LEARN HOW TO READ HEBREW IN 5777
LOCAL CHABAD TEENS TAKE SUMMER TRIP OF A LIFETIME Three St. Johns teens go to Israel and Poland on CTeen Heritage Quest trip Page 7
HIGH HOLY DAY SCHEDULE
When and where to go and what Pair of crash courses offered synagogues offer by synagogues for the High Holy in area Pgs. 10 & 12 Days Pages 15 & 16 A publication of
October 2016
• Elul 5776 / Tishrei 5777 • www.jewishjacksonville.org
Plans underway for JFCS’ special 100th anniversary event
The volunteers tasked with planning JFCS’ special 100th anniversary fundraiser By Jewish Family & Community Services
8505 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32217
Jewish Federation of Jacksonville
Published Monthly POSTMASTER PLEASE DELIVER BY OCT. 1ST
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Jacksonville, FL Permit No. 146
1917 was a momentous year. The U.S. entered WWI, while the Czar of Russia abdicated his throne. John F. Kennedy, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dean Martin were born as streetcars took to the roads of San Francisco, all the while a remarkably caring group of Jewish people established United Jewish Charities in Jacksonville, now known as Jewish Family & Community Services. A lot can happen in 100 years and in late August, once again, a remarkably caring group of more than 34 volunteers attended the kick off lunch/meeting at Kimberly and Richard Sisisky’s home, bringing their creative ideas and boundless energy to begin the planning process for the upcoming JFCS Fundraiser, ‘Celebrating 100 years of Service to the Jacksonville Community’. This year’s event is co-chaired by Mary and Jeff Edwards and Kimberly and Richard Sisisky. “This will be an evening of celebration and an expression of appreciation for those who have played an important role in our history through present day JFCS,” said both Mary and Kimberly.” This celebration will undoubtedly inspire and help shape our future, so, let the celebration begin,” she added. Stay tuned in the coming weeks and months as more details are released about this momentous occasion.
•
JaxJewish
@jaxjewish
JaxJewishTV • Volume 29, Number 4 • 36 pages
Federation mourns the loss of its immediate past president, Hal Resnick By Jewish Federation of Jacksonville
The Jewish Federation of Jacksonville along with the entire Jacksonville Jewish community has lost a cherished and valued member of its family. That’s because Harold S. Resnick, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 7th at the age of 72 following a courageous battle with cancer. Aside from serving as the Federation’s immediate past president from 2013-15, Resnick was the current president of Jewish Family & Community Services. Hal and his wife, Barbara, relocated to Florida in 2000 and have resided in the Jacksonville area for the past 16 years. While continuing his consulting work, Hal served on the Board of Directors for Jewish Family & Community Services for several years, as well as on their Executive Committee, and was just installed as the new President of the Board in June. Additionally, Resnick served on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville for many years, and was their immediate past president. He was also an active member of Congregation Ahavath
Chesed, serving on the congregation’s board. Hal and his wife were also Associate Members of Etz Chaim Synagogue. Resnick was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on June 29, 1944 to Alexander and Ruth (Resnick) Siegel. He grew up there and attended CCNY for his Bachelor’s Degree, receiving both his Master’s and Doctoral Degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit. Resnick lived for many years in Massachusetts where he was a professor at Boston University. While in Massachusetts he was active in his local Masonic Lodge, eventually becoming a Master Mason and President of Perfection Lodge in Framingham, Mass. He began his consulting career at Raytheon Data Systems before building his own professional consulting firm, Work Systems Associates, in 1980. The New York native was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander and Ruth (Resnick) Siegel, and his stepfather, Sol Siegel. He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Barbara Resnick, and his brother and sister-in-law, Stanley and Ruth Resnick of East Northport, N.Y. He leaves behind his children, Amy and Eric Raboin of Lunenburg, Mass, Richard Resnick and
Former Board President Hal Resnick with his wife Barbara. Resnick served as Federation president from 2013-15 and most recently was the president of partner agency JFCS
See HAL RESNICK, p. 7
rGEN’s networking behind the net blends soccer and socializing with local young professionals BY ARIEL FRECHTMAN
Jewish Federation of Jacksonville arielf@jewishjacksonville.org
In mid-August, the Jacksonville Jewish community’s young professionals had the unique and exciting opportunity to schmooze with one another in a setting unprecedented for rGEN. Not only did attendees get to enjoy dollar beers and the best view in the house for the Armada FC’s match against the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, but they were also given the unique opportunity to network with some of the leadership from the Jewish agencies and synagogues in and around town. rGEN’s Networking Behind the Net event was only the beginning of a variety of unique opportunities that will be available to young professionals this coming
year as division leadership works to educate 20 – 30 year-olds on the importance of the Federation’s partner agencies, as well as community comradery.
Ladies 12 and older invited to Jacksonville’s first Multi-Generational Challah Bake BY SYLVIA JAFFA
Jacksonville Mega Challah Bake
There is a new twist on the art of Challah making, so don’t miss the opportunity to join women and girls 12 and older, Thursday, Nov. 10th for Jacksonville’s first ever Mega Challah Bake. The event will be held at Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple), starting at 7 p.m. Similar Mega Challah Bakes have been a rousing success in major cities around the world including Toronto, Miami, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, so now Etz Chaim Synagogue, along with local partnering organizations of this event, Congregation Ahavath Chesed, the Jacksonville Jewish Center, Federation Women’s Division and Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue encourage all women from across the community to attend this event to discover the art of making and blessing challah while learning about challah’s unique connection to women.
Etz Chaim’s WIFI has sponsored smaller scale successful Challah bakes at several homes around the community, but for this mega event, organizers are expecting hundreds of women from across Jacksonville to attend. Did you know that when a woman makes challah she has the opportunity to ask for blessings for herself and others? Imagine the energy created when hundreds of women come together in Jacksonville to make challah and bring blessings to our families, friends, neighbors and community. Along with making challah and meeting other Jewish women, there will be singing, entertainment, refreshments and a joyful spirit of Jewish unity and togetherness. The Temple ballroom will be prepared with pre-measured ingredients for each participant and there will be a hands-on demonstration on how to prepare challah,
See MEGA CHALLAH BAKE, p. 5
Scan QR code for paper online at
.com
page 2
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
page 3
www.jewishjacksonville.org
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
opinion and cartoons Rabbinically Speaking Column: The Profound Power of Prayer BY RABBI RICK SHAPIRO Congregation Ahavath Chesed
Every year as we move through the month of Elul in preparation for the Yamim Nora’im, I reflect on the nature of our experience during the High Holy Days. Each year I remind myself of the intensity of preparation and focus required if we are to be able to benefit from these invaluable experiences. I am always reminded that while each of our other festivals has a variety of rituals and experiences to assist us in observing them, the High Holy Days really have only one rubric with which we can observe them - and that is prayer. So every year my month of Elul is filled with the challenge of making prayer a real and meaningful experience for me and for the people who rely on me to assist them in doing the same. Prayer is, perhaps, the single most difficult experience for modern Jews. Many of us have difficulty with the texts, we may be uncomfortable with the theology, and we question whether or not praying actually makes a difference in our lives or in the world around us. With that in mind, I frequently turn to one of my favorite passages from Mishkan T’filah, our Reform siddur, which strikes me as particularly appropriate and meaningful at this time of year. Prayer invites God’s Presence to
suffuse our spirits to let God’s will prevail in our lives. Prayer cannot bring water to parched fields, nor mend a broken bridge, nor rebuild a ruined city, but prayer can water an arid soul, mend a broken heart, and rebuild a weakened will. The theme of this passage is the ages-old question: Can prayer change things? For me, the answer to that question is an important part of how we Jews view the world. For as valuable and central as prayer is in our lives, it is not because it can magically change the ways of the world. Rather, it is because it can change us enough that we will go out and change the world. That prayer is meant to change the pray-ers, and through them, change the world, is suggested by a wonderful passage in the Talmud. There our Sages ask the question: “We know that God prays; what is God’s prayer?” Their answer provides us with an important insight into their concept of prayer. God prays: ‘May it be My will that My mercy may suppress My anger, and that My mercy may prevail over My other attributes, so that I may deal with My children in the attribute of mercy and, on their behalf, stop short of the limit of strict justice.’ (Babylonian Talmud, Berachot 7a) Since we are taught that we ought to strive to imitate God, we can see from this beautiful passage
RABBINICALLY SPEAKING that one of the primary functions of prayer is to change ourselves so that we can change the world. For one of the marvels of life is our ability to change. Some people do not believe that we are capable of altering the way we live our lives. They say: “Oh well, that’s human nature, and we can’t change it. As long as people are the way they are, the world will always be the way it is: crime, drugs, wars, disease. We can’t change that!” Or others of us, when confronted with a mistake we have made or a fault in our per-
sonalities, say: “That’s just the way I am. I can’t change it.” As Jews, the Days of Awe teach us exactly the opposite lesson. They teach us that we do have the power to change, to become different: not simply to accept our own personal faults, but to change them; not merely to accept the problems of the world, but to improve them. One of the greatest gifts we are given by God is our capacity to grow and mature, and thereby change the world around us. It won’t happen overnight, nor will it be easy. But it can be done. And that’s what the High Holy Days are for: to remind us of how important it is that we use God’s gift wisely, not let it lie dormant while we utter the all-too-familiar excuses for doing nothing. As we enter this Season of Awe, let us remember God’s prayer and God’s gift to us. Let us remember that it is not merely the prayers we utter but the preparations we make prior to praying those prayers that will make a difference. Let us remember that prayer is not something that simply happens; we must have prepared ourselves to pray if our prayer is to be truly meaningful, and let us recognize that prayer can effect change in us only if we are truly ready to hear the words we speak in prayer. During these High Holy Days, as each of us struggles with our prayers, may we always remember why we
are together. May we draw strength from one another, and may we all emerge from the Days of Awe enriched and changed for the better. Rabbi Rick Shapiro, who currently serves as the Interim Senior Rabbi of Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple), is a Synagogue Transition Specialist, having worked for almost a decade as an intentional interim rabbi in URJ congregations within the United States. After serving for more than 25 years as a settled rabbi for congregations in Colorado and California, Rabbi Shapiro decided to pursue a career as an intentional interim rabbi, hoping to use his experience in congregational dynamics and the nature of the relationship between a synagogue and its rabbi to serve congregations in the Reform Movement who are undergoing transitions after the departure of their rabbi. Rabbi Shapiro is married and he and his wife, Lynn, are the proud parents of two sons and two daughters-in-law, and the extremely proud grandparents of three grandsons, all living in the Atlanta and Washington, DC areas.
Rabbinically speaking is a monthly column written by clergy members in the Jacksonville Jewish community.
Through Israel Action Network, Jewish Federations work to defeat BDS BY JERRY SILVERMAN
Jewish Federations of North America
The globally coordinated delegitimization movement, started primarily by groups that do not support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) supporters are waging an economic, political and cultural battle on many fronts. Many say that they support a two-state outcome and just want to apply political pressure to push Israel to improve its treatment of Palestinians. Yet the movement’s founders remain committed to an end of the State of Israel and have attracted many anti-Zionists, Israel-haters and downright antiSemites to their campaign. A dramatic example took place in January at a national LGBTQ conference in Chicago. AntiIsrael protesters shouting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” prevented participants from entering a reception hosted by A Wider Bridge, a U.S.-based group that builds connections to Israel. A Wider Bridge calls for a “time when Palestinians will live in dignity, free from occupation.” But that seemed meaningless to these protesters, who wanted to silence any supporter of Israel. If these activists really cared about advancing the peace process and fostering self-determination to enable Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side, they would have advocated
JFNA President Jerry Silverman
with A Wider Bridge activists instead of protesting against them. Time after time, loud, vocal, broad and sweeping animus toward Israel overshadows advocacy for peace and shuts down any possibility of dialogue. We saw another example of animosity toward Israel early this month when the Movement for Black Lives released an extensive platform that raises important issues, including economic justice, voter rights and criminal justice system reforms. Unfortunately, the platform also includes provisions that demonize Israel, erroneously equating the experiences of African-Americans with Palestinians and outrageously calling Israel an “apartheid” state guilty of committing “genocide.” Jewish Federations work to
turn the tide away from delegitimization and toward support for peace efforts through the Israel Action Network (IAN). Created in 2010, IAN is our go-to network for anyone seeking resources to combat BDS. It provides training and strategies, fact sheets and talking points to counter attempts to undermine Israel’s legitimacy. Often working behind the scenes, IAN can be found wherever BDS raises its ugly head: supporting Hillels on college campuses, advising professors in their classrooms and within academic associations, coordinating local efforts to adopt anti-discrimination legislation in states across the country, counseling fair trade-focused CEOs in board rooms and training church activists, just to name a few. As a convener of organizations working to fight delegitimization of Israel, IAN leverages the strengths and assets of those groups. It provides education, training and speakers for major Jewish and non-Jewish conferences, as well as trips and education efforts for non-Jewish leaders of groups vulnerable to delegitimization efforts including interfaith, youth, women, minorities and journalists. IAN’s key message is simple: BDS is an approach that seeks to shut out and shut down one party to the conflict. That can’t be the pathway to peaceful resolution. And increasingly, thanks to efforts by IAN and other groups, fair-minded people in mainstream Protestant church groups, academic associations,
Dry Bones Cartoons by Yaakov Kirschen
unions and many other settings get it. Earlier this summer, at a national meeting of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), IAN led a broad grassroots mobilization that yielded impressive results. For the first time in more than 40 years, the PCUSA endorsed a Jewish right to self-determination, representing a monumental shift from recent dialogue in the church. In that same week, IAN helped New York University graduate students, who received the support of the United Automobile Workers International Union (UAW) in their efforts to defeat a divestment campaign. In doing so, UAW became the first union in the country to rule against BDS. A recent event held with The Israel Project honored state legisla-
tors in an ongoing effort to support local leaders who take a stand against BDS. The two groups are working to ensure that where BDS is active, anti-BDS legislation is signed into law. As of now, 11 states have such laws in place. Twenty more states have passed or are considering legislation. Those organizations that truly work to promote dialogue and cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians seek strategic approaches to build relationships and foster partnerships between the populations. A true and lasting peace will result only from bilateral negotiations between the two parties, not a boycott of one. Until those boycott efforts end, Jewish Federations’ Israel Action Network will be at the forefront of the battle against them.
Advertising Representatives Barbara Nykerk • 904.733.4179 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
Pick up the locations:
at these three
page 4
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
community news
JCA takes Jewish teens to St. Louis for the annual JCC Maccabi Games
The JCA Makos included 12 athletes who were acompanied by Sports & Recreation Director Rio Robinson and basketball coach Brian Sherman By Jewish Community Alliance
This past July, the JCA once again organized Jacksonville Jewish teens for the annual JCC Maccabi Games, which were held in St. Louis. For years, the JCA has spearheaded the Jacksonville delegation’s participation in this unique opportunity for Jewish teens to participate in a week of sports competition, social activities and Judaic programming. The JCC Maccabi Games, which are co-sponsored by the JCC Association of North America, Maccabi World Union, Maccabi Canada and Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel, is the second largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers in the world. Since the first North American Maccabi Games in 1982, the annual event has brought the best of young, Jewish athletes together each summer for an Olympicstyle sporting competition held in multiple cities throughout North America. Through its JCC parent organization, the JCA is at the forefront of connecting Jacksonville Jewish teens with other JCCs from across the world.
At this year’s games, the JCA delegation, JCA Makos, included 12 athletes and was accompanied by JCA Sports and Recreation Director Rio Robinson along with basketball coach Brian Sherman. The group shared competitive and social camaraderie with more than 1,100 athletes from JCCs all over the United States, including international delegations from Israel, Vancouver and Panama. The delegation included Jacob Glassman, David Hochman, Mackie Garwood, Kam Firpo, Jacob Abraham, Noah Rosin-Borrousch, Zach Mizrahi, Zach Rosin-Borrousch and Ayden Israel in basketball, followed by Jonah Bennett in mixed soccer and Jacob Rubin and Jonathan Homsky in swimming. All of the JCA youth athletes played great games, with the 16U basketball team nearly missing the championship in a back and forth game with Israel in the final four. Jonah Bennett’s mixed soccer team, consisting of other youth athletes from San Diego, Denver and South Jersey, came together to defeat the number one seeded Phoenix team in the opening round game and went on to beat a very skilled Panama
Jax Jewish native speaks at a recent B’nai B’rith retreat in North Carolina
This was the spectacular view for Evelyn Peck and her friend as they took place in a special B’nai B’rith retreat recently in the N.C. mountains
BY EVELYN PECK Event Participant
Recently, my friend Miriam Price and I went to a B’nai B’rith retreat at Wildacres, located in Little Switzerland, N.C. Wildacres was built in the late 1920’s by Thomas Dixon of all people, who wrote the book ‘The Klansman’, on which D.W. Griffith’s controversial ‘Birth of a Nation’ was based. In the 1930’s I.D. Blumenthal, a philanthropist from Charlotte, purchased it when Dixon went bankrupt. Now in its 69th year, this institute is located on the top of a mountain, and the view is quite spectacular. Many groups have sessions there, including church groups,
mineralogolists, artists of all media, and the final weeks are devoted to Jewish groups, so the kitchen can be koshered and all dietary laws can be observed. This particular retreat is held the third week of August and is a very inspiring and warm experience. The speakers are always well renowned as Dr. Ruth was there in 2015. Speaking of top-notch speakers, Steve Whitfield, born and reared in Jacksonville, came for his return visit to this jewel in the mountains. Whitfield is a professor at Brandeis University and teaches American History. During his presentation, he spoke about prominent American Jewish figures, the upcoming presidential election and the role of the American Jews in it.
The 16U basketball team nearly missed the championship game team. In the end, the team came away with a silver medal. Jacob Rubin captured multiple medals in a strong field of 16U boy swimmers, including two gold and four silver medals. Jonathan Homsky, in the 14U swim, won an impressive seven medals. With every win and defeat, the JCA Makos showed great sportsmanship and held to the JCC Maccabi Games value of rachmanus, or compassion, throughout the week. Athletes were treated to daily social gatherings to foster friendship that included trips to the City Museum and Dave and Busters, as well as a huge closing ceremony with a carnival and dance party. Building on such a successful summer at the JCC Maccabi Games, the JCA would like to share this opportunity to gain rewarding experiences and life-long friendships in the 2017 games, to be held in Birmingham, Ala., from July 30 – Aug. 4, 2017. Jewish teen athletes, ages 13 to 16, who are interested in competing in the coming games can contact JCA Sports and Recreation Director Rio Robinson at 904-7302100, ext. 250 or rio.robinson@ jcajax.org for more information.
