Jacksonville Jewish News - April 2017 by JewishLife Magazine

SHABBAT IN THE SWAMP Jewish UNF students join others from all over the Sunshine state for spiritual weekend at UF Page 6 in Gainesville

ISRAELI ARTIST IN JAX PURIM PARTIES A PLENTY

Hanoch Piven comes to the JCA and helps kids and adults create Page 8

Covering the costumes, candy and celebrations throughout the community Pgs 11-12

A publication

April 2017

• Nissan/Iyar 5777 •

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JaxJewishTV • Volume 29, Number 10 • 44 pages

An open letter to JFCS ofﬁcially launches its year-long celebration of the community 100 years of hope about the future of the JCF By Jewish Family & Community Services

Sue Nussbaum

Sandy Zimmerman

BY SUE NUSSBAUM

Foundation Board President

& BY SANDY ZIMMERMAN Federation Board President

About 500 people gathered Apr. 1 to celebrate the century of hope that Jewish Family & Community Services has provided to hundreds of thousands of local individuals and families in need. The celebration at Everbank Field’s US Assure Club West also highlighted exciting things to come. “We offer such a wide variety of meaningful services to the community,” said Colleen Rodriguez, executive director of JFCS. “Yet everything we do is designed to provide hope to those struggling and to empower people to help themselves.” Rodriguez reflected on several ways

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JFCS has helped the community during the last 100 years. The hope and empowerment she spoke about was most evident when two former clients who are sisters, Faatimah and Danielle, took the stage. JFCS staff members managed their children’s foster care cases and worked diligently with the women who were willing to do whatever it took for reunification. After the sisters completed rehabilitation programs, the JFCS team

JFCS continued breaking new ground by expanding its services in the 1960s

helped them develop coping skills through the agency’s mental health counseling program and provided emergency financial assistance so they could firmly establish their households. Faatimah was recently successfully reunited with her daughter, and Danielle is also on course to be reunited with her son soon.

See JFCS 100 YEARS, p. 4

JCA to host the Jacksonville Jewish community’s oﬃcial Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration, April 30th

We are writing to the members of the community in our positions as presidents of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida. Over the past few By Jewish Community Alliance months, a transition committee with representation from both of our boards have been exploring the most optimal path for the This year, for the first time in many future of the Foundation, as well as planned years, the Jacksonville community will giving in Jacksonville. come together to celebrate Israel’s IndepenThe Foundation board has decided to dence Day (referred to in Hebrew as Yom recommend to our Jewish Federation that Ha’Atzmaut). This community-wide celthe responsibility for the endowment and ebration, marking Israel’s 69th birthday will planned giving work for the Jewish combe taking place at the Jewish Community munity fall under Federation, and that the Alliance, Sunday, April 30, from 12–3 p.m. The event will focus on experiencing differFederation board has agreed to explore the ent aspects of Israeli culture while enjoying best practices to make this happen. different activities for all ages. See JCF FUTURE, p. 29 “Yom Ha’Atzmaut is a celebration of Israel and the reality in which we have a home for Jews after years of exile and wander, that’s why I am excited to see this important and festive day come to life in our community,” said Israeli Shlicha Dana Marmari. “It is amazing to see how many agencies in our community see the importance of celebrating this day and are willing to work hard to create this event.” The event is a joint effort of many community agencies, including Congregation

Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

JFCS began serving the community in 1917, its ﬁrst location the Della Levy Bldg.

Ahavath Chesed (The Temple), Etz Chaim Synagogue, the Jacksonville Jewish Center, Jewish Community Alliance, Jewish Family & Community Services, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, River Garden Senior Services and other representatives from the Jewish community. “Celebrating Yom Ha’Atzmaut as a Jacksonville community is emblematic of the diversity that makes Israel (and our Jewish community) so special,” said committee member, Hazzan Jesse Holzer of the Jacksonville Jewish Center. “The celebration is going to be multi-sensory as you’ll have the

opportunity to sing, dance, read, write, and taste your way through Israeli culture.” Aside from working together and reaching out to many groups in the Jewish community, the agencies are focused on creating a joyous event for all age groups as throughout the event, participants will be able to enjoy fun activities that will include sports, music, dancing, arts and crafts, food and more. “We are so excited that our community will come together to celebrate Israel’s 69th birthday,” said Federation executive director Alan Margolies. “In addition to learning about many facets of life today in Israel and having a great time, we will have the opportunity to show how much we care about Israel, just by being present.” Those interested in volunteering before and during the event can contact community Shlicha, Dana Marmari via email at yomatzmaut@jewishjacksonville.org, as all helping hands are welcome. Join the Jacksonville Jewish community as we celebrate this unique and festive day in a new and improved way.

Jacksonville Jewish Center to host communitywide Yom Hashoah commemoration, Apr. 23rd at 4 p.m., at the Jacksonville Jewish Center (3662 Crown Point Rd.). This year’s Yom Hashoah program will also feature a dramatic reading of excerpts from Elie Wiesel’s ‘Night’, adapted for the stage by playwright Priscilla Kane Hellweg. This year’s service is dedicated to Elie Wiesel, of blessed memory, whose recent passing deprived the world of one of its most eloquent and powerful witnesses to the Holocaust, as well as a voice of conscience to millions around the globe.

BY RABBI JONATHAN LUBLINER Jacksonville Jewish Center

Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, was established in 1953, when the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, established a law calling for an annual commemoration of the tragedy which befell the European Jewry during the Nazi era. The Knesset chose the 27th of Nissan on the Jewish calendar as the date for Yom Hashoah because of its proximity to the date of the Warsaw Ghetto’s uprising against its oppressors. When the 27th of Nissan is adjacent to the Jewish Sabbath, its observance is shifted by a day. This community-wide observance rotates annually from one local synagogue to

another. The Jacksonville Jewish Center will host this year’s Yom Hashoah commemoration. In addition to clergy and lay participation from area synagogues, survivors and their family members will be invited to kindle memorial candles during the service. The event will take place Sunday, Apr. 23,

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opinion and cartoons

Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

Rabbinically Speaking: Honoring the memory of those lost in the Shoah BY HAZZAN JESSE HOLZER Jacksonville Jewish Center

As my bio reads, I am the product of a supportive Jewish upbringing, from household to school, summer camp to yearround youth programming. I strengthened my identity by learning and growing in all these spaces. Certain moments stick out as forming the core of who I am today. In high school, I found a spiritual home in the synagogues of Tycocin and Lancut, Poland. These sanctuaries of pre-WWII Poland had survived the Shoah, and thanks to generous benefactors, had been restored in the late 1980s. Singing in these places, hearing the reverb of ancient melodies against the Baroque masonry, showed me that numbers did not tell the story of what was lost during the Holocaust. Eastern Europe Jewry was a flame that tried so desperately to remain lit amidst the darkness. My hero at the time was not Michael Jordan or Wayne Gretzky. It was Janusz Korczak, the Polish-Jewish educator who

ran an orphanage in the Warsaw Ghetto. Reading testimonies and quotes before the age of Google, I found a person who was both loving and beloved, a dreamer and a realist. Korczak understood children. He wrote, “Children are not the people of tomorrow, but people today. They are entitled to be taken seriously. They have a right to be treated by adults with tenderness and respect, as equals. They should be allowed to grow into whoever they were meant to be - the unknown person inside each of them is the hope for the future.” In looking back on those liminal moments of my teenage years, I realize that they would lack the impact without the foundation of my childhood. To feel the power of that moment praying in Lancut and Tycocin, I had to know what that moment meant. As a professional singer, I’ve had the opportunity to sing in a chorus in front of large audiences across the world. That all began with singing in Kolei Shira (Voices of Song), my community children’s chorus in Worcester, Mass. Most of our performances fell on Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Our repertoire included standards like Ani Ma’amin and quotes from Anne Frank’s di-

RABBINICALLY SPEAKING ary set to music. As elementary school students, we used music to learn the story of the Holocaust. Pinkhus Gurevich z’l (of blessed memory), a Holocaust survivor and native of Vilaka, Latvia, would sit in our rehearsals and share his story with us. By performing for our community, we understood the impact children can make, long before I read a quote from Janusz Korczak. As an introverted third grader, I soloed in front of a packed sanctuary, which was a mix of Holocaust survivors,

second generation families and a community that supported them with a call to never forget. We are a few months removed from being host to the Voices of Hope Initiative, as dozens of community partners joined in sharing the stories and lessons of the Holocaust, a guide for how we should treat those around us. Plays, films, music, book readings and panel discussions, were creative tools to teach all walks of Jacksonville. This collaborative lens is the beginning of something powerful for this city. The next step is to show up for our annual Yom Hashoah ceremony, held this year at the Jacksonville Jewish Center on April 23 at 4 p.m. As a child, being a part of an annual Yom Hashoah commemoration fostered my appreciation for Jewish history and a deeper spirituality. I hope that you consider joining us to learn, to listen, to be, because in remembering all that was lost, we signify a commitment to teach ourselves the lessons of the Holocaust, to show that there are more people in this world ready to love rather than hate. A native of Worcester, Mass., Hazzan Jesse Holzer attended a Solomon Schechter affiliated day school, was active in USY, and spent many years as a camper and

on staff at Camp Ramah of New England. Hazzan Holzer received his B.A. from New York University and completed a Masters Degree in Sacred Music and investment as a Hazzan from the H.L. Miller Cantorial Institute of the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2008. Since graduation, he has served as cantor of the Jacksonville Jewish Center and most recently served on the Executive Council of the Cantors Assembly. Holzer is also active in interfaith organizations in Jacksonville and is an avid sports enthusiast. Additionally, he enjoys traveling and playing piano, and is a devoted collector of Jewish music and rare prayer books. Hazzan Holzer is happily married to Leora and has two adorable daughters, Rena and Dafna. Rabbinically speaking is a monthly column written by clergy members in the Jacksonville Jewish community. If you are a Rabbi, hazzan or religious leader in NE Florida and would like to contribute your inspirational thoughts for a monthly column, please e-mail jjn@jewishjacksonville.org with your name, organization, congregation and which month you are interested in writing for and what topic, specifically you would like to write about.

The Shlicha Corner: Marking a month of memories and milestones

BY DANA MARMARI

Community Shlicha jaxshlicha@jewishjacksonville.org

As we reach the month of April, many important holidays and remembrance days start filling our calendar and influencing our daily lives. Starting off with Passover as the ‘opening night’, we are lead into Yom Ha’Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Yom Ha’Zikaron (Fallen Soldiers Remembrance Day) and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day). The density of these events, all taking place within a two week span, isn’t by chance, but by a clear choice that gradually exposes us to story threaded throughout these days. During the Holocaust, Jews were brutally and systematically murdered for their religion. They had no state to shelter in and no defined army to defend them.

After the war, a mass immigration to the land of Israel took place, led by a dream of having a state for the Jews which would be a safe haven. Many survivors tried to keep their stories to themselves, wanting to build a new life in their new home. It was mainly after Adolph Eichmann’s trial that the terrible stories from the Holocaust became a part of Israeli society, not only the heroic ones. Ever since, the Holocaust has become a major topic in Israel throughout all stages of life and is taught as a primary reason for the existence of the state of Israel. Only a week after Israel reconciles and remembers the Holocaust victims and acts of heroism, the state stops its daily routine for another day to remember those who gave their lives to fight for the foundation and continuation of the Jewish state. Yom Ha’Zikaron is a day in which

Israeli society pauses to mourn its sons and daughters who were killed during their army service or in a terror attack. During that day, everything slows down. A sad soundtrack plays, families gather in cemeteries, stores close and cars halt as the entire country acknowledges the difficult price we pay for having our independent state. After this heartbreaking day, when the clock strikes eight, a flag is raised in Mt. Herzl. This flag, of the state of Israel, waves proudly in the air as the country shifts from remembering its dead to celebrating life, made possible by them. This painful shift is controversial, but many believe that it symbolizes the essence of this journey that we, as a nation, are still taking. It started in Egypt as slaves, gaining freedom but later being persecuted and killed for our beliefs, then rising up from

Dry Bones Cartoons by Yaakov Kirschen

the ashes to create a state, which was a home for all Jews in order to ensure that no harm can be caused to us. Alongside that, the reality is still one in which young adults sacrifice their lives in order

to allow our dream of Israel to stay a reality. In Israel, the density of these three remarkable days is no coincidence at all. It comes to convey a message that the state of Israel exists as an outcome of the Holocaust and to promise that it won’t happen again. That it couldn’t simply exist if it weren’t for those who gave their lives protecting and living in their country. As a granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, a third generation Israeli, a citizen who has gone through several wars and knows soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for our state, I couldn’t feel more proud to call Israel my home. From Egypt, through Europe and to Israel, we now have a home which is ours and which we should cherish. Happy 69th Birthday, Israel.

Advertising Representatives Barbara Nykerk • 904.733.4179 • 904.923-3205 Eta Perras • 904.629.0466 Editor & Communications Director Matt Franzblau • mattf@jewishjacksonville.org Communications Committee Jon Israel, Chair Shirley Bielski Helen Hill Michele Katz Joan Levin Andrea Mail Rachel Morgenthal Andrew Ocean Marsha Pollock Federation President Sandy Zimmerman Federation Executive Director Alan Margolies 8505 San Jose Blvd. • Jacksonville, FL 32217 The Jacksonville Jewish News is published monthly. All submitted content becomes the property of the Jacksonville Jewish News. Announcements and opinions contained in these pages are published as a service to the community and do not necessarily represent the views of the Jacksonville Jewish News or its publisher, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Jewish News is not responsible for the Kashruth of any product advertised. Copy due dates: All news, photographs, etc., must be received by the 6th of each month, and sent to jjn@jewishjacksonville.org. Ad deadlines: All ads must be received by the 15th of each month and sent to jjn@jewishjacksonville.org in .pdf format. Editorial support: Donna O’Steen, Erin Cohen, Ariel Frechtman, Val Battini, Emma Pulley, Alan Margolies, Andrew Ocean

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community news JJN Advertising Directory

The new Alan J. Taffet Building (Located on Baycenter Rd.) will serve as the headquarters for JFCS and will include a broad array of services for the entire Jacksonville community and a Holocaust Memorial Gallery

JFCS 100 Years Continued from pg. 1 The viewing of a retrospective documentary about JFCS provided another touching moment at the event. The film was produced by board member Mike Katz and George Ameer, senior manager of International Media for the PGA Tour. JFCS leadership also honored two JFCS leaders who had recently passed away in former JFCS Executive Director Iris Young, who had dedicated 38 years to helping the organization, and Hal Resnick, who was a vital

member of the JFCS Executive Board from 2008- 16, recently serving as president. The event was not only about celebrating the past, but also about the nonprofit’s future. Rodriguez thanked attendees for their support of JFCS’s ongoing capital campaign, and also gave attendees a sneak peek at the year-long community celebration of the agency’s 100th anniversary, encouraging people to get involved. These events include: • A grand opening and ribbon cutting at the new 30,000-squarefoot Alan J. Taffet Building on Baycenter Rd. • The dedication of the first and only Holocaust memorial gallery

between Orlando and Atlanta, named after the Frisch family. • A family festival at the unveiling of the renovations at JFCS’s existing building on DuPont Station Court, which will be renamed the Allison Stein Robbin Building and house the new Max Block Food Pantry. • A JFCS-branded volunteer event designed to make a positive impact in the community. “JFCS has always been and always will be about offering hope,” Rodriguez said. “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”

At the Jacksonville Jewish News, our advertisers are precious to us. It is with their support that the Jacksonville Jewish community has a newspaper. Advertising revenue also offsets the cost of production, so Federation dollars can be dedicated to helping Jews locally and overseas. Please continue to live generously and support our advertisers: • Adams Eyes (p. 32) • JCA (insert) • Alhambra Theatre (p. 4) • Jewish Food Fest (p. 18) • All Pro Painting & • Jewish Java (p. 20) Restoration (p. 31) • Larry Tallis (p. 24) • Athens Cafe (p. 11) • Margo’s Catering (p. 32) • B&C Financial (p. 21) • Martin J. Gottlieb Day • Beachview Rentals (p. 12) School (insert) • Beth El - Beaches (p. 31) • Wajsman Home Team • Bob Ham Eyewear (p. 9) Realty (p. 7) • Brandon Pest (p. 14) • Pediatric Dentistry (p. 28) • Erica Jolles Realty (p. 34) • Publix (p. 25) • Federation (p. 13, 20) • River Garden (p. 17) • FIU - Jewish Museum of • rGEN Jax (p. 37, 38) Florida (p. 10) • Stein Mart (p. 15) • Hadassah (p. 5) • The Tax Man (p. 31) • Impressions (p. 31) • The Temple (p. 34) • Innovative Financial • Whole Foods (p. 19) Solutions (p. 8) • Winn Dixie (p. 22) • Israel at 70 Trip (p. 26) • Women’s Div. (p. 16) • Jax Jewish Center (p. 39) • Yom Ha’Atzmaut (insert) • JJN (p. 18, 33) • Yom Hashoah (p. 2) For your advertising needs, please contact advertising sales representative Barbara Nykerk at 904-733-4179 or Eta Perras at 904-629-0466.

April 2017 - Nisan/Iyyar 5777

Adult Education............... p. 35 Business Directory...........p. 31 Chabad News ...................p. 21 Community News........... p. 4-9 Education ..................p. 14-18 Federation News ...................... ........................ p. 23-24, 37-38 Foundation .................... p. 29 JCA ..................................p. 27

JFCS ................................ p. 28 Lifecycles ..........................p. 31 Opinion & Cartoons ...........p. 3 Passover Directory......... p. 32 Passover Recipes ........... p. 34 River Garden ................... p. 30 Sports .............................. p. 20 Synagogue News ...........10-13 Top Stories..........................p. 1

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JCA’s Hamentashen bake celebrates Purim with some tasty treats

By Jewish Community Alliance

The JCA and Etz Chaim Synagogue joined for a day of baking for Purim in late February. During the Family Hamentashen Bake, families learned how to make the tasty three-cornered treats and enjoyed games, crafts and a special learning session. More than 80 guests and families came together to make hamentashen filled with delicious flavors, including caramel, chocolate, apricot and strawberry. They also added sprinkles, chocolate chips, hershey’s kisses and chocolate

swirls, so no one left hungry. As a cornerstone of Purim celebrations for centuries, the eating of hamentashen commemorates the downfall of Haman, the villain of the Purim story. The three corners of the treat symbolize the three-cornered hat Haman was said to wear. As part of the JCA Jewish and Family Programs, this event brought families and people from across the Jewish community together to learn, experience, share and enjoy the preparations of the Purim Holiday together.

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community news

Emily Rosenbaum Valued Volunteer and Torah Academy Parent

April

2017

Emily Rosenbaum has served many volunteer roles within Torah Academy of Jacksonville since she and her husband Elliott, the current president of Torah Academy, moved to town from the Northeast. Pegged as dedicated lay leaders by the school’s founder, Mr. Robbie Roth ob”m, the young couple was immediately recruited to further community development. As a board member for ﬁve years and as treasurer for three, Emily stepped into the roles presented to her and gave it her all. As a math teacher, she has volunteered to work hands-on with students, and has served in many other such roles for the school as the need arose.

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For the last several years, Emily has taken an active part in helping maintain the ﬁnancial stability of Torah Academy. Working with an amazing team of volunteers, she has taken to chairing the school’s annual dinner and ensuring the success of the most pivotal evening on the school’s calendar. “Not only has she made herself available throughout her time here, but she’s encouraged others to be a part of the school and its growth process,” explained Head of School, Rabbi Shaya Hauptman. Rosenbaum has been a staunch ambassador of the school within the Jacksonville Jewish Community and has taken a personal interest in its continued evolution.

If you would like to nominate someone special for Mensch of the Month, who volunteers both their time and efforts to the Jacksonville Jewish community, simply submit their name, photo and a short write-up about them to jjn@jewishjacksonville. org.

New faces converge in same places for March’s Jewish Business Network mtg BY ZACH COHEN

Jewish Business Network

There were a lot of new faces at the Jewish Business Networking meeting this past March and it was very exciting to be part of a growing Jewish networking organization here in Jacksonville. Professionals from various industries such as commercial and residential real estate, pest control, financial services, professional consulting, nutritional counseling, criminal defense, family law, in-

JBN members met in March at an ofﬁce complex on the Southside

dustrial design and homeowner’s litigation were present to share about their respective businesses. To start the meeting, professionals schmoozed over coffee and muffins and then each participant had a few minutes to introduce themselves and their business. Special thanks to the meeting sponsor, Talia Gahanian, attorney at Emet Law, who represents consumers that are having issues with their homeowner’s insurance claims. She provided valuable information, explaining the ins and outs of homeowner’s insurance contracts while discussing the important issues people need to be aware of when filing a claim

with their insurance company. Due to Passover, JBN’s April meeting will meet Friday, April 28 from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., at 10245 Centurion parkway N. Suite 103. Elliot Greenberg, Co-Founder of Legacy Realty Group, will discuss the current real estate market and share more about how his firm has been helping residential buyers in the Northeast Florida area. If you are able to attend, please RSVP to Zach Cohen at Zach@stjohnsasset.com.

