-goers.

From the author of Lend Me a Tenor and Leading Ladies comes a hilarious showbiz satire that has all the ingredients of a good farce – slamming doors, mistaken identities, costume calamities and utter mayhem. The Drowsy Chaperone, a showwithin-a-show, complete with vaudeville gangsters, mistaken identities, rousing anthems, dream sequences and a whole lot of spit-takes, results in a riotous parody of 1920s screwball comedy. See the show from March 5 through April 5. Distracted by Lisa Loomer will perform in the Tobye studio from March 26 through April 19. This play

Performances for both stages are held Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.. Adult tickets for Blackburn Hall shows are $35 for non-musicals and $40 for musicals. Tickets for students to age 21 are $10 each. Adult tickets to Tobye shows are $25 per person and $10 for students. Many shows sell out each season so early tickets are always encouraged. Tickets can be purchased at the box office at 701 5th Avenue South, by calling 239.263.7990, or online at www.naplesplayers.org. With a subscriber base of more than 4,000, a youth program that reaches over 600 children annually, and having been voted “Best Live Theatre” for ten consecutive years in the Southwest Florida Choice Awards, the success of The Naples Players continues today as strong as ever.

Welcome Back Community Dance On Sunday, November 10, the entire Jewish community is invited to join together and celebrate everyone’s return to Naples with the annual Welcome Back Community Dance. This is a great way to see your friends who have been away and see some new faces as well. Let’s kick off the season together with friends, fun, light refreshments and dancing! The festivities will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Temple Shalom, featuring the band Night Train. Tickets are just $18 per person. Call the temple office at 239.455.3030 to RSVP.

Federation Star November 2013

ARTS & CULTURE

The Holocaust Museum & Education Center of SWFL has another season of engaging events planned!

he temporary exhibits for this season include: Currently on display, What the Soldiers Brought Home is an original exhibit containing artifacts from the Museum’s archives and items on loan from local veterans, their families, and the Museum of Military Memorabilia in Naples. It shares both the unique and universal stories of United States soldiers and

U.S. Army Jewish Prayer book from the What the Soldiers Brought Home exhibit

what they brought home from the European theater of World War II. With a focus on veterans now living in Southwest Florida, the exhibit highlights the artifacts and the stories behind them. The Safe Haven Museum Exhibit explores the little-known story of close to 1,000 refugees from 18 war-torn countries who fled Nazi

terror in Europe and sailed to the safety of America. As guests of the U.S. government, the refugees were sent to The Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Center in Oswego, New York. This became their home for the next eighteen months. Visit the Museum in February 2014 to view this small traveling exhibit on loan from the Safe Haven Museum and Education Center in Oswego. Visit the Museum in March 2014 to view Sanibel artist Myra Roberts’ newest artwork related to the Holocaust. Over the past year, Myra

The Holocaust Museum presents the Holocaust Survivor Speaker Series, a new quarterly lecture series featuring local residents who survived the Holocaust. The speakers will recount their experiences and tell how they rebuilt their lives after the war ended. The lecture series will be held at the Museum at 4:00 p.m. on Sundays, January 5 and April 6. Museum Docent Elliott Katz will once again host an invigorating Monday Lunchtime Lecture Series at the Museum. Dates are January 13, February 10 and March 10. The sessions begin at 11:00 a.m., with a light lunch provided. March brings us to Triumph 2014 ~ Lives of Purpose. This year, the Museum’s annual fundraiser will be held on Thursday, March 27 at the Naples Municipal Airport. The event will honor the legacy of “The Ghost Army,” From the new Myra Roberts collection a special unit in World has been working in mixed media to War II that used artistic creativity create this collection depicting the willingness of the average citizen to be blind to the facts of the Holocaust. Using period interior design materials and historic photos from the Holocaust, Myra has created a collection of collages sure to inspire discussion.

to produce decoy military materials. The unit deceived the Axis Powers on numerous occasions, helping to turn the tide of the war for the Allies. A veteran of the unit will attend, along with the producer of the recently-aired documentary, The Ghost Army, seen on PBS stations nationwide. Also being honored is a local student, whose actions ensured disabled students were given the opportunity to participate fully in school life and activities at her high school. Schaeffer McHenry graduated from Gulf Coast High School last June, and is now a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. Ms. McHenry truly represents the values the Museum teaches through its education outreach programs. Following on the heels of this event, from April 1 to May 31, the Museum will host the exhibit Artists of Deception: The Ghost Army of World War II. For more details, including RSVP requests, costs and dates of these activities, please visit www. holocaustmuseumswfl.org or call 239.263.9200.