JJN Advertising Directory 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: • All About Ballroom (p. 5) Jacksonville (p. 17, 36) • All Pro Painting (p. 24) • Jewish Java (p. 22) • Art Antiques Show (p. 4) • Jewish Museum FL.(p. 11) • Athens Cafe (p. 7) • Larry Tallis Photo (p. 13) • B&C Financial (p. 5) • Live Entertainment (p. 16) • Beachview Rentals (p. 9) • Margo’s Catering (p. 9) • Bob Ham Eyewear (p. 6) • Memorial Emrgncy (p. 33) • The Bolles School (p. 20) • Metro Diner (p. 23) • Brandon Pest Cntrol (p. 8) • Israel Partnership (p. 34) • Dana Davis Massage • Publix (p. 14) Therapist (p. 24) • Pediatric Dentistry (p. 24) • Erica Jolles Round Table • River Garden (p. 34) Realty (p. 10) • rGEN Jax (p. 18, 19) • Highway Press (p. 7) • San Jose Beauclerc • Holiday Msgs (p. 29, 30) Animal Hospital (p. 24) • Impressions (p. 24) • Stein Mart (p. 12) • Innovative Financial • The Tax Man (p. 24) Solutions (p. 6) • Wajsman Home Team • Israel’s 70th Mission (p. 2) Realty (p. 12) • Jax Hadassah (p. 32) • Whole Foods (p. 23) • JCF (p. 27) • Women’s Division (p. 22) • Jewish Federation of For your advertising needs, please contact advertising sales representative Barbara Nykerk at 904-733-4179 or Eta Perras at 904-629-0466.
October 2016 - Elul 5776/Tishrei 5777
what's inside Adult Education...................p. 8 Business Directory............p. 24 Chabad News................... p. 13 Community News......p. 4-7, 31 Education ..................... p. 9-12 Federation News ........p. 18-20 Foundation ...................... p. 27 High Holy Day News..........p. 17 Holiday Games................. p. 35
printed by
Holiday Greetings.......p. 29-30 Holiday Schedules......p. 15-16 JCA .................................. p. 25 JFCS ................................. p. 26 Lifecycles...........................p. 24 Opinion & Cartoons............ P. 3 River Garden.................... p. 28 Synagogue News..... 21-22, 34 Top Stories...........................p. 1
page 5
www.jewishjacksonville.org
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
community news Douglas Anderson to hold performance of Queen of Kosher Cuisine
Jewish themed production called Parade By Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts will be holding special performances Nov. 3-6 inside its DuBow Theatre of the musical ‘Parade’. The production, written by Alfred Uhry and directed by David Loudermilk tells the heartwrenching, true story of Leo Frank, a Brooklynraised Jewish man living in Atlanta who was wrongfully convicted of the murder of his employee, Mary Phagan, in 1913. Because Frank’s trial was replete with faulty testimony and lacked any clear evidence, Georgia’s governor eventually commuted his sentence from death to life imprisonment. Despite this ruling, a lynch mob hanged Frank in Marietta and because of that, the case drew national attention, serving as pivotal force for the founding of the Anti-Defamation
League. Daring, innovative and bold, ‘Parade’ is filled with soaring music and a touching story. Thursday-Saturday shows begin at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday Matinees begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for students and $20 for adults. Those wishing to purchase tickets for this production can do so through the
DA Theatre Boosters website at datheatreboosters.org or at the DA Theatre Box Office one hour before show begins if tickets are still available. For more information call the Box Office at 904-346-5620, ext 122. Douglas Anderson School of the Arts is located at 2445 San Diego Road in Jacksonville.
Mega Challah Bake Continued from pg. 1 while table captains will guide participants and demonstrate tips on how to make the best tasting challah. Each participant will have the chance to mix her own dough and shape the loaves and be able to take home their loaves with baking instructions so they can be enjoyed with friends and family. The hostess committee, consisting of Caren Appel, Devora Feigenbaum, Henny Fisch, Allison Jacobs, Sylvia Jaffa, Andrea Mail and Tammy Shumer are eager to personally welcome you to the Mega Challah Bake. The cost for this event is just $10 per person and RSVP is required to jaxmegachallahbake@gmail.com or on Facebook at JaxMegaChallahBake. Sponsorship opportunities for this first event of its kind Dozens of ladies will be on hand for Jacksonville’s first-ever mega challah are also available. bake, which will be hosted at Congregation Ahavath Chesed, Nov. 10th
state-of-the art facility and the impact Hadassah is making in Israel and throughout the world. Those who went to the Hadassah National Convention this past summer will also talk about their experiences following the film. Hadassah members are encouraged to attend this event which will kick off the new year for the Jacksonville. Please kindly RSVP by Oct. 21st and your check of $18 will serve as your reservation. Mail all checks to Liat Walker, 1267 South Zephyr Way, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. For more information, contact Walker at 904-591-6984 or walkers.beach@ gmail.org.
Joy of Kosher Magazine’s Jamie Geller was at the San Jose Winn-Dixie recently signing copies of her cookbook in advance of the High Holy Days
Jacksonville Hadassah to hold its annual kickoff event and luncheon, Oct. 27th BY HELEN HILL
Jacksonville Hadassah
Jacksonville Hadassah will host a fall kick-off event and luncheon, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 27th at 11:30 a.m. The event will be held at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, located at 3662 Crown Point Rd. Following lunch, a new film will be shown about the Hadassah hospitals where attendees will receive information on the exciting research that is being done. Following the film those in attendance will also be updated on the
Susan Board, shown here with three young IDF members, is one of three local women who visited the Hadassah Medical Center this past summer
page 6
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
Community news
Linda Ronsenthal Hospitable and Hard Working Host
Oct.
2016
At first glance Linda Rosenthal is the sweet and friendly but private neighbor that we all dream about. She always has a friendly smile and in her quiet way makes everyone in the neighborhood feel like a friend. With the ultimate trait of Hachnosas Orchim (welcoming of guests), she has set up a home in the Jacksonville Community that is reminiscent of the most hospitable house that ever existed, the Tent of Abraham and Sarah. Rosenthal’s house was renovated
motm
by her very talented son Art, and was designed with guest suites to provide travelers with food, towels, blankets and a comfortable bed. Many in the Etz Chaim community have turned to Linda when looking for an extra bed for out of town guests and likewise many new community members begin their tour of Jacksonville with an overnight stay at the Rosenthal house. The attention and care given to them could not compare to any area five-star hotel.
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.
The Shlicha Corner: The High Holy Day Israeli experience
BY DANA MARMARI
Community Shlicha jaxshlicha@jewishjacksonville.org
Every year during the month of Tishrei, Jewish people worldwide gather in Synagogues and homes in order to celebrate the High Holidays. Each individual, family and community experiences and celebrates the holidays in a unique way. Let us embark on a journey to Israel during this time of year in order to get a Te’ima (taste) of the High Holidays as celebrated there. Weeks before Rosh Hashanah, its presence is felt nationwide as end of the year hit parades come on the radio, discounts can be found on holiday presents, Shana Tovah greeting cards are in every store and food collection campaigns begin for those in need. These are but a small portion of the pre-holiday preparations that take place. During these weeks, the Jewish-Israeli society unites and a familial, festive atmo-
sphere overcomes the daily diversities. On Rosh Hashanah eve, families go to synagogues and get together for a grand Seder. Our family gathers for a festive dinner, dressed up in new clothes resembling the New Year. Excitement grows as my grandmother teaches us the meanings of the Simanim, the symbolic foods, as her parents taught her in Syria. The sense of togetherness and Jewish tradition passed on from generation to generation makes this evening special to me. Following the celebrations of the Jewish New Year are ‘Aseret Yemei Tshuva’ (The Ten Days of Repentance). The joyful atmosphere that filled the streets changes into a burdensome one as Jewish people withdraw within themselves while introspecting the past year. On Yom Kippur eve, the streets empty out and everything becomes quiet. The only sounds are of congregants chanting in the Synagogues alongside families eating the last dinner before the fast. After services are over,
young children come out to the streets with their classmates and families, many riding their bicycles on the main roads. Slowly, more people join in and the roads, once busy with vehicles, are crowded with people from all Jewish religious groups. A sense of holiness spreads throughout the state as public spaces remain observant and people attend services throughout the holiday. The unique feeling of collective social introspection allows secular Jews to connect to their ‘Israeli Yom Kippur’, as my mom calls it. After noticing three stars shining in the sky, households across Israel begin building their Sukkah. The streets of Israel become once again decorated with Sukkahs in balconies, school yards and even shopping centers and restaurants, while national parks crowd with families and hikers. Many religious Jews travel to Jerusalem, gather near the Western Wall, pray and celebrate. As a child, my family
and I drove to Jerusalem in order to see the colorful Sukkahs, and afterwards explored the wonders of Israel’s landscapes, joining many other Israelis. To conclude our journey, I personally believe that the High Holidays are one of the most special seasons in Israel. It is a
time in which the Jewish population puts aside its disagreements in order to start a new year filled with hope. I wish us all, in Jacksonville and in Israel, a Shana Tovah and may we all be signed and sealed in the book of life.
page 7
www.jewishjacksonville.org
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
community news Hal Resnick
also leaves behind 12 beloved grandchildren. Burial was held Friday, Sept. 9th in Farmingdale, N.Y., with Rabbi Matt Cohen officiating. A memorial service took place Sept. 12th at The Temple. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name may be made to Jewish Family & Community Services, Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, or Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple).
Continued from pg. 1 Molly Flueckiger of Arlington, Mass, Meghan and Martin Wright of Belmont, Mass., and Matthew and Amanda Lane of Jacksonville, in addition to his nephew, Brendan and Michelle Hourihan of Denver, Colo. He
Chabad teens’ trip to Israel and Poland makes an indelible impression
Hal S. Resnick
The St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society to help St. Paul AME Church celebrate its golden anniversary By St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society
On Sunday morning, Oct. 16th at 10:45 a.m. join the Jewish Historical Society of St. Augustine as it goes to church. That’s because the St. Paul AME Church in St. Augustine will be celebrating its 50th birthday and two decades of service to the congregation by Reverend Ron Rawls. Rev. Rawls was instrumental in welcoming back to St. Augustine, the surviving Rabbis who were caught up in the largest mass arrest of Rabbis in U.S. History, back on June 18, 1964. The Rabbis and the social action leader of the Reform Movement began their morning in the very same sanctuary of St. Paul AME Church, located at 85 Martin Luther King Ave. (which back then was called Central Ave.) While there, they heard a sermon delivered by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and then received instructions from
CTeen Heritage Quest provided the trip of a lifetime for a number of local Chabad teens this past summer (Bassie Vorovitch Photography) By Chabad of S. Johns
Members of the St. Paul AME Church in St. Augustine will welcome in members of the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society, Oct. 16th
Reverends Ralph Abernathy and Andrew Young. Following the instructions, they marched north to the Monson Hotel on Avenida Menendez, walking arm and arm
with African American youngsters into the segregated dining room of the hotel, and were subsequently arrested for disturbing the peace.
Beth El - the Beaches Synagogue to show new Deli Man documentary BY GAIL GREENFIELD
Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue
Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue will showcase the tasty film, ‘Deli Man’ at its next Member and Guest Mixer, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 6th at 5 p.m. A wine and cheese social will be held prior to the screening. The film focuses on Ziggy Gruber, a third generation
delicatessen man and owner of the world-renowned deli, ‘Kenny and Ziggy’s’ in Houston. The story of the American deli is in a sense the story of American Jews - their immigration, migration, upward mobility and western assimilation, and the deli is the virtual epicenter of food, family, laughter and community. This program is open to all in the community. For more informa-
Deli Man was produced by filmmaker Erik Greenberg Anjou
tion contact Gail Greenfield at gailsgreenfield@hotmail.com or call 904-534-7381.
Summer is pretty much over, but for the 80 teenagers (40 boys and 40 girls) who embarked on a three-week travel experience visiting the death camps of Poland and the more uplifting sights of Israel, it’s going to be in their minds for a very long time as the CTeen Heritage Quest proved a life-changing experience. Chabad of S. Johns was lucky to send three of its own CTeen girls to join this exclusive and powerful trip. When the teens visited the death camps in Poland, they went to a children’s cemetery where they had the opportunity to send messages to their loved ones back at home. Coming face to face with the realization that most of the children in the Holocaust never had a chance to say a final goodbye or ‘I love you’ to their parents was a chilling moment. In Israel, the cards were flipped as it was happy and adventurous. The teens visited the Kotel (The Western Wall), learned to pray from a Hebrew prayer book, and took in the historic sites throughout the land. They met soldiers and Israeli citizens to better understand what everyday life in Israel is like. “We, the young adults who went on the trip, are the second generation living, after the Holocaust so we are the legacy of this mass murder,” 10th grader Sabrina Zilberman explained. “I realize that it is our responsibility to use our potential for the sake of our perished loved ones,” she added. “It is our responsibility to repair the world and do the best we can in spreading peace, health and happiness globally through unity and mitzvoth.” “I am not a religious person in the slightest,” said 11th grader Abby Zilberman. “I do not celebrate Shabbat weekly, I do not keep kosher and I only ever go to synagogue on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but as a Jew, I feel it is important to visit our homeland
and to learn about our ancestors and the hardships they went through,” she explained of her experiences. “This trip impacted my life, and I am so grateful it did as I found myself becoming more and more enthusiastic about learning about G-d and about us, His chosen people.” “The most powerful takeaway for the teens is their ability to see where the Jewish people have come from,” said CTeen St. Johns director Rabbi Mendel Sharfstein. “When they look at the past and see what their people have been through, it’s the best way to get teens to focus on where they’re going, and what responsibilities and privileges they have in their lives.” For 10th grader Shoshana Howard, the most inspiring moment was when she and her peers went to the Kotel Friday night. “What began as 42 girls praying Kabalat Shabbat became hundreds of women joining as one which was our last Shabbat in Israel,” she remembered.” “The trip was life-changing and eye-opening in many different ways,” Sabrina recalled. “Praying every morning is one thing that I will never forget as I loved the thrill it gave me in two holy places because I was right next to my ancestors and God in those moments.” CTEEN is a place for Jewish teens to learn about themselves and their heritage through giving to others and participating in interactive educational activities. Cteen combines exhilarating fun and meaningful projects into a program that’s thrilling and uniting. Cteen is open to all local Jewish teens, regardless of affiliation. Chabad of St. Johns is proud to be just one chapter in more than 23 countries, 261 cities, and six continents. For more information about Cteen St. Johns and the Heritage Quest Summer Trip Email Info@JewishSJohnsCounty.com or call 904.701.4422.
page 8
October 2016 Elul 5776 Tishrei 5777 To include your adult education event in this listing please e-mail 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
October 6th
Jewish Community Alliance (12 p.m.) CLEAR CAPTIONS TELEPHONE – A representative from ClearCaptions will show how the phone works, answer questions and set appointments for free home installation for those with hearing loss. This program is free and open to the community.
October 8th
Congregation Ahavath Chesed (7 p.m.) SATURDAY NIGHT MOVIES AT THE TEMPLE – Interim Senior Rabbi Rick Shapiro will host the second in this monthly film series with Hester Street. The film will be followed by a discussion led by Rabbi Shapiro. Everyone is welcome to attend and, of course, popcorn will be served. Etz Chaim Synagogue (10:30 – 11:15 a.m.) UNLOCKING THE CLOSED BOOK – This is a bi-weekly class taught by Rabbi Feigenbaum on the power of prayer. Beginning with Adon Olam and working our way through the morning service, this class aims to make prayer more personal and meaningful as a part of our daily lives. Jacksonville Jewish Center (9:15 – 9:30 a.m.) SHAL ‘OM’ MEDITATION Some basic instruction of meditation technique and approach will be taught and then actual practice will begin at 9:30 a.m. and go until 9:55 a.m.
October 9th
Jacksonville Jewish Center (12:30 p.m.) YIDDISH CLUB – The Yiddish Club monthly meeting will held in the Center’s Kramer Library.
October 10th
Jewish Community Alliance (11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.) SORTING OUT THE THREE D’S – Aging expert Robert Trenholm will discuss three ‘risky’ abnormal changes that can occur in older adults. This event is free to and open to the community.
October 15th
Jacksonville Jewish Center (8 – 9 a.m.) COFFEE & TORAH - Thoughtprovoking insights into the weekly Torah portion in the intimate setting of Rabbi Lubliner’s office.
October 19th
Jewish Community Alliance (6 – 7 p.m.) COOLING OFF INFLAMMATION - Join Dr. Mona Shah to discover how the body’s inflammation response can directly affect heart health. This program is free and open to the community.
October 22nd
Etz Chaim Synagogue (10:30 – 11:15 a.m.) UNLOCKING THE CLOSED BOOK – This is a bi-weekly class taught by Rabbi Feigenbaum on the power of prayer. Beginning with Adon Olam and working our way through the morning service, this class aims to make prayer more personal and meaningful as a part of our daily lives.
October 26th
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Congregation Ahavath Chesed (7 p.m.) ANTI-SEMITISM IN RUSSIA YESTERDAY AND TODAY - Dr. Brian Horowitz, Sizeler Family Chair Professor and Chair of the Jewish Studies Department at Tulane University will chart the treatment of Jews from the time of Peter the Great to the present with an emphasis on the government’s abuses. The entire community is
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
adult education invited to come and learn. Jewish Community Alliance (7 – 8:30 p.m.) LIVE YOUR BEST 100 YEARS Join Dr. Alan Nathan as he shares the latest research on stress and longevity and gives you strategies to start living your best 100 years, right now. Advance registration appreciated. The fee is $5, however JCA valued members are free.
October 27th
Jewish Community Alliance (12 p.m.) PAINTING PARTY – Put on your smock for a paint party with Mary Beth Belvins and create a floral masterpiece with acrylic paints. The fee is $27 and $18 for JCA valued members. Registration is required by Oct. 14.
October 30th
Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.) SOCCER VS. SYNAGOGUE Finding the Balance-Presented by Hilary Rotenberg, MSW and co-sponsored by JFCS. Bagels and coffee will be provided prior to the program at 9 a.m.