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Community news

Hundreds of students from a dozen Florida colleges meet up in Gainesville to celebrate Shabbat By Jewish Center at UF

Hundreds of Jewish college students from across the state of Florida gathered for a one-of-akind Shabbat experience, hosted by the Lubavitch Chabad Jewish Student & Community Center at the University of Florida, for a weekend in late-February. The Chabad on Campus Florida Shabbaton provided a fully immersive Shabbat experience that featured festive meals, beginner’s prayers services, world-renowned teachers and speakers, educational and entertaining workshops, a musical, candle-lit Havdalah service, and a grand Saturday night barbeque. Students attending the Shabbaton came from a variety of backgrounds as some were exposed to Judaism at a young age, while others just recently found out about their heritage. According to Rabbi Pinny Backman, Executive Director of Chabad at the University of South Florida, the diversity of the students that attend the Shabbaton created the unique atmosphere of the weekend. “Jewish life on

campus in the State of Florida is one of the strongest in the nation,” he explained. “The Shabbaton provides a great opportunity for these students to meet new friends and catch up with old ones and the atmosphere of the weekend provides a unique opportunity for students to fully embrace all aspects of Shabbat, both physically and spiritually, as they are fully immersed in the Shabbat experience for 25 hours.” The Shabbaton was partially sponsored by Chabad on Campus International, and organized by a committee of Chabad on Campus directors across the State of Florida, including Rabbi Berl and Chani Goldman, Co-Directors of Lubavitch Chabad Jewish Student & Community Center at the University of Florida, as well as Rabbi Pinny Backman and his wife Chava Backman. Highlights of the weekend included workshops run by Dr. Michael Salzhauer, also known as Dr. Miami, who is a plastic surgeon, social media star, and observant Jew. He discussed matters ranging from how he

incorporates his Judaism in his fame, as well as Judaism’s approach to plastic surgery. The Scholar in Residence was Rabbi Levy Kaplan, a veteran educator and parenting expert. Rabbi Kaplan serves as the Director of Operations at the Jewish Learning Institute and is dean of Judaics at Jewish Technical Vocational School, in Brooklyn. Other notable Shabbat programming included a ‘Crossfire’ question and answer session, where students were able to ask a panel of rabbis whatever they liked, a workshop on dealing with anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activity on campus, and of course, discussions surrounding Judaism’s view of love, intimacy and dating. “This weekend was a unique opportunity for 10 Rabbis, Rebbetzins, and their families, to come together with countless students and have great discussions, eat delicious food, and most importantly, strengthen our Jewish identity and unity,” said Rabbi Goldman of the University of Florida. “I know that the students

Rabbi Pinny and Chava Backman with USF Students at the Chabad on Campus Florida Regional Shabbaton Feb. 24-26 in Gainsville, Fla.

will return to campus stronger, prouder, and more involved Jews.” “The Shabbaton was both a lot of fun and really meaningful,” said Amy Loesberg, sophomore at The University of South Florida, who is studying speech pathology. “It was great to get together with students from all over Florida in an intimate setting and celebrate Shabbat.” Chabad on Campus, an international organization which offers a home-away-from-home to Jewish students for all back-

grounds, has experienced exceptional growth on college campuses across North America and the world over the last 10 years. Students from Florida Atlantic and Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida Gulf Coast in Ft. Myers, Florida International in Miami, Florida State in Tallahassee, UNF in Jacksonville, Miami in Coral Gables, South Florida in Tampa, Florida in Gainesville, Palm Beach.

Family fun had with the with JAway’s WJCT board member Tu B’Shevat Hike and Seder in Feb. Gail Mendelson Sterman is re-elected to national TV board By Jewish Community Alliance

The JCA Department of Jewish and Family Programs brings programming to the Jacksonville community that highlight JewBY STAN CLEILAND ish culture and traditions while WJCT-TV providing fun events where families can meet and enjoy a WJCT Board of Trustees sense of community. In midmember Gail Mendelson SterFebruary, as part of the JAway man has been re-elected to the program, families and guests of Board of Trustees of America’s more than 50 people from across Public Television Stations (APTS). the city joined the JCA for a hike Sterman began her first term as and picnic seder in honor of Tu lay trustee on the APTS Board in B’Shevat, Jewish Arbor Day. Jan. 2014. Sterman has worked for Tu-B’Shevat, celebrated on more than 30 years in the for-profit Jacksonville community Shlicha Dana Marmari leads the Tu B’Shevat Seder the 15th of Shevat, marks the and nonprofit sectors in the areas ‘New Year’ of the trees and a new of public relations, marketing ville Jewish community gathered tions and stories about the holiday cycle of fruit bearing in Israel. and development. She began her at Mandarin Park to appreciate and the surroundings. She also On this day, people appreciate career in West Virginia as host of a nature, spend time with friends facilitated activities along the way nature and eat fruits such as dates and get some leisure exercise. and led the picnic Seder ceremony local television talk show and went and figs and other fruits of the on to become Director of College Israeli shlicha Dana Marmari led and lunch at the conclusion of the Land of Milk and Honey. Families Relations at Wheeling College, the hike, while providing explana- event. from across the entire Jacksonnow Wheeling Jesuit University. While working with private schools, colleges and health care institutions, Sterman developed and implemented local, regional and national media and public relations programs. She coordinated events honoring regional, national and international dignitaries; By Jacksonville Jewish News organized and led national media advisory boards, edited and produced promotional brochures and Abigail Fixel, a 12-year old sevvideos, in addition to conducting enth grader at the Martin J. Gotpublic relations audits and directtlieb Day School in Jacksonville is ing feasibility studies as prelude to making her impact known in and capital campaigns. around Northeast Florida. As her Bat Mitzvah Project, she is planning a musical theater camp for kids who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to attend one. Fixel, whose Bat Mitzvah will take place May 13th at The Jacksonville Jewish Center is plan- Abigail Fixel plans to organize, produce and direct a musical theatre camp ning to organize, produce, and in advance of her May 13th Bat Mitzvah at the Jacksonville Jewish Center direct this musical theater camp at Brentwood Elementary School confident, more outspoken, and it throughout her journey, she learns and it will be free of charge to 20By Jewish Historical Society even helps them make friends.” many life lessons, including my 25 underprivileged third through of St. Augustine Fixel picked the play ‘Princess personal favorite, that friends will fifth graders. ‘Camp Fixel’ will Whatsername’ that campers will stick by you no matter what.” The multi-talented actor and provide two snacks and a lunch eventually be performing because Although she is hoping to get playwright Lee Weaver will present each day Monday-Friday during when she was 10, she participated most of what’s needed for the his one-man play, ‘The Secret-The the two-week camp, which will be in the exact same production. camp donated, Fixel will need Spanish Inquisition in Old St. Auheld this summer. “Princess Whatsername is about funds for items and entities such gustine’ at The Corazon Cinema “For my Bat-Mitzvah proja Princess who wakes up and as liability insurance, costume ect, I wanted to do something and Café, located at 36 Granada St. doesn’t remember who she is,” Fix- design, purchasing scripts and meaningful to me and something in St Augustine, on Thursday, May el said. “As she searches the forest, videotaping the performance so that allowed me to become more 4, at 7 p.m. The performance is, in trying to find out her true identity, that each family can enjoy it for involved with people in my compart, a benefit for the St. Augustine she comes into contact with many years to come. If you wish to read munity,” Fixel said of her thinking. of the iconic characters, meeting Jewish Historical Society and cost more, visit her official blog at “Since I enjoy participating in mu- Cinderella and her fairy godmoth- mybatmitzvahblog.wordpress.com of admission is $20. Tickets will sical theater, I thought that other be available at the door prior to er, the Seven Dwarfs, and even or to donate, log onto her official kids might love it too because the- Goldilocks and Snow White,” she the performance and refreshments GoFundMe page at gofundme. ater helps children shine, bringwill also be available for purchase. explained of the plot. “She meets com/76ktw-my-bat-mitzvahing out their inner strength,” she All are welcome to attend and no princes and princesses, villains project. explained. “They become more advance arrangements are necesand heroes, even a few bears, but

Jacksonville teen takes on musical mitzvah project prior to her big day

Gail Mendelson Sterman

While working in higher education, Sterman was a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). She served on the CASE/Europe Task Force, helping establish a CASE presence in Europe. She also helped coordinate district meetings and, in 1990, was invited to be a participant in the CASE Leadership Conference. Sterman holds a B.S. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and was the first U.S. woman to receive the Fulbright Fellowship, Academic Administrators Award to the United Kingdom (1990). Sterman is a member of Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple), and has served as a member of their Board of Trustees for 12 years.

Play to be performed on the Spanish Inquisition in St. Augustine, May 4th

sary, however seating is limited. For directions call 904-679-5736 and for more information call 804914-4460.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

community news

Chabad of Northeast Fla holds its silver anniversary Purim celebration By Chabad Lubavitch of NE Fla.

This Purim marked Chabad Lubavitch of Northeast Florida’s 25th annual Purim celebration, which has become a hallmark of Jewish joy and unity. “The Chabad Purim Celebration is my favorite Holiday event,” said one participant. “I attended the first one and have been coming back ever since.” The atmosphere was filled with true warmth and

jubilation as Choni Teitelbaum, the skilled and talented musician, had the entire room up on their feet dancing away. The Purim spirit was palpable and as another person put it, “I don’t remember the last time I felt such true joy.” Kids at the event were enthralled with Captain Character and his Ventriloquist puppet and magic show, as well as his balloon twisting and face painting. A highlight of the event, which was sponsored by the six Chabad Centers on the First Coast, was a presentation recapping 24 years of the Chabad Annual Purim Celebration.

Rabbi Yosef Kahanov

Jacksonville Hadassah advocates for heart health By Jacksonville Hadassah

Last month, Jacksonville Hadassah and the Temple WRJ Sisterhood partnered to present a program on Heart Disease. Nancy Davis, of the Jacksonville Jewish Center and Galinsky Academy, described her experiences as a heart attack survivor. At age 46, this busy working mother was taking a moment to relax at home with her children when she began to notice symptoms that are typical to the heart attack warning symptoms more commonly known to occur in men. Fortunately, she called 9-1-1 and was rushed to the hospital where she underwent surgery. “I knew I wasn’t feeling good, but when the EMT told me I was having a cardiac incident, I was as surprised as anyone else,” she described of her experience. “In retrospect, I probably was at risk due to the fact that I am a diabetic, but perhaps I just didn’t connect the dots because of my age.” She also reminded the audience, if you are identified as having high cholesterol, accept the medications that are available to you. If you want to control your cholesterol with diet and exercise, do so, along with the medicine. “The doctor can always adjust

JCA’s Disney sing-along a hit for young performers and families BY IMAN BYFIELD

Jewish Community Alliance

In late-February, people from all over Jacksonville joined the JCA Theatre Department for an evening of singing and fun during the ‘Dinner and Disney Sing-Along’. Nearly 200 guests, including JCA families and others from the community, hit Nancy Davis (left) pictured with speakers Sharon Smith, RN the J’s big stage to belt out their and Gayle Martin, MD at last month’s Heart Health program favorite Disney tunes. Selections the medication and you cannot a man’s biology has been the guid- included classic hits from ‘The Little Mermaid’, ‘Beauty and the always control your commitment ing force for decades,” the article Beast’ and ‘The Lion King’ as well to doing the diet and exercise,” stated. she advised. “Drink water because Because of this notion, Hadas- as the newest songs from ‘Frozen’, ‘Moana’ and many more. coffee and diet coke don’t count, sah will be trying to state its case Shelly Hughes, JCA theatre and don’t underestimate how for gender equality in medicine. director, and Craig Wickless, important drinking water is,” she “We are planning a Day in the explained. District,” said Jacksonville Hadas- JCA theatre assistant, led the fun evening which brought together The other take-away from this sah president Liat Walker. “We program was the fact that when will be meeting with Congressman people of all ages for a chance to relive memorable moments from it comes to medicine, men and John Rutherford to provide him their childhood and experience women are not equal, according with information on this topic new memories with their families. to a recent article by AARP. “In which is important to women’s The sing-along was followed by a medicine, men have long ruled, health and women’s issues.” pasta dinner and a chance for atfrom the animals used in drug Hadassah has long been an tendees to make new friends. This trials (overwhelmingly male) to advocate for women’s health, musical family event was open to the patients enrolled in clinical promoting research, education trials (predominantly male) to and advocacy. Stay tuned for more the community and is just another way the JCA brings quality prothe guidelines for diagnosis and information about Hadassah’s grams to people of all walks of life. treatment (mostly based on men), upcoming Day in the District.

Fashions of the French Riveria on display at River Garden Auxiliary’s annual event By River Garden Auxiliary

The 2017 River Garden Auxiliary Special Event, co-chaired by Marcy Rudowitz and Talie Zaifert, will be held Tuesday, Apr. 25 at the Jacksonville Marriott on Salisbury Road at 10:30 am. Attendees will enjoy the glitz and glamour of France’s Mediterranean coastline through this year’s theme, ‘Fashion Week on the French Riviera.’ As guests arrive, they will be whisked away to this spectacular region of France through chic backdrops and decor. Additionally, they’ll have an opportunity to visit the silent auction and enjoy social time with new and old friends in the community. A delightful French inspired luncheon, a fashion show to show off the latest trends for spring and summer and other surprises will fill the afternoon. This year’s recipient of the River Garden Auxiliary’s Minnie Schreiber Award will be presented at the event to Pearl Marton for her many years of commitment and dedicated service to others through her affiliation with River Garden and the River Garden Auxiliary. Invitations will be arriving in the mail and reserva-

Those in attendance were all smiles as they had a full plate and heart

tions can also be made online at rivergardenauxiliary.com by Mar. 25, and all proceeds go to the River Garden Hebrew Home. It is sure to be an event you won’t want to miss, so for more information, please contact Ellen Rubens at 904-651-6607.

JCA Theatre Director Shelly Hughes assists her co-performers

On Sunday, April 23 at 2 p.m., JCA Theatre will present, ‘Just Like Me’, a special program to commemorate and honor children who perished in the Holocaust. The script, which was researched and developed by the young performers of the JCA, will feature monologues, stories and vignettes. This event is free and open to the community. Reservations are requested by calling 904-730-2100, ext. 228. For more information on other JCA Theatre programs, visit jcajax.org/theatre.

Jax Jewish Singles to sample seafood fare in April BY FRANCINE SMITH Jax Jewish Singles

If you’re fishing for good food join Jax Jewish Singles for lunch at Parson’s Seafood Restaurant, where for more than 50 years they have been synonymous

with fresh seafood any way you like it, including fried, broiled, blackened, grilled, or stuffed. Please call Francine for exact

date and time details at 904-2218061 or email her atfrancine. smith@comcast.net.

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Community news

Renowned Israeli artist, Hanoch Piven makes a quick stop in Jacksonville By Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

Well known Israeli artist Hanoch Piven took his unique artistic approach on the road in February and made a stop in Jacksonville to share his experience, insights and creativity with members of the community. Piven, whose work has been highlighted in publications such as Time, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, The Atlantic Monthly, and Entertainment Weekly is a mixed media artist who makes caricatures of famous people using household objects and food. In two workshops inspired by community Shlicha Dana Marmari

Hanoch Piven poses with his pupils as they show off their creations

and hosted by the Jewish Community Alliance, Piven taught his techniques to attendees including adults and teens from

the Jacksonville Jewish community as well as students from the Torah Academy of Jacksonville. With the assistance of donated

Piven lends a creative hand

items, participants created their own Piven inspired pieces as he watched and encouraged, allowing these newfound artists to dis-

A new artist’s rendering

play and explain their creations at the conclusion of the event.

Adar plus ﬁsh equals fabulous Kosher Hadassah patient comes to Jacksonville to speak sushi in St. Johns County By Jacksonville Hadassah

Stewart Greenberg, pictured above will be the guest speaker at a Jacksonville Hadassah program, scheduled for Thursday, May 4. Greenberg is a melanoma survivor who credits Hadassah with saving his life and is featured on Hadassah International’s short film, ‘Research in Service to Humanity’, which can been seen on youtube. The program is free and open to the community, so for more information about the May 4th program, call Gail Greenfield at 904-534-7381.

By Chabad of S. Johns

The Jewish Women’s Circle of St. Johns got together last month for a fun and fascinating evening where they learned the art of sushi making from a professional chef and held a mind blowing discus-

sion about the fish-mazal of Adar. Each Jewish month has a mazal, which is a constellation or Jewish zodiac sign that it relates to, and the sign for the Hebrew month of Adar is a fish. To celebrate the awesomeness of the fish-mazal and Haman’s downfall during the month of Adar, the Jewish Women’s Circle

hired a professional sushi chef and each of the women learned how to authentically roll kosher sushi. A big thank you goes out to Carrie Bielski for hosting this lovely and lively event, as not only was it the most fabulous (and only) kosher sushi in town, but it was a warm and inspiring evening. The Jewish Women’s Circle (JWC) is a unique opportunity to connect with Jewish women from diverse backgrounds and affiliations in a warm, lighthearted atmosphere. Join us and bring a friend. To RSVP or find out more about the Jewish Women’s Circle of St. Johns, contact Mrs. Dini Sharfstein at 904-701-4422 or email her at Dini@JewishSJohnsCounty.com.

Stewart Greenberg

Open your heart and renew your spirit with Yoga Shalom at the JJC

By Jacksonville Jewish Center

Low impact Yoga Shalom Classes continue at the Jacksonville Jewish Center on Wednesdays, Apr. 19 and 26, at 10 a.m. Keep that commitment to yourself to exercise and get in shape in 2017. The group will also meet

the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays of the month in May. No fee or prior experience is necessary, so bring a positive attitude and a towel or exercise mat. To sign up or for more information contact, Sandy Selwitz at selwitzs@gmail.com or Naomi Lazar at naomilazar2014@gmail. com.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

COMMUNITY NEWS

Jacksonville teen learns that everyone can make a difference By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

Harrison Snowden, son of Catherine and Todd Snowden, recently attended a breakfast at the Hubbard House, a domestic violence shelter serving Duval and Baker counties, and he was shocked by some of the stories he heard. “I had no idea how big the problem of domestic violence is in our community,” he explained of his experience. “People don’t talk about it and certainly, not teens.”

Harrison Snowden

Now that he has become aware, he could not sit idly by as he and a high school buddy formed the Helping Betty/Hubbard Club to raise awareness and money. They chaired a bake sale but were disappointed by the limited dollars it raised. Undaunted, they remembered that the Ponte Vedra High School a capella group, the Sharkapellas, had raised $5,000 to colon cancer research at a special concert. For Harrison, a concert alone was not enough in light of the significance of the domestic violence issue. With this in mind, ‘Teens Take

Southside Chabad will hold a model Matzo bakery By Southside Chabad

The model Matzo bakery will take place Sunday, Apr. 2, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Southside Chabad where students will take their traditional Passover treat all the way from a grain of wheat to a finished Matzo. They will take stalks of grain, they ‘thresh’ to break off the wheat berries, then winnow by separating the chaff from the grain, and finally collecting the grain into a hand-driven wheat mill and grinding it into flour. Fashioned after an actual Matzo bakery, students assume the

The Snowden family connection to The Temple goes back generations as Rabbi Matt Cohen explained that “his years at Religious School and his summers at Camp Coleman have reinforced all that his family has taught. Tikkun Olam is a Jewish imperative, Harrison knows that and, more importantly, lives it,” the Rabbi said. “We can all learn an important lesson from Harrison and his buddies as it is our responsibility to partner with God and make this world a better place.”

St. Augustine playwright to hold performance of ‘The Shooter’at a local synagogue BY JACKIE WITTE Temple Bet Yam

responsibilities of kneading the dough, rolling the Matzo and baking it into their very own Matzo. The cost is just $3 per child, and is free for CHS Hebrew School Stu-

dents. This event is for children of all ages, but parents must accompany them. For more information visit southsidechabad.com.

Six-week course entitled ‘Survival of a Nation’ to be held at a pair of area Chabads By Clay County Chabad

Chabads of Clay County and at the Beaches will be holding a new six-week JLI course which explores Israel through the lens of the Six-Day War. The class entitled, ‘Survival of a Nation’, will ask the questions, ‘Why must Israel exist?’ ‘Does a religion need a land?’ and ‘When facing annihilation, how should we respond?’ in addition to ‘When, if ever,is collateral damage warranted?’ This course commemorates the 50-year anniversary of the Six-Day war, and provides a historic opportunity to discover what Israel means to us today. More than a history, it is a course about connection and understanding ours to our land, to our people, and to our heritage through the prism of the events and themes of the Six-Day War. In Clay County, one course will

a Stand’ was born and served as a benefit concert and silent auction, conceived and executed entirely by teens. Snowden served as Master of Ceremonies while Matine Gelb, with whom he founded the special interest club, lined up the volunteers for concessions and secured silent auction items including hundreds of dollars in restaurant gift cards, a signed football from the Jacksonville Jaguars and four tickets to a home game of the buyer’s choice. All the proceeds from the special event will be split between Hubbard house and the Betty Griffin Center.

be held on consecutive Sunday mornings, beginning May 7, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Fleming Island Public Library (1895 Town Center Blvd.). The second Clay County option will actually be in Duval County on six consecutive Tuesdays, beginning May 9, from 7:30 – 9 p.m. at Tehila’s (1250 McDuff Ave S.) in Jacksonville. The fee for this course is $89 (including textbook), with 10-percent off if ordered before Apr. 23. Another 10-percent off per student will be given with a

minimum two sign-ups at info@ jewishclaycounty.com or jewishclaycounty.com. At the Beaches classes will begin on six consecutive Wednesdays, starting May 10, from 7 – 8:30 p.m., at the Aaron and Blanche Scharf Chabad Center (521 A1A N.) in Ponte Vedra. The cost for the course is $89 plus $20 for the textbook and 10-percent off early bird registration by May 1. Call 904-543-9301 or email rabbi@chabadbeaches.com for more information.