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

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Wilma Boyd - CEO

November 2013 Federation Star

ARTS & CULTURE

TheatreZone stages ninth season – “Year of the Composers”

“

n the theatre, we ignite the power of the arts to tell stories we all want and need to hear. Next season at TheatreZone, we are going to do just that,” promises Mark Danni, founder of the not-for-profit, professional theatre known for its tradition of bringing the “lost treasures of Broadway” to Southwest Florida. “Tell great stories. It’s what we do. TheatreZone’s ninth season is designed to surprise, entertain, challenge and inspire our audiences by inviting them to take part in shared acts of imagination,” adds Danni. TheatreZone opens in January 2014 with Whistle Down the Wind, a musical gem that follows the fortunes of a fugitive caught between the

prejudice of adults and the innocence of the young. Whistle Down the Wind is a thought-provoking, uplifting musical based on the novel by Mary Hayley Bell (wife of actor Sir John Mills and mother of actors Hayley

and Juliet Mills) and later Richard Attenborough-produced film. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s soaring score combines hauntingly beautiful love songs and explosive rock music with lyrics by acclaimed rock ’n’ roll songwriter Jim Steinman (well known for his work with Meatloaf and Bonnie Tyler). Whistle Down the Wind performs January 9-19. February brings a production of High Society, the upper crust musical comedy with book by Arthur Kopit

and music and lyrics by the legendary Cole Porter, based upon the play The Philadelphia Story by Phillip Barry. It’s the classic 1939 romantic drawing room comedy about life among the rich and charming that chronicles the comeuppance of Tracy Lord, a young and beautiful American aristocrat of glacial comportment and little tolerance for human frailty. In the course of preparing for her wedding to a

man for whom she is ill suited, she is pulled from her pedestal, a process that lets her learn to bend and acquire a human heart. High Society runs February 6-16. In March, TheatreZone will perform Chess, the Tony Award-winning power musical with music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Uvaeus of ABBA, and lyrics by Tim Rice. The story involves a romantic triangle between two top chess players – an American and a Russian – and a woman who manages one player, but falls in love with the other. The two men are competing in a chess tournament that has become a symbol for the cold war struggle between the U.S. and the USSR. From Bangkok to Budapest, the players, lovers, politicians and spies manipulate and are manipulated to the pulse of a monumental rock score that includes One Night in Bangkok and Heaven Help My Heart. Chess runs March 6-16. Season 9 concludes with the internationally-performed heavenly hit musical Forever Plaid, an affectionate homage to the close-harmony male singers of the 1950s (The Four Aces, The Four Freshmen, the Four Lads). The story centers around four young men who never made it to their first big gig, but are given a chance to fulfill their dreams and perform the show that never was. Stroll down memory lane with this musical fea-

turing pop classics and clever patter while humming along with the great nostalgic pop hits. Forever Plaid performs May 1-11. Operating under the guidelines of the Actors’ Equity Association and small professional theatres contracts, TheatreZone is in residence and performs in the intimate 250-seat G&L Theatre housed on the magnificent campus of The Community School of Naples, one block north of Pine Ridge Road at 13275 Livingston Road. Over the last eight years, TheatreZone has grown steadily and produced a total of 250 performances, including two world premieres, featured more than 300 artists, and played to audiences of over 60,000. Season 9 subscriber series (four shows) costs $182, a mini-series (3 shows) costs $144, and individual seats costs $43 - $48 plus a $2 per ticket fee. Reduced rates for groups (more than 10) are also available. For more information or to purchase tickets, call TheaterZone at 888.966.3352 or visit www.theatre zone-florida.com.