Regular Events
Sundays
Congregation Ahavath Chesed (10 a.m.) READ HEBREW AMERICA Read Hebrew America is a FREE program designed for Jews with little or no background in Hebrew. It concentrates on teaching the Hebrew alphabet and reading skills. Classes begin Oct. 23rd, however, an introductory class is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 16th. Call The Temple office at 904-7337078 or rsvp@TheTempelJacksonville.org to claim a seat at the table. 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 (9:15 – 10 a.m.) ALEF BET HEBREW - Classes will be held weekly at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, beginning on Oct. 30th and are open to all. Jacksonville Jewish Center (10:15 a.m. – 12 p.m.) FOUNDATIONS OF JUDAISM - 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 second unit, taught by Rabbi Jim Rogozen, is called People of the Book(s) and will be held Oct. 9th, 16th and 30th.
Mondays
Jacksonville Jewish Center (Mornings following minyan) MINYAN MAPQUEST - Rabbi Lubliner takes us on a tour of Jewish cities, explaining history and current statistics of some well-known and not-so-wellknown Jewish communities in our country. Next class is scheduled for Oct. 10th. Jacksonville Jewish Center (11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.) SERVICE SKILLS - Basic reading skills are necessary, but participants will work together on fluency and prayer vocabulary as they get comfortable with the Center’s Shabbat and weekday services. Next class is scheduled for Oct. 10th. Jacksonville Jewish Center (7:15 p.m.) TALMUD CLASS - Immediately following minyan, Rabbi Lubliner explores communal responses to crisis in tractate Ta’anit. Oct. 10th and 31st.
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. Jewish Community Alliance (6:30 – 9 p.m.) BLOCK PARTY: A PRINTMAKING WORKSHOP - Create a personalized holiday stationary in this two-day introduction to the basic process of single color relief print. Classes will be held Nov. 8th and 15th. Registration is required by Oct. 28th and the Fee is $36 and $24 for JCA valued members.
Wednesdays
Congregation Ahavath Chesed (7:30 a.m.) PIRKEI AVOT - (Ethics of the Fathers) Join Rabbi Cohen for a discussion on the timeless lessons found in Pirkei Avot. These are the lessons taught by our ancestors which are as useful today as they were when first discussed. No prior knowledge of Hebrew is needed and text is read in translation. Classes in Oct. will be held on the 5th and the 19th. 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. Learn to use advanced, gentle chair modifications for each posture sequence. Immediately following Yoga Shalom is an hour of Jewish Meditation and Spirituality for you to study and grow spiritually within a Jewish framework. Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue (7 p.m.) FINDING G-D - A monthly program will be taught by Rabbi Matuson based on the book Finding G-d by Sonsino and Syme, which contains chapters on significant Jewish thinkers from Biblical times and moving through the Medieval era to the modern age. Thinkers such as Philo, Maimonides, Spinoza, Buber, Kaplan, Heschal, and Kushner attempt to answer questions including “What is G-d?”, “Is there more than one way to perceive of G-d?”, “How can we know G-d?”, and “Why do bad things happen in the world?” This class meets on the third Wednesday of the month starting on October 19th and ending May 17th, with no class in December. This class is free to Beth El members, and $75 for non-members. Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue (6:30 -7:15 p.m.) BEGINNING HEBREW FOR ADULTS - This introductory class will be taught by Education Director Beth Brenner and is for those who have never learned Hebrew but always wanted to. Classes will be held the second and fourth Wednesday of every month starting in October. Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue (7:30 - 8:45 p.m) INTERMEDIATE HEBREW FOR ADULTS - This intermediate class will be taught by Education Director Beth Brenner and is designed for those students who want to improve upon their basic knowledge of the Hebrew language.
Classes will be held the second and fourth Wednesday of every month starting in October. 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. Jacksonville Jewish Center ONLINE ALEF-BET HEBREW Beginner’s level classes are live webinar-style, which can be easily accessed from your own computer in the convenience of your home. New classes will begin Oct. 26th and meet weekly for 10-12 weeks. Please contact JJC to reserve your spot as the class is limited to six students. Jewish Community Alliance (7 – 8 p.m.) FUCTIONAL FITNESS – This strength training class mimics activities of daily living. Learn movements to improve balance, coordination, strength and endurance. Classes will be held Oct. 19th and Nov. 9th. The fee is $90 and $60 for JCA valued members. Advance registration is required by Oct. 17. Jewish Community Alliance (6:30 – 9 p.m.) JEWELRY MAKING - Create a unique necklace with pendant using Precious Clay Metal in this two-part workshop. Classes will be held Oct. 19th and 26th and registration required by Oct. 11. The fee is $135 and $90 for JCA valued members.
the weekly parsha come alive like never before. Hot potato kugel from Sweeta by Ita will be served for participants to enjoy. Jewish Community Alliance (6:15 – 7 p.m.) BEGINNER GUITAR LESSONS FOR ADULTS – This group class lasting from Oct. 27th – Nov. 17th teaches an introduction to singing, guitar, music theory and relevant techniques. Sessions are progressive. The fee is $40 and $25 for JCA valued members and you must bring your own instrument.
Saturdays
Congregation Ahavath Chesed (9 a.m.) TORAH STUDY - Bring yourself to Torah and study the weekly portion. No prior knowledge is expected. Jacksonville Jewish Center LEAD A SERVICE - David Wolinsky, JJC Ritual Director, will work with any member who is interested in leading a portion of Shabbat or daily services. Please contact Wolinsky at 904-268-4200, ext. 224 for scheduling.
Jax Jewish singles to have BBQ filled feast
Thursdays
Congregation Ahavath Chesed (7 p.m.) INTRODUCTION TO JUDASIM - This class will examine the principles and practices of Judaism focusing on their importance and relevance for contemporary life. The curriculum includes all the holidays and life-cycle observances, concepts of God, prayer, spiritual living, ethics. Fee for members of The Temple is $210 and the fee for non-members is $250. Enrollment fees covers all books and materials. For more information, or to register for the series, call Edwinna Green at 904-733-7078 or email her at egreen@TheTempleJacksonville. org. Classes begin Oct. 27th and continue through April. Etz Chaim Synagogue (11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.) MORNING CLUB WEEKLY STUDY - Join us for a weekly dose of every day Halacha. We will be beginning with Hilchos Tefilla in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. This is an interactive class no textual knowledge required, if you have a Kitzur, please bring it along. Held in Mirkis Chapel and taught by Rabbi Schochet. 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
BY FRANCINCE SMITH Jax Jewish Singles
Join the Jax Jewish Singles at the Bearded Pig, Southern style BBQ and Beer Garden as they smoke all their meats in house (including beef and chicken), with all vegetarian sides. The restaurant offers a broad beer and wine selection and those in attendance will enjoy lunch outside under their covered patio. You can even stay and watch the football game if you so choose as it will most definitely be a casual laid back atmosphere. Contact Francine for details of exact date and location at 904-221-8061 or email her at francine.smith@ comcast.net.
www.jewishjacksonville.org
page 9
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
education
Galinsky Academy kicks off school year Beaches and Clay County Chabad to offer course with a new PTA president and board By Martin J. Gottleib Day School
The 2016-17 school year is in full swing at The Galinsky Academy, which includes Setzer Youth Education, the Bernard & Alice Selevan Religious School, Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, and the DuBow Preschool. The Academy is excited to welcome a new PTA President in Emily Spector, along with the Board. With a vision of building community among
Academy PTA board members Natalie Dayan and Faye Hedrick
all students and families across the Academy, plans for the new school year to include a family camp out, scholastic bookfairs, a huge Purim carnival in March, and teacher appreciation week. In addition to the new PTA President, board members include Lisa Hunt, Cindy Handmaker, Rachel Brodsky, Natalie Dayan, Faye Hedrick, Tracy Hilbert, Amy Kaminsky, and Simon Schuster.
Exciting initiatives ahead for new school year for Torah Academy of Jacksonville By Torah Academy of Jacksonville
The school year has brought with it so much to do and Torah Academy of Jacksonville is excited about the new diagnostic testing the school has adopted from the NWEA. This is vital to completely understanding each student’s academic standing at strategic intervals throughout the year. With this knowledge, TA has the ability to challenge students who exceed grade level while assisting those who may need some additional skill building. The school has also begun its teacher professional learning communities as twice each month the faculty meets for an hour to work on improving teaching and learning within the school. The focus remains on areas specific to the needs within the Academy and offers incredible resources which provide insight and assistance to its teaching staff. The staff utilizes the classroom app furnished by Google Apps for Education to continue the learning outside of these sessions. Some topics the
Students and teachers will be engaging in interactive and collaborative new programs this school year at Torah Academy of Jacksonville
learning community will focus on this year include practical implementation of inclusion techniques, differentiated instruction skills, encouraging positive behaviors in children, and more. While the faculty is gaining knowledge and sharpening its pedagogical skills, the students will be busy participating in multi-age activities. This allows the older students an opportunity to mentor the younger students as well as to demonstrate the
necessity of being a positive role model. The activities are focused around national celebration days within the month. During September, for example, students learned about Uncle Sam, citizenship, and hats. In following multi-age activities, students will learn about Johnny Appleseed, elephants and comic books to name a few. These are activities the students are sure to enjoy, all the while building those requisite leadership skills so vital to their future.
Michele Block Gan Yeladim kindergarten open house scheduled for October 27th BY NATHAN WOODS Michele Block Gan Yeladim
Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten invites the community to attend a Kindergarten open house, Thursday, Oct. 27th. At the open house, parents will have the opportunity to tour the school’s facilities and speak with the outstanding educators on staff. Parents are also given details about the various kindergarten program offerings. Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s Kindergarten program features a unique curriculum plan designed to focus on skill development that is appropriate for children in the kindergarten age group. During the school year, educators work with students to strengthen underdeveloped skills and to reinforce and enrich those that are strongest. Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s curriculum has been carefully
refined over the years to provide the best possible learning environment and opportunities for students. The curriculum is broken down into 14 categories, including math, reading skills, visual discrimination skills, social studies, handwriting skills, the
arts, gross motor skills, science and technology, fine motor skills, social and emotional skills, cognitive skills, Jewish studies, literacy and language skills and listening skills. Each category has carefully-crafted goals aimed at fully developing each skill. The in-depth learning experiences offered at Michele Block Gan Yeladim Kindergarten give children the opportunity to gain thorough, comprehensive knowledge and understanding of each topic. Skills are continuously taught and reinforced by educators throughout the year. Children in the school’s kindergarten program finish the school year with all of the knowledge and skills needed to succeed at the next level of their educational journey. For more information about the open house or Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s kindergarten program, please contact Rochelle Golomb at 904-730-2100, ext. 259.
Social Media Directory
on thinking successfully By Chabad of Clay County
A new six week course entitled ‘How Success Thinks, Jewish Secrets for leading a productive life’, will be offered at both the Clay County and Beaches Chabad locations. There is no one magic pill or secret formula that will turn you into an overnight sensation as success is a product of who you are, what you believe, how you behave, and lots of hard work. Nobody can do the work for you, but Jewish wisdom and positive psychology have insights that will help you cultivate signature strengths, deal with weaknesses, and overcome the obstacles to your success. The course is CME and APA accredited for medical and mental health professionals and will begin Nov. 13th at 10 a.m. in Clay County at the Fleming Island Public Library (1895 Town Center Blvd.). The cost for the course is $89 with a textbook included and those who sign-up before Oct. 30th get a 10-percent discount as do those students who encourage
two or more friends to participate. The Beaches session will begin Wednesday, Nov. 6th at 7 p.m. at the Aaron and Blanche Scharf Chabad Center (521 A1A N.) in Ponte Vedra. The course costs $79 in addition to a $20 textbook and those who register early get a 10-percent discount. For more information on the hour long Clay County course call 904-290-1017 or send an email to info@jewishclaycoounty.com and for registration details on the 90-minute Beaches class, call 904-543-9301 or email rabbi@chabadbeaches. com.
page 10
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
education
Etz Chaim Synagogue to hold its annual Shabbat journals help Hebrew reading crash course for adults chronicle celebrations
of many Michele Block Gan Yeladim families
BY AVI FEIGENBAUM Rabbi, Etz Chaim Synagogue
Every November, tens of thousands of Jewish adults gather in hundreds of locations across North America to learn Hebrew, the language of our people. ‘Read Hebrew America’ is the ideal way to learn how to follow your synagogue services, while becoming more involved in your children’s Jewish education or simply enhancing your own ties to Judaism. This course is designed for Jews with little or no background in Hebrew as it concentrates on teaching the Hebrew alphabet and reading skills. Join Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum for an exciting five-week crash course where you will be challenged in a fun and easy going atmosphere to better your Hebrew from whichever level you are currently at. Classes begin Oct. 26th and continue each Wednesday through Nov. 16th with a final session to be held Wednesday, Nov. 30th.
Etz Chaim Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum will teach a five-week crash course to those looking to either improve upon or fully learn how to read Hebrew
Magid named new youth director at the Jacksonville Jewish Center By Jacksonville Jewish Center
Gabrielle Magid has been hired as the Jacksonville Jewish center’s new Youth Director. She takes over for Gia Hagen who, unexpectedly, had to relocate to Miami due to her husband’s job. Magid, who is a Jacksonville Jewish Center product in every facet is not only an alumna of the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, but a graduate of the Center’s high school programs as well. She was a Chalutzim President, Kadima Co-President, and served on the USY Regional General Board (Israel Affairs). Along with being a Shabbat morning regular, she is involved in a variety of local Jewish and non-profit organizations. The 2015 UF graduate left Gainesville with a degree in
Women’s Studies and a minor in Business Administration and NonProfit Organizational Leadership. Magid is the founder and executive director of Stronger Than Stigma, a non-profit organization dedicated to mental health advocacy for millennials, which she started in her junior year of college. The Jacksonville native has been reaching out to her friends to serve as advisors for the Center’s youth groups and will be working with former Youth Director, Gayle Bailys, as her mentor. She is currently reaching out to students, following up on membership applications, and working with Kadima and USY leadership to fill up the calendar with activities. Magid can be reached at gmagid@jaxjewishcenter.org, or 904-312-2771.
New Jacksonville Jewish Center Youth Director Gabrielle Magid
Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s Shabbat Journal helps to increase family engagement while enhancing overall literacy experiences for students
BY NATHAN WOODS Michele Block Gan Yeladim
Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten has always strived to encourage families to actively celebrate their culture and the Jewish tradition. One tradition of Michele Block Gan Yeladim Shabbat celebrations is a classroom journal that is shared weekly in the school’s Shabbat basket, which is passed from family to family. The journal serves to both increase family engagement and enhance literacy experiences for students. By the end of the school year, the journal is packed full of detailed accounts of each family’s celebration, including pictures of each child enjoying the festivities. One of Ms. Ledesma’s students, Henry, wrote, “My family enjoyed celebrating Shabbat. We blessed the candles, wine and challah. My brother Nolan and I both love challah!” One Michele Block Gan Yeladim parent, Seth Rothstein, enjoyed this experience so much, he wanted a way to remember it. Thanks to Rothstein, students in Ms. Ledesma’s Junior Kindergarten class were treated to a special keepsake from their enriching Shabbat experience last year. Rothstein provided a professionally-bound hard copy of the classroom Shabbat journal to each child to read and treasure.
“I asked what happened to the journals at the end of the year and I was told they went into a closet,” says Rothstein. “That seemed so sad, and I thought about the first few families who got the basket and never got to read any other journal entries,” he explained. “They had missed out on one of the greatest parts of the Shabbat basket so that is when I had a moment of inspiration.” Rothstein called a friend, Richard Lynn, who has a grandson that is a student at Michele Block Gan Yeladim. Lynn works for the Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Florida, which has its own printing press and digitization equipment, so Rothstein retrieved the journal from Ms. Ledesma after the last student in the class received the basket and made a color copy of the journal for each child as well as a scanned version sent to each parent. “We just hoped that we could help share some of the joy we received when we read the journal,” Rothstein said. Savoring Shabbat through the eyes of the children is a wonderful learning opportunity and encourages each family to take part in meaningful traditions together. This is just another example of how Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten incorporates the entire family into its early childhood education experience.
Martin J. Gottlieb Day School teacher to present at national conference
Liat Walker will present at the iPadPalooza conference in Austin, Texas By Martin J. Gottleib Day School
Martin J. Gottlieb Day School teacher Liat Walker was invited to present at the iPadPalooza conference in Austin, Texas this past summer. While there, Walker was asked to share her innovative use of the app Tiny Tap to teach conversational Hebrew to her students. iPadPalooza, which began in Austin before blossoming into an international event, is a ‘learning festival that is a celebration of the cultural shift that iPads, Chromebooks and other technology have brought about in education and the world which focuses on creativity, social
collaboration, engagement and the compelling ways schools have integrated technology into their classrooms.’ ‘We are so proud of Liat for continuing to make secondlanguage acquisition exciting for our students,” said Galinsky Academy Head of Schools Rabbi Jim Rogozen. “Because our school offers whole-language immersion, our teachers work hard on having as many tools as possible to keep the learning fun,” he added. For more information on Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, a Solomon Schechter K–8, please contact Nancy Davis at nancy.davis@mjgds.org.
page 11
www.jewishjacksonville.org
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
education
Michele Block Gan Yeladim expands, adding another grasshopper class BY NATHAN WOODS Michele Block Gan Yeladim
Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s Grasshopper group now has five classes
The 2016-17 school year at Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten is off to an exciting start, with its Grasshopper age group expanding and adding another class. The Grasshopper age group includes students who have turned two years old by Sept. 1st. The program has grown from four classes to five while maintaining excellent teacher to child ratios. The school has also increased its staff size
to accommodate this additional class and to maintain the excellent experience in early childhood education to which the parents and children of Michele Block Gan Yeladim have become so accustomed to. While the school has expanded its staff, it retains its unparalleled continuity in leadership as Director Theresa Levy has been with Michele Block Gan Yeladim for nearly 25 years and has also directed Camp Gan Yeladim and KinderCamp for the past 22 years. Assistant Director Rochelle Golomb has been with the school
for six years and has 25 years of experience in Jewish early childhood education, while the school’s first director, Nancy Green, now serves as the assistant executive director at the JCA. Block Gan takes pride in its ability to expand without changing direction or sacrificing quality. Additional available spots are limited, so for more information about the new Grasshopper class or about any of the school’s programs, please contact Rochelle Golomb at 904-730-2100, ext. 259 or Theresa Levy at 904-730-2100, ext. 237.
