CHABAD HOSTS ITS ANNUAL CHANUKAH AT THE LANDING Renowned musician highlights night of fun, food and the festival of Page 7 lights
KENVIN TO SPEAK ON PERSONAL BRANDING
Women’s Div. hosts CEO at its champagne brunch Page 17
FEDERATION IN D.C. FOR THE G.A.
Jacksoville well represented in the nation’s capital Page 19 A publication of
December 2015 • Kislev/Tevet 5776 • www.jewishjacksonville.org
Tickets are now on sale for first ever Jaguars’ Jewish Community Tailgate
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JaxJewishTV • Volume 28, Number 6 • 40 pages
Ambassador Dennis Ross comes to Jax to discuss U.S. and Israeli relations
BY JEANINE HOFF
Jewish Federation of Jacksonville jeanineh@jewishjacksonville.org
8505 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32217
Jewish Federation of Jacksonville
POSTMASTER PLEASE DELIVER BY DEC. 1
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Jacksonville, FL Permit No. 146
Join the Jewish community at the first ever Jewish Community Tailgate hosted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 20 at EverBank Field. Discounted tickets for the game in addition to the tailgate are currently available for sale and can be purchased by accessing the links at jewishjacksonville.org. Tailgate tickets include kosher food under supervision, beverage, activities and the chance to win an autographed prize. The event is being co-presented by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, Jewish Community Alliance, Jewish Family & Community Services, Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, River Garden Senior Services, Beth-El The Beaches Synagogue, Congregation Ahavath Chesed – The Temple, Etz Chaim Synagogue and the Jacksonville Jewish Center. For more information on this event including ticket prices and seating, see the backpage of the Jacksonville Jewish News or contact Jeanine Hoff at 904-448-5000, ext. 208.
Former Middle East ambassador Dennis Ross A near capacity crowd was on hand at the Jewish Community Alliance to hear Ross spoke to the Jewish Community, Oct. 29th about current United States/Israeli relations speak and help kick-off the JCA’s book fest Photos by Larry Tallis
Former Ambassador sat down with media members for exclusive interview BY MATT FRANZBLAU
Federation Communications Director
In late October, former Middle East Ambassador Dennis Ross came to Jacksonville to talk about his new book, ‘Doomed to Succeed, the U.S. Israeli relationship from Truman to Obama’. Before his speech at the Jewish Community Alliance, he took time out of his busy schedule to sit down and answer questions from the editorial board at the Florida Times Union as well as the Jacksonville Jewish News. The following are his thoughts and opinions on a whole host of issues ranging from his first person interactions with political leaders and presidents in the U.S. and abroad to a historical context to present day U.S./ Israeli relations
Former Middle East Ambassador Dennis Ross … On why he chose ‘Doomed to Succeed’ as title for his new book. “The book is entitled ‘Doomed to Succeed, the U.S. Israeli relationship from Truman to Obama’. People have asked me why that title, and the real story of the title relates to someone who worked for me. During the first Bush administration, he used to say to me, ‘Dennis we are doomed to succeed on this one’, meaning no matter how much we messed up, it would work itself out. So I began to write this book and I thought, you know, if you look at the history of this relationship and where it’s come from, it was an extremely humble beginning where the whole national security establishment was against recognition of the state. It takes until Kennedy before we even provide arms to Israel, so the first two decades of Israel’s existence, the U.S. provides a very small amount of assistance to Israel. It’s the French who become their main military partner and it’s the Germans who through reparations help to build their economic infrastructure beyond what existed prior to the happening of the state. The doomed to succeed part is ultimately
After his talk, Dennis Ross signed copies of his new book, ‘Doomed to Succed: The U.S./ Israeli relationship from Truman to Obama’
because we share values. They (Israel) are the only democracy in the Middle East. We share interests because basically we can count on the Israelis when it comes to our interests because we share threats. Those who threaten us, also threaten them. This relationship has evolved because if you look at the region now, it is one that will be characterized for I would say probably up to 20 years but certainly not less than 10, as a struggle that will be so violent. It is this way because what is the most fundamental thing you can have a fight over? That’s identity. When you’re in a war to determine who gets to shape the identity, nothing could be more basic, therefore nothing could be more fundamental and the violence tends to be more extreme. In the midst of that, Israel will stand in a very sharp contrast, so partly I wanted to tell the story of what really emerges. When I began to write this book, I had in mind sort of a different path because it was going to be on the U.S./Israeli relationship but I wasn’t going to do a chapter on every administration. What See ROSS VISIT, p. 5 happened was, I had several
Grand Rabbi of Boston makes visit to Jacksonville BY BY RABBI YAAKOV FISCH Etz Chaim Synagogue
The Grand Rabbi of Boston from Jerusalem, Rabbi Mayer A. Horowitz made a stop in Jacksonville on his recent tour of the Southeast. On Tuesday, Oct., he made himself available at the home of Tzippy and Avi Zaguri to see visitors and offer guidance to those in need. The next morning found the Grand Rabbi at Etz Chaim for a well-attended The Boston Rebbi meets with Torah Acadinspirational lecture. He finished off his emy of Jacksonville Kindergarten students stay with a stop at the Torah Academy of Jacksonville, where he led the school in assemblies with singing, inspirational stories and treats and then met with each individual student. It was truly a privilege to host greatness and be awed by the presence of one of today’s foremost Hasidic leaders.
Scan to read paper online at Grand Rabbi of Boston meets with .com The Jacksonville families during his recent visit
The Grand Rabbi alongside Etz Chaim Synagogue senior Rabbi Yaakov Fisch
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
opinion
The pitfalls of internet conversions to Judaism BY JONATHAN LUBLINER Jacksonville Jewish Center
Come the season of Chanukah we celebrate the Maccabees, who shunned the path of least resistance and opted instead to stand up for their religious beliefs. It is certainly appropriate to consider whether or not we know any modern-day Maccabees. Who are our heroes and role models? Which of their attributes and achievements inspire admiration? How might we emulate their examples in our own lives? One individual I have always admired immensely is a woman whom I’ll refer to as Li. I met Li more than 25 years ago when I worked as an English teacher in Kawasaki, Japan. She was of Chinese ancestry from Singapore, and had come to Japan to study in a well-known Buddhist monastery. There she met Dave, an assimilated American Jew from Chicago, who also sought spiritual solace in Buddhism. The two fell in love and, ironically enough, began to explore Judaism. The more Li and Yoni studied and spent time in Tokyo’s Jewish community, the more Judaism attracted them. For Yoni it was like finding a precious family heirloom he never knew existed; for Li, Judaism felt like déjà vu, coming home to a place she had never been. They made their home kosher in due time and began to observe Shabbat. After several years of study, Li converted to Judaism and after several more years in Japan, followed by a stint back in the States, the couple decided to make aliyah, and have lived on a religious kibbutz in the Galilee for the past 15 years. Li –
who uses her Hebrew name in Israel – has always been very proud of her Chinese ancestry and its rich cultural heritage. She is also a passionately committed Jew. Li’s story is so inspiring because she reminds us that a person with no Jewish background whatsoever can fall in love with Judaism on its own merits, that Jewish living is a gift worth cherishing. Converts to Judaism take on the challenges of a demanding religion, practiced by a people often persecuted throughout history. They are told from the outset that Judaism doesn’t guarantee its adherents a special place in heaven – though it does require them to accept additional responsibilities their non-Jewish neighbors don’t have. Sometimes Jews-by-choice even encounter suspicion and insensitivity from the very communities they seek to join: ‘Funny, you don’t look Jewish’. During the Middle Ages, the wariness with which Jewish communities regarded conversion stemmed from the harsh decrees of the larger societies that forbade the embrace of Judaism – sometimes on pain of death. In addition, and on occasion there were insincere converts who proved only too eager to betray the Jewish community for the sake of personal gain. In our own day and age there is little rationale to maintain the ambivalence of medieval Jewry. On the contrary, given the demographic challenges of the present, it behooves us to return to the norms of an earlier rabbinic era, when sincere Jews-by-choice were welcomed. There are many reasons why individuals embrace Judaism: from those in search of
RABBINICALLY SPEAKING spiritual meaning who are bereft of roots within other faith traditions, to non-Jews who wish to avoid ‘December dilemmas’ and the like by building a single-faith home and family with their Jewish partners. Nevertheless, conversion to Judaism must remain a serious process, not to be undertaken lightly. In our Internet age, however, there is a growing industry of on-line conversion factories, as rabbis, ordained or self-ordained, take advantage of those interested in Judaism. On the surface, webbased conversions seem splendid. After all, who could object to efforts to streamline integration into the Jewish community? And to be fair, distance learning is an incredibly valuable tool, especially for those who live far away from established Jewish communities. But here’s the problem: Despite the literacy one may gain through on-line learning, virtual reality simply can’t replace participation within a Jewish community in real time. Responsible rabbis who utilize the Internet for teach-
ing still insist that candidates for conversion actually spend some time in a Jewish community. If this is true for potential Jews-bychoice who live in the hinterlands without a nearby synagogue, it is all the more true of those who live in communities with many congregations from which to choose. Yet as a rule of thumb, the vast majority of the Internet purveyors of Jewish identity do not connect their candidates for conversion to synagogue life . . . even if there’s a congregation around the corner. Beyond making sure they pay their fees for the program and log-on to their virtual classrooms, these rabbis ask and expect little to nothing of the individuals they ‘convert’. For those Jews-by-choice who wish to immigrate to Israel, the Israeli government requires proof that converts have lived and participated in an actual Jewish community. The Interior Ministry routinely rejects the graduates of on-line conversion programs, no matter how fancy and impressive the certificates they receive. Regrettably, many of the purveyors of web-based conversion do not mention that their approach to conversion is rejected by the State of Israel or the main religious streams of North America. Of course, this is understandable – why offer full and fair disclosure when to do so would undoubtedly be bad for business? As the Chair of the Rabbinical Assembly’s Conversion Review Commission and the author of Petah Ha-Ohel: A Guide to Conversion for the Conservative Rabbinate, I am a passionate advocate for and believer in
serious conversion. Inspired by the righteous proselytes who opt for the road less traveled through their embrace of Jewish identity, it is disturbing to witness the operation of conversion mills for the sake of profit. Because sincere Jews-by-choice are so precious, it is our responsibility as a community to guide spiritual seekers to the rabbis and synagogues who view conversion as a sacred responsibility, not a financial opportunity. Jonathan Lubliner holds the Jack F. Shorstein Senior Rabbinic Chair at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, where he has served as spiritual leader since 2004. Since 2005 he has been a visiting rabbinic instructor at Camp Ramah Darom, and prior to that, at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, where he also served as Rabbi-in-Residence for Imun, United Synagogue’s international lay leadership training program. From 2006 to 2010 he chaired the Taskforce on Conversion for the Rabbinical Assembly, the international body of the Conservative rabbinate, and is the author of Petah Ha-Ohel – At the Entrance of the Tent: A Rabbinic Guide to Conversion, published in 2011. A member of the Chancellor’s Rabbinic Leadership Council of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America from 2009 to 2012, he was appointed to the Conservative movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards in 2011. He also currently chairs the Rabbinical Assembly’s Commission on Conversion Review, which seeks to coordinate policy for Masorti/ Conservative conversions on five continents.
Life in Israel in 2015, a new reality with the same old resolve shortage and there are innovations and start-ups in every field. Most of all, Israelis are strong and confident that they will get through this rough period. What can we do, you may ask? We can become involved to make our diaspora a strong advocate for the only Jewish country in the world. Be informed. Understand the false accusations that the
BY JOAN LEVIN
Former Federation President
Several times a year I go to Israel for meetings of the Jewish Agency for Israel. This time I arrived in Israel a few days before the meetings, and had the opportunity to visit friends and family in Tel Aviv and then spend Shabbat in our Partnership Region, Hadera-Eiron. The terrorist stabbings had begun before I left for Israel, and I assumed that I would be restricted in my opportunities to walk freely as I usually do whenever I am in Israel. This was not the case. I met friends in cafe’s, shopped in the beautiful Mamilla Mall in Jerusalem, and walked all over Tel Aviv. The difference for me was that I was often looking around to see if I noticed anyone who might be a threat. But for me, this was only a 10-day experience; the Israelis are living with it every day. I have been in Israel during wars, intifadas, attacks, and other ‘incidents’ as well as for celebrations and simchas; this time, it was different. Life goes on, but these days it is not business as usual because Is-
Joan Levin alongside former representative from the Jewish Theological Seminary, Matt Berkowitz who made Aliyah with his family. raelis don’t feel safe. Fewer people are going to cafe’s and shopping in the supermarkets. They are a lot more cautious, more aware of their surroundings. No city in Israel is safer than any other because the attacks are happening everywhere. Tourism is suffering, and businesses, especially in Jerusalem are particularly hard hit. It’s different also because you can’t predict when someone will carry a kitchen knife or a screw driver with the intent to kill. The Arab web sites and social media are full of incitement, including such things as videos on how to stab a Jew. Teens and threeyear-old babies are shown how to do it. What is really upsetting, is that whenever some terrorist tries to kill an innocent civilian, soldier or border guard, or even a 13-year-old boy riding his bicycle, the reaction of the media is that somehow it is Israel’s fault. We don’t see the lies and accusations against Israel refuted in our press. There is a real sense of frustration that Israel’s best ally, the U.S. has lost its standing as a leader in the Middle East. Israelis are also concerned that their government has no real policy and has not taken any action to find a solution to
the current situation. Now for the good news: Israel is flourishing. The economy is strong. The infrastructure is constantly being upgraded. Tourists are still coming, although as in other difficult times, the tourists are mostly Christians. 13,000 young adults are in Israel on MASA programs. I had the best time attending an Ivri Lider (Israel’s number one singing star) concert with 4,000 of them. Israel is the only country in the Middle East without a water
Palestinians have made about the status quo at the Temple Mount. Israelis do not pray at the Temple Mount. Palestinians have smuggled pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails into the mosques. It is Abbas and Palestinians who are fomenting this crisis. Finally, go to Israel and see for yourself this wonderful country, the miracle that is Israel.
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. Ad deadlines: All ads must be received by the 15th of each month and sent to jjn@jewishjacksonville.org in .pdf format.
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community news
Here’s your chance to go to St. Louis with the JCA for the 2016 JCC Maccabi Games
JJN Ad Directory - Dec. 2015 At the Jacksonville Jewish News, our advertisers are precious to us. It is with their support that the Jacksonville Jewish community has a newspaper. Advertising revenue also offsets the cost of production, so Federation dollars can be dedicated to helping Jews locally and overseas. Please continue to live generously and support our advertisers: • • •
JCA Maccabi Games participants pose for a photo. The Games will take place July 31 - Aug. 5. By Jewish Community Alliance
For several years the Jewish Community Alliance has eagerly participated in the JCC Maccabi Games sponsored by the JCC Association of North America, Maccabi World Union, Maccabi Canada and Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel. These events, which made their North American debut in 1982, give young, gifted Jewish athletes the opportunity to travel across the United States for a week of sports competition, social activities and Judaic program-
ming. The Jewish Community Alliance is currently looking for Jewish teens, ages 13-16, to participate in the 2016 JCC Maccabi Games being held in St. Louis, Mo., from July 31-Aug. 5. Now in its 33rd year, the mission of the games is to promote and foster healthy fitness practices and sportsmanship in Jewish teens while instilling Jewish values. The JCC Maccabi Games also offers young athletes the chance to gain rewarding and worthwhile experiences as they make friends and relationships to last a lifetime.
