Jacksonville Jewish News - January 2016

MUSICAL SHABBATON

BEING JEWISH BEHIND BARS How one local group is giving encouragement and hope to those who really need it Page 7

Etz Chaim hosts heralded and well known Pey Daled band Page 14

CLEARING THE WAY FOR COCKTAILS & CLERGY

Synagogues & Federation launch new event for New Year Page 18 A publication of

January 2016

• Tevet/Sh’vat 5776 • www.jewishjacksonville.org

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JaxJewishTV • Volume 28, Number 7 • 36 pages

This is surely one Friedman impresses with his unique routine as phone call you won’t want to go Federation’s annual Campaign Kickoff is a hit to voicemail

BY JEANINE HOFF

rGEN Director jeanineh@jewishjacksonville.org

Before the players take their position on the field for the big game, take your position by the phone, Sunday, Feb. 7th for Super and Thank You Sunday, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville’s annual phonea-thon, benefitting our annual campaign.

The funds raised during our 2016 Annual Campaign supports both our local and overseas partner agencies including the Jewish Community Alliance (JCA), Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida (JCF), Jewish Photo by Larry Tallis Family & Community Services There will be plenty of (JFCS), River calls going out to the Garden Senior Jacksonville Jewish comServices, Martin munity, Sunnday, Feb. 7 J Gottlieb Day School, Torah Academy of Jacksonville, Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), so please answer the call and give generously.

If you have already made your gift to the 2016 annual campaign, don’t hesitate to answer the call as we’ll be calling to thank you for your generous support. If you are not available on Super and Thank You Sunday, please consider making your pledge online at jewishjacksonville.org, via phone at 904-448-5000, or via email by contacting the Federation office.

Friedman tries to guess what song audience member Christie Radney has in her mind, then play it for the rest of the crowd

Federation campaign chair Ken Jacobs and women’s division campaign chair Allison Jacobs alongside Friedman before the show

Friedman attempts to read the mind of volunteer Howard Buss before revealing to the audience what he was thinking

Photos by Larry Tallis

Mentalist to the stars, Sidney Friedman entertained audience members with interesting and seemingly impossible feats of the mind at the Federation’s annual Campaign Kickoff. The event, which was held at Congregation Ahavath Chesed - The Temple in mid-November, brought in upwards of 250 attendees who saw the muchacclaimed guest of honor, guess a range of topics such as thoughts and songs in people’s minds to what a volunteer drew on a piece of paper before the show. The event

wrapped up with his grand finale, where audience members were lined up at random with envelopes that spelled out ‘Jewish Federation of Jacksonville’. Before Friedman took the stage, Nicole Sena Brown was presented with the ‘Irene Sari Selevan Young Leadership Award’, by Federation President Sandy Zimmerman and Max ‘Mickey’ Block was honored posthumously with the Joe P. Safer Community Service

Mentalist to the stars dazzles audience with mind bending feats of amazement

BY MATT FRANZBLAU

Federation Communications Director mattf@jewishjacksonville.org

See CAMPAIGN KICKOFF, p. 18

The Temple sends robust Inspiring ‘soul to sole’ delegation to Biennial talk given by Weitzman at conference in Orlando Lion of Judah luncheon

8505 San Jose Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32217

Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

POSTMASTER PLEASE DELIVER BY JAN. 1

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Jacksonville, FL Permit No. 146

See SUPER & THANK YOU, p. 18

The Temple sent nearly two-dozen clergy, staff and congregants to the most recent Biennial conference, held from Nov. 4-8 in Orlando

BY MATT FRANZBLAU

Federation Communications Director mattf@jewishjacksonville.org

In early November, nearly two-dozen members, including staff, clergy and congregants from Congregation Ahavath Chesed – The Temple, attended the Union for Reform Judaism’s Biennial Conference at the Marriott World Center in Orlando. The event brought together thousands of people from around the nation who were deeply involved in the Reform Movement, to share ideas, have conversation and of course celebrate the vibrant Jewish life they all share.

“The Biennial really gives us a chance to live a Jewish value which I preach all the time and that is to be a part of something

larger than yourself,” said Temple Senior Rabbi, Joshua Lief. “It’s important for our congregational leaders to realize that we are in fact a part of something larger than ourselves, the Reform Movement.”

More than 900 congregations from coast to coast attend these national conventions, held every other year at rotating locations.

2015, just happened to be in The Temple’s backyard, which allowed for a large turnout from Jacksonville’s only reform synagogue.

“There are speakers on a wide variety of subjects, workshops and communities of practice, where people doing similar things can meet and share ideas,” Lief

See BIENNIAL, p. 9

Lion of Judah Chair, Debbie Banks-Kitay; Jackie Goldman; guest speaker, Jane Weitzman; Debra Setzer and Ellen Setzer

BY ERIN COHEN

Women’s Division Director erinc@jewishjacksonville.org

This year’s Lion of Judah luncheon was hosted by Monique Miller and featured a very heartfelt talk from JDC Board member and philanthropist, Jane Weitzman. Her talk, ‘Soul to Sole: A World of Jews in Need’, focused on two significant issues. First, she asked us to remember that so much can be done for

so little. Weitzman stressed how simple it can be to change someone’s life with even the smallest gesture.

Secondly, she said we must work harder to instill the values of tzedakah in our children and grandchildren.

She fears that today’s youth and the generations to come, do not truly understand the importance of tikkun olam, or ‘repairing the world’.

See SOUL TO SOLE, p. 19

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

community news Exploring Jewish roots of the Sunshine JJN Ad Directory - Jan. 2016 Jacksonville Jewish News, our advertisers are precious to us.

St. during Florida Jewish History Month It isAtwiththe 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:

• • • • • • • • • • Founding president Ahavath Chesed and Mayor of Jacksonville, Morris Dzialynski, Circa 1882

Florida Jewish History Month has been observed since 2003, when Gov. Jeb Bush signed a bill into law

Former Florida Gov. David Sholtz (center) next to President Roosevelt at a parade in Miami in 1933

BY HAZEL MACK

a bill into law in 2003. Florida is the first state in the nation to have a month dedicated to the tremendous contributions of Jews in its development and, in 2006, the concept led to the creation of Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) that is now observed each May. Surprisingly enough, Jews could not settle in Florida until 1763, when England acquired Florida from the Spanish. Three Jews from Louisiana started businesses in Pensacola, which was a century and a half before a Jew arrived on Miami Beach. Samuel Meyers settled in Pensacola, became an alderman and his wife delivered a baby girl. By 1819, Moses Elias Levy bought 92,000 acres in what are now St. Johns, Volusia and Alachua Counties and in 1822 he built ‘New Pilgrimage’, a refuge for Jews, publishing a plan to end slavery. In 1841, his son, David Levy Yulee, helped write Florida’s Constitution. He was elected the first U.S. Senator from Florida in 1845 and the first Jew to serve in the U.S. Congress (1845-1851; 1855-1861). In 1850, Philip Dzialynski arrived in Jacksonville, beginning what is the longest-continuing Jewish family living within the state. Then, in 1857, his son, George Dzialynski was born. Also that same year, the state’s first Jewish cemetery was established in Jacksonville, following the yellow fever epidemic which tragically claimed half of the city’s Jewish population.

A few other prominent Jewish Floridians include Abraham Myers who served as quartermaster during the Seminole Indian

Wars and has a city named for him (Fort Myers), as well as Dr. Louis Oppenheimer who established the Bartow school system (1890). Cousins Morris Dzialynski of Jacksonville and Herman Glogowski of Tampa both served as mayors of their cities during the 1880’s, and to this day Dzialynski continues to be Jacksonville’s only Jewish mayor.

By the 1900’s, other Jews established themselves in prominence within the state as David Sholtz was Governor of Florida, from 1933-1936, and Admiral Ellis N. Zacharias of Jacksonville, who in the 1940’s was Chief of Naval Intelligence, broke the Japanese code, leading to the U.S. victory in the Pacific. That same decade, Mitchell Wolfson also served as Mayor of Miami Beach and was the first of 16 Jewish mayors in that city. In 1968, Marshall Warren Nirenberg of Orlando received the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology for deciphering the genetic code. Jewish judges who have served on the Florida Supreme Court include Arthur England, Jr., Raymond Ehrlich of Jacksonville, Gerald Kogan and Barbara Pariente. Impressively, Jacksonville’s Harvey Schlesinger is the only Jewish person to serve as a United States judge, a post he has presided over since 1991.

The Jewish Museum of Florida will have special programs taking place during Jewish History Month in January. For hours, location and events, as well as educational materials, log onto its official website at jmof.fiu.edu or call 305-672-5044.

Temple Archivist

& MARCIA JO ZERIVITZ Founding Executive Director, Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU

For more than 250 years, Jews have lived in the Sunshine State, maintaining the traditions of their heritage, while impacting every sector of society, including agriculture, arts, athletics and business, but 30 years ago there was very little known about Florida Jewish History as scholars did not take it seriously. It was not New York and most all said that the history began with a ‘bunch of 20th century condo commandos on Miami Beach’. This is a quote from Marcia Jo Zerivitz, Founding Executive Director of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. In the 1980’s, Zerivitz began her eight-year quest to seek out the story of the settlement of Jews in Florida. She found, for example, that in 1844, one year prior to statehood, Emaline Miley was the first-known Jewish settler in Tampa Bay, but Jews would not arrive on Miami Beach for nearly 70 years. The ‘MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida’ exhibit resulted from the grassroots research such as this in each community, which took her to more than a dozen cities in the 1980’s and then the Jewish Museum of Florida opened on Miami Beach in 1995. Initiated by the Jewish Museum of Florida, Florida Jewish History Month (FJHM) has been observed since Governor Jeb Bush signed

Jewish Women’s Circle of S. Johns paints with a twist

By Chabad of S. Johns

The Jewish Women’s Circle of S. Johns yielded brushes at Paint with a Twist recently, while enjoying fine Kosher wines and desserts. The theme of the night was G-d is the master artist, yet He entrusted us with the paintbrushes. That’s why it’s important to remember we can beautify and perfect his painting of the world, one stroke at a time with the light of Torah & Mitzvot.

The glass was half full at the recent Jewish Women’s Circle painting with a twist event as the ladies enjoyed fine kosher spirits and the fine arts

Brunswick’s Temple Beth Teffilloh to hold numerous events during New Year

By Temple Beth Teffilloh

Temple Beth Teffilloh, a reform Jewish congregation in Brunswick, Ga., will have a number of events for community members to take part in in the upcoming months. The synagogue’s NJOP beginners Hebrew course, will begin Thursday, Jan. 7 at 6 p.m., with a total of four classes

to follow. Sunday, Mar. 20, the Second Annual Jewish Food and Culture Festival will take place.

Volunteers are needed to make kugel, blintzes, challah, pastries, and

as well as to staff booths. Anyone interested should contact Rande Simpson at rande_s@bellsouth. net for more information if they would like to volunteer.

• • • • • • • •

Arbor Terrace (p. 35) B&C Financial (p. 3) Baptist Anderson Cancer Center (p. 22) Beachview Rentals (p. 24) Bob Ham Eyewear (p. 11) Borland Groover (p. 23) Brandon Pest Cntrol (p. 30) Camp Kitov (p. 32) Creeks Realty Group (p. 7) Dottie Shafer Wilson Realty (p. 31) Discover Israel Trip (p. 21) FSCJ Artist Series (p. 17) Galinsky Academy (p. 33) Heekin Clinc (p. 15) Impressions (p. 25) Innovative Financial Solutions (p. 20) Israel Partnership (p. 11) Jax Hadassah (p. 17)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Jax Jewish Center (p. 16, 18) Jewish Federation of Jacksonville (p. 19, 36) Jewish Museum Fla (p. 8) Jerry Seebol (p. 25) Margo’s Catering (p. 10) Metro Diner (p. 35) The Palazzo (p. 14) Pediatric Dentistry (p. 25) Ponte Vedra Home Care (p. 25) River Garden (p. 21) San Jose Beauclerc Animal Clinic (p. 12) Spivak’s Institute (p. 13) Stein Mart (p. 9) Terk Oncology (p. 2) Thrasher Horne (p. 4, 18) The Tax Man (p. 25) Tumbling Kids ( p. 24) Vandroff Insurance (p. 10)

For your advertising needs, please contact advertising sales representative Barbara Nykerk at 904-733-4179 or Eta Perras at 904-629-0466.

what's inside Business Directory........... p. 25 Chabad News................... p. 13 Community News...................... ...........................p. 3-4, 6-9, 30 Education ...... p. 10-12, 23-24 Federation News.. p. 18-21, 34 Foundation ..................... p. 28

printed by

JCA .................................. p. 26 JCFS ..................................p. 27 Lifecycles.......................... p. 25 Opinion & Cartoons............ P. 5 River Garden.................... p. 29 Synagogue News......14-17, 31 Top Stories...........................p. 1

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

community news

JCA leadership attends national JCC Jacksonville Hadassah to honor ‘Fab Four’ at Innovation Lab held in Jerusalem

annual Chai Luncheon

By Jewish Community Alliance

This past November, twodozen Jewish Community Center’s visited Israel for the JCC Association of North America’s first Innovation Lab in Jerusalem.

Those in attendance included JCA Executive Director Myron Flagler, Vice President Brent Trager, Past President David Miller and JCA J Institute Director Dorri Kraus.

The program centered on the concepts of technology, talent, tolerance and tradition, and examined the mission of the JCC and its relationship to central tenants of Jewish identity across the globe.

The JCC Innovation Lab identified several areas of involvement, including the JCC’s contribution to national and global Jewish conversations, in addition to the role of invention and innovation in the organization’s overall mission.

“We discussed ideas for exciting programs and shared thoughts about turning our challenges into opportunities.,” Trager explained.

“Several events had an impact in framing the challenges Israel faces each day.”

Miller noted the diversity of attendees, the programming and its various topics. “By bringing together Israeli and JCC leaders of different backgrounds, we learned that some of the processes that have proven so successful to

By Jacksonville Hadassah

(from left) JCA Vice President Brent Trager, JCA Executive Director Myron Flagler and past JCA President David Miller, attending the first JCC Innovation Lab in Israel this past Nov. Israeli high-tech startups are applicable to us at home,” he noted.

“Authors and various professors dealt with issues ranging from resilience to thought provoking sessions on how to leverage technology, best practices and human capital,” he added. “Our delegation consisted of some of the most energetic leaders in the Jewish community movement of North America today.”

The schedule took participants to various institutions across Jerusalem, including the Bezalel Academy for Arts and Design, Azrieli

Latkes, doughnuts and dreidels at T3 & SoShul’s annual Chanukah party

A group of menorahs lit up the T3 members Jess Green and room and the hearts of the 30 Ben Marsh hard at work plus people in attendance creating delicious desserts

BY NICOLE MILLER Temple 20’s & 30’s

& PETER HAMMER SoShul Network

The Temple 20’s & 30’s (T3) and the SoShul Network of the Jacksonville Jewish Center cohosted their annual Chanukah house party last month, with more than 30 people, enjoying fine food, music, games and of course a grand menorah lighting ceremony.

Guests were treated to a traditional holiday treats such as potato latkes, cinnamon and powdered sufgani-

yot as well as matzo ball soup and sugar cookies in the shape of dreidels and Stars of David.

The main event featured a handful of menorah’s being lit as the crowd simultaneously chanted the Chanukah blessings, making for a moving portion of the evening. The nearly 50 candles lit up the room and in the process, the spirits of T3 and SoShul Network members, who then began playing dreidel and other games with each other, long into the night. Be on the lookout for more tandem T3 and SoShul Network events in 2016.

Jax Jewish Singles going Brazilian to begin 2016

BY FRANCINE SMITH Jax Jewish Singles

Be adventurous and join the Jax Jewish Singles as they feast on authentic Brazilian food at the Rodeo Brazilian Grill (9825 San Jose

Blvd #20) in Jacksonville.

You won’t go hungry with an all you can eat buffet, so for the exact date and time of the dinner, email francine.smith @comcast.net or call her at 904-221-8061.

College of Engineering and BINA: Center for Jewish Identity and Hebrew Culture. By looking at the progress and initiatives among Israel’s top innovators, participants were inspired to reimagine these ideas back home.

“Learning about innovation is extremely complex but there is no better place than Israel to provide our community valuable fuel to ignite the JCA’s efforts to do its part for Tikkun Olam,” Trager said. “I am very appreciative of the opportunity to have attended this event with the JCA.”

The Jacksonville Hadassah will hold its annual Chai Luncheon, Tuesday, Jan. 12 from 12 – 2 p.m., but this year’s event is extra special as the group will be honoring a quartet of extraordinary women. Pearl Marton, Rhoda Kagan, Sondra Resnikoff and Pat Frisch are all long time members of Hadassah and have served our local chapter in many capacities. They have all held various offices throughout the years, as treasurers, chapter and group presidents, membership vice presidents and fundraising vice presidents to name a few, and they all have been a large part of helping initiate new programs and events which have grown to become time honored traditions of the Jacksonville Hadassah.

These four women all have in common a love of Hadassah, the Hadassah Medical Center and a strong enthusiasm for the work that this organization does, both in Israel and the United States.

Each have supported Hadassah on many levels giving their time, energy, generosity and enormous hearts. We are also pleased to announce that Barbara Goldstein, Deputy Director of the Hadassah Office in Israel, will be the keynote speaker at the luncheon.

Barbara Goldstein, Deputy Director of the Hadassah Office in Israel will be the Chai Luncheon’s keynote speaker Goldstein, who has spoken in Jacksonville before, is loved for her trademark humor and down to earth approach. Her life has been guided by a passion and commitment to Judaism and Zionism.

She will be talking about travel to Israel, and an Israeli singer will be providing entertainment. The luncheon will be held at Congregation Ahavath Chesed - The Temple, 8727 San Jose Blvd., so be sure to make your reservations early. For more information or to RSVP, contact Susan Sidle at 904-221-4632 or at shsidle @att. net.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

opinion

JJN’s Rabbinically Speaking Column: Hope is in the air!

BY JOSHUA LIEF

Congregation Ahavath Chesed

Every year at the High Holy Days, we reflect on our past and envision our future, always hoping and planning to do better than the year before. So, too, in January, hope springs eternal that maybe this will be the year when we lose that weight, reconnect with longlost friends, and celebrate our favorite teams winning championships. For our beloved Jags, make that next January, in 2017, at the earliest. For all of our annual hoopla of hopefulness, how often do we reach the goals we set?

How often do we set goals that are actually within our reach? Hope is important, as it lifts our spirits at this colder time of the year. We look forward to better weather, better health, and a better life, but how often do we help ourselves to realize those dreams, as opposed to setting ourselves up for a fall?

Self-improvement is not a quick fix, and just as we didn’t become who we are today without a lifetime of practice, so, too, we can’t expect to change overnight. That’s not to say that we can’t do some

planning to get us on the road toward a brighter tomorrow.

Take a moment and think of one thing you’d like to work on in the year ahead. Health? Relationships? Finances? Spirituality? It is tempting to imagine what life would be like, were any one of these areas to reach our ideal image of success, but if we can only picture the end, we run the risk of disillusionment that will surely come without instant gratification. Instead, think again of that one thing, but then pick one smaller aspect of that larger goal, something well within your reach.

Don’t imagine you’ll drop fifty pounds overnight; work on losing five pounds and see where things go from there. At our Tu B’Shevat seder this month, we’ll look ahead toward spring and nature’s rebirth.