Skills and Drills found Adult education classes to start this at the DuBow Preschool month at Jacksonville Jewish Center By Jacksonville Jewish Center
DuBow’s younger students learn specialized skills such as painting
BY SUZIE POLLAK DuBow Preschool
Skills and drills are the focus of the DuBow Preschool physical education program this year. A new member of the staff, Coach Jackie begins each P.E. session with a stretching warm-up and ends with a cool down to keep the class’ little bodies flexible and prepared. The Preschool’s three through VPK classes will be taught a new sport each month and for three weeks she will focus on the defined skills required to successfully understand each sport. This past month, the three, four, and five-year-olds have enjoyed soccer, learned to dribble and trap as well as how to properly kick the ball. They even have worked their way up to a team building modified game. The school’s youngest students are also engaged in activities that
promote gross and fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and listening skills. Coach Jackie is incorporating counting, hide-and-seek and spatial awareness with the use of parachutes, freeze dance and tunnels. Students are fortunate enough to have an air-conditioned indoor playroom to overcome the heat of summer, but also extremely lucky that the Jacksonville Jewish Center campus has ample outdoor fields in which to enjoy these sports and activities once the weather cools off. Physical education is one of the many resources that DuBow Preschool students are experiencing as administrators feel very strongly about enhancing the school’s academic curriculum with specialties such as music, gardening, science and art. Those interested in a tour should contact the Preschool office at 904-292-1000 or send an email to info@dubowpreschool.org.
CTeen at the Beaches plans Oct. outing to Rebounderz By Chabad at the Beaches
CTeen Beaches has begun and members are having a great time learning and going on outings. Now CTeen at the Beaches will launch a social-service initiative, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 23rd. CTeen at the Beaches will take a trip to meet Jewish People in the area and help assist them in shaking the Lulav and Etrog, a special Mitzvah traditionally performed on the Holiday of Sukkot. The group will then continue on to Rebounderz and have a blast at the Jacksonville Jump Fun Center. Rebounderz offers 12,000 square feet of trampoline jumping space, play in-the-air dodge ball, flip in the foam pit, basketball slam dunker and state-of-the-art combatstyle laser and archery tag. Teens will gather at Chabad at 10:45 a.m. and then travel to Rebounderz, located at 14985 Old St. Augustine Rd. in Jacksonville. Reservations must be made by Oct. 9th. Last month, CTeen held its 2016 inaugural kickoff event, featuring brunch and games, including a game of ‘gotta catch all the mitzvahs’, scavenger hunt. They
also studied the Kabbalah and Torah of Pokemon Go. “That was so awesome,” said Noam Bensimon, an active CTeen member. CTeen Beaches offers two programs, the ‘Time of My Life’ program and ‘CTeen monthly’ teen club. Each Sunday morning the CTeen students meet for some interactive study, social action, and discussions on relevant Jewish topics and Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation. Once a month, CTeen meets for a club gathering that is open to the public. Teens do not need to belong to the CTeen Time of My Life class to join the monthly meeting. Those interested in learning more about CTeen and its affiliate programs can visit ChabadBeaches.com/CTeen, e-mail Eli@ChabadBeaches.com, or call 904-543-9301.
As the New Year begins, so will several new adult education classes at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. A Beginner’s Hebrew class will be held on Sunday mornings at 9:15, beginning on Oct. 30, and will run weekly through January. A weekly online course (live, webinar-style) for beginners will also be offered on Wednesday evenings, beginning Oct. 26th. The Center recently celebrated the ‘graduates’ of last year’s Chai Mitzvah class at Shabbat services on Sept. 24th. This is a national program created as a way to engage adults in a Jewish journey throughout their lives. Participants attend monthly study sessions, identified something Jewish that they wanted to learn, take on or deepen an existing ritual, while engaging in social action. A new Chai Mitzvah class begins Nov. 7th. The JJC continues to provide ongoing classes such as Monday evening Talmud with Rabbi Lubliner, Foundations of Judaism classes, and a service skills class to help congregants to become more fluent with the Center’s Shabbat and weekday liturgy.
Additionally, monthly meetings of the book club and Yiddish Club, ShalOM Meditation, and Coffee and Torah study are very popular and will continue throughout the year. Please contact Lois Tompkins at LTompkins@jaxjewishcenter.
org to sign up in advance for any classes or call at 904 268-4200, ext. 146. Classes are free unless there is a minimal materials charge, and always open to all. For more information and meeting dates, please visit jjcjax.org/education/adult-education.
page 12
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
EDUCATION
Students welcomed back to the DuBow Preschool with a multitude of learning opportunities and exercises By DuBow Preschool
As the 2016-17 school year begins at the DuBow Preschool, new and returning families were welcomed to an atmosphere of play-based learning. DuBow Preschool prides itself on a carefully considered early childhood approach that incorporates its three curricula into a scaffolding educational environment steeped in a tradition of Jewish values and culture along with a love of Israel. The infant class or the Gozalim has grown and there has been a surge of enrollment that brought back the Tzavim class. Infants through toddler programs ages two and younger are now using the Foundations for Success curriculum that is based in sensory and both fine and gross motor de-
velopment. Parparim classes have expanded on its previous years instructions with the Creative Curriculum that is theme based and provides an extensive language and vocabulary foundation. This is utilized in conjunction with the Handwriting Without Tears emergent writing tool. The school’s VPK, or Tzeeporim, classes utilize the ELLM Curriculum that is literacy and math based and science and gardening, music, and physical education resources enhance all of these programs. DuBow’s Jewish studies teachers have enhanced their curriculums as they are looking forward to sharing with their students and their families an ongoing love of Judaism and Hebrew language to prepare them for what is considered to be an early admission to the Martin J.
Gottlieb Day School. During staff pre-planning week relevant trainings are provided to new and existing staff members. Professionals in the fields of pediatric neuropsychology, speech and language pathology, and occupational therapy were on hand to cover the topics of general behavioral modification and attention problems, emergent and continuing language development and red flags, and sensory development and motor skills. The umbrella of the Galinsky Academy and the partnership of the Jacksonville Jewish Center continues to provide valuable and continued support for students and their teachers. On behalf of the school’s entire staff, we would like to wish you a Shanah Tovah U’Metukah- a happy and sweet new year.
The school’s VPK or Tzeeporim class utilize a curriculum that is based in literacy, math, science, music, gardening and physical education
The Temple to offer Read Hebrew America classes beginning in October By Congregation Ahavath Chesed
Is this the year you realize your long-held desire to read Hebrew? Imagine how much more meaningful your worship experience might be if you could pronounce the words with the congregation. It’s with this in mind that Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) is here to help you accomplish that goal. Read Hebrew America is a free program designed for Jews with little or no background in Hebrew, concentrating on teaching the Hebrew alphabet and reading skills. “More than 250,000 North American Jews have learned to read Hebrew through this program and I am committed to making Hebrew accessible to any adult who wishes to learn,” said Temple RHA volunteer Martin Levine. “Each year students tell me that language is not their strength, that they are too old to learn, or that they tried before and could not do it and each year, every student is following the prayer service and reading Hebrew after participating in the program,”
he explained. “Everyone can learn to read Hebrew because the class is designed for students who have no background knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet, so everyone is a beginner.” Classes will meet Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. at The Temple, beginning Oct. 23rd. An introductory class is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 16th at 10 a.m. Call The Temple office 904-733-7078 or rsvp@TheTempleJacksonville.org to claim a seat at the soon to be filled table.
Block Gan to celebrate Jewish culture during the upcoming High Holy Days BY NATHAN WOODS Michele Block Gan Yeladim
Educators at Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten strive to provide an enriching cultural experience to their young students. When the holidays come around, Block Gan is always ready to celebrate. Each year, the school provides several programs built around honoring Jewish holidays. One such program, Sensational Sensory Sukkot, scheduled for Oct. 21st from 1 – 2:15 p.m. allows young children to explore the wonderful holiday of Sukkot through the stimulation of all five senses inside the JCA’s courtyard sukkah. The school doesn’t just celebrate Jewish culture for the holidays. In the spirit of hachnasat orchim, welcoming guests, everyone is welcome to join in Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s weekly Shabbat celebrations, which take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Donziger Library at the JCA. Members of the community are encouraged to stop by and join in the celebration.
The cultural experiences at Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten will be enriched even more with the addition of the Jacksonville community’s new Israeli shlicha (cultural emissary), Dana Marmari. Dana (pronounced Donna) comes to the agency through a unique JCA/Federation partnership. The school’s staff looks forward to working with Dana to further develop its enriching cultural programs and ensuring that Michele Block Gan Yeladim faculty and students gain a deeper appreciation for the great traditions involved in Jewish holidays. For more information about the enrichment programs offered by Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten, please contact Rochelle Golomb at 904-730-2100, ext. 259.
page 13
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
www.jewishjacksonville.org
chabad NEWS
Chabad to host renowned pop-artist Yitzchok Moully for a pair of events in November By Chabad of S. Augustine & Southside Chabad
Southside Chabad and Chabad of S. Augustine will host renowned pop-artist Yitzchok Moully, who is known as the ‘Chassidic Warhol’ for two-events in mid-November. The first event will take place Sunday, Nov. 20th at 5 p.m. and will consist of a silkscreen workshop, enabling participants to create their very own piece of art, while learning about the artist, and his take on Jewish art. The second event is an art show, scheduled for the next day, Nov. 21st, at 7 p.m. Both events
will challenge your perception of Jewish art, combining the bright, bold colors prevalent in pop art with the timeless and sophisticated images of Judaica and the Jewish people. Moully’s work takes
recognizable Jewish objects and symbols and presents them in a contemporary style, making Judaism and Jewish art more accessible to all. His original screen prints utilize ink and acrylic paints to
represent traditional Judaica art themes for a modern generation. Raised by former hippies, Moully experienced a different and perhaps more colorful upbringing than most chassidim today. Moully’s family journeyed from an alternative lifestyle amidst the Australian outback to ‘organized Judaism’ by way of New York and the Chabad movement. He graduated from the Rabbinical College of Australia and New Zealand, and the Rabbinical College of America. Moully is a self-taught artist whose works are inspired by the greats of the Pop Art movement as they reflect its energy in Jewish form. Moully’s artistic journey continues to evolve from Pop to ‘Post Pop’ to abstract in his quest to convey deep Jewish and
Chasidic themes and significance. The Southside workshop will give participants the chance to make their own Jewish art masterpiece, something they will cherish for a long time to come, while reminding them of their Jewish heritage. The process of silkscreen is a printing method done by hand with minimal equipment. It allows each participant to print a prepared image onto a canvas, creating a recognizable yet unique piece of art. The cost for attending the Southside event is $15 and will be held at Chabad of Southside (11271 Alumni Way). To RSVP, visit southsidechabad.com. The S. Augustine art show is free to the public and will be held at Leather by Design (2535 US 1) in St Augustine.
The upcoming Kids STEAM Course New Year at Southside at GROW encourages global impact Chabad highlighted by a brand new curriculum By Chabad of S. Johns
This fall, science meets the whimsical world as children unleash their imaginations through exciting hands-on construction workshops and engineering labs. GROW After School Enrichment, which takes place every Tuesday at Durbin Creek Elementary School, promotes child self-development through Jewish values. The upcoming course, ‘Dream Building: The Magic of Israel’, is a once in a lifetime opportunity for children to develop creative building skills, deepen their relationship with the Land of Israel, and foster a desire to create global change. Integrating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), this session will enable your kids to actualize their creative ideas and bring joy to their peers in Israel. This six week course was created to demonstrate to kids that making dreams a reality can be fun and easy, through small,
simple actions one can impact the world. “Kids today want to have a positive impact,” explained Mrs. Dini Sharfstein. “By empowering them to give globally, to touch the lives of other kids in Israel, they begin to believe in themselves,” she added. “To believe that they can leave their mark of kindness
Ongoing & Upcoming Chabad Events HQ/Mandarin
S. Augustine for kiddush under the stars and delicious kosher Chassidic Philosophy Weekday mornings, Monday - Fri- sushi professionally made by the day 6:40 a.m., , Sundays at 8:15 a.m. in-house sushi chef. w/instructor Rabbi Yossie Kahanov. Friday Night Shabbat Dinners Nov. 11th at 6:30 p.m. (Mexican) Insights on the Torah Portion Shabbos mornings at 8:30 a.m. with Dec. 9th at 6:30 p.m. (Moroccan). instructor Rabbi Mendy Browd.
Chabad of S. Johns Exploring The Talmud Tuesday evenings, after Maariv with S. Johns Jewish Womens Circle Fused Glass Mezuzah Workshop Instructor Rabbi Mendy Browd. - Wednesday, Nov. 2nd at 7 p.m. ‘Knock Knock, Is G-d Home?’ Women’s Study Group What’s that scroll doing on your Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. doorpost? Learn about the Mezuwith instructor Rebbetzin Rivkie zah and create your own beautiful Kahanov. glass Mezuzah case. Chabad at the Beaches
The Jewish Kids Club Israeli Dance Night Wednesday, Oct. 19th at 7 p.m. with Havdalah Concert & Movie Night - Saturday, Nov. 19th at 6:30 p.m. Rickie Bensimon (ladies only). Come for Havdallah, popcorn, and a Jewish film, family fun for Scotch and Cigars in the Sukkah everyone. Thursday, Oct. 20th from 7:30 - 9 p.m. (men only) RSVP $25 prepaid Torah & Tea Series by Oct. 13th or $36 at the door. Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Join together with Jewish women for Ladies Book Club Resuming Nov. 1st at 7:30 p.m. and inspiring Torah discussions, Jewish meditation, camaraderie, hot led by Mrs. Caroline Hirsch. Call tea, and delicious refreshments. 904-543-9301 for more info. The feminine Spirituali-Tea! For more information Email:Dini@ Chabad of Southside JewishSJohnsCounty.com. Hookah in the Sukkah Thursday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. for Hebrew School for Grownups young professionals and students. Hebrew School for GrownUps Keep the tradition going with some music (bring an instrument), is your informal space to refresh your knowledge of Judaism. You’ll Hookah (optional) and delicious gain a basic knowledge of Jewish refreshments. practice and an understanding of why we Jew-it. Additionally you’ll Chabad of S. Augustine delve into the deeper, more mystiSushi in the Sukkah cal aspects of Jewish life. Contact Oct. 16th at 7 p.m. Join Chabad of S. Augustine for kiddush under the info@JewishSJohnsCounty.com.
on the world is revolutionary.” Drawing upon lessons by students at Technion, kids will open their eyes to a different Landscape which will enable and motivate technological advancement. During this session of GROW, their journey will reach its final culmination as children, using their newly acquired skills, design toys for Sderot’s children in need. Participants in this session will also have the opportunity to be matched with a pen pal. GROW is not just another after-school program. ‘Dream Building: The Magic of Israel’ offers a full panorama of creative expression and tangible impact, explored through the deeper lens of Jewish values, history, and identity. Choose GROW and watch your child’s creative Jewish spirit unfold. Dream Building begins Tuesday Nov. 1st and will run for six weeks. To register or to find out more, email Dini@ JewishSJohnsCounty.com or call 904-701-4422.
By Southside Chabad
Southside Chabad’s school year began in late August and the hallways are already abuzz with the joyous sounds of Jewish children. With more than 50 students enrolled at Chabad of Southside for the 2016-17 school year, it begins its 11th year of continued incremental growth. The school takes great pride in its devoted staff and the low turnover rate as the staff averages five years or more at the school. “Our dedicated staff is the cornerstone of our program,” explained director said Chana Novack. “Each teacher shares one focus and that is
unparalleled concern for each and every student, so we could not be prouder of our team,” she added. This year new curriculums were added to the arsenal at Chabad with the highly regarded DiscoverEd curriculum incorporated into the Preschool’s Reggio inspired program and the groundbreaking Bright Beginnings Gemara program for the Day School students. “Our children are more tuned into technology and striking graphics than ever before,” Novak explained. “We are always on the lookout for materials that allow us to share timeless teachings through the most compelling mediums available.”
page 14
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
page 15
www.jewishjacksonville.org
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
high holy day schedules 288 N. Roscoe Blvd. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 bethelbeaches.org 904-273-9100
rescheduled for 4:30 p.m. w/light dinner) Monday, October 24th Simchat Torah – 10:30 a.m. (Service with yizkor)
Shacharis - 8:15 a.m. Mincha - 6:35 p.m. Candle Lighting - 6:36 p.m.
10167 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32257 etzchaim.org 904-262-3565
Tuesday, Oct. 18th Second day of Sukkos Shacharis – 9 a.m. Youth Programs - 9:45 a.m. (school wing) NCSY Sukkah Hop – 4 p.m. (5th grade and older) Mincha - 6:35 p.m. Maariv and Havdallah - 7:35 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 2nd Erev Rosh Hashanah Services - 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3rd Rosh Hashanah Services – 10 a.m. Youth Service – 10 a.m. (Tashlich follows) Tuesday, Oct. 4th Rosh Hashanah Services – 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 9th Cemetery Services – 10 a.m. Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery (Beth El Section) Tuesday, Oct. 11th Kol Nidre Service – 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 12th Yom Kippur Services - 10 a.m. Youth Service – 10 a.m. Discussion (1:30 p.m.) Yizkor – 4:30 p.m. (Then Neilah, Havdalah & break-the-fast) Friday, October 14th Sukkot Service – 7 p.m. Sunday, October 16th Pizza in the Sukkah – 12 p.m.