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(239) 261-1177 ● (800) 523-3716 www.preferrednaples.com SunTrust Building at Pelican Bay  801 Laurel Oak Drive  Suite 300 Naples, FL 34108  Hablamos Espanol

Wilma Boyd - CEO

10B Federation Star November 2013

ARTS & CULTURE

“From Broadway to Bimah” – a concert featuring five amazing cantors By Cantor Donna Azu, Temple Shalom

n the course of our lifetime, we develop a certain relationship with music. To some, music is an existential vehicle they could not imagine their lives without. There are also those who do not consider music to be a critical component of their wellbeing at all. But no matter what role we assign to it, music is everywhere. We hear music in the car, on TV, in a department store, on the street, in a concert hall, when we wake up and before we go to sleep. Music is the most natural and most genuine expression of one’s emotions and thoughts. Prior to acquiring language skills, children learn how to sing, hum and make different types of sounds. These sounds are the ultimate expressions of their world. As a musician, my affection for music is obviously quite natural. However, one does not have to deal with music professionally to “understand” it in any particular way, and there is no “right” or “wrong” music. As cantors, in addition to the numerous responsibilities at our

individual congregations (including creating spiritual and meaningful worship services, educating our youth and adults, providing pastoral care, and officiating in simchas), from time to time we have the opportunity to join together with our colleagues to create beautiful music. Since arriving in Naples three years ago, I have been invited to take part in quite a few concerts that showcase cantors. I have now sung in Miami, Plantation, Orlando and Boynton Beach. I realized recently that it was time that the entire Naples community had the opportunity to experience all of the wonderful cantors voices out there. I invite you to join me on Sunday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m. as Temple Shalom presents an uplifting cantors’ concert, “From Broadway to Bimah.” The concert will feature myself, as well as four other amazingly talented cantors from around the country. Joining me are Cantors Daniel Mutlu of Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, Texas; Star Trompeter of

Temple Beth El in Chappaqua, New York; Carrie Barry of Temple Beth Torah in Wellington, Florida; and Aaron Kaplan, founder and director of the non-profit group, The Kaplan Project in Houston, Texas. They will be showcasing their extraordinary voices with us through a wide range of musical styles to create an unforgettable night. We will perform an eclectic array of music, from cantorial music to Israeli pop to

Broadway show tunes to opera and Yiddish theater songs. The evening promises that there will be something for everyone! More information and ticketing prices will be available soon. In the meantime, please remember to save the date for “From Broadway to Bimah.” I look forward to you meeting and hearing these spectacular cantors at Temple Shalom!

The Federation Star delivers!

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TREE of LIFE

AWARD DINNER HONORING

JANET COHEN THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2014 • 6:00 PM TwinEagles Golf and Country Club • 11330 Twineagles Blvd. • Naples, FL 34120 Guest Speaker: Gil Tamary Washington Bureau Chief for Israel’s Channel 10 News Registration and sponsorship information is available online at jnf.org/naplestol or by contacting the JNF office at RSVPNorthFL@jnf.org or 800.211.1502. For more information, please contact Beth Glickman Morris at bmorris@jnf.org, Uri Smajovits at usmajovits@jnf.org or call 800.211.1502 x891/890.

JNF.ORG • 800.211.1502

November 2013 Federation Star

ARTS & CULTURE

11B

Itzhak Perlman & The Perlman Music Program Alumni to perform concert

n recognition of its 10th presentaorg or call 941.955.4942. tion of The Perlman Music Pro“This will be a rare and regram Sarasota Winter Residency, markable opportunity for audience The Perlman Music Program/Sunmembers to experience a legendary coast (PMP/Suncoast) has joined with musical talent performing with young, The Jewish Federation profoundly talented of Sarasota-Manatee musicians,” says Elizto present a chamber abeth Power, executive music concert honordirector of PMP/Suning “Israel at 65” on coast. “This is the first Wednesday, November time Mr. Perlman will 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the be performing chamVan Wezel Performing ber music in concert Arts Hall in Sarasota. with esteemed PMP This special congraduates on the West cert features worldCoast of Florida. It’s a renowned, Israeli-born moving celebration of violinist Itzhak Perlthe continuity of clasman performing chamsical music.” Itzhak Perlman ber music works with a Undeniably the select group of gifted Perlman Music reigning virtuoso of the violin, Itzhak Program (PMP) alumni. Tickets are Perlman enjoys superstar status rarely $50 to $125. Audience members are afforded a classical musician. Beloved invited to enjoy a “Meet the Artists” for his charm and humanity as well as post-concert reception with the purhis talent, he is treasured by audiences chase of a $50 reception ticket. All throughout the world who respond not proceeds benefit The Perlman Music only to his remarkable artistry, but Program/Suncoast’s programs. For also to the irrepressible joy of making concert and reception tickets, call music, which he communicates. the Van Wezel Performing Arts box In January 2009, Mr. Perlman was office at 941.953.3368 or visit www. honored to take part in the Inauguravanwezel.org. For additional sponsor tion of President Barack Obama, and information and access to premium in 2003, the John F. Kennedy Censeating, call Margaret Ann Behrends at ter for the Performing Arts granted 941.350.2338. For more information Perlman a Kennedy Center Honor, about The Perlman Music Program/ celebrating his distinguished achieveSuncoast, visit www.PMPSuncoast. ments and contributions to the cultural