JCA participants can choose those sports in which they would like to compete. The Olympic-style event offers 15 different sports for boys and girls including boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, girls volleyball, boys baseball, swimming, tennis, golf, table tennis, boys and girls lacrosse and girls softball. Those interested in participating should contact Coach Rio Robinson by Dec. 15 at 904-7302100, ext. 250 or rio.robinson@ jcajax.org.
Jewish grade schooler coming to Jax to play lead role in Christmas musical By 2016 FSCJ Artist Series
This month the FSCJ Artist Series is proud to present the Jacksonville premiere of Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Musical, scheduled from Dec. 1-9 at the Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater. Although the show itself has a secular theme, one of actresses in a starring role celebrates Chanukah rather than Christmas. 10-year old Rachel Katzke is playing the character of Cindy-Lou Who during half of the productions and will be trying to warm the cold heart of the furry green guy known as the Grinch. Katzke has been performing on stage professionally for about a year and in community theater for close to three. Even though she is in a Christmas themed production, the New York native still finds a way to implement a lesson learned from her ongoing Jewish education.
Rachel Katzke “It’s actually a mitzvah to teach the Grinch to be nice,” she said. “So my favorite part is when I warm the Grinch’s heart.” Although the fourth grader is physically out of the classroom due to her tour schedule, she doesn’t miss a beat in her Solomon Schechter education, as she is afforded the luxury of having a tutor, free of charge who can help her keep up on her secular and Jewish studies. “I feel pretty lucky because some tours you don’t get tutoring
or you have to pay to get your own,” the aspiring young actress explained. The musical Katzke is performing in broke box office records for two consecutive years on Broadway during its holiday engagements at the St. James and Hilton theaters in New York. Since then, more than 1.2 million theater-goers across America have been delighted by this heartwarming holiday musical, which the Gannett papers hailed as “A genius of a show!” and “A total delight for both kids and adults.” The 2015 production is directed by Matt August and choreographed by Bob Richard, based on the original choreography by John DeLuca and originally created by three-time Tony Award® winning director, Jack O’Brien. Individual tickets are available online at artistseriesjax.org, or by calling 904442-2929. The main box office is also open from Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Athens Cafe (p. 12) B&C Financial (p. 4) Baptist Anderson Cancer Center (p. 36) Beachview Rentals (p. 31) Beirut Restaurant (p. 15) Bob Ham Eyewear (p. 13) Borland Groover (p. 18) Brandon Pest Cntrol (p. 9) Camp Kitov (p. 5) Carbux Carwash (p. 14) Comedy Zone (p. 20) Creeks Realty Group (p. 5) Dottie Shafer Wilson Realty (p. 31) Discover Israel Trip (p. 32) DuBow Preschool (p. 21, 39) Etz Chaim Gala (p. 24) Erica Jolles Realty (p. 7) FSCJ Artist Series (p. 38) Galinsky Academy (p. 23) Heekin Clinc (p. 16) Impressions (p. 30) Innovative Financial Solutions (p. 20) Israel Partnership (p. 10) Jax Hadassah (p. 39)
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Jacksonville Jaguars (p. 40) Jax Jewish News (p. 35) Jewish Federation of Jacksonville (p. 33) Jewish Museum Fla (p. 11) Jerry Seebol (p. 30) Joy of Kosher (p. 34) Larry Tallis Photo (p. 35) Margo’s Catering (p. 9) Metro Diner (p. 19) Nancy Rubenstein Realty (p. 15) The Palazzo (p. 25) Pediatric Dentistry (p. 30) PJ Library (p. 31) Ponte Vedra Home Care (p. 30) Publix (p. 22) River Garden (p. 24) Spivak’s Institute (p. 12) Stein Mart (p. 6) Terk Oncology (p. 2) The Tax Man (p. 30) The Temple (p. 17) Tumbling Kids ( p. 15) Vandroff Insurance (p. 11) Winn Dixie (p. 37) Zounds Hearing Aid (p. 21)
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. 30 Chabad News....................p. 10 Community News...................... ............................p. 4-9, 34, 28 Education .p. 11-13, 21, 24-25 Federation News.........p. 17-20 Foundation ..................... p. 28 JCA .................................. p. 26
JCFS ..................................p. 27 Kosher Cuisine................. p. 33 Lifecycles.......................... p. 30 Opinion & Cartoons............ P. 3 River Garden.................... p. 29 Sports................................p. 31 Synagogue News..... 14-16, 39 Top Stories...........................p. 1
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Prominent Jacksonville attorney graciously funds annual ADL legal summer fellowship BY ERIC ROSS
Anti-Defamation League
Thanks to the tremendous generosity of Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Florida Regional Board Member Evan Yegelwel, the ADL is proud to announce the opening of applications for the 2016 Evan Yegelwel Summer Fellowship. Each year, this prestigious fellowship program permits one University of Florida Law student who is entering their second or third year to participate in a paid Summer Fellowship program at the ADL’s Florida Regional Office in Boca Raton. Yegelwel is a partner of the Jacksonville law firm of Terrell Hogan Yegelwel, P.A., and has been a member of the firm for more than 30 years. Mr. Yegelwel graduated from the University of Florida, Holland Law Center in 1980 (J.D. with Honors), and received the Book Award in Law and Medicine. In addition to serving as a member of the ADL’s Florida Regional Board, he is a past Association National Commissioner. Recent Yegelwel
Evan Yegelwel Fellows have conducted legal and legislative research and advocacy on a broad variety of subjects, including freedom of speech and association, religious freedom, discrimination, hate crimes, immigration, and reproductive rights. Fellows have also handled constituent discrimination complaints and participated in ADL meetings, functions, and events. “We are incredibly appreciative to have a Fellow each summer to complete this vital work,” said ADL Florida Region Director Hava L. Holzhauer. “If not for the generosity of ADL Regional Board Member, Evan Yegelwel, we would not have the peoplepower necessary to move the
conversation forward on issues like these. ” Headquartered in New York, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is the premier national civil rights organization that fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry in the U.S. and abroad, in addition to combating international terrorism, probing the roots of hatred, coming to the aid of victims of bigotry. The organization also develops educational programs, and serves as a public resource for government, media, and law enforcement, all towards the goal of countering and reducing hatred. Defending constitutional freedoms, especially First Amendment freedoms, is a key component of the ADL agenda through both direct complaint resolution and through court briefs. The application deadline for the 2016 Evan Yegelwel Fellowship is Friday, Dec. 11. For more information about the Yegelwel Summer Fellowship, please contact David Barkey, ADL’s Southeastern Area Counsel & Religious Freedom Counsel, at dbarkey@ adl.org or 561-988-2900.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
community news Ross Visit Continued from p. 1 ‘wow’ moments where I discovered not just the same debates, but I found the exact same words being used. It was on a couple of different areas, and one was on the peace issue, where starting in ‘91, Kissinger has the same conversation with (Israeli minister for foreign affairs) Abba Eban that Hillary Clinton has in 2011 with Benjamin Netanyahu, ‘tell us what you can do, we are not going to tell the other side.’ And by the way I have the same conversation with (Ehud) Barak, when he is Prime Minister, and this is repeated over and over again, so the Israelis are reluctant to tell us because they are convinced that whatever they tell us, when we go to the Palestinians or earlier to the Arabs, it won’t be enough and then we’ll come back to them because the other side says no. Obviously there are ways to remedy that but the irony is that no one has learned the lessons over time because we keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again. The reason I begin to cover every administration is because that the assumptions that endure are assumptions that turn out to be wrong and each administration doesn’t learn from the previous one. This book is explicit about the nature of assumptions that have endured over time and that have been wrong, so the real reason I wrote the book was for the next administration.” On his role during the Obama administration “In the Obama administration, they put me in charge of something called the central region, which to be fair was not small and encompassed the area from Morocco to Bangladesh, so I had all the conflicts in between. The President asked me to come over in July of 2009 and I had been doing Iran for (Sec. of state) Hillary Clinton and the administration previously, but he said ‘I need you over here because everyone does not know how these issues fit together but you do’. With Israel, he (Obama) said ‘we give, we give, we give and we don’t get’, and at the time I recall sitting in a situation room meeting with Robert Gates and he (too) said ‘we give, we give, we give, but we don’t get’ … but the truth is that we always do get. If you look on the technical side, intelligence, counter terror, how to fight urban warfare, even and technology. The drone technology we have got is largely from the Israelis as well as active armor, which protects our tanks and APC’s (armored personnel carriers) that we got from the Israelis when we modi-
fied our equipment. In technology and some of the new high tech areas, we do in fact get, but they were both reflecting upon was that we didn’t get what we wanted. What we wanted was for them (the Israelis) on the peace issue to transform the region, but we know today if you had a breakthrough tomorrow on the Israeli/Palestinian issue, it would not be a game changer for the region. It wouldn’t stop one barrel bomb in Syria, it wouldn’t change the reality of ISIS, it wouldn’t stop the civil war in Yemen. It should be important in its own right but not because it transforms the region, but the assumption has been throughout that it does.” On the relationship between President Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu “They’ve each done things that have led the other to distrust them and there are several episodes that contributed to it. In Netanyahu’s case, when he came for his first meeting with President Obama, after he was elected, in May of 2009, he felt blindsided by the insistence of a complete settlement freeze. He (Netanyahu) felt that didn’t take into account his political realities and he’s being asked to do what none of his labor prime ministers had ever done. In a sense this was not understood by the (Obama) administration because the truth is, I was over to brief the President for his meeting with Netanyahu on the Iran part of the meeting. I was there with Mitchell, who was explaining to him the key on being able to move on what we were trying to do was get a complete settlement freeze. Any time I was over in the White House, prior to the time he actually asked me to come over, he always asked me a question on the Israelis. So I am sitting there and I am supposed to brief him on Iran, which I did subsequently, and he says, ‘what do you think Dennis?’ And I said, ‘well you are asking him to do what none of his predecessors have done, so what’s his explanation supposed to be? He supposed to do what Rabin didn’t do, what Peres didn’t do, what Barak didn’t do?’ So he turned back around to Mitchell and said, ‘well we are trying to get the Arabs to reopen the liaison offices in different countries and we’re trying to get over flight for El Al over Saudi Arabia’. He turned back to me and I said, ‘the liaison offices we opened in the 1990’s, so there is no drama there and over flight no one can see, so if you’re asking him to do what none of his predecessors have done, you need to produce for him drama from the Arab side that justifies doing something unprecedented’. The President listened but then he still insisted with Netanyahu that he do this when he came, so from Bibi’s standpoint
rGEN meets with former U.S. Ambassador Dennis Ross
Members of the rGEN Steering Committee were treated to a very special lunch with former United States Ambassador to the Middle East Dennis Ross, during his recent. The meal was graciously hosted by Federation President Sandy Zimmerman.
that contributed. In Obama’s case, there were a number of things, but one thing is that when (Vice President Joe) Biden is over there and I’m with him and they (the Israelis) announce a large number of new buildings in Ramat Shlomo, which is within Jerusalem. The President and (chief of staff) Rahm Emanuel thought this was like putting a thumb in our eye and was provocative and embarrassing and so each of them can point to things that the other did, either directly or indirectly.”
Former U.S. Ambassador to the Middle East Dennis Ross, alongside outgoing Jewish Federations of North America Treasurer, Stephen Silverman
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
community news Evan Yegelwel is a former Trustee of the University of Florida School of Law (currently a Trustee Emeritus) and in January of 2000, he founded The Evan J. Yegelwel Fellowship Fund, which supports legal internships for University of Florida law students in conjunction with the AntiDefamation League, concentrating on the prevention of all forms of anti-Semitism, racism and bigotry. In 2009, Yegelwel was recognized by the ADL for his philanthropic efforts, as he was given an award for his outstanding leadership and contributions to the legal profession and to the community at large. Mr. Yegelwel is a partner of the law firm of Terrell Hogan Yegelwel, P.A. and has been a member of the firm for more than 30 years. He along with a consortium of nonFlorida lawyers, have represented more 50 families families who lost loved ones as a result of the Sept. 11 attacks and was a part of the first lawsuit to prove that Iran gave material to support to al Qaeda on 9/11. For the past 10 years he has been named one of the best lawyers in America in the field of mass tort litigation. The accomplished attorney has also been quite active in the Jacksonville Jewish community, since moving here 35 years ago.
Evan Yegelwel Accomplished Attorney, Distinguished Alumnus, Committed community member
In addition to serving on the Federation board for more than a decade, he has chaired Super Sunday twice and started the holiday mitzvah project. He is also a past president of the Jacksonville Jewish Center as well as becoming the first ever River Garden Foundation president and has chaired Aipac for more than a quarter century. Yegelwel has been married to his wife, Arlene, a kindergarten teacher, since 1979 and is the proud father of two daughters, Esther (Mike Raffol) and Tania. He has two grandchildren, Eilana and Jack. If you have someone in mind you would like to nominate 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
December ~ 2015
Philanthropy program made a possibility through Gottlieb family, Federation and JCF
BY BENJAMIN CHAFETZ B’nai Tzedek parent
A child going through the B’nai Mitzvah training and learning process has already learned about Tzedakah (giving to charity) from their family and religious school educators. Through the B’nai Tzedek program they will have the opportunity to put what they learned into action. To participate in the program and create their own Philanthropic Fund at the Foundation, the B’nai Mitzvah child chooses to donate $125 to
start their B’nai Tzedek Fund from which they may contribute to Jewish causes of their choice. This amount is matched by the Jewish Federation for a total of $250. Through their own Philanthropic Fund at the Foundation, the Gottlieb Family then matches this amount which means a B’nai Tzedek member will have a Fund in the amount of $500. Each child’s participation in this program serves as a great example of how our youth can make a difference in our Jewish community with their gifts of tzedakah.
JCA’s Swim Fit program helps keep participants healthy and active By Jewish Community Alliance
Swimming is one of the most popular sports for people of all ages, as it improves cardiovascular fitness, endurance and strength and has been shown to reduce the risk of obesity in children and adults. In addition to providing a low impact, low injury risk workout, it is also a great skill that can be improved upon for a lifetime. The Jewish Community Alliance has several swim programs for those of all ages looking to improve their skills and enjoy the recreational and physical benefits of swimming.
“Swimming is a life skill and the most important aspect of swimming education is to stay in the water,” said JCA aquatics manager Jessica Novotny. “People can come to the JCA year round to improve their swimming and learn water safety skills.” The JCA Aquatics Department offers monthly, instructional Learn-to-Swim programs designed by the American Red Cross. All JCA swim instructors are certified through the American Red Cross as water safety Instructors and they have an impressive, state-of-the-art facility, including an outdoor pool as well
Jax Jewish Singles goes to Clark’s Fish Camp BY FRANCINE SMITH Jax Jewish Singles
It’s a festival of lights year round at Clark’s Fish Camp, so come join Jax Jewish Singles as we marvel at the many lights and enjoy its unique ambiance. For
those who don’t know, the restaurant is a Jacksonville original and offers a full menu of quality seafood, giant prime rib, and chicken in a rustic dining setting. For the exact date and time of the dinner, email francine.smith @comcast. net or call her at 904-221-8061.