No one person can plant a whole forest in a day; but call our friends at the Jewish National Fund and you can plant at least one tree.

Similarly, don’t promise yourself that you’ll be at the synagogue you love every week from now on; instead, pick a service, a class, or a program that looks great from the long list of opportunities this

RABBINICALLY SPEAKING month and make a plan to attend, then, pick another after that.

Engage and you will find Jewish life to be engaging. Come regularly, and you’ll feel like a regular.

Commit to lifelong Jewish learning and you’ll find yourself to be a more learned Jew. My hope and prayer for this New Year, is for each and every member of our Jewish community to find the inspiration to make his or her hopes and dreams become

reality. To get there, I hope we’ll each make a plan, take small steps, find them worthwhile, and stick with our pursuit of happiness for the long run. Becca, Leah, Ellie, and I thank you all so much for the love and support we’ve received over the years from our friends across the Jacksonville Jewish Community, and we wish you and your families a very Happy and Healthy New Year ahead.

Joshua B. Lief is Congregation Ahavath Chesed’s Senior Rabbi. He grew up in Wheeling, W.V., where he was active in sports, music, and was an Eagle Scout. He attended Princeton University, where he swam on the varsity squad, competed on the debate team, and graduated with a degree in History.

After Princeton, Rabbi Lief attended the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Following a year living in Jerusalem for his first of the seminary, he completed his studies at HUC-JIR’s campus in Cincinnati, where he was ordained as a Rabbi in May, 2003.

Prior to moving to Jacksonville, Lief served as the Rabbi of Mizpah Congregation in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he helped grow the

Recent ADL report shows increase in anti-Israel U.S. college campuses

By Anti-Defamation League

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recently released a new report examining the state of anti-Israel activity on university and college campuses across the United States for the 2014-15 academic year. The report also makes projections for the 2015-16 academic year, which has begun with an upsurge in anti-Israel events, backing from university departments, and a continued Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement to demonize and delegitimize the Jewish state. As a first step to respond to these challenges, ADL announced a new social media initiative, @ CampusADL, intended to support students facing anti-Israel activity and anti-Semitism on campus.

The report highlights a significant increase in BDS campaigns and other explicitly hostile programs against Israel during the 2015 academic year.

“Student groups at a number of campuses are sponsoring a range of programs and initiatives designed with one goal: to isolate, defame and delegitimize Israel,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “Many of these efforts have resulted in increased tension between students and have fostered a hostile atmosphere for pro-Israel and Jewish students. We are particularly concerned by the support these initiatives have received from faculty members.”

ADL noted that the most active group on campus is the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP),

the primary organizer of antiIsrael events and the group most responsible for bringing divestment resolutions before student government bodies. The New York City chapter of SJP recently invoked anti-Semitic stereotypes in a statement promoting the Million Student March, a national day of protest over tuition fees, student debt and wages for campus workers. The group referred to those who run the City University of New York (CUNY) as a ‘Zionist administration’, a framing clearly intended to make Zionism a derogatory word through implicitly linking ‘Zionists’ to financial challenges that students on campus face and invoking a classic anti-Semitic stereotype which blames Jews for the financial woes of others.

Organizations including Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and the American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) are among the entities furthering anti-Israel activity on U.S. campuses. These groups have been actively engaging in coalition building with other student organizations that traditionally have not been involved in Middle East peace issues.

“The tactics employed by the BDS movement - along with the continued efforts by antiIsrael student groups seeking to stifle discourse about the IsraeliPalestinian conflict and Israel in general through disruption and defamation - is a deeply troubling phenomenon that has contributed to an atmosphere at some institutions where Jewish and pro-Israel students feel uncomfortable voicing their views or even asserting their Jewish identity,” Greenblatt said.

The report also details the strategies used in many BDS campaigns as anti-Semitic, noting however that not all advocates of the BDS campaign are themselves antiSemitic and may be driven by their perception that they are engaging in legitimate criticism of Israel.

“BDS is not an effort designed to engender a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” Greenblatt explained. “It does not seek to achieve a two-state solution that benefits all parties. Instead, it seeks to undermine the

Jewish State of Israel. It’s an agenda of anti-normalization that demonizes Israel and its citizens simply because of their identity.

This is the antithesis of constructive dialogue that the university should embody. In practice, the BDS movement’s indiscriminate targeting of individuals based solely on their national origin and irrespective of views or actions is inherently anti-Semitic. While most incidents of anti-Semitism on campus are not generated by BDS, anti-Israel activity can often cross the line to anti-Semitism or foster an atmosphere in which anti-Semitic stereotypes are tolerated.”

In 2014, ADL tracked over 520 anti-Israel events on campus representing a 30 percent increase from the previous academic year.

There were 19 campuses in which students introduced divestment resolutions and referenda, a 21 percent increase from when 15 campuses considered such campaigns in the 2013-2014 academic year.

“We respect a robust debate about Middle East policy. There are complex political, social

and humanitarian crises in the region that demand attention and merit serious, thoughtful debate,” Greenblatt added. Many Jewish students actively take part in these debates and freely participate in campus life without fear. However, BDS poisons the atmosphere for serious intellectual debate and contributes to an environment of intimidation. Countering today’s anti-Israel bias and anti-Semitic incidents in an institutional setting remains a substantial challenge.”

congregation and reached out to community at large. Here in Jacksonville, he serves on the boards of ONEJAX, JCCI, and Community Hospice and is a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville’s New Leaders Summit, and the Jacksonville Sherriff ’s Office Citizens’ Police Academy. He is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, a member of the Downtown Rotary Club, and a graduate of the Leadership Jacksonville New Leadership Summit. In his spare time he enjoys being an avid athlete and helps support the arts as well as engages in as many civic activities his schedule allows. Rabbi Lief is married to his wife Rebecca and they have two daughters, Leah and Ellie.

Rabbinically speaking is a monthly column written by clergy members in the Jacksonville Jewish community. If you are a Rabbi, chazzan or religious leader in NE Florida and would like to contribute your inspirational thoughts for a monthly column, please e-mail jjn@ jewishjacksonville.org with your name, organization, congregation and which month you are interested in writing for and what topic, specifically you would like to write about.

ADL continues to be engaged in efforts to counter BDS and other anti-Israel activity, including hands-on support to students and campus professionals. Since Sept. 2014, the League has been running its Words to Action program, an interactive education program for college and pre-college students designed to empower and equip them with constructive and effective responses to combat anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias on campus. In an effort to directly engage with Jewish and pro-Israel groups and students on college and university campuses, ADL launched @CampusADL, a Twitter handle which provides students with detailed backgrounders, as well as alerts to upcoming events and campaigns.

The League has also been encouraging university chancellors and administrators to speak out against divestment resolutions, assert that the campus in question will not entertain divestment, and take proactive steps to ensure a safe and hospitable campus environment for all students.

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 deadlines: All news, photographs, etc., must be received by the 6th of each month, and sent to jjn@jewishjacksonville.org.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

community news Marty & Mimi Kaufman Dedicated Community Volunteers

January

2016

ADL condemns Ku Klux Klan leaflets distributed on both sides of state

By Anti-Defamation League

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) strongly condemns the distribution of Ku Klux Klan recruitment leaflets left in late November on the front lawns of homes in both Jacksonville and Wakulla, near Tallahassee. Hava Holzhauer, ADL Florida Regional Director, issued the following statement: “The First Amendment is a powerful constitutional right. It protects both mainstream speech and extremist speech. However, the Anti-Defamation League strongly condemns the dropping of recruitment flyers by KKK groups this week in both Jacksonville and Wakulla, near Tallahassee. While the distribution itself is likely legal, these acts have left many in these communities fearful that they were targeted by these hate groups for no other reason

than their religion, sexual orientation, or the color of their skin, and they leave a haunting reminder of the Ku Klux Klan’s despicable history of violence, terrorism, and lynchings,” Holzhauer said. “Today, there is no single Ku Klux Klan in the United States, but rather 40+ different and completely independent Klan groups of various sizes, most of them small.

While the presence of these racist leaflets suggests Klan membership may be on the rise, the reality is that Klan groups have been on the decline for decades. In fact, fliering itself is a sign of decline, not growth. Don’t be confused,

this is a clear sign of weakness, not strength. This is a cheap and easy way for small groups like these to gain attention, an attractive prospect for groups trying to compensate for their dwindling membership and decreased clout,” she added.

Sadly, incidents like these are not new for these areas.

Similar leaflets were distributed in Wakulla in March of last year, and in Lake Butler near Jacksonville in March, 2014. Later that year, several Black churches in the Wakulla area were also vandalized with KKK symbols. The Anti-Defamation League is the leading non-governmental provider of information and training to law enforcement on domestic extremism. It regularly monitors activities of racist hate groups and reports its findings to federal, state and local authorities.

177 books rescued from the Holocaust find a permanent home in Gainesville books were burned by the Nazis.

St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society The books themselves have been donated by Reverend Doych’s daughter, Beatrice Schemer and Florida’s Jewish Library granddaughter, Lauren Rudick. recently received a donation of Many of the books are commen177 precious books which will taries on the Talmud printed by now be housed as part of the the Sulzbach Press in the early Isser and Rae Price Collection on 19th century and a small number the campus of the University of of rabbinical commentaries were Florida. The volumes come from printed by the Shlomo Proops the Rabbinical working library of Press in Amsterdam. Some are Reverend Herman Doych (Herworks on the Mishna from the mann Deutsch), which were spirZirndorf Press in Furth in the ited out of Germany on Apr. 24, early 18th century, but others 1937, aboard the SS Caribia of the were printed by smaller presses in HAPAG line docked in Hamburg, mid-to-late 19th century Warsaw Germany. Reverend Deutsch, and Berlin. his wife Rita and two daughters Bea Schemer, well-known in Hermine and Beate escaped Nazi the Jacksonville Jewish ComGermany and rescued these texts. munity, is especially fond of “That was but a prelude; sharing the amazing story of her where they burn books, they will father who ultimately went with ultimately burn people as well” the family to Cali, Columbia, wrote Heinrich Heine, the German and to New York City in 1939.

Jewish poet, journalist, essayist, In October of that year, Hermann and literary critic in his 1821 play Deutsch came to Jacksonville, as Almansor. These prescient words a Shochet, or ritual slaughterer are engraved in the pavement and teacher. He became a foundon Berlin’s Opernplatz where, ing member of Jacksonville’s Etz on May 11, 1933 thousands of Chaim Synagogue in 1947 and

BY MERRIL SHAPIRO

If you come to Shabbat services at the Jacksonville Jewish Center on the fourth Saturday of every month, you will probably be warmly greeted by Marty and Mimi Kaufman. Marty and Mimi have been members of the Jacksonville Jewish Center since its merger with Beth Shalom Congregation four years ago. They have always been very active in their previous communities before moving to Jacksonville from Hollywood, Fla. in 2004.

In Hollywood, Marty served as president of the Men’s Club while Mimi was president of Sisterhood of Temple Sinai. Prior to that, Marty was the president of Temple Israel in Miramar, Fla., as well as President of Temple Beth Ahm in Cooper City, when those two synagogues merged. At the Jacksonville Jewish Center, the couple are active members of the Social Action Committee.

Together they chair ‘Operation Isaiah’, collecting food for the JFCS food pantry. They distribute magazines which are donated to the Mandarin Senior Center, Baptist South, and River Garden, and are also in charge of collecting items for the Teacher Supply Depot.

Marty, a Korean War Veteran, is a past post commander and past Essex County, N.J., Commander of the Jewish War Veterans.

He created and runs the JW V Stamp Program which sends used postage stamps to hospitalized veterans in VA hospitals, boy scout troops and to the Holocaust stamp program in Foxboro, Mass.

Marty has chaired a total of four Yom Hashoah programs both in Hollywood and at Beth Shalom Congregation. He also created and served as curator of the Judaica Gallery at Beth Shalom which was open to the public.

Marty currently serves on the community development board of Bartram Springs and Mimi serves on the HOA board. She also donates her time and efforts as a member of the River Garden Auxiliary Board, while volunteering at the home. She is a past president of B’nai B’rith Women, Beth Shalom’s Sisterhood and a member of Hadassah. Marty and Mimi have also been honored

by JFCS as its Volunteers of the Year. The couple have three children, Richard (Beth), David (Sherry), and Linda (David) seven Grandchildren.

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

River Garden Auxiliary to hold elegant April tea party

By River Garden Auxiliary

Please mark your calendar for River Garden Auxiliary’s annual special event, to be held, Thursday, April, 7th, at 10:30 a.m. This year’s luncheon will feature an elegant and whimsical Tea Party with an array of scrumptious delights.

The event will again take place at the Jacksonville Marriott (4670 Salisbury Road) and co-chairs Susan Price and Ellen Rubens are excited about the upcoming event, so they want folks to start gathering their fancy hats, pearls and gloves to join in the fun. With a glass of bubbly in hand upon entrance, participants will begin by viewing the great items in the silent auction and then be swept away, enjoying the rest of the treats and surprises.

Price and Rubens are stressing the importance of getting the younger generation involved in this organization, and there’s no better way to do so than by inviting friends and family to join in the fun. More information will follow during the months ahead, but for immediate info please contact Ellen Rubens at rubense@me.com and 904-

651-6607 or Susan Price at Susan. ilene@yahoo.com and 904-3003616.

River Garden serves the community through its many programs and services. Historically, the special event has brought in more than $150,000 for River Garden since its inception 20 years ago. Judy Price founded this annual event and her vision for this fundraiser was to give the ladies an elegant and meaningful affair, which had value by generating funds for River Garden.

JCA young concert artists returns with Hermes Quartet

By Jewish Community Alliance

Doych Collection in the Rare Book Room of the Judaica Suite, Smather’s Library often conducted services for the fledgling congregation. Reverend Doych’s collection is now housed in the Rare Book Room of the Judaica Suite, Smathers Library, at the University of Florida.

The Rare Book Room and the Isser and Rae Price Collection at Florida’s Jewish Library are under the direction and loving care of Rebecca Jefferson, PhD and have become a must see for tourists and residents alike.

The Jewish Community Alliance celebrates musical talent from around the world with various concerts and musical performances, including the annual JCA Young Concert Artists Series. Beginning in January, the series returns to the JCA with a performance by the Hermes Quartet, Sunday, Jan. 24 at 3 p.m. the Paris-based Hermes Quartet includes violinists Omer Bouchez and Elise Liu, violist Yung-Hsin Chang and cellist Anthony Kondo. Together since 2008, the members met at the Lyon Conservatory and studied under the tutelage of Zoltan Toth and Reiko Kitahama.

Winners of the 2012 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, the quartet’s U.S. debut at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall were received with rave reviews. Currently, the quartet holds the Helen F. Whitaker Chamber Music Chair

The Hermes Quartet

Photo Credit: François Sechet. of YCA, the Florence Gould Foundation Fellowship, and is Artist in Residence at Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Brussels. The series continues with recitals by cellist Sang-Eun Lee on Feb. 14 and pianist George Li on March 20. All recitals in the JCA Young Concert Artists Series are free and open to the entire community, thanks to the generosity of the Berman Family.

For more information, visit jcajax. org.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

community news

Local volunteers visit Jewish inmates to inspire and give hope

Rabbi Nochom Kurinsky helps an inmate put on Clinical social worker and volunteer Pinchos Kurinsky Complete with talit and prayer books, this group of tefillin during one of his recent visits to a Northeast dons tefillin and talit, joining the Jewish inmates in a Jewish inmates are able to forget their surroundings Florida prison, to help encourage Jewish prisoners moving service during one of his most recent visits and daven, taking part in an authentic Jewish service Photos courtesy of Neil Rashba Photography

BY MATT FRANZBLAU

Federation Communications Director mattf@jewishjacksonville.org

Tucked away behind the many barbed wire fences and guard towers along state route 16 in Raiford, Fla., sits the Union Correctional Institute and just a few hundred yards southeast is the Florida State Prison or FSP as it is commonly referred. Together the facilities house approximately 4,200 male inmates with crimes ranging from armed robbery to sex offenses and even murder. Out of those 4,200 offenders, 29 are recognized by Aleph as Jewish inmates, having either been brought up that way on the outside or have found their way to the Torah while behind bars.

These men, both young and old and facing varied lengths of sentences, have the benefit of looking forward to monthly visits from a group of local volunteers based out of the Chabad at the Beaches in Ponte Vedra. With the help of Aleph, which is a national Jewish organization aimed at providing services to Jews who are in crisis, serving in the military or facing legal troubles, the conglomerate visits Jewish inmates in Northeast Florida and in the panhandle to try and give them encouragement and inspiration.

“It is a surprise initially to find out there are Jews in jail, but then you overcome that and they’re all Jews,” said Pinchos Kurinsky, a volunteer who has been lending his experience and expertise to the group for three years. Kurinsky is the father of Chabad at the Beaches Rabbi Nochom Kurinsky, who through Aleph initially helped launch this regular visitation program nearly a decade ago.

“I am also a clinical social worker and for the most of my career have worked with populations, not too different from the ones we are currently visiting,” he added. “The mentally ill, the elderly, poor and a lot of drug addiction, so I am very familiar with people who are the outliers in our society.”

Kurinsky’s first stop on this visit the group made in midNovember was to Union or UCI, where he had three specific inmates he intended to see.

After an initial rigorous security check, he along with the other four volunteers making the trip that day were brought in past the numerous chain link fences and automatic lock doors. The trained social worker parted ways with the group and waited patiently to be buzzed into and given access to the long, winding fenced-in walk way labeled ‘DR’.

As Kurinsky noted before going inside the restricted pathway in an already heavily restricted facility, those two letters were not to be confused with an abbreviation for ‘doctor’, instead they stood for something else, ‘death row’.

Once buzzed into the main death row facility at union, Kurinsky, who was dressed in a collared shirt, with talit fringes visible, slacks, sneakers and a yarmulke, checked in with guards at the main station and then made his way to the large white board outside the various rows of cells, with a roster of sorts denoting where each inmate was housed.

His first stop of three that morning was to the 6’ x 9’ x 9.5’ cell of convicted murderer Richard Anderson, who grew up in a household with a Christian father and a Jewish mother, in various places, including Israel, Iraq and of course Florida. Anderson, who was sleeping with the lights off in a near pitch dark and humid cell, sprung out of bed when he heard the footsteps and whispering of his fellow Jewish Friend.

“Shalom,” he exclaimed at first glance of the 5 feet 4 inches, grey bearded father of the Rabbi. The two shook hands and immediately began chatting about the current uprising of violent attacks against innocent Israelis nationwide.

Topics like these and interactions such as these bring the outside world to life to a man who hasn’t seen or experienced it, in nearly 30 years. “They are Jews coming

River Garden Auxiliary to hold special princess themed donor luncheon

By River Garden Auxiliary

Please join the River Garden Auxiliary for ‘Everyone’s a Princess Day’, at its Annual Donor Luncheon, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 12 p.m. at River Garden. The lunch will be delicious and nutritious and is included in your minimum donation of $36, but larger donations are always welcome and gratefully appreciated. Those in attendance will be serenaded with a special princess songs sung by Carolyn Snyder Menke. Locally, Snyder Menke

has performed with the Vivace Trio, the Jacksonville Symphony, and various flute groups. She has also won numerous awards for her opera performances and has performed for Body and Soul, in addition to the Art of Healing since 2001. Invitations to this event, where you will be able to greet your friends, eat together, and feel like a princess while providing funds to support River Garden residents, will be sent out shortly. In the meantime, for more information call Debby Katz at 904-287-0960.

to visit me and it’s really a simchat for them to come here,” Anderson explained. “It’s like a slice of Israel coming to my cell and is a breath of fresh air. The fact that Jews come here to visit fellow Jews is something that makes me happy for days because it helps put light in my stale life.”