and educational life of our nation. In addition to his many orchestral and recital appearances throughout the world, Perlman performs as conductor with leading orchestras. He has been awarded four Emmy awards and 15 Grammy awards. One of Perlman’s proudest achievements is his collaboration with film score composer John Williams in Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning film Schindler’s List, in which he performed

Itzhak and Toby Perlman (photos courtesy of The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast

the violin solos. Perlman devotes considerable time to education, both in his participation in The Perlman Music Program and his teaching at the Juilliard School, where he holds the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation Chair. The 2013-2014 Perlman Music Program Sarasota Winter Residency, presented by The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast, will be December 22, 2013, through January 4, 2014. This inspired two-week program was founded by Toby Perlman, and offers unparalleled musical training for students, ages 12 to 20+, who come from around the world to study and play violin, viola, cello and bass. With a faculty including Itzhak Perlman and comprising some of the most gifted musical talents of our time, the Sarasota Winter Residency offers an artistic and personal experience that changes students’ lives forever. The Sarasota Winter Residency’s public events include orchestra and chorus rehearsals, master classes, and works-in-progress student recitals, which attract more than 13,000 people each year.

What do you think? Send your letters & comments to fedstar18@gmail.com. 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.

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12B Federation Star November 2013

ARTS & CULTURE

Tradition and defiance war in culturally insightful novel By Philip K. Jason, Special to the Federation Star The Sisters Weiss, by Naomi Ragen. St. Martin’s Press. 336 pages. Hardback $24.99.

estselling novelist Naomi Ragen has carved an intricate tale out of the lives of two sisters, at one time inseparable, but later living in separate and incompatible worlds. Rose and Pearl Weiss are born into a caring, rule-bound ultraOrthodox Brooklyn family. Rose, the older by three years, has the kind of curiosity that is dangerous in Phil Jason this kind of community – dangerous because it cannot be satisfied without stepping out of the cocoon and risking ostracism. Befriended by a girl whose French immigrant family is at the margins of acceptance by this community, Rose finds herself captivated by art photography found in a book in the girl’s father’s library. She is allowed to borrow the book, which she knows she must hide. However, she soon aspires to becoming a photographer – which clearly means she aspires to seeing things in her own way. In several seemingly inevitable steps, Rose finds herself at odds with all that has been built to comfort and protect her. At seventeen, she runs away from an arranged marriage, disgracing her family and cutting herself off from the only world she has known. Slowly but steadily, she builds a new life, eventually establishing herself as a prominent photographic artist. To her family and community,