The community is invited to come to Temple Bet Yam (2055 Wildwood Dr.) in St. Augustine, Saturday, Apr. 1 at 7 p.m., for the screening of Lee Weaver’s ‘The Shooter – Gun Violence in America’. The production is the fourth in the current series of socially-significant dramas written and performed by Lee Weaver, St. Augustine’s-own brilliant playwright-actor. The show had its world premiere performance Sept. 29, at the sold-out Corazon Theatre in St. Augustine. In the show, Lee and Nan are husbandand-wife in the throes of producing a documentary for television. Lee is a confident gun-lover and second-amendment advocate, while Nan is the opposite, reform-minded, equally adamant in favor of increased gun control. A line-up of nine chairs at stage-rear, each with a distinctive garment or prop, is a visual hint as to ‘The Shooter’s’ format as interviews with the individu-

Lee Weaver

als, reveal how their lives have been impacted by gun violence. The nine include a Sandy Hook police officer, father of dead firstgraders, husband of a slain wife, a Muslim now connected to The Pulse shooting in Orlando, and a first responder doctor at the AME church in South Carolina. All are impressively portrayed by Weaver in an amazing series of character portrayals. Admission to the show is $20 and refreshments will be served so call Andi Marx at 904-460-9569 or e-mail her at amarx46@comcast.net to reserve a seat.

Have some kosher BLT with the Rabbi at Chabad of S. Johns By Chabad of S. Johns

Introducing the new and improved Kosher BLT at Chabad of S. Johns. Come once a month on a Sunday morning for bagels, lox and Tefillin. That’s right, you’ll be treated to a delectable Jewish brunch and you don’t even need any Hebrew reading skills. The next BLT will take place Sunday Apr. 2, at 9:30 a.m.

Have some news to share? By Jacksonville Jewish News

Whether it’s a milestone achievement accomplished by a friend or family associated with the Jacksonville Jewish community, or simply a story, event or announcement to be shared, drop us a line at jjn@jewishjacksonville.org. You can also contact newspaper editor and Federation Communications Director Matt Franzblau directly at mattf@jewishjacksonville.or or by calling 904-448-5000, ext. 1212. The Jacksonville Jewish News is published 11 times a years, in newspaper from January to May and then again from August to December, with a Summer Magazine covering the months of June and July. For further information as well as advertising rates, log onto jewishjacksonville.

org/news and for back issues go to issuu.com/jewishnews. For advertising inquiries contact Barbara Nykerk at 904923-3205 or bnykerk@comcast. net, or reach out to Eta Perras at 904-629-0466 or perraseta@ bellsouth.net.

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synagogue NEWS

Get your tasting spoons ready for the Temple’s sixth annual Jewish food festival By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

The Temple will host Jacksonville’s sixth annual Jewish Food Festival, scheduled for Sunday, May 7, beginning at 11:30 a.m., at The Temple. This year some of your favorite vendors will be back again in addition to some new ones. At least that’s the word from vendor chair Lauren Pinnar, who looks forward to welcoming in places such as ‘Mandaloun’, ‘Margo’s Catering’, ‘The Well’ and ‘Gandolfo’s’. “It is a party for the taste buds and a festival of friendship, and the Temple family will be ready to

Junior bake off award winner

General bake off award winner

welcome the entire community’, said festival chair Sarah Fraden.

“On Festival day, your friends are our friends and we want everyone

to enjoy the corned beef sandwiches, the rugeleh, the chicken soup and so many other flavors you have been waiting for since last year’s Food Festival.” Daniel Barkowitz, Sponsorship Co-Chair, is thrilled to announce that Seabest is the returning name sponsor. “We are most grateful to Harry Frisch and Mark Frisch, who have stepped forward once again to support this event and we applaud them for the consistency of their generosity to Temple and to our Jacksonville Jewish community,” Barkowitz said. The 2017 version of the Jacksonville Jewish Food Festival will be an afternoon of fun for people of all ages. Bubbe’s Bake-Off returns, with a children’s division and a child-at-heart division and

Bonnie Ruckh, Bubbe’s BakeOff Chair, encourages men and women of all ages to participate. “Make the dessert that brings back the strongest memories of your Bubbe, as desserts of all kinds, from all parts of the world are encouraged,” she explained. “ So many of us came to Jacksonville from elsewhere and our bubbes may have come from even further away, so honor your bubbe and make her favorite recipe.” Each entry is only $10, so for more information on the rules and how to submit your entry, log onto the Temple’s website at thetemplejacksonville.org, as there will be prizes and bragging rights for the winners.

Torah Scribe Visits Temple Bet Yam in Etz Chaim will hold an inspirational Shabbaton St. Augustine BY JACKIE WITTE weekend with Ruchi Koval Temple Bet Yam

Rabbi Levi Selwyn, a Sofer or Torah Scribe, returned to Temple Bet Yam to continue his work to restore and repair the congregation’s Torahs. In early March, Religious School students were given the special opportunity to watch him work and learn about the process of restoration of the lettering using a quill pen and very special ink. The students were spellbound as the Rabbi, who as a skilled master teacher, drew them into the discussion and understanding of the meaning of a Sofer’s work and

BY NATALIE DAYAN Event Participant

Sofer or Torah scribe Rabbi Levi Selwyn poses with students

the importance of the specialized work in creating a Torah. Members of the congregation were also invited to watch him work during his time at the synagogue as it was

an opportunity that was certainly not to be missed and the Temple was very fortunate to watch the Rabbi at work.

Jacksonville Jewish Center’s RE:MIND makes May its mental health month

group or to find a class to attend, write to jaxhospitalpartnership@ gmail.com or visit jaxmentalhealth.org.

By Jacksonville Jewish Center

RE:MIND, the Jacksonville Jewish Center’s community initiative to improve mental health and reduce stigma, is pleased to host Adult Mental Health First Aid Training, an eight-hour course, as four two-hour sessions scheduled for Mondays May 1, 8, 22 and 25. Each session will begin at 7:15 p.m., and registration is required by contacting remindjax@aol. com or 904-731-7887. The course teaches everyday citizens how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and behavioral health issues. All course training fees have been paid by Jacksonville’s non-profit hospitals, including Baptist Health, Brooks Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, St. Vincent’s HealthCare and UF Health Jacksonville. RE:MIND takes a multi-media approach to learning about those living with mental illness. During the month of May, the Center’s Yergin Gallery will exhibit ‘Inside Out’, a visual journey through mental illness, where more than 60 participants bravely express candid works of art that convey to the viewer what it feels like to struggle with diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, OCD and bi-

polar disorder. Also, the Center’s Jewish Book Club will be discussing ‘The Man Who Couldn’t Stop: OCD and The True Story of a Life Lost in Thought’ by David Adam. The Book Club will meet at the Barnes & Noble on San Jose Blvd., from 7:30-9:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 16. Newcomers are welcomed, so for more information about the Club go to jjcjax.org/education/ adult-education. The Jacksonville Jewish Center is among many sites where Mental Health First Aid training will be held. To schedule a class for your

Etz Chaim Synagogue invites the entire Jacksonville community to a Shabbaton weekend with motivational speaker Ruchi Koval, scheduled for May 5-7. Koval is the co-founder and director of the Jewish Family Experience, a congregation and Sunday school in Cleveland, Ohio, and is a certified parenting coach, musician, and the author of ‘Conversations with G-d’. One of Koval’s passions is Jewish unity and she speaks extensively on it, as well as many other inspiring topics, on her blog ‘Out of the Ortho Box’. Koval is a Trip Leader for the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project (JWRP), a life-changing Israel experience which many women of the Jacksonville community have been selected to attend.

Ruchi Koval

During her talk, Koval will lecture on several interesting, relevant, and motivational topics throughout the Shabbaton, including ‘Dealing with Life’s Challenges’, ‘The Secret of Marriage and Relationships’, and much more. For additional information regarding this event, please visit EtzChaim.org or call 904-2623565, ext . 7.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

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SYNAGOGUE news

Etz Chaim and Torah Academy’s dual Purim party provides costume fun for everyone

By Torah Academy of Jacksonville

Etz Chaim Synagogue and Torah Academy of Jacksonville held their annual Purim party

this past month and it was filled with fun, food, games and a festive atmosphere which spawned singing and even a costume fashion show.

Jacksonville Jewish Center to hold mindfulness meditation workshop By Jacksonville Jewish Center

ShalOM Meditation at the Jacksonville Jewish Center will host Ellen Williams, Ph.D., for a special Mindfulness Meditation Workshop, Saturday, May 6, following morning Shabbat services and Kiddush luncheon beginning at 1 p.m. Mindfulness Meditation seeks to cultivate an awareness of our thoughts, feelings, sensations, and environment, without judgment and with a focus on the present moment. Its effects have been well-documented and include physical, psychological, and social benefits.

Ellen Williams, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and the Administrator for Behavioral

Health at Baptist Health, with 20 years of leadership experience in healthcare. Her four-week workshop, Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation, at the JCA sold out on each of three occasions and Dr. Williams is interested in expanding the awareness of meditation as a means of coping with stress and experiencing life more fully. The hour long workshop costs $10 per person and an RSVP and prepayment are required by May 3. To RSVP contact Rose Tincher at the Jacksonville Jewish Center by phone at 904-292-1000 or by email at rtincher@jaxjewishcenter.org. For questions about the event, email jjcmeditation@gmail.com.

A night of caring to be held at Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue in Apr. a full bar and live music. Over the years, Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue has had many supporters both in town and at the beach, so please come and share in the joy as the congregation celebrates its synagogue at the beach. For more information, contact Jacquie at 904-273-9100 or e-mail the synagogue at office@bethelbeaches.org.

By Jacksonville Jewish Center

Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue will be hosting its annual night of caring, scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 22. The theme this year is ‘Unmask the Possibilities’, making for a masquerade theme and the evening’s excitement will begin with a silent auction. A live auction and plated dinner will follow in addition to

Author to make stop at Temple Bet Yam to discuss his book ‘The Nazi Hunters’ BY JACKIE WITTE Temple Bet Yam

In remembrance of Yom Hashoah, Temple Bet Yam of St. Augustine will welcome in Andrew Nagorski, Sunday, Apr. 23 at 2 p.m., to discuss his latest book, ‘The Nazi Hunters’. Nagorski is an award winning author who now lives in St. Augustine and previously was a Newsweek bureau chief in a succession of European capitals. His most recent books, ‘Hitlerland: American Eyewitnesses to the Nazi Rise to Power’ and ‘The Nazi Hunters’ have received rave reviews. His discussion of The Nazi Hunters will be based on archival research as well as numerous interviews with a Nuremberg prosecutor, Simon Wiesenthal, the Klarsfelds, Mossad agents who apprehended Adolf Eichmann, the deputy prosecutor at Eichmann’s trial, and many others. ‘The Nazi Hunters’ is available

Award winning author Andrew Nagorski will discuss his book ‘The Nazi Hunters’, when he comes to Temple Bet Yam, Sunday, April 23 at 2 p.m.

online and hard copies will be available for a book signing at the presentation. Mr. Nagorski‘s bio and information on his other works may be found at andrewnagorski.com. The public is in-

vited to attend this event as there is no charge. For more information, or to RSVP by Apr. 14, call Temple Bet Yam at 904-819-1875 or visit templebetyam.org.

Temple Brotherhood to host Baseball owner Ken Babby in April

By Temple Brotherhood

The entire community is invited to ‘the best breakfast in town’, Sunday, Apr. 30, when The Temple Brotherhood hosts Ken Babby, owner of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (formerly the Jacksonville Suns). The event is just $6 with prior reservation, or $8 at the door, but reservations are always appreciated. “Ken Babby’s love for baseball is almost as old as he is,” said brotherhood program chair Mike Elkin. “When his final growth spurt only got him to five feet, five inches, he realized he might never play on a major league team, but that never dampened his love for the game.” “I used to drive around to minor-league games with my dad in the summers to Hagerstown and Fredericksburg (Md.), and Albany (N.Y.), Babby recalled. “Thinking back, I was

Jumbo Shrimp owner Ken Babby

so incredibly fortunate to see the game from an angle that people honestly don’t get to see, and hopefully, if I do my job, I can build those same great memories for other people because I want to preserve it, feel it and give it to others.” The Babby story is the story of a young Baltimore boy’s dreams coming true. A computer science major in college led to a stint at The Washington Post (and not in the sports department), then ultimately back to the world of baseball as he arrived in Jacksonville via Ohio. “Join us April 30th and hear the entire story, because if he does not tell us how and why the Jacksonville Suns became the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, I promise to ask him,” said Brotherhood President Andy Cohen.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

SYNAGOGUE NEWS Special FBI presentation New Hebrew classes to be formed at the on hate crimes to be held Jacksonville Jewish Center

at Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue BY GAIL GREENFIELD

Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue

Join Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue in Ponte Vedra, Wednesday, Apr. 26, from 7-8:30 p.m., for a presentation entitled ‘Hate Crimes, the FBI, and You’. The presentation will be made by FBI special agents who are tasked with solving hate crimes across the country. Hear why their work is a top priority for the FBI’s civil rights program and learn how you can help. Don’t miss this opportunity to

be part of the discussion as this very timely program is open to the entire community. Refreshments will be served, so for more information, call the Synagogue at 904-273-9100.

By Jacksonville Jewish Center

Adult Education at the Jacksonville Jewish Center offers several levels of Hebrew instruction, free of charge and open to the community. The Center’s Online Alef-Bet Hebrew (beginner’s level) classes, taught by Lois Tompkins, are live webinar-style, which can be easily accessed from your computer in the convenience of your own home, however there is a limit of six students. Those would rather be taught in person can try regular Alef-Bet Hebrew classes, also taught by Lois Tompkins. This one has just finished up, and will begin again in May for a new group. Both of these Hebrew

reading classes are provided free, thanks to NJOP (National Jewish Outreach Program). Times and dates will be decided based on the needs of the group, so please sign up soon to reserve a spot. Also offered for Center members is Service Skills (intermediate Hebrew level), an ongoing class designed to increase prayer fluency and help congregants to become more comfortable in the Center’s weekday and Shabbat services. Basic reading skills are necessary, but the class will work together on fluency and prayer vocabulary, so all are welcome to join. For more personalized lessons, try ‘Lead a Service’, which is an option offered by David Wolinsky, The Jacksonville Jewish Center’s Ritual Director, who will

work with any member interested in leading a portion of daily or Shabbat services. Please contact David at 904-268-4200, ext. 224 for individual scheduling. For more information about these or any other educational programs for adults, log onto jjcjax.org and look under ‘Adult Education’.

Northeast Florida Conservatory’s upcoming production of ‘Hello Dolly!’ has some Temple Connections BY RHODA LONDON

Congregation Ahavath Chesed

It would seem that it is such a coincidence that Bette Midler’s Broadway revival of ‘Hello, Dolly!’ opens the same weekend as the Northeast Florida Conservatory Theatre production here in Jacksonville. The Temple’s Mark Snitzer, who was a memorable Tevye in the Theatre’s first production, ‘Fiddler on the Roof ’, will also star in ‘Dolly’ as Horace Vandergelder, the cranky half millionaire from Yonkers, N.Y.

Snitzer, a refugee from Buffalo, is a veteran performer in the Jacksonville area. In addition to appearing in plays and musicals, he entertains appreciative audiences at River Garden and other venues. You can also hear him on the Shabbats when he sings in The Temple’s Friday Night Live Band. Regina Torres, a voice teacher at the Conservatory, will dazzle audiences in her role as Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi. Also a veteran of many musical performances, one of her most recent was as Ursula in ‘The Little Mermaid’, at Theatre

Jacksonville. For quite a few years, she has sung with The Temple’s Chorale for the High Holidays and other musical occasions. Torres has also appeared at Temple as a member of Bella Voce, a popular performing group at several Saturday night programs.. Northeast Florida Conservatory is a non-profit organization, offering free music lessons as a part of Laura’s Friends to children, who couldn’t ordinarily afford them, as well as classes in voice, all instruments, drama and art. In Hello Dolly will be performed from Apr. addition, several members of the 21-30 at the NE Fla Conservatory

local Jewish community, including Beth Shorstein, play in the Band or Orchestra. ‘Hello, Dolly!’ will be performed from April 21-30, the last two weekends of the month. All tickets are only $20 for shows with live orchestra music and can be purchased at showtix. now or by calling 904-374-8639. Since its opening about two and a half years ago, many Conservatory shows sell out, that’s why loyal audience members know to purchase tickets early. With lead performers like Mark Snitzer and Regina Torres, you most definitely won’t want to miss this show.

Temple Bet Yam’s annual Purim carnival Galinsky Academy PTA’s enjoyed by kids and the young at heart annual Purim Carnival

provides fun for the whole entire family

BY JACKIE WITTE Temple Bet Yam

Early last month after Temple Bet Yam’s religious school classes, students, their parents, and members of the congregation, celebrated Purim with a fun-filled carnival. There were booths to test your skills, face painting, and crafts, and pizza was served to one and all. The weather was perfect and all who attended had a marvelous time. See associated pictures to relive all the excitement.

BY MELANIE SETZER Purim Carnival Attendee

The Galisnky Academy PTA held its annual Purim Carnival in early March and the morning after the event, conversation around the breakfast table went something like this, “What was your favorite part of the Purim carnival?” “The animals, what was yours?” “The dunk tank, I dunked, like, six people!” “I got to hold the fluffy chicken.” And “I ran in the giant hamster ball.” This was the first year my family (the Setzers) were able to attend the annual carnival and after more than three hours, the kids

Beautiful Spring weather brought more than 650 people out for Galinsky Academy’s PTA Purim Carnival at the Jacksonville Jewish Center

were not able to do and see everything. From carnival games indoors to bounce house inflatables and other adventures outdoors they surely had a blast. Better spring weather could have not been had as for game lovers, there were options galore, including Haman’s hook, a putting green, giant Jenga, basketball toss, duck pond, Frogger and much more. Those with a more adventurous spirit enjoyed

bungee jumping, human hamster ball, rockwall climbing and various bounce houses, and thanks to some very brave volunteers, money was also raised to benefit Wolfson Children’s hospital by way of a dunk tank. Families with a younger audience enjoyed outdoor theater entertainment provided by Captain Character, train rides provided by Mr. C, pony rides and a petting zoo in addition to face painting.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

SYNAGOGUE NEWS

Temple Bet Yam to hold annual congregational Passover Seder, April 10th BY JACKIE WITTE Temple Bet Yam

traditional Congregational Passover Seder held at the synagogue (2055 Wildwood Drive) in St.

Temple Bet Yam is pleased to invite the community to its

The Temple’s Saturday night at the movies to show ‘The Jazz Singer’, April 15th By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

The Temple’s Saturday Night at the Movies monthly film series returns Saturday, Apr. 15, when the movie ‘The Jazz Singer’ will be shown to the community. The 1980 American drama was a remake of the 1927 classic and starred Neil Diamond, Laurence Olivier and Lucie Arnaz and was co-directed by Richard Fleischer and Sidney J. Furie. Although the film was a critical flop, the soundtrack was enormously successful, eventually reaching multi-platinum status and becoming Diamond’s most successful album to date. It resulted in three hit songs, ‘America’, ‘Love on the Rocks’ and ‘Hello Again’. The film tells the story of a young Jewish man, torn between tradition and individuality, when his old-fashioned family objects to his career as a jazz singer. “Much has been said about this film, both the original and the remake, but the story marks in an important moment in the

history of Jewish immigration to America,” said interim senior Rabbi Rick Shapiro, who created the film series and moderates the discussions. “Following the movie, we will have the opportunity to discuss many of the comments and our own reactions to the story and its portrayal,” The entire community is invited to attend this event which starts at 7 p.m., following a short Havdalah service.

Temple Bet Yam to hold screening of a Neil Simon production at Limelight Theatre BY JACKIE WITTE Temple Bet Yam

Temple Bet Yam will be taking over the Black Box Theatre at the Limelight (11 Old Mission Ave.) in St. Augustine, Saturday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m. This intimate venue will be the setting for the Limelight’s presentation of the Neil Simon hit, ‘I Ought To Be In Pictures’. Attendees will be treated to a range of delicious appetizers in addition to the chance to bring home a host of amazing bargains from the silent auction, featuring goods and services from local vendors and artisans. Don’t miss out, so contact Terre Wallach at

904-826-0281 or Carol Levy at 954-895-7332 for tickets, which are $30 a piece.

Grow your business

If you want to reach a demographic with a higher than average household income and education, the Jewish News is your connection. To advertise, contact: Barbara Nykerk 904-923-3205 bnykerk@comcast.net Eta Perras 904-629-0466 perraseta@bellsouth.net

Augustine, on Monday, Apr. 10 at 6 p.m. The cost for adult members and their guests is $36 each, $15 each for children 12 and younger, while each non-member is $46. An RSVP to the event is required by Mar. 31, with the information of how many will be

attending and check for the total amount payable to Temple Bet Yam, P.O. Box 860098, St Augustine, FL 32086. Vegetarian meals will be provided if indicated.