After talking some more with a man who said he would rather visit with a fellow Jew in the confines of his cell then eat and drink with gentiles out in the prison, Kurinsky gives him the choice of one of three books to read that he brought with him from Ponte Vedra. The other two hardcovers will be given to inmates Michael Jackson and Michael Siebert, who are next up on the visitation list.

“Being able to have conversation with someone who is like-minded and who is going to support you, goes beyond the physical aspects of this place,” Jackson commented during his 20-minute visit with his friend, who in age is old enough to be his grandfather. These visits help you grow spiritually and really gives you help when you are struggling.”

Kurinsky and his fellow group members are well-aware that the visit they are making is something each individual Jewish inmate looks forward to for days if not weeks in advance. “In a place like this they (the inmates) have very few to almost no opportunities to have fellowship with other Jews, so they like the camaraderie,” Kurinsky said. “They can be themselves among family without having to worry about what somebody else thinks, because

we have things in common and they usually have some memories of Hebrew School, Jewish culture and food.”

With the first visit now complete, the group heads to their car and makes the three minute drive down the road to FSP, where they meet up with Rabbi Kurinsky, who came from Jacksonville earlier in the day. Kurinsky and unofficial group organizer Ben Adams make their way into the prison chapel to meet with a trio of Jewish inmates for a one hour visit. During those precious 60-minutes the Rabbi gives a D’var Torah on this week’s portion, relating it to how the three men dressed in their prison blues are quite possibly right where they should be, finding the help and guidance which God intended them to, in the confines of this facility.

One of the inmates, has a wife who lives in Israel and a daughter who currently serves in the IDF. Not too long ago, he led a modest Torah study group, consisting of himself and two others, but has since grown to more than a dozen participants, mostly Jewish with a few interested and inspired gentiles. “My nickname on the compound is Rabbi,” he proudly proclaims, pointing to the Kippah on his head. “I have an excellent rapport with some of the officers and I feel I need to go the extra mile to develop that, because I am already under God’s authority.” Soon Alonso (Alonzo) will be underneath another type of authority as in mid-May, he will be set free under the restrictions of a conditional release, after ‘being down’ for nearly a quarter century. “What these visits give us, is a breath of fresh air because it provides us with contact with the outside world,” he explained.

During the visit a fellow inmate is quick to rebuke the theory that Jewish inmates eat better in prison because of kosher meals. “We

have beans and cabbage and then sardines and peanut butter every day,” he said shaking his head.

“One day its beans and cabbage for lunch and then sardines and peanutbutter dinner, then the next day the reverse, with cereal and peanut butter for breakfast each morning.”

As the visit draws to a close, the Rabbi and Adams exchange hugs and handshakes with these men, who over the years have become friends and confidants.

The quartet of volunteers then regroup and get back into their van, as the elder Kurinsky hands out homemade cheese and peanut butter sandwiches for lunch he prepacked with him that morning.

The near 90-minute ride back to the beaches provides the men with ample time to discuss the proceedings of their most recent visit, with intermittent philosophical discussions on crime and punishment here in the states.

“The amazing thing I take away from my visits, is that even the people who have committed the worst offenses are so enthusiastic about their religion and so proud of being Jewish, that they have become transformed in my opinion,” the clinical social worker explained. “They have truly dedicated themselves to Torah study, prayer and self-evaluation and when you see guys who have been locked up for 20 or 30 years, who are facing death sentences and they’re positively trying to work on themselves, you can’t help but be inspired.”

Anyone that is interested in volunteering with the Aleph prison visitation program through Chabad at the Beaches should contact program organizer Ben Adams at alephgroupnefl@gmail. com. Paperwork pertaining to a simple screening process will have to be completed for security purposes prior to being accepted into the program.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

community news

Gen2 Program planned at University of Jax native gives own Florida’s Judaica Library in late January impressions of World Zionist Congress

By Jewish Family & Community Services

The Gen2 Holocaust Survivors Writers’ Workshop is planning a special program open to all Holocaust Survivors and their families scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 24, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the University of Florida’s Isser and Rae Price Judaica Library. Organized

by Dr. Rebecca Jefferson, head of the Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica, and Stacey Goldring, facilitator of the Second Generation Holocaust Survivors Workshop at Jewish Family & Community Services, the program will include a curator-led library tour, Second Generation program and discussion in addition to lunch.

“The library is an incredible, breath-taking collection and it is a safe harbor for Judaic literary treasures that tell the story of our collective historical experience”, Goldring explained. “It is vital

that survivors understand their stories are critically important, not only for themselves and their families, but equally important in a wide historical context,” she added. “Visiting this wonderful library makes the importance of writing about one’s experience tangible.”

The library is home to more than 100,000 volumes of Judaic literature and related materials, and ranks as one of the foremost academic libraries of Judaica in

the world. To find out more about the library, visit http://cms.uflib. ufl.edu/judaica/Index.aspx. Additionally, JFCS’s Gen2 writers’ workshop is an excellent opportunity to spend time engaging with others that have similar experiences. The library event will offer another opportunity for workshop writers and their families to connect. To attend this free program, please contact Gail Furman, Jewish Services director at gfurman@ jfcsjax.org or call 904-394-5723.

Latkes and lyrics enjoyed at special Holocaust survivor Chanukah party

By Jewish Family & Community Services

Holocaust survivors and their families gathered at Etz Chaim synagogue in mid-December for a festive Chanukah celebration.

The program featured live music

by Rabbi Cohen and the Maccabees as they played inspirational holiday tunes, along with popular Israeli songs, and nostalgic Yiddish melodies. Many of the survivors noted that the music reminded them of when they were much younger.

During the party, survivors

were surrounded by family members and friends as all enjoyed a spirited program, reaffirming their Jewish traditions and heritage.

The program also featured a delicious Kosher Chanukah lunch catered by Tomato Crush. A special thank you goes to Rabbi Matt and his wonderful musical ensemble, Tomato Crush caterers, and Etz Chaim’s NCSY Youth Group for their contribution to the celebration. For more information, about upcoming Holocaust Family Gatherings please call Naomi Rabbi Cohen & the Maccabees serenade the captivated crowd Mirensky at 904-394-5777.

with Chanukah inspired tunes

Jonathan Edelman (far left) talked about his experiences in Israel at the World Zionist Congress earlier this autumn

By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

On Friday, Dec. 18th, Jacksonville native Jonathan Edelman gave a presentation at the Temple’s Oneg Shabbat, with his reflections on his trip to Israel in October, for the 37th World Zionist Congress. Edelman, who recently worked as a Legislative Assistant for the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) in Washington, DC, served as a delegate on the Congress with ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America. ARZA won the World Zionist Congress elections this past spring on a platform of promoting gender equality, religious pluralism, and a two-state solution. At the Congress, Edelman and his counterparts worked with Reform Movement activists around the world to sponsor resolutions such as creating an egalitarian prayer space at the Kotel, supporting Israel’s LBGT residents, welcoming asylum seekers, promoting financial transparency, and establishing reconciliation efforts between Israelis and Palestinians.

The Reform Movement was able to hear many Israeli perspectives on tough issues with speeches coming from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Isaac Herzog. When Congress was not in session, attendees worked with their Israeli partners, the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), to go to Knesset and hear from members of five different parties, including longtime Likud MK Benny and leader of the Joint List Ayman Odeh. Edelman also was able to speak to students at a Palestinian girls’ school in East Jerusalem and toured an abbey

on Mount Zion that had been struck by so-called ‘price tag’ attacks over the past few years.

The World Zionist Congress, which was founded in 1897 with Theordor Herzl as its President, still functions today as ‘the Congress of the Jewish people.’ The WZC works with the Knesset to approve the leadership and set policy directions for Israel’s ‘national institutions’, which include Karen Kayemeth L’Yisrael / Jewish National Fund (KKL/JNF), the World Zionist Organization (WZO), and the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI). At a time when the relationship between American and Israeli Jewry is more complicated than ever, the World Zionist Congress serves as one of the clearest ways for Americans to have a voice in Israel.

“While the World Zionist Congress might not receive a lot of publicity, as compared to the Knesset, it remains an incredibly important organization,” Edelman explained. “If we care about the future of Israel as Jewish and democratic state, we should be aware of how the National Institutions, with a budget of hundreds of millions of dollars, use their money,” he added.

“I’m proud of how the Reform Movement fought for inclusive, transparent policies and stood against policies such as settlement expansion that make peace harder to achieve. Still, there’s much more work to do.”

The event gave a chance for Edelman to reflect on his experiences and the Reform Movement’s ongoing Israel advocacy, while also providing perspective on the biggest issues facing Israel today. His talk was part of the Temple’s continuing commitment Israel education and engagement.

Chanukah Book Reading

The Chabad of S. Augustine recently held a Chanukah book reading at Barnes & Noble to help kids get in the holiday spirit

www.jewishjacksonville.org

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

community news

Jacksonville’s place in Florida Jewish History to be discussed at Temple talk

BY HAZEL MACK Temple Archivist

Congregation Ahavath Chesed – The Temple will host a special presentation on Florida Jewish history and Jacksonville’s special place within it, Sunday, Jan. 24, at 2 p.m. During this talk, attendees will hear about so many firsts, including in 1857, when right here in Jacksonville, George Dzialynski was born. Dzialynski was the first Jewish boy born in Florida to a family that planted roots in the state and has continued to live here as Jews since 1850. His uncle Morris was the city’s only Jewish mayor and first president of the first congregation here. Many of the earliest Jewish organizations in the state were also founded here.

Prior to the 1930s, Jacksonville’s Jewish community was the largest in Florida, but despite the rich history, still little

George Dzialynski (left) was the first boy born in Florida to a Jewish family who planted roots in the State, back in 1850.

He went onto marry Bertha Zadek, who is pictured on the right is known. Jews served their city by defending it against invasion, holding public offices, building the economy and contributing to the cultural arts, education and philanthropies. Marcia Jo Zerivitz, Founding Executive Director of the Jewish Museum

of Florida-FIU, will present a not to be missed PowerPoint lecture, highlighting the roles of Jacksonville’s Jews in the development of families, businesses, organizations and community life, which will no doubt fill you with pride.

Mindfulness meditation class to be taught at JCA through Baptist Wellness Connexion

By Jewish Community Alliance

Meditation has a centuries’ long history as a method for personal and spiritual growth, with roots in the traditions of ancient Hindu, Chinese and Indian religious practices. Modern practices of meditation have seen it used as a tool for stress management and emotional stability. On Monday’s in February, Dr. Ellen Williams of Baptist Health, in collaboration with the JCA Baptist Wellness Connexion, will lead an ‘Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation’ at

the JCA. The JCA Baptist Wellness Connexion is a unique initiative offering programs for the Jacksonville community addressing a variety of wellness issues.

Mindfulness Meditation will offer techniques for decreasing anxiety and stress, improving memory and reducing emotional reactivity.

All benefits that Dr. Williams says can help with everyday struggles.

“Mindfulness meditation can help to improve mental clarity and acceptance of the ups and downs that everyone experiences in life,”

Williams explained. This program is held at the JCA and meets Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 6-7:30 p.m.

The fee to participate is $60 and $40 for JCA valued members. For more information or to register, contact the JCA registrar at 904730-2100, ext. 228 or visit jcajax. org

Biennial Continued from p. 1 talk to each other, Rabbis can talk to each other, social action chairs can talk to each other and there is a lot of networking, regionally and nationally.”

The conference not only brings about plenty of professional opportunities, but offers a wide range of social and spiritual events for those in attendance to learn and grow from.

“You see friends from other congregations that you see at every Biennial because you meet each other and there is a market place of ideas as well as a literal marketplace, where all the Judaica vendors show up”, the veteran Biennialist explained. “The music is also wonderful, with superstar recording artists in the Jewish music world, who every night are giving concerts that anyone can attend,” he added.

Lief has attended four Biennials during his time in Jacksonville and seven altogether. Making his fourth overall appearance at the event was the congregation’s associate Rabbi Matt Cohen, who like his colleague brought back a lot of inspiration and ideas along with him during the trip back north on I-95.

“People want to feel connected to the movement and at Biennial, everybody puts their best foot forward,” Cohen explained.

“Especially with the services, you have the newest music and the people who wrote these songs, but here are my congregants who knew most of the music.”

The reason for the familiarity can be easily found when one wanders into the synagogue on any given Shabbat, hearing the catchy tunes and meaningful lyrics belted out by the ‘Friday Night Live Band’ and ‘JAFTY Jew Crew’, both of which are directed

by Cohen.

“I personally felt really good about the music because my congregants were able to sing along,” Cohen said. “A lot of congregations can’t sing along because they don’t know it as its all an innovative, new, fun style, so it’s kind of neat to see that happening.”

As it turned out, the 2015 edition of the conference ended up being a very positive and reaffirming experience for Congregation Ahavath Chesed attendees, but for very positive and specific reasons.

“It’s an opportunity particularly for us in the congregational world to see what other people are doing,” Lief added. “In some cases we can learn and discover new ideas and other cases we can be comforted by the fact that we are ahead of the curve and doing

things right here in Jacksonville that are on the cutting edge nationally.”

The notion that the staff, clergy and educators at 8727 San Jose Blvd., are already ahead of the curve was not one lost on Rabbi Cohen, as he saw another example of The Temple’s unique approach to Jewish learning.

“As far as the education is concerned, we here are doing quite a lot of the new and exciting work that’s being done out there,” Cohen proudly explained. “There’s a lot of outside the box thinking in the Reform Movement and we’re trying to figure out how best to meet the needs of our kids, and how best to teach them Hebrew, engage them and make it exciting and we are doing a lot of that.”

Another way in which the Temple stands out among its peers was on display for the thousands of conference attendees to see, when the synagogue’s sisterhood took home a national award for thier hard hitting program they put on this past year.

“I was really proud to be there, to see them presented with their award, as were many other members of our congregational family,” Lief said. “They won a national award at the last Biennial and they won another national award at this Biennial for their excellent program on human trafficking.”

Those Temple members who couldn’t make the trip to Orlando for all the awards, music and fun were afforded the unique opportunity to actually watch some of the festivities via live stream, following Friday night services at the synagogue’s Oneg Shabbat.

“They streamed the song session (from Orlando) and to me, seeing people who couldn’t be there in person, but watched following services shows me that they want this,” Cohen said.

“They want that energy, excitement, innovation and style of prayer that’s happening in our movement. Not only do they want it, but they’re getting it.”

There is no doubt congregants will continue to benefit from the exchange of ideas and reaffirming experience that this past Biennial brought Temple attendees as Congregation Ahavath Chesed looks forward toward another rewarding national conference, scheduled for Dec. 6-10, 2017 in Boston.

The Temple’s Sisterhood took home a national award at the Biennial for their excellent program on human trafficking

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education

Torah Academy of Jacksonville’s first trimester filled with success

BY NICHOLE DEESE

Torah Academy of Jacksonville

The Torah Academy of Jacksonville is pleased to announce that with the end of the first trimester of learning, it has had many measurable successes. The students have done exceptionally well with both their Judaic Studies and their General Studies. In addition to their academics, they have worked diligently at bettering their character. TA has integrated a new behavior system to keep track of all positive behaviors.

Positive Behavior Interventions & Support or ‘PBIS’ is way for teachers to ‘catch children being good’ and in turn a good way for students to be held accountable for their actions. The students were able to earn points based on expectations of safety, responsibility and respect and those points added up to success.

Torah Academy of Jacksonville’s top two Positive Behavior Interventions & Support or ‘PBIS’ contestants for the trimester The school also focused on pride through the ‘Pride in Our School’ campaign, which kicked off with students creating posters on what they considered to be a great way to show pride in their school. This trimester their new focus is ‘Do Unto Others’, and

thus far the students have lived up to that title, collecting food for the needy and purchasing Gelt Grams to show kindness to others. The school also celebrated the wonderful miracle of Chanukah, with a party at Slinkee’s that welcomed everyone.

Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

Martin J. Gottlieb Day School hosts PJ Library Shema Bedtime event

PJ Library’s Shema Bedtime will be held Thursday, Jan. 21

By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

The community’s pre-kindergarteners and their families are cordially invited to come in their pajamas for Shema Bedtime at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School library, Thursday, Jan.

21 at 6:30 p.m. In conjunction with PJ Library, Shema Bedtime is a fun way for families to meet new friends and enjoy a craft and story time. Space is limited, so please call 904-268-4200, ext.

147 to reserve a spot for your child.

Michele Block Gan Yeladim boasts positive partnership with Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra

BY MOLLY SWEET

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, named one of the top regional orchestras in the nation, is sending three ensembles of talented musicians to visit Michele Block Gan Yeladim for educational, in-house chamber music concerts. These opportunities are part of an ongoing partnership between Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.

In preparation for the concerts, the students of Michele Block Gan Yeladim study the music and instruments of the orchestra. They learn the various orchestra sections, practice making programs, selling tickets and role play as ushers to seat their classmates.

Additionally, they learn the intricacies of various instruments such as an oboe using a double reed and a clarinet as a single reed.

They also practice using non-stan-

dard units of measurement. In the halls outside of their classrooms, students compare themselves to full-sized diagrams of instruments, including trombones and double basses. “I’m almost as tall as a saxophone and my dad is almost as tall as a base!” exclaimed one JK student.

“Our partnership with the Jacksonville Symphony provides students with a special opportunity for face-to-face interactions with world-class musicians and because of that it’s so much more memorable to hear and see a real cello than to hear it on a recording,” said Michele Block Gan Yeladim assistant director Rochelle Golomb. “The musicians help students understand how different instruments make sounds and having the symphony ensembles

visit inspires them to pursue the study of music or, at the very least, appreciate a rich musical tradition that needs future generations to support it,” she added. “We feel like it’s important to give our students this exposure to the fine arts.” The Symphony’s woodwind, brass and string ensembles will perform for Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten students during January.

Michele Block Gan Yeladim students enjoy a concert by members of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

education

Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve brings estuary to students at the DuBow Preschool

BY JULIA MENDENHALL DuBow Preschool

DuBow Preschool students were recently treated to an exciting presentation from Irene Kaufman, a volunteer with the Guana Estuarine Research Reserve Educational Program.

Children learned about the special and fragile estuarine ecosystem, which is created when salt and fresh water systems combine.

Through touching real specimens and sensory play, students learned about the life cycle of turtles, sharks, hermit crabs, and whelks.

The best part of the presentation for many was getting to touch the live animals that Ms. Kaufman brought from the Reserve, including a sea urchin, hermit crab, and sea star. Students also used tzeda-

kah collected on Shabbat to adopt a sea turtle nest through the GTM Research Reserve Sea Turtle Patrol Program. A big thanks goes out Ms. Kaufman for giving such a fantastic presentation and we look forward to continuing this connection with the Guana Reserve in the near future.