8727 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32217 thetemplejacksonville.org 904-733-7078 Sunday, Oct. 2nd Erev Rosh Hashanah services – 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3rd Rosh Hashanah Morning service – 10 a.m. (held in the Wolfson Sanctuary and led by Rabbi Shapiro) Children’s experience – 10 a.m. (1st - 5th grade led by Naomi Chase) Teen experience – 10 a.m. (6th grade - high school in Sadowsky Family Chapel and led by Rabbi Cohen) Tashlich and Congregational Luncheon at Epping Forest (following morning services) Tot Experience – 3 p.m. (led by Rabbi Shapiro and Naomi Chase) Sunday, Oct. 9th Cemetery Services – 12:30 p.m. (Evergreen Cemetery and King David Garden at Greenlawn Cemetery) Tuesday, Oct. 11th Kol Nidre services – 7:30 p.m. (Evening Service in Wolfson Sanctuary led by Rabbi Shapiro and Rabbi Cohen) Wednesday, October 12th Yom Kippur Morning service – 10 a.m. (held in Wolfson Sanctuary and led by Rabbi Shapiro) Children’s experience – 10 a.m. (1st - 5th grade led by Naomi Chase) Teen experience – 10 a.m. (6th grade - high school in Sadowsky Family Chapel and led by Rabbi Cohen) Adult discussion – 2 p.m. (led by Rabbi Shapiro) Tot Experience – 2 p.m. (led by Rabbi Cohen and Naomi Chase) Afternoon service – 3 p.m. (held in Wolfson Sanctuary and led by Rabbi Shapiro and Rabbi Cohen) Yizkor service - 4:30 pm (led by Rabbi Shapiro and Rabbi Cohen) Neilah and Havdalah service (followed by Yizkor and held in the Wolfson Sanctuary) Congregational Break-the-Fast (followed by Neilah and Havdalah) Sunday, October 16th Erev Sukkot - 5-7 p.m. (Suk-out and Sukkah Decorating) Monday, October 17th Sukkot - 10:30 a.m. (Service in the sukkah) Sunday, October 23rd Simchat Torah – 6:30 p.m. (service and Hakafot, Religious School
Sunday, Oct. 2nd Erev Rosh Hashanah Selichos and Shacharis - 6:15 a.m. Mincha - 6:55 p.m. Candle Lighting - 6:52 p.m. Monday, October 3rd Rosh Hashanah Services Main Minyan - 8 a.m. (Wolfson Sanctuary) Sephardic Minyan - 8 a.m. (Mirkis Chapel) Youth Programs - 8:45 a.m. (school wing) Explanatory Class – 10 a.m. (Do You Hear What I Hear? Sounds of the Shofar, Meanings and Prayers with Rena Schochet in the social hall) Rabbi Yaakov Fisch’s sermon - 10:40 a.m. Shofar Service - 11 a.m. Mussaf - 11:20 a.m. Explanatory Class - 12:00 p.m. (‘Changing the World before It Changes Me!’ with Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum in the social hall) Mincha - 6:30 p.m. Tashlich (following Mincha) Candle lighting after 7:52 p.m. (from existing flame) Tuesday, Oct. 4th Rosh Hashanah Services Main Minyan - 8 a.m. (Wolfson Sanctuary) Sephardic Minyan - 8 a.m. (Mirkis Chapel) Youth Programs - 8:45 a.m. (school wing) Explanatory Class – 10 a.m. (‘A Treasure Hunt in Our Own Back Yard: Making the meaning of how we value what we have’ with Rena Schochet) Rabbi Yaakov Fisch’s sermon - 10:40 a.m. Shofar Service – 11 a.m. Mussaf - 11:20 a.m. Explanatory Class – 12 p.m. (‘This is your mission should you choose to accept it’ w/ Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum in the social hall) Mincha - 6:45 p.m. Maariv and Havdallah - 7:50 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5th Fast of Gedalia Fast Begins - 6:11 a.m. Selichos and Shacharis – 6 a.m. Mincha - 6:30 p.m. Fast Ends - 7:42 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9th Selichos and Shacharis - 7:30 a.m. Community Memorial Service – 10 a.m. (at The Etz Chaim Cemetery) Mincha and Maariv - 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11th Erev Yom Kippur Selichos and Shacharis - 6:30 a.m. Mincha - 2:45 p.m. Kol Nidre - 6:40 p.m. Candle Lighting - 6:41 p.m. Rabbi Yaakov Fisch’s sermon - 7:10 p.m. President’s Address - 7:30 p.m. Explanatory Class - 8 p.m. (‘Keeping Your Balance on The Tightrope of Yom Kippur’ with Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum) Wednesday, Oct. 12th Yom Kippur Main Minyan – 8 a.m. (Wolfson Sanctuary) Sephardic Minyan – 8 a.m. (Mirkis Chapel) Youth Programs - 8:45 a.m. (school wing) Explanatory Class - 10:15 a.m. (‘Please Don’t Stop the Music: The Song, Prayer and Liturgy for the Yom Kippur Service’ with Rena Schochet in the social hall) Sermon with Rabbi Fisch – 11 a.m. Torah Reading - 11:20 a.m. President’s Address - 11:50 a.m. Yizkor – 12 p.m. Explanatory Class - 12:30 p.m. (Learning to Forgive is a Game Changer with Rabbi Feigenbaum in the social hall) Mincha - 12:30 p.m. Explanatory Class - 4:35 p.m. (‘Chariots of Fire: Thoughts before Ne’ilah’ with Rena Schochet in the social hall) Rabbi Yaakov Fisch’s Pre-Neilah Remarks – 6 p.m. (followed by Neilah) Conclusion of Yom Kippur and Shofar Blowing - 7:41 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16th Erev Sukkos
Monday, Oct. 17th First day of Sukkot Shacharis – 9 a.m. Youth Programs - 9:45 a.m. (school wing) Mincha - 6:35 p.m. Candle lighting after 7:36 p.m. (lit from existing flame)
Sunday, Oct. 23rd Hoshana Rabbah Shacharis - 7:30 a.m. Candle lighting - 6:29 p.m. Mincha - 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24th Shemini Atzeres Shacharis – 9 a.m. Yizkor - 10:30 a.m. (approx.) Mincha - 6:30 p.m. Candle lighting after 7:29 p.m. (lit from existing flame) Tuesday, Oct. 25th Simchat Torah Shacharis – 8 a.m. Mincha - 6 p.m. Neilas Hachag (following Mincha) Maariv and Havdallah - 7:28 p.m.
3662 Crown Point Road Jacksonville, FL 32257 jaxjewishcenter.com 904-268-4200 Sunday, Oct. 2nd Erev Rosh Hashanah Minhah/Ma’ariv – 6 p.m. Candle lighting - 6:51 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3rd First Day Rosh Hashanah Shaharit - 7:45 a.m. Torah Service – 9 a.m. Shofar Service – 10 a.m. Kavanah Service - 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. K-12 youth services - 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Preschool family service (11:15 a.m. - 12 p.m.) Sermon 11 a.m. Musaf - 11:30 a.m. Tashlikh – 6 p.m. Minhah - 6:45 p.m. Study session and Ma’ariv (following Minhah) Tuesday, Oct. 4th Second Day Rosh Hashanah Shaharit - 7:45 a.m. Torah Service - 8:30 a.m. Shofar Service - 9:30 a.m. Musaf - 10:30 a.m. Kavanah service - 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. K-12 youth services (10:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.) Preschool family service (11:15 a.m. - 12 p.m.) Minhah - 6:45 p.m. Study session and Ma’ariv (following Minhah) Wednesday, Oct. 5th Fast of Gedaliah Morning service - 7:10 a.m. Evening service – 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9th Annual Memorial Service New Center Cemetery - 10:30 a.m. Beth Shalom Cemetery - 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11th Erev Yom Kippur Morning Service - 7:10 a.m. Minhah - 6:15 p.m. Kol Nidre (following Minchah) Candle lighting - 6:41 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12th Yom Kippur Day Shaharit - 7:45 a.m. Torah Service - 9:30 a.m. Kavanah service - 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. K-12 youth services - 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. President’s address – 11 a.m. Preschool family service (11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.) Musaf Service - 11:30 a.m. Rabbi’s sermon - 1:45 p.m.
Yizkor (following Rabbi’s sermon) Yom Kippur dialogue/discussion with Rabbi Lubliner – 4 p.m. Healing Service – 4 p.m. Minhah - 4:45 p.m. Ne’ilah youth service - 6:15 p.m. Ne’ilah - 6:15 p.m. Fast ends - 7:34 p.m. Ma’ariv, Final Shofar and Break-the-Fast (following end of fast) Sunday, Oct. 16th Erev Sukkot Morning Service - 8:30 a.m. Minhah /Ma’ariv - 6:30 p.m. Candle lighting - 6:35 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17th Sukkot Services 1st Day Shaharit - 9 a.m. Sukkot youth services - 10:30 a.m. Preschool family service (11:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.) Minhah - 6:30 p.m. Study session and Ma’ariv (following Minhah) Candle lighting - 7:35 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18th Sukkot Services 2nd Day Shaharit – 9 a.m. Sukkot youth services - 10:30 a.m. Minhah - 6:30 p.m. Study session and Ma’ariv (following Minhah) Yom Tov ends - 7:27 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21st Sukkot Day No. 5 Congregational Sukkot Shabbat Services and Dinner in the Sukkah – 6 p.m. Candle Lighting - 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23rd Hoshanah Rabbah / Erev Shmini Atzeret Shaharit – 8 a.m. Minhah /Ma’ariv 6 p.m. Candle lighting – 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24th Shemini Atzeret / Erev Simhat Torah Shaharit 9 a.m. (with Yizkor) Shemini Atzeret youth services (10:30 a.m.) Young family Simhat Torah Celebration (5:30 p.m.) Minhah - 6:30 p.m. Ma’ariv and Simhat Torah Celebration 7:30 p.m. (for Adults, Teens and Children) Candle lighting - 7:29 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25th Simhat Torah Shaharit/Family Torah Service – 9 a.m. Minhah - 6:30 p.m. Study session and Ma’ariv (following Minchah) Yom Tov ends - 7:19 p.m.
2055 Wildwood Drive. St. Augustine, FL 32086 templebetyam.org 904-819-1875 Sunday, Oct. 2nd Erev Rosh Hashanah services – 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3rd Rosh Hashanah kids service – 9 a.m. Rosh Hashanah service – 10 a.m. Kiddush followed by Tashlich – 1 p.m. (approx.) Monday, Oct. 3rd Rosh Hashanah kids service – 9 a.m. Rosh Hashanah service – 10 a.m. Kiddush followed by Tashlich – 1 p.m. (approx.) Tuesday, Oct. 11th Kol Nidre services – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12th Yom Kippur children’s service – 9 a.m. Yom Kippur morning service – 10 a.m. Yom Kippur afternoon service – 3 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah service – 4:15 p.m. (approx.)
Break-the-Fast – 6:15 p.m. 161 Cordova Street St. Augustine, FL 32084 first-congregationsonsofisrael.org 904-829-9532
See HIGH HOLY DAY SCHEDULES, p. 16
page 16
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
High Holy Day Schedules Continued from pg. 14 (First Congregation Sons of Israel)
high holy day schedules Monday, Oct. 3rd Headquarters/Mandarin 10129 Haley Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32257 Chabadjacksonville.org 904-262-6641
Sunday, Oct. 2nd Erev Rosh Hashanah Services – 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3rd Rosh Hashanah Services – 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4th Rosh Hashanah Services – 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11th Kol Nidre Erev Yom Kippur Services – 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12th Yom Kippur Services – 9 a.m. Yizkor Memorial Service (held after the Haftarah) Mincha Afternoon Service – 5:30 p.m. Neilah Concluding Service – 7 p.m. Break-the-Fast (immediately following Neilah)
8505 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32217 jcajax.org 904-730-2100 Thursday, Oct. 20th Pizza in the Hut 6 – 7:30 p.m. (Celebrate the Sukkot holiday as we carry on the tradition of shaking the lulav and holding the etrog. A festive, family style meal will be served, along with various crafts to enjoy. Advance registration required by Oct. 14th and event is free for JCA valued members.) Sunday, Oct. 23rd JAway Sukkot Family Fun Run 8:30 a.m. (Join us for a family 5k run/walk at the Jacksonville Beach Pavilion entrance. Drinks and snacks will be provided. This event is free to the community but advance registration is required by Oct. 20th.)
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
521 A1A N. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Chabadbeaches.com 904-543-9301
1760 Eagle Crest Dr. Fleming Island, FL 32003 Jewishclaycounty.com 904-460-7020
First day Rosh Hashana services Chabad Headquarters/Mandarin - 9 a.m. Chabad at the Beaches - 9 a.m. (Shofar Blowing 10:45 am & 6:30 p.m.) Chabad of the Southside - 10 a.m. Chabad of S. Augustine - 10 a.m. (Shofar blowing approx. 12 p.m.) Chabad of Clay County – 10 a.m. (Shofar blowing approx. 12 p.m.) Chabad of S. Johns - 9:15 a.m. (Shofar blowing approx. 10:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.) Mincha and Tashlich Chabad HQ/Mandarin - 6:15 p.m. Chabad at the Beaches - 6:30 p.m. Chabad of the Southside - 6:15 p.m. Chabad of S. Augustine (Following morning services) Chabad of Clay County (Following morning services) Chabad of St. Johns - 6:30 p.m. (at the Julington Creek Community Park)
11271 Alumni Way Jacksonville, FL 32246 Southsidechabad.com 904-646-4434
604 S Tree Garden Dr. St. Augustine, FL 32086 Chabadsaugustine.com 904-521-8664
1571 Lemonwood Rd. St. Johns, FL 32259 Jewishsjohnscounty.com 904-701-4422 SERVICE SCHEDULES Sunday, Oct. 2nd Erev Rosh Hashana services Chabad HQ/Mandarin - 6:30 p.m. Chabad at the Beaches – 7 p.m. Chabad of the Southside – 7 p.m. Chabad of S. Augustine – 7 p.m. Chabad of Clay County – 7 p.m. Chabad of S. Johns – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 11th Kol Nidrei Chabad HQ/Mandarin - 6:15 p.m. Chabad at the Beaches – 7 p.m. Chabad of the Southside – 7 p.m. Chabad of S. Augustine - 6:45 p.m. Chabad of Clay County - 6:45 p.m. (at the Fleming Island Public Library) Chabad of S. Johns - 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12th Yom Kippur Chabad HQ/Mandarin – 10 a.m. (Yizkor approx. 1 p.m.) Chabad at the Beaches – 9 a.m. (Children’s service - 10:30 a.m.) (Yizkor approx. 11:30 a.m.) Chabad of the Southside – 10 a.m. (Babysitting available by reservation) Chabad of S. Augustine – 10 a.m. (Yizkor approx. 12 p.m.) Chabad of Clay County – 10 a.m. (Yizkor approx. 12 p.m. – at Fleming Island Public Library) Chabad of S. Johns - 10 a.m. (Yizkor approx. 12 p.m.) Mincha and Neilah/Closing Service Chabad HQ/Mandarin - 5:30 p.m. Chabad at the Beaches – 6 p.m. Chabad of the Southside – 5 p.m. Chabad of S. Augustine – 6 p.m. Chabad of Clay County - 6:30 p.m. (at the Fleming Island Public Library) Chabad of St Johns – 6 p.m. Break-the-Fast - 7:34 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16th - Sukkot Chabad HQ/Mandarin - 6:15 p.m. Beaches – 7 p.m. Southside – 7 p.m. S. Augustine – 7 p.m. Clay County – 7 p.m. S. Johns - 6:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17th Morning Services Mandarin - 9:30 a.m. Beaches - 9:15 a.m. Southside - TBA S. Augustine – 10 a.m. Clay County - TBA S. Johns - 9:15 a.m. Evening Services Mandarin - 6:15 p.m. Beaches – 7 p.m. Southside – 7 p.m. S. Augustine – 7 p.m. Clay County – 7 p.m. S. Johns - 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18th Morning Services Mandarin - 9:30 a.m. Beaches - 9:15 a.m. Southside - TBA S. Augustine – 10 a.m. Clay County - TBA S. Johns - 9:15 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 23rd Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah Chabad HQ/Mandarin - 6:15 p.m. Chabad at the Beaches – 7 p.m. Chabad of the Southside - 6:30 p.m. Chabad of S. Johns - 6:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24th Morning Service & Yizkor Chabad HQ/Mandarin - 9:30 a.m. Chabad at the Beaches - 9:15 a.m. Chabad of the Southside - TBA Chabad of St. Johns – 9 a.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 4th First day Rosh Hashanah services Chabad Headquarters/Mandarin - 9 a.m. Chabad at the Beaches - 9 a.m. (Shofar Blowing 10:45 am & 6:30 p.m.) Chabad of the Southside - 10 a.m. Chabad of S. Augustine - 10 a.m. (Shofar blowing approx. 12 p.m.) Chabad of Clay County – 10 a.m. (Shofar blowing approx. 12 p.m.) Chabad of S. Johns - 9:15 a.m. (Shofar blowing approx. 10:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.) Mincha and Evening Service Chabad HQ/Mandarin - 6:30 p.m. Chabad at the Beaches - 6:30 p.m.
Evening Services Chabad HQ/Mandarin - 6:15 p.m. Chabad at the Beaches – 7 p.m. Chabad of the Southside – 7 p.m. Chabad of S. Augustine – 7 p.m. Chabad of Clay County – 7 p.m. Chabad of St. Johns - 6:45 p.m.
Evening Services - Mincha Simchat Torah Hakafot & Kiddush Chabad HQ/Mandarin - 6:15 p.m. Chabad at the Beaches 7 p.m. Chabad Southside - 6:30pm (Yizkor) (Simchat Torah Hakafot at 7:45 p.m.) Chabad of St. Johns - 6:30 p.m. (Yizkor) Simchat Torah at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25th Morning Services Chabad HQ/Mandarin – 10 a.m. Chabad at the Beaches - 9:30 a.m. Chabad of the Southside - 10:30 a.m. Chabad of St. Johns - 9 a.m. Evening Services Chabad HQ/Mandarin - 6:15 p.m. Chabad at the Beaches – 7 p.m. Chabad of the Southside – 7 p.m.
Selichot services kick-off the High Holy Day season at area Chabads By Chabad Lubavitch of Northeast Florida
Getting into the holiday spirit, Jews around the world await with anticipation, the arrival of the High Holy Days which usher in the Jewish New Year of 5777. These holidays offer new hope, renewal and inspiration. In order to meaningfully celebrate the holiday and maximize the experience, one must properly ready oneself for the occasion. According to Jewish tradition, a series of Selichot (supplication) prayers are recited on the days leading-up to Rosh Hashanah. The first Selichot prayers are recited on the Saturday night preceding Rosh Hashanah and early morning on the following days. Chabad’s official Selichot experience, took place Sept 25th at midnight and was an invigorating start to the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur season.