A season to learn and grow
A fun time was had by those who attended the Chabad of Mandarin/Headquarters’s Lulav Workshop earlier this fall
as an indoor, heated pool to give various lessons in. Swim programs include Parent and Me (infant -3 years); JCA Mini Makos (2 – 3 years); Little Makos (3 ½-5 years); and Junior Makos (6-12 years). Ongoing, private swim instruction is also available to adults and children who would like further instruction. To learn more about JCA Aquatics Department programs, visit jcajax.org or call 904-7302100, ext. 240.
Water Safety Instructor Kern Hercules busy teaching a JCA Learn-to-Swim lesson at the Jewish Community Alliance pool
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
community news
Tennis clinics offered at King of blues rock musician Lazer Lloyd headlines Chabad’s 15th annual the JCA for youth players Chanukah at the Landing celebration of all different skill levels
Master musician Lazer Lloyd will perform at the annual Hakukah at the Landing Celebration, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 6 By Chabad Lubavitch of NE Florida
As the Jacksonville Jewish Community anticipates the arrival of the festival of lights, Chabad’s attention is directed toward the 15th Annual Chanukah at the Landing’, which will be held, Sunday, Dec. 6. This year’s event will feature, Lazer Lloyd, a master musician, and king of the Israeli blues, in concert, a grand Chanukah family carnival and fair, including carnival games and Inflatables, and as always, the kindling of Jacksonville’s tallest Menorah. “If you think that Jews don’t have fun in December, you have yet to attend this exciting celebration of Jewish culture and
pride,” said, Rabbi Yoseph Kahanov, regional director of Chabad in Northeast Fla. At this time our attention is focused on Israel, and a Lazer Lloyd concert is not just entertainment, it serves as a connection straight to the heart of Israel. His music is forged on the road in Israel and flavored with the sky and land of the Jewish homeland. In addition to his uplifting music, Lazer will share stories and insights related to the holiday as a shining example of Jewish victory, often drawing on the life stories he has gathered on the road, performing for a diverse Israeli audience. Kicking off the event is the annual Chanukah car parade – a beautiful demonstration of Jewish pride
and solidarity. More than 100 vehicles, adorned with custom designed Hanukah flags, (free to all participants) are expected to join the caravan, heading toward the Landing. The convoy including Chabad of Southside, Beaches, S. Augustine, Clay County and S. Johns, will gather at 1:30 p.m. and depart 20 minutes later from Chabad regional headquarters in Mandarin. Chabad at the Beaches will gather at 1:15 p.m. and depart 15 minutes later. All locations will join a single procession toward the Jacksonville Landing, Hogan Street entrance, where the Chanukah event will take place. The fun-filled afternoon will feature a variety of kiosks and exhibitions, including, Judaica gifts and books, Judaica art, Chanukah doughnut decorating, carnival games and inflatables, olive press demonstration, Chanukah arts and crafts, candle making, face painting, food and a free raffle. Dignitaries and public officials will convey Chanukah greetings and well wishes to the Jewish community. The grand Menorah lighting will be held at 5 p.m., and is open to the public, and there is no charge to attend the fair. For more information regarding the parade and/or program, please contact your nearest Chabad Center. This annual extravaganza is sponsored by Chabad of Northeast Fla. Mandarin/Headquarters, Beaches, Southside, S. Augustine, Clay County and S. Johns.
Young players take part in a JCA Junior Tennis Clinic, while practicing swing techniques on the busy JCA tennis courts By Jewish Community Alliance
Recent years have seen resurgence in the popularity of tennis in the United States from its heyday as one of the more popular sports of the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s. Considered a great sport for fitness and weight management, tennis burns more calories than many other aerobic exercises, including cycling. As a leader in sports and wellness programs in Jacksonville, the JCA has ongoing tennis clinics for youth who want to reap the fitness benefits of tennis and learn a sport that they can play throughout their lives. JCA Tennis Clinics offer instruction for youth players of all levels as junior tennis clinics focus on the fundamentals of the
sport, including learning proper swing motions and handling a racquet. Intermediate and advanced players learn additional skills such as stroke production, consistency and match play. Instruction uses age appropriate methods and is supplemented by fun games and drills. The JCA Tennis Department consists of three tennis professionals, and all clinics are taught on the JCA’s six Hartru® Clay courts. In addition to clinics, the JCA Tennis Department also offers private lessons for those who would like to improve their play. For more information on tennis programs at the Jewish Community Alliance, contact Reggie Exum at 904-7302100, ext. 317 or visit jcajax.org.
Volunteers still needed to take part in Christmas mitzvah day 2015 BY RHODA GOLDSTEIN Christmas Mitzvah Day
The fourth annual Christmas Mitzvah Day is quickly approaching and there are still volunteer jobs that need to be filled. Friendly faces are needed to deliver more than 500 meals this year as it is quite a task to divide those deliveries into routes and have drivers for all of them. Local first responders continue to look forward to the now famous cookie deliveries and love to see families arrive to drop off their packages. While Ronald Mc
Donald House is an area that is for older teen and adults only, River Garden and Gabriel House of Comfort is the ideal place for families to volunteer, as both love to have children involved. River Garden’s ‘A Wintery Mix’-Open House will be from 10:30 a.m. until noon in the Frisch Family Pavilion. Volunteers are needed to complete a variety of activities with residents and children, which always make the residents smile. Gabriel House’s amazing kitchen is begging for creative cooks to come and prepare a meal and visit with those who have undergone transplants or are having che-
Barbara Goldstein returns to Jacksonville for special Hadassah luncheon
Barbara Goldstein, national VP of Hadassah will be the guest speaker at the Hadassah Chai Luncheon next month
BY HELEN HILL
Jacksonville Hadassah
The vibrant and dynamic Barbara Goldstein, Deputy Executive Director of Hadassah’s office in Israel and past National Vice President of Hadassah, will be the guest speaker at Jacksonville Ha-
dassah’s Chai Luncheon, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. Be sure to save the date and plan to attend. For further information contact Liat Walker at 904-3727996 or walkers.beach@gmail. com
motherapy. Children are invited to visit there as well to be a part of the day. Please make plans to volunteer this year and contact the following: For delivery of meals or cookies, contact Wiatt Bowers at
Wiatt.bowers@atkinsglobal.com. For packaging of meals and being a runner on delivery day, contact Mike Elkin at mike9384@ aol.com. For baking and packaging of cookies, contact Rhoda London at
rholon@aol.com. For cooking for Meals on Wheels, cooking for Ronald McDonald House or Gabriel House and visiting River Garden, contact Rhoda Goldstein at rhodagoldstein@hotmail.com
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
Community news
Hollywood screenwriter David Weiss Welcome to Kutsher’s to give his ‘Shrek of a Trek’ themed takes its show on the talk at the Chabad of S. Augustine road to St. Augustine
Screenwriter David N. Weiss has collaborated on films such as Shrek 2, The Smurfs and The Rugrats By Chabad of St. Augustine
Chabad of S. Augustine welcomes award-winning screenwriter, David N. Weiss, who will present an entertaining evening of personal and professional stories entitled ‘A Shrek of a Trek, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m.’. Weiss has collaborated on wildly popular Hollywood films such as ‘Shrek 2’, ‘The Smurfs’ and ‘Rugrats’ movies. Weiss’s hilarious and inspiring tale centers on his wacky journey from secular Jew to dynamic Christian youth leader, and then to Modern Orthodox turned blockbuster screenwriter. “When you find yourself
under a chupah in a Presbyterian Church being married by a Jews for Jesus rabbi, you know something has to give” Weiss said of his most unique journey. Weiss also co-wrote other family friendly films such as ‘Clockstoppers’, ‘Are We There Yet?’ and Academy Award-nominated ‘Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius’. He was also nominated for an Emmy as co-head writer for the ‘Rugrats’ series and has various other film and TV credits, including the MGM classic ‘All Dogs Go to Heaven’. Having directed several awarding-winning shorts, Weiss has also written three children’s books, is a member of the Motion
Picture Academy, in addition to serving as the former vice president of the Writers Guild of America. Currently he calls Los Angeles home, along with his wife, Eliana. The pair have two children, plus two cats, two birds, a tortoise and Sandy the dog. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling the world to teach and lecture about writing and religion. The fee to attend this captivating talk is just $10 per person. For more information on this event, or to RSVP, please contact Chabad of S. Augustine at 904-521-8664
2015 kids’ Chanukah coloring project
A near full house was on hand at Temple Bet Yam in St. Augustine
Shalom Jacksonville director Isabel Balotin addresses the crowd
BY ISABEL BALOTIN Shalom Jax Director
It was a near capacity crowd at Temple Bet Yam in St. Augustine as Shalom Jacksonville and River Garden put on another showing of the wildly popular ‘Welcome to Kutsher’s’, documentary
about the last Catskills resort. A big thank you goes out to the volunteers from Temple Bet Yam, Shelly Cohen, Dinah McNamara, Jen Sherman and Joe Marx. Skip Willbach and Martin Goetz from River Garden graciously donated the food for the event.
The Players celebrates its first graduating class at River Garden
Recent graduates from the Albert Z. Fleet Geriatric Training Center
BY SKIP WILLBACH
River Garden, Marketing Director
To begin coloring, cut out stencil! Scan in and upload your finished project to the Federation’s official Facebook page at facebook.com/jaxjewish
Due to a very generous donation from The Players Championship at TPC, each of the 11 students from the recent graduating class of River Garden’s Albert Z. Fleet Geriatric Training Center was granted a full scholarship to attend the Florida licensed, notfor-profit post-secondary school to learn the skills necessary to become certified nursing assistants in the state of Florida. Proceeds from the golf tournament are shared by non-profit organizations in the area as making a positive impact on the community is the charitable mission of the PGA Tour. In 2014, $7.5 million was distributed to various nonprofit organizations in Northeast Florida.
River Garden Senior Services is a not-for-profit, mission-driven community agency offering an array of elder care programs and services on a 40-acre campus in the Mandarin area of Jacksonville. Sponsored by the organized Jewish community, River Garden serves clients from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds while maintaining an environment supportive of Jewish identity and informed by Jewish values. In addition to being a seven time recipient of the Governor’s Gold Seal Award, River Garden is a five-star rated community by AHCA (Agency for Health Care Administration) and CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) and a recipient of US News & World Report’s “Best Nursing Homes” recognition in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
www.jewishjacksonville.org
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
community news
St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society to screen film about Jews during the Spanish inquisition subtitles and the movie portrays the Jewish struggle for survival during the Spanish Inquisition. The event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend as the film has been provided by the Brandeis University’s National Center for Jewish Film. No reservations are required, for further information call 804-914-4460.
BY MERRILL SHAPIRO St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society
The St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society will screen a film entitled, ‘The Last Marranos’, Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. on the Flagler College Campus. The 64-minute long French film is in Portuguese with English
The Temple to hold timely talk on ‘Iran: the good, the bad, the ugly’ By Congregation Ahavath Chesed
Come explore the past, present, and future of political Shi’ism in Iran, Tuesday, Dec. 15, during an event titled ‘Inside Iran: Politics, Diplomacy, and Religion’, hosted by Dr. Ellen Wald. Dr. Wald will address the following questions: Is Iran a theocracy or a dictatorship? Can the regime ever make peace with the United States and Israel? Will social liberalism ever return in Iran? How will Iran’s impending return to the global oil market impact its push for regional hegemony? Wald, a Middle East historian from Jacksonville University, will discuss these
Chabad Chanukah Events Continued from p. 10 Chabad of S. Augustine -Monday, Dec. 7, at 5:30 p.m., Grand public Hanukah celebration featuring ‘Fire on Ice’ - Ice Menorah Carving & Kindling at the Plaza de la Constitución. Watch live as an ice sculptor carves a giant menorah out of huge blocks of ice, then enjoy kosher snow cones, latkes, doughnuts and lively music. -Thursday, Dec. 10, at 5:30 p.m., wear your Judaism with pride in America’s Oldest City at the Palencia Chanukah party & menorah lighting. -Thursday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m., a public Chanukah celebration
Middle East historian Ellen Wald pressing issues and more at 7 p.m. inside Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple), where good food and drinks will be served and learning will take place. will take place near the community tree, adjacent to 701 Market Street. The event will include the kindling of a giant nine foot menorah, hot latkes, fresh doughnuts, music and a free raffle. The event is free and open to the public so be sure and bring your friends and family. Chabad of S. Johns -Thursday, Dec. 10, at 5:30 p.m., A glow in the dark spectacular featuring a Chanukah light show over Nocatee’s Splash Park (245 Nocatee Center Way, Ponte Vedra) will take place. A glow in the dark Menorah will be on display and glow in the dark doughnuts will be eaten. A dinner buffet will also be served along with many glowin-the-dark activities. -Sunday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m.,
Dr. Wald earned degrees from Princeton University and Boston University. In addition to teaching and lecturing she is also a regular contributor on global energy policy and oil markets in Modern Trader Magazine and consults on foreign affairs, energy, and petroleum policy for financial and public relations firms. She has been interviewed by the New York Times, featured in BBC History Magazine, and is currently completing a book about Saudi Arabia’s oil industry. This special event is open to the community and is sponsored by the Lawrence and Kathy Kanter Program for Jewish Preservation. a giant Menorah lighting will take place at the World Golf Hall of Fame, so let your Jewish pride shine as we kindle a nine-foot Menorah right in front of the Trophy Tower. Then nosh on delicious potato latkes and jelly doughnuts. Chabad of Southside -Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m., Chanukah celebration at Brookdale Senior Living where residents and guests at Brookdale Senior Living (formerly Carriage Club, 9601 Southbrook Dr. 32256) will take part in a joyous Hanukah party with delicious latkes, performances by the Ganeinu Children’s’ Choir and the lighting of the Menorah. This event is free and open to the public. -Thursday Dec. 10, at 7 p.m., vodka Latka on the Rocks hosted in the glamorous showroom at Global Diamonds, where guests will enjoy delicious refreshments, an open bar and entertainment. There will be special storewide Chanukah discounts and a Diamond Star of David pendant giveaway. To inquire about attending this special event please call Chabad of Southside at 904-6464434.
Florida Jewish History Month brings talk on early Jax Jewish roots BY HAZEL MACK Temple Archivist
Join us at The Temple (Congregation Ahavath Chesed), Sunday, Jan. 24 at 2 p.m., when Marcia Jo Zerivitz, Founding Executive Director of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, presents an entertaining, not to be missed PowerPoint lecture about Jacksonville Jewish history. During her talk, Zerivitz will go over a number of firsts that began happening in 1857. Attendees will also learn about Jacksonville people who, prior to WWII, comprised the largest Jewish community in Florida.