This presentation, was the second of its kinds organized for the DuBow Preschool Outreach Program. This program brings in educational services from the community and involves students in hands-on activities which supplement their curriculum, while also introducing them to new concepts that amaze and engage. Upcoming visits include the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, The St. John’s Riverkeeper, as well as time spent with local musicians.

Michele Block Gan Yeladim to hold Tu B’Shevat seder

Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool & Kindergarten will be throwing a special birthday party for the trees, Monday, Jan. 25

BY MOLLY SWEET

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten invites families with young children to a birthday party for the trees. Tu B’Shevat, the new year of the trees, is around the corner and Michele Block Gan Yeladim will celebrate with a special seder led by Morah Karen Morse, Monday, Jan. 25 from 1:30-2:15 p.m. During

Tu B’Shevat, it is customary to eat fruit from the shivat haminim (seven species), which are abundant in the land of Israel. Come taste the flavors of the holiday and wish our trees a happy birthday. Children may participate in the seder celebration for $15 and $10 for JCA valued members. For information or to register, contact Rochelle Golomb at 904-730-2100, ext. 259 or at rochelle.golomb@ jcajax.org.

Galinsky Academy gears up for awards banquet with special kick-off event

BY ANDREA MAIL Event Organizer

Join event chairs Andrea Mail and Jeanine Rogozinski, Thursday, Jan. 28 for the initial Galinsky Academy Awards Dinner Kick-Off Event. The gathering will be held at the beautiful home of Meryl and Harris Rittenberg, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 28 from 10:3011:30 a.m. At the main event, which will take place Sunday, May 22, Sue Levine will receive the Rabbi David Gaffney Leadership in Education Award and the Jewish

Federation of Jacksonville will be the beneficiary of the inaugural Community Partner Appreciation Award. Federation executive director Alan Margolies will be honored for his 25 years of service in that position. For more information on this event or the May awards banquet, please contact Nancy Davis at nancy.davis@mjgds.org or 904-268-4200, ext. 147.

Irene Kaufman, a volunteer with the Guana Estuarine Research Reserve Educational Program lets the children pet a spider

Children were able to have hands on experiences with live animals as well as what they leave behind such as the bones of this one

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education

Martin J. Gottlieb Day Schoolers celebrate Chanukah with pen pals

By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

As part of an ongoing partnership with teachers in Jacksonville’s sister city of Hadera, Israel, fifth Grade students at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School spent a fun morning during Chanukah celebrating the holiday with their pen pals. The Israeli students returned to their school at 6 p.m. with their parents to account for the time difference and the students from each classroom shared how they are celebrating the holiday. The day school’s fifth graders showed their friends the menorahs they created as a school project. The students then all lit menorahs together, singing the candle blessings and Chanukah songs before signing off.

Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

Middle school students at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School celebrated the festival of lights with their friends overseas

Chabad of S. Johns’ After-School Enrichment begins new session

By Chabad of S. Johns

Healthy food becomes fun food when kids re-imagine meal choices as a beautiful rainbow packed with life-giving nutrition.

Kids get hands on and creative with different culinary projects, empowering with the ability and desire to make positive nutritional choices. The GROW After-School Enrichment Program takes place every Tuesday at Durbin Creek Elementary School. For more info visit JewishSJohnsCounty.com/GROW

Michele Block Gan Yeladim to host special grandfriends’ shabbat

Michele Block Gan Yeladim students and their guests of honor enjoy a special Grandfriends’ Shabbat together at the preschool

BY MOLLY SWEET

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

At Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten, relatives and friends are always encouraged to participate in school activities. This month, during a special Shabbat celebration, Michele Block Gan Yeladim will honor some very dear family members—our grandparents.

Each Friday, Michele Block Gan Yeladim students come together for music, games and stories to experience the customs of Shabbat. In the Jewish faith, Shabbat is a day to rest from the labors of everyday life, contemplate spirituality and, last but not least, spend time with family.

According to an article by Dr. Mary Gavin, senior editor for KidsHealth from Nemours, “Grandparents provide children with a sense of safety and protection, a link to their cultural heritage and family history.” Practicing Shabbat with multiple generations is a powerful way to reflect upon Jewish cultural heritage and family history. The Michele Block Gan Yeladim Grandfriends’ Shabbat takes place this month, on Friday, Jan. 22 and is sure to be a memorable intergenerational experience.

Rabbi Joshua Lief will lead the songs and prayers and Busy Bees and Grasshoppers will celebrate from 9:30-10:00 a.m. The Teddy Bear, JK and Kindergarten classes celebrate from 10:15-11 a.m.

Chanukah brings much The Temple to hold special Pirkei Avot happiness and learning classes taught by Rabbi Matt Cohen to DuBow Preschool

By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

Rabbi Matt Cohen, Associate Rabbi at Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple), begins a Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) class on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 7:30 a.m. The entire community is welcome to come and learn as no prior experience with Rabbinic Literature is expected.

“Pirkei Avot is a treasure trove of timeless ethical lessons that have guided countless generations before us,” the Rabbi explained.

“In fact, many of us sing passages from the text during worship.

For example, at The Temple, we often sing ‘the world stands on

three things: Torah, worship and deeds of kindness’ when we take the Torah from the Ark during the Torah service. That text is from Pirkei Avot,” he added.

This book from the Mishnah is one of Rabbi Cohen’s favorites and he looks forward to sharing it. “Perhaps, you will find familiar texts, whose source may have been unknown to you,” Rabbi Cohen says. Class begins at 7:30 a.m. in the Wurn Family Library at The Temple and will meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Come to learn and Congregation Ahavath Chesed then, energized by the text, go about your day!

Associate Rabbi Matt Cohen

BY SHEREEN CANADY DuBow Preschool

If asked, the children at the DuBow Preschool would say that Chanukah is one of their favorite holidays. That’s because candlelighting, dreidel-spinning, latkemaking and eating, gift-giving and storytelling took place in each classroom. The holiday was integrated throughout the class and in the resource and extended day classes as well. Ms. Amanda, the school’s science and gardening teacher, taught the children about solids and liquids and then helped them make their own candles.

Children used recycled straws and each class made their own set of candles for their classroom Hanukkiah, by pouring hot wax into the straws. In the Tzeeporim (VPK) classes, Ms. Suzie taught the children about Marc Chagall, the quintessential Jewish artist of the 20th century. She read ‘Dreamer

in the Village: The Story of Marc Chagall’, while the children looked for the Jewish imagery in the illustrations, then took time to make their own Chagall-like stained glass Chanukah prints. Ms. Zina, DuBow’s music teacher, along with Jewish Studies teachers, Morah Rachel and Morah Miriam, worked with classroom teachers in preparing for the annual Hanukkah program. The Tzeeporim students performed their Chanukah program at River Garden for the residents, and the children were dressed up as Macabees, dreidels, latkes, candles and presents. The holiday culminated with the school’s annual Chanukah Musical, as the entire school from one-year olds through VPK students performed the program on the Fletcher Selber Auditorium stage to a capacity crowd. Many fabulous memories were made during the eight days of Chanukah this year at DuBow and a good time was had by all.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

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chabad news

Chabad’s 15th annual Chanukah at the Landing celebration well attended by Jewish community

Ongoing & Upcoming Chabad events Chabad of Southside

You Be the Judge: Explorations in Jewish Civil Law. A six week course from the Jewish Learning Institute held Wednesday evenings starting Jan. 13 Yoga & Torah for Women: Unleash Your Inner Strength Invigorating Yoga exercise followed by delicious and healthy refreshments and a thought provoking discussion of Jewish wisdom. Held Tuesday evenings at the St. Johns Town Center. To RSVP call 904-646-4434.

The Landing was filled with ruach and plenty of people during the first night of Chanukah, for the 15th consecutive year

By Chabad Lubavitch of Northeast Florida

For each year since 2000, Chabad has hosted a Chanukah celebration at The Landing, and this year was no different as dozens of people lined the landing to light the menorah, following a 60

car parade, which made its way to downtown from Mandarin. In addition to the grand Chanukah family carnival and fair, featuring games and inflatables, the event was headlined by master musician and king of Israeli blues, Lazer Lloyd, who dazzled during a postlighting performance.

‘Israeli King of Blues’ Lazer Lloyd serenades the crowd with his rousing lyrics and melodies at the Chanukah concert

Southside Chabad’s Early Childhood Development Center awarded eco-healthy child care certification

By Southside Chabad

Southside Chabad is proud to announce that it’s Ganeinu Early Childhood Development Center has once again been given the coveted Eco-Healthy Child Care Certificate. The center is already one of three providers in Jacksonville endorsed by the Children’s Environmental Health Network and is especially honored to receive the renewed endorsement as a qualified Eco-Healthy Child Care facility. The endorsement verifies the Center’s commitment to provide a ‘healthy, safe and green child care setting for the children and the families that they serve’.

Chana Novack, Director of the Ganeinu Center, sees the certification as important in reflecting concern for the welfare of preschool children. “Our children’s health is important to us and we want to model behaviors that limit the exposure of children to toxic chemicals and unhealthy practices,” she said. Many people are not aware of the toxic nature of some everyday household items. “Healthy children grow into healthy adults,” Novack added.

“Investing in our children’s health should remain one of our top priorities.” For more information about the Ganeinu preschool and its EHCC certified program visit Ganeinu.com.

It’s a good thing Jews like to ask questions, because there’s hardly a more effective way to learn than by asking a good one. From the profound to the almost profane, and everything in between, this Jewish Learning Institute course will address some of the most puzzling aspects of Jewish tradition.

This six session course begins Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Aaron and Blanche Scharf Chabad Center, located at 521 A1A N., Ponte Vedra and on

Sunday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m., in Clay County at the Fleming Island Public Library (1895 Town Center Blvd., Fleming Island). The cost of the Chabad at the beaches course is $79 ($20 text book fee), with 10-percent couple or early bird discount and those interested can sign up at ChabadBeaches.com/JLI. The Clay County course also costs $79 to attend, but text book fees are included. Go to jewishclaycounty.com for more info or to sign up, call 904-290-1017 or send an e-mail to rabbi@jewishclaycounty.com

Hebrew School: CHS is for you as families of all backgrounds feel comfortable and welcome. Our school enjoys a well-earned reputation as a trendsetter in creative Jewish education for children ages 5-13. Classes are held Sundays. From 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Visit SouthsideChabad.com for more info.

Chabad of S. Johns

The Jewish Kids Club: Celebrate Tu B’shevat at Whole Foods Sunday, Jan. 24 and taste exotic fruit, while creating edible flowers, smoothies, trees and more!

RSVP is required.

Yoga teacher Elyse, stretches with young Ganeinu Students

Jewish course of why now offered at two Chabad locations

By Chabad Lubavitch of Northeast Florida

Shabbat Dinner for Young Professionals: Every third Friday of the month, enjoy a delicious Shabbat dinner with great people in a Jewish environment. Services are at 6:30 p.m., dinner follows at 7 p.m.

A Jewish book club for women

By Chabad at the Beaches

Chabad at the Beaches presents ‘A Jewish book club for women’, as every month the club meets and discusses a new book. The readings cover a wide variety of topics that meet various interests. This is a great opportunity to meet new people, share your thoughts and opinions, and hear other people’s insight. The Jan. 5, Book club meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m., and this month the club will meet and discuss ‘And Rachel was his wife’, by Marsi Tabak.

Tabak’s book is a very pleasant read and provides amazing historical perspectives and insight into the second temple era. Rabbi Akiva, who lived in Israel at about the time of the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E., was one of the great sages in Jewish history and in this historical novel, the Akiva story serves as a context in which the primary themes surface.

One of those themes is the importance of Akiva’s wife Rachel’s encouragement of him and her own brilliance.

Book Club is by reservation only. For more information on this or other Chabad at the Beaches programs and events, visit Chabadbeaches.com or call 904-543-9301.

Bat Mitzvah Club Is back in session and is an all-inclusive venue for girls of Bat Mitzvah to meet every month to learn about this special stage in their life through art, creative writing, trips, community outreach and more. This club is an enrichment program that is independent of any Bat Mitzvah ceremony or celebration and is for girls ages 11-13.

Chabad of S. Augustine Weekly Torah Discussion Join us Wednesday evenings from 7 – 8 p.m. for a discussion focusing on the weekly Torah portion, taking place at Chabad of S. Augustine. This class is geared for Jewish people of all backgrounds, who are seeking a deeper understanding and appreciation of Jewish thought, heritage and tradition. Stimulate your Jewish mind as we explore and gain a deeper understanding of all these concepts. Classes are free of charge and coffee and tea will be served.

Shabbat Services Live in St. Augustine and not yet a member of a synagogue or Temple? Maybe you’ve never been to one? Then the Shabbat Services at Chabad of S Augustine are for you!

With English-Hebrew prayer books, a non-judgmental atmosphere and lots of spirit and song, this easy-to-follow service, held Saturday’s from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., has something for everyone.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

synagogue news

Pey Daled pays Etz Chaim Synagogue a spirited visit during recent fall Shabbaton

BY RABBI YAAKOV FISCH Etz Chaim Synagogue

Etz Chaim Synagogue was proud to host the Pey Daled musical group for an exciting Shabbaton. The shul partnered with the growing international movement call the Shabbos Project, which originally was initiated in South Africa and quickly spread across the globe into a movement of people coming together to spend Shabbat together as a community.

There was an electric atmosphere throughout the weekend with the hip musical group. Pey Daled got the crowd warmed up with a Pre Shabbat concert and much ruach

(spirit) accompanied by dancing with many of the participants there. Prior to the commencement of Shabbat, the musical instruments were put away and the group continued on with an unforgettable inspirational Carlebach themed Kabbalat Shabbat Service. There was spontaneous dancing which broke out throughout the evening and the feeling of warmth and high energy continued well into the final hours of the sabbath. The Shabbaton concluded with a memorable Havdallah service which really left those at the synagogue inspired by their experience with A capacity crowd was on hand to applaud the renowned musical this well traveled musical act.

group’s spirited performance

With numerous performances throughout Shabbat, Pey Daled filled the synagogue’s halls with music and the hearts of those around them with much happiness and joy

JAFTY honors Rabbi Lief at annual social action banquet

By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

The Jacksonville Area Federation of Temple Youth (JAFTY) held its annual social action banquet, Friday, Dec. 4, and one of the evening’s honorees was none other than Congregation Ahavath Chesed Senior Rabbi Joshua Lief, as social action is a core foundation of his rabbinate. “His commitment to justice for all; his continuing efforts for passage of the Human Rights Ordinance in Jacksonville; his work for a better Jacksonville through his leadership at JCCI and his commitment to improving relations between Jews and all other faith groups taught us that everyone must and

can participate to make the world a better place,” said JAFTY-ite Jodi Gilmore. “His hard work inspires us to keep trying,” she added.

The banquet is the organization’s annual fundraising program to support their Holiday Shopping Spree event and Camp Jenny. On Dec. 13, JAFTY will partner with JFCS foster children who have reached their personal goals and together they will shop for holiday gifts. “Most of these children never have the opportunity to shop as their financial resources are so limited,” explained Gilmore.

“We are proud that the proceeds of this year’s Banquet will enable us to provide each child with $50 to spend as they wish,” she added.

“The initial idea was that the children would buy something special for themselves, but each year I have participated, most of the children have purchased gifts for siblings or members of their foster families.”

More than 100 people participated in the Banquet; many of whom purchased new experiences and unique food items at the silent auction. Every dollar raised will support JAFTY’s social action projects. Following the banquet, the congregation gathered for Kabbalat Shabbat worship and the theme of the prayer experience was brotherly love which aligned well with JAFTY’s social action efforts and the Torah portion.

JAFTY’s Jodi Gilmore and Rabbi Lief after he was recognized by the organization for all of his work relating to social action

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

www.jewishjacksonville.org

synagogue news

Jacksonville Jewish Center’s Hazzan Jesse Holzer to lead multiple summer experiences around Israel and the globe

By Jacksonville Jewish Center

July 2016 will be jammed pack with Jewish journeys to both Spain and Israel and as part of his involvement with the Cantors Assembly (CA), Hazzan Holzer will be joining 100 other cantors from around the globe alongside congregants and fellow Jewish music enthusiasts for a musical journey through Spain. The group will celebrate Sephardic culture and song, with special CA concerts and events to take place throughout .Tours will include the world famous Prado Museum, the beautiful Retiro Park in Madrid, the

Grand Toledo Cathedral and the Transito, along with the Alhambra Palace. Cities include Toledo, Madrid, Granada, Barcelona, Gerona and Seville, among others. Those on the trip will be able to learn about Ladino culture and connect to modern Spain while learning from Jewish historian Professor Stephen Berke. Previous group missions to Poland and Germany were literally life-changing experiences; inspiring, moving, fun and educational. This group, which is 300 strong will meet with local and national Spanish leaders as representatives of the American Jewish community. This mission

Hazzan Jesse Holzer

will help strengthen the bond between Spain, the Jewish people, and the state of Israel. The dates of the trip are July 3-14, 2016.

Later that month, Hazzan Holzer is organizing a summer tour of Israel and the experience is coordinated by the tour group Keshet, which is a pluralistic organization recognizing that visiting Israel should be a meaningful spiritual experience for Jews of any affiliation. This is an active trip for people of all ages, with a focus on experiential education.

The group will learn, sing, pray, hike and eat their way through all the major sites and sounds of

Israel. Program highlights include stops in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, along with a Kibbutz experience and the Dead Sea. The length of the trip also allows for more experiences beyond your typical first visit. The group will meet with members of our Partnership Together (P2G) region and open windows for dialogue. In meeting with Israeli citizens (and some former Jacksonvillians), the group will see Israel as not only a beautiful landscape, but as a beautiful people. Dates for this trip are July 24-Aug. 4. For information on these experiences, contact Hazzan Holzer directly at jholzer@jaxjewishcenter.org

Stressing human rights Deli Nite to make anticipated return for all during important to Temple Bet Yam in St. Augustine community conversation

BY CAROL GLADSTONE Temple Bet Yam

The phenomenally popular ‘Deli Nite’ will return to Temple Bet Yam on Thursday, Feb. 4, starting at 6 p.m. Overstuffed corned beef, pastrami and turkey sandwiches with all the fixings will be served and special entertainment will be provided

BY RABBI JOSHUA LIEF Congregation Ahavath Chesed

In 2012, by a vote of 10-9, the Jacksonville City Council rejected a proposal to amend its Human Rights Ordinance to extend protection to individuals on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Almost a year prior, in my capacity as the Interfaith Committee Chair of ONEJAX, I was asked by several of the city’s business leaders who were planning to propose this change, what I thought the faith community’s reaction would be. I replied that the city would be divided, but that those who were in opposition would be loud, while those who were in support would be much quieter. I urged them to make it about business, and not about religion, but once the public comments began at the City Council meetings, faith was the dominating factor.

Behind the scenes, my dear friend Mac Brunson, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, and I had an ongoing conversation on the issue. We disagree on many things, but we are steadfast in our support and defense of each other, and the right of every person to practice his or her faith without persecution. His fear, and that of many on his side of the debate, is that the government might try to harass him and restrict his religious freedom by calling it ‘hate speech’, and my fear is that some of our fellow citizens are already being harassed. Unlike the events of 2012, when religious differences became the focus of the discussion, this time around, our Mayor, Lenny Curry, decided to bring three issues to the forefront to frame the debate. He invited the city to attend three ‘Community Conversations’, on supporting the needs and well-being of families, as well as the religious implications of changing the law, and the effects felt by Jacksonville’s business community. When the Mayor asked me to sit in as a panelist for the religion conversation, I was honored to lend the thoughts of our Jewish tradition to the discussion.