she is an object of scorn and a source by his succumbing to Rivka’s of shame. Pearl is left to be the model advances. She feels that Rivka daughter, her behavior fitting the mold betrayed her, though Rivka had of her community. The family scandal no knowledge of Hannah’s supseverely narrowed Pearl’s matrimoposed claim on Simon. nial choices, but she has made the best Rivka disappears and reof her situation. appears a couple of times in Forty years after Rose’s self-exresponse to the stresses and ile, her daughter Hannah, a fledgling strains of her situation. graduate school student, receives a Before long, the inevitable hapbarely literate note from a teenager pens. Imagining what Pearl and named Rivka. Rivka is Pearl’s daughher husband must have been going ter, and she is desperate to escape from through since Rivka’s disappearance, a future that affords no hope for her imagining what her own parents had individual happiness or growth. Rivka gone through forty years earlier, is seeking temporary shelter with Rose works to negotiate some kind cousin Hannah. Weiss family history of communication, if only so that seems to be repeating itself. When Rivka’s parents can stop worrying and Hannah reveals the know that their child note to her mother, is okay. Rose warns her not A guarded, fragile to get involved. No rapprochement is set good can come of in motion, the distance it. But then Rivka between the sisters’ simply shows up! lives narrowing and Somewhat rewidening as attempts luctantly, Hannah to heal keep running offers her tempointo the decades’ old rary shelter. She habits of intolerance is impressed by and animosity. Rivka’s gratitude Ms. Ragen’s skill and how she gives at crafting all the emothe apartment a Naomi Ragen (photo by Alex Ragen) tional nuances of this thorough cleaning without being tentatively wished-for reunification asked. Still, Rivka acts like an imbetween the sisters, and between migrant. It’s as if the community she child and parents, is convincing left behind is a foreign country. She is unprepared for the new world. Hannah asks her friend Simon to tutor Rivka toward a GED, but before long that relationship becomes a torrid romance. Hannah’s hidden isa Davin creates one-of-a-kind feelings about Simon are wounded pieces of handcrafted jewelry.

and suspenseful. Readers are reminded of the need people have to stand their ground, the ground of values and ingrained behaviors, and how understanding and compassion are always crippled by the need to be the party that is uniquely in the right. To learn how and to what extent these issues and conflicts are resolved, how Rivka survives the risks she has taken, requires, dear reader, that you take your own journey into this powerful, wise book. I think you will find The Sisters Weiss very much worth your while. You will discover a provocative study of how identity is formed and reformed. You will witness the tug of war between nature and nurture, between loyalty to self and to others, and between sophistry and sincerity. This is a most thoughtful and passionate entertainment. Philip K. Jason is Professor Emeritus of English from the United States Naval Academy. He reviews regularly for the Naples edition of Florida Weekly and for Fort Myers Magazine. For more of Phil’s insights and reviews, as well as literature/publishing links, visit his website at www. philjason.wordpress.com.

Estero Fine Art Show – November 16-17

The first piece of jewelry she sold was at a Hadassah Literary Luncheon fundraiser in Delray Beach, Florida, in 2006. She continued selling her jewelry at fundraisers (mostly for Jewish organizations) for two years, and then switched to art shows. To date she has garnered 23 ribbons from art shows in New York City, Georgia, North Carolina and Florida. Lisa uses various techniques to create her jewelry: wiring, macrame, crocheting, weaving, seed beading and hand knotting. Her materials are of the finest mined materials from around the world. She hand picks all the pearls and stones used in her designs. Her jewelry will be on display on November 16 and 17 at the Estero Fine Art Show. The show is open both days from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is a juried show that showcases artists

from around the globe and includes Live Artist Demonstrations, Live Entertainment, Juror’s Awards of Excellence, and a Youth Art Competition that displays original art created by 5- to 12-year-olds. The show takes place at the Miromar Outlets (I-75 exit 123 and

Corkscrew Road in Estero). Admission and parking are free. The show is produced by Hot Works, LLC. For more information, call 941.755.3088 or visit www.HotWorks.org. For more information about Lisa Davin and her jewelry, visit www. designsbylisajewelry.com.

Read the Federation Star and Connections online or on your iPad. Visit www.jewishnaples.org.

ARTS & CULTURE

November 2013 Federation Star

13B

Refuge: Stories of the Selfhelp Home tells story of final generation of Holocaust survivors

eaching back more than 75 years, the new documentary Refuge: Stories of the Selfhelp Home” gives a voice to the final generation Holocaust survivors from Central Europe. Refuge, by Bonita Springs director Ethan Bensinger, explores the lives of six survivors and refugees against the context of the Nazi cataclysm and how a small group of them came together to create a community that has given shelter to more than 1,000 victims of Nazi persecution from Central Europe. The film illuminates the lost world of Central European Jewry prior to World War II – middle class, educated, cultured – and the remarkable courage, resilience and character of its final generation at Selfhelp in Chicago. The one-hour documentary will air on public television stations nationwide in November to commemorate the 75 th anniversary of Kristallnacht (November 9-10, 1938), translated from German as the “Night of Broken Glass” or “Crystal Night,”

Still from the film

the coordinated series of attacks by the Nazis against Jewish communities throughout Germany and Austria. The film is presented by WOUB Public Media and is distributed to public television stations by American Public Television. In the Fort Myers/ Naples area, the film will be presented at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, November 9 on the Encore Channel. The film’s director, Ethan Bensinger, who lives in Chicago and Bonita Springs, comes from a German-Jewish family that fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s and eventually settled in Chicago in 1958. The documentary grew out of a project to interview the last remaining survivors and refugees at the Selfhelp Home.