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EDUCATION

Registration now open for renowned Stage Door Theatre Camp at the JCA

Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

UNF joins 10 other Florida universities for Shabbaton in Gainesville By Chabad at UNF

Over the weekend of Feb. 24, Chabad at UNF joined 10 universities from across the state of Florida for the 2017 Intercollegiate Shabbaton and what an amazing experience it was. Rabbis and Rebbetzins each with his or her own unique flare put on a dazzling array of workshops, classes and sessions for the 1,000 students from the many area schools that were in attendance. JCA summer camp offers many memorable experiences with special themed sessions for kids of all ages Celebrity plastic surgeon and plastic surgeon to the celebrities unique opportunity to work with session, campers put all of their ‘Dr. Miami’ was a featured guest, BY IMAN BYFIELD theatre professionals through fun, practice together to present a full- inspiring students with his mesJewish Community Alliance interactive activities and perscale stage show. sage of overcoming obstacles and forming arts programming and Stage Door Theatre Camp is JCA Summer Camp offers maintaining Jewish Pride in the registration is currently open for offered in two, four-week sesmemorable experiences for face of adversity. the 2017 summer season. sions. The first session is from children of all ages during the “From the moment that I arEach themed session of Stage June 12 July 7 and celebrates summer season. Each program rived, I felt very welcomed within Door Theatre Camp includes 20 years of JCA Theatre Camp. offers age-appropriate activithe community and was filled training in musical theatre-style Session two, ‘We Love Disney’ ties suited to your child’s unique with anticipation for the Shabbat dance and Fit for Broadway will be held from July 10 to Aug. interests. For creative campers, dinner on Friday,’ explained UNF 4. Each session offers various the JCA offers Jacksonville’s most aerobic-style dance. Every day, student Anaelle Bensaid of her campers practice singing, dancday and time options. For details popular creative arts camp, ening, acting and participate in arts about Stage Door Theatre Camp experience. “These 48 hours of titled Stage Door Theatre Camp, and craft s. Campers also enjoy and other JCA camps or to regis- energy connected all of us trefor children entering grades one mendously and made us learn the daily swim time and special acter, visit jcajax.org/camp. to nine. The camp provides the importance of maintaining our tivities. At the conclusion of each

Students with the Jewish Ospreys at UNF, met up with students at 10 other colleges and universities from around the state of Florida for a weekend Shabbaton at UF in Gainesville

Jewish pride on and off campus,” she added. “We all learned about our Jewish roots and identity while making so many special new friends.” Shabbat ended on a high note with a barbecue after a closing Havdallah service and the weekend concluded on Sunday morning with services, breakfast and various inspiring sessions.

Galinsky Academy selects new head of school in Raquel ScharfAnderson By Galinsky Academy

The Jacksonville Jewish Center is pleased to announce that Raquel Scharf-Anderson has accepted the position of Head of School for the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School. Her responsibilities will also include overseeing the Director of the DuBow Preschool and Camp KiTov. Scharf-Anderson has extensive experience in developing and overseeing curriculum, professional development for faculty and managing education plans for special needs and gifted students. Raised in a rabbinic home and a knowledgeable and committed Jew, Scharf-Anderson has spent most of her career within the Jew-

Raquel Scharf-Anderson

ish day school world. For several years, she was the Assistant Head of School for Pardes Jewish Day School in Phoenix, Ariz., and

most recently, she has served as the Head of School for DaVinci Academy, a secular private school in Elgin, Ill. She is looking forward to returning to the Jewish day school world where she has always felt the most at home. “As I transition into this new headship, I am looking forward to meeting each family and learning about their dreams for their children,” Scharf-Anderson said after accepting her new position. “I cannot wait to meet with the staff members of each school to explore ideas for bringing programming forward,” she added. “Additionally, our family has already received such a warm and gracious welcome that I can hardly wait to become fully engaged in the activities of the Jacksonville Jewish Center and be introduced to even more members of this incredible

Atlanta area Sofer makes visit to Jax By Torah Academy of Jacksonville

Rabbi Rabinowitz’s fifth and sixth grade class had the privilege of speaking with visiting sofer Rabbi Ariel Asa from Atlanta. The students got an up-close look at how a sofer checks and fixes mezuzos, tefillin and clothing for shatnez. Rabbi Asa makes a visit to the area at least once a year and gave informative talks and presentations to other kids and adults alike during his stay. For those who don’t know, a sofer is a

Jewish scribe who can transcribe sifrei Torah, tefillin and mezuzot,

community.” Scharf-Anderson is a graduate of the Russell Sage College in Troy, N.Y., and she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and World History. She holds a Master of Arts in reading from the Sage Colleges as well. In addition, Scharf-Anderson has studied at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Non-Profit Management program for heads of school and has also spoken nationally, to both professional and parent groups on topics such as reading and emotional quotient. “We are very fortunate to have an administrator and educator of Raquel’s caliber join the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School,” said Debby Kaye, Vice President of Education and Chair of the Galinsky Cabinet. “Our families can be confident that we listened and

acted upon the input gathered as we progressed throughout our extensive search process. Scharf-Anderson and her husband Eric have two children, Sam and Tzipporah. The new head of school will assume her new duties on July 1, succeeding Rabbi Jim Rogozen who is seeking a move to the West Coast to be closer to family. Rabbi Rogozen has brought a great amount of growth and development to the entire Galinsky Academy during the past three years, everyone at the school wishes him all the best in his future endeavors. Special thanks to the Head of School search committee and its co-chairs Gaby Bubis and Brent Trager, whose tireless efforts have provided such a positive outcome for the school and its families.

Students at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School take top prizes in essay contest

and other religious writings.

6th, 7th and 8th grade essay winners Eva G., Julia D and Jona K. By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

Each year the local DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) chapter holds an essay contest that is open to fifth through eighth grade students in public, private, and parochial schools. The American history essay contest was established to encourage young people to think creatively about our nation’s great history and learn about history in

a new light. Essays are judged for historical accuracy, adherence to the topic, organization of material, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and neatness. The Martin J. Gottlieb Day School is thrilled to announce that its students, Eva G., Julia D., and Jona K. took first place in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade categories respectively. Yasher koach to these students and their families for these impressive achievements.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

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EDUCATION

Martin J. Gottlieb Day School holds its Beth El – The Beaches’ schoolers make annual Tu B’Shevat Seder at The Coves middle special Mishloach Manot bags in Mar.

By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

In February Middle Schoolers from the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School held their annual Tu B’Shevat Seder at The Coves. Open to all Coves members, it was a packed house as students and residents sat side-by-side to observe and share this meaningful tradition. The seder was led by Hazzan Jesse Holzer from the Jacksonville Jewish Center and there are more events like this to come as students will also hold a Passover Seder for residents of Mount Carmel in the coming weeks. For more information on the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, please email Nancy Davis at nancy.davis@mjgds.org.

BY BETH BRENNER Education Director

Martin J. Gottlieb Day Schoolers enjoy a Seder with The Coves residents

For the third year in a row, seventh graders at Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue Religious School celebrated Purim by offering Mishloach Manot bags. Each bag included hamentashen, candy, fruit, and a beverage. The hamentaschen were all made from scratch with the help of some of Beth El’s valued Sisterhood members. Each bag sold for $4, and 40-percent of all the proceeds were distributed to the needy, with the rest going to the religious school, making it easy and The Religious School class at Beth El making all of the hamentaschen enjoyable for the students to take part in this mitzvah. for their Mishloach Manot bags

Grandfriends’ Shabbat day once again celebrated at Michele Block great-grandparents who live near forward to the arrival of Shabbat far. Teachers and children each week. Even the youngest Gan Yeladim and prepared for this special celebra- children in the Busy Bees know it BY NATHAN WOODS

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten celebrated its third annual Grandfriends’ Shabbat Day program in February. The celebration was attended by more than 100 guests from all backgrounds and religions as children from all age groups invited in their special friends to the JCA. The children delighted in welcoming their Bubbe, Zaydie, Saba, Safta, Nana, Papa, aunt, uncle and even

tion by baking brownies, making banners and arranging flowers. This annual event reflects the Jewish value of welcoming guests, hachnasat orchim in Hebrew, and an extension of the Jewish Community Alliance’s weekly Shabbat celebration. It is a way of sharing Jewish values and culture with a culturally and religiously diverse population. Experiencing Shabbat in this way demonstrates the separation of the ordinary from the special as it marks the end of the work week and beginning of the weekend. Michele Block Gan Yeladim students and staff look

is a ‘Challah Day’. The JCA’s director of Jewish outreach, Dave Flagler, was on hand to help lead the celebrations. Flagler’s department is dedicated to relating the beauty of Jewish values and culture to the community in meaningful ways. For more information on the JCA’s Jewish outreach efforts, contact him at 904-730-2100, ext. 271. For information about Block Gan’s Grandfriends’ Shabbat Day celebration, contact Rochelle Golomb at 904-730-2100, ext. 259.

It was all smiles as the young and young at heart shared a fun afternoon

Torah Academy dinner to honor pair of outstanding couples in the community and administration. Between Sima and Barry, their volunteerism makes the school a better place for all its constituents because they are community

BY RENA SCHOCHET

Torah Academy of Jacksonville

The honorees for the Torah Academy dinner, Sunday, May 21, are Sima and Barry Chefer and Caren and Larry Appel. These two couples are jewels in the Torah Academy of Jacksonville’s crown. The Chefers quietly move about the community accomplishing tasks, achieving results, without fanfare or heraldry. Like the Appels, they are ‘doers’ who zero in on a task, engage in it, finish it, and move on to the next. Barry is a realtor and strategic planner who uses his expertise unstintingly to help build and strengthen Etz Chaim Synagogue, Torah Academy, and the entire Jewish community. A vibrant Jewish community is the entity Sima and Barry sought since living in Florida. Their journey through the Sunshine State began in Satellite Beach, on the Space Coast where Barry worked as a strategic planner in the national space program, eventually settling in Jacksonville in 2010. The couple builds community through volunteering, and their focus is on Torah Academy. Not having had the benefit a Torah education, Barry understands the importance of providing a well-rounded education in both academic as well as Torah studies. Barry’s volunteer activities dovetail with this philosophy, as he assists students, reading with them and coaching them in academics, while encouraging them to reach their Torah and academic goals. Head of School, Rabbi Shaya Hauptman, who worked closely with the Chefers for many years, describes Barry as a visionary. He encourages the school body to dream big, and facilitates them in pursuing those by assisting them

Sima and Barry Chefer

in creating road maps, and giving direction on how to reach their new targets. Sima served on the Educational Committee for several years and for the past, has functioned as its Chair. Like Barry, Sima dedicates countless hours to both the school and the community. In her capacity as the Educational Chair, she keeps an eye open for growth opportunities, improving programs, researching curriculum and sharing her research with the administration and faculty. Sima is a teacher by profession and her love for children is apparent in the gentle smile that lights her face when she speaks of and to the students. She will sit on the floor in the pre-school to converse with the little ones, then rise and share her ideas and insights with the administration. Where strategic planning and community growth is Barry’s forte, problem solving is Sima’s strength, as she listens to people and is able to identify where her supportive and no nonsense suggestions are most useful. Her interaction with the various strata in the school’s organizational structure often leads to observations where new ideas come to the forefront. She will gently encourage changes that lead to improvements in the classroom

builders, advocates for the Jewish nation, and champions for Israel. The honorees are truly jewels in the crown of the Jacksonville Jewish community and we are the

beneficiaries of their outpouring of love and friendship, and ultimately feel privileged to recognize and honor them.

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education

Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

The family that eats together surely Martin J. Gottlieb Day stays together at the Dubow Preschool School’s art teacher goes BY BILLIE MCNETT

DuBow Preschool Co-Director

From the one year class to the VPK students, there are many busy bees at the DuBow Preschool. Schedules consist of resources like Jewish Studies, music class, P.E., science and gardening and in between those there is art, sensory play, and playground time. Classes typically stay together but there is one time of day that the entire Preschool comes to together and that is lunch time. Every day, DuBow Preschoolers walk to the Levin Indoor Playroom, where tables are set up for each class, and high

A young student enjoys his lunch

chairs for the one year old’s. It is a time to come together to

eat, say blessings and see friends across the way. It is not uncommon to watch a student give a teacher from past years a quick hug as they walk to their table, or to see an older student go and give their younger sibling a quick squeeze as they eat their cheerios in their high chair. One might see friends helping friends dump their trash in the garbage can or doing mitzvot by picking trash up from the floor. DuBow Preschool is a home-away-from-home for a lot of the students and homes are all about unity, love and family. This is a standard DuBow Preschool upholds organically and without fail, and holds very dear to its heart.

Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s junior kindergarten classes travel around the world through a most unique learning unit BY NATHAN WOODS

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

The educators at Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten strive to promote the understanding and acceptance of different cultures, lands and people. With this in mind, each year, the school’s Junior Kindergarten classes take part in a social studies curriculum unit known as ‘Around the World’. Different countries from around the world are selected, and the children learn all aspects of these countries from the foods eaten to the languages spoken. For this activity, parents act as guest presenters and help teach and share national anthems, clothing, songs, stories and more from their homelands. This year,

to a national conference in New York By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

As part of the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School’s STEAM (integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) initiative, Day School art teacher, Shana Gutterman, recently attended the National Art Education Association’s conference in New York City. Artist Jeff Koons was the keynote speaker, and there was a variety of workshops and lectures available that included topics on STEAM, stop-motion animation, design thinking, digital art, 3-D printing, art integration, choice-based art and art history. Mrs. Gutterman had a private meeting with the inventor of the app Morpho, a 3-D printer app, to discuss future staff profes-

Art teacher Shana Gutterman

sional development, and said that her favorite learning session was authentic mathematical thinking through art making and algebraic equation paintings inspired by Sol LeWitt.

Beth El – The Beaches’ religious school creates Mezuzot for mitzvah day

‘Around the World’ helps students learn about many other coutnries

the countries being explored are Israel, India, Brazil, England, Portugal, and the United States. For more information about the ‘Around the World’ curriculum

unit or Block Gan’s cultural education, contact Rochelle Golomb at 904-730-2100, ext. 259 or rochelle.golomb@jcajax.org. Some of the ﬁrst and second graders at the religious school concentrating very hard on decorating their mezuzah for Mitzvah Day in Feb.

BY BETH BRENNER Education Director

In late February, students of Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue’s Religious School celebrated Mitzvah Day. In T’fillah, Ms. Beth talked about how the word mitzvah does not just mean a good deed, but a commandment. She

also talked about how the V’ahavta talks about hanging a mezuzah on the door frame. Each student was able to decorate their own mezuzah, and each student also got a scroll to put in their mezuzah, enabling everyone to have a wonderful time, including the teachers who got in on the fun.

Galinsky Academy hosts celebration of its newest consecration classes

By Galinsky Academy

The First Grade classes from the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School and Bernard & Alice Selevan Religious School recently celebrated their Haggigat Ha Siddur together, marking the beginning of their formal Jewish learning. Each

student received his or her own Siddur, which had been lovingly decorated with a custom cover by the parents, and was celebrated before the Jacksonville Jewish Center congregation at Shabbat morning services. A big mazel tov goes out to these students and their families for all their hard work and preparation.

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education

Purim is the happiest time of the year for students at the DuBow Preschool BY SUZIE POLLAK BECKER

Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

Regional science fair garners awards for Martin J. Gottlieb Day school

Early Childhood Co-Director

With Purim front and center, students at the DuBow Preschool learned about the happiest holiday on the Jewish calendar. Teachers created lesson plans and sensory craft projects revolving around the story and traditions of the holiday, and walking through classrooms, students could meet Queen Esther and King Achashverosh, who were donning tiaras and crowns. The sound of groggers (noisemakers) created Students dressed up for Purim with their masks at the DuBow Preschool by hand filled the air when the name of Haman is heard and the manot (giving food gifts) and the importance of giving hapstudents’ fine motor skills were matanot l’evyonim (helping those piness by caring for others in a better developed as they were in need). Each classroom creates more tangible way. busy kneading and rolling dough mishloach manot baskets that are DuBow Preschool has anbefore the smell of hamentashen given to families and this year, swered important questions filled the air. students have been afforded the about why giving to others makes The DuBow Preschool strives opportunity to go a step further. all of us feel good. Knowing that to create a deeper meaning with By partnering with Dignity U the school’s hands on approach the hopes that it will resonate Wear, they learned about givto teaching values lasts long after with the students. Children are ing to those in need as children the students’ time at the school taught that happiness is derived brought in undergarments and is over, gives educators great joy, by doing things that make others placed them in the collection box which is why the month of Adar happy. In addition to the reading located by the Preschool office. truly is the happiest time of the of the Megillah, the other two It’s because of activities like this year. mitzvot are reinforced, specifically related to Purim- mishloach that students are learning about

Passover matzah making class to be held at Michele Block Gan Yeladim BY NATHAN WOODS

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

Passover is coming soon and Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten is holding an extra special, and tasty celebration. On Friday, Apr. 7, from 1:30 – 2:15 p.m., Michele Block Gan Yeladim will host a Passover Matzah Making class. While there, children will learn how to mix, knead and roll dough into Participants will get to use these ingredients during the matzah making class, matzah and they’ll bake their Friday, April 7th for kids ages 3-6 dough in less than 18 minutes

so that it can be truly considered unleavened bread, or matzah. The class is open to children ages three to six. Registration fees are $10 for JCA members and $15 for non-members. For more information about this program, contact Rochelle Golomb at 904-730-2100, ext. 259 or rochelle.golomb@jcajax. org.

Fair participants pictured with their science teacher, Karianne Jaffa By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

Last month the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School held its annual seventh grade science fair, with the top five finishers going on to compete in the Northeast Florida Science and Engineering Fair against students from public and private schools across the area. At the regional level, four of the five day school students competing took home prizes, including Samantha L. and Isa Z., with hon-

orable mentions, in addition to Allie B. and Abigail F., who both captured second place ribbons. “Our science fair requires the students to work with our media specialist and language arts teachers to learn how to conduct research and write a research paper in addition to conducting their actual experiments,” said science teacher Karianne Jaffa. “These are real-world skills that will serve them well in high school and beyond.”

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Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

Torah Academy of Jacksonville students get art lesson from an Israeli artist

By Torah Academy of Jacksonville

Middle school students of the Torah Academy of Jacksonville benefited from the artistic expertise of Israeli artist Hanoch Piven in late February. Piven made a

stop in Jacksonville and held two workshops at the JCA, one of which was exclusively for Academy middle schools students. During their private session, students got to ask Piven questions about his unique technique which includes making carica-

Hit me with your best shot

tures of famous people out of household objects and even food. Students were then encouraged

to make their own self portrait using a bunch of random odds and ends donated specifically for

the event, and then display and explain their creations to their fellow classmates.

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Hazzan Jesse Holzer gets ready to get wet while manning the dunk tank at the Galinsky Academy PTA’s annual Purim Carnival

The Jacksonville Jewish News is a newspaper published monthly from August – May, with a Summer Magazine for the months of June and July. The JJN has a circulation of approximately 13,000, with three stands for pick up, in and around Mandarin. *Please note that this is a commission based, part-time position with no benefits* Interested candidates should e-mail their resume to JJN editor Matt Franzblau at mattf@jewishjacksonville.org, no later than April 15th.

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sports

Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

Israel’s surprising World Baseball Classic run ends with a ﬁnal loss to Japan

By Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Team Israel saw its Cinderella run at the World Baseball Classic end with a loss to Japan in Tokyo. Japan snapped a scoreless tie with five runs in the sixth inning on the way to an 8-3 victory, March 14th before more than 40,000 fans packed into the Tokyo Dome. Israel, the lowest-ranked team to qualify for the showcase tournament, dropped its last two games in the second round and was unable to advance to the semifinals the following week in Los Angeles. Japan, with a tournament record of 6-0, and the Netherlands advanced from Pool E. Israel had startled the baseball world by opening the tournament with four straight victories, including a 4-1 win over powerhouse Cuba in the first game of the second round. But Israel lost 12-2 to the Netherlands before their contest with Japan and needed to beat them to move on. The previous week, in the first round, the Israelis squeaked past third-ranked South Korea, 2-1, in extra innings, outscored fourth-ranked Taiwan, 15-7, and defeated ninth-ranked the Netherlands, 4-2, to finish first in Pool A with a 3-0 record. This is the first year that Israel

has qualified for the tournament, as in 2012, its inaugural WBC squad narrowly missed advancing past the qualifiers. The team left Japan having figured out how to assemble a team that can compete internationally in recruiting Jewish players with minor league and major league experience. Though the best Jewish players, like Ryan Braun and Ian Kinsler, did not join the team, Israel had enough talent to beat teams from Cuba, the Netherlands, South Korea and Taiwan. Most of the players are American Jews, among them several former major leaguers. WBC rules state that players who are eligible for citizenship of a country may play on its team and Jews and their grandchildren, and the grandchildren’s spouses, have the right to become Israeli citizens. The team appeared on the field at each game for the national anthem of Israel, the ‘Hatikvah’, with matching blue kippahs, and the club’s mascot, ‘Mensch on a Bench’ gained international fame and a fervent following as a result.

