8A
Federation Star
ORGANIZATIONS
January 2024
JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SWFL
www.jhsswf.org / 239-566-1771
Don’t repeat the lessons of history — heed them Marina Berkovich JHSSWF President
D
avid Ulee, Judah P. Benjamin, Abraham C. Myers, Ezekiel and Isaac Levy, Octavus S. Cohen, Julius Ochs … do you know who they were? Southerners! During the time when the United States were not so united. The inevitability of impending war pressed them and hundreds of other Jewish families of the South to choose between the Union, where many of them studied, made friends and made business and trade contacts, or the South, the land to which they were born or immigrated; established homes, professions and businesses; raised children; and envisioned generations of heirs multiplying their efforts of prosperity rooted in the principles of religion and honor. But nothing goes as planned during wars — a truth we are witnessing over and over in our lifetimes. The Southern Jews are often blamed for owning slaves. They,
indeed, did during the era of worldwide open-markets slavery, as did all peoples who participated in it for thousands of years. There is nothing embarrassing about Southern Jewish slaveowners and patriots, who were frequently the same. Yet, for frequently antisemitic reasons, their stories are hidden or extracted out of the context of their time as if to prove some politicized points. The world always gangs up on Jews in times of difficulty. Nothing new. But history does not lie. It always teaches. Revisionists lie and invert the truth. Keren Berman, a Naples mother to three, knows it too well. She was in Israel on Oct. 7 and, after reuniting with her family in the U.S., she found herself amid the rise of anti-Israel demonstrations and such. Keren expressed the barrage of thoughts bombarding her wounded heart and mind in an impassioned statement. Here is a small excerpt: “(We are being told to) (sic) Wait! They can’t see evil, the funders, professors, administrators and college students, on campus on U.S. soil… Wait! Wait! We said never again, is that not now? Wait! No soldier left behind enemy lines! Wait! Kidnap victims! 240 taken! Why?”
JEWISH WAR VETERANS
Did not the Jewish Confederate mothers cry out in 1861 like all Jewish mothers? Do not all mothers cry and weep for lost husbands, children, parents and peace? The American Civil War was fought over slavery. Somehow, one false claim continues: Jews controlled slave trade. Nearly 160 years after the last Civil War battle, slavery is still an issue to be debated, contested and misused by parties interested more in prolonging the impact of slavery for modern gains than in the equality of application of all citizens’ rights already existing under the U.S. Constitution. Every year, Jewish groups in the U.S. march in support of the Black community in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parades. Jews, a significantly smaller minority, always rise in defense of American Blacks.
Whether the entire United States of America rises to defend its Jewry remains to be seen. We will be here observing, recording, imparting the Jewish history as it happens. And bring it to you. Come celebrate the annual Florida Jewish History Month with us on Wednesday, Jan. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. Your generosity helps us to continue our research and make the next films and presentations. Donate online, by mail or contact us at office@jhsswf.org. Become a member to receive announcements, reminders and news. If mailing a check, please send it to The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida, 8805 Tamiami Trail North, Suite #255, Naples, FL 34108. We can be reached at 833-547-7935 (833-JHS-SWFL), www.jhsswf.org or office@jhsswf.org. The Virtual Museum of SWFL Jewish History is located online at http://jewishhistorysouthwest florida.org/. The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida is a section 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
https://jwvpost202.wordpress.com/ 239-261-3270
JWV Post 400 news By Michael Hirsh
M
ore than 30 veterans and guests attending the November meeting of Jewish War Veterans Post 400 participated in a phone call with IDF Master Sergeant Matt “Motti” Charter in northern Israel. The 46-year-old son of Fort Myers Post Commander Harvey Charter is part of a communication unit attached to a reserve commando division. Motti told the group at Federation HQ that his unit has been training for deployment wherever they may be needed, adding that their primary concern is the northern border with Lebanon. “Hezbollah is bigger and better equipped
than Hamas,” he said, adding that the IDF’s leadership is prepared to cope with whatever comes. During the phone call, Matt thanked his father and members of the JWV for raising money so his unit could buy equipment like bulletproof ceramic plates for their vests, knee pads and gloves on the civilian market. Apparently, these items are in short supply in the IDF. In civilian life, Matt has his doctorate in ornithology, which is why the photo of him armed with an assault rifle is more
Deborah Zvibleman, PA Proud supporter of the Jewish Book Festival and the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Jewish Federation OF GREATER NAPLES
239-272-8878
www.DebbieSellsYourHome4You.net dzvibleman@johnrwood.com 1185 Immokalee Road Suite 110, Naples HELPING NAPLES AREA CUSTOMERS SINCE 2005
than a bit disconcerting to his parents. “ Who would have thought our 46-yearold-son would be going into combat — or that Israel would be attacked this way?” asked Commander Charter. If that weren’t enough to concern a parent, consider that his granddaughter, Matt’s oldest daughter, 19-year-old Eliya, will start active duty in the IDF next month. Less than two weeks after the phone call to the JWV, Matt’s unit was deployed. Instead of heading north as he’d expected, they’re now in Gaza. In other Post 400 news, the fundraising project to IDF Master Sergeant Matt “Motti” Charter restore and preserve the NordHolocaust Museum, where it will be on hausen Flag is an unqualified success. permanent loan from the Fort Myers The unique flag made by inmates of the American Legion Post. A dedication event Mittelbau-Dora Concentration Camp will be scheduled when the flag is returned — its stars are six-pointed Magen Davids to Fort Myers. — was presented to liberating American If you know any Jewish veterans of soldiers in the waning days of the war. It our recent wars, please put them in touch is now being preserved by conservators with JWV Post 400 Commander Harvey in Miami. Charter at 239-246-3151. We welcome When the painstaking process is comyounger vets. Consider doing so a mitzvah. plete, the flag will be housed in a specially Veterans need other veterans. built case and displayed at the Naples