“Our film explores a community that will not exist for much longer,” said Bensinger. “Many of the stories are heartbreaking, and speak of loss of family, of place, of separation. But they also tell of renewal, of resilience, of finding love and creating new families, of starting again in a new land.” Since its premiere at the Illinois Holocaust Museum in June 2012, Refuge has been screened widely at film festivals, museums, schools, libraries and synagogues. It has been honored with the top award for excellence at the recent Beloit Film International Festival, as well as “Best Documentary” and “Best in Fest” awards at the Sycamore Film Festival, and the Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award at the Geneva Film Festival. Recently the film was featured in a project by Germany’s national broadcaster, Deutsche Welle, to trace the remnants of Germany’s Jewish community around the world. The refugees and survivors in the film speak vividly of the loss of family and of place, and of decisions that meant the difference between life and death. Several of the elderly survivors personally witnessed Kristallnacht. Others speak of finding refuge in England through the Kindertransport, escaping to the United States and Shanghai, hiding on estates and in castles in France, and deportation to the Theresienstadt and Auschwitz concentration camps. “These eyewitnesses teach us and future generations that strength in the face of adversity often comes from a sense of community built upon shared experience,” said Rick Hirschhaut, Executive Director of the Illinois Holocaust Museum. Selfhelp was founded in the late1930s by a handful of young Jewish refugees who fled Nazi Germany to the safety of Chicago. Through prescience, pooled resources and a strong spirit of volunteerism, Selfhelp provided housing, food, English classes and job placement services

“Serving the Jewish Community for Over 14 Years” Traditional Jewish Services

Meet the director and see the film before it airs on cable Beth Tikvah Congregation and the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida are co-sponsoring a screening of Refuge on Monday, November 4 at 4:30 p.m. at the museum, 4760 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 7 (Sandalwood Square). The film’s director, Ethan Bensinger, a Bonita Springs resident, will be available for a Q&A session after the film. For more about Refuge, visit www.refugestories.com. RSVP to the museum at 239.263.9200 or membership@holocaustmuseumswfl.org. to other displaced Jewish émigrés and later, after the war, to Holocaust survivors. They put people up in their own homes and reached deep in their pockets to give those who came with nothing the basics of what they needed to start new lives in a new country. In 1950, Selfhelp opened up a residential home for the oldest refugees and survivors, whose atmosphere reproduced some of the home life and cultural experiences that they had lost. To date, more than 1,000 refugees and survivors have spent their last years at the Selfhelp homes in Chicago’s Hyde Park and Edgewater communities. “Within 10 years or so, there will be no Jewish victims of Nazi persecution living at Selfhelp,” said Bensinger.

Still from the film

Out of the 30 refugees and survivors he originally interviewed, less than a dozen are still alive today. “As a filmmaker, I feel obligated to give a voice to these last eyewitnesses to life as it was before, during and after the war, so that future generations understand the consequences of intolerance, injustice and unmitigated hatred.”

14B Federation Star November 2013

ARTS & CULTURE

Steve Emerson to open 20th year of The Saul I. Stern Cultural Series

n Wednesday, January 29, 2014, the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island is opening the 20th year of the Saul I. Stern Cultural Series in conjunction with the Jewish Federation of Collier County, with speaker Stephen Emerson, considered one of the leading experts on terrorism. As Executive Director of the Investigative Project on Terrorism, located in Washington, D.C., he has amassed one of the largest collections of data and intelligence on Islamic and Middle Eastern terrorist groups. Emerson and his staff are frequent

advisors to the U. S. government, law enforcement agencies, as well as foreign leaders. He has briefed the United States Congress hundreds of times. Upon graduation from Brown University, Emerson went to work as an analyst on the staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as an international investigator and helped shape the aid package to Israel and Egypt following the Camp David accords in 1978. He continued developing his skills with the Committee, during which he developed an interest

in the Middle East. In 1986, he joined U. S. World News and World Report where he became the national security correspondent. He later became part of the CNN team. Emerson established his Investigative Project in 1995. He has emerged as a powerful independent force, working with security services worldwide, while carrying out investigations on his own in areas