Founding executive director of the Jewish Museum of Florida at FIU, Marcia Jo Zerivitz will speak at the Temple, Sunday, Jan. 24th
Jax’s Mega Challah Bake a hit
The women of WIFI recently gathered at the lovely home of host Andrea Mail to take part in a mega challah bake and as you can see the fruits of their labor were bountifully delicious
River Garden Auxiliary raises more than $2,000 at annual garage sale BY MIMI KAUFMAN & EVELYN PECK Event Co-Chairs
The annual River Garden Auxiliary garage sale was a big success, as it raised nearly $2,800, last month. A big thank you goes out to all of the fantastic volunteers who helped as it could have not gone on without them. Those volunteers also include some of the dedicated husbands and River Garden maintenance staff, in addition to a good friend of River Garden who wishes to remain anonymous, who worked
tirelessly to help whenever we needed him. He also dug into his own pocket to pay for the liability insurance for the building during the sale. Its also important to note that without Jay Demetree and Frank Reinstine of Demetree Brothers, the sale simply would not have happened as they generously donated their store. Last but not least, thanks to the greater community and Auxiliary members who donated such an abundance of merchandise, as the tables were overflowing with items and the floor was littered with loaded boxes.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
chabad news
Chabad now offering Jewish Learning Institute course Ongoing & Upcoming on controversial questions in two convenient locations Chabad events by asking a good one. From the profound to the almost profane, and everything in between, this course will address some of the most puzzling aspects of Jewish tradition. Some questions include, why are there no more miracles today of biblical proportion? … why is the Star of David a Jewish symbol? … Aren’t animal sacrifices inhumane and violent? … why doesn’t Judaism seek converts? … why don’t Jews accept Jesus? And why is slavery sanctioned in the Torah?
By Chabad Lubavich of NE Fla.
The Jewish Learning Institute is now offered in two locations in Northeast Florida, as JLI calls the Chabad of Clay County and Chabad at the Beaches home. Visit MYJLI.com for more details as a new offering from JLI begins this February and is titled, ‘The Jewish Course of Why’. It’s a good thing Jews like to ask questions, because there’s hardly a more effective way to learn than
Chabad of Clay and at S. Johns Counties offer a variety of unique programming for everyone By Chabad of Clay County & Chabad at St. Johns County
Chabad of Clay and at S. Johns Counties have a plethora of events lined up for members of the whole family to enjoy in the coming weeks and months. From tea and Torah to after school enrichment programs, below is a rundown of each Chabad’s innovative and invigorating programming that is offered. Chabad of Clay County -Tea and Torah - Ancient Wisdom for Today’s World, held Tuesday’s from 8 – 9 p.m. -Tanya Class - practical Spirituality for Everyday Life, held Shabbos Morning’s from 11 a.m. – 12
Students at Creekside High School in S. Johns enjoy taking part in the first ever Sukkah on campus as part of the Kosher Food Club p.m. followed by a Shabbat beginners service and light Kiddush. -Upcoming Community Friday
night (Shabbat) dinners will be Dec. 18, Jan. 15, Feb. 12, and Mar. 11.
Chabad at S. Johns County -KFC, or Kosher Food Club at Creekside High School is where fun, food, and great discussions meet. Two meeting times are held, Wednesday’s at 2:45 p.m., and Thursday’s at 8:30 a.m. -GROW After School Enrichment Program fosters the most important traits we can give our children, and those are compassion, leadership, resiliency to peer pressure, in addition to confidence and respect. This group meets at Durbin Creek Elementary School, every Tuesday, from 3:45-5:45 p.m. Visit JewishSJohnsCounty. com/Grow for more information.
Chabad of Southside blends Torah with yoga for women By Chabad of Southside
Tuesday evenings at the St. Johns Town Center, join your fellow sisters for ‘Yoga and Torah for women: Unleash your inner strength’, lead by instructor Rachel Wills. This program includes
invigorating Yoga exercise followed by delicious and healthy refreshments, along with a thoughtprovoking discussion of Jewish wisdom. There is no charge to attend, and to RSVP, call Chabad at 904-646-4434. Chabad of Southside is also hosting an exciting discussion on
Chanukah Events for various Chabad centers Chabad of Mandarin/HQ -Saturday, Dec. 12, at 8 p.m. Chanubration @ the Kahanov’s Join us for a Chanukah Party/ Melavah Malka and enjoy good old comaraderie and quality time with fellow Jewish friends. The evening will include lots of latkes music and refreshments, dreidel games and more. -Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. Chabad Women’s Group Presents ‘Oil Essentials’ at the home of Marilyn Wolfson. Hear about lessons derived from the miracle of the Hanukah oil and the spiritual composition of oil with Nechamie Browd. Also be sure and attended ‘Essential Oils 101’ as essential oils, herbs, and flower essences can be integrated into your daily life providing numerous benefits ranging from skin care to emotional concerns to common discomforts. Discover the world of essential oils with certified herbalist and aromatherapist Ashley Dees. Cost is $6, call 904647-4470 or e-mail chabadwomensgroup@gmail.com to make reservations. Chabad at the Beaches -Monday, Dec. 7, at 4:30 p.m., Chabad at the Beaches is taking Chanukah to a whole new level this year as Chanukah Wonderland at the Ponte Vedra Cultural Center. A fantastic celebration and fun fair will last from 4:30 6:00 p.m., followed by a menorah lighting with free Chanukah
delicacies at 6 p.m. -Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m., Ladies Chanukah night out at Starbucks in Jax Beach will take place with a white elephant gift exchange. Bring a wrapped gift valued at about $10 as a gift swap game, coffee, schmoozing and fun follow. To RSVP, call 904-5439301 or e-mail Esther@chabadbeaches.com. -Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 5:30 p.m., A fast-paced hour of family Chanukah fun will begin at 5:30 p.m., with an Olive press demonstration, followed by the lighting of a nine-foot menorah at 6:30 pm. This special event will be accompanied by Doughnut making, music, free raffles and more. -Sunday, Dec. 13, at 12:15 p.m., Winn-Dixie will host a grand edible Menorah making session at its Ponte Vedra location (290 Solana Rd 32082), from 12:15 - 2:15 p.m. Those who plan on attending should RSVP to Rabbi Eli at 904543-9301 or eli@chabadbeaches. com. Chabad of Clay County -Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 5 p.m., a public Menorah lighting and celebration will take place at the Town Hall Park in Orange Park (corner of Park Ave. and Kingsley Ave.), with the kindling of Clay County’s largest Menorah, lively Jewish music, free latkes, doughnuts, and drinks as well as a grand raffle.
See CHABAD CHANUKAH EVENTS, p. 9, for more info
Jewish civil law, entitled, ‘You Be the Judge: Explorations in Jewish Civil Law.’ This six week course is brought to you by the Jewish Learning Institute and is held Wednesday evenings, starting Jan. 13. For the kids, Chabad welcomes children ages 5-13
each Sunday from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. for Hebrew school. CHS is for you because families of all backgrounds feel comfortable and welcome, and our school enjoys a well-earned reputation as a trendsetter in creative Jewish education for children.
Chabad Mandarin/ Headquarters
Classes
Daily Chassidic Philosophy, held weekday mornings, Monday – Friday at 6:40 a.m., and Sunday’s at 8:15 a.m., with instructor: Rabbi Yoseph Kahanov Insights on the Torah Portion, held Shabbos Mornings at 8:30 a.m., with instructor: Rabbi Mendy Browd. Exploring The Talmud, held Wednesday evenings, After Maariv, with Instructor Rabbi Mendy Browd. Women’s Study Group, held Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m., with instructor: Rivkie Kahanov.
Events
Family Game Night, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Chabad Center. Shabbos Live: Join us for a memorable Shabbat dinner and monthly oneg, which is free and open to all. Experience the feeling of holiness that only Shabbat can bring, with great food, insightful discussion, Chassidic melodies and a warm ‘Heimish’ atmosphere. Sponsorships are welcome. Upcoming Dates are Dec. 4 and Jan. 8.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
education
Michele Block Gan Yeladim takes part in Chanukah holiday baking many celebrations, but who could forget about the deep fried, jelly filled doughnut delights known as sufganiyot? On Friday, Dec. 4, Morah Karen will lead a holiday baking
‘Morah’ Karen assists Block Gan students in the school’s kitchen
BY MOLLY SWEET
Michele Block Gan Yeldaim
Jewish holidays are often celebrated by eating specific traditional and symbolic foods. During Purim, hamantaschen are eaten; for Passover, matzah is tradition-
ally made; and of course challah bread for Shabbat. Michele Block Gan Yeladim will honor the traditions of Chanukah and celebrate the miracle of the long lasting oil with a menu of delicious fried foods. Latkes often take center stage as the staple fried dish in
Chabad at the Beaches debuts new CTeen Jr. program among others
CTeen Junior meets weekly and is geared for 7th-9th grade students By Chabad at the Beaches
Chabad at the Beaches has opened a local chapter of CTeen Junior, which is an all-new program aimed at providing a deeper and more advanced Jewish education to 7th-9th graders. Cteen Junior is part of Bar/Bat Mitzvah training, as well as a monthly gettogether for young tweens. The Club meets every Sunday at 9:4511:45 a.m. monthly for outings. Additionally, each month at 7:30 p.m., on Tuesday’s, the Women’s Book Club meets for pleasurable reads, stimulating discussion and fascinating insights on a wide variety of books of Jewish Interest. The location varies, so please call 904-543-9301
for more information. Those who enjoy more of a holistic approach can join Mr. Pinchos Kurinsky LCSW of Chabad at the Beaches for a fascinating journey of Jewish meditation, mysticism and Chassidic philosophy. The class takes place Mondays at 7:30 p.m., and will be based on the book of Tanya. For the little ones, Chabad at the Beaches also boasts a Hebrew school where kids don’t want to miss a day. They come in Sunday’s at 9:45 a.m., with a smile and leave a few hours later, humming the tune to a Hebrew song. Imagine a child who feels the warmth and spirit of Judaism, then imagine the pride of his parents.
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class at the Jewish Community Alliance. Children will make and eat these traditional Israeli jellyfilled doughnuts. The class, which takes place from 1:30 – 2:15 p.m., and is open to the community.
The participation fee is $15 and just $10 for JCA valued members. For more information, contact Rochelle Golomb at rochelle. golomb@jcajax.org or at 904730-2100 ext. 259.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
education
The DuBow Preschool Treehouse Martin J. Gottlieb Day brings innovative programs to School fuses unique art branches of the whole family tree with traditional learning important job many women and men will ever have. Parenthood transforms lives and is unbelievably rewarding and amazing, but it can also be stressful, and sometimes exhausting. That’s why it is important to make connections with other moms and dads and be part of a greater parenting community in the process. A great way to do that is through attending one or more of the wonderful programs offered by the DuBow Treehouse.
BY SHEREEN CANADY
Early Childhood Education Director scanady@dubowpreschool.org
The DuBow Preschool is proud to introduce the DuBow Treehouse, a new branch of the preschool offering programs for infants, toddlers and their loved ones. This program is not for moms only, as dads, grandparents, and nannies are all welcome. Programming is open to the entire northeast Florida community because being a parent is the most
Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s boasts comprehensive phys ed program BY MOLLY SWEET
Michele Block Gan Yeladim
Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten curriculum boasts dynamic and enriching educational opportunities for its students. Programs such as gardening, music, science and nature exploration add variety to the core curriculum. An area where Michele Block Gan Yeladim takes especially high marks is their commitment to teaching health and wellness. As one of the first JCC preschools in the nation to pilot the Discover CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Children’s Health) program, Michele Block Gan Yeladim sets the bar high when it comes to teaching young children how to lead healthy lifestyles. Upon adopting Discover CATCH in 2012, Michele Block Gan Yeladim teachers and administrators participated in a workshop with Discover CATCH trainer Steve Becker to learn
Michele Block Gan Yeladim students participate in physical education exercise in the JCA gym deliberate health promoting activities for their daily classroom routines. Discover CATCH ensures that students have opportunities to engage in physical activity throughout the day and helps students learn to recognize and make healthy diet choices. The
resources within the Jewish Community Alliance allow Michele Block Gan Yeladim students to participate in physical education classes in the gym, yoga in the exercise studios and even swim instruction in the pool. “Not many preschools have pool access during the regular school day, so that’s something unique that we can provide,” said Michele Block Gan Yeladim assistant director Rochelle Golomb. “Our goal is to keep students’ swim skills current.” Additionally, Discover CATCH teaches students about diet choices and how to recognize healthy or ‘Go’ foods which are healthy and ‘Whoa’ foods, which may not be the healthiest. “We really provide a holistic approach to health and wellness,” said Michele Block Gan Yeladim Director Theresa Levy. “Our students leave school with an understanding of the Hebrew principle of sh’mirat haguf—the act of taking care of one’s body.”
Recent creations from Martin J. Gottlieb Day School second graders while they learned about Native American culture and traditions By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School
Like many other schools, students at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School are learning about the world around them through Social Studies curriculum, The difference at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School is those lessons are brought to life in the art studio. For example, the Second Grade class learned about Native American cultures, traditions, and art. That learning became handson when the students worked with art teacher Shana Gutterman to
create totem poles in the Pacific Northwest tradition as a medium for storytelling. The Middle Schoolers even got in on the act, studying ancient Greece for a semester in Social Studies, including art, culture, and its contributions to the modern world. In the art studio, they used papier mache and paint to create Greek pottery representative of that time. For more information about Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, a Solomon Schechter K – 8, call 904-268-4200 ext. 147.
Educational evening on winter holiday symbols scheduled at The Temple By Congregation Ahavath Chesed
On the second night of Chanukah, Monday evening, Dec. 7, bring your menorah to The Temple and join Rabbi Lief for a discussion of the real meaning behind all of popular symbols of the
season. ‘Through the Darkness, A Light – Comparative Symbols of our Winter Holidays will be a great night to bring your nonJewish friends as we share and learn together. Special Chanukah treats will be also be served, so don’t miss out on all the fun.