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chabad news

Interactive community Passover Seder will take place at Chabad of S. Johns By Chabad of S. Johns

Come celebrate our freedom by drinking four cups of exquisite kosher wine at an inspirational Seder, complete with a gourmet Passover dinner and the original hand-made Shmurah Matzah. The wine served will certainly not be your Bubbie’s old bottle of Manischewitz that she’s been trying to get rid of for decades. That’s why you’re invited to take a journey through the Haggadah, singing or learning the traditional Seder songs, stories, and spiritual insights. A bonus throughout the evening will be that the kids will get to open mystery boxes which will help them experience the story of our Exodus. Come with your kids, your grandmother, your aunt, uncle and all your cousins, even your

Insights on the Torah Portion Shabbos Mornings, 8:30 a.m., with instructor Rabbi Mendy Browd. Exploring The Talmud Tuesday evenings after Maariv with instructor Rabbi Mendy Browd.

grandkids, or the entire Jewish family tree to the Seder experience you will all remember for a lifetime. The Community Seder at Chabad of St. Johns will take place

Monday, Apr. 10, where appetizers and candle lighting will be at 7:15 p.m., and the Seder will start at 7:45 p.m.

Women’s Study Group Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m., with instructor Rebbetzin Rivkie Kahanov. Shabbos Live - Join us for a memorable Shabbat dinner and monthly oneg. The dinner is free and open to all to experience the feeling of holiness that only Shabbat can bring. Great food, insightful discussion, Chassidic melodies and a warm ‘Heimish’ atmosphere is to be had. Call 904-262-6641 for more information or to reserve a spot. Southside CHS - Chabad Hebrew School on the Southside - Mid-Year enrollment is now open. At CHS Jewish learning is meaningful and fun. The school enjoys a well-earned reputation as a trendsetter in creative Jewish education for children ages 5-13. From lively interactive classroom discussions to exciting hands on learning programs, it’s unique learning experience will engage, excite, involve, and inspire young minds and hearts. School is held Sundays from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Visit SouthsideChabad.com for more information.

Chabad at the Beaches’ annual Purim celebration was held early last month and the event included a fun interactive Megillah Reading, followed by a meal that featured delicious South American cuisine, where attendees created their own tacos and washed them down with Brazilian drinks and enjoyed Hamantashen for dessert. Live entertainment was on site and a costume contest was even held for those who dressed up, so there was plenty of fun and excitement for everyone at the Aaron and Blanche Scharf Chabad Center in Ponte Vedra. Photos by Larry Tallis

Hamentashen, groggers and Purim spirit found at the Chabad of S. Johns By Chabad of S. Johns

The kids each created a colorful and creative ‘I-Spy’ Grogger to help them keep quiet during the Megillah Reading and then used it to make lots of noise every time they heard Haman’s name being read out loud

Chabad of Southside to host its annual community Passover Seder Community members are invited to relive the Passover exodus with Rabbi Shmuli Novack and participate in Chabad of the Southside’s 12th annual community Seders to be held, Friday April 10th and Saturday April 11th. Both Seders will feature rich discussion about Passover from the English/Hebrew Haggadah, enabling participants to truly enjoy the authentic Seder. Master chef Kobe Fedida is catering the

Clay County Tanya Class - Practical Spirituality for Everyday Life. Held Shabbos mornings from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Mandarin/HQ Daily Chassidic Philosophy Held weekday mornings, Monday – Friday, 6:40 a.m., Sundays 8:15 a.m., with instructor Rabbi Yossie Kahanov.

By Chabad at the Beaches

By Southside Chabad

upcoming and ongoing events

Shabbat Beginner’s Service – Held at 12 p.m. followed by a light Kiddush.

Chabad at the Beaches’ Purim party proves to be an international event

The kids at GROW’s after school enrichment program are always busy exploring the next Jewish holiday. Last month they learned all about Mordechai and Esther, Haman and King Achashveirosh, and how G-d saved the Jewish people from destruction in the Ancient Persian Empire. We celebrate by eating Hamentashen, a triangular Purim cookie, just like Haman’s three-cornered hat and at GROW, if we’re going to eat it, we’re definitely going to make it ourselves.

Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

event featuring Uruguayan beef, a selection of fine wines and imported hand-made Shmurah Matzah. Rabbi Novack, Director of Chabad of Southside, will facilitate the intergenerational program. The community Passover Seder will be held at the Chabad, located at 11271 Alumni Way and costs $54 per adult and $18 per child/student. Reservations must be made in advance by contacting Chabad at 904-646-4434 or by visit its official website at southsidechabad.com. Master Chef Kobe Fedida

Yoga and Torah for Women: Unleash Your Inner Strength Invigorating Yoga exercise followed by delicious and healthy refreshments and a thought provoking discussion of Jewish wisdom. No prior Jewish Education or Yoga Experience necessary. Class meets every other Wednesday evenings by the St. Johns Town Center. To RSVP visit SouthsideChabad.com

or call 904-646-4434. Saturday Morning Shabbat Services Join us for services with Rabbi Shmuli Novack in a warm, friendly atmosphere. Our nonjudgmental philosophy embraces everyone, regardless of commitment or religious background. Services are held at 10:30 a.m., in a traditional setting, with a contemporary message. A traditional cholent luncheon follows services. Visit SouthsideChabad.com for more information. S. Augustine Kabbalah and Coffee - Sunday mornings from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Torah Studies – Examining the weekly Torah portion, Wednesday evenings from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Beginners Shabbat Services and Kiddush – Held Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. S. Johns GROW MyPalette Series - Grow After-School Enrichment Program begins a new six-week course, entitled ‘MyPalette’, starting Tuesday Apr. 25. The GROW After-School Enrichment Program takes place every Tuesday at Durbin Creek Elementary School. For more info visit JewishSJohnsCounty.com/ GROW. Torah & Tea Series – Held Mondays at 7:30 p.m., where we will join together with Jewish women for inspiring Torah discussions, Jewish meditation, camaraderie, hot tea, and delicious refreshments. The feminine Spirituali-Tea! For more information Email:Dini@ JewishSJohnsCounty.com Hebrew School for Grownups Your informal space to refresh your knowledge of Judaism. You’ll gain a basic knowledge of Jewish practice and an understanding of why we Jew-it. You’ll also delve into the deeper, more mystical aspects of Jewish life. Contact info@JewishSJohnsCounty.com for more info. BLT - Join us once a month on Sunday morning for Bagels, Lox and Tefillin. Upcoming BLT will be held, Sunday Apr. 2 at 9:30 a.m. For more info call 904-701-4422 or email: Rabbi@JewishSJohnsCounty. com .

www.chabadjacksonville.org

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Jacksonville Jewish News â&#x20AC;˘ April 2017

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federation news

The Jewish Federation of Jacksonville thanks you for your support! We appreciate our donors and want to express this each month in the Jacksonville Jewish News. Thank you to the following donors who have made a commitment to support our 2016-17 Federation Annual Campaign as of March 15, 2016. Names in BOLD & LIGHT BLUE denote a gift that was made since Feb. 6, 2017 (after Super Sunday). Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abel Dr. and Mrs. Mark Abramson Dr. and Mrs. Scot Ackerman Mrs. Toby Ackerman Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Ackerman Dr. and Mrs. Tony Adelson Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Adler Mr. and Mrs. David Adler Dr. and Mrs. Philip Adler Mr. and Mrs. Scott Allerding Mr. and Mrs. Norman Allison Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Alterman Mr. and Mrs. Allen Altman Ms. Rosa Alvarez Ms. Barbara Ames Ms. Jacqueline Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Greg Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Allan Andrew Mr. and Mrs. Marc Angelo Mrs. Sybil Ansbacher Mr. and Mrs. Larry Appel Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Appelbaum Mr. Robert Armel Mr. and Mrs. William Arnold Mr. and Mrs. Henry Arnold Mr. and Mrs. Mark Atkins Ms. Sara August Mr. Philip Axelrod Mr. and Mrs. Frank Backilman Dr. Guilad Pribluda and Ms. Ashley Backlund Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bailet Mr. and Mrs. David Bailys Mrs. Audrey Baker Dr. and Mrs. Robert Baker Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Bannon Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Barkowitz Dr. and Mrs. Harold Baumgarten Mr. and Mrs. Ben Becker Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Beckerman Ms. Sarah Beekman Mrs. Mary Beissinger Mr. and Mrs. Morris Bendit Mr. and Mrs. Jean Benjamin Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bennett Mr. and Mrs. Odell Bennett Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Bennett Dr. and Mrs. Guy Benrubi Dr. Isidore D. Benrubi Mr. and Mrs. Greg Berger Mr. Martin Berger Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Berger Mr. Daniel Bergman Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Berke Ms. Danielle Berke Mrs. Steve Bermudez Mr. and Mrs. Larry Bernard Dr. Anne Bernstein Ms. Carolee Bertisch Mr. Herschel Bettman Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bettman Mrs. Adrienne Biber Mr. and Mrs. Alan Bick Mr. and Mrs. David Bielski Mr. and Mrs. Abe Bielski Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Blattner Mr. and Mrs. Larry Blaustein Block Family Mr. and Mrs. Fred Blum Ms. Stacey Blum Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Blumenfeld Mrs. Sue Ann Blumenthal Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Board Mr. Al Bogacius and Ms. Carol Doyle Mrs. Traude Bohrman Mrs. Josephine Bonnett Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bossen Mr. Wiatt Bowers Mr. and Mrs. David Boyer Dr. Joy and Mr. Steven Boyne Mr. and Mrs. James Brady Ms. Michelle Branly Mr. and Mrs. Warren Brattner Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Breault Mrs. Ruchel Broadman Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Brodsky Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bronowitz Mr. and Mrs. Richard Browdy Dr. and Mrs. Andy Brown Mrs. Estelle Brust Drs. Robert and Suzanne Bryskin Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Bubis Dr. and Mrs. Dennis Buchman Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Buckley Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Burke Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Burns Mr. and Mrs. Howard Buss Cantor and Ms. Henry Butensky Mrs. Felice Caliestro Mr. and Mrs. Paul Cantor Mr. and Mrs. Steven Cantor Mrs. Barbara Carman Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Chait Mr. and Mrs. Barry Chefer Ms. Miriam Chefer Dr. and Mrs. Mark Cheiken Mr. and Mrs. Allan Cheiken Mr. and Mrs. Alan Chepenik Dr. Colleen Bell and Mr. Craig Cherrin Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Cherry Ms. Susan Cherry Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Chiapetta Mrs. Rita Clark Ms. Carol Cohane Mr. and Mrs. Allan Cohen Ms. Gail Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Norman Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Martin Cohen Rabbi and Mrs. Matt Cohen Ms. Joanne Cohen Dr. and Mrs. Donald Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Perry Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Melvyn Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Meir Cohen Mrs. Marion Cohn-Spitzner Mr. and Mrs. Jack Coleman Mr. and Mrs. Edward Constain Mrs. Maxine Cooper Mr. and Mrs. Mark Cooper Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Coplan Ms. Cheryl Covitz Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Crafton Dr. and Mrs. Richard Crovatto Mr. and Mrs. Walter Crowder Mr. and Mrs. Steven Cutler Mrs. Sheri Daar Mr. and Mrs. Albert Datz Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Datz

Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Datz Ms. Joan Davidow and Mr. Stuart Glass Drs. Leo and Joanne Davis Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Dayan Mr. and Mrs. Jim De Arman Mr. and Mrs. Jon DeBardeleben Ms. Angela Deese-Theobald Mr. and Mrs. Moti Demri Mrs. Marilyn Desser Dr. and Mrs. Robert Diamant Mrs. Helen Diamond Mr. and Mrs. Scott Dreicer DuBow Family Mr. and Mrs. Michael Duncan Mr. and Mrs. Alexius Dyer Mr. and Mrs. Dan Edelman Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Edelman Mrs. Goldie Edelstein Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Edwards Mr. and Mrs. Martin Edwards Dr. Barry Efron Ms. Gloria Einstein Mrs. Judy R. Eisen Mrs. Elizabeth Eisenberg Mr. and Mrs. Jack Eisenberg Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Elikan Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Elinoff Mr. and Mrs. Michael Elkin Dr. and Mrs. Mark Emas Dr. and Mrs. Warren Endes Dr. and Mrs. Warren Enges Mr. and Mrs. Neal Esserman Mrs. Fern Estner Ms. Laura Evans Ms. Arlene Faracchio Mr. and Mrs. Dave Fastenberg Ms. Betsy Federman Dr. Denise Sherman and Mr. Yakov Feig Rabbi and Mrs. Avi Feigenbaum Dr. and Mrs. Neil Feinglass Ms. Harriet Feinglass Mr. and Mrs. Edward Feldman Mr. and Mrs. Alan Feldman Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Feldman Mr. and Mrs. Brian Feldman Dr. and Mrs. Michael Fetner Drs. Howard and Dina Fetner Ms. Gaye Feuer Ms. Etta Fialkow Mrs. Luba Finegold Mr. Alex Finelt Ms. Anna Finelt Mr. and Mrs. Neal Finkelstein Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Fischer Mr. and Mrs. Paul Fischoff Ms. Billie Fishel Mr. and Mrs. Myron Flagler Mr. Dave Flagler Mr. Matt Flagler Mr. and Mrs. Martin Flamm Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fleet Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fleet Ms. Kaitlin Flynn Ms. Bobbie Fost Ms. Deborah Foust Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Fox Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Fox Ms. Sarah Fraden Mr. Matthew Franzblau Ms. Ariel Frechtman Mr. and Mrs. Michael Freedman Mrs. Marilyn Freedman Dr. and Mrs. Marc Freeman Dr. and Mrs. Michael Freeman Mr. and Mrs. Steven Friedman Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Friedman Mr. and Mrs. Adam Frisch Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Frohman Mr. and Mrs. Melvyn Fruit Judge Jerry Funk Ms. Elaine Furman Mr. and Mrs. Paul Furman Mr. and Mrs. Oren Gahanian Mr. and Mrs. Harold Garber Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gare Ms. Nicola Garner Mrs. Zelda Gartner Mr. and Mrs. Simon Garwood Mr. Victor Gaukhman Mr. and Mrs. Larry Geller Mrs. Alois Gendzier Mr. Sheldon Gendzier and Ms. Estelle Kritz Mrs. Sunny Gettinger Judge and Mrs. Marvin Gillman Mr. and Mrs. Randall Ginzig Mr. and Mrs. Marc Gladstone Mr. Peter Levy and Ms. Kim Glasgal Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Glassman Mr. and Mrs. Martin Goetz Mrs. Carole Goldberg Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Goldberg Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Goldberg Ms. Lauren Goldenberg Mr. and Mrs. Ira Goldfield Mr. David Golding and Ms. Leslie Carmel Mrs. Muriel Goldman Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Goldman Mrs. Hilda Goldman Mr. Kenneth Goldman Dr. and Mrs. Roy Goldman Mrs. Irma Goldman Mr. and Mrs. David Goldman Mr. Alan Goldman Mr. and Mrs. Marty Goldmintz Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Goldring Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Goldsmith Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Goldstein Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Goldstein Mr. and Mrs. Allen Goldstein Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Goldstein Mr. Harvey Goldstein Ms. Janet Goldstein Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Goodfarb Rabbi and Mrs. Robert Goodman Mr. Jonathan Goodman Mrs. Gloria Goodman Mr. and Mrs. David Goodman Mr. and Mrs. Steven Goranson Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Gordon Mr. and Mrs. Dale Gosa Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Goshen Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Jarzyna Gottlieb Family Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Gottlieb Mr. and Mrs. Chris Gould Mr. and Mrs. John Grado Dr. and Mrs. Neill Graff-Radford

Dr. and Mrs. Lloyd Granat Dr. and Mrs. Brett Gratz Ms. Ashley Gray Mr. and Mrs. Mark Green Dr. and Mrs. Alvin Green Dr. and Mrs. Jesse Greenblum Dr. and Mrs. Michael Greenburg Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Greenfield Dr. Mickey Greenfield Mr. and Mrs. Steven Greenhut Dr. and Mrs. Earl Greenwald Ms. Gari Greenwald Mr. and Mrs. Edward Grenadier Ms. Ilisa Griffin Mr. Matthew Grinnan Mr. and Mrs. James Grinnan Mrs. Brenda Gross Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Arnold Mr. Marc Grosse and Ms. Lisa Ross Mr. and Mrs. Michael Grossinger Mrs. Dolly Grunthal Mr. and Mrs. Scott Gutterman Drs. Randall and Shoshana Haas Ms. Amy Hadden Dr. and Mrs. Jesse Halpern Ms. Gabrielle Hamaoui Mr. Peter Hammer Mrs. Cynthia Handmaker Mrs. Bonnie Hardy Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Hare Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harris Mr. and Mrs. Alan Harrison Rabbi and Mrs. Shaya Hauptman Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayflick Mrs. Sonie Hecht Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hedrick Mrs. Leslie Held Mr. Steven Heller Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Herman Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Hernandez Ms. Dena Heyman Mr. and Mrs. Ken Hilbert Mr. John Nelson and Ms. Murren Hill John and Helen Hill Ms. Karen Hill Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hirsch Rabbi Joseph Hirsch Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hodor Mr. David Hoffman Mr. Royal Holian Mr. and Mrs. Jay Holiday Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Holzer Hazzan and Mrs. Jesse Holzer Mrs. Nancy Honig Mrs. Wendy Honigman Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Horn Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Horovitz Mr. and Mrs. Elliott Horovitz Ms. Sheila Horowitz Mr. and Mrs. Jason Hunt Mr. Arthur Hurwitz Ms. Janet Healy and Mr. Charles Hyman Mrs. Amanda Ibrahim Mr. and Mrs. Michael Isakbayev Ms. Helene Isolica Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Israel Mrs. Judith Israel Mrs. Marlene Israel Mr. and Mrs. Larry Jaben Dr. and Mrs. Ira Jackler Mr. and Mrs. Ted Jackrel Mr. and Mrs. George Jackson Mr. Marc Jackson and Ms. Ann Tiefenthaler Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Jacobs Mr. and Mrs. Brian Jacobs Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Jacobs Mr. Darryl Jacobson Mr. and Mrs. Sam Jacobson Mr. and Mrs. James Jaffa Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jaffa Mr. and Mrs. Larry Jaffe Mr. and Mrs. Jon Jagodinski Ms. Gail Jarrett Mrs. and Mr. Alexa Jenkins Mrs. Lorraine Jenkins Mrs. Stacey Jewesak Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Jolles Dr. Edward Joseph Ms. Sharon Juhasz Mr. and Mrs. Norman Kagan Mr. and Mrs. Alan Kagan Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kahn Mr. and Mrs. Perry Kale Mr. and Mrs. Herb Kaminsky Mr. Jeffry Wollitz and Ms. Randy Kammer Dr. and Mrs. Jesse Kane Dr. and Mrs. Robert Kanner Dr. and Mrs. Larry Kanter Mr. and Mrs. Jay Karp Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Karsin Mr. and Mrs. Alan Katz Dr. and Mrs. David Katz Ms. Libby Katz Mr. and Mrs. Manfred Katz Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kaufman Mr. and Mrs. Martin Kaufman Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Kaunitz Mr. and Mrs. Donald Kaye Mr. Robert Kaye Mrs. Barbara Kazin Mr. and Mrs. Benjay Kempner Mr. and Mrs. Jim Kempner Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kersun Judge and Mrs. Morton Kesler Ms. Sharon Kesler Ms. Marcia Kessler Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kessler Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf Kigel Mr. and Mrs. David Kight Ms. Simone Kilbourn Dr. and Mrs. Garry Kitay Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Klausner Mr. and Mrs. Gil Kleiner Mr. Hy Kliman Ms. Janice Knack Mr. and Mrs. Myron Kodner Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kopp Mr. and Mrs. Brett Koretzky Mr. and Mrs. Howard Korman Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Korn Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kornhauser Mr. Yefim Brunfon and Mrs. Polina Koropova Mr. and Mrs. Eric Korzyniowski Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Kossoff Mrs. Sylvia Kraemer Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kraemer Dr. and Mrs. Alan Krantz