Capacity crowds expected for Rosh Hashanah dinner at the six Chabads By Chabad Lubavitch of Northeast Florida
Capacity crowds are expected at Chabad of Northeast Florida’s six locations for Rosh Hashanah dinner, Sunday, Oct. 2nd. The evening will feature a delicious full course meal, joyous celebrations and all of the Rosh Hashanah favorites. Large crowds are also anticipated at High Holiday Services, which will no doubt be “warm, friendly and traditional”, said Rabbi Levi Vogel of Chabad S. Augustine. Organizers note that past year’s services have been a phenomenal success. Membership is not required to join, and all are welcome regardless of background or affiliation, however donations are always appreciated. Services will combine the original Hebrew, as well as translated English. “According to tradition, at the New Year the doors of heaven are open; G-d accepts all prayers, from every person,” explained Rabbi Shmuli Feldman of Chabad of Clay County. “It is in this spirit that we open our doors and our services to the entire community, so please contact your local Chabad for more information and to make reservations.”
page 17
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
www.jewishjacksonville.org
high holy day news
Etz Chaim Synagogue to host a High Holy Day breakout session bonanza BY RENA SCHOCHET Etz Chaim Synagogue
Etz Chaim is a communityfriendly synagogue where everyone, from all walks of Jewish life are welcome. Doors are always open to all in the community as the synagogue sets about to provide a wide-range of Jewish knowledge and practice. Each day of Rosh Hashanah affords people the opportunity to listen to the traditional service in addition to breakout sessions with interesting and inspiring speakers, accommodating audiences whose numbers often grow to 75 or more. Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum and
Rebbetzin Rena Schochet have been presenting breakout session talks for the past five years. Their popular classes motivate, educate and inspire their audiences with stories, ideas and thoughts. These inspirational sessions assist the community in reflection, and meditation during the services. All the breakout Sessions take place in the Etz Chaim social hall and this year feature topics such as ‘Changing the world before it changes me’ and ‘Keeping your balance on the tightrope of Yom Kippur’, taught by Rabbi Feigenbaum. Rebbetzin Schochet’s sessions will cover issues such as ‘Valuing the meaning of what we have’ and discussing the song, prayer and
Israeli cantor will lead High Holy Day services at First Congregation Sons of Israel By First Congregation Sons of Israel
Cantor Avner Zadok of Givat Shamuel, Israel, will be leading High Holy Day services at First rituals for the Yom Kippur SerCongregation Sons of Israel in St. vice’. All the sessions are interac- Augustine. Born in Israel, and a tive, and the Rabbi and Rebbetzin highly decorated soldier having invite your questions, discussion attained the rank of captain in the and contemplation as they explore IDF, his outstanding tenor voice, their subjects with their audience reminiscent of the great Ashkenazic in mind. Please refer to official cantors, will be heard in the synaHigh Holy Day schedule on page gogue beginning with Erev Rosh 15 for complete listings. Hoshanah, Sunday, Oct. 2nd. With family roots in the Jewish community of Yemen, Zadok studied for a number of years under Naftali Hershtik, the cantor of the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem, and is now a teacher on Hershtik’s cantorial program. As a special bonus, Cantor Zadok has expressed interest in giving a performance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kosher recipes with Joy of Kosher’s Jamie Geller
Cantor Avner Zadok Kippur to include cantorial pieces, modern Israeli favorites, Yiddish melodies, and much more. Since Cantor Zadok will be with the congregation for the weekend before Rosh Hashanah and the weekend between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, he will also be leading the congregation during Shabbat services. For more information, please call 904-829-9532 or e-mail fcsi1924@gmail.com.
St. Augustine Film Society to screen a special Sukkot film By First Congregation Sons of Israel
First Congregation Sons of Israel in partnership with the St. Augustine Film Society will be holding a screening of the film, ‘Ushpizin’, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 9th at 7 p.m. at the synagogue (161 Cordova St). This film, whose title is Hebrew for ‘the guests’ is a story about Sukkot and is the winner of the 2004 Israeli Critics Best Picture Award. The event is free and open to the public, however donations are gratefully accepted.
Joy of Kosher’s Jamie Geller
EASY BRISKET RECIPE Recipe by Rachel Rosen This Easy Brisket recipe is sweet and perfect for your Rosh Hashanah meal. Use Grow & Behold brisket for this recipe. • 675 min • 190 min cook time • 485 min prep time • 12-16 servings INGREDIENTS • 1 5-6 pound brisket (use first cut, second cut or whole brisket) • ½ cup ketchup (kosher for Passover or brand with sugar, not high fructose corn syrup) • ½ cup blackstrap molasses or brown sugar • 1 cup red wine, divided • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper • 1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 onion, diced PREPARATION 1. Preheat oven to 325°F. 2. Bring meat to room temperature. Pat dry, season with ground pepper. Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof pot or Dutch oven and sear meat on all sides. Remove meat from the pot and set aside. 3. Add more oil if necessary and sauté onions until translucent. Add ½ cup wine, and continue to cook, scraping up browned bits on the bottom of the pot. 4. In a small bowl, mix remaining ½ cup wine, ketchup and molasses or brown sugar. Add ketchup mixture to pot along with brisket.
High Holy Day Easy Brisket Recipe
5. Cover pot with lid or use heavy-duty aluminum foil to cover tightly. Roast for 2 hours. Remove pot from the oven, flip brisket, and baste with cooking liquid. Cover the pot and return to the oven to roast for 1 hour more. 6. Remove from the oven. Let cool, then refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight. 7. To serve, slice brisket and arrange in serving dish with 1- to 2-inch sides. Cover with remaining gravy. Reheat at 300°F for 30 minutes before serving. Jamie Geller is the only bestselling cookbook author who wants to get you out of the kitchen – not because she doesn’t love food – but because she has tons to do. As “The Bride Who Knew Nothing” Jamie found her niche specializing in fast, fresh, family recipes. Now the “Queen of Kosher” (CBS) and the “Jewish Rachael Ray” (New York Times), she’s the creative force behind JOYofKOSHER.com and “JOY of KOSHER with Jamie Geller” magazine. Jamie and her husband live in Israel with their six super kids who give her plenty of reasons to get out of the kitchen quickly. Check out her new book, JOY of KOSHER Fast, Fresh Family Recipes.
Jewish Federation of Jacksonville’s High Holy Day Message 2016/5777 At this specific point in the calendar we focus on the year gone by, aided by perspective and growth. The High Holy Days offer us a unique opportunity to reshape the future and start fresh, with the hopes of a sweet New Year. So, as we pause to reflect, bidding farewell to 5776, let us welcome in 5777 with a newfound enthusiasm and appreciation for life. We do this in hopes that it will bring all of our friends and neighbors here in Jacksonville as well as the entire Jewish community worldwide, nothing but health and happiness L’ shanah Tovah
Alan Margolies Executive Director
Sandy Zimmerman Board President
page 18
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
federation news
Jacksonville teen reconnects with Jewish roots during Federation sponsored trip to Israel
Simply breathtaking views provided for ideal backdrops for many a photo
BY LOGAN SIMS
P2G Israel Trip Participant
My trip to Israel turned out to be the best two weeks of my life, but before I went there, I must admit, I was a bit hesitant to embark on my journey into a foreign land where I knew no one, except the one person from Jacksonville who was traveling with me. Although I was a bit indecisive about going on the trip, I’m so happy that I decided to go at the time I did, because of all the connections I made with people and the places that we all visited. While in Israel, our group of teens visited The Dead Sea, The Kotel, Yad Vashem, the Bedouin tents, and many other places. Two highlights of the trip for
me were the Western Wall and Yad Vashem. The Western Wall surprised me because of the atmosphere you could immediately feel as you passed through the security gates. First off, the women and the men were separated, then our small group of six Israeli and American boys went to the wall. There, a Rabbi approached us and asked what language we spoke. He asked us if we were Jewish, and when we said yes, he proceeded to put Tefillin and a Tallit around us. Then we said a prayer and continued to the wall. Two things amazed me while I gazed around the area. They were the fact that even for some of the Israelis and most of the Americans, including myself, it was our first time putting on the Tefillin. Also, the wall was so significant to me because
Historic sites such as the Kotel or Western Wall were popular stops
whenever I visited I felt as if I were closer to God. It felt like there was a stronger presence when I was face-to-face with the wall, and that was only just one of the moments that made this trip so great. The second place that impressed me so much on my visit was Yad Vashem, which is the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem. At the museum, we all followed a guide. This experience seemed to bring all of us closer together. One part of the museum was dedicated to the children that had passed away during the Holocaust. I didn’t know what to expect to see before I walked inside, but it turned out to be the most beautiful site I have ever seen. We all walked through the dark room with individual kids faces in the middle. While each face is shown,
you also hear their names being said, and where they are from. Although it was a bittersweet moment to be in the cold dark room, it was dignifying to see that those children were all being remembered. As a few people walked out of the memorial teary-eyed, I felt as if all of our bonds had again grown stronger. The last thing that I want to point out about my trip is the connections that I made with every single person that I met. I grew incredibly close to the Israeli and American teens. On our last day, it was sad to see us separate, but I know that they will always be a part of my life. Last year, I had an Israeli teen named Ariel stay with me for two weeks, but I didn’t go to Israel. The connection I made with him was great. We still keep
Quality group bonding time
in touch to this day, and I was so excited to see him when he visited my host family and me for dinner one night when I was in Hadera. Before I left the house that I had lived in for two weeks, my host mother told me that whenever I come back, I had a home there in Israel. That had a huge impact on me because I felt like I had become a part of their family, and I was so happy to watch my Israeli friend, Amit, become a part of our family. Sims went to Israel as part of The Federation’s Partnership 2Gether Tikkun Olam Israel experience. For more information on the program and how to become involved. please refer to the advertisement on page no. 34 of this newspaper.
There are plenty of High Holy Day events and celebrations on the horizon for rGEN BY ARIEL FRECHTMAN rGEN Director arielf@jewishjacksonville.org
As has been the case for many years, rGEN is excited to provide exciting programming for the up-
coming high holy days for young adults in the community. With this in mind, please join Shylie and Jesse Bannon, Wednesday, Oct. 12th, at their home while they, in partnership with co-chair Ben Marsh, invite you to breakthe-fast at Bagels with Ben and the
Bannons. This potluck style event will begin at 7 p.m., but those attending services should feel free to join the feast later in the evening. Then, on Saturday, Oct. 22nd, please make time to join your rGEN friends for Havdalah, Huts & Holzers, at the home of Leora and Jesse Holzer, as we welcome in Shabbat with Havdalah in the sukkah, and continue our cel-
ebration with drinks and nosh. Whether you have family in town to celebrate, are observant or not or whether you’re on a diet or eating as you please, celebrate what’s sure to be a very sweet new year. Addresses for events are provided upon registration at www.jewishjacksonville.org/rGEN.
Large crowd at Beth El on hand for Shalom Jax showing of Outrageous Sophie Tucker movie
There weren’t many empty seats at Beth El during the showing of the film
BY BY ISABEL BALOTIN
Shalom Jax Director shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org
A capacity crowd of beaches newcomers and Beth El – the Beaches Synagogue members were on hand to watch the movie ‘The Outrageous Sophie Tucker’ in late August. This was the second screening of the wildly popular film which was first shown to a robust turnout at River Garden Senior ser-
vices. Gail Greenfield chaired the event and moviegoers enjoyed wine and cheese prior to the film while the Federation’s Shalom Jacksonville division partnered with Beth El for this most successful event.
page 19
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
www.jewishjacksonville.org
federation news
Lederman talks to Society of Healers about Judaism and its role in compassionate medicine Lederman discussed what it means to practice humanistic and compassionate medicine and how living a life with strong Jewish values directly translates to a more successful medical practice. A big thank you goes out to the Eaglsteins for opening their home for
Dr. Dina Fetner along with event guest speaker Amy Hirshberg Lederman
BY ERIN COHEN
Director, Society of Healers Division erinc@jewishjacksonville.org
In late August, the Federation’s Society of Healers Division held its opening program at the home
of Sue & Fred Eaglstein. Guests heard a moving, heartfelt and very personal story from Amy Hirshberg Lederman, who spoke about the journey she and her late husband went on from the time he was a healthy, active, recently retired physician to his untimely passing due to lung cancer.
Holly Emas, Dr. David Bortnick, Dianne Bortnick, Dr. Mark Emas, Jay Plotkin and Cheryl Plotkin
Drs. Robert and Suzanne Bryskin alongside Dr. Stephen Porter
Joan Levin, Dr. Ron Levin and event host Sue Eaglstein
A holiday invitation for newcomers BY BY ISABEL BALOTIN
Shalom Jacksonville Director shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org
Jewish holidays and celebrations can be lonely, especially at times when you are away from family and close friends. Our very generous and welcoming Jacksonville Jewish community extends to you an invitation to share in their holiday meals and celebrations in their homes. Please let me know if you are seeking holiday hospitality and we will arrange the match. If you are new and would like to attend services for the High Holidays, we suggest you call the
synagogue of your choice and check their ticket policy. In most cases, newcomers are given complimentary entry. Detailed synagogue information can be found is this issue. If you need my assistance, I am always available. For more information, please contact Isabel Balotin, Shalom Jacksonville director at 904-448-5000, ext. 206 or shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org.
this program as this event was just the first for healthcare professionals to attend this year. For more information about the Federation Society of Healers division, contact Erin Cohen at 904-448-5000, ext. 205 or at erinc@jewishjacksonville.org.
page 20
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
federation news
Jewish genealogist helps plants seeds for family tree findings at the September Jewish Java
Genealogist Barbara Kiersh talks to the crowd about her area of expertise
BY ISABEL BALOTIN
Shalom Jax Director shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org
You are never too young or
too old to begin your genealogy search and with that in mind last month the Federation’s Shalom Jacksonville along with River Garden’s Jewish Java invited genealogist, Barbara Kiersh, to share
Shalom Jax Director Isabel Balotin
the tools and resources available for anyone interested in beginning their ancestry search. More than 70 people of all ages enjoyed the presentation and were given prepared genealogy packets. A big
Newcomers were on hand to discover their roots and meet new people
thank you goes out to River Garden, its volunteers and Jewish Life and Volunteer Coordinator Leslie Held for hosting this monthly program. Since there is so much interest last month’s topic, a
Genealogy II program will be presented in the next few months, so be sure to keep an eye out in the Jacksonville Jewish News for more information and hold onto those genealogy packets for future use.
October Jewish Java to feature volunteers for Israel BY ISABEL BALOTIN
Shalom Jax Director shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org
Shalom Jacksonville’s October Jewish Java will feature Stanley Greenfield, who along with his wife, Gail, and many others, have volunteered on a medical supply base in Israel through the partial-
ly-subsidized Volunteers for Israel program. Stanley will share his experiences, Wednesday, Oct. 5th from 9-10:30 a.m. at River Garden Senior Services (11401 Old St. Augustine Rd.). All VFI volunteers work alongside soldiers, base employees, and other volunteers on an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) base, performing non-combat civilian support duties such as packing medical supplies, repairing machinery and equipment, building fortifications and cleaning, painting and maintaining the base. Volunteers are housed in barracks with fellow volunteers and enjoy three kosher meals a day, wearing IDF work clothes. The Sunday through Thursday workweek also includes cultural programs in the evenings and tours when possible. Weekends are spent off the base when you can travel around Israel, visit with friends and relatives, or hang out with your new VFI buddies. In general, your expenses are covered during volunteer periods on the IDF base. Weekend expenses (Thursday afternoon though Sunday morning) are not.
Shalom Jacksonville welcomes newcomers, along with anyone newly interested in the Jewish community and of course regulars to join the popular brunch and schmoozing program, Jewish Java, which meets the first Wednesday of every month. Same time and same place as a complimentary bagel brunch is provided by River Garden beginning at 9 a.m., followed by the program. Reservations are a must, so please contact Isabel Balotin at 904-448-5000, ext. 206 or shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org no later than Sept. 30th.
Have some news you would like to share with the JJN? 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. 212. 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.
page 21
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
www.jewishjacksonville.org
synagogue news
The Temple benefits from a quiet, yet generous gift which speaks volumes
Each book was carefully labeled By Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple)
An extraordinary gesture by relatively new members of Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) is changing every single worship experience at the synagogue. Congregants Karen and Frank Backilman stepped forward earlier this year with an offer to purchase the entire suite of current Reform prayer books, which were adopted by the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) several years ago but had not been utilized at Temple. The Backilmans have been connected to the Jacksonville Jewish community since their arrival in
The Temple will have new prayer books in time for the High Holy Days
the late 1960’s, but did not affiliate with a synagogue until they joined The Temple eight years ago. Karen had recently retired from decades as a Duval public school teacher, principal and school librarian. She leapt at a chance to participate in Torah Study and enjoyed the First Friday and Friday Night Live Erev Shabbat services. She was not the biggest fan of Gates of Prayer though, the URJ’s standard prayer book that Temple has relied on for decades. Then, she had an opportunity to use Mishkan T’filah, the new URJ Shabbat prayer book, and she knew what she wanted to do. “I love books, and I love putting books and people together,
that’s what I do,” said Backilman, who reads voraciously and is a regular book reviewer for Hadassah. “We were in a position to make a significant gift to Temple, but we didn’t want it to just go into a fund somewhere. We wanted something that was real, that people could touch and appreciate,” she explained. It became very real when palettes containing 3,155 volumes were delivered to Temple this summer. Included were Mishkan T’filah, the Shabbat prayer book; Mishkan HaNefesh, a new URJ High Holy Days prayer book; Mishkan T’filah for Children and Mishkhan T’filah for the House of Mourning. The Backilmans made
Countless volunteers were on hand to help unpack and label the books
this exceptional gift in memory of Karen’s parents, Richard and Sheila Temko, and Frank’s parents, Samuel and Yetta Backilman. Originally from New York, Richard Temko spent his last years at River Garden and the Backilmans have honored his memory with a gift there as well. A lifelong learner, Karen is excited about exploring the new prayer book with Rabbi Rick Shapiro and her fellow congregants. It has a new format that draws on both-more traditional elements of a siddur (for instance, it opens from the right) and very contemporary readings that highlight a much more modern perspective. Karen says she’s been surprised
and delighted by the reaction of congregants at the first few services where the Mishkan T’filah has been introduced. “People come up to me all the time and say ‘thank you, we’re so grateful,’ she said. “I think it’s changing the conversation here at Temple because it really matters to people.” What matters to the Backilmans is the spiritual center they’ve found at Temple. Frank has been ill, and is unable to participate in many Temple activities, but Karen says that knowing that their gift has made such a difference in the congregation has been especially meaningful. “We’ve found a home here,” she said. And so have the new prayer books.