Multi-grade teaching takes flight at Torah Academy of Jacksonville BY VICTORIA GOODYEAR Head of General Studies VGoodyear@Torah-Academy.com
Torah Academy of Jacksonville has a unique approach to education when it comes to students in grades three through eight. Students in these grades are combined into three multi-grade classrooms, where children of at least a two-year grade span and diverse ability levels are brought into a classroom and are encouraged to share experiences covering intellectual, academic, and social skills. Although the students are combined into one class, this does not mean that students are
all learning the same curriculum. In fact, students in these classes maintain their grade-levels and are promoted through the school with their grade-level cohorts. There are many academic and behavioral benefits for students who are in multi-grade classrooms, as they often end up having the same teacher for more than one year. The existence of increased consistency in rules and procedures as well as having older students as role models, help cut back on behavioral issues, which allows for increased time spent on academic learning. Another benefit is that the flexible schedules of these classrooms allow teachers to better differentiate
become more critical thinkers and independent learners. In order for this type of instruction to happen effectively, teachers at Torah Academy of Jacksonville participate in rigorous professional development, utilizing technology daily, while planning lessons and
Middle School students hard at work in the new math center instruction to meet the needs of all learners, as well as allowing students ample opportunities to
units in great detail. Academy staff also collaborates with others in professional learning communities within their individual school in addition to teachers all over the world.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
education
Torah Academy of Jacksonville hosts middle school debates BY ROBERT BLAU Social Studies Teacher
When it is time for debates, you can expect there to be a buzz among the middle school students at the Torah Academy of Jacksonville. Sometimes they are excited about the topics; other times they like the opportunity to compete head-to-head with their classmates. Either way, when they are assigned specific topics at the beginning of a school week, they know that on debate day (usually a Friday), they need to be prepared. That’s because the skills the students are developing during each debate cycle are crucial. There are several important steps in the debate preparation process. First, they need to read and research their topic. Most of the issues we address are standard
Middle school students at Torah Academy of Jacksonville took many steps in preparing for their debates fare and even easy to find on the debate.org website. Some examples include student uniforms; gun control; cellphone usage; dogs vs. cats; meat vs. vegan and many more. Research typically starts with a Google search but can go as broad or deep as the
student wants to take it, depending upon his or her resourcefulness. After the initial research takes place, the student organizes information in the most sensible manner so that the most important ideas are emphasized during the debate. The best preparation
usually produces a paper in either outline form or with a numbered or bulleted list of key points. The second step takes place on debate day, when students get to exercise their best speaking and listening skills. Delivering a good speech requires a combination
of self-confidence, knowledge of the subject matter, and use of declarative English sentences, which utilize a healthy vocabulary, while avoiding stalling or the use of distracting words. Speakers do best if they make eye contact with the audience, as opposed to keeping their heads buried in their notes. As one team is making its presentation, the opposing team will be listening attentively to be able to respond or rebut the arguments presented. One of the most important characteristics of a good debater is that they will find a way to conclude his or her presentation by wrapping it all up in a way that makes his or her arguments look superior to his opponents’. There is no question that the students are getting better at this process and these practices as the school year goes on.
DuBow Preschool teaches science to Block Gan’s new Hope students with hands on experiences Haven partnership
helps benefit students
BY AMANDA WATSKY Preschool science teacher
Students at DuBow Preschool are continuously exposed to environmental and scientific concepts. From the smallest learners to the eldest classes, they learn science by taking part in hands on experiences. We help them experiment from different angles, allowing individuals to explore and to learn at their own pace. Educators find that, throughout the years, mastery comes in the form of curriculums growing with students and revisiting various topics in different ways. For example, recently preschoolers in the science program focused on the birth of the world as a way of celebrating Rosh Hashanah, looking at the layers of the earth and talking about the different types of rocks. Starting with the youngest students, they are able to touch rocks of all sizes in a sand box, feeling roughness and weight, and getting to fit them inside of buckets and cups. By giving them permission to do things with the rocks, they learn, and as an educator, saying words and incorporating the senses helps those connections flourish. It is quite simple to us, but to them, that’s an entire day of learning. Students in the three and four-
BY MOLLY SWEET
Michele Block Gan Yeladim
Students in the school’s three and four-year old classes all have had hands on experiences like the ones above, expanding their knowledge year-old classes all have had hands on experiences with rocks and their sizes and shapes. Whether it was climbing a large rock or fishing a small one out of a shoe, they have a basic knowledge of them already and even conduct experiments with rocks by mining for them. Giving kids rocks buried in wet sand, a tub of water, and a colander provides
them with a small experiment that in the end, helps them learn a little something about different sized objects passing through a hole and sinking vs. floating. Students are also afforded the opportunity to play some fun matching games which involve colors and classifications, but in the end, just by ‘doing’ a lesson has been learned.
Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten has partnerships with educational organizations throughout Jacksonville. From the Jacksonville Symphony to the Cummer Museum, students interact and learn from specialists in a variety of fields. Through a generous grant, provided by David and Linda Stein to Hope Haven Children’s Clinic and Family Center, Michele Block Gan Yeladim has a very important partnership to help students with developing social and language skills. “Early intervention is the key,” said Michele Block Gan Yeladim director Theresa Levy. “Having these wonderful resources from Hope Haven allows us to provide our students with the help they need early on so they are set for success in school and life.” With this program, three experienced Hope Haven professionals visit weekly throughout the school year to provide ongo-
A Hope Haven professional works with a Michele Block Gan Yeladim student
ing training sessions and support to students. In small group learning sessions, students benefit from supplemental instruction in speech, language, pro-social and computer skills. “Our teachers know they can count on the support of Hope Haven’s professionals,” Levy added.
PJ Library will host annual Havdalah and Chanukah event, Dec. 5 By Jacksonville Jewish Center
PJ Library Jacksonville is ready for another great community-wide event. Join us for ‘Havdalah & Hanukah’, Saturday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Kids who are between the ages of six months and eight years will enjoy a Havdalah service, snacks and a short Chanukah movie. Those in attendance can bring a blanket or towel to sit on if they so chose, but don’t forget to wear your favorite pair of pajamas. If you are planning to come, please be sure and RSVP to pjlibraryjax@gmail.com. PJ Library is the awardwinning free program for
books and music is open to all families with Jewish children in Jacksonville. Children are between the ages of six months and eight years are eligible. Please sign up now by going to www.pjlibrary.org/communities/jacksonville, or calling Whitney Kuvin at 904-394-5724.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
synagogue news
Temple to host world AIDS First Congregation Sons of Israel to day service of remembrance hold annual Hanukah latke party By Congregation Ahavath Chesed
Congregation Ahavath Chesed is proud to host Jacksonville’s commemoration of World AIDS Day, Tuesday, Dec. 1. The candlelight walk begins at 6 p.m., from the Temple’s parking lot, north along San Jose to the JCA and returns to the synagogue, with the memorial service scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Leaders from many different faith communities will be sharing the pulpit with Rabbi Lief and Rabbi Cohen. Musical selections will be sung by volunteer choirs from throughout the community and Mayor Lenny Curry will lead the Call for Hope. A candle lighting ceremony will honor those in the Jacksonville community who have died from the disease. World AIDS Day is celebrated on Dec. 1 every year throughout the world and this year the theme is ‘getting to zero’. The day is dedicated to spreading awareness of the illness, which more than 25 million
people have died from to date and more than 33 million are currently living with throughout the world. It is because of these numbers that HIV/AIDS has become the most critical epidemic in recorded history. World AIDS Day events are organized to remember those who died; to educate the public that AIDS is no longer a terminal illness and to hold civic leaders accountable to their pledge to achieve worldwide access to HIV/ AIDS treatment, prevention, support and care. The entire community is encouraged to participate in this event.
Cantorial solists Joseph (left) and Lynn Goldovitz (right) will join saxophonist Ray Guiser in performing at the annual Sons of Israel Hanukah latke party By First Congregation Sons of Israel
On Saturday, Dec. 12, First Congregation Sons of Israel will hold its annual Hanukah Latke Party. The event begins with the Mincha (afternoon) service and following will be the Maariv and Havdalah service. Leading the services and entertaining during the Latke Party will be Cantorial Solists Joseph and Lynn Goldovitz. The Goldovitz’s have been performing together since they
were teenagers and their unique vocal blend is energetic and has the feel of the very familiar. Although, they sing and play the music of many Jewish composers, the greatest influence on them has always been the music and teaching of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Sensing a renewed interest in Klezmer music, the pair has expanded their knowledge and repertoire to include traditional Klezmer pieces. They also recognize the fusion of Klezmer with other forms of music, including
jazz and popular. Joining the pair, will be Ray Guiser, who is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., and began studying the saxophone at age eight. His diverse education included instruction at Berklee School of Music in Boston, West Virginia University, and with renowned jazz pianist Barry Harris. After college, Guiser lived and performed in the Washington, D.C. area where he worked with many members of the elite jazz ensembles, the Navy Commodores, and the Airmen of Note. The Mincha/Maariv/Havdah services begin at 5 p.m. at First Congregation Sons of Israel (161 Cordova Street) in downtown St. Augustine. Following the service will be the Latke Party with musical entertainment provided by the above guests. For more information, or to make reservations, call 904-829-9532, or e-mail fcsi1924@gmail.com. Also, visit the synagogue online at its official web site (first-congregationsonsofisrael.org) or on facebook at facebook.com/FirstCongregation-Sons-of-Israel.
First annual Temple Bet Yam putting tournament is a hole in one BY CAROL GLADSTONE Temple Bet Yam
Recently Temple Bet Yam held a Putting Tournament at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, to benefit the children’s programs of The First Tee of North Florida and as well as the Temple. Many people helped make the event
such a success, including Dr. Stuart Soroka as well as the following sponsors: Amiro Galleries, Sid Ansbacher and Susan PonderStansel, BB&T Bank, Crafts Trophies and Awards, Everything Bagel, Feldman Auto Repair, Gordon Dental Associates, Matanzas River Animal Hospital, MTX, LLC Paul Lietz Building Home Maintenance Contractor, Mimi
Selig, Ned’s Southside Kitchen, PIP Marketing Signs Print, Bev Darkatsh, Hal and Jane Gray, In the Garden Landscape and Design, Paul and Phyllis Greenfield, REMAX Unlimited, The Breakthrough Coach, Thompson Realty & Development, Inc., and P.J.’s Catering. Ben Feldman and Leah Black had a great time while on the putting greens
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
www.jewishjacksonville.org
synagogue news
Abraham Joshua Heschel’s daughter, Dreams and visions become reality through Susannah to speak at Jacksonville Jewish Center’s upcoming Shabbaton tzedakah at The Temple BY ELAINE FURMAN
JJC Adult Education Committee
The Jacksonville Jewish center is pleased to announce that the annual Marilyn & Louis Safer Shabbaton will be Friday Feb. 26 - Sunday, Feb. 28. The guest speaker will be Susannah Heschel, Professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College. Professor Heschel has written many articles in English and German about interfaith relations, Jewish and Christian relations and Jews and the Nazis. Additionally, she has given numerous lectures pertaining to those issues as well. In fact, it was her idea to put an orange on the Seder plate to signify the diversity and cohesion of all Jews, regardless of their sexual orientation. As an outspoken critic of hypocrisy, she has lectured in many countries has been a professor at several other universities throughout the United States and has served as a visiting professor in Germany.
Susannah Heschel
Everyone at the Jacksonville Jewish Center is looking forward to hearing her insights on the Jewish people and their relations with other religions. She is scheduled to speak Friday evening, in addition to Saturday and Sunday morning. Marilyn and Lou Safer, may their names be for a blessing, loved by all who knew them, were committed to keeping the synagogue as the center of Jewish life and learning. This philosophy is shared by their children, who generously established the fund in their parents’ memory to provide underwriting for the Center’s annual Shabbaton weekend, allowing for professional educators and superior lecturers such as Professor Heschel. Look for further information on the Shabbaton in the next month’s Jacksonville Jewish News. As always this event as well as other ones like it are always open to the entire community.
St. Augustine’s Temple Bet Yam to hold annual brunch and card party BY BY CAROL GLADSTONE Temple Bet Yam
Temple Bet Yam of St. Augustine will host its ever-popular Brunch and Card Party at Marsh Creek Country Club, Wednesday,
Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Join in on your favorite game-- mahjong, bridge, scrabble, rummikub, or poker, to name a few. Mimosas, mini scones and coffee will start the morning and a delicious buffet lunch will be served at
noon. The cost of donations for tickets to attend is $30. For information and reservations, please call. Bernice at 904-471-5016 or Shelly at 904-471-8891 by Dec. 28.
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BY NAOMI CHASE
Temple’s Religious School Director nchase@TheTempleJacksonville.org
The obligation of tzedakah, righteousness, can take many forms. In Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple’s) Religious School, we teach that tzedakah can mean giving money, but it also can mean so much more. This year, the integration of our study with opportunities to demonstrate our learning is gaining real traction and ranges from classroom to B’nei Mitzvah and even synagogue-wide social action initiatives. In late October, our Social Action Committee, chaired by Mike Elkin, worked with The Sanctuary at Mt. Calvalry to feed the hungry. During that event, religious school families teamed up to help fill bags of donated food for recipients. This is an ongoing endeavor and is one in which The Temple hopes to continue to participate. Thank you to the Ruckhs, the Weinsteins, the Branlys, the Sullivans and the Pargmans who brought their children to experience what it means to engage in acts of righteousness. Tzedakah also plays an important role in our B’nei Mitzvah students’ education as they align their ceremonies with a tzedek project. Typically, these include collection bins at The Temple where we all donate items to be distributed to different organizations. Sometimes students raise money or donate a portion of their gifts, while others donate their time to work within the organizations they support. As part of our school’s integration efforts, we are connecting and extending these students’ good work beyond their milestone ceremonies to teach that the value of tzedakah is life-long.
When we culminated our school’s October-long study of the Jewish value, tz’ar ba’alei chayim, kindness to animals, we invited three of our post-B’nei Mitzvah students, whose tzedek projects aligned with it, to receive our tzedakah collections for the month. Drew Wright and Caroline Levine received a check in addition to all the donated pet food and supplies, which they gave to their tzedek project recipient, Ana’s Angels. Rebecca Brown also received a check to donate to Horse Sense and Sensitivity where she spent her tzedek project hours. Her parents added to our donation to provide an even more generous gift. As one can see, these students shared their experience working for and with these organizations to mirror our commitment to the obligation to be kind to animals and as a result, we learned and lived the obligation with them. Next month we’ll collect Halloween costumes and Rabbi Lief will donate them in Israel as Purim costumes, representing the value of kol Yisrael arevin zeh le zeh, all of Israel is responsible for one another. As it is written in Joel, in Prophets, “The old shall dream dreams and the youth shall see visions.” At The Temple, young and old are making the dream and the vision one.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
synagogue news
Etz Chaim Synagogue to hold highly anticipated Denim and Diamonds Gala
By Etz Chaim Synagogue
It’s time to find your best cowboy boots, jeans and bandana and then all the bling you can muster for Etz Chaim Synagogue’s ‘Denim and Diamonds Gala’. The annual event raises much-needed funds for the synagogue’s year
round operations and promises to be a fun-filled evening for everyone in attendance. This year’s gala will be held Saturday, Jan. 9 at 8 p.m. The theme, Denim and Diamonds is cowboy chic, plus blue jeans and tennis bracelets, with country western, plus bling. The event will be held at Etz
Chaim (10167 San Jose Blvd.) and will be filled with food, prizes, games and fun. Sponsorship opportunities are available, for more information or to RSVP, please contact the Etz Chaim office at 904-262-3565 or ecoffice@ etzchaim.org.
Spaghetti dinner and bingo night a success at Beth El - The Beaches
By Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue
Earlier this fall, Beth El – The Beaches’ religious school held its annual Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo Night fundraiser. Parents, students, and teachers came together to eat a delicious meal
and play some bingo afterwards. Rabbi Michael Matuson served as the bingo master of ceremonies and brought his clever wit to enhance the evening’s activities. No one in attendance went home empty handed as everyone went home with at least one prize.
Temple members team up with local church to feed the hungry I quickly opened the window and said, “Excuse me, I believe you dropped something.” I watched him walk away and I waited. I saw him come back, pick up the bottle and walk it to the dumpster. Once again, I learned that when people speak up, good can result. I believe that both of us were touched by the love of God, in that moment.