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kraus Mr. and Mrs. Leo Kreisel Ms. JoAnn Krestul Mrs. Carolyn Krestul Mrs. Barbara Kristal Ms. Ann Kristal Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Kuhbander Mr. and Mrs. Martin Kulchin Mr. Don Kupfer Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Kurtz Dr. and Mrs. Ron Kushner Mr. Carl Kutlin Mr. and Mrs. Grant Kuvin Dr. and Mrs. Dennis Lafer Mr. and Mrs. Eric Land Ms. Rebecca Landerman Mr. Howard Laner Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Langer Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lantinberg Mrs. Sonya Lasris Mr. and Mrs. James Lawson Mrs. Naomi Lazar Mr. and Mrs. Eric Leach Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Leach Mr. and Mrs. Edward Leader Mr. and Mrs. Richard Leavitt Ms. Jean Lebowitz and Ms. Thelma Lebowitz Mrs. Dorothy Legum Ms. Sybil Lehr Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Leif Mr. and Mrs. Stephan Leimberg Ms. Tilde A. Lerman Dr. and Mrs. Eli Lerner Mrs. Louise Leve Drs. Jeff and Ilene Levenson Dr. and Mrs. H. Ronald Levin Mr. and Mrs. Michael Levin Mrs. Pearl Levin Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell Levine Mrs. Eileen Levine Mr. and Mrs. Arnie Levine Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Levine Ms. Robin Levine Mr. and Mrs. Mark Levine Ms. Stefanie Levine Mr. Alan Levinson Mr. and Mrs. Don Levinson Ms. Carol Levitan Levy Memorial Fund Mr. and Mrs. Philip Levy Ms. Lillie Ray Levy Ms. Alexandra Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Sam Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Larry Lieberman Mr. Tyler Curl and Ms. Jessica Ligator Dr. Leonard Lipkin Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Lipsky Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lissner Mrs. Muriel Litt Dr. and Mrs. Marc Litt Mr. Mark Lodinger Mr. and Mrs. Herman Lodinger Dr. David Loeb Mr. and Mrs. Alan Loeser Ms. Joan Logan Ms. Rhoda London Ms. Esther LoPiano Ms. Sherri Louer Ms. Maigret Loureiro Ms. Joanne Lowell Ms. Sylvia Lubliner Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner and Mrs. Susan Lubliner Ms. Marcia Luettchau Drs. Robert and Anne Lufrano Ms. Lucille Lustig Mrs. Betty Lustig Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mack Ms. Gabrielle E. Magid Mr. Leonard Magid and Mrs. Claudia Baker Mr. and Mrs. Steven Mail Mrs. Raquel Maiman Mr. and Mrs. Leonardo Maiman Ms. Stephanie Majeskey Mrs. Amy Malkin Mrs. Ilana Manasse Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Marcus Mr. and Mrs. John Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Margol Mr. and Mrs. Drew Margol Mrs. Marilyn Margol Mr. and Mrs. Alan Margolies Mr. and Mrs. Adam Marko Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Marks Ms. Caroline Marks Dr. and Mrs. Alan Marks Ms. Dana Marmari Mr. and Mrs. Adam Marmelstein Mr Howard Capland and Ms Jeanne Maron Dr. Donald Mars Dr. Ronald Mars Mr. Ben Marsh Mrs. Phyllis Martin Mr. and Mrs. Michael Martinez Mrs. Pearl Marton Dr. and Mrs. Mike Mass Mr. Adam Mautner Mrs. Deinya Mautz Mrs. Charlotte Mayo Mrs. Hilda Mazo Mr. and Mrs. Leo McCarthy Mr. and Mrs. Tom McNett Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Meisel Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Melamed Mr. and Mrs. Walter Menaged Mr. and Mrs. Myron Mensh Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Meritt Mr. and Mrs. Paul Metlin Mr. and Mrs. Yosef Meyer Mr. and Mrs. Tony Milian Mr. Matt Miller Mr. Michael Miller Mrs. Melissa Miller Mrs. Margaret Miller Mr. and Mrs. David Miller Alexandra Miller Bequest Mr. Daniel Miller and Ms. Lior Spring Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Millrood Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Mintzer Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Mirensky Dr. and Mrs. Jon Mitzmacher Mr. and Mrs. Steven Mizrahi Mr. and Mrs. Jack Mizrahi Mrs. Judy B. Mizrahi Mr. and Mrs. Alan Mizrahi Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Montagna

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Morgan Dr. and Mrs. Craig Morgenthal Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Morris Mr. and Mrs. Joel Morris Mr. and Mrs. Charles Moskovitz Mr. Andrew Yellen and Ms. Ruthellen Mulberg Ms. Geri Myers Ms. Kathy Myers Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Myers Judge and Mrs. Bernard Nachman Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Nadler Dr. and Mrs. Peter Natale Dr. and Mrs. Alan Nathans Ms. Maria Natovitch Drs. Steven and Tmima Neihaus Mr. and Mrs. Lon Neuman Mr. and Mrs. Robert Newman Mr. and Mrs. William Newman Mr. and Mrs. Michael Nicotra Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nied Drs. Michael and Sue Nussbaum Mr. and Mrs. Richard Nykerk Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Nykerk Ms. Linda Oberdorfer Mr. Andrew Ocean Ms. Gloria Oehlman Mr. and Mrs. Moshe Ohayon Mr. and Mrs. Jais Ohayon Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Olesker Mrs. Donne Ordile Mr. and Ms. Albert Osborne Mr. and Mrs. Morrie Osterer Ms. Sandra B. Overton Ms. Janice Ozer Ms. Ali Pagano Mr. and Mrs. Peter Pagano Ms. Marilyn Pagano Mr. and Mrs. Michael Paisner Ms. Leah Palestrant Mr. and Mrs. Elliott Palevsky Mr. Michael Pallen Mr. and Mrs. Brian Pargman Mr. and Mrs. Richard Passink Mr. and Mrs. John Pataky Mr. and Mrs. Herman Paul Mr. and Mrs. Michael Paul Ms. Adele Paul Mr. and Mrs. Ira Peck Mr. and Mrs. Mark Penson Mrs. Sophia Pentel Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Perin Mr. and Mrs. Donald Perlin Dr. and Mrs. Gary Perlman Dr. and Mrs. Morton Perlman Mr. and Mrs. Doronne Parras Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Persky Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Peters Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Pies Mr. and Mrs. Eric Pinnar Ms. Laura Platzer Mr. and Mrs. Michael Platzer Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Plaut Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Plotkin Mr. and Mrs. Richard Plotkin Mr. and Mrs. Jay Plotkin Mrs. Lita Poehlman Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Pollan Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Pollock Dr. Judy and Mr. Ronel Poppell Mr. and Mrs. Steven Porter Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Portnoy Mrs. Phyllis Portnoy Mr. and Mrs. Jan Pozin Mr. and Mrs. Fred Pozin Mr. and Mrs. Marc Preminger Mr. Neil Presser Mrs. Anne Presser Mr. Bradley Preuss Dr. Susan Price Mr. and Mrs. Sam Price Mr. and Mrs. Ron Price Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Priddle Ms. Terri Quint Dr. and Mrs. Marco Rand Mrs. Laura Rappaport-Spector Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Raudt Mr. Melvin Redmond Rein Family Mr. and Mrs. Ed Reinfeld Dr. Harry Reinstine Jr Mr. Edward Witlen and Ms. Marie Reitzes Mr. and Mrs. Harold Reiz Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Resnick Mrs. Barbara Resnick Ms. Sondra Resnikoff Mrs. Marian Rice Mrs. Ina Richter Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rickerson Mr. and Mrs. Matt Rickoff Mr. and Mrs. William Rifkin Mrs. Toby Ringel Dr. and Mrs. Harris Rittenberg Mr. and Mrs. Skip Roach Mrs. Linda Rodman Mr. Howard Roey Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Rogove Mr. and Mrs. Sam Rogozinski Dr. and Mrs. Chaim Rogozinski Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rohan Mr. Jeff Rood Mr. and Mrs. Don Rosborough Ms. Margaret Rose Mr. William Rose Mr. Paul E. Rosen Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Rosen Mr. Jerome Rosenbaum Mrs. Stacia Rosenblum Mr. and Mrs. Martin Rosenfield Mrs. Elaine Rosenthal Mr. and Mrs. Alan Rosner Mr. and Mrs. Steve Ross Ms. Hilary Rotenberg Dr. and Mrs. Neal Roth Mrs. Sandi Roth Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell Rothstein Mr. and Mrs. Paul Rothstein Ms. Nan Rothstein Mr. and Mrs. Grigory Royzen Mr. and Mrs. George Rubens Ms. Nancy Rubenstein Mrs. Laura Rubin and Mr. Irwin Kirk Mrs. Arlene Rubin Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Rubin Dr. and Mrs. Devon Rubin Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Ruby Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rudowitz Mr. and Mrs. Leif Rush

See DONOR LIST, p. 24

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Donor List Continued from pg. 23 Mr. Joseph Rutansky Mr. and Mrs. David Saag Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Sachs Dr. and Dr. Barbara Sharp Mrs. Carol Sack Ms. Daryl Sadowsky Ms. Jill Sadowsky Mrs. Rubye Safer Joe P. Safer Endowment Mr. and Mrs. Eliot Safer Ms. Eleanor Safer Mrs. Gaye Sager Ms. Bess Saliman Dr. and Mrs. David Sall Mr. and Mrs. Neil Sandler Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Saraga Mr. and Mrs. Mark Saye Mr. and Mrs. David Schachnovsky Dr. and Mrs. Howard Schare Dr. and Mrs. Michael Scharf Dr. and Mrs. Jay Schauben Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Scheer Judge and Mrs. Jack Schemer Ms. Amy Schemer Mrs. Frances Schemer Mr. and Mrs. William Schemer Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Schemer Mrs. Shirley Schemer Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schiller Ms. Ilene Schinasi Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Schlackman Judge and Mrs. Harvey Schlesinger Mr. and Mrs. Michael Schneider Judy and Robert Schnitzer Rabbi and Mrs. Avi Schochet Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Schulman Mrs. Laura Schulman Dr. and Mrs. Brian Schwam Mr. Brandon Schwartz Mr. Marc Schwartz Mr. and Mrs. Craig Schwartz Mr. Zachary Schwartz Mr. and Mrs. Allan Sebotnick Ms. Stephanie Seebol Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Seebol Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Sekine Selevan Family Mrs. Mimi Selig Mr. Alan Selmanoff Dr. and Mrs. Robert Selwitz Mr. Howard Serkin Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Serkin Mrs. Jeanne Serota-Schultz Dr. and Mrs. Barry Setzer Setzer Family Mr. and Mrs. Alan Setzer Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Shacter Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shafer Mr. and Mrs. Mark Shainbrown Mrs. Arlene Shainbrown Mr. Barry Shapiro Dr. and Mrs. Craig Shapiro Mr. and Mrs. Steven Shapiro Mr. and Mrs. Joel Shapiro Rabbi and Mrs. Rick Shapiro Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shenkman Mr. and Mrs. Jay Sherline Mr. and Mrs. Steven Sherman Mr. Harry Shmunes Shorstein Family Mr. and Mrs. David Shuman Dr. and Mrs. Michael Shumer Dr. and Mrs. Jules Sidle Mr. and Mrs. Edward Siegel Dr. and Mrs. Arnold Signer Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Silbar

federation news

Mr. and Mrs. Leon Silke Ms. Elaine Silver Mrs. Cynthia Silverberg Mr. and Mrs. Gary Silverfield Ms. Barbara Berlin and Mr. Robert Silverman Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Silverman Mr. and Mrs. Chris Simmons Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Simms Mrs. Deborah Simon Mrs. Julie Simon Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Sims Mr. and Mrs. Federick Singer Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sisisky Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Sherman Mrs. Irene Sloat Mr. and Mrs. Alan Smiley Ms. Laurie Smirl Mr. and Mrs. Avi Smith Ms. Dianna Smith Mr. and Mrs. Eric Smith Mr. and Mrs. Lon Smolensky Drs. Todd and Catherine Snowden Ms. Zina Sohaney Mr. and Mrs. Eugolio Soliven Dr. and Mrs. Michael Solloway Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Solomon Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Solomon Mrs. Carole Solomon Mr. and Mrs. David Spencer Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Spill Mr. and Mrs. Tom Spriggs Mrs. Elaine Stack Mr. Rob Armstrong and Ms. Barbara Stafford Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Stark Dr. and Mrs. Mandell Stearman Mr. Daniel Stein Mr. and Mrs. David Stein Ms. Ruth Stein Mrs. Marilyn Stein Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Steinberg Mr. and Mrs. Martin Steinberg Ms. Talia Steiner Mr. and Mrs. David Steinfeld Mr. and Mrs. Murray Stern Ms. Irina Stevens Ms. Adele Stewart Mr. Margulies and Mrs. Stone Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Stone Mrs. Bernice Stone Mr. and Mrs. Leon Stone Dr. and Mrs. Richard Stromberg Mr. George Strumlauf Dr. and Mrs. Saul Sussman Dr. Millie and Mr. Edward Tannen Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Tannenbaum Mrs. Marilyn Tanney Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Tavill Mr. and Mrs. Leonid Tesler Ms. Laura Thompson Mr. and Mrs. Lev Tillis Rabbi and Mrs. Howard Tilman Ms. Marion Tischler Dr. Karen Toker Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Toyzer Mr. and Mrs. Marty Trachtenberg Mr. and Mrs. Brent Trager Mr. and Mrs. Jason Trager Trager Family Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Triebwasser Mr. and Mrs. Fred Tromberg Ms. Esfir Tulchinskaya Mrs. Carol Turbow Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Turko Mr. and Mrs. Izrail Turovskiy Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Ullmann Mr. and Mrs. Sean Valliere Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Van Mrs. Hope Vandervort-Kulish Mrs. Dot Verstandig Ms. Sharon Voiron Mr. and Mrs. Vladimir Voloshin Mr. and Ms. Yan Makeev

Mr. and Mrs. Jules Wagman Mr. and Mrs. Sumner Waitz Mr. and Mrs. Ilan Wajsman Mr. Eric Wallace Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wallman Dr. and Mrs. Steven Warfield Mr. Michael Waskew and Ms. Elsa Mitschele Drs. Paul and Marte Wasserman Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Watkins Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Weihnacht Mr. and Mrs. Frank Weiner Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Weiner Dr. Joseph Weinman Mrs. Linda Weinstein Ms. Rachel Weinstein Mrs. Renee Weinstein Mrs. Margie Weinstein Mr. Daniel Weinstock Mr. and Mrs. Arlen Weintraub Mr. and Mrs. David Weintraub Mrs. Susanne Weisman Dr. and Mrs. David Weiss Mr. Mitchell Weiss and Mrs. Gale Cohen-Weiss Dr. and Mrs. Jerome Weitzen Dr. and Mrs. Jeff Weitzner Mrs. June Weltman Dr. and Mrs. Gary Weltman Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Werner Mr. and Mrs. Josh Whitman Mr. Jeff Wiener Mrs. Linda Wilkinson Mr. and Mrs. Skip Willbach Mr. Stuart Wilson Mrs. Hylda Wilson Mr. and Mrs. James Wiss Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Witt Mrs. Jacqueline Witte Ms. Carole Witten Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Wohl Ms. Kathy Wohlhuter Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Wolchok Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Wolchok Mr. and Dr. Arnie Wolf Mr. and Mrs. David Wolf Mr. and Mrs. Judah Wolf Ms. Irene Wolfe Mrs. Carole Wolpin Mr. and Mrs. Howard Wolpoff Mr. and Mrs. Frank Woodard Ms. Elaine Wright Mrs. Marjorie Wyzan Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Yahre Mrs. Elsie Yellin Mr. Leon Yergin and Ms. Caryn Kenny Mr. and Mrs. Larry Yeston Dr. Harry Yoffee Dr. and Mrs. Brian Young Mr. and Mrs. Donald Young Dr. and Mrs. Larry Young Mr. and Mrs. Dana Zaifert Mr. and Mrs. David Zavon Ms. Anita Zeldin Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ziemba Zimmerman Family Mrs. Barbara Zimmerman Mr. Sandy Zimmerman Mr. Jonathan Zisser Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Zisser Mr. and Mrs. Barry Zisser

Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

Executive Director’s Msg: 2017 Campaign Update

As we send the April issue of the JJN off to be printed, our 2017 campaign stands at $1,823,000 and we have an additional $591,000 outstanding on 350 gifts. If we can realize all of this outstanding money we will raise more than last year. This is where many of our family of contributors have the opportunity to respond. If you have yet to make your gift to the 2017 campaign, please consider doing so at this time. As a donor, you know that the work of our major local recipient agencies and our synagogues, together, make this a wonderful place in which we live and raise our families. You also know that our overseas partner agencies take care of our fellow Jews in Israel and in more than 70 countries throughout the world. I wanted to just briefly touch on two unmet needs that I hope

will compel you to contact us and make your 2017 gift. First, we now have more than 80 Holocaust survivors living in Northeast Florida and JFCS has the responsibility to try to provide for all of them. Unfortunately, half live at or below the poverty level but your gift will help us to do all we can for these Jewish seniors and survivors. Second, to mirror this unmet need overseas, in the former Soviet Union there are also elderly Jews who every day have to choose between food and medicine. The JDC addresses their needs and we provide funds to help to make this happen for hundreds of thousands our fellow Jews, many of whom survived the Holocaust. Passover begins in just a few days and as is the case with many of our holidays, this joyous holiday offers us the opportunity to count our blessings. Let’s continue to support our annual campaign and let’s continue to be a blessing to those who are less fortunate and need our continued financial assistance. Thank you, and Chag Pessach Semeach,

Alan Margolies Executive Director

Proposed slate of oﬃcers announced by Federation By Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

In accordance with the bylaws of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, the nominating committee, chaired by past president Larry Appel, presents to the members of the Jewish community a proposed slate of officers and board members for the fiscal year July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018. Election and installation will occur at the annual meeting to be held Thursday, June 8th at River Garden. Any changes or additions to this list will be noted in the next issue of the Jacksonville Jewish News. The executive committee will include: Ken Jacobs, president; Iris Kraemer, vice president and campaign chair; vice presidents, Andrew Jaffa, Daniel Miller, Sue Nussbaum, Allison Jacobs, vice president and women’s division president; Debbie Banks Kitay, women’s campaign chair; Jen Plotkin; treasurer, Kim Glasgal, secretary; Shylie Bannon, rGEN chair; Sandy Zimmerman immediate past president; Mitchell Levine, presidential appointee. Board members include: Susan Cohen (River Garden), Ali Kor-

man Shelton (Jewish Community Alliance), Jodie Leach (Jewish Family & Community Services), Claudia Baker, Susan DuBow, Jeff Edwards, Dina Fetner, Mark Green, Risa Herman, Jon Israel, Michael Korn, Mark Kraemer,Sue Levine, Ben Marsh, Judy Silverman, Jeanine Rogozinski, Emily Rosenbaum, Diane Rothstein, Zachary Schwartz, Nicole Sena Brown, Mike Solloway, Haley Trager, Susan Wolchok, Eugene Wolchok, Barry Zisser. Past president/honorary life members include: Scot Ackerman, Larry Appel, Guy Benrubi, Jack Coleman, Ronald Elinoff, Leslie Held, Joan Levin, Mitchell Levine, Gary Perlman, David Robbins, Kenneth Sekine, Leonard Setzer, Steve Silverman, Richard Sisisky, Arnold Vandroff and Elliot Zisser. Rabbis include: Rabbi Yaakov Fisch, Rabbi Rick Shapiro, Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner and Rabbi Michael Matuson.

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Jacksonville Jewish News â&#x20AC;¢ April 2017

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Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

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JEWISH COMMUNITY alliance

JCA’s annual fundraiser proves to be a chic and most successful event

Guests enjoyed the JCA’s annual fundraiser, Bright Lights Big City, with honorary chairs the Block Family, on February 25, 2017 at the JCA.

Another season of the Young Concert Artists Series ﬁnishes at the JCA BY IMAN BYFIELD

Jewish Community Alliance

Each year, the Young Concert Artists Series at the Jewish Community Alliance brings talented, rising classical musicians to Jacksonville. The concerts draw music lovers from across the city to enjoy works by renowned composers performed by winners of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions. Young Concert Artists is a nonprofit organization that discovers and promotes the careers of exceptional, emerging young concert musicians. Winners of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions receive career support

and extensive performing experience. The Young Concert Artists Series offers these young performers the opportunity to share their talent with communities across the country. These artists reach audi-

ences of all ages via concerts and companion events. The January JCA concert featured a performance by pianist Tomer Gewirtzman who played renditions of Sonata in B Minor

S. 178 by Franz Liszt as well as selections by John Corigliano and François Couperin. He also led an interactive program with JCA youth members during a JCAtion day event.

In mid-February, The Zorá String Quartet visited the JCA and delighted the audience with Mozart’s String Quartet No. 15 in D minor and Langsamer Satz by Webern. They also played a selection by Dmitri Shostakovich. Following their performance at the JCA, the quartet visited River Garden Hebrew Home for a special concert for the residents. The 2017, Young Concert Artists Series concluded in March with a masterful performance by violinist Aleksey Semenenko, whose performance included Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. Semenenko also held a companion performance at River Garden. Semenenko was accompanied by pianist Inna Firsova. For information on other cultural arts programming at the JCA, visit jcajax. org/arts.

Jewish community alliance HAPPENINGS April 2017 Nissan/Iyar 5777

For more information or to register for programs at the JCA, call 904-730-2100 or visit our official website at www.jcajax.org.

Vandroff Art Gallery

The work of Cynthia Pierson will be featured from March 30 – Apr. 26. Pierson is a former art director and illustrator for several national magazines. Her exhibit, ‘Faces and Places’, takes the viewer inside of the painting to make them wonder.

Sunday Film Series

On Apr. 2, see ‘Orchestra of Exiles’ at 2 p.m. This film tells the story of Bronisław Huberman and the origins of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. This is free to the community.

Classic Movie Magic

On Thursday, Apr. 13 at 12 p.m., see Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in ‘The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle’.

Call to Artists

The JCA seeks entries to ‘Community’ our first annual juried 2-D exhibition. Open to all media. However artists must be 18 years

of age or older. The deadline is Apr. 4. For details, visit jcajax.org/ arts.

ClearCaptions Telephones

A representative will show you how to use a large, touchscreen phone and set appointments for home installation. This FCC sponsored program is for all ages with hearing loss and free to the community. Reservations required.

Passover Israeli-Style

Join Chef Tony at Publix Apron Cooking School for a tantalizing trek through Israeli cuisine in this hands-on cooking class on Sunday, Apr. 2 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. The

fee is $45 and $30 for JCA valued members.

Adult Flag Football

Form teams of six to eight players for 5-on-5 flag football from Apr. 2 - June 4. Contact Mike at 904730-2100, ext. 254 for availability. The fee is $105 and $70 for JCA valued members.

School Year Makos Swim Team

This team introduces competitive swimming and helps prepare children for the summer league. Clinics are from April 2 - 27. Call 904-730-2100, ext. 240 for details. The kick-off party is on Sunday, Apr. 23 from 4 – 6 p.m.

JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE 2016-17 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $196,000

JV Makos Swim Team

This is for children interested in swim team. Clinics are from Apr. 3 – 24. Call 904-730-2100, ext. 240 for details.