A brand new year kicks Its easy to enjoy a weekly dose of spiritual java with Etz Chaim’s Rabbi off for the Jacksonville Jewish Center Sisterhood Feigenbaum BY CINDY HANDMAKER Java For the Soul participant
Coffee produces that pleasant feeling immediately following the first sip with an amazing jolt of euphoria. When I first started drinking coffee, I was not as pleased with the taste or the sensation, so I didn’t really appreciate it. It gave me a feeling that I wasn’t quite prepared for, but after a while, I was definitely reaping the benefits of this drink. Now, I kind of can’t live without it as it plays an important role in my life because I am stimulated by it. I very much savor it and look forward to consuming it on a regular basis. This java fulfills my physical need to be invigorated, but I also desire to fulfill my spiritual needs. As I have grown to crave the Java I drink, I have grown to crave the Java for my Soul because it gives me balance in my life. ‘Java for the Soul’ is my Jewish learning and each Wednesday morning I attend a class called just that, with Rabbi Feigenbaum, and women
BY DEBBIE GOLDSTEIN
membership information and to
Welcome to a brand new fabulous year of Sisterhood and Sisterhood events at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. The first event of the year was held in late September at the Center with special guest speakers Barbara Jaffe and Judi Garwood. They gave a fascinating look at insurance and investment strategies geared toward women, which was a fun, informative and well-attended event. To see what else is coming up from the Center’s Sisterhood please visit jjcsisterhood.com for more information about programs,
be filled with the High Holy Days so the fun will be doubling the fun come November. Some of the fantastic programming this year includes an Israeli fashion show with Talie Zaifert, Sisterhood Shabbat speaker Carol Simon, the International President of Women’s League, and special guest Anita Zucker, CEO of Hudson’s Bay Company, who will be speaking at a Sisterhood event on Monday, May 15th. The Jacksonville Jewish Center Sisterhood wishes you and your families a very happy, healthy and sweet New Year.
Jacksonville Jewish Center Sisterhood RSVP for events. October will
Rabbi Feigenbaum leads the weekly Java for the Soul class at Etz Chaim
from all different levels of observance. Having this jolt of spirituality is something I savor and look forward to each week. During the class, we learn Pirket Avot, or Ethics of our Fathers. We are also taught the importance of being humble, while seeking peace in ourselves and showing kindness. We also learn how to respect ourselves and others, while being careful with our speech and not leaping into judging others unfavorably but respecting G-d
every step of the way. Each class touches on any one of these relevant life lessons in a most understandable manner. Attending these weekly sessions has allowed me to obtain a new perspective on ‘doing the right thing’, and I am constantly learning how relevant Judaism is in my daily life. Like coffee, I really didn’t think I’d enjoy learning so much, but, now I kind of can’t live without it as it plays an important role in my life and I’m savoring every sip.
Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue’s first Becoming More Mobile Shabbat dinner will be a very welcoming evening for all BY BETH BRENNER Education Director
Earlier this summer, the Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue membership committee hosted a Shabbat dinner for new and current member families with young children. It was a wonderful chance for parents and children to get to know each other in a more informal setting as the evening consisted of a lovely meal and a brief Shabbat service led by Rabbi Matuson. A big thanks goes out to Gail Greenfield and Donne Ordile for putting together this great event.
A large group was on hand that enjoyed meeting each other over a meal
page 22
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
synagogue news
Temple Brotherhood Hosts Candidates for US Congress By Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple)
Congregation Ahavath Chesed’s Brotherhood invites the entire community to become more informed voters at the ‘best breakfast in town’ with both candidates running for Congress from District 4. The Temple’s brotherhood is
proud to host David Bruderly, Fourth District Democratic candidate for Congress, Thursday, Oct. 20th at 7 p.m., and on
Sunday, Oct. 30th it will host John Rutherford, Republican candidate for Congress from District 4.
“Temple Brotherhood is dedicated to providing the opportunity for all our community to become more knowledgeable about the issues,” explained Brotherhood President Andy Cohen. “An informed voter is a better voter, so join us to hear where both candidates stand on the issues and then make your informed decision.”
4th District Democratic candidate for Congress David Bruderly
Beth El Sisterhood’s game day set for Oct. 18th
By Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue
Beth El Sisterhood’s annual game day will take place Tuesday, Oct. 18th from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue. Breakfast, lunch, and drinks will be provided, so create a table of friends for Mah Jongg, bridge, board and card games, or whatever game you want to bring. If you don’t have a group to play with, no worries, as we will find you one. There is a $25 minimum donation to play along with door prizes, a 50/50 and numerous raffles will be taking place.
Spend your Saturday nights at The Temple By Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple)
The Temple’s interim senior Rabbi Rick Shapiro, will host the second installment in this monthly film series, with a showing of the movie Hester Street. The screening will take place Saturday, Oct. 8th at 7 p.m. at Congregation Ahavath Chesed. This classic film, released in 1975, is set in the early 1900s and addresses the theme of assimilation. Mainly, it focuses on the experiences of an immigrant family in New York City. Gitl (Carol Kane) has just arrived in America from Russia with her son and has come to meet her husband, Jake (Steven Keats), who has been in the States for some time and is comfortably settled. While Gitl struggles to find her place in this country, she clashes with Jake, who has fully embraced their new homeland. Doris Roberts, of Everyone Loves Raymond fame, plays the part of Mrs. Kavarsky. The film will be followed by a discussion led by Rabbi Shapiro. Everyone is welcome to attend and, of course, popcorn will be served. For those who plan ahead, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, will be shown Nov. 5th.
page 23
www.jewishjacksonville.org
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
page 24
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
lifecycles Births
Dean Asher Sol Roffman was born to Michelle and Mitchell Roffman of Roslyn, N.Y., Monday, August 22, 2016. Proud grandparents are Cheryl & Steve Roffman of JackDean Roffman sonville and Esther and Jacob Azoulay of Roslyn Heights, N.Y. Greatgrandparents are Phyllis and Arnold Vandroff of Ponte Vedra Beach and Zohara Azoulay of Roslyn, N.Y.
B’nai Mitzvah
Aaron Michael Shumer, son of Michael and Tammy Shumer, will be called to the Torah on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah, Saturday, Nov. 5th at Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue. Sharing in the simcha will be his older brother Isaac, grandparents Frank Shumer, Alice Shumer, Karen Lagitch and the late Alfred Lagitch. Aaron is in seventh grade The Bolles School Aaron Shumer and enjoys mountain bike riding, playing chess, video games, reading and spending time with his friends. For his mitzvah project, Aaron will be collecting Thanksgiving food items for Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS). Jacob Selevan became a BarMitzvah, Saturday, Sept. 17th at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Sharing in his simcha were his parents Rebekah and Andrew Selevan and grandparents, Jack and Susan Selevan, Linda and Nathan Franzblau and Ron and Merle Cherry. Seleven is a Jacob Seleven graduate of the Bernard & Alice Selevan Religious School and is currently in eighth grade at The Bolles School. For his Bar Mitzvah project, he chose to support the Turkey Golden Retriever Rescue program of Northeast Florida. Jacob wanted to raise money for this cause because he has two golden’s himself and loves dogs. Through this work, he learned that there was a large population of abandoned golden retrievers
in Turkey, so he wanted to try to make a difference by finding these dogs safe and loving homes. Selevan has raised enough money so far to rescue two retrievers who will be rehabilitated in Jacksonville and eventually adopted. In his spare time Jacob loves to play basketball, flag football, attend sporting events and hang out with his friends.
Weddings
Sarah Levy and Andrew Weiss were married Saturday, Sept. 17th in Brooklyn, N.Y. The bride is the daughter of the late Linda Levy and Kevin Levy. The groom is the son of Dr. David Weiss and the late Lisa Weiss. Proud grandparents are Shirley and Alan Levy, Dorothy and Fred Weiss.
Accomplishments
Congratulations to Lee Kaplan, son of Sheldon and Harriett Kaplan, on his independent film, ‘Attempt to Rise’, which won the Best Film Premiere at the Hudson Valley International Film Festival in MiddleLee Kaplan town, N.Y., this past August. Kaplan wrote, produced and acted in the film.
Milestones
Mazel Tov to Leo and Joanne Davis, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, Sept. 5th with friends and family. The couple met during the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens, N.Y. and married two years later Leo and Joanne Davis in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sympathies
… To the family of Jacksonville Jewish Center member Alice R. Hoffman Davis, who passed away Wednesday, Aug. 24th at the age of 95. She is survived by her husband Paul Davis, children Eddie (Darlene) Hoffman and Barbara (Lewis) Hunter, grandchildren Brian Hoffman, Jeremy (Amy) Hoffman and Sarah Hunter, and great-grandchild Zachary Hoffman. Funeral services were held Aug. 26th, in Baltimore. Contributions in Alice R. Hoffman Davis’ memory may be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center or to the Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. … To the family of Morris Weiner, who passed away at the age of 100 on Saturday, Aug. 27th. He is survived by his wife
Pearl, children Karen Broido and Helen (Larry) Freid; five grandchildren; and eight greatgrandchildren. A graveside funeral service was held Aug. 29th in the Beth Shalom section of the Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville. Contributions in Morris Weiner’s memory may be made to the River Garden Hebrew Home. … To the family of Janet Gerber Steinberg who passed away Sunday, Aug. 28th. She is survived by her stepdaughter Carol (Gil) Kleiner, grandchildren Alex (Simnia) Scher, Alison (George) Wielechowski, Stephanie Kleiner (Scott) Taylor, Jessica (Dustin) Rabine; and great-grandchildren Lennon and Gideon Wielechowski, Harper and Hudson Rabine, and Muna Scher. Funeral services took place Aug. 31st in Baltimore. Contributions in Janet Steinberg’s memory may be made to the Baltimore Museum of Art or Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. … To the family of Mildred Kaufman, who passed away Saturday, Sept. 3rd at the age of 91. She is survived by her brother Charles (Naomi) Kaufman, niece Leah Kaufman, nephews Edward and Philip (Cindy) Kaufman. She was also the great aunt of Ayla and Ari Kaufman. Graveside funeral services were held Sept. 8th at The Temple Cemetery at Evergreen in Jacksonville. The family requests that donations in memory of Mildred Kaufman be made to Interfaith Food Shuttle of Raleigh, N.C. … To the family of Harold ‘Hal’ Resnick, who passed away Wednesday, Sept. 7th at the age of 72. He is survived by his wife Barbara, children Amy (Eric) Raboin, Richard (Molly Flueckiger), Meghan (Martin) Wright, Matthew (Amanda) Lane, grandchildren Harold Resnick Anna, Ryan, Jillian, Emma, Alizah, Joshua, Natalie, Madeline, Jonah, Chloe, Simon and Zachary. Resnick was the current president of Jewish Family & Community Services and served as the most recent past president of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville. Graveside funeral services were held Sept. 9th in Long Island and a memorial service was held in Jacksonville, Sept. 12th at The Temple. The family requests that donations in memory of Hal Resnick be made to Jewish Family & Community Services, The Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and The Temple. … To the family of Carol Zimmerman Rabb, who passed away Saturday, Sept. 10th in Billingham, Wash. She is survived by her daughter Ashley (Ryan) Dender,
grandchildren Reed, Cade and Bailey Dender, her brother Paul (Rachel) Zimmerman, nieces and nephew Angelina, Giselle and Jacob Zimmerman and her Aunt Harriett (Rothstein) and Uncle Max Behr. Contributions in Carol Zimmerman Rabb’s memory may be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center. … To the family of Dorothy ‘Dot’ Lord Boehmer, who passed away Monday, Sept. 19th at the age of 91. She is survived by her children Mary (Jeff) Edwards, Thomas A Boehmer, Louis (Linda) Boehmer, Teresa (Brian) Swanner and Joseph (Jackie Gore) Boehmer, grandchildren Lauren and David Edwards, James Godwin, Jennifer (David) Ledbetter, Amanda (Bill) Little, Adam Boehmer and great grandchildren, Victoria Ledbetter, Scarlett Little and Kendall Little, in addition to her cousin, Mary Thompson. She was preceeded in death by her husband, Thomas L. Boehmer and daughter Patricia Godwin. Funeral services were held Sept. 22nd in
Jacksonville and the family requests that donations in memory of Dorothy Boehmer be made to River Garden Hebrew Home.
Classified Ads
Maid Services Available Housecleaning, laundry and cooking with reasonable rates. By appointment only. Call 904-3879293 or leave a message. Ask for Lidia 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.”
business card directory
page 25
www.jewishjacksonville.org
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE
JCA Jewish book festival celebrates 20 years of Jewish themed literature By Jewish Community Alliance
Every year, the JCA’s Annual Jewish Book Festival draws hundreds of readers from across Jacksonville and invites authors from across the country for five days of diverse, Jewishly-themed literature and programming. Now in its 20th year, First Coast residents can once again meet exciting authors, hear engaging talks, purchase books and have them signed by the authors, from Nov. 1st – 10th at the Jewish Community Alliance. Past festivals have brought book lovers of all backgrounds to engage in a variety of topics that touch upon the Jewish experience. Previous writers have included a U.S. ambassador, New York Times and nationally bestselling authors, famous musicians and children’s authors. This year’s festival features six authors presenting topics ranging from history to psychology to
food. All book festival events are free and open to the community. The festival opens up Tuesday, Nov. 1st at 7 p.m. with ‘The Lost Book of Moses: The Hunt for
the World’s Oldest Bible’. In this historical account that reads like a modern-day mystery, author Chanan Tigay recounts his travels to eight countries to determine
if archeological treasure hunter Moses Wilhelm Shapira did indeed find the world’s oldest Bible. The next program slated for Thursday, Nov. 3rd at 7:30 p.m. features Jonathon Rabb, actor and author of ‘Among the Living’, a moving novel about a holocaust survivor’s unconventional journey back to a new normal in 1940s Savannah Ga. This powerful novel grapples with questions of identity and belonging, and steps beyond the Jewish experience as it situates Yitzhak’s story within the last gasp of the Jim Crow era. Then on Sunday, Nov. 6th at 10 a.m., attendees can meet Ina Pinkney, author of ‘Ina’s Kitchen: Memories and Recipes from the Breakfast Queen’, a cookbook and memoir that shares her wisdom with the same generosity, both of food and of spirit, that kept people coming back to her restaurant for decades. The festival continues Wednesday, Nov. 9th at 7 p.m. with fiction writer Jennifer Brown, who presents her debut novel, ‘Modern Girls’. Set in New York City’s
Jewish Immigrant community in 1935, mother and daughter, both pregnant, are forced to confront their beliefs, wrestle with unthinkable choices, the changing world around them and the fact that their lives will never be the same again. Finally, on Thursday, Nov. 10th at 7 p.m. author Claudia Kalb presents her novel, ‘Andy Warhol was a Hoarder: Inside the Minds of History’s Great Personalities’. Closing the festival with a surprising, inventive and meticulously researched look at the evolution of mental health, acclaimed health and science journalist Claudia Kalb gives readers a glimpse into the lives of high-profile historic figures through the lens of modern psychology. The festival committee has also planned an extension event Feb. 2nd with Josh Aronson, author of ‘Orchestra of Exiles’, a book about the origins of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. For more information on the festival and sponsorship opportunities, visit jcajax.org/ bookfest or contact Jan Margolies at 904-730-2100, ext. 227.
2016 JCA Jewish film festival brings Save the date for the ‘17 JCA annual fundraiser eclectic selection of films to Jax By Jewish Community Alliance
The Jewish Community Alliance revealed an impressive lineup of films for the third biennial Jacksonville Jewish Film Festival, which takes a Jewish lens to many of today’s most compelling topics and features award-winning domestic and international productions. Jacksonville residents can enjoy screenings and post-screening events during the festival which takes place in November at the JCA. The festival kicks off Sunday, Nov. 13th with three diverse films that will make you laugh, touch your heart in addition to making you hungry. The first film, ‘Very Semi Serious’, gives viewers an intimate glimpse of The New Yorker’s iconic cartoons by following editor Bob Mankoff as he makes his way through hundreds of weekly submissions. This award winning documentary, directed by Jacksonville native Leah Wolchok, will be shown at 10 a.m. followed by a live discussion with one of The New Yorker’s top cartoonist. The second film, showing at 1 p.m., ‘Wedding Doll’, nominated for 10 Israeli Academy Awards, tells the story of Hagit, a young woman who finds her escape creating bridal gowns and dolls out of leftover materials from the toilet paper factory where she works. That specific film will be accom-
panied by a skype discussion with the film’s director, Nitzan Gilady. At 6 p.m., the day is capped off with food, music and a showing of ‘In Search of Israeli Cuisine’, a portrait of the one of the most dynamic food scenes in the world. Filmmaker Roger Sherman takes you on a journey that’s sure to satisfy the appetite. On Monday, Nov. 14th at 7 p.m., the festival brings ‘Partner with the Enemy’, a presentation by Tel Aviv born, documentary film maker Duki Dror. This film tells the story of two women, one Israeli and one Palestinian, fighting against the societal and familial pressures within a chauvinistic, male-dominated industry to create a logistics company helping Palestinian business owners navigate the everyday difficulties of conducting business within the West Bank. Companion programming for the film will be conducted in conjunction with Jewish Federation of Jacksonville’s rGen division. On Tuesday, Nov. 15th at 7 p.m., the JCA presents ‘Once in
a Lifetime’, a docudrama telling the uplifting story of a dedicated history teacher at a French high school who incorporates lessons of the Holocaust in an effort to motivate her troubled students. A panel discussion will accompany this film. Then on Wednesday, Nov. 16th at 7 p.m., experience Haifa’s International Film Festival’s best documentary, ‘Rabin in His Own Words’. This autobiographical film about a founder of the State of Israel, is told entirely in Rabin’s own voice through rare archival footage, home films and private letters. This film reveals the complexity and contradictions of this legendary leader, while rekindling the debate of opportunities lost and taken for peace. This fascinating film is followed by a thought-provoking discussion. The festival closes Thursday, Nov. 17th with ‘For the Love of Spock’ at 7 p.m., a tribute to Leonard Nimoy. Directed by his beloved son, Adam Nimoy, this documentary highlights the life of Star Trek’s Mr. Spock, and Leonard Nimoy’s 50 years playing the beloved character. The film includes Adam’s personal memories of his dad and interviews with cast, crew and people connected with the iconic series. This film is not to be missed. Sponsorships are crucial to the success of the festival. For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit jcajax.org/filmfest.