Israeli and International Folk Dancing on Thursdays Where: When: Why: Teacher:

Fleischmann Community Center, 1900 Fleischmann Road, Naples, opposite Coastland Center Mall Thursday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Exercise, relaxation, socializing, learning, good health and fun Richard Eddy, member International Dance Council (CIDUNESCO) and Florida Folk Dance Council Cost: Only $5 per session Questions: Richard Eddy at 703.303.4719; Fleischman Community Center at 239.213.3020 Come join our beginners group for dancing to classic music featuring both traditional and new Israeli and international folk dances. Richard has been dancing for about 14 years in Europe and the U.S. He has studied under many international teachers and choreographers, including Meir Shem-Tov, Rafi Ziv, Matti Goldschmidt, Mona Goldstein, Israel Shiker, Roberto Bagnoli, Paola Pagliani, Lucrezia LoBianca and Andi Kapplin.

beyond their reach. Emerson is the author of many books, newspaper articles and documentaries on terrorism and national security. This year, he won best documentary at the Los Angeles Film Festival and has been nominated at the New York City and Cannes Film Festivals. For tickets, see the form below or call the temple office at 239.642.0800.

PRESENTS

Evy Lipp People of the Book Cultural Event FEATURING

Bruce Feiler Wednesday, February 19, 2014 LOOK FOR YOUR INVITATION IN THE MAIL AND IN THE DECEMBER ISSUE OF THE FEDERATION STAR

The Jewish Congregation of Marco Island in conjunction with the Jewish Federation of Collier County presents The 2014 Saul I. Stern Cultural Series – now in its 20th year!



Wednesday, January 29, 2014, 7:30 p.m.

STEVEN EMERSON is an internationally-recognized expert on terrorism and national security. He is Executive Director of the Investigative Project, the largest data and intelligence on Islamic and Middle Eastern terrorist groups. He is advisor to presidents and prime ministers.

Saturday, February 22, 2014, 7:30 p.m.

THE NAPLES PHILHARMONIC BRASS QUINTET returns with a delightful variety of music – classical and popular. A fantasy of pastries follows the program with a sampling from Starbucks.

Sunday, March 2, 2014, 7:30 p.m.

RABBI MARVIN TOKAYER presents “The Jews of China, Japan and India.” Upon his discharge as Air Force Chaplain in Japan, Rabbi Tokayer served for eight years as the rabbi for the Jewish community of Japan. He wrote 20 books in Japanese and is a noted scholar of the Jews of the Far East.

THE 2014 SAUL I. STERN CULTURAL SERIES

For more information, call the Synagogue Office at 239.642.0800. Please send this form and payment to the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island, 991 Winterberry Dr., Marco Island, FL 34145. Please send me tickets for the following Cultural Series programs: ____ $75 Patron, series ____ $50 Series for members ____ $60 Series for non-members ____ $20 Single tickets for members ____ $25 Single tickets for non-members ____ Enclosed is my check payable to JCMI

For those wishing single event tickets: # of tickets:____ Steven Emerson # of tickets:____ The Naples Philharmonic # of tickets:____ Rabbi Marvin Tokayer ____ Please charge my credit card: Credit Card #_______________________________________ exp. ____/____

Please mail my tickets to the address below: Name_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address______________________________________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip______________________________________________________ Phone: _______________________________________

November 2013 Federation Star

ARTS & CULTURE

Community Chanukah Celebrations

15B

Mah Jongg at the Jewish Congregation Marco Island   for advanced beginners,   intermediates and advanced   players on Thursdays from   10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.   Reservations are a MUST.   Call Shirley Posner at  (239) 389-7872. 

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The Naples celebration will be held on Wednesday, November 27 at 5:45 p.m. on the Lawn at the Mercato. The Marco Island celeberation will be held on Sunday, December 1 at 5:45 p.m. at the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island.