Learn-to-Swim

Taught by certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors, classes are from Apr. 2 - 30. Call 904-730-2100, ext. 240 for details.

Eating and Exercise

Baptist Health Wellness Connexion coach Amaris Chrispell, RN, CPT, shows you how to combine nutrition with targeted toning exercises on Thursdays, Apr. 6 – 27, from 6 – 7 p.m. The fee $90 and $60 for JCA valued members.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

JEWISH FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES Briefs PJ Library

PJ Library, the award winning free program for books and music is open to all families with Jewish children in Jacksonville. If your children are between the ages of six months and eight years, they are eligible. Please sign up now by going to pjlibrary.org/communities/jacksonville, or calling Whitney Kuvin at 904-3945724.

Meals4You

JFCS in partnership with River Garden is pleased to bring you our meal program, Meals4You, from our kitchen to yours. Meals are delicious, nutritious, convenient and delivered right to your door. Jewish dietary laws are observed. Call Whitney for more information at 904-394-5724.

Call2Go JFCS is now using a Lyft product called Concierge, which allows JFCS to arrange rides on behalf of its clients, including the ability to schedule rides up to a week in advance. Lyft has also partnered with GreatCall, a senior focused cell phone company, which will help seniors use Lyft without having to navigate the smart phone app. Anyone using a Jitterbug phone can now simply press ‘0’ and arrange a ride with the company. To learn more or schedule rides, please call Whitney Kuvin at 904-6609268.

Inclusion recognition breakfast held in February during Jewish disability month By Jewish Family & Community Services

JFCS sponsored a breakfast in February to celebrate Jewish Disability Awareness Month. JFCS wanted to thank and recognize the people involved in its Inclusion Program for their continued support and involvement with the organization and the day schools where agency employees work, such as Torah Academy of Jacksonville and the Galinsky Academy. JFCS’ program has grown at a rate of more than 300-percent since it first started, when in 2013 there was only a Special Education Teacher. The program was slowly expanded to add a part-time Guidance Counselor to the roster. The

following year a full-time school counselor and special education teacher were brought on board and their services were split between the two day schools. The following year a tutor was added to Torah Academy and a part-time special education teacher to the Galinsky Academy. This school year at the Galinsky Academy JFCS has a full-time special education teacher, a part-time school counselor and a special education teacher/supervisor. The Supervisor oversees the entire inclusion program. Torah Academy has a part-time school counselor and a part-time tutor to help their students achieve success. A mental health therapist is also on hand who works at both the Jacksonville Jewish Center and Beth El – The Beaches’ religious schools to sup-

port students who have disabilities. Since the start of the JFCS Inclusion program, the number of children served has tripled, and during the past four school years parents, teachers and students have been engaged in more than 170 meetings or workshops. Just this school year, work efforts were increased from 226 students in Aug.

to 600 students in Jan. 2017. These numbers represent the multiple times the students are interacted with. The JFCS inclusion team and the students they serve thank you for your continued support and they are proud of this vital way in which JFCS supports the Jewish community of Northeast Florida.

PJ Library visits River Garden with socks, stories, and songs By Jewish Family & Community Services

In late February, PJ Library visited River Garden Senior Services, where the amazing Hannah Silverstein led the residents and kids in song and dance followed by two very special guest readers. Two of the River Garden residents read PJ Library books to the little ones. As always, the children love to be read to and enjoyed the intergenerational books about Bubbies and Zaydes. After lots of snacking, each child sat with a resident and colored pictures, then made no slip socks for the residents to keep. A big thanks goes out to River Garden for hosting PJ Library.

Searching for identity to focus on the Second Gen

Stacey Goldring and Molly Kushner along with WJCT’s Melissa Ross By Jewish Family & Community Services

Jewish Healing Network

Become a Jewish Healing Network Volunteer at JFCS and help us fulfill the mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim. Volunteers are needed to make weekly visits or phone calls to a senior or deliver food to those who cannot get out. For more information, please call Gail at 904394-5723.

Searching for Identity: Focus on the Second Gen will hold a question and answer conversation Wednesday, May 10 at Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) with a pair of panelists. Those panelists include Dr. Serena L. Bloomfield, Ed.D, psychologist and psychotherapist, in addition to Kathleen F. Triebwasser, Marriage and Family Therapist/Life and Wellness Coach. Both women will hold a dialogue that will focus on matters related to children of Holocaust survivors. Stacey Goldring of Searching for Identity will moderate the discussion. All generations of Holocaust survivors and their families are welcome to attend. To submit questions in advance, email info@gen2search.com and to RSVP, e-mail Gail Furman at gfurman@jfcsjax.org or call her at 904-394- 5723.

JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES 2016-17 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $279,000

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Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA JCF Future Continued from pg. 1 Federation will then get back to Foundation’s board with their recommendation on how to proceed. While this process proceeds, the work of our Jewish Foundation continues. We have appointed an interim executive director at Foundation, and the board of directors and investment committee will continue to oversee

SUE NUSSBAUM

Foundation Board President

all Foundation activities. This is an important and exciting development for our Jewish community as we are committed to ensuring that the planned giving and endowment efforts for Jewish philanthropy in Jacksonville continue to be successful. Thank you very much

SANDY ZIMMERMAN Federation Board President

Maximizing your credits, deductions and exemptions during tax season BY MARK KRAUS

Innovative Financial Solutions

As you manage your taxes with both the near and distant future in mind, one important, constant goal will be reducing your taxable income, which equals your gross income (salary, investment earnings, etc.) after your allowable deductions and exemptions. Maximizing your deductions and exemptions, as well as taking advantage of any tax credits available to you, is a great way to start saving money on your next tax bill. Credits vs. Deductions First things first: How is a tax credit different from a tax deduction? A tax credit reduces your tax dollar for dollar—that is, a $1,000 tax credit actually saves you $1,000 in taxes. By comparison, a tax deduction reduces your taxable income, but it is only worth the percentage equal to your marginal tax bracket. For instance, if you are in the 25-percent marginal tax bracket, a $1,000 deduction saves you $250 in tax (.25 x $1,000), which is $750 less than the savings with a $1,000 tax credit. The higher your tax bracket, the more a deduction is worth, but a credit is always worth more than a dollar-equivalent deduction. Tax credits reduce your tax bill but certain restrictions, such as income limits, may apply. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) enacted in Jan. 2013 makes permanent or extends some credits for child-related tax relief. If you have dependent children, you may be eligible to claim the $1,000 child credit in 2015 for each child 17 and

• Thanks to all the teens who submitted an application to The Len and Judy Elikan Camp Scholarship Endowment Fund. The committee will select scholarship recipients by Apr. 1st. If you missed this year’s application window, but would like to be kept informed of 2018 scholarship opportunities, please email Laura Thompson, JCF Interim Executive Director at laura.thompson@ jewishfoundationnefl.org. • See our ad on this page to help us update the JCF B’Nai Tzedek Directory. We will be holding a meeting this spring to seek participants’ input in supporting nonprofit organizations in our

Mark Kraus

younger. Other family-related credits include the adoption credit and the dependent care tax credit. If you are funding a child’s education, you may be eligible for the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) through 2017, which is an enhanced, but temporary version of the Hope education tax credit. The AOTC provides a tax credit of 100-percent of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related expenses, and 25-percent of the next $2,000 per eligible student applicable to the first four years of post-secondary education. However, if the credit pays your tax down to zero, you can have 40-percent of the remaining amount of the credit (up to $1,000) refunded to you. All taxpayers may either claim a standard deduction or itemize deductions for personal expenses such as home mortgage interest. Limits apply to certain high-income taxpayers who itemize deductions. In general, a taxpayer claims an itemized deduction when the total of qualified deductible expenses exceeds the standard deduction or if the taxpayer does not qualify for the

standard deduction. For tax year 2015, the standard deduction is $6,300 for single filers; $9,250 for heads of household; and $12,600 for married joint filers. How is a deduction different from an exemption? Personal and dependent exemptions are reductions in gross income in addition to the standard deduction or itemized deductions. Every taxpayer may claim a personal exemption for him or herself, unless he or she is claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return. A married couple filing a joint return can claim two personal exemptions, one for each spouse. Even if one spouse has no income, that spouse is not considered the ‘dependent’ of the other spouse for tax purposes. Exemptions will decrease for high-income taxpayers with adjusted gross income (AGI) above a certain phase-out threshold. Above-the-Line Deductions Retaining as much of your

gross income as possible should be an ongoing objective, not something that happens only at tax time. Above-the-line deductions, if you qualify, reduce your adjusted gross income. They are so named because they are taken on your tax form just above the line where you enter your AGI. Possible deductions include certain contributions to qualified retirement accounts, student loan interest, alimony, early withdrawal penalties, and certain moving expenses. Long-Term Capital Gains and Qualified Dividends As an investor, planning your tax strategy can have a significant impact on your tax liabilities, particularly since the passing into law of ATRA. If you hold investments for more than a year, then you qualify for long-term capital gains, which involves lower rates. In fact, for those who are in the 10-percent or 15-percent tax brackets for ordinary income like

wages or interest income, longterm capital gains qualify for a special 0-percent tax rate. Even those who are in higher brackets will pay a maximum of 15-percent unless they’re in the top bracket, in which case a 20-percent maximum applies. The 20-percent rate took effect in 2013; before that, 15-percent maximums applied all the way up the income scale. To prepare an effective tax strategy, advance planning is key. The sooner you begin, the greater your savings opportunities will be. Be sure to consult your tax professional to create strategies that are right for your unique circumstances. For more information on the financial, risk and wealth management strategies that Mark Kraus, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, who is a financial Services Representative of Innovative Financial Solutions, Inc., an office of MetLife and a part of the MetLife Premier Client Group can provide, please contact him directly at 904-9246310, or markk@ioms.com.

area and abroad. • The JCF also wants to encourage all youth approaching their Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah to honor a child who didn’t get to celebrate their B’nai Mitzvah by participating in the Children of the Holocaust Program. Choose a child from one of our online resources, or from the book French Children of the Holocaust, ‘A Memorial’, by Serge Klarsfeld, available at the Foundation office. For more information or to request an application, email Laura Thompson, JCF Interim Executive Director at laura.thompson@ jewishfoundationnefl.org.

JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA 2016-17 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $83,560

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RIVER GARDEN SENIOR SERVICES

RIVER GARDEN 2016-17 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $184,000

Jacksonville Jewish News â&#x20AC;¢ April 2017

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Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

lifecycles Births

Sarah Sheindel Menaged, daughter of Rabbi Eli and Natalie Menaged of Bet Shemesh, Israel was born Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017 (25 Shevat). Her sisters Esther Shira, Simcha Leah, Batya and brother Shlomo are very excited to welcome the newest member of their family. Proud grandparents are Kathy and Morrie Osterer of Jacksonville, and Sarah and Shlomo Menaged both of blessed memory.

Sarah Menaged

Elyse Claire Patton was born Sunday, March 12, 2017 to parents Allyson and Troy Patton at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Clay County. The newborn weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. Proud grandparents are Vincent and Ellen Hare and Timothy and Catherine Patton of Fleming Island. Aunt is Elyse Patton Melanie Hare. Great grandparents are Margaret Hare and Madeleine Patton.

B’nai Mitzvah

Avi Kurinsky will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah, Sunday, Apr. 2 and will be called to the Torah, the following day, Monday, Apr. 3. Avi is the oldest of Rabbi Nochum and Reb. Leah Kurinsky’s six children. The Kurinskys, direct the Aaron and Blanche Scharf Chabad at the Beaches Center in Ponte Vedra. Avi is very social and an A+ student at the Chabad’s Cheder school and spends many extra hours each week studying Torah after school hours. Avi will complete Avi Kurinsky the study of the entire Six Volumes of Mishna at his Bar Mitzvah and this is an enormous feat, even for most adults. All the while, he still finds time to play and follow plenty of sports and is especially fond of baseball, as an avid New York Mets fan. The Bar Mitzvah also enjoys music, playing piano beautifully by ear. Avi’s parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles are very proud to join his friends and community at his special celebration. Dustin Alan Sandler, son of Laurie Sandler Bonanno, of blessed memory, grandson of Bonnie and Neil Sandler, was called to the Torah on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah, March 18, 2017 at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Sharing in the simcha was his sister Brooke Lynn Bonanno, in addition to many other friends and family. Dustin is in seventh grade at Fruit Cove Middle School, where he is excelling academically. In his spare time, he enjoys playing video games, watching YouTube, and taking part in Art Club. Dustin is participating in the Children of the Holocaust Dustin Sandler

program and B’nai Tzedek Youth Philanthropy fund, and for his mitzvah project, he raised money for Parkinson’s Disease research by finding sponsors for the annual run which will be held, Saturday, Apr. 22, in Riverside Park. Dalia Dryden, daughter of Beth Oberlander and Jeffrey Dryden, will be called to the Torah on the occasion of her Bat Mitzvah, Saturday, April 29th at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Sharing in the simcha will be her grandparents Barbara Oberlander of Gainesville and Earl and Patricia Drydenof Jacksonville, in addition to many Dalia Dryden other friends and family. Dryden is in the seventh grade at Twin Lakes Academy Middle School and enjoys participating in competitive gymnastics.

Accomplishments

Joshua Shilts, a CPA valuation expert with Villela & Shilts, LLC located in Jacksonville has recently been awarded the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) Credential by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The ABV Credential, established in 1998 by the AICPA, is granted to qualified CPAs with considerable professional experience in business valuation. Shilts met the requirements to earn the ABV credential, which include passing a rigorous exam, demonstrating significant business experience in the area of financial forensics Josh Shilts as well as completing a minimum of 75 hours of life-long learning and education activities in the area of valuation. The ABV Credential is granted exclusively to CPAs who are members in good standing of the AICPA which binds them to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct. Mazel tov to Federation campaign chair and Jacksonville attorney Ken Jacobs, who was named in the 2017 Jacksonville Business Journal Ultimate Attorney list in the business litigation category. Jacobs is managing shareholder of GrayRobinson’s Jacksonville office. He is a commercial litigator with substantial experience representing debtors and creditors in bankruptcy cases and debt workKen Jacobs outs. Jacobs is rated AV, the highest professional rating available from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, and was named a ‘Jacksonville Top Lawyer’ by 904 Magazine. He was honored in a ceremony held at the Omni Jacksonville Downtown, early last month. Mazel Tov to Benjamin Alexander Chafetz, son of Martin and Shireen Chafetz, who has been officially accepted into the distinguished American Hebrew Academy’s Honor Society. Additionally, he has been awarded the fifth Samuri Sword of Completion Banjamin Chafetz at Pak’s Karate Academy of Mandarin, where he is a third degree black belt and

a junior instructor. Chafetz is a freshman at Stanton Prep and a past graduate of Martin J. Gottlieb Day School.

business card directory

Sympathies

… To the family of Don Martin, who passed away Wednesday, March 8th. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa (Kenneth) Priddle, grandchildren Nicholas (Alexis) Glindmyer, Jordan (Paul) Yanatos and Taylor (Alyssa) Glindmyer. Funeral services were held in Dillon, S.C., and the family requests that contributions in memory of Don Martin be made to Temple’s Operating Fund. … To the family of Suzanne Dockman Greener, who passed away Saturday, March 11th at the age of 88. She is survived by her children Cindy (Dan) Edelman, Patrice (James) Marks, Julie (Franklin) Range, grandchildren Jay Meredith Stein (Joshua Zwass), Berry Stein, Zachary Edelman, Albert (Rachel) Marks, Michael Marks, Matthew Range, great grandchild Freda Zwass and sister Marjorie (Bernard) Weiss. Funeral services were held March 13th in Memphis, Tenn. The family requests that contributions in memory of Suzanne Dockman Greener be made to Abe’s Garden, 618 Church Street, Suite 220, Nashville, TN 37219, Alive Hospice of Nashville, 1807 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203, Temple Israel, 1376 E. Massey, Memphis, TN 38120 or the charity of your choice. … To the family of Henry Lasris, who passed away Monday, March 13th at the age of 96. He is survived by his children Lee (Sheri) Lasris, Roy (Betty) Lasris, Morris (Lisa) Lasris, and Faye (Rick) Ganson, sister-in-law Sonya Lasris as well as nine grand-children and three great-grandchildren. A graveside service took place March 16th, at the New Center Cemetery in Jacksonville. Minyan was held the same day at the home of Faye and Rick Ganson in Green Cove Springs. Contributions in Henry Lasris’ memory can be made to the River Garden Hebrew Home. … To the family of Susie Ehrlich, who passed away Monday, March 13th. She is survived by her daughter Betty (David) Fastenberg, son Joseph (Beverly) Ehrlich and seven grandchildren, Sammy Ehrlich (Lindsay), Jodi Weil (Jeremy), Daniel Perez (Olga), Ben Perez, Steven Fastenberg (Tracy), Lisa Fastenberg and Julie Fastenberg (Alex), in addition to four great grandchildren, Vivi and Oliver Weil, Camila Elyse Perez and Claire Fastenberg. Funeral serviced were held March 14 at the Etz Chaim Cemetery in Arlington, with Rabbi Yaakov Fisch ofﬁciating. … To the family of Jacksonville Jewish Center member Della Rosenberg, who passed away, Tuesday, March 14th at the age of 100. She is survived by her numerous nieces and nephews. A graveside service took place March 17th at the New Center Cemetery in Jacksonville. Contributions in

Della Rosenberg’s memory can be made to the Women’s Club of Starke at 201 N Walnut St., Starke, Florida 32091.

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To submit an item for life cycles, please email it to jjn@ jewishjacksonville.org. Due date is the 6th of the month. For guidelines of how to write Bar/Bat Mitzvah, wedding or obituary announcements, go to jewishjacksonville.org/news under “Share your news.”

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passover directory Chabad Clay County April 10th

(7:30 p.m.) PASSOVER SEDER EXPERIENCE – Join us for a Passover Seder experience you will remember for a lifetime at Chabad of Clay County (1760, Eagle Crest Dr.) in Fleming Island. An RSVP is required by contacting Chabad at 904-460-7020 or rabbi@jewishclaycounty.com.

S. Johns April 10th

(7:15 p.m.) COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDER - You’re invited to journey with us through the Haggadah. Sing (or learn) the traditional Seder songs, stories, and spiritual insights. 7:15 p.m. appetizers and candle lighting and then 7:45 p.m., the Seder begins.

Southside April 2nd

(10 a.m. – 12 p.m.) MODEL MATZO BAKERY Fashioned after an actual Matzo bakery, students assume the responsibilities of kneading the dough, rolling the Matzo and baking it into their very own Matzo. The cost is just $3 per child, and is free for CHS Hebrew School Students. This event is for children of all ages, but parents must accompany them. For more information visit southsidechabad.com.

April 10th & 11th

INTERGENERATIONAL PASSOVER SEDER – Seder will feature a rich discussion about Passover from the English/Hebrew Haggada, enabling participants to truly enjoy the authentic experience. Master chef Kobe Fedida is catering the event featuring Uruguayan beef, a selection of fine wines and imported hand-made Shmurah Matzah. Cost is $54 per adult and $18 per child/student and must be reserved in advance, by contacting Chabad at 904-646-4434 or going online to southsidechabad.com.

Beth El - The Beaches April 4th

(6 p.m.) MIRIAM’S SEDER - Please join us for our annual Miriam’s Seder as the story of freedom will be revisited. Traditional Passover food, salad, kugels, charoset, and desserts will be served. We will be singing and dancing-timbrels will be provided. The cost is $18 a person. To RSVP, please contact Bobby Adler at b.adler4315@ gmail.com.

April 11th

(6 p.m.) COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDER & DINNER - Please join Rabbi Matuson and the Beth El family for our Community Passover Seder and Dinner. All are welcomed to enjoy an evening of tradition, friendship and a great dinner including all of your Passover favorites. The cost is $40 for adults, $20 for children ageS 4-12, and free for children who are three years of age and younger. To RSVP, please contact Jacquie Sinder at jsinder@bethelbeaches. org or call 904-273-9100.

Etz Chaim Synagogue Passover Seders The synagogue can arrange for home hospitality for people looking to be hosted. Anyone interested in that opportunity can call the Shul office at 904-262-3565.

1st Congregation Sons of Israel April 11th

(6 p.m.) SECOND NIGHT PASSOVER SEDER - The oldest synagogue in the nation’s oldest city, will observe Passover Seder in the Max Jaffe Hall. Visiting Rabbi Joel Fox will lead a service followed by the Seder, and will be assisted by Heather Naughton. A full kosher Seder meal will be served, the service will be at 6 p.m., and the Seder will start at 6:30. For information on cost and times and to make reservations, please call 904-829-9532 or email fcsi1924@ gmail.com.

Jacksonville Jewish Center

Join Rabbi Howard Tilman and Hazzan Jesse Holzer at OUR table! 7:30 p.m., services start, with the Seder and dinner to follow. Cost is $36 per adult and $18 per child, with kids four and younger free Payments are due by Apr. 4, so to RSVP contact Rose Tincher at the Center office at 904-292-1000 or by email via rtincher@jaxjewishcenter.org.

April 17th

MATZAH PIZZA MAKING With Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner. Passover Services begin at 9 a.m. and the pizza making will follow as the entire Center congregation is cordially invited to attend.

Temple Bet Yam April 10th

(11:00 a.m.) PARPARIM MODEL SEDER DuBow Preschool.