I believe that a government by the people and for the people must reflect the values (morality, from the Latin, (‘mores’) of the people.

The question is one of our shared

communal values: do we, as a community, welcome everyone, or not? From a Jewish point of view, I think we are directed, by the Torah, to welcome not only those whose identity is different (race, religion, nationality, etc.), but even those whose behavior is different than our own. We should not change our behavior to match theirs, but we can, and should, still interact with them in a friendly way. The Torah’s greatest worry seems to be that we will be lured by others into idolatry, but even idolatry is allowed to other peoples (Deuteronomy 4:19) as long as we don’t join in. In no way am I afraid that being kind and inclusive to everyone will lead me to change my sexual orientation; I am who I am, just like everyone else.

Our Toraic guidance, in response to this challenging issue, is not “love your neighbor as yourself,” (Leviticus 19:18), for it is too easy to say that the ‘other’ is not my neighbor. Nor, should we necessarily depend on others embracing the idea that all people are made in the Divine image (Genesis 1:26-27). Rather, we are commanded, by the multiple variations on the theme, to be kind and accepting to the stranger, for we were strangers in the Land of Egypt (Exodus 22:20, 23:9, Leviticus 19:33-34, Numbers 9:14, 15:16, Deuteronomy 16:1112, 24:17-19). As Jews, we know what it is to be discriminated against; we should never do so to another, even one different from ourselves, even those amongst ourselves. I hope and pray that our leaders are listening to these Community Conversations, and I look forward to continuing to speak out on the subject when it comes before the City Council in the New Year ahead.

by the multi-talented Lee Weaver.

Tickets are $30 each and because the event is usually a sell-out, be sure to order yours early. Please RSVP by Jan. 26, to Shelly Cohen at 904-471-8891 or to Dinah McNamara at 904-460-2428 and wandmtby@gmail.com. Temple Bet Yam is located at 2055 Wildwood Drive, St. Augustine, with close proximity to SR 207 and I-95.

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synagogue news

Extra ‘bling’ added to Etz Chaim’s Beth El - The Beaches upcoming denim and diamonds gala to show ‘Hava Nagila’ doc at its next mixer

By Etz Chaim Synagogue

Etz Chaim Synagogue has added some extra sparkle to its upcoming Denim and diamond’s Gala as it has received two gracious donations from jewelers in the community. First Jay Graff and La Tienda donated a stunning pair of diamond stud earrings, while Jewelry by Esther gave two lovely gold and diamond necklaces. The donations and raffle will add to the already exciting atmosphere of this year’s event, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 9 at 8 p.m. at the Synagogue (10167 San Jose Blvd). A single raffle ticket costs $20 or six can be purchased for $100. For more information or to RSVP, please call 904-242-3565.

BY GAIL GREENFIELD

Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue gailsgreenfield@hotmail.com

A pair of diamond stud earrings and two gold and diamond necklaces will be awarded to those who win the raffle at Etz Chaim Synagogue’s Denim and Diamonds Gala, Sat. Jan. 9th

Naomi Less Band to make a stop at Jacksonville Jewish Center in January

By Jacksonville Jewish Center

The Jacksonville Jewish Center will welcome the Naomi Less Band for the Shabbat Shira Weekend of Song, which takes place Jan. 22-24. Naomi Less is an internationally renowned, multi-skilled talented musician, facilitator and educator- who both performs and creates tailor-made trainings and educational experiences for all ages. Through her ‘Jewish Chicks Rock’ project, she aims to empower younger girls as role models through a proactive program. Less considers herself

a Jewish feminist, grateful for the progress made by Jewish women before her. A founding company member of Storahtelling, Less will bring her musical and educational talents to the classrooms, greater congregation and through a concert over the course of this inspirational weekend.

A few highlights of the weekend include a social justice workshop with students in the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School using music as an entry point to discussing issues of women’s rights around the world, as well as an incorporation of her melodies during Friday

night services, followed by a festive Shabbat dinner. Less will also be teaching sessions throughout Shabbat for both adults and teens, and prayer workshops in the Bernard and Alice Selevan Religious School will also be held, followed by a Tu B’shevat themed concert.

The main event takes place Saturday night, during the 8 p.m. Torah Fund Concert. Tickets are just $18 per person and $36 per family.

Less is not only well-versed in musical, but well read, as she holds a masters in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary, one of the beneficiary

Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue will show the documentary Hava Nagila at its next member and guest mixer, scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 10 at 5 p.m. The film is a romp through the history, mystery and meaning of the great Jewish tradition and features interviews with Harry Belafonte, Leonard Nimoy, Connie Francis, Glen Campbell, Regina Spektor and more. A wine aND cheese social will be held prior to viewing of the documentary, which follows the ubiquitous party song on its fascinating journey from the shtels of Eastern Europe to the kibbutzim of Palestine and finally the cul-de-sacs of America.

High on fun and entertainment, ‘Hava Nagila’ is also surprisingly profound, tapping into universal themes about the importance of institutions of the synagogue’s Sisterhood Torah Fund. The Torah Fund concert will honor two outstanding women who have been influential to the Jacksonville Jewish Center and its Sisterhood.

Former organization president Lara Werwa will be presented with the Horty T. Gendzier Woman of Valor Award, while longtime Center employee Edie Jordan will be recognized as a guardian honoree for Torah Fund. For more information about the weekend, please contact Hazzan Holzer atjholzer@ jaxjewishcenter.org.

joy, the power of music, and the resilient spirit of a people. For more information on the event, contact Gail Greenfield at gailsgreenfield@hotmail.com or call 904-534-7381. For more information on the documentary, log on to havanagilamovie.com.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

www.jewishjacksonville.org

synagogue news

Dov Waxman to discuss conflict over Israel among American Jews at Jacksonville Jewish Center

BY SHELBY TAYLOR Bob Graham Center for Public Service

The Jacksonville Jewish Center is proud to host Dov Waxman, professor of political science, international affairs and Israel studies at Northeastern University, who will discuss his new book ‘Trouble in The Tribe: The American Jewish Conflict over Israel, Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Univer-

sity of Florida Center for Jewish Studies, the Israel Affairs Committee of the Jacksonville Jewish Center, and the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, with additional support from the Levin and Shorstein families. During his public address, Waxman will present the central thesis of his book: a new era of divergence has emerged among American Jewry and has replaced the age of solidarity that once existed with regard to Israel.

Kenneth D. Wald, Shorstein

Tu B’Shevat celebrations a plenty at The Temple

Professor of American Jewish Culture and Society at the University of Florida, asserts that Waxman’s book is a compelling account of the growing conflict over Israel within the American Jewish community. “When puzzled, friends ask me why the American Jewish community is now so divided over Israel, this is the book I will recommend,” he said. Waxman will also explore how the increasingly contentious place of Israel in the American Jewish dialogue is im-

Bring your tots to Temple, Friday, Jan. 22 at 5:30 p.m., for a Tu B’Shevat Seder experience designed for children five and younger. These little learners and their parents will explore ‘how is Torah like a Tree’ as they celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the new year of the trees and Shabbat. This interactive Shabbat and holiday learning will be an integrated experience around a table including a light dinner for the children, stories, songs and crafts.

Families with older children are encouraged to join the Congregational Tu B’Shevat Seder which will begin at 6 p.m., that same day. Rabbi Lief teaches that “Tu B’Shevat is an opportunity to connect with our faith in diverse ways and that we celebrate Judaism’s appreciations of our natural world, while reconnecting with mystical spirituality, planting trees and building bridges with Israel.”

BY CAROL GLADTSONE Temple Bet Yam of St. Augustine will hold its annual Membership Fair/Open House for prospective and new members, on Sunday, Jan. 24, from 12:30 – 2 p.m., where light refreshments will be served. Temple Bet Yam, located at 2055 Wildwood Drive

Families in attendance will also be able to sing festive songs and share exotic fruits and nuts with other families, friends and fellow congregants. Component parts of the Kabbalat Shabbat liturgy will be included in the Seder experience, so there will be no 7 p.m. worship experience at Temple, Jan. 22 as a result. Those who are planning on attending are kindly asked to RSVP at rsvp@TheTempleJacksonville.org

pacting Jewish communities, national Jewish organizations and the pro-Israel lobby. He will set the conflict in the context of broader cultural, political and demographic changes happening in the American Jewish community. Offering a balanced account of how this tension has developed, Waxman will explain what this

Temple Bet Yam to hold its annual membership fair, Sunday, Jan. 24th Temple Bet Yam

By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

Dov Waxman

discord means for the future of American Jewish politics.

As the Stotsky Professor of Jewish Historical and Cultural Studies and co-director of the Middle East Center at Northeastern University, Waxman’s research focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israeli foreign policy, U.S.-Israel relations and American Jewry’s relationship with Israel. He received his Ph.D. and M.A. degrees from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, and his B.A. from Oxford University.

Waxman is the author of ‘The Pursuit of Peace and the Crisis of Israeli Identity: Defending / Defining the Nation’, (2006), and ‘Israel’s Palestinians: The Conflict Within’ (with Ilan Peleg, 2011).

His newest book will be published

by Princeton University Press in March 2016. The program is free and open to the public.

in St. Augustine, is a warm, welcoming Reform congregation led by Rabbi Fred Raskind.

The Temple was founded by 14 families in 1993 and today 120 families of traditional and interfaith backgrounds, from St. Johns and surrounding counties, call the synagogue home. TBY has a vibrant Religious School directed

by Heather Naughton, as well

as activities to serve everyone’s interests. From the men’s club, sisterhood and social justice, to social events, lifelong learning and the choir, there’s a lot to do.

Services are held twice a month with additional holiday observances and special events. To see what’s happening each month, go to the calendar at templebetyam. org or call 904 819-1875.

Beth El – The Beaches Sisterhood to hold its annual Tu B’Shevat Seder

By Beth El - The Beaches Sisterhood

Please join the Beth El – The Beaches Sisterhood as they celebrate the secular New Year to honor trees and appreciate the food, shade and shelter they provide, with a special Tu B’Shevat Sedar, scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. The custom of hold-

ing this particular type of seder dates back to the Kabbalists who lived in Israel in the 16th century.

Like them, we will also gather together to eat, sing, and rejoice in the miracle that is the tree. This meaningful Seder, led by Rabbi Michael Matuson, will include wines that reflect the changing seasons, fruits which represent

the Kabbalistic Four Worlds, in addition to a light dinner. The event is open to all and the cost to attend is $18 per person, so feel free to bring a spouse or friend. Those wishing to come can RSVP to Bobby Adler at b.adler4315@gmail.com or by phone at 904-834-2948.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

federation news Campaign Kickoff Continued from p. 1

Photos by Larry Tallis

Friedman’s grand finale paid homage to the city he was visiting

Federation launches ‘Cocktails & Clergy’ in place of Community U.

Super & Thank You Continued from p. 1 We look forward to a successful campaign because the stronger it is, the easier it is for our agencies to continue offering quality programs in our community, in Israel and in more than 70 countries worldwide.

Super and Thank You Sunday relies heavily on the volunteer efforts of those in the community.

Once again, the Federation will be hosting its annual ‘Agency Challenge’, which will award a prize of $1,000 to the agencies with the most volunteers on its behalf. The event is being sponsored by Dr. Gary and Nancy Perlman. Anyone that would like to volunteer to be a caller, please contact the Fed-

rGEN members came out to support the annual campaign

BY JEANINE HOFF

rGEN Director jeanineh@jewishjacksonville.org

Photo by Larry Tallis Federation president Sandy Zimmerman will be one of many volunteers working the phones

eration office at 904-448-5000.

For questions about Super and Thank You Sunday, please contact Jeanine Hoff at 904-448-5000, ext. 208 or at jeanineh@jewishjacksonville.org.

Save-the-date and join the Jewish Community for a Saturday evening of learning, meaning and friendship at the newly reenvisioned Torah-a-thon, Clergymania. This adult’s only evening will take place, Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, and feature the clergy from Beth El – The Beaches, Congregation

Ahavath Chesed – The Temple, Etz Chaim Synagogue and the

Jacksonville Jewish Center.

This informal evening will take place the night before Super and Thank You Sunday and is part of Super February. Clergymania is free and open to the entire Jewish Community, refreshments will be served. Details regarding class information and registration will be posted online at jewishjacksonville.org and shared via e-mail and social media in the coming weeks. For more information, please contact Jeanine Hoff at 904-448-5000, ext. 208 or jeanineh@jewishjacksonville.org

Federation’s annual major gifts event scheduled for Feb. 21

BY ALAN MARGOLIES

Federation Executive Director alanm@jewishjacksonville.org

The annual major gifts event, a highlight of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville’s annual campaign, will be held Sunday, Feb. 21 at 10:30 a.m., at the Jacksonville

Beach home of Mark and Iris Kraemer. This important fundraising meeting brings together donors to the campaign with annual gifts of at least $5,000. Major Gifts chair, Michael Nussbaum, told the Jacksonville Jewish News, the guest speaker that morning will be Galit Sagie of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). Working with the JDC

since 1997, Sagie is one of Israel’s foremost experts on developing new cutting edge responses to the needs of the most vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children at risk and the disabled.

Our Jewish Federation has earmarked significant funds from its overseas allocation for the JDC, and two of the programs supported by Federation are the

Parents and Children Together Program (PACT), in partnership with the Robbins family and social welfare needs in the former Soviet Union. Federation executive director, Alan Margolies, expressed appreciation to the Kraemers for hosting the annual event at their new beach home. For more information on the annual major gifts event, please call Alan Margolies at 904-448 5000, ext 207 or e-mail him at alanm@jewishjacksonville. org.

Galit Sagie of the JDC

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

federation news Soul to Sole Continued from p. 1 Photos by Larry Tallis

Merle Cherry & Linda Franzblau Joanie Levin, Eunice Zisser & Judy Silverman

Allison Jacobs & Monique Miller

Israeli educators visit Jacksonville

(3)

(4) (1) Talia Arava-Aricha, an educator from (2) The Educators enjoyed celebrating a ChaHadera-Eiron joined with Mr. Seth Carpennukah dinner at the home of Jill and Mike ter and Mrs. Liat Walker to work with 3rd Abel on their last night in Jacksonville. grade students at the Martin J. Gottlieb Many friends from our community includDay School during her visit. These kids ing Liat Walker, Naomi Chase and the will become penpals with hers students.

Jacobs Family joined in the celebration.

(3) The Educators enjoyed visiting with exec. (4) Lidya Frank and Iris Cohen worked with director Alan Margolies and other memstudents at the Torah Academy. They bers of the Jewish Federation staff.They taught about life in Israel and helped the shared with our community why it was imstudents think about similarities and difportant for them to have this opportunity. ferences between our two communities.

Wendy Efron & Sheryl Sekine

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federation news

Author, news producer Jon Entine talks about Jewish DNA and ancestry with Society of Healers

Scot Ackerman, Devon and Perrin Rubin Joan and Ron Levin

BY ERIN COHEN

Society of Healers Director erinc@jewishjacksonville.org

On Dec. 6, the Society of Healers Division hosted a brunch and program at Epping Forest, titled ‘Abraham’s Children: The

Author Jon Entine DNA of the Jewish People,’ featuring author and news producer, Jon Entine. More than 100 guests attended the event, which was a fundraiser for the 2016 Annual Campaign. The Society of Healers is currently chaired by Drs. Dina & Howard Fetner and provides educational, social and

Leslie Held and Dina Fetner networking opportunities for Jewish medical professionals in our community. The next event will be held in April. For more information about this division, contact Erin Cohen at 904-4485000, ext. 205 or erinc@jewishjacksonville.org.

Jewish Java to hone in on meditative practices during next meet-up, Jan. 6th

BY ISABEL BALOTIN

Shalom Jax Director shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org

The next two months, Shalom Jacksonville’s monthly Jewish Java program will tackle the topic of mediation. The first speaker to hold a discussion on this subject will be newcomer Sheila Lieberman, Wednesday, Jan. 6, from 9-10:30 a.m. at Village Bread Café, 10111 San Jose Boulevard.

Lieberman will share her perspective on meditation practice which began more than 20 years ago as an extension of her yoga practice. Aryeh Kaplan’s book ‘Jewish Meditation’, influenced and gave greater meaning to her craft. Lieberman has a Certifi-

cate in Meditation from Allegra Learning Solutions, emphasizing mindfulness practice and currently facilitates a group in meditation & spirituality from Jewish perspective in Nocatee. Following Lieberman’s presentation, on Feb. 3, Gail Greenfield will share her vast knowledge of Jewish meditation and practice. As always,

those who purchase breakfast will receive a complimentary coffee or tea.

Jewish Java is a perfect place to meet newcomers and other friendly people and find out the latest happenings in the community. It doesn’t matter if you are a new to Jacksonville or if you are newly interested in our Jewish community, everyone is invited to attend, so mark your calendars now. If you’re thinking of attending one or both of these upcoming events, please RSVP as seating is limited. To do that, contact Isabel Balotin at 904-448-5000, ext.

206 or at shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org. The Federation’s Shalom Jacksonville is the official Jewish welcome wagon of Northeast Florida.

The Bryskin family at the Society of Healers event

Executive Director’s Message: This April’s special Federation-JCA Discover Israel Journey We have earned a reputation for providing an excellent experience when it comes to our Federation trips to Israel. We like to advertise that, ‘nobody does it better’, so to make it even better, we are partnering with the Jewish Community Alliance this coming April 10-18, for a special experience in Israel.

What makes for an excellent journey to Israel? Many people would say we need a great guide and in fact we will be guided by Michal Granot who is one of the most experienced guides and a total pleasure to be with. Michal guided our women’s mission last spring and helped make Israel come alive for all the participants.

Rabbi Matt Cohen of Congregation Ahavath Chesed will be with us throughout the journey as well, enriching our experience.

The accommodations will be superb as we are staying at fivestar hotels in Tel Aviv, the north and in Jerusalem. One of these, Mitzpe Hayamim, near the town of Rosh Pina, even has a five- star spa. While we will include all of the itinerary items that ought to appear on a great trip to Israel, we will also feature wineries, culinary and fashion and art.

Even though Israel is well known for being the ‘Start up Nation’,

today it is also known as an ‘Art Up Nation’, and we will see many of those sites as well. We will additionally be including more of the Christian sites than we might on other trips, as we encourage everyone in the community to consider be a part of this once in a lifetime experience.

The goal of this FederationJCA time together in Israel is to create a connectivity to our Jewish homeland. We want to have our participants fall in love with Israel and we will do this by showcasing the history, the emotions, the religious aspects of Israel along with the incredible tastes, sounds and beauty of this unique country. If you have ever considered going to Israel, this spring’s journey might be right for you, so give me a call at 904-448-5000, ext 207 so I may answer any questions you may have as well as shedding more light on the trip.

Happy New Year!

Alan Margolies Executive Director

Jewish Java visits Temple Sisterhood Braille Group

Shalom Jacksonville’s Jewish Java group visited the Temple Sisterhood Braille group and enjoyed a tour of the Braille room which is housed in the Temple. The group was fascinated by the graphics and new embossing technology used to translate materials for the visually impaired to read through and enjoy

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

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federation news

Federation Partner Spotlight: The Jewish Community Alliance

By Jewish Community Alliance

According to a Pew Study, more Jews are identifying themselves as Jewish on the basis of ancestry, ethnicity and culture rather than religion, with 30-percent saying that they do not identify with a particular Jewish denomination.