See You At The Movies

Jewish Congregation of Marco Island in cooperation with the Jewish Federation of Collier County presents The Sidney R. Hoffman Memorial

JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL 2013-2014 IT’S OUR BAT MITZVAH – 13 SMASHING YEARS SHOWCASING THE NEWEST AND BEST AWARD-WINNING FILMS ON THE JEWISH CIRCUIT Opening Day BROADWAY MUSICALS, A JEWISH LEGACY Sunday afternoon, December 15, 2013 Film 2:00 PM

Naples/Marco Premiere

BROADWAY MUSICALS, A JEWISH LEGACY celebrates the unique role of Jewish composers and lyricists in the creation of the modern American musical. From the golden years of Gershwin, and Rodgers and Hammerstein to more recent standouts, Sondheim, Streisand and Stephen Schwartz, the timeless and delightful songs of Broadway were created almost exclusively by Jewish Americans. The film features melodic music and interviews with composers and performers from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, THE PRODUCERS, FUNNY GIRL, CABARET, and GYPSY but poses a question for the audience to answer. How and why did Broadway become so Jewish? What is your answer? Come and enjoy! 90 minutes English Bat Mitzvah Reception with Fruit and Cake following film

HANNAH ARENDT Naples/Marco Premiere Sunday afternoon, January 19, 2014 Film 2:00 PM

Bagels & Lox 1:30 PM

Fifty years ago a book was published that set off a storm in the Jewish community around the world, EICHMANN IN JERUSALEM---A REPORT ON THE BANALITY OF EVIL. It was written by a young and brilliant Jewish philosophy teacher, named Hannah Arendt, a refugee from Nazi Germany. Arendt was hired by THE NEW YORKER magazine to go to Israel and report on the Eichmann trial. She wrote that Eichmann was not the monster she expected but rather a mediocre bureaucrat, an ordinary man who became a brutal killer. But she also claimed that the Jewish Councils that reported to the Nazis in Germany, in Lodz, Vilna, Bialystok, and Ukraine helped rather than resisted their occupiers to round up more Jewish victims. This new film which has critics raving revives the debates and the era. Did Arendt sympathize with Eichmann and demonize Jewish victims? Come see this fascinating and compelling drama and decide for yourself. 113 minutes German and English with English subtitles

GOD’S FIDDLER: YASCHA HEIFETZ Florida Premiere Sunday afternoon, February 9, 2014 Film 2:00 PM

Today you will see the only film biography of the world’s most renowned violinist, a documentary on the life and artistry of the 20th century’s virtuoso violinist, Yascha Heifetz. From home movies and family photos going back to childhood in Lithuania, you first see the Jewish child and later glimpse the man, amidst the American scene, growing into the first truly modern violin virtuoso, the man about whom Itzhak Perlman said: “When I spoke with him I thought, I can’t believe I am talking with God.” You will thrill at the filmed performance clips of this wonderful artist. Beautiful film and music: not to be missed. 87 minutes English Reception following the film

WHEN COMEDY WENT TO SCHOOL Florida Premiere Sunday afternoon, March 9, 2014 Film 2:00 PM

WHEN COMEDY WENT TO SCHOOL is a fun film telling the story of the rise of the Jewish men and women who got started in the boot camp for comedy, the Borscht Belt, in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. Jackie Mason, Jerry Lewis, Henny Youngman, Woody Allen, Joan Rivers, Lenny Bruce, and even Jerry Seinfeld, all honed their comedic acts in that upstate New York vacation destination for Jewish families in the mid-20th Century. Grossingers, The Concord, Kutsher’s and the other resorts lifted comic geniuses out of the teeming slums of New York’s Lower East Side and pushed them to stardom. You will laugh and be delighted. 83 minutes English Delicious Noshes after the film.

All films will be shown at the Jewish Congregation, 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island

Clip and Mail ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Make checks payable to JCMI Jewish Film Festival, 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island, FL 34145-5426

Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip ______________________________________________________________________________ Phone ________________________________________________________________________ SERIES TICKETS:

_____________ Patron @ $80

_____________ Regular @ $65

Individual Films: _____________ @ $25 each _____________________________________________________ (please specify film)

ALL PROGRAMS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE JCMI OFFICE AT (239) 642-0800

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