PERSPECTIVES Learn the history and traditions of Tisha B’Av. page 6
August
2012
• Av/Elul
SHALOM JAX Praying for a bond in our community.
page 4
ART WALK Shalom Jacksonville plans Art Walk and scavenger hunt. jewishjacksonville.org
JEWISH NEWS ONLINE Don’t have the JJN with you? Read us online. Find the link at: jewishjacksonville.org/news
Jewish News
5772
•
Jacksonville
Published
by
Jewish
Federation
of
Jacksonville
•
www.jewishjacksonville.org
•
Volume
25,
Number
2
•
20
pages
Israel Partnership teen visit
Presbyterian leaders meet with Federation By ADAM BRONSTONE
Community Engagement Consultant
In the time prior to the late June national meeting of the conference of the Presbyterian Church of the United States, the Federation, working in coordination with our local rabbis and national agencies, concluded a series of conversations with Presbyterian clergy and lay leaders who will be voting on a controversial resolution regarding the Middle East. On the table to be voted on this year is a resolution calling for a boycott of Motorola Solutions, HewlettPackard and Caterpillar for gaining profit from selling equipment to the Israel Defense Force. As part of the associated report on this matter are calls for the United States to make military aid to Israel conditional upon enacted of U.N. resolutions and states that “facts on the ground … constitute the system of Israel apartheid.” In the wake of this upcoming vote, the Federation and local clergy, based on talking points and background materials supplied by the Jewish Council of Public Affairs, met with all six local delegates, or commissioners, at a meeting arranged by the head of the local Presbyter, the Rev. Paul Hooker. Many of the commissioners were concerned over the lack of balance to the resolution, as well as the attempt to seek an uncomplicated resolution to a complicated situation. One commissioner objected to the use of the term apartheid as applied to Israel, and all were deeply concerned over the fate of Christians in the Middle East, as well as the overall state of the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis. The Federation representative stressed the long-standing and deep ties that the two local communities have, the common bonds they share and joint interest in both social justice and peace in the Middle East. Also shared was
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See RESOLUTION, p. 12
Above, Israeli teens visiting Jacksonville as part of Federation’s Israel Partnership program join local teens at OneJax in a leadership workshop. Below, Israeli teens help out at Jewish Community Alliance’s Summer Camp. The teens spent time at all three Jewish camps. Look for more photos in the September Jewish News and on our Facebook page: facebook.com/jaxjewish.
Shalom Jax Meet and Greet slated for August By ISABEL BALOTIN Shalom Jacksonville
Summertime is a perfect time to have socials for newcomers. New residents are seeking to make a variety of connections to our community. These socials provide a perfect place for them to make friends and find out the latest happenings in their neighborhoods as well as the general community.
Our first event was held in June at Yvonne Cohen’s home. Thirty-six newcomers and friends enjoyed meeting one another, and some have made arrangements to get together at a later date. Our thanks to Yvonne for her generous hospitality and donation of some refreshments, and to Betty Rohan Eisenberg for donating the delicious desserts. Our next meet and greet will be held on Sunday, Aug. 26, at 7:15 p.m. at the home
of Irene and Jimmy Jaffa. Kosher refreshments will be served. If you are new to the community or have been here awhile and wish to make connections, please join us. Look for our ad in this paper. For more information, please contact Isabel Balotin, 448-5000 x 206 or email shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org or go online, jewishjacksonville.org, and click on new to jax.
Spotlight: Baltic elderly attend camp for first time This month’s feature of a Federation beneficiary: JDC’s Golden Age Camp By American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
While the Baltic Region prides itself on the excellent community and regional camps that are offered to the youth, young adults and families, these opportunities have largely not been available for the elderly. The dire economic situation of the region has meant that many elderly who survive on meager state pensions are reliant on the humanitarian assistance that
See GOLDEN AGE, p. 12