Last year, the JCA commissioned a demographics study to survey the Jacksonville Jewish community and JCA membership to see if the Pew Study findings were reflected within our community.

The results also found that while the Jewish core is still maintained in the Mandarin area, there are pockets of Jews populating other areas such as St. Johns County and the Beaches. This information propelled us to create a new layer of JCA programming, which helps Jews connect to a Jewish institution, the JCA, which on their own terms is a way that is comfortable and fits their lifestyle.

The J Away program was developed to bring quality JCA programming to outlying areas

of our community with growing Jewish populations. The program is positioned as a ‘friend-raiser’ to help us reach specific communities that are more than a 20-minute drive from our building. Thus

with sea turtle conservation at the beach, and an extension of the JCA book festival at Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue, in addition to a Havdalah cookout and movie night in Julington Creek. Approxi-

Director of Jewish Outreach and is currently in the process of interviewing for a community Shaliach to be brought to Jacksonville.

Newly created programs in these areas will expand on the JCA’s

far, we have held several J Away programs, including a Shabbat family service and dinner in Julington Creek, a mini Young Concert Artists recital at an active senior community center at the Beach and a family fitness event in Julington Creek. A 5k and onemile family fun run on the beach was also held, as was an eco-day

mately 300 people attended our J Away events through November and planning is well underway for 2016, including two Young Concert Artist events, a family event, a young adult event as well as a Lag B’Omer celebration.

The JCA has also recently established a new Jewish and Family Programming department with a

Discover Israel series, which was born out of the 2012 JCA directors’ trip to Israel. The concept is to bring Israel and Judaism to the masses through programming that can apply across the board, not necessarily through traditional religious observation. The JCA is committed to serving the Jacksonville Jewish community through

relationship building, while allowing a connection to Jewish faith to grow in ways that are both traditional and unconventional.

As part of our mission, the JCA is committed to strengthening Jewish life and enhancing the quality of life for the entire community.

These programs achieve this while responding to the ever-changing needs of the Jewish peoplehood to help them remain connected as American Jews.

This past year during allocations, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville allotted the Jewish Community Alliance a total of $208,000 to help better serve the needs of Jewish members of the community in the outlying parts of Jacksonville, as well develop its Jewish outreach efforts. To further assist the JCA in these initiatives, make a contribution to the Federation’s 2016 annual campaign, by calling 904-448-5000 or by going to jewishjacksonville.org.

Shalom Jax does its part to welcome newcomers into our community tent

BY ISABEL BALOTIN

Shalom Jax Director shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org

To a certain extent, it is a vicious cycle, newcomers don’t often come around because they don’t know anybody, and they don’t know anybody because they don’t come around. Some people can walk into a room full of strangers and easily strike up a conversation with someone, others would place this situation as one of the top ten fears in life.

This anxiety is understandable and very common, especially for newcomers, but we, as a community, have to keep working on changing this cycle. We have to show our newcomers and those who are newly interested in our community that there is value for them to be inside our tent, not out, and that their lives will be enriched when they connect with us.

At the same time, we must respect the different paths that might lead them into our community.

So here is our call to action, if you know a new neighbor, coworker or someone not engaged

With regular events such as this one throughout the year, it is easy to become involved with Shalom Jax and feel welcome in our community, invite them to join you for an event/activity.

Introduce them to others with common interests. If you are at an event and you see them arrive, walk up to them and if possible invite them to sit with you.

These are small yet meaningful steps which will make them feel welcomed. I believe after a few months of some participation, our newcomers will walk into a room full of people, recognize a face or two and gradually begin to feel ‘at

home” in their new surroundings.

The Federation’s Shalom Jacksonville Division is the official Jewish welcome wagon of Northeast Florida and we welcome newcomers from Amelia Island to St. Augustine. Please contact us with names of new neighbors, co-workers or relatives who are new to the area. Contact Shalom Jacksonville director Isabel Balotin at 904-448-5000, ext. 206 or at shalomjax@jewish Jacksonville. org.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

education

Torah Academy of Jacksonville holds Block Gan supports annual Chanukah raffle and party students’ vision via regular screenings

There were plenty of games and delicious holiday treats to go around during the Torah Academy of Jacksonville’s annual Chanukah party and raffle, not to be outdone by all the menorahs

By Torah Academy of Jacksonville

In early December, The Torah Academy of Jacksonville celebrated the miracle of Chanukah at Slinkee’s indoor play center.

Teachers, families and friends gathered together to join in on the fun at the school’s second largest annual fundraiser. Children had a great time jumping on bounce castles, dancing on illuminated floors, playing the arcades and making Chanukah crafts with the student government and Academy teacher, Ms. Deese. Student government also sold blank ‘geltgrams’, or little baggies containing chocolate coins in addition to a friendship note, for students to write and send to their classmates.

Torah Academy’s dedicated

PTO catered a delicious dinner with homemade baked ziti, salad, and of course, potato latkes.

Together with students, past president and dear friend to the Academy, David Robbins, led the evening’s menorah lighting ceremony by chanting the blessings in his rich baritone voice. A dozen door prizes were donated by vendors and friends of the school and these prizes included novelties such as gift cards to Sweeta by Ita and Tomato Crush, in addition to board games, and Jaguars souvenirs, which were raffled off for all those in attendance.

The event served as the culmination of TA’s annual Chanukah raffle, a fundraising effort which brings people together from the Jacksonville community and

around the world in support of the school. This year’s first prize was a Maurice Lacroix men’s watch (valued at $3,175) sponsored by Jewelry by Esther, while second prize was $1,000 in cash. First prize was won by former Torah Academy parents Ami and Irene Attali, who moved out of town this summer, while Jacksonville’s Ernie and Harriet Brodsky took home second prize. The Brodsky’s then out of the generosity of their hearts, immediately donated their winnings back to furthering Jewish education. Torah Academy of Jacksonville acknowledges and thanks all the parents, friends and partners of the school who contributed to the raffle and for coordinating this exciting event.

BY MOLLY SWEET

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

It is estimated that nearly 80-percent of what a child learns in school is presented visually.

For this reason, good vision plays a significant role in a child’s successful academic development and overall wellbeing. If detected early, many vision issues can be addressed, treated and corrected. For successful detection and intervention, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus recommend vision screenings at regular intervals throughout a child’s early years.

This includes a screening around age three.

It’s because of this that Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten offers its students, ages three and older, free vision screenings, courtesy of Vision Is Priceless, Inc. “It’s very clear from the research that vision plays a huge role in early childhood development,” said Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education, Rochelle Golumb. “We want to make sure that we do everything we can to prepare our students for success and we encourage our parents to take advantage of this free service.” The vision screenings are from 9 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Jan. 6 and 7th. For more information, contact Rochelle Golomb at 904730-2100, ext. 259 or at rochelle. golomb@jcajax.org.

Family programs now available at DuBow Preschool Treehouse sing and make a craft or share a story, in addition to celebrating Shabbat. This playgroup is open to all in the Jewish community as moms, dads, grandparents and caregivers can come with their babies and toddlers to socialize and play. Tell or bring a friend and let them experience all the

BY SHEREEN CANADY DuBow PreSchool

When someone asks, ‘Is there something great happening in town for my family?’ ‘Of course!’, is what we tell families who are looking for fun, engaging experiences with their baby, toddler and preschool aged children.

That’s because The DuBow Preschool is so excited to debut the DuBow Preschool Treehouse, which is currently the home of four wonderful parent and me programs. Those programs include, ‘Shalom Baby’, ‘Family Music and Movement’, ‘Color Splash’, and ‘Stroller Workout’, which are open to the entire Jacksonville community. We are currently enrolling for the January session, so to take a peek at the program’s official website, please visit treehouse.dubowpreschool. org. Below is a rundown of the specific programs offered through the DuBow Treehouse.

Stroller Workout (Monday’s 9-9:45 a.m.) Parents can workout with their babies and toddlers in strollers or simply come by themselves. This class combines power walking with strength training stations and is no walk-in the park, so come get your sweat on and don’t forget to invite a friend because you automatically burn a little more when exercising with one. On top of that, studies show that outdoor exercise can burn up

to 20-percent more than the same indoor workout. Classes are $5 each or $20 for a five class pass.

Find out more at facebook.com/ strollerworkout.

Color Splash (Tuesday’s 9-10:00 a.m. and 10:30 –11:30 a.m.) Parents and their children (ages 10 months - 3.5 years old) will explore the world of colors using their five senses. We will get a little messy through touch and taste and having a lot of fun while doing it. Our time together will include: circle time, using the senses, learning through stories, and nutritious, in addition to delicious and nutritious snacks.

There are also introductions to early learning concepts and letter recognition. Visit facebook.com/ colorsplashclass for more information.

Family Music & Movement Class (Wednesday’s 10– 11:00 a.m.) This class is a wonderful choice if you have a new baby as those as young as two months old can remember melodies and are soothed by the voice of their parent. This class is ideal for kids two and younger, but is enjoyed by kids up to four-years-old. It incorporates rhythm, body awareness, melody, and song and story for a wonderful bonding experience. Find pictures and frequently asked questions at facebook.com/ familymusicandmovement Shalom Baby Free Playgroup (Friday’s 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

Come join us as we play, talk,

fun. Upcoming class dates are as follows: . Upcoming class dates are as follows: Jan. 8, 29; Feb. 12, 26; Mar. 11, 25; Apr. 15, and May 20.

Another wonderful resource that many moms enjoy is becoming an active member of the Jewish Mom’s Playgroup! To learn

when and where they meet next, visit jewishmothers@groups. facebook.com. For details about all these activities and what we have planned for the future, call Shereen Canady, at the DuBow Preschool at 904-268-4200, ext.

143 or visit our website dubowpreschool.org.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

education J Cafe pottery is hands on experience at Festival of Lights, camera, Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool action at DuBow Preschool!

BY MOLLY SWEET

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten invites families with young children to spend a morning making Chanukah themed art with local potter Tim Bullard. The J Cafe Pottery Experience will take place, Sunday, Jan. 10 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Working with clay can provide developmental benefits to children of all ages, as pottery stimulates curiosity, develops fine motor skills and engages creativity. This program will teach hand building techniques and encourage creative expression using real clay and simple tools.

“Tim is such an asset to our school as he works with our kindergartners in this yearly chanukiyah pottery workshop and does several other projects throughout the year,” explained says Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool

Potter Tim Bullard displays hand building techniques to Michele Block Gan Yeladim students making clay chanukiyahs Director Theresa Levy. “For our preschool families, this is an opportunity to work with a nationally acclaimed artist with more than 35-years of experience,” The price to participate in the J Café Pottery Experience

is $15 per family and just $10 for JCA valued members; light refreshments are included. For more information or to register, contact Rochelle Golomb at 904730-2100, ext. 259 or rochelle. golomb@jcajax.org.

Students at the DuBow Preschool, who are center stage were busy taking part in the school’s annual Chanukah program

Block Gan Preschool Torah Academy of Jacksonville joins ‘Hour students busy collecting of Code’ computer science student mission lots of tzedakah for JFCS

By Michele Block Gan Yeladim

An Academy instructor works with a student to complete their ‘Hour of Code’ assignment

BY VICTORIA GOODYEAR Head of General Studies vgoodyear@torah-academy.com

We live in a world surrounded by technology, and we know that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly hinge on understanding how technology works. Computers are everywhere, but only a tiny fraction of us are learning computer science, and less students are studying it than a decade ago. Girls and minorities are severely underrepresented in this group, but the good news is, we’re well on our way to changing this. With the Hour of Code Challenge during Computer Science Education Week in December, computer science has been on homepages of Google, MSN, Yahoo! and Disney. More than 100 partners joined together

This is just one of one-million students worldwide who took part in coding project this Dec.

to support this movement and last year, every Apple Store in the world hosted an Hour of Code and even President Obama wrote his first line of code as part of the campaign. That’s why every one of the students from Kindergarten through eighth grade at the Torah Academy of Jacksonville are joining in on the largest learning event in history.

The Hour of Code is put on by the nonprofit Code.org and a host of others. TA’s involvement in the event is a statement that the Academy is ready to begin teaching these paramount 21st century skills through various coding courses during the week.

More than 100 million students worldwide have already tried an Hour of Code, so why is Torah Academy of Jacksonville taking part in this movement? While all of us know that it’s important for students to learn how to navigate

today’s tech-saturated world, many teachers aren’t experienced in computer science and don’t know where to start. This event is a chance for all of us to see what computer science is about and we hope it’ll spark interest in students to keep learning. Research also shows that kids pick up programming concepts before they know how to read and write. In fact, their brains are more receptive to computer languages at a young age, just like foreign languages.

Torah Academy knows that regardless of what our students do when they grow up, whether they go into medicine, business, politics, or the arts, knowing how to build technology will give them the confidence and know-how to succeed. For more information on this groundbreaking effort, please visit hourofcode.com/us, and help spread the word.

Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS) representatives, Colleen Rodriguez and Stephanie Majeskey, visited Michele

Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten to accept a beautiful card and a tzedakah money donation from the children. All those coins can really add up and end up helping lots of people in need.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

lifecycles B’nai Mitzvah

Benjamin Miller, son of Rosario and Kelvin Miller, was called to the Torah on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah, Dec. 19, at Beth El, The Beaches Synagogue.

Sharing the simcha were his siblings, Benjamin Miller Joshua and David; grandparents, Silvia Miller and Antonieta Paredes from Miami, along with many other friends and family. Benjamin is in eighth grade at Fruit Cove Middle School, where he is on the honor roll and the lead in the upcoming musical, ‘The Lion King’. When not on stage, he enjoys dancing, singing and videography.

Weddings

Brantman & Allerding

M. Jordan Allerding and Alexandra Brantman were married Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 by Hazzan Holzer of the Jacksonville Jewish Center at the downtown Public Library. Proud parents are Robin and Scott Allerding of Jacksonville and Cindy and Bob Brantman of Boca Raton.

The newlyweds are both graduates of the University of North Florida and the bride works at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, while the groom works for the Jacksonville Armada. The two enjoyed a honeymoon in the Dominican Republic.

Sympathies

… To the family of Martin H. Gelhaar, who passed away Monday, Nov. 23. He is survived by his wife, Karen Gelhaar, mother, Marcia (Norman) Kleiman, sister Beth (Michael) Fleet as well as his niece Ariella Fleet and nephew Joshua (Dorielle) Fleet.

Contributions in Martin H. Gelhaar’s honor may be made to the ‘Hazzan Abraham Marton Youth Music Appreciation Fund’ at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. … To the family of Florence Tabicman, who passed away Wednesday, Nov. 25th at the

age of 92. She is survived by her daughter, Cindy (Jim) Falor, grandchildren, Paul (Erica) Falor and Allyson (Perry) Rosenbloom and great grandchildren, Charlie, Luke and Addie Falor, as well as Zachary and Cameron Rosenbloom. A graveside funeral was held Sunday, Nov. 29, at King David Gardens (Greenlawn Cemetery). The family requests that contributions in memory of Florence Tabicman be made to Congregation Ahavath Chesed The Temple’s Sandy Miller Social Action Fund or the Alzheimer Foundation. … To the family of Albert ‘AJ’ Osborne IV, who passed away, Tuesday, Nov. 24th. He is survived by his father Albert III (Allysondra), mother Heather Carnes; brothers Aaron, Nick, Noah, and Alex; and grandparents Carolyn & Tom Osborne, and Aurora Carnes. … To the family of longtime Jacksonville Jewish Center member Lillian Meizlik, who passed away Friday, Nov. 27th at the age of 99. She is survived by her 14 nieces and nephews, as well as the many friends in the Jacksonville Jewish community who were like family to her. Burial took place, Monday, Nov. 30th in New Jersey.

Contributions in her memory can be made to the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School or the Jacksonville Jewish Center. … To the family of Betty Howell, who passed away Monday, Dec. 1, at the age of 88. She is survived by her step-grandson and Jacksonville Jewish Center member Peter Hammer. Burial took place Dec. 6, in Prattsburg, N.Y. Contributions in her memory can be made to United Synagogue Youth or Hadassah. … To the family of longtime Jacksonville Jewish Center member Benjamin Zimmerman, who passed away Wednesday, Dec. 3.

He is survived by his children Dr. Paul (Rachel) Zimmerman and Carol Rabb; grandchildren Ashley (Ryan) Dender, Angelina, Jacob and Giselle Zimmerman; and great-grandchildren Reed, Cade and Bailey Dender; sister-in-law Harriett (Max) Rothstein Behr. A graveside service took place Dec. 4 at the Old Center Cemetery.

Contributions in Benjamin Zimmerman’s memory may be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center. … To the family of longtime Jacksonville Jewish Center member Dr. Samuel Rosenthal, who passed away, Thursday, Dec. 10 at the age of 76. He is survived by by Elaine Rosenthal and their children Caryn Rosenthal, Brad Rosenthal (Stephanie Lincoln), and Pamela (Peter) D’Amato; grandchildren Levi and Oscar;

siblings Dorothy Mandelbaum, Edward Rosenthal, and John Scott. A graveside service took place Dec. 11 at the New Center Cemetery. Contributions in Dr. Samuel Rosenthal’s memory may be made to the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School at the Jacksonville Jewish Center or to an Israelrelated charity. … To the family of Irving Rothman, who passed away Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the age of 92. He is survived by his son, Gary (Peggy) Rothman. Funeral services were held in Cleveland and a shivah service was held at the Rothman home, Dec. 13 in Jacksonville. The family requests that contributions in memory of Irving be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. … To the family of Julius Clements, who passed away Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the age of 96. He is survived by his wife Pat and step-daughter Betty (Pete) Perez. A graveside funeral was held, Dec. 14 at King David Gardens (Greenlawn Cemetery). The family requests that contributions in memory of Julius Clements be made to his favorite charity, Dreams Come True. … To the family of Jacksonville Jewish Center member, Robert ‘Bob’ Drashin, who passed away Friday, Dec. 11 at the age of 68.

He is survived by his daughters, Heidi Drashin and Sandy (Craig) Shapiro; grandchildren, Hank, Andi, and Nikki Shapiro; brother, Sidney (Jacqueline) Drashin; and niece Eden (Chuck) Cook. A graveside services took place Dec. 14 at the New Center Cemetery.

Contributions in Bob Drashin’s memory may be made to the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, or to the Boxer Aid & Rescue Coalition. … To the family of Sid Gefen, who passed away, Saturday, Dec. 12 at the age of 95. He is survived by his daughters, Barbara (Larry) Jaffe, Ann (Ed) Grenadier and Carol (Bruce) Greenspan; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased in death by his loving wife of 70 years, Lois Isaac Gefen. A funeral service was held at Congregation Ahavath Chesed, Dec. 14, followed by interment at King David Gardens at Greenlawn Cemetery.

The family requests that contributions in memory of Sid Gefen be made to the Gefen Family and Choir Music Fund at The Temple. … To the family of Jacksonville Jewish Center member and Galinsky Academy teacher Joan “Joni” Shmunes, who passed away, Saturday, Dec. 19.