The theme of the 2016 JCA Fundraiser was the 1970s and ‘Let’s Boogie’ By Jewish Community Alliance
On Saturday, Feb. 25th the JCA will pay tribute to the Block Family as honorary chairs of its annual fundraiser. “Mickey Block, of blessed memory, was one of the JCA’s founders and visionaries,” said JCA Executive Director Myron Flagler. “His vision was for the JCA to serve as the common meeting ground for the Jewish community,” he added. “His investment in a united community is continued by his family, who uphold his values of giving back and work to realize his vision for the JCA and the greater Jacksonville Jewish community, which is why we are thrilled to honor the
Block Family at this event.” The JCA’s annual fundraiser benefits many JCA programs including senior activities, preschool, after school care and summer camp tuitions for families in need. Last year, the JCA awarded more than $330,000 in scholarships for children, families and senior adults. The planning committee has already started preparation for what is sure to be another unforgettable evening supporting the Jewish Community Alliance. Sponsorships and ticket sales are crucial to the success of this event. For more information regarding tickets or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lior Spring at 904-730-2100, ext. 318 or lior.spring@jcajax.org.
Jewish community alliance HAPPENINGS Sunday Film Series Family Mitzvah Oct. 2016 - Elul 24 Days tells the harrowing tale of Project 5776/Tishrei 5777 the 2006 kidnapping of 23-year- This Veteran’s Day, partake in 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
From Sept. 29th to Oct. 26th, the Northeast Florida Art Education Association showcases a cross-section of work from their membership and students. The reception for this exhibit is scheduled for Oct. 2nd from 12 to 2 p.m.
old Ilan Hamili and sheds light on anti-Semitism in France. This film is free to the community on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. Advance registration is appreciated.
tikkun olam and give time and effort to those in need. For more information, contact Dave at 904730-2100, ext. 271. This event is free and open to the community.
JAway Sukkot Family Fun Run
JCA Tennis
Join us for a family 5k run/walk on Sunday, Oct. 23rd at 8:30 a.m. at the Jacksonville Beach Pavilion entrance. Drinks and snacks will be provided. This event is free to the community but advance registration is required by Oct. 20th.
The JCA has tennis clinics and private lessons for youth and adults. For more information, contact Reggie at 904-730-2100, ext. 317.
JCA Swim Programs JCA’s Learn to Swim programs
and JCA School Year and JV swim teams have sessions beginning in October. Contact Rio at 904-7302100, ext. 250 for more information.
Youth Guitar Lessons
This group class teaches beginning singing, guitar, music theory and relevant techniques. The sessions are on Thursdays, Oct. 27th through Nov. 17th. The fee is $40 and $25 for JCA valued members.
Free Chiropractic Nerve Scan
On Thursday, Oct. 27 from 4 – 8 p.m., Dr. Alan Nathans will
JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE 2016-17 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $196,000
provide a free Insight Millennium Nerve Scan to determine how well your autonomic and motor nerves are functioning. He’ll then explain the results and provide a take home printout. Registration is open to the community and required by Oct. 23rd.
Vintage Porsches
The Vintage Porsche Club of Jacksonville will feature some oldies but goodies on Sunday, Oct. 16th from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. This event is free to the community, however reservations are always appreciated.
page 26
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
JEWISH FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES Briefs
JFCS loses board president Hal S. Resnick following long but courageous battle with cancer
PJ Library
By Jewish Family & Community Services
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 904394-5724.
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.
Jewish Family & Community Services has lost a dear friend, good neighbor, inspiring coach, compassionate leader and the president of its board of directors in Hal S. Resnick. A First Coast Resident since 2000, Resnick became active with JFCS in 2008 and as a natural leader, he quickly became involved in shaping the organization’s present while helping to steer its future. Resnick loved this community and had such a strong and clear vision about how to make it stronger. He wasn’t one to stand on the outside as he jumped ‘all in’ and com-
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 904-394-5723.
and pulled us along,” she explained of his impact. “He had the uncanny ability of always knowing what to do and I’m comforted to know that my office will be named after Hal and I will get to work in ‘his space.’ Resnick will no doubt be missed as the void he is leaving will be felt every day, but he has trained those around him well and everyone knows what he would want us to do as a community, continue to work toward the goals and outcomes he had set out for all of us. “Hal wanted nothing more than to see JFCS turn 100 and complete its campaign successfully,” Rodriguez recalled. “I promised him we’d make that happen and we have an exciting year ahead.”
Hal S. Resnick with JFCS Executive Director Colleen Rodriguez
Seniors encouraged to JFCS’ compassionate catch a LYFT with Call2Go companions for seniors celebrates official launch
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 904660-9268.
mitted his time, talent and treasure wherever he thought he would be helpful. His leadership and strategic planning seminars which he provided to JFCS and other organizations here in Jacksonville were an amazing gift. This fervent passion for the community didn’t end with JFCS as it propelled him into involvement on leadership boards for Family Foundations, The Temple, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida. His contributions to the Jacksonville community are truly immeasurable. “Hal was loving, kind, smart, and tough,” said JFCS Executive Director Colleen Rodriguez. “His vision was so clear, that he charged ahead
The Call2Go program is thrilled to begin working with Lyft, an on-demand car service, or ‘ride-sharing’ company that is based out of San Francisco (similar to UBER). Lyft is dedicated to providing excellent service
to seniors and has been specifically focused on providing better transportation service to seniors who are trying to stay active and independent. The addition of Lyft to Call2Go’s portfolio of unique transportation options helps insure that the needs of JFCS’ unique clientele are always met. JFCS will be 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 904-660-9268.
By Jewish Family & Community Services
The Jewish Services department of JFCS along with the entire agency is thrilled to announce the official launch of Compassionate Companions for Seniors. This entirely new life-enhancing service will help the elderly live comfortably in their own homes by providing assistance and companionship. Assistance will include light housekeeping, cooking, escorting clients to medical appointments and running errands. Companions will also provide warm social interaction and can accompany clients to social functions. The program’s first phase through the end of 2016, will solely provide services to exist-
ing Holocaust survivor clients. However, plans are in development to open up Compassionate Companions for Seniors to the Jewish population of the greater Jacksonville area in 2017. “Case management services are already being provided by JFCS to Holocaust survivors including financial assistance, food, and transportation,” said Compassionate Companions for Seniors Coordinator Stephanie Goldstein. “The addition of Compassionate Companions for Seniors makes JFCS a one-stop-shop as we strive to provide wrap-around services to Holocaust survivors.” If you are interested in seeking Compassionate Companions for Seniors services for yourself or someone you care about, please contact Goldstein at 904-394-5737.
PJ Library Jacksonville is growing with many exciting programs and activities By Jewish Family & Community Services
PJ Library Jacksonville is growing, having recently reached 400 families with active subscriptions in the greater Jacksonville area. PJ Library is a family engagement program that provides children six months to eight years with Jewish books, activities, and events. Along with its rapid growth, PJ Library has started the ‘Mitzvah for All Seasons’ program, which includes monthly programs aimed at connecting
Jewish parents in the area. Each of the monthly programs will have a Mitzvah project that will connect families to the community and engage children of all ages. Next month a ‘Zoo to You’ program at Losco Park will be held, Sunday Nov. 6th, at 1 p.m. The Jacksonville Zoo will bring some fun animals for the children, while the parents are able schmooze. Animal themed snacks and crafts will be available and for the Mitzvah Project each family is asked to bring gently used towels, sheets and pillow case to donate to the Zoo.
On Thursday Dec. 8th, a Pajama Mama Party will be held as all PJ Library parents are invited to help make no-sew blankets to be donated to the children in JFCS child welfare programs. The Pajama Mama Party will take place in the
homes of several PJ Library families and is a great chance for PJ Library parents to connect without the little ones around. For more information, like PJ Library Jacksonville on Facebook, or call Whitney Kuvin at 904-394-5724.
Voices of the Second Generation to hold a pair of special events with FSCJ students in November By Jewish Family & Community Services
Please join Jewish Family & Community Services at FSCJ’s Wilson Center for Performing Arts as second generation Holocaust survivors share selected essays from their JFCS writers’ workshop in collaboration with FSCJ students. ‘Voices of the Second Gen’ will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13th and at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14th. The three million Holocaust survivors remaining after the war had to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives as displaced and stateless persons. The war did not end when the concentration camps’ gates were forced open. What happened to these prisoners and hidden
souls as they eventually became immigrants in foreign lands with unknown futures? They had to start again. Some never fully recovered, while some married and some had children. ‘Voices of the Second Gen’ explores experiences of the children who grew up with the weight of the Holocaust woven into their lives. This creative multimedia program is the first of its kind in partnership with JFCS’s writers workshops, ‘Searching for Identity’ and the MOSH ‘Voices of Hope Initiative’ in association with the upcoming exhibit, ‘Anne Frank: A History for Today.’ Please call Stephanie Goldstein at JFCS 904-394-5737 or email her at sgoldstein@jfcsjax.org to reserve your seats for this very special program.
JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES 2016-17 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $279,000
page 27
www.jewishjacksonville.org
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA
Creating a Jewish Legacy JCF investment oversight committee meets with Glenn Harris from SEI who is new client portfolio manager
‘Create a Jewish legacy’ took a strong foothold in the Jacksonville Jewish Community. As a form of bequest giving, as it is called by the attorneys and other planners, it is a device to establish testamentary gifts through bequests or a through a will. Leaving charitable bequests, leaving a legacy may have certain modern day tax advantages, but the fact is that bequest giving has been around a fairly long time. In the Jewish community, charitable bequests after death were popular among Jews of Christian Spain. Wealthy Jews preferred to establish private charitable foundations or hekdesh trusts, which show traces of both Christian and Islamic influence to make such donations. Jewish religious traditions said that those who gave to charity would benefit in the afterlife. The term ‘hekdesh’ is mentioned in the book of Leviticus (Vayikra), where the subject of taking an oath to pledge, set aside, or dedicate a gift to God is discussed. The fact is few people today leave bequests and the reason is because they usually aren’t asked to do so. But when individuals are asked by synagogues and other nonprofits to leave bequests they usually do because they care about these organizations during their lifetimes and want to gift these organizations a percentage of their estate after they are gone. You may or may not be asked to leave a bequest, but it is certainly something you may want to consider doing voluntarily, and it’s important to remember that bequests come in all shapes and sizes. The easiest way to leave a bequest is to leave something in your will because your attorney can craft ‘bequest language’ that will spell out your wishes. Usually an attorney calls up the offices of the JCF to be sure that the bequest language includes all the pertinent information as the client has most probably been in touch with the JCF to craft a
MONEY MATTERS By JEFF KLEIN, Executive Director
document, an endowment fund agreement that will govern how the funds will be used. The JCF has enabled its local agencies to secure bequests ranging from just $500 to millions of dollars. These bequests have been earmarked for specific purposes and the JCF monitors how the funds are being used based upon endowment fund agreements that are drafted and signed by the donors and the JCF. When one leaves a legacy to the JCF to manage, the funds are placed in a sacred trust, meaning we will honor your bequest language and any endowment fund agreement that you have executed. The named fund in honor or memory of a loved one is carefully invested and only the interest is ever spent. Creating a legacy ensures that those that come after you will know your wishes and ideals. Here at the JCF we are here to ensure that your values will pass from generation to generation, L’dor V’dor. For more information on legacy giving please contact me at jeff. klein@jewishfoundationnefl.org or at 904-652-2122.
Glenn Harris and Jeff Klein meet with Members of Congregation Ahavath Chesed – The Temple (Left to right, President Brian Bialik, Executive Director Goldie Y. Lansky, James Cordova, Harris, Furfine, and Klein) By Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida
This summer, the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida began using SEI Investment Company for investment management. Glenn Harris, Client Portfolio Manager from SEI,
- Stay tuned for updates on the new JCF Campaign for Jewish Sustainability - Formerly the Create a Jewish Legacy program, the Campaign for Jewish Sustainability will be working to expand the number of JCF
attended the quarterly meeting of the JCF Investment Oversight Committee in late August with Barbara Jaffe as Chair. In addition, a few days later Mr. Harris and JCF Executive Director Jeff Klein attended meetings with partner organizations and members of the Congregation Ahavath Chesed – The Temple as well as the Jewish
Federation of Jacksonville. During the Investment Oversight Committee Meeting, members reviewed and offered input on a new JCF Investment Policy Statement to be presented to the JCF Board of Trustees at the Sept. 14th meeting. The Committee also reviewed performance of the JCF portfolio.
donors.
a Jewish Legacy program, we will be contacting you to formalize your intention.
- The Campaign for Jewish Sustainability Committee will hold its first meeting on Sept. 28th - If you previously signed a declaration for the Create
- Please call us to learn more about the Campaign for Jewish Sustainability at 904-394-0720.
JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA 2016-17 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $83,560
page 28
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
RIVER GARDEN SENIOR SERVICES
RIVER GARDEN 2016-17 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $184,000
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
page 29
www.jewishjacksonville.org
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
HIGH HOLY DAY GREETINGS
Jacksonville Jewish community members’ Rosh Hashanah and High Holy Day messages for a sweet, happy and healthy New Year in 5777!
page 30
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
High holy day greetings 5777
page 31
www.jewishjacksonville.org
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
COMMUNITY NEWS
Congregation Ahavath Chesed to host timely talk on Russian anti-Semitism of yesterday and today By Congregation Ahavath Chesed
Dr. Larry and Kathy Kanter are hosting Dr. Brian Horowitz, Sizeler Family Chair Professor and Chair of the Jewish Studies Department at Tulane University, Wednesday, Oct. 26th at 7 p.m. inside Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple.) During his talk Dr. Horowitz will chart the treatment of Jews from the time of Peter the Great to the present with an emphasis on the government’s abuses. With visual imagery, he will describe the use of child recruits under Nicholas I, the antiJewish pogroms in 1881-82, and the miseries under Nicholas II. Professor Horowitz recounts the murder of Ukrainian Jews from 1918-21 and the writing of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. “The treatment of Jews in Rus-
sia today is mixed,” Dr. Horowitz said. “Vladimir Putin has favored some organizations, while persecuting Jewish oligarchs in his quest for power and I will show that traditional Russian anti-Semitism is alive and well in today‘s Russia,” he added. Professor Horowitz’s fields of study are Jews in Russia and Eastern Europe and Zionism. He has been awarded a Fulbright, Yad
Hanadiv from Hebrew University, the Alexander Von Humboldt and Frankel Center from the University of Michigan. His books include: Russian Idea-Jewish Presence (2013), Jewish Philanthropy and Enlightenment in Late-Tsarist Russia (2009), and Empire Jews (2009). He has more than 55 articles in scholarship journals and nearly 100 book reviews, teaching courses in Zionism, history of the Holocaust, and modern Jewish history. Dr. Horowitz began his own studies at New York University and received his PhD at the University of California, Berkeley. Jacksonville benefits from the generosity of Larry and Kathy Kanter, who bring renowned scholars to our community through their commitment to Jewish preservation. The entire community is invited to come and learn for this event.
Dr. Brian Horowitz is the Sizeler Family Chair Professor in addition to Chair of the Jewish Studies Department at Tulane University
UNF Jewish community grows with St. Augustine Historical expanding initiatives from Chabad Society to hold talk on Converso Jews’ Journey
University of North Florida students pose for a photo after enjoying a kosher BBQ meal at Chabad
Marcia Fine will discuss her book ‘The Blind Eye - A Sephardic Journey’
BY MERRILL SHAPIRO
by the St. Augustine Jewish
Marcia Fine, award-winning author of seven novels, will speak about a ‘Sephardic Journey’, Monday, Nov. 14th at 7 p.m. in the Flagler Room of the Old Ponce de Leon Hotel in St. Augustine. Fine’s historical fiction ‘The Blind Eye’, has been chosen by the State Library of Arizona’s ONEBOOKAZ, which is a celebration of quality literature. The event is sponsored
quest to understand the behaviors of Converso Jews in hiding during the Spanish Inqusition as Conversos are thought to have been present in colonial St. Augustine. The program is free and all are welcome, so no advance arrangements are necessary. The program is located on the Flagler College campus (74 King St.) in St. Augustine. Please call 904829-6481 for more information or directions.
St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society Historical Society as part of the
President John Delaney meets with Rabbi Shmuli and Chana Novack By Southside Chabad
As the fall semester kicked off at UNF, Chabad kicked into overdrive to serve the Jewish students on campus. Weekly Shabbat dinners offering a delicious six-course dinner free of
charge for students, contribute to the growing vibrant community, as does tabling on campus to meet and counsel students in addition to regular get-togethers. As classes resumed, Rabbi Shmuli and Chana Novack who co-direct Chabad of Southside
which serves UNF, met with UNF President (and former Jacksonville Mayor) John Delaney to discuss Chabad’s expansion on the Southside and efforts to enhance Jewish life on campus.
Holding Havdalah Amidst Special Celebrations
The Temple 20s and 30s group or T3 paused its special two-year anniversary celebration this summer for an outdoor Havdalah service
page 32
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
page 33
www.jewishjacksonville.org
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
page 34
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
SYNAGOGUE news
WRJ Temple Sisterhood will host its seventh annual Mah Jongg Tournament, November 6 By Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple)
All Mah Jongg players should mark their calendars for Sun-
day, Nov. 6th at the seventh annual Mah Jongg tournament, hosted at Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) by the WRJ Temple Sisterhood.
An early lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., with tournament play beginning shortly afterwards, so grab your table, your tiles and your friends for a funfilled afternoon of tournament play. Players often come from Orlando to Kingsland and many
towns in between. “I thought the tournament was wonderful, as always,” said Sara from Amelia Island following last year’s event. “The food was delicious and our group enjoyed every aspect of the event, so we will most definitely be back next year.” Next year is now and each year the number of participants grows. “Since table space is limited, we encourage you to submit your registration form early,” explained Tournament CoChair Sheila Horowitz. For more information, call Horowitz at 904-234-7104.
Crowded House for an Important Performance
On Sunday, Sept. 18th, renowned Jewish musician Dan Nichols held a community-wide concert at Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) in support of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville’s annual campaign kickoff event. The much anticipated performance capped off a weekend of song and celebration between Nichols and Temple attendees, including Friday night Shabbat services and Saturday morning worship. Look for more photos and a link to a special video of the amazing weekend in the November edition of the Jacksonville Jewish News.
page 35
www.jewishjacksonville.org
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016
page 36
Like us on Facebook: JaxJewish
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @jaxjewish
Go to jewishjacksonville.org to be awesome OR scan this code
Jacksonville Jewish News • October 2016