CONGREGATIONAL PASSOVER SEDER - The cost for adult members and their guests is $36 each, $15 each for children twelve and under, and each non-members is $46. Please let us know by Mar. 31, how many of each will be attending and send a check for the total amount payable to Temple Bet Yam, P.O. Box 860098, St Augustine, FL 32086. Vegetarian meals will be provided if indicated.

(12:45 p.m.) KINDERGARTEN MODEL SEDER - Martin J. Gottlieb Day School.

Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple)

April 3rd

(9:30 a.m.) DUBOW PRESCHOOL’S PASSOVER EXPERIENCE – For the Gozalim, Doobonim, Tzavim and Kofim Classes.

(2:00 p.m.) THIRD GRADE MODEL SEDER - Martin J. Gottlieb Day School.

April 4th

(1:00 p.m.) FIRST GRADE MODEL SEDER Martin J. Gottlieb Day School. (2 p.m.) 4th & 5th GRADE PASSOVER SEDER EXPERIENCE - Martin J. Gottlieb Day School.

April 5th

(10:30 A.M.) VPK MODEL SEDER - DuBow Preschool’s Tzeeporim Classes. (4:30 p.m.) 2ND - 7TH GRADE PASSOVER EXPERIENCE - Bernard & Alice Selevan Religious School.

April 7th

(1:00 p.m.) MOUNT CARMEL RESIDENCE SEDER - Martin J Gottlieb Day School Middle School.

Jewish Community Alliance April 2nd

(4:30 – 7 p.m.) PASSOVER ISRAELI-STYLE – Held at Publix Apron Cooking School, where you’ll be able to join Chef Tony for a trek through Israeli cuisine in this hands-on cooking class and 3-course dinner with wine pairings. The fee is $45 and $30 for JCA valued members. Registration required by Mar. 27.

April 7th

(1:30 – 2:15 p.m.) PASSOVER MAKING MATZAH Children ages three to six can join Michele Block Gan Yeladim to mix, knead and roll dough into matzah. The fee is $15 and $10 for JCA valued members. (1:30 – 2:15 p.m.)

April 9th

(4:30 – 6 p.m.) CHOCOLATE SEDER - Enjoy an all-chocolate mock Seder as we recount the story of the exodus from Egypt. The fee is $15 per family. JCA valued member families are $10. Registration due by Apr. 6.

April 11th

(8:00 p.m.) CONGREGATIONAL SEDER -

April 10th

(6 p.m.) FIRST NIGHT SEDER – Join our Temple Passover Seder for an evening filled with learning, traditions, food and fun because

at the Temple we take pride in welcoming all who enter our doors, including Jews by birth, Jews by choice, interfaith families and friends of all faiths. The cost is only $38 for adults and $18 for children. A family of four (two adults and two children ages 13 and younger) are $100. Vegetarian options will be available with prior notice, so call the Temple office at 904-733-7078 or RSVP at RSVP@

thetemplejacksonville.org and we’ll be happy to save you a seat.

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passover recipes

Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

Jamie Geller’s Joy of Kosher Passover Recipe: Matzo Ball Dippers

•50 minute duration •30 minunte cook time •10 minute prep time •24 (approx.) servings Ingredients

• 4 eggs • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for shaping and browning • 2 (4.5-ounce) boxes Lipton Matzo Ball Mix • Kosher salt • Freshly cracked black pepper • 2 packed tablespoons thawed frozen spinach (squeeze out excess liquid) • 2 slices pastrami, minced • 2 slices cooked brisket, small dice • Dips: spicy mustard, BBQ sauce, chili sauce

Preperation

1. Place eggs, extra virgin olive oil, and 2 pouches of matzo ball mix in a large mixing bowl. Add a generous pinch salt and pepper. Blend with a spatula.

diced brisket in the center. Fold over the batter to encase brisket. Form into a round 1-inch sized ball. Repeat with remaining batter. 6. Drop matzo balls into boiling broth or heavily salted boiling water. Allowing room for matzo balls to double in size. You may have to do this in batches depending on the size of your pot. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minute turning matzo balls occasionally. 7. Remove matzo balls to a paper towel lined plate and gently blot with paper towels to remove excess moisture. 8. Heat a large sauté pan, lightly coated with evoo, over medium heat. Brown matzo balls until golden and crisp on all sides, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. 9. Serve Matzo Ball Dippers warm with spicy mustard, chili and BBQ sauces.

2. Divide batter evenly between three bowls. 3. Mix spinach into the 1st bowl of matzo ball batter. Mix pastrami into the 2nd bowl of matzo ball batter. The 3rd bowl is the classic batter with no mix-ins. 4. Refrigerate all 3 batters for 10 minutes. 5. With wet or lightly oiled hands form spinach and pastrami batters into 1-inch sized balls. Flatten a small portion (about 2 to 3 teaspoons) of classic matzo ball batter into the palm of your hand. Place 1 piece of

Scan QR code for video of recipe and dish being prepared on

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Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

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adult education April 2017 Nissan/Iyar 5777 To include your adult education event in this listing please email the Jacksonville Jewish News at jjn@jewishjacksonville.org, with the time/date or frequency of the event from your specific organization or synagogue, along with a short description of each program or event.

Special Events

April 2nd

Jacksonville Jewish Center (12:30 p.m.) YIDDISH ‘CLUB’ - Our monthly meetings will held in the Henry & Miriam Kramer Library. This is an informal group of all ages with varying levels of ability. Meet other local speakers to practice the language, or to just shmooze a bisl as we’ll listen to Klezmer music, watch videos and films, read and speak in Yiddish.

April 4th

Jewish Community Alliance (12 p.m.) HISTORY OF JEWS IN ENGLAND - Explore the history of Jews in England with Micki Green. Advance registration appreciated. The fee is $5; JCA valued members are free.

April 5th

Congregation Ahavath Chesed (7:30 a.m.) PRKEI AVOT - Learn and then head to work. Join Rabbi Cohen and your Temple friends to explore and discuss these Jewish wisdom texts to add meaning to the experiences of our lives in the past, present and future. Jewish Community Alliance (7 – 8 p.m.) WHAT MAKES ART JEWISH? - Kim Miller will explore Jewish art and artists in this evening art talk. Registration required. The fee is $5; JCA valued members are free.

April 8th

Jacksonville Jewish Center (9:15 – 9:30 a.m.) SHALom MEDITATION Please join us for 25 minutes of meditation in a Jewish environment! At 9:15 we will offer 15 minutes of some basic instruction of meditation technique and approach, then start our actual practice at 9:30 a.m., and go until 9:55, in time for the Torah service.

April 12th

Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue (5-5:45 p.m.) INTERMEDIATE HEBREW

FOR ADULTS - This intermediate class is taught by Education Director Beth Brenner and is designed for those students who want to improve upon their basic knowledge of the Hebrew language. This class meets the second and fourth Wednesday of every month, with some exceptions.

April 15th

Jacksonville Jewish Center (8-9 a.m.) COFFEE & TORAH - Come enjoy a strong cup of brew, a tasty breakfast treat, and thought-provoking insights into the weekly Torah portion in the intimate setting of Rabbi Lubliner’s office.

April 19th

Congregation Ahavath Chesed (7:30 a.m.) PRKEI AVOT - Learn and then head to work. Join Rabbi Cohen and your Temple friends to explore and discuss these Jewish wisdom texts to add meaning to the experiences of our lives in the past, present and future. Jacksonville Jewish Center (7:30 p.m.) JEWISH BOOK CLUB - Open to all interested adults. It meets in the Starbuck’s section at Barnes & Noble on San Jose Blvd. This month’s book is ‘City of God’. Jewish Community Alliance (12 p.m.) THE CREATION OF BEAUTY IS ART - Art maven Cindy Edelmen shares her knowledge of art with a presentation of the book, “The Marriage of Opposites,” by Alice Hoffman. Advance registration appreciated. The fee is $8 at the door or a donation of toothbrushes and toothpaste.

April 20th

Jewish Community Alliance (7 – 8:30 p.m.) INSIDE ISRAELI FILM - Get a glimpse of Israel’s Masorti Jewish community through the award-winning film The Little Dictator. Advance registration appreciated. The fee is $5; JCA valued members are free.

April 25th

Jewish Community Alliance (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) SMART DRIVER COURSE Drivers 50 and older, learn to drive defensively and adjust to vision changes, hearing loss and more. The fee is $20 and $15 for JCA valued members.

April 26th

Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue (5-5:45 p.m.) INTERMEDIATE HEBREW FOR ADULTS - This intermediate class is taught by Education Director Beth Brenner and is

designed for those students who want to improve upon their basic knowledge of the Hebrew language. This class meets the second and fourth Wednesday of every month, with some exceptions. Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue (7 -8:30 p.m.) HATE CRIMES THE FBI AND YOU - Please join us on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 PM at Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue for a presentation entitled “Hate Crimes, the FBI, and You.” Join us for a fascinating presentation from FBI special agents who are tasked with solving hate crimes across the country. Hear why their work is a top priority for the FBI’s civil rights program and learn how you can help. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the discussion. This very timely program is open to the community. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Beth El at 904-2739100. Jewish Community Alliance (6 – 7:30 p.m.) MAINTAIN YOUR BRAIN - The Gut-Brain Connection, Join Trisha Howell, founding dietician of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, to discover the connection between what you eat and now you think. Registration appreciated. The fee is $5; JCA valued members are free.

April 27th

Jewish Community Alliance (7 p.m.) ART IN PUBLIC PLACES - Art (Re)Public, Sit down with visionary Jessica Santiago, founder of Art (Re)Public and CEO of Wall Street Fine Art. Registration required by April 25.

Regular Events

Sundays

Etz Chaim Synagogue (after Shacharis) THE CHABURAH - The Chaburah is a text-based Talmud study learning program with an emphasis on practical Halacha. After preparing the source materials with a learning partner, a brief synopsis and discussion is led by Dr. Elliott Rosenbaum. Hot coffee and pastries are served. For more information or to sponsor this event, please speak with Avi Smith or Jonathan Gross. Jacksonville Jewish Center (10:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m.) FOUNDATIONS OF JUDAISM CLASS - Classes are held at the

JJC, and are open to all, whether you are considering conversion, seeking to understand a friend or relative’s religious choices, or simply trying to go beyond your childhood Jewish education. Our sixth unit, taught by Etta Fialkow, is called ‘LifeCycle’, where we will explore lifecycle commemorations, leading to a comfort in attending and participating in Jewish rites of passage. Apr. 2, 23, 30.

Mondays

Jacksonville Jewish Center (Mornings) MONDAY MINYAN MAPQUEST - Following morning minyan, Rabbi Lubliner takes us on a tour of Jewish cities, explaining history and current statistics of some well-known and not-so-well-known Jewish communities in our country. Apr. 3, 24. Jacksonville Jewish Center ( 12:15 p.m.) PARSHA CLASS - Held in the Kramer Library. Join Marci Rogozen as we continue to explore each week’s Torah portion. This class is perfect for parents wanting to parallel their children’s learning, and for those seeking personal growth and knowledge. Apr. 3, 24. Jacksonville Jewish Center ( 7 p.m.) TALMUD CLASS - Rabbi Lubliner explores communal responses to crisis in tractate Ta’anit. Open to all, Apr. 3, 24. Jacksonville Jewish Center SERVICE SKILLS - (intermediate Hebrew level). This is an ongoing class, designed to increase prayer fluency and help our congregants to become more comfortable in our Jacksonville Jewish Center weekday and Shabbat services. Basic reading skills are necessary, but we will work together on fluency and prayer vocabulary. All are welcome to join us, Apr. 3, 10, 24.

Tuesdays

Etz Chaim Synagogue (8 p.m.) TALMUD STUDY - Learn the Talmud as you never have before with Rabbi Rabinowitz. The class will slowly and methodically study the sixth chapter of Tractate Brachos and delve into its many intricacies. Previous Talmud study is recommended but not required. Congregation Ahavath Chesed (10:30 a.m.) WISDOM YEARS - The Wisdom discussion group meets to talk about contemporary issues viewed through a Jewish lens.

Wednesdays

Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue (10:30 a.m.) YOGA SHALOM, MEDITATION AND SPIRITUALITY - Yoga Shalom meets every Wednesday at Beth El. Using a DVD with Cantor Lisa Levine and Carol Kurgoff, you will learn to relax your body, calm your mind, and nurture your spirit. We learn to use advanced, gentle chair modifications for each posture sequence, so bring your mat and we will see you at the next session. Immediately following Yoga Shalom is an hour of Jewish Meditation and Spirituality for you to study and grow spiritually within a Jewish framework. Etz Chaim Synagogue (8:45 a.m.) JAVA FOR THE SOUL – Class is for women and is taught by Rabbi Feigenbaum. The weekly class on The Ethics of our Father you will discover how these messages are relevant to our daily lives. This is an informal class that offers a unique blend of inspirational insight and practical tools for our daily lives.

Thursdays

Etz Chaim Synagogue (8:45 a.m.) JAVA FOR THE SOUL – Class is for women and is taught by Rabbi Feigenbaum. The weekly class on The Ethics of our Father you will discover how these messages are relevant to our daily lives. This is an informal class that offers a unique blend of inspirational insight and practical tools for our daily lives. Etz Chaim Synagogue (6:50 p.m.) NOSH & DRASH - This class is taught by Rabbi Fisch and covers Torah portion that are every week in synagogues. Yet for many of us there is a major disconnect between the words from this ancient text and our lives. Please come for an informal discussion and see the weekly parsha come alive like never before. Hot potato kugel from Sweeta by Ita will be served for participants to enjoy.

Saturdays

Congregation Ahavath Chesed (9 – 10 a.m.) TORAH STUDY - Join the clergy to explore the Torah portion of the week and readings relevant to the Jewish holidays. Torah Study meets each Saturday and a light breakfast is served starting at 8:45 am, with Shabbat service beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Spots being ﬁlled for Federation’s Israel at 70 mission trip, now just 12 months away BY ALAN MARGOLIES

Executive Director alanm@jewishjacksonville.org

The Jewish Federation of Jacksonville’s special 70th anniversary mission to Israel is now a year away as the journey will take place from Apr. 15th – 24th, 2018. Steve and Judy Silverman are serving as co-chairs of this amazing journey, which will coincide with Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Apr. 18-19). Rabbi Fisch will be with us. On a number of past missions, he has proven to be an asset to the overall experience! All prior Federation missions have provided participants with the best experience and for this one everything is being planned with first-class accommodations

and a promise to make this the best Federation mission ever. Yona Lefshets, who has guided the two most recent national campaign workers trips to Israel, has once again signed on as guide for this one of historic significance. His knowledge and insight has proven to be invaluable on previous missions and it will no doubt play an integral part in this one as well. Trip participants will be staying at a total of four deluxe hotels which boast five-star accommodations. Space has already been booked at the David Intercontinental in Tel Aviv, located directly across from the Mediterranean Sea, Bereshet at the Rimon Crater in the Negev and the new Elma Hotel in the lovely town of Zichron Ya acov in addition to the David Citadel in Jerusalem. The hotel by the

Ramon Crater and the Elma both offer first class spa treatments. Aside from the luxurious lodging options, Israel’s many fine restaurants and wineries will also be explored and experienced on this trip. As on any Federation journey to Israel, the most important historic and religious sites will be included on the itinerary and alternative experiences will be provided to those who have already visited Israel several times before. For Yom Ha’Atzmaut, which is Israel Independence Day, a celebration will take place with friends in our partnership region of Hadera/Eiron. Visiting Hadera is always a highlight of the trip and will be made extra special as we will celebrate Israel’s landmark 70th birthday together with our extended Israeli family.

Shabbat will also be celebrated in Jerusalem with an opportunity to be at the Kotel (Western Wall) and to have a festive Sabbath dinner. Right now, a $500 per person deposit will guarantee space on this

once-in-a-lifetime experience, so for more information, contact executive director, Alan Margolies at 904-448 5000, ext 1207 or alanm@jewishjacksonville.org.

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federation news

Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2017

Interesting topics and spirited Havdallah on display at second ever Cocktails & Clergy event

By Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

For the second time in as many years, clergy from across all denominations in the Jacksonville Jewish community came together to discuss unique and attention-grabbing topics for a captive audience. This year’s event was held at Congregation Ahavath Chesed in mid-February and began with a spirited Havdalah celebration, followed by desserts and drinks and then two-45-minute sessions which community members could choose from. Some of the topics included

Photos by Larry Tallis

Shabbat’s ‘double mitzvah’, the prophet Elijah and wearing different ‘kippahs’ in your Jewish life to name a few. Clergy participating in the event were Rabbis Jonathan Lubliner and Howard Tilman of the Jacksonville Jewish Center, Yaakov Fisch and Avi Feigenbaum from Etz Chaim Synagogue and Matt Cohen from the host Temple (Congregation Ahavath Chesed). Cocktails for the event were provided by Oliv’r Twist and desserts were prepared by Catering by Liz and Sweeta by Ita.

Trio of Jacksonville women set to participate in an upcoming Israel Partnership’s Leadership2Gether program

Rachael Rice Ariel Frechtman

BY JILL ABEL

Partnership Director jilla@jewishjacksonville.org

Three local women have been selected to represent Jacksonville in the next cohort of Israel Partnership’s Leadership2Gether Program. The program, set to kick off in mid-March will partner each participant with an Israeli with similar interests for an eight-month leadership study. The 2017 participants from the Jacksonville Jewish Community include Kaitlin Flynn, Ariel Frechtman and Rachael Rice. Each woman will

Kaitlin Flynn

have an opportunity to interact with a matched participant from Jacksonville’s sister city of Hadera-Eiron. Over the course of the program, they will explore the development of their own Jewish identity and how it affects their leadership styles today. At the end of the course, all the participants, both American and Israeli will meet in Nashville, Tenn. for a fun weekend of jointlearning and leadership development. Program administrators are excited to see what these three future leaders bring back to share within their community here in Northeast Florida.

JJN Summer Magazine to return in 2017 BY MATT FRANZBLAU Communications Director mattf@jewishjacksonville.org

The Jacksonville Jewish News’ Summer Magazine, which debuted in 2016, will be back in 2017 for readers in the Jewish community in Northeast Florida to enjoy. The magazine will be again an all-color publication, with more than 45 pages of news, features, summer kosher recipes and of course advertisements from those businesses in and around Jacksonville. Like a year ago, the Summer Magazine will hit mailboxes and newsstands around the area starting June 15th and will act as a

double-issue replacing the June and July newspapers, with paper production to resume with the August edition. Magazines will remain out on newsstands at Whole Foods on San Jose Blvd., the JCA and River Garden, while supplies last.

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federation news

Temple’s Goldie Lansky shares her recent Cuban adventure with eager Jewish Java crowd

A full house was on hand to hear Goldie Lansky’s experience on the island By Shalom Jacksonville

Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) Executive Director,

Goldie Lansky made a muchanticipated stop on her talking tour to the Jewish Java crowd in March, telling those at River Garden about her recent trip to Cuba with members of the Jewish

Leslie Held, Goldie Lansky and Isabel Balotin

community from South Florida. Supplemented with photos from Martin Alpert’s trip around the same time, topics in her discussion ranged from Synagogue life on the Island to a historical per-

spective about Fidel Castro’s rise to power and even detailed things such as architecture and different sized electrical outlets. Lansky’s first trip to the once forbidden nation to travel to, turned out to

Lansky shares one of her many stories

be powerful and educational, and she imparted those experiences to actively listening Javagoers, who were able to virtually hop on that short 40-minute flight from Miami to Havana.

Shalom Jax’s April Jewish Java to feature Etz Chaim Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum BY ISABEL BALOTIN

Shalom Jacksonville Director shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org

The Jewish Federation’s Shalom Jacksonville’s Apr. 5 Jewish Java will feature Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum who will present a timely and thought-provoking talk, entitled ‘Passover, the Freedom to be Yourself ’. As Passover approaches, we are reminded of our struggles in our history as well as the present. From the Exodus from Egypt to Martin Luther King Jr., people of all races and religions have

Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum

yearned for liberty and freedom. Indeed, the concept of freedom

is powerful and compelling, but while this seems to be a simple and basic human right, do we really understand what the essence of freedom is? In today’s tumultuous world of conflicting values, cultural upheaval, and overall uncertainty, how do we understand the age-old concept of freedom? More importantly, how do we attain true freedom in a society that pulls us in so many different directions, because we want to be free to live according to our convictions, and pursue what makes us happy. While these are all important values, is the right to do whatever we want actually freedom, or in fact, is freedom as we know it a double-edged sword,

where, if not used properly, one can live with total freedom, yet still be very far from being free? Historically, there has been no greater moment in the passing on of our nation’s collective Jewish tradition than that of the Seder night. The Seder night represents true freedom, so come as we delve into the deeper meaning behind the variety of customs and practices of the Seder in order to help us understand why ‘bitter herbs’ are crucial to being truly free. Taking part in this practice will enable us to bring this concept alive and applicable in today’s complex society. Each Jewish Java takes place at

River Garden and begins with a complimentary bagel breakfast at 9 a.m., followed by an interesting speaker. Everyone is invited to attend, however, reservations are a must by Apr. 2, so please RSVP to Isabel Balotin at 904-448-5000, ext. 1206 or via shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org. Jewish Java is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and River Garden Senior Services. May Jewish Java will feature Molly Kushner, Gen2 Holocaust survivor who’ll share her experiences coming to America with her family and their subsequent struggles and joys in their new home.

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