She is survived by her husband

Harry, their children, Adam (Kim) Shmunes, Ilana (Doronne) Perras, and Ross Shmunes; Joni’s father, Eugene Yudowin; her sister, Erica (Paul) Leino; and their granddaughter, Talia. Graveside services were held, Dec. 21, at twhe New Center Cemetery. Contributions in Joni Shmunes’ memory may be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center or to River Garden Senior Services. … To the family of Helen Pranevich, who passed away Monday, Dec. 21 at the age of 89. She is survived by her children, Nancy (Seeman) Zimmerman and Dennis (Anne) Pranevich, as well as her eight grandchildren and seven

great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 23. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center.

Classifieds

Lidia’s Services: home cleaning, sitting elderly weekends, hemming pants. Call or leave a message. 904387-9293.

Part Time Job – Handyman: An Israeli property owner is looking for someone to take care of the maintenance of nine properties on city’s west side, mainly around I-295. Call 720-408-3471 if interested.

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

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Etz Chaim Synagogue and JCA will co-host four-part ‘Israel Today’ series

BY RABBI YAAKOV FISCH Etz Chaim Synagogue

There are so many different aspects that one can appreciate of the Land of Israel, from understanding the ancient historic roots to the Holy Land to some of its modern day challenges. With this in mind, Etz Chaim Synagogue and the Jewish Community Alliance are excited to co-sponsor a four-part educational mini-series scheduled for Feb. 8-11, entitled “Israel Today”. Each night, programming will begin at 7:30 p.m., but the venue will shift between the Synagogue and the JCA. The opening session, Uncorked in Israel, will take place Monday Feb. 8 at Etz Chaim, and will feature certified sommelier, Steve Bachenheimer of Sommelier Wine Services, LLC. During that session, participants will get a taste of Israel and learn why its burgeoning wine industry is gaining popularity worldwide. A

special wine tasting will follow the session. The second session will focus on the topic of Israeli security in a changing Middle East and will be held the following evening, Tuesday, Feb. 9, at the JCA. Discussions will be led

by Ilan Berman, a Middle East security expert and Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council; a non-profit U.S. foreign policy think tank in Washington, DC. Wednesday, Feb. 10, the series shifts back to Etz Chaim Synagogue with the “Israel and the Jewish Connection; why did God promise to give Israel to the Jews?” Join Rabbi Yaakov Fisch for an in-depth discussion on the multilayered topic of why Israel has a special holiness that other lands simply do not have. The final session will be held Thursday, Feb. 11, at the JCA, and will explore the pressing challenges that Israel is currently facing on university campuses across the country. Rachel Fish, associ-

ate director of the Schusterman Center at Brandeis University, will share what is happening on America’s campuses and how you as a parent, grandparent or guardian can help make a difference.

Israel is the land where our patriarch Abraham purchased a cemetery plot and was challenged in the process, but it is also the land that currently finds itself under a host of new challenges.

Please join us for this fascinating program and rediscover many of the rich elements of Israel as well as many of its daunting challenges.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

JCA’s annual Chanukkah celebration

JCA members and their families gather for the annual lighting of the JCA’s outdoor chanukiyah and the spectacular Chanukkah celebration which followed with plenty of fun, food and music.

Cultural arts icon Thelma Nied retires from the JCA

By Jewish Community Alliance

Cultural arts at the JCA has never been more vibrant, diverse and exciting thanks to Cultural Arts Director Thelma Nied, who will be retiring from the agency after 27 years of service. It took a team of dedicated volunteers to help with the formation of a Jewish Community Center in Jacksonville and Nied was one of those volunteers. After serving on the JCA planning committee, she spent several years as the first membership director before founding and heading up the Cultural Arts Department.

“I was working as the membership director, and I realized we needed some kind of cultural arts programming, so 19 years ago, I

started the book festival,” Nied remembered. Under her leadership, the JCA Cultural Arts Department has become renowned for offering quality music, film, art and literature programming in Jacksonville. Through programs like the annual Jewish Book Festival, biennial Jewish Film Festival and Young Concert Artists Series, the longtime JCA employee has introduced the Jacksonville community to world class authors, musicians and artists.

“Thelma has been a joy to work with,” said JCA assistant director Nancy Green. “Her wisdom, sense of humor, keen sense of judgment and innate knowledge of the arts will be sorely missed.”

Nied has helped staff and board members increase their apprecia-

Visit jcajax.org to purchase tickets or to become an event sponsor. Contact Lior Spring at 904-730-2100, ext. 318 or via e-mail at lior.spring@jcajax.org for additional information

Thelma Nied worked at the JCA for nearly three decades

tion of the arts and an appreciation of the varying personalities associated with those in the arts.

She introduced famous people such as Eddie Fisher, Rich Cohen and Joel Segal; and many more who would go on to become famous after presenting at the JCA. Her contributions to the JCA have been limitless as she helped lay the ground work for the JCA’s future back in 1986. The JCA has benefitted from her dedicated service and will continue to do so, which is why she will be greatly missed

by the entire JCA family.

“It has been a wonderful experience and I have made a lot of good friends,” Nied said of her time at the JCA. “It was always a joy to come in to work.” In lieu of a retirement party, she has requested that her work be honored through a donation to the JCA’s Cultural Arts Fund. Even though she is retiring, Nied will not be leaving the JCA completely, as she will retain a role as consultant for JCA cultural arts programming.

jca happenings January 2016 Tevet/Sh’vat 5776

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

Vandroff Art Gallery

The paintings of Ted Head will be featured from Jan. 8 – Feb. 3.

Using watercolors and transparent oils, Head achieves rich darks and vibrant contrasts to create an image that surpasses the confines of a photograph.

Understanding the Teenage Brain

On Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m., join Dr. Karla Repper of Baptist Health for a discussion on the teenage brain and how to make the teen years easier. This program is free to the community.

Family Shabbat Dinner

Enjoy a festive dinner and celebration with other JCA families on Friday, Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. Reservations are kindly requested by Jan. 11. The fee per family is $15 and $10 for JCA valued members.

Family Campfire

Bring a musical instrument for an evening around the campfire and a musical Havdallah service on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

As Tu B’Shevat approaches, let’s enjoy all that nature offers. The fee per family is $15 and $10 for JCA valued members.

Afterschool Dinner and Open House

On Thursday, Jan. 7 at 6 p.m., come to the JCA for food and fun and to learn what it can offer your school aged children. Reservations are required by Jan. 5, by calling 904-730-2100, ext. 245 or 271.

Youth Fencing

Youth ages 7-13, can learn fencing basics Sundays, Jan. 24-Feb. 28 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The six class fee is $158 and $105 for JCA valued members.

Men’s Basketball Leagues

Form teams of six for 4-on-4 competition in 18+ or 25+ men’s basketball. For schedules or to register a team or as an individual, call 904-730-2100, ext. 254.

JCafe Pottery Experience

Learn hand building techniques and enjoy a fun morning with potter Tim Bullard, Sunday, Jan. 10 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Families with young children are $15 and $10 for JCA valued members.

JAway Kid’s Cabaret

at 904-730-2100, ext. 231.

Road Safety

This 30-minute workshop will focus on steering wheel hand positions. This program is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 12 p.m., and is free to the entire community.

Women’s Learning: Lean In 2.0

On Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m., join ‘Looks Aren’t Everything.’ This program is $8 and $5 for JCA valued members. Registration requested by Jan. 13.

Tennis Clinics

The JCA offers ongoing youth and adult tennis clinics. Learn the basics or shape up your game. For information, contact Reggie at 904-730-2100, ext. 317.

Youth Sports Clinics

The JCA offers youth sports clinics in: baseball, basketball, gymnastics, Makos Run Club, soccer, football, golf and volleyball. For more information, contact Coach Rio at 904-730-2100, ext. 250.

On Saturday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m., join our Kids Cabaret and Dessert Reception in Julington Creek. This event is a free family community event. For more information, contact Katie at 904-730-2100, ext.

231.

Crafting at the J: Mosaics

J Away concert at Beth El-The Beaches

Learn-to-Swim

The Hermes Quartet will hold a mini-concert for the beaches community, Monday, Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m. This event is free and open to all. For information, contact Katie

Bring a friend, enjoy a glass of wine and create a beautiful mosaic mirror on Thursdays, Jan. 14-28 from 6:30-9 p.m. The fee is $90 and $60 for JCA valued members.

These instructional swim programs are designed by the American Red Cross. For more information and schedules, contact Jessica at 904-730-2100, ext. 240.

Makos Swim Teams

JV and School Year swim teams offer age appropriate training in a safe and fun environment.

For schedules and information, contact Jessica at 904-730-2100, ext. 240.

Youth and Adult Flag Football

Flag football leagues for youth and adults begin in April. A mandatory youth assessment will be held Sunday, March 13. For details, contact Coach Rio at 904-7302100, ext. 250.

Middle School Movie Night

Meet at the JCA then head to the movies, Saturday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. The fee is $30 and $20 for JCA valued members.

Carole King Tapestry

Enjoy a morning of music at the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Friday, Jan. 15. The fee is $44 and $29 for JCA valued members. For information contact Sandy at 904730-2100, ext. 322. Paid reservations are required by Jan. 7.

Pet Portrait Painting Party

Paint, have some wine and have fun with Painting with a Twist, Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. The fee is $80 and $60 for JCA valued members. Pet photos must be submitted in advance.

Stroller Fit Moms

Bond with your baby and get in shape with this total body workout on Mondays, Jan. 11-March 7 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The fee

JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $208,000

is $120 and $80 for JCA valued members.

Heal Yourself with Feldenkrais

Dr. Nancy-Laurel Pettersen shows you how this method can relieve pain, reduce stress and improve functionality on Wednesdays, from Jan. 20-Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. The fee is $60 and $40 for JCA valued members.

Smart Driver Course

Join an AARP trained instructor in this class for licensed drivers 50 and older, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 19 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. For details, call Sandy at 904-7302100, ext. 322. The fee is $20; AARP members are $15.

The Power of Journaling

Learn how journaling helps us better understand ourselves and others on Monday, Jan. 11 from 7-9p.m. The fee is $5; JCA valued members are free.

Recycle: To Use Again

Learn about recycling during this visit to Republic Services Recycling, Wednesday, Jan 27 at 9:15 a.m. The fee is $23 and $15 for JCA valued members. Call Sandy at 904-730-2100, ext. 322 for more details.

www.jewishjacksonville.org

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

JEWISH FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES Briefs

JFCS celebrates a month of Thanksgiving with lots of giving

PJ Library

PJ Library, the award winning free program for books and music is open to all families with Jewish children in Jacksonville. If your children are between the ages of six months and eight years, they are eligible. Please sign up now by going to www.pjlibrary. org/communities/jacksonville, or by calling Whitney Kuvin at 904-394-5724.

Ameris Bank providing JFCS with their generous donation.

(Left to right: Colleen Rodriguez, Jill Hensley, Meredith Porter, Stephanie Majeskey, and Suzanne Zimmerman)

BY STEPAHNIE MAJESKY Director of Operations

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 observed. Call Whitney for more information at 904-224-6287.

Call2Go

Call2Go is the transportation program at JFCS, as we work with Checker Cab. We are happy to schedule rides for Shabbat and Holidays at no charge.

We also provide rides for medical appointments and quality of life events. Call Whitney for more information 904-660-9268.

Jewish Healing Network Become a Jewish Healing Network Volunteer at JFCS and help us fulfill the Mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim. If you are interested in helping, you can make a weekly visit or phone call to a senior, or help us deliver food to those who cannot get out. Please call Gail at 904-394-5723 for more information or to volunteer.

This past Thanksgiving was truly a time of generosity and thankfulness. Students of the Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool & Kindergarten gave from their hearts, filling a Tzedakah box with $100 in coins for the JFCS Emergency Food Pantry. Congregants of Etz Chaim Synagogue

also held a Thanksgiving food drive, filling several grocery bags with canned vegetables, fruit, pasta, soups, potatoes and other nutritious foods. Without the gracious donation from Ms. Gloria Hart of pumpkins, evaporated milk and other fall treats, Thanksgiving wouldn’t have been the same for many of our families.

As part of their annual Help Fight Hunger food drive, Ameris Bank at St. John’s Town Center

filled their lobby with donations for the pantry. The Bank also contributed more than $1,800, based on the number of cans collected during the month.

Bank employees then partnered with Hunger Fight to prepare and donate 4,000 meal kits to the pantry, the week before Thanksgiving. The staff and residents of the neighboring organization, Taylor Manor, held a food drive as well. A special thanks goes out to

Revlon/Colomer Group for their donation of ten pallets of hair products to the pantry. The community also pitched in big time as bags and boxes of donations lined the hallways of JFCS, which went straight to the 106 families that came to the JFCS pantry the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and to the hundreds of families that followed.

JFCS to host two moving Handful of Generation 2 writers workshops to take events in late January

By Jewish Family & Community Services

Jewish Family and Community Services is delighted to announce a ‘Story Corps’ program, which includes video and power point presentations on conversations with local Holocaust Survivors.

The materials have been compiled by high school students from Sandalwood High School and St. John’s Country Day School. The event will take place Sunday, Jan. 31 from 2-4 p.m. at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, and a kosher dessert buffet catered by Margo’s will follow the presentation. For more information call Naomi

Mirensky at 904-394-5777.

Save the date for our second Sibling Support Workshop, scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 24, from 12:30 – 3 p.m. This group is for 8-11 year-old children who have a sibling with a disability.

We will meet at the JFCS offices at 6261 Dupont Station Court East and provide lunch, drinks, and a snack, then play games, have discussions, and take part in art projects, while having a good time together. If you have a child in this age group who would like to participate, please email Cindy Land at cland@jfcsjax.org to register.

place at JFCS in New Year

By Jewish Family & Community Services

Feb. 9, Mar. 8, Apr. 12, and May 10.

The Generation 2 writers workshops and support services are for adult children of Holocaust survivors. Please join these sessions which are scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the JFCS offices (6261 Dupont Station Ct.). A kosher lunch will be provided. Future writers workshop dates are as follows: Jan. 12,

Jax woodworkers donates toys JFCS annual men’s event for JFCS’ holiday gift giving features scotch and soccer

By Jewish Family & Community Services

Holocaust Survivor Homecare Services

Homecare Services are available to residents of the Jacksonville community. A partnership between JFCS and Alpert Jewish Services in West Palm Beach enables JFCS to offer up to 25 hours per week of homecare services to Holocaust Survivors, paid through funds of the Claims Conference.

Services include light housekeeping, medication management, and assistance with bathing, meal preparation, and errands.

Please call Naomi Mirensky at 904-394-5777 for more information.

A lobby full of food at Ameris Bank which went toward helping more than 100 families at JFCS celebrate Thanksgiving with happy hearts and full stomachs

Volunteers of all ages came out to help Jax Woodworkers Club

By Jewish Family & Community Services

The Jax Woodworkers Club invited JFCS to be a part of its annual toy project this year. The project started in 1989 and in the past 26 years has given more than 50,000 toys to children right here in Jacksonville. Throughout the year, the club builds the toys to be donated to organizations in and around the city, which help children whose families struggle with basic necessities. Representatives from various charities around

Jacksonville met in Riverside at a meeting led by Jax Woodworkers Club President Reid Crawshaw.

The empty gymnasium was soon full of representatives from local charities and volunteers of all ages then quickly began distributing the 4,800 toys among the charities. Through the Jax Woodworkers Club donation, 19 local non-profits, including Jewish Family & Community Services, collected the toys for the children they serve, who are in need this holiday season.

The fifth annual JFCS Men’s Event, chaired by Sandy Zimmerman and Brain Mendelson, will take place on Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Deerwood Country Club.

Plan to taste high-quality scotch, perhaps a hand-rolled cigar, and enjoy a delicious dinner. Special guests this year are Ken Babby, owner of the Jacksonville Sun’s Baseball Team and Dave Herrell, Sports & Entertainment Officer of the City of Jacksonville. During the event, attendees will be able to get a taste of what Babby plans to bring to the ballpark this April for the opening of the 2016 Suns’ season, and what Herrell’s plans for Jacksonville are in becoming a premier sports destination. Other honored guests include Cole Pepper, Director of Broadcasting for the Jacksonville Armada

JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $294,500

Jacksonville Suns baseball club owner Ken Babby who will join us again this year as the master of ceremonies. You won’t want to miss this special event and since seating is limited, please make your reservations today. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Tamir Schlosser at tschlosser@jfcsjax. org or by calling, 904-394-5737.

page 28

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA New Year’s Special JCF Seminar features speakers on ‘Hope Resolutions and Change in the coming New Year’

If you are like nearly 45-percent of all adults in the U.S., chances are you have made at least one New Year’s resolution for 2016. Is it more exercise?

Going on a diet?

Spending more time with your family? You may fall into the category of getting more organized or even falling in love in 2016, but I am looking forward to helping you get your finances in order in the new year.

By JEFF Here are my top ten recomKLEIN, mendations for getting finanExecutive cially organized in 2016: 1. It’s time to get smart about money. Before you get organized you need to know what to do. So start reading the Wall Street Journal, or Google tax savings, even pick up some books on the stock market or on how to follow a budget at the library. There are many easy to read and informative books about managing your money.

2. When you are sick and you want to feel better you go and see a doctor. In 2016, resolve to seek the advice of a trusted professional to help find your best stategy for tax savings as well as planning for your financial future. You’ll have lots of choices amoung fee-based and commissioned professionals, so I advise seeking referrals from friends.

3. If you are about to inherit some money, this may be the time to think of a legacy gift with the Jewish Community Foundation. That extra windfall could be used to establish an endowment fund with the JCF in honor or in memory of a loved one, for a cause or purpose that they supported during their lifetimes. This legacy will ensure that their memory and values live on for generations to come.

4. Don’t forget to spend down your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) if your employer has extended the deadline. Otherwise remember, it’s use it or lose it, so if your plan allows for two months into the New Year, you better be sure it says so before its too late. If you didn’t take advantage of your employers FSA, 2016 may be time to start.

5. Be sure to maximize your contributions to your 401k or 403b retirement plans in 2016. And don’t forget your employer’s match— that’s a benefit you don’t want to leave on the table.

6. Now may be the time to look at your investments. Are you maximizing the benefits of smart investments and having your money work for you?

7. Contribute to 529 plans for your kids’ or grandkids’ college savings plans. You can increase this before the year’s end and achieve maximum tax savings.

8. This is an easy one, but be sure to take look at your tax withholding status. While you may enjoy getting a tax refund, this may be a sign you are having your employer withhold too much. Now is the time to make that adjustment to minimize the amount you owe but also minimize the amount of money the federal government is keeping without paying you interest.

9. Support the charities of your choice. By giving appreciated securities you may avoid capital gains taxes if you have held the appreciated assets for 366 days, but remember to secure a letter of substantiation for any charitable gift totaling more than $250.

10. There is indeed much that you can still be doing to be smart about money and be organized. The countdown for 2017 has already begun!

MONEY MATTERS

By Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida

The Jewish Community Foundation’s Professional Advisory Committee held its first seminar, titled ‘Hope and Change in the New Year’, at the Jewish Community Alliance in late November.

Speakers included Kari Bracy (Agentia Partners LLC ), a Financial Services Professional who works extensively with clients to identify and manage their insurable needs; Jeff Klein – Executive Director of the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida (JCF); Mark Kraus (Innovative Financial Solutions, Inc.), a Financial Advisor specializing in asset accumulation, management and protection, and; James A Nolan III, Esq. (Gray|Robinson), an attorney practicing in the areas of corporate and business law, tax and estate planning. JCF President Dr. Sue Nussbaum emceed the seminar.

The evening began with Mark Krauss giving an overview of the financial markets in 2015 as well as a preview of what could happen in 2016. He continued by providing reasons why it makes sense from a financial perspective to include charity in long and short term financial planning. Krauss then highlighted the type of assets that can be gifted, such as appreciated assets like stock. By gifting appreciated assets one might avoid paying capital gains taxes while also receiving a charitable income tax deduction. Lastly, he highlighted the recent changes to social security benefits.

Kari Bracy focused her presentation by outlining the benefits and recent changes in Long Term Care (LTC) insurance. Bracy provided an overview of the potential funding sources for LTC which have changed over the past few years. She then further outlined the growing need to protect oneself from the expense of long

term care and the affordable strategies available to do so.

By protecting oneself from the crippling effects of Long term care, assets intended for ones heirs or even those for charity may be protected.

James Nolan explained how the estate planning arena The special JCF seminar featured becomes more complex with a wide variety of speakers who each passing year. In order spoke about numerous topics to keep up with the changing edges the generosity of our sponlandscape and ensure your estate plan does what you intend it sors for this program: Vandroff Insurance Agency, Innovative to do, Nolan suggests having your Financial Solutions, Inc. and plan reviewed anytime something Gray|Robinson, P.A. We want to significant changes in your life also thank Myron Flagler and the situation. Jeff Klein completed entire staff at the JCA for hosting the presentations by explaining this seminar. If you would like how the purpose of the JCF is to more information about the JCF’s develop resources that ensure the Professional Advisory Commitfuture vitality of our community. tee, or about any of the seminar By establishing an endowment speakers, please contact Jeff Klein fund at the JCF, individuals and at 904-652-2122 or Jeff.Klein@ families can create a legacy that jewishfoundationnefl.org. will continue to give back to the community for future generations.

The JCF gratefully acknowl-

Professional Advisory Committee’s Networking Event

By Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida

Recently, the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida’s s Professional Advisory Committee or PAC held a networking event at ‘The Well Watering Hole’ on Baymeadows Rd., for local professionals to gather, eat, drink and get to know each other in an informal and comfortable setting. The accomanying pictures were taken during the event.

Kevin Raudt, Anne Buzby-Walt and Bert Livingston

JCF now accepting 2016 applications for special Len and Judy Elikan Camp Scholarship

By Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida

The Len and Judy Elikan Camp Scholarship Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida (JCF) is now accepting scholarship applications for overnight Jewish camping experiences for the summer of 2016. This Elikan Camp Scholarship was established for teens with demonstrated financial need who are seen as potential leaders of the next generation in the Jewish community. A Jewish overnight camp is a place where a teen can not only have fun and make new friends, but where leadership skills can be

Jeff Marks and Matthew Edelman

• Overnight Camp Scholarship Opportunity The Len and Judy Elikan Camp Scholarship Endowment 2016 Scholarship Applications will be ready and available in the next few weeks. The Elikan Camp Scholarship is for teens between the ages of 13learned and developed. Helping 17, who will be attending an to make it financially possible for overnight camp program this more deserving Jewish teens be summer and whose families able to attend an overnight Jewish are members of a local concamp is a goal of this scholargregation. If you would like to

receive a scholarship application when they are complete, please email Kevin Rogers at kevin.rogers@jewishfoundationnefl.org.

• Mark your Calendar The next JCF Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016 at 6:30p.m. The next JCF IOC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m.

ship. Eligibility for the scholarship is for young adults ages 13 to 17 (as of June 30, 2016), and whose families are members of a local congregation. Additional criteria must also be met to be eligible for the scholarship. For a complete scholarship application please email the JCF offices at jean@jewishfoundationnefl.org or you may call them at 904-3940720.The deadline for submitting an application is Monday, Feb. 1, 2016 at 5 p.m.

JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $88,422

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

RIVER GARDEN SENIOR SERVICES

RIVER GARDEN 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $195,000

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community news

A heartwarming and meaningful B’nai Mitzvah held in Jacksonville

BY CINDY LAND

JFCS Community Disabilities Inclusion Manager

Last month I attended the B’nai Mitzvah of Stacy and Jeffrey Leach’s children, Sydney, and Jagger. It was the most heartwarming B’nai Mitzvah I have ever witnessed. It was so beautiful to watch this brother and sister work together to achieve this momentous accomplishment and it brought tears to most people’s eyes watching Jagger help and take pride in his sister’s big day, especially since Sydney has Down Syndrome. Sydney said the prayers, gave her speech and entertained all from the bema with her waves to the audience. Then, Jagger carried off the reading from the Torah and Haftarah flawlessly, while Sydney stood by his side.

Sydney Leach, who has down syndrome, reads from the Torah Jagger Leach, shares the bema with his sister, as he reaches on the day of her Bat-Mitzvah at the Jacksonville Jewish Center the milestone of becoming a Bar-Mitzvah this past autumn Photos by Monarch Studio The parents of these kids have never given up on their children and just wanted what all the rest of us want when our children turn

13 years old. With lots of hard work and support from the religious school, rabbis, and cantor, this family was able to make their dreams and the dreams of their children come true.

Mazol Tov to the Leach Family for being such tremendous advocates for their daughter and for inspiring a community by showing how love, devotion, and religious commitment pay not

only dividends but in the Nachas Jacksonville’s Jewish community shares in this momentous achievement.

Different Chanukah celebrations in and around Jacksonville

Steve Meisel helps set the Chanukah mood at The Coves

St. Augustine’s glass menorah

A group of kids lighting the candles together in St. Augustine

Benching Lecht at River Garden

Creating a homemade menorah at a recent Chabad workshop Clay County’s menorah of ice

Lighting of the grand menorah during Chanukah at the Landing

The lighting of the Jewish Community Alliance’s menorah

Lighting menorahs at a young professionals Chanukah party

Riding to the parade in style

CTeen members from Chabad at S. Johns County get ready to hop in their limo enroute to the annual Chanukah at the Land-

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

synagogue news

Jacksonville Jewish Center Sisterhood to honor pair of well deserving women in the community

By Jacksonville Jewish Center Sisterhood

On Saturday, January 23, at 8 p.m., the Jacksonville Jewish Center will honor two women who have dedicated much of their time and talents to Jewish causes in Jacksonville and at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, Shabbat Shira Weekend of Song, Torah Fund Concert. Lara Werwa will be the recipient of the Horty T. Gendzier award for her dedication to Torah Fund, which supports students who attend the Jewish Theological Seminary and the Ziegler School of Rabbinic studies. Torah Fund donations help students to become rabbis, cantors, and teachers. In addition, Edie Jordan, a long time employee of the Jacksonville Jewish Center will be

honored as a Torah Guardian for her dedication to the Center.

Lara Werwa is a product of the Conservative movement as she first found her connection with Jewish identity at Beth Shalom in Newington, CT. When she and her husband Todd moved to Ponte Vedra, she quickly found a home with the Conservative women at Beth El. While there, she first became the Programming VP and later the President of Sisterhood as the congregation moved into its new building, and the Sisterhood affiliated with Women’s League. It was also during this time that she attended her first WLCJ convention. After her presidency, Werwa became involved with the Region Board, serving as Zhavah chair and currently assisting with social media. She is honored to represent Florida Region on the WLCJ

International Board of Directors and presently serves as the International Social Media Team Leader. Ten years ago Werwa was thrilled to move to the Mandarin area of Jacksonville and has served in a variety of roles on the Jacksonville Jewish Center Synagogue Board and Sisterhood Board. She has also served the Federation on the Young Leadership Steering Committee. In addition to her volunteer work, she is currently the Member Services Specialist at the Jewish Community Alliance, Jacksonville’s JCC. She her husband have two children, Griff (12) and Alana (8), who both attend the Martin J Gottlieb Day School.

Edie Jordan is well deserving of the honor of Torah Guardian as she is currently the Assistant Supervisor of Maintenance at the

Lara Werwa Jacksonville Jewish Center, a post that she has held for nearly two decades. Jordan truly enjoys her work and the congregants highly respect and honor her dedication to the Center. “I like what I do and plan on working until I’m 70-years old if the Lord keeps me with my health, strength and my

Edie Jordan mind” she said. The Center relies on Jordan’s expertise to make sure that the synagogue is in top shape and all runs smoothly. She goes above and beyond for the synagogue and the Galinsky Academy.

She has a daughter and a son and is also the proud grandmother of three grandchildren.

Susannah Heschel to speak The Temple to explore the subject of Jewish mysticism in January at February Jacksonville Jewish Center Shabbaton

By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

While the Talmud suggests that no one younger than 40 should read the Zohar, which is the famous book of Jewish mystical commentaries, Joshua Lief, Senior Rabbi at Congregation Ahavath Chesed, invites every adult, of any age, to join him, Monday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m., to engage in a deeper look at the Kabbalah.

This book is our Jewish mystical tradition and studying it can help decipher what role it might play in our collective Jewish experience today. Adults of any age are welcome and no prior experience

BY ELAINE FURMAN & LOIS TOMPKINS Jacksonville Jewish Center

The Jacksonville Jewish Center is pleased to announce that Susannah Heschel will be its guest speaker for the Marilyn & Louis Safer Shabbaton, Friday through Sunday, Feb. 26-28th.

Professor Heschel serves as an educator at various universities throughout the U.S., Germany and in various other countries.

She is presently on a sabbatical from Dartmouth and has studied extensively on many topics, including the German response to Hitler and the attempt to eliminate any recognition of Christianity as being born of Judaism. Heschel is also known for her expertise in the areas of Jewish feminism, the history of biblical scholarship, and Anti-Semitism. She has lectured all around the world in several languages, and is the author of many books.

As the Scholar-in-Residence, Ms. Heschel will be speaking Friday evening, the 26th about the remarkable friendship of her father, Abraham Joshua Heschel, with Martin Luther King. The following day, she will discuss the Jewish perceptions of Jesus and the Jewish fascination with Islam, and then on Sunday, guests will hear about her famous ‘Orange

Susannah Heschel will be the guest speaker at the Jacksonville Jewish Center’s Shabbaton, scheduled for Feb. 26-28 on the Seder Plate’ or Women’s Reflections on the Festival of Freedom. All of her presentations are sure to be very informative and entertaining, so for further information or to make reservations for meals, please contact the Jacksonville Jewish Center at 904292-1000. All lectures are free of charge and open to the public.

The cost of meals and detailed schedule of the Shabbaton will be available shortly.

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Along those same lines, Tu

B’Shevat, the Jewish celebration of the natural world will be celebrated at The Temple, Friday, Jan. 22 with a Tu B’Shevat Seder experience. The Seder will feature four cups of wine and exotic fruits and nuts, all of which are grown in the land of Israel. “This observance was created in the 16th century by the community of Jewish mystics in Safed in northern Israel, who were living under the Ottoman Empire,” Rabbi Lief explained. “Because of this, the holiday of Tu B’Shevat is the youngest festival in our Jewish calendar.”

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

federation news

The Jewish Federation of Jacksonville thanks you for your support!

We appreciate our donors and want to express this each month in the Jacksonville Jewish News. Thank you to the following donors who have made a commitment to support our 2016 Federation Annual Campaign as of Dec. 1, 2015. - *Names that were accidentally omitted or pledges made after Dec.1 will be listed in the Feb. edition of the JJN Mark and Rosalyn Abramson Peggy and Dolph Ageloff Carol Agress Susan and Leonard Alterman Allan and Rebecca Andrew Frieda Andriesse William and Barbara Arnold Karen and Frank Backilman Isabel Balotin Harold and Rita Baumgarten Matthew and Glenn Becker Estelle and Stuart Beckerman Morris and Hanna Bendit Jean and Helen Benjamin Odell and Harriet Bennett Barbara and Richard Bennett Martin Berger Stephen and Myra Berger Daniel Bergman Gerald and Robin Bettman Alexandra Miller Bequest Brian and Veronique Bialik Adrienne Biber Larry and Sue Blaustein Andrew and Christine Block Susan and Joseph Board Josephine Bonnett Robert and Naomie Bossen Ruchel Broadman Richard and Carol Bronowitz Sol and Leslie Brotman Robert and Mica Brown Robert and Suzanne Bryskin Clifford and Susan Buckley Arthur and Olga Burns Howard and Laura Buss Paul and Annette Cantor Sherry and Gerald Chait Miriam Chefer Allan and Jackie Cheiken Sweetwater Chavurah Club Donald and Carol Cohen Joanne Cohen Perry and Shirley Cohen Jeff and Cindy Cohen Hyman Cohen Jack and Helene Coleman Cheryl Covitz Richard and Phyllis Crovatto Susu Cruse Bernard and Marilyn Datz Leo and Joanne Davis Judy and Jim De Arman Jody Dughi Alexius and Charon Dyer Sue and Fred Eaglstein Martin and Betty Edwards Gloria Einstein Judy Eisen Marie and Jack Eisenberg Leonard and Judy Elikan

Harriet Feinglass Carole and Marvin Feldman Howard and Dina Fetner Neal and Cynthia Finkelstein Robert and Phyllis Fischer Lewis and Lorie Fischer Dave Flagler Selevan Family Foundation Ronnie & Jerrold Rosenbaum Family Foundation, Inc. Gail and Lawrence Fox Matthew Franzblau Marilyn Freedman Sheldon and Rita Friedman Steven and Judy Friedman Adam and Sierra Frisch Jerry Funk Elaine Furman Henry and Karen Gare Victor Gaukhman Lawrence and Phyllis Goldberg Rose Goldberg Irwin and Pat Goldberg Ira and Marilynn Goldfield Irma Goldman Harvey Goldstein Lori and Andy Goldstrom Jonathan Goodman Gloria Goodman Sue and Anthony Gottesmann-Jarzyna Jeff and Rachelle Gottlieb Naida and Chris Gould Gail and Stanley Greenfield Edward and Ann Grenadier Doris Gross Marc and Lisa Grosse Shoshana and Randall Haas Robert and Paola Harris Alan and Pearl Harrison Sonie Hecht Faye and Charles Hedrick Leslie Held Steven Heller Risa and Stuart Herman Andrea and Christopher Hernandez Murren and John Hill Bob and Carolyn Hirsch Howard and Zena Hodor Jay and Susan Holiday Aaron and Margie Holzer Nancy Honig Judy and George Jackson Kenneth and Allison Jacobs Meryl and Brian Jacobs Lorraine Jenkins Edward Joseph Sharon Juhasz Randy and Jeffry Kammer

Robert and Rosely Kanner Barbara and Melvin Karsin David Kasriel Libby Katz Michele Katz Howard and Beverly Kaufmann Rudolf and Erena Kigel Katie and David Kight Simone Kilbourn Gail and Myron Kodner Helene Koenigsberg Henry and Ellen Kopp Annetta Kornblum Mark and Sue Kornhauser Susan and Lawrence Kurtz Ron and Molly Kushner Howard Laner Maurice and Fay Langer Jean and Thelma Lebowitz Dorothy Legum Sybil Lehr Jeff and Beverly Leif Stephan and Joann Leimberg Tilde Lerman Samantha and Michael Levin Mort and Sharon Levin Christina and Mark Levine Sam and Ann Lewis Jessica and Tyler Ligator Leonard Lipkin Jan and Bruce Lipsky Richard and Elaine Mack Ilana Manasse Alan and Jan Margolies Adam and Jennifer Marko Alan and Jo-Ellen Marks Caroline Marks Adam and Erin Marmelstein Ronald Mars Mike and Marilyn Mass Deinya Mautz Hilda Mazo Myron and Ellen Mensh Jill and Paul Metlin Michael and Glenn Miller Dennis and Reyla Montagna Ruthellen and Andrew Mulberg Wayne and Marlene Myers Susan and Peter Natale Susan and Jeffrey Neadle Steven and Tmima Neihaus Lon and Jennifer Neuman Kym Newlen Thelma and Robert Nied Louis and Faye Nussbaum June Oberdorfer Andrew Ocean Jais and Ida Ohayon Moshe and Rivka Ohayon

Donne and John Ordile Allysondra Osborne Morrie and Kathy Osterer Elliott and Donna Palevsky Richard and Rhonda Passink Troy and Allyson Patton Morton and Anita Perlman Marshall Persky Michael and Roslina Platzer Jay and Cheryl Plotkin Lita and Ron Poehlman Jerry and Barbara Portnoy Elaine Portnoy Neil Presser Anne Presser Jack and Miriam Price Marco and Robin Rand Neil and Dorothy Rashba Todd and Inbal Rasner Harry Reinstine Sondra Resnikoff Marian Rice Matt and Lauren Rickoff William and Linda Rifkin Linda Rodman Howard Roey Marjorie and Abe Rogozinski Jeanine and Chaim Rogozinski Sam and Randi Rogozinski Steven and Louise Rohan Margaret Rose William Rose Christy and Jeff Rosen Sandi Roth Paul and Lorraine Rothstein Jerry and Marjorie Rothstein Shirley Rudnick Carol Sack Gaye Sager David and Patricia Sall Neil and Bonnie Sandler Nathan and Marilyn Sandler David and Nancy Schachnovsky Howard and Terry Schare Stuart and Marlene Scheer William and Elvina Schemer Shirley Schemer Amy Schemer Frances Schemer Harvey and Lois Schlesinger Avi and Rena Schochet Barbara Schuster Zachary Schwartz Margie Seaman Arnold and Ruth Seebol Stephanie Seebol Alan and Paula Setzer Joel and Sylvia Shapiro David and Shari Shuman

Ann and Leon Silke Stephen and Judy Silverman Robert and Barbara Silverman Barry and Carole Sinoff Melanie and Adam Skala Joscelyne and Alan Smiley Laurie Smirl Francine Smith Jan and Eric Smith Dianna Smith Vanessa and Arthur Solomon Stephen and Anita Solomon Daniel Stein Randee and Martin Steinberg Leon and Ann Stone Elliot and Min Stone Daniel and Rachel Sullivan Larry and Susan Tallis Edward and Millie Tannen Kenneth and Carol Tannenbaum Marilyn Tanney Phyllis and William Tatel Laurie and Jason Teichman Marion Tischler Fred and Martha Tromberg Marcus and Lynda Turko Izrail and Emiliya Turovskiy Glenn and Lisa Ullmann Ronald and June Van Sharon Voiron Vladimir and Rimma Voloshin Ilan and Paige Wajsman Blair and Liat Walker Steven and Risa Warfield Michael and Elsa Waskew Paul and Marte Wasserman Lowell and Leslie Weiner Joseph Weinman Margie Weinstein Sandra Weiss Gary and Penina Weltman June Weltman Jeff Wiener Jill and Clayton Wilde Linda Wilkinson Skip and Wendy Willbach Carole Witten Brenda and Eugene Wolchok Carole Wolpin Daphne and Frank Woodard Marjorie Wyzan Elsie Yellin Larry and Barbi Young Donald and Ann Young Natalie and Dana Zaifert

Sweet and Sugary Chanukah Sufganiyot

Havana Nights takes Jax by storm at River Garden Gala

It was another memorable Chanukah celebration at the JCA filled with delicious treats such as the pictured sufganiyot

The Annual River Garden Gala was well attended by those in the community as this year’s theme was ‘Havana Nights’

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

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Jacksonville Jewish News • January 2016

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