ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD/ORGANIZATIONS
JEWISH WAR VETERANS
May 2021
Federation Star
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https://jwvpost202.wordpress.com/ 239.261.3270
A voice for Jewish veterans and friends Martin Cohn
Harve Sturm
Vice Commander JWV Post #202
Commander JWV Post #202
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he Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. newsletter informs the Jewish military service and veteran community of current news from our National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. JWV’s 126th National Convention is scheduled for August 15-20, 2021 in New Orleans at the Omni Royal, Orleans Hotel. This annual convention is the largest gathering of JewishAmerican personal and veterans in the nation. Hundreds gather from around the country to learn from fellow veterans and to network within the Jewish-American and veteran community and to discuss their 2021 legislative agenda.
Our mission statement We, citizens of the United States of America, of the Jewish faith, who served in the military in order that we may be of greater service to our country and to one another, associate ourselves together for the following purposes: • To maintain true allegiance to the United States of America; • To foster and perpetuate true Americanism; • To combat whatever tends to impair
the efficiency and permanency of our free institutions; • To uphold the fair name of the Jew and fight his or her battles wherever unjustly assailed; • To encourage the doctrine of universal liberty, equal rights, and full justice to all men and women; • To combat the powers of bigotry wherever originating and whatever their target; • To preserve the spirit of comradeship by mutual helpfulness to comrades and their families; • To instill love of country and flag, and to promote sound minds and bodies in our members and our youth; • To preserve the memories and records of patriotic service performed by the men and women of our faith; • To honor their memory and shield from neglect the graves of our heroic dead.
Post 202 activities The JWV Post 202 participated in the VFW Vietnam Veterans Day Parade on March 28, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, made possible by a Proclamation in December 2012 by Past President Donald J. Trump. Vietnam Veterans present were recognized and given commemorative pins (see photos). This annual recognition will continue until Veterans Day, 2025.
are invited to join us as guests and patron members. Contact Harve Sturm, Commander, at jwvpost202@gmail.com or 239-261-3270. God Bless America!
Become a member JWV Post 202 meets the third or fourth Thursday of the month at Perkins off Pine Ridge Rd. (3585 Gateway Lane, Naples, FL). We welcome those who have served in the U.S. military; combat not required. Non-veterans and friends who are patriotic and dedicated to our values
Commissioner Rick LaCastro; Harv Sturm, JWV Post 202 Cmdr
A blessing May you and all who dwell here be sheltered with peace, comfort and love. May those blessings also be showered upon our nation’s veterans who have sacrificed so much for our freedom, safety and honor.
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart; Eric Taub, JWV Post 202 Vice-Cmdr., Membership
Collector donates major aerial sculpture installation to the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU
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r. Robert B. Feldman, the New York-based art collector, has promised this large-scale installation by Mira Lehr as a gift to the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. The artwork, titled “Sacred Dreams,” is comprised of 183 aerial sculptures made of burned and dyed Japanese paper, acrylic, ink and resin that descend from the ceiling of the museum, with an estimated value of $300,000. “I am honored to donate this major work by Mira Lehr to the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU,” says Feldman. Currently on view at the museum as a temporary loan from Dr. Feldman, the installation will become part of the museum’s permanent collection in September. “This large-scale work now has a permanent home in the community for all to enjoy, including the millions of tourists that visit Miami Beach, at this beloved gem of a museum that is of historic importance in the Southeast.” The museum is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of more than 250 years of Florida Jewish
history, art and culture with a growing collection of more than 100,000 items. “Mira Lehr created this stunning installation, “Sacred Dreams,” specifically with the museum in mind as a result of a personal visit here,” says Susan Gladstone Pasternack, the Executive Director of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. “After Lehr spent time at the museum, she reflected upon the emotions and inspiration she felt and created these 183 aerial sculptures to interact with the light they create together with our stained-glass windows. The result is truly magnificent.”
“The mistress of light” Nationally renowned as an eco-feminist artist, Lehr is celebrated for working with imagery from the natural world, creating layered abstract compositions with unconventional materials. Morley Safer, “60 Minutes” television correspondent, referred to her as “the mistress of light.” “I want viewers to feel like they are walking beneath an aerial garden of luminous, reflecting sculptures,” says Lehr.
“Sacred Dreams” (detail), by Mira Lehr (2019). Burned and dyed Japanese paper, acrylic, ink and resin. From the collection of Dr. Robert B. Feldman, now donated to the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. “A holy garden of light, that takes people out of the actual world and transports them onto a spiritual plane,” adds Lehr. In 1960, Lehr co-founded one of the country’s first co-ops for women artists in Miami Beach. It was called Continuum and thrived for more than
30 years, blazing a pioneer trail that helped establish Miami’s evolution as an art destination. She is known in the art world as “the Godmother of Miami’s art scene” and has mentored many artists through the years. continued on page 24