Wiatt Bowers and Temple president Brian Bialik join members from the Sanctuary at Mt. Calvary to hand out food to the hungry on Jax’s northside
In late October, parishioners from Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) and The Sanctuary at Mt. Calvary, located on Jacksonville’s Northside, teamed up to help feed the hungry. Afterwards members from both religious organizations shared in a post-event meal. Below is a personal account from a pair of volunteers who lent their time and talents to helping better their community and those who call it home.
pose and by 3 p.m., everyone who had waited so patiently for their allotment had moved through the line. The volunteers from both congregations gathered inside the Church for a shared meal and camaraderie, and as is often the case when bread is broken, differences become meaningless and friendships are forged. This was a day of unity, two congregations working together for a common goal.
BY KIMBERLY JANIS
Volunteer
Volunteer
It was a particularly warm October day and I was told folks had begun lining up at 10:30 a.m. We started distributing the food at 2 p.m., and there were probably close to 100 people in the queue, including men, women and children. Volunteers from both The Temple and The Church totaled about the same, including men, women, and children. Faces were of all colors, ages, ethnicities and religions, but the common thread was simple: a desire to help those who needed it. We had been collecting food at both The Temple and The Church and now hundreds of pounds of food were to be distributed to the hungry. The line moved quickly and with pur-
BY DEBORAH R. KEMPER Volunteers from The Temple and The Sanctuary at Mt. Calvary joined together to bag and distribute food items and clothing to the hungry. Everyone, including volunteers and recipients, came with a smile on their face. The first person I met was a young man, wearing a really cool shirt with a saying about leadership. He told me a little bit about his school experience. I love that he is going to a school which teaches leadership skills and their values. I was not feeling particularly well that afternoon and could not help to bag the food, so, like a baseball player going to the bench, I took to the bus to watch from afar. While on the bus I saw a man toss an empty bottle onto the ground.
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At the conclusion of the food give-away, the volunteers shared a meal. The Temple brought challah and home-made kugels, which our new friends were encouraged to enjoy. Following hamotzi, Pastor John Newman led us in prayer and announced that everything on the menu had been prepared being sensitive to the Jewish diet. How considerate of the church
to make sure that everyone could enjoy everything together. What I loved most about this experience is that we came together and even though we come from two different belief systems, we still love and serve the same God. With that being said, I think it’s easy to say that all of us went home with more than what we came with.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
www.jewishjacksonville.org
federation news
Debbie Kenvin to discuss personal branding at champagne brunch BY ERIN COHEN
Women’s Division Director erinc@jewishjacksonville.org
On Sunday, Jan. 10 at 10 a.m., at the Marriott Southpoint the Federation Women’s Division will feature Debbie Kenvin at the annual Champagne Brunch. Join event co-chairs, Lauren Block and Mauri Mizrahi to hear Debbie’s inspirational story and words of advice and encouragement for women of all ages in her talk, ‘Create Your Personal Brand: Educate & Empower Yourself to be Extraordinary at Any Age’. Traditionally, this program is open to all adult women in our Jewish community. However, this year, Debbie’s topic is also very relevant for teenage girls. If you have an 11th or 12th grade girl in your family, whether it be a daughter, granddaughter, niece, etc, we welcome and encourage them to attend this event with you. Growing up as the only hear-
ing member of her family, Kenvin learned how to reach out and connect to different types of people and personalities at a very young age. Her grandparents, parents, sister and uncle were all deaf and she was tasked with interpreting the outside world for her entire family. She alone saw how strangers mocked her relatives and had to cope with the challenges of this unique situation. Additionally, Debbie battled with obesity and was the only Jewish student in her school. In 2008, Kenvin founded Savvy and Chic, a personal empowerment and development organization that works to empower girls and women to reach their highest potential, which was achieved through summer camps, after-school programs, education workshops and individual coaching sessions. As CEO, she developed 120 education modules using the latest research that measured statistical data on all types of teenage issues including but not limited to, bul-
Debbie Kenvin will discuss ‘Creating Your Personal Brand’, Educate & Empower Yourself to be Extraordinary at the Women’s Division annual Champagne Brunch, Jan. 10
lying, social media, reputation, owning your power, self-identity and self-worth. In addition to S&C, she also founded Empower-
ment Partners, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the entire community by increasing awareness and leadership for those living in low-to-moderate income communities. Empowerment Partners was designed to help develop a true personal brand by teaching life skills and tools needed to make one’s own choices to be authentic, motivated, confident and inspirational to those around them. Because of her work, in 2012, Kenvin was selected as one of Jewish Women’s International (JWI) ‘10 Women to Watch’ . Kenvin has observed that, “Women seem to get a reputation, while men get a brand”, and that “At every stage of life, women can decide to either rebrand, or stay in the same place.” Currently, she is the Executive Vice President of Krown Manufacturing and lobbies to help make the United States a more accessible place for people with disabilities, and is a blogger for the Huffington Post on
Social Impact. “I am looking forward to being inspired by our incredible speaker and spending time with women from all over Jacksonville who support the work of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville,” Mizrahi said. She and Block are joined by event committee members: Beth Angelo, Rebecca Bennett, Dina Fetner, Holly Emas, Karen Gare, Risa Herman, Stacy Leach, Lynn Maiman, Faye Mizrahi, Rachel Morgenthal, Michelle Pargman, Marcy Sandler and Chase Zimmerman. The Champagne Brunch costs $36 per person to attend with a minimum pledge of $52 to the 2016 Annual Campaign, if you have not already made a pledge. To purchase your ticket and make your pledge, go to jewishjacksonville.org/cb2016 or call 904-4485000, ext. 209. For more information about the Women’s Division, contact Erin Cohen at 904-4485000, ext. 205.
Israeli educators visit Jax to learn about U.S. education system BY JILL ABEL
Israel Partnership Director jilla@jewishjacksonville.org
This month, Jacksonville is excited to host four educators from the Federation’s Israel Partnership Region of Hadera-Eiron. These women will arrive Thursday, Dec. 10 and stay through Monday the 14th. While in northeast Florida, they will be teaching and observing in local Jewish day schools including The Galinsky Academy and The Torah Academy of Jacksonville. In addition, they will be working with religious school
students at Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) as well as the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Educators choose to participate in this experience in order to learn more about classroom education in schools in the United States. They come prepared to teach lessons about life in Israel including how Israelis will be celebrating Chanukah this year and are chosen for this delegation based on the desires of the teachers in our community, who wish to create classroom connections in Israel. In addition, this year we have brought in a specialist on Jewish
Educational Professional Development. You might see them at local Chanukah celebrations and services in addition to presenting at our quarterly Women’s Division Steering Committee Meeting. Many thanks to the host families who will welcome these Educators into their homes. Our Partnership with Hadera-Eiron enhances many facets of Jewish life in our community. If you are interested in becoming involved or learning more about other Israel Partnership Programs, please contact Jill Abel at jill@jewishjacksonville.org.
Educators from Hadera-Eiron, Israel will get to explore Jacksonville and Northeast Florida during their visit, which will include many school stops
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
federation news
Partner Spotlight: Torah Academy of Jacksonville growing toward the future BY THE NUMBERS ... 56 - No. of students in preschool - eighth grade 6 - No. of full-time staff members for instruction 7 - No. of classrooms for the entire student body and staff to share $50,000 - Amount of money required to expand school’s learning space BY SHAYA HAUPTMAN Head of School
Walking the halls of Torah Academy of Jacksonville, one will undoubtedly be struck by the sight of students flourishing in the stellar dual-curricula of Judaics and general studies. The success and growth of TA is a clear testament to the Jacksonville Jewish community’s dedication to empowering the Jewish future. The Jewish Federation of Jacksonville equally has made education one of its top priorities, benefitting and sustaining Torah Academy and other such intuitions throughout its community, and it shows. Under the expert hand of the new head of general studies, Victoria Goodyear, Torah Academy’s classrooms host multi-tiered, differentiated instruction. This allows for each student to learn at his or her own pace and in his or her own way. Utilizing technology and advanced instructional techniques, teachers are able to guide gifted students to excel, all
Ms. Goodyear doing computer work with a student in makeshift office space
Ms. Miller working with a student on a white board in the synagoue’s library
the while helping even the weakest students succeed. Innovative technology in the school’s mathematics program enables those gifted to pursue advanced studies. Torah Academy’s exciting new experiment-based, science curriculum introduces even its youngest students to the scientific process. Center-based instruction allows students to practice self-directed learning and the Academy’s high teacher to student ratio offers a warm, caring environment, while ensuring individual attention is provided for each of its children. Student life is vibrant and meaningful with the recently established student government program. Under the direction of Nichole Deese, the program trains students in leadership and the democratic process, all the while empowering them to take ownership of their school. Torah Academy has also adopted several new Judaics programs for studying Chumash and Ivrit. Introducing these programs into its already cutting edge Judaic studies curricula has made TA’s Jewish educa-
tional component second to none. Coupling this with standardized Judaic assessments has raised the educational bar school-wide. In its libraries and lunchroom, enrichment programming is happening in every available corner. Thanks to organizations like JCFS,
families who have relocated to Jacksonville in the past year, the school has all but outgrown its space. The outstanding variety of programming and challenging curriculum has drawn these two groups to Academy doors and in the process, forces staff
Federation and the Duval school system, Torah Academy is able to offer students speech therapy, individual tutoring and pullout for gifted students, Title I programming, music and rhythm recognition, extracurricular Navi classes and guidance counseling. With a growing number of local families choosing Torah Academy in addition to the new
to find creative ways to juggle rooms, combine classes, build office spaces in the school library, and take lunch in shifts because students simply can’t fit in the lunchroom. These unconventional practices have become the daily norm. Torah Academy wants nothing more than to expand and offer additional enrichment programs like art, woodworking, kosher home economics, and more music programming, but the space to offer them is at a premium. To do this, the school would need approximately $50,000 to meet the
challenge of figuring out how to expand its current useable space through the addition of modules or portable classrooms. Great things come in small packages – but, as the school’s resident hermit crabs could tell you, eventually it comes time for bigger packaging. So much is happening at Torah Academy of Jacksonville and so much more could happen with more space. As always, the Federation and the Jacksonville community at large have shown their support of the Academy’s work and that is something for which the school will always be grateful. Torah Academy is proud to share its bright future with its partners throughout Jacksonville as together the impossible can and will be achieved. This past year during allocations, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville allotted the Torah Academy of Jacksonville a total of $42,500 for financial aid. To further assist the school with financial assistance and helping making its expansion become a reality, please make a contribution to the Federation’s 2016 annual campaign, by calling 904448-5000 or by going to jewishjacksonville.org.
Jewish Java to visit Temple Braille group BY ISABEL BALOTIN
Shalom Jax Director isabelb@jewishjacksonville.org
The community is invited to take part in a special edition of ‘Jewish Java On the Go’, scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 9 a.m. at Congregation Ahavath Chesed – The Temple (8727 San Jose Blvd.). A complimentary bagel breakfast will follow a guided tour of the Braille workroom and an explanation of the transcription process. Since 1957, The Temple Sisterhood Braille Group volunteers have been transcribing printed materials into books from their workroom inside the synagogue. Volunteers reproduce maps and diagrams using raised line and collage methods and anyone can request to have something brailled. In addition to translating books for Duval, St. Johns and Clay counties, the group is working on a manual for a blind massage therapist and textbooks for grades three through eight for a Mennonite girl in Pennsylvania. Susie Coleman, co-equipment chair and graphics chair will give event participants a tour of the
workroom, which is equipped with the latest embossing technology. She will also describe the process, which Louis Braille, a French educator, developed in the early part of the 19th century. The complex system consists of six bumpy dots and those dotted combinations can denote a single letter or an entire word. The bagel breakfast will be courtesy of the Jewish Federation’s Shalom Jacksonville division, so feel free to invite your friends, but RSVP’s are kindly requested. Shalom Jacksonville is the official Jewish welcome wagon of Northeast Florida. If you are new to the community or are newly interested in Jewish life, please contact Isabel Balotin at 904-448-5000, ext. 206 or shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
federation news
It’s ‘Hail to the Chief’ with Jacksonville well represented in D.C. at this year’s General Assembly rGEN, featuring Federation President Sandy Zimmerman
Linda Hurwitz honors outgoing Jewish Federations of North America Treasurer, and Jewish federation of Jacksonville past president Stephen Silverman
Sandy Zimmerman, Stephen Silverman, Alan Margolies, Judy Silverman, Andrea Mail, Joan Levin and Jeanine Hoff with Jewish Agency executive Natan Sharansky
BY JEANINE HOFF
Jewish Federation of Jacksonville jeanineh@jewishjacksonville.org
Members of the Jacksonville Jewish community represented the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville at the Jewish Federations of North America’s annual gathering, the General Assembly, held November 8-10 in Washington, D.C. The delegation included Federation
Executive Director Alan Margolies, rGEN Director Jeanine Hoff, Federation President Sandy Zimmerman, JAFI Board Member
Joan Levin, JWRP Board Member Andrea Mail, Foundation Executive Director Jeff Klein, Richard Sisisky, Chair, JFNA Planned Giving and Endowments Committee, JFNA Treasurer Stephen Silverman, National Women’s Philanthropy Board Member Judy Silverman, JFCS Executive Director, Colleen Rodriguez, and Len and Gabrielle Magid. During the GA, Silverman was honored for his service to board of JFNA.
‘Super February’ is Coming to Jacksonville BY JEANINE HOFF
Jewish Federation of Jacksonville jeanineh@jewishjacksonville.org
Save-the-dates for Super February as it is just around the corner. The second month of 2016 features three incredible events
including an evening of adult learning, Saturday, Feb. 6, as well as the annual Super and Thank You Sunday, the morning of Feb. 7, sponsored by Periodontics, Laser & Implant Dentistry – Dr. Gary Perlman. The Federation’s Annual Major Gifts dinner will
Matt Flagler interviews Federation Event raffle winners, Zack Schwartz, President Sandy Zimmerman Dana Davis and Eric Wallace
also take place that month, as it is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20. More details about each of these upcoming events will be featured in the January edition of the Jacksonville Jewish News, so stay tuned for further details.
Leah Palestrant, Philip Axelrod, Ben Marsh, Ariel Frechtman and Jeff Lewis
BY JEANINE HOFF
rGEN Director jeanineh@jewishjacksonville.org
rGEN’s Young Professionals Network event ‘Cocktails & Schmooze - An Evening with Federation President Sandy Zimmerman’, was a hit. The first, in this year’s event series, introduced members of our young adult com-
munity to the world of Federation missions, volunteerism, philanthropy, and how to get involved in the Jewish community. Host Matt Flagler interviewed Zimmerman in a casual, laid-back setting complete with an audience question and answer session. Stay tuned for information on our next Young Professionals Network event, which is coming soon.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
federation news
Fun, food and friends at the Armada’s first ever Jewish Community Night BY JEANINE HOFF
rGEN Director jeanineh@jewishjacksonville.org
Jewish Community Night with the Jacksonville Armada was a massive success. Ticket holders
were treated a pre-match on-field tour which enabled them to watch the players warm-up and then give them high-fives before the starting line-ups were announced. In addition to taking part in a special on-field photo, everyone
in attendance also received an official Jewish Community Night scarf, complete with ‘Jacksonville Armada’ written in Hebrew. A great time was had by all and there is much anticipation for the second annual event in 2016.
The executive director’s 2015 Chanukah message BY ALAN MARGOLIES
Federation Executive Director alanm@jewishjacksonville.org
This issue of the Jacksonville Jewish News will reach our readers in the community just prior to Chanukah. As is the joyful reality for many of our holidays, at this time of year we celebrate our freedom, and this is an amazing time to be Jewish! With all of the challenges we face locally and in our homeland of Israel, this is a time like no other for all of us to relish in our heritage and to count our blessings. The Federation has enjoyed a wonderful fall season, as in October, Ambassador Dennis Ross addressed more than 300 members of the community through our partnership with the JCA to kick-off its Book Fair. In mid-November, we held our 2016 campaign opening event with 250 people in attendance. The 2016 campaign is already off to a great start under the leadership of our chair, Ken Jacobs and women’s division chair, Allison Jacobs. We have raised nearly $500,000 and are up from last year, when we compare each gift to gift, by a total of $25,000. Last year’s campaign was successful and all of Federation’s major local and overseas partner agencies received more money than the prior year. Having said that, our board of directors met with the leadership of the local agencies and our two day schools, and the board members attending the recent General Assembly (GA) in Washington, D.C. met with leadership of our overseas partners. The increased needs expressed by all are significant.
There is no doubt that if we were to raise $350,000 more in 2016 than the $2,566,000 achieved last year, it would be used efficiently and effectively toward the unmet needs in our agencies. Throughout the year, we will highlight these needs in the JJN and on all other means of communication. To cite just a few brief examples: - We have 40 Holocaust survivors living in Jacksonville and sadly nearly half are facing severe financial challenges. We need to raise an additional $20,000 just to address their transportation needs. - There are nearly 100,000 seniors in the former Soviet Union, many in the ravaged areas in the Ukraine, desperately in need of medicine and proper food. - This coming year, more Jews from France and the Ukraine will make aliyah than in any years in recent memory. These coming months are truly the heart of our 2016 annual campaign, and I hope everyone will participate in our fundraising efforts, helping us make the world a better place to live in for all people. Happy Chanukah!
Alan Margolies Federation Executive Director
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
EDUCATION
Classroom scenes from DuBow Preschool often utilizes ongoing local NE Fla Chabads assessment to ensure student success BY SHEREEN CANADY
Early Childhood Education Director scanady@dubowpreschool.org
Children at the GROW Enrichment program practicing how to stop and think of others’ while participating in an educational and fun baking experiment
Ganeinu Preschool students planting vegetables in their edible garden
DuBow Preschool utilizes ongoing assessment to ensure the success of its students and strive for excellence in education. Students are consistently evaluated through the use of both standardized and informal measures throughout their years at the preschool. At each age level, students are monitored with developmentally appropriate checklists across all areas of development. At the VPK level, standardized VPK assessments are performed three times per year and reported to the state. DuBow Preschool’s VPK students have always ranked in the top 5-percent in Jacksonville and Florida as a whole. Teachers work in conjunction with parents to track students’ progress with the use of the ASQ-3, a developmental screening that is nationally recognized. Students are also offered the opportunity to participate in vision, language, and speech screenings to detect any possible areas of concern that can benefit from early intervention. All results and samples of students’ work are stored in individual portfolios and results from every structured and unstructured assessment are used to drive the curriculum of each student, while keeping in mind their individual
interests and abilities. DuBow Preschool strongly believes in the ‘whole child’ approach to learning, which is why there is constant opportunity to engage each student at the individual level or in small groups, in order to strengthen all areas of development at an appropriate level and pace to match their ability. Children are met at their level and challenged to move forward. One of the strongest driving forces of learning at DuBow Preschool is ‘experience’, as
students learn and grow through activities and projects which are designed to incorporate lessons taught by teachers across all subjects and classrooms. These experiences include subjects ranging from art, gardening, music, cooking, and physical education. Parents are consistently assured throughout their child’s preschool experience that they are learning and developing, with constant and comprehensive monitoring of their progress along the way.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
education
Students see many colors at DuBow Preschool’s color splash class BY SHEREEN CANADY
Early Childhood Education Director scanady@dubowpreschool.org
Color Splash, a unique ‘parent & me’ class is hosted at the DuBow Preschool each week and has happily opened two classes per session with full occupancy.
Many participants have signed up for consecutive sessions and some of the questions asked have been: Is this an art class? Do you repeat the same colors each session?
Is this class appropriate for my child’s age? Will my child learn new things each session? Natalie Dayan, instructor of Color Splash and a Speech and Language Pathologist, incorporates exposure to new vocabulary, concepts, early letter and sound recognition through the use of various sensory materials, art projects, and stories. Each week a new color is introduced and the materials, snacks, art activities, and books center around that color. Famed television personality Fred Rogers once said, “Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning”, and it’s with that in mind that Color Splash is so much more than an art class, because it combines activities that target all of the five senses. From session to session, there is some repetition of colors and materials; however, children throughout the age range of the class (approximately 10 months old to four years), learn and experience things differently with each exposure to similar materials. Dayan engages the participants
in all of the activities and helps them to interact with the various mediums, as well as each other, in ways to promote new learning and reinforce already learned concepts and developmentally appropriate behaviors. For more information about Color Splash, visit facebook.com/colorsplashclass or email program administrators at colorsplashclass@gmail.com.
Martin J. Gottlieb Day School’s recent retreat creates friends for life
By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School
The last week of October was an exciting one for the Martin J. Gottlieb Middle School. All 37 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders travelled together by bus to Camp Ramah Darom in Clayton, Ga., for the annual Middle School Retreat. The retreat is a four-day getaway that turns classmates into family members through a variety of educational and recre-
ational experiences. Beginning with a stop at Fuego Mundo, a kosher Latin-American restaurant in Sandy Springs, Ga., the retreat included ziplining, davening, WhirlyBall (a game combining lacrosse and bumper cars), nature hikes, and study of personal responsibility through the lens of Judaism. For more information about Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, a Solomon Schechter K – 8, call 904-268-4200 ext. 147.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
education
Potter Tim Bullard works with Block Block Gan community concert Gan students to create Chanukiyah with musician Kate Carpenter Each year, local award winning potter Tim Bullard visits Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten to teach students how to sculpt their own keepsake clay chanukiyah. Techniques such as hand rolling and pinching are demonstrated for students to sculpt the clay to their own design. The unique properties of the clay allow for creative painting before being fired and glazed in the kiln of the JCA pottery studio. Michele Block Gan Yeladim students can then take them home to light the candles for each Michele Block Gan Yeladim students watch as potter Tim Bullard demonstrates night of Chanukah. “The students are always very clay hand building techniques during a Hanukah pottery class at the preschool excited by the idea that something they made with their own hands kah menorah) candles for eight Michele Block Gan Yeladim students were recently treated to a concert by BY MOLLY SWEET becomes meaningful and imporstraight nights. As the Festival of musician Mrs. Kate Carpenter, who played various melodies on her guitar Michele Block Gan Yeladim tant to their whole family during The most significant ritual dur- Lights draws near, the students the holiday every year,” said Asof Michele Block Gan Yeladim of Callahan, Fla., and traving Chanukah serves as a remindBY MOLLY SWEET sistant Director of Michele Block Preschool and Kindergarten learn els throughout the southeast er of the miracle that gave us eight Michele Block Gan Yeladim Gan Yeladim, Rochelle Golomb. about the holiday’s significance. enchanting audiences with her days of light from one day’s sup“Several of our Block Gan alumni Some students also participate in a Mrs. Kate Carpenter original music, puppetry, unply of oil. Each year, this wonder have told us they still use the special event to create a symbolic delighted students during a usual instruments and riveting is reenacted with the lighting of chanukiyah they made when they community-wide concert last storytelling. the chanukiyah’s (special chanuk- keepsake to make their Chanukwere in kindergarten.” kah experiences more meaningful. month. Carpenter is a native
DuBow Preschool’s ‘parent & me’ program offers many benefits By DuBow Preschool
The benefits of parents and little ones enjoying the following great programs include enhanced social awareness, increased confidence and sensory stimulation. Additionally, they foster language development and encouraging a healthy lifestyle, while helping increase mobility and independence. Program participants are able to increase their muscle
strength and motor development in their little ones, while improving their overall mood. These unique and innovative classes help strengthen the Parent/Child Bond and allows parents and caregivers to make significant connections. Below is a rundown of the regular programming offered by DuBow Preschool. Stroller Workout is offered Mondays and is an intense 45-minute cardio and strength
training exercise class, while your little one rides in their stroller. Some parents come while still pregnant or without their child. Color Splash is offered Tuesdays and is a hands-on sensory experience where you and your child will explore the world of colors, while using the five senses. Family Music and Movement is offered Wednesday and is a wonderful first class to introduce
rhythm, body awareness, instruments, and a time to bond with your child. Shalom Baby is offered twice a month on Fridays, which is a playgroup with a Jewish twist. Come socialize, play, talk about parenting topics, sing, make keepsakes and celebrate Shabbat. For a complete monthly calendar, more information, photos, and to sign up, go to treehouse. dubowpreschool.org .
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE
JCA to celebrate festival of lights with Save the date for the annual chanukiyah lighting celebration JCA’s fabulous 1970’s
themed Feb. fundraiser By Jewish Community Alliance
By Jewish Community Alliance
On Monday, Dec. 7 at 5:45 p.m., visit the JCA for its annual Hanukah celebration. Every year, the JCA invites members and their families to enjoy a festive, community celebration to usher in the holiday with a lighting of the JCA’s giant outdoor chanukiyah. The evening follows
a tradition where families, and others from the Jacksonville community, come together to celebrate the eight day festival of lights. Last year’s celebration saw a wonderful gathering of JCA members and their families for a night of community fun. JCA President Adam Frisch opened the ceremony with the lighting of the chanukiyah and families
then enjoyed latkes, famous JCA hotdogs, music and entertainment. There were also Chanukah themed crafts for children as well as Israeli dance instruction. This year’s celebration is sure to be another wonderful, family event. Registration is required by Dec. 1. For more information or to register, contact Dave Flagler at 904-730-2100 ext. 271.
JCA’S mini cultural arts fest a hit
Ambassador Dennis Ross talks about Rocker and author Steve Katz poses his book at the Mini Cultural Arts Fest for a picture with a festival attendee By Jewish Community Alliance
Last month, the Jewish Community Alliance brought the best of culture to Jacksonville with its Mini Cultural Arts Festival and the Annual Jewish Book Festival. The festival got off to an informative start with U.S. Ambassador Dennis Ross discussing his book, Doomed to Succeed: The U.S.Israel Relationship from Truman to Obama. Ross spoke to an audience of more than 300 people, offering an overview of Middle East relations past and present. “This festival was a celebration of the nation’s creative community from music, literature and film,” said JCA Cultural Arts director Thelma Nied. “It was truly a great event for the entire
community.” The following lineup was equally compelling as on Nov. 1, violinist Sergiu Schwartz and pianist Tao Lin gave an outstanding recital, including two full sonatas. The event drew support from the music community and a full house of more than 150 attendees. A sizeable crowd also turned out to hear Dan Ephron discuss his book, Killing a King, on Nov. 2. The enlightening conversation examined the effect Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination had on the world. On Nov. 4, Jacksonville’s Dorsal Funk Band ushered in blues rock legend Steve Katz, who delighted his audience with candid tales of his wild rock ‘n’ roll past. New York Times bestselling author B.A. Shapiro then
On Saturday, Feb. 27, the JCA will host its annual fundraiser, with a 70’s themed disco party. The event is chaired by Michael and Glenn Miller and Alison and Brent Trager. This year’s talented planning committee includes Alexandra Ackerman, Sharon Bloom, Mary Edwards, Lauren Edwards, Sue Elinoff, Adam Frisch, Pat Frisch, Sierra Frisch, Allison Jacobs, Sam Levin, Monique Miller, Debbie Parker, Kim Robbins, Dana Rogozinski, Jeanine Rogozinski, Ellen Rosner, Ryan Saltz, Shari Saye, Fran Selevan, Rebekah Selevan, Allison Korman Shelton, Kendall Sisisky, Kimberly Sisisky, Randee Steinberg, Linda Stein, Rochelle Stoddard, Stacie Wilf and Chase Zimmerman. The JCA annual fundraiser benefits many JCA programs, including senior activities, preschool, after school care and camp tuitions for families
in need. Sponsorships and ticket sales are crucial to the success of this event. For more information regarding tickets or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lior Spring at 904-730-2100 ext. 318 or lior.spring@jcajax.org.
Audience members listen to author Dan Ephron’s discussion of his book
captivated festival attendees with excerpts from her new book, The Muralist, on Nov. 10. The festivities continued as on Nov. 12, former U.S. Navy surgeon Lee Mandel honored U.S. veterans with a discussion of his book, Unlikely Warrior. That same day, David Bernstein gave insight into the aging process from his book, I’ve Got Some Good News and Some Bad News: You’re Old. Children’s programming was also on the menu, with the JCA Theatre’s playful production of the children’s book, Picked on Poindexter, by Denise Trager and Mary Ellen Panaccione. The Festival concluded with the showing of the film “The Green Prince” on Sunday, Nov. 15.
jca happenings December 2016 Kislev/Tevet 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 art of Paul Ladnier will be featured from Dec. 4 – Jan. 6. Ladnier has held many solo exhibitions, participated in numerous group shows and taught figure painting, drawing and plein air painting in Italy and the Southeastern United States.
JCA Film Series
Hester Street is the touching tale of Gilt, a young Jewish woman who comes to America in the 1890’s to discover her husband has
given up the old ways and taken up a new life. This program is on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. and is free for the entire community.
Individualized Medicine
Dr. Alexander Parker, associate director of the Individualized Medicine Center at the Mayo Clinic, discusses the future of medicine on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 7-8:30 p.m. This event is $5 and free for JCA valued members.
Stolen
Join Cindy Edelman to learn more about the robbery of the Isabella Steward Gardner Art Museum in Boston, 20 years ago. This program is on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 12 p.m. The fee is $6 or a canned tuna donation.
Jewish Community Tailgate
In partnership with the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, as well as local synagogues and agencies, join the JCA for our first Jewish Community Tailgate on Sunday, Dec. 20 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Contact Dave Flagler for special ticket prices and information at ext. 904-730-2100, ext. 271.
Rummy Q Fun
If you can play Gin Rummy, you can play Rummy Q. Make new friends while sharpening your mind. Join us on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m., reservations are appreciated.
Jewish History in Ancient Greece and Rome
Learn the great story of the Jewish people in ancient Rome and Greece on Monday, Dec. 7 at 12 p.m. This event is free to the entire community.
Winter Break JCAtion Days
This winter break, join us for a salute to America. On days when school is closed, send your child to the JCA. This program lasts from December 21-31. Visit jcajax.org/youth for details.
Canukah Holiday Baking
Make and eat traditional Israeli jelly doughnuts (sufganiyot) with Morah Karen on Friday, Dec. 4
JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $208,000
from 1:30-2:15 p.m. This program is $15 and $10 for JCA valued members.
New Year’s Eve Dinner and Party Ring in the New Year early with fun festivities at the JCA. This youth and family program includes a movie, dinner and more. The countdown starts on Thursday, Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. The fee is $30 per family and $20 per family for JCA valued members.
www.jewishjacksonville.org
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Briefs PJ Library
PJ Library, the award winning free program for books and music is open to all families with Jewish children in Jacksonville. Children are between the ages of six months and eight years are eligible. Please sign up now by going to www.pjlibrary.org/ communities/jacksonville, or calling Whitney Kuvin at 904-394-5724.
Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
JEWISH FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES Annual Women’s event Community encouraged was very ‘sweet to JFCS’ to contribute to annual holiday gift giving drive By Jewish Family & Community Services
Jasmine Mail, Andrea Mail, Erin N. Marmelstein, Amy L. Kaminsky, Bonnie Solloway, and Michelle Margol enjoying the evening
Every family, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or origin has a tradition. For many Americans, one of those traditions is opening holiday presents as a family. It’s a joyous time with loved ones and home cooked meals, but for many children here in Jacksonville, this holiday season will be a difficult one. That’s why this year we are asking you to help make the holidays memorable by purchasing toys for children in need. Here at Jewish Family & Community Services, we
are expecting to help nearly 1,000 children across the greater Jacksonville community whose families are struggling to take care of basic necessities each month. Those wanting to pitch in and help, can simply choose a toy or more from the flyer or send us your contribution to help purchase toys for children. If you have any questions, please call Tamir Schlosser at 904-3945737 or email her at tschlosser@ jfcsjax.org. Thank you for caring and helping to make this holiday season a memorable one for a child in need.
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.
Women’s event co-chairs, Shirley Bielski and Randee Steinburg pose for a quick picture before the evening’s festivities are about to begin By Jewish Family & Community Services
We had such a wonderful time this past October at our annual women’s event - Be Sweet to JFCS. A big thank you goes out
Call2Go
Call2Go is the transportation program at JFCS. We work with Checker Cab and 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 at 904-224-6287.
to everyone who attended, but a special thanks to our wonderful co-chairs - Shirley Bielski and Randee Steinburg, as well as our special guest speakers: Vanessa Solomon, Jasmine Herbert and Jasmine Mail.
The Temple pitches in to help fill the food pantry
Lights, candles, dreidels at PJ Library’s annual Chanukah party, Dec. 5
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 even help us deliver food to those who cannot get out. Please call Gail at 904-394-5723.
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, assistance with bathing, meal preparation and errands. Please call Naomi Mirensky at 904-394-5777 for more information.
Thanks to The Temple for filling the shelves of our Emergency Food Pantry
JFCS’ save the dates
Sunday, Dec. 13th - JFCS will host a Chanukah Holocaust Family Gathering celebration for survivors and their families, featuring live music by Rabbi Matt and the Macabees. The event will be held at Etz Chaim Synagogue AND The musicians will play traditional Chanukah tunes, popular Israeli songs and nostalgic Yiddish melodies. We will also feature a delicious Kosher Hanukah light lunch with latkes, Israeli salads, and ‘Sufganiot’(doughnuts) catered by Tomato Crush. The Etz Chaim NCSY Youth Group will ALSO be featured. For more information, please call Naomi Mirensky at 904-394-5777. Sunday, Jan. 31st - A ‘Story Corps’ video program with conversations with local Holocaust
Survivors and slide show presentations by Sandalwood High School students. Dessert Buffet catered by Margo’s. For more information call Naomi Mirensky at 904-394-5777. Friday, Feb. 11th - February is Jewish Disability Awareness Month and JFCS will be hosting a gathering of artists who will share and explain how they create their art. The date is Thursday, Friday, Feb. 11th, from 7-9 p.m.at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. The Program is open to the public and the artists’ work will be for sale. Featured artists include: Tony Ryals, Art by Mouth, as well as artists from the Arc Jacksonville and students from the North Florida School of Special Education.
By PJ Library
PJ Library will be hosting a Chanukah party at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, Saturday Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. Kids six months to eight years are invited to join us. After a Havdalah service with Hazzan Holzer, there will be a showing of Shalom Sesame Chanukkah movie, dreidel games, and snacks. Everyone should come dressed in their favorite pajamas and enjoy a fun night with PJ Library. Those who can’t make it Saturday night are invited to
JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $294,500
join us at Beth El- The Beaches Synagogue, Sunday, Dec. 6, at 9:30 a.m., where there will be a second screening. Like the first event, at this one everyone is again invited to wear their favorite PJ’s and enjoy snacks and dreidel games. Please RSVP to pjlibraryjax@gmail.com and a very happy Chanukah from PJ Library!
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA
Marketing roundtable makes debut at Newly branded Life and Legacy committee JCF headquarters this past October
The first JCF markting roundtable was attended by agency and syngogue marketing and communication members from the community By Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida
The Jewish Community in Jacksonville is very active, as all you have to do is skim through a weekly email from one or our synagogue’s, glance over the Federation’s community calendar, or read the latest newsletter from one of our partner agencies, to see in fact just how active the community is. With this in mind, sometimes certain events overlap, making it frustrating for those who plan a first rate event, and work hard to find a time that doesn’t conflict with too many other community activities, while spending significant financial and volunteer resources to put the event together, then experiencing a low turnout or response. It is true that with so many activities, people have to make a choice which events and activities they
will participate in, but one of the most disheartening things anyone can hear after putting on an event is, ‘I didn’t know’, or ‘I had not heard about that event’. Identifying solutions to marketing/communication challenges like this was the catalyst behind the creation of a new group convened in October, known as the Marketing Roundtable. The Roundtable is made up of marketing, communications, development and planned giving professionals from all Jewish schools, agencies and places of worship in the Northeast Florida area. Other goals of the Roundtable include sharing best practices, providing and engaging in professional development opportunities, establishing a system for better coordination of events and programs, in addition to networking with like-minded professionals. In attendance at this first meet-
ing were Matt Franzblau (Communications Director - Federation), Kathy Wohlhuter (Director of Development & Marketing - JFCS), Tamir Schlosser (Associate Director of Development & Marketing - JFCS), Sterling Tyler (Event Planner/Media Specialist - JFCS), Beth Wolpoff (Planned Giving and Special Projects Manager - River Garden Foundation), Nancy Davis (Institutional Advancement Coordinator - Galinsky Academy), Rabbi Shaya Hauptman (Etz Chaim & Torah Academy), Goldie Lansky (Executive Director - Congregation Ahavath Chesed), Jeff Klein (Executive Director - JCF) and Kevin Rogers (Project Coordinator - JCF). In addition to those listed, there were a number of individuals who expressed interest in participating but were unable to attend this meeting. With such a variety of groups in the Jacksonville Jewish community, trying to coordinate marketing and communication efforts with and through some or all of these groups can be challenging. Our hope is that by bringing professionals from these groups together on a regular basis, a greater level of engagement and communication will occur, leading to greater success in our organizations and in our community. If you are a marketing, communications, development or planned giving professional at one of our partner agencies and would like to attend the next meeting, or simply would like more information, please contact project coordinator Kevin Rogers at 904-394-0720 or kevin. rogers@jewishfoundationnefl.org.
JCF to host networking event, Dec. 9 By Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida
The JCF’s Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) is hosting a holiday networking party, Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 5 – 7 p.m. at The Well Watering Hole (3928 Baymeadows Rd #9). This event is open to any and all professional advisors. The JCF’s PAC includes Attorneys, CPAs, financial consultants, life insurance professionals and estate planners from across Northeast Florida (all religious affiliations are welcome to attend). The purpose of the PAC is to provide professional advisors with the opportunity to facilitate seminars for donors and others
in the community that increase familiarity with the JCF and planned giving; while assisting in educating interested professionals and their clients about the importance of the JCF, in addition to encouraging planned charitable giving by highlighting the increased effectiveness of such gifts and their utility to donors, and hosting networking, professional development and resource sharing among interested individuals through seminars, workshops and meetings. PAC members engage their clients around Jewish philanthropic opportunities and their associated tax benefits through the establishment of endowment funds, trusts, bequests, life insurance policies
and IRAs. These committed advisors play a significant role in extending the reach and depth of Jewish philanthropy and our ability to secure a viable and thriving future for our local community. To RSVP for this special professional networking event, or to learn more about the JCF’s Professional Advisory Committee, please contact JCF Project Coordinator Kevin Rogers at 904-394-0720 or kevin.rogers@ jewishfoundationnefl.org.
meets for very first time
Ellen Rosner, Andrea Mail, Jeanine Rogozinski
Len Elikan, Jeanine Hoff and Jeff Klein By Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida
The group formally known as the CJL steering committee, came together to meet for the first time as the newly branded LIFE & LEGACY (L&L) committee at the home of Andrea Mail, L&L VicePresident. In addition to Mail, those in attendance included, Jeff Klein – JCF Executive Director, Steven Sherman, Len Elikan, Jeanine Hoff, Ellen Rosner and Jeanine Rogozinski. The members of the L&L committee have agreed to take on a critical role of supporting the growth of legacies in our community through the L&L program. Their first task involves identifying and enlisting the assistance of individuals in the community who share their same passion for growing legacies. The L&L committee aims to have a core group established soon, so they
• Meet & Greet with Glenn Harris of SEI - The Jewish Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees, based upon our Investment and Advisory Committee’s recommendation, approved the retention of a new Investment Advisor, SEI, located in Oaks, Pa., in Sept. of this year. Glenn Harris, SEI Client Portfolio Manager, will be in Jacksonville, Friday, Dec. 4, to introduce himself and SEI to our community. We will host a special breakfast meeting for all JCF Donors on Thursday, Dec. 4, 8 a.m. at the JCF office located in the Gottlieb Building (2932 Sunbeam Rd.), second floor so you can learn more about SEI and to meet Harris. If you are a JCF donor and would like to attend, please RSVP to Kevin Rogers – JCF Project Coordinator at 904-394-0720 or kevin.rogers@jewishfoundationnefl.org
can participate in two upcoming training sessions lead by Arlene Schiff, National Executive Director for Life and Legacy. The first training session is scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 6. The second will be held the morning of Thursday, Jan. 7, and we are looking forward to having Schiff in Jacksonville for these dates. This gifted group will help plan and coordinate specific events and activities in 2016 for L&L. Cognizant of the fact that many activities are already on the community calendar, the committee hopes to work L&L into the fabric of events and activities already on the calendar as we recognize everyone is busy and sometimes less can be more. Finally, the group feels it is critical to reconnect with those who signed a Declaration of Intent during the Create a Jewish Legacy program several years back.
• 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 13-17, who will be attending an overnight camp program this summer and whose families are members of a local congregation. 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.
JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $88,422
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
RIVER GARDEN SENIOR SERVICES
RIVER GARDEN 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $195,000
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lifecycles Births
Mazel Tov to Paul and Kalpana Berman of Portland Ore., on the birth of their daughter Nadia Anjali Berman, Monday, Sept. 21. Proud grandparents are Eric and Polina Berman of Jacksonville Nadia Berman and Arun and Malathi Palaniappa of Coral Springs Fla.
B’nai Mitzvah
Eliana Noa Jaffa, daughter of Sylvia and Andrew Jaffa celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on November 28, at Etz Chaim Synagogue. Eliana’s brothers, Moses and Micah Jaffa, grandparents Irene and Jimmy Jaffa and grandmother Betty Lustig shared in her simcha as well as many friends and family from Toronto, Israel, Hong Kong, New Eliana Jaffa York, New Jersey, Chicago, Philadelphia and south Florida. Eliana is in seventh grade at the Martin J. Gotlieb Day School, where she is an honors student and serves on the student council, Knesset as its communications manager. Eliana is very creative and enjoys baking, reading, running and solving complex rubix cubes while balancing on an indo board. Benjamin Alexander Chafetz, son of Shireen and Martin Chafetz, will be called to the Torah on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah, Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Sharing in the simcha will be his maternal grandparents, Shyrul and Azeez Khan of St. Cloud, Fla. His paternal grandparent is Lila Chafetz of Bayside, N.Y. Benjamin’s uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends shall also be joining him in his simcha. Benjamin is an eighth grade honor student at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, where he is also a member of the National Junior Honor Society. Benjamin Chafetz In addition to his accomplishments in the classroom, he is a second degree black belt at Pak’s Karate Mandarin, is a member of the youth group Kadima, and also participates in Boy Scouts. Benjamin is often busy playing basketball and the piano and in his spare time, enjoys reading, swimming, and playing video games. For his mitzvah project, Benjamin will be raising $500 for the Hadassah Youth Neurim Village in Israel to buy sneakers for an entire sports team there. The students of the Hadassah Neurim National Youth Center for Athletics represented Israel in the Maccabiah Games. Benjamin also took part in a second mitzvah project, purchasing a large amount of books from a book sale held at his local library. He will be donating these books to his language arts class’ library and will be collecting more books throughout the rest of the year. Ayden Israel, son of Jonathan and Kim Israel, will be called to the Torah on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah on December 26 at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Sharing in his Simcha will be his sisters, Eliza, 18 and Allie, 16; grandmothers Leslie Held and Marlene Israel; and Ayden Israel
other friends and family. Ayden is in the seventh grade at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, where he is a member of the Knesset. He enjoys playing flag football and basketball and is an avid reader. Sydney Paige Leach and Jagger Nicholas Leach, children of Stacy and Jeffrey Leach, were both called to the Torah on the occasion of their Bat and Bar Mitzvah, Saturday, Nov. 14. Sharing in the simcha was their brother, Jayden age six; grandparents Susan and Irwin Eisenberg of Springfield, Pa., and Faye Leach of Jacksonville, as well as many other friends and family. Sydney is in seventh grade at Mandarin Middle School and enjoys all sports especially soccer and Sydney & Jagger Leach basketball. She is looking forward to training for Special Olympics basketball. Jagger is in the seventh grade and Julia Landon College Preparatory, where he participates on the math team and in scholar bowl. He also enjoys playing flag football and golf with his fellow Stingrays. For their mitzvah project, Sydney and Jagger are raising awareness on why it is hurtful to use a certain word and its negative effect on people with special needs. They both gave presentations to local youths in a nationwide effort to ‘spread the word to end the word’. Students are then encouraged go to r-word.org to take the pledge not to use the word and promote inclusiveness in the process.
Engagments
Naomi and Ruben Mirensky and Deborah Mirensky z”l are delighted to announce the engagement of their daughter Dr. Tammy Mirensky to Dr. Howard Levene, son of Audrianne and Martin Levene of Cherry Hill, N.J. Tammy is a Pediatric Surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital, in Mirensky and Levene New York and Howard is a Neurosurgeon at the University of Miami. A spring wedding is planned.
Accomplishments
Nathan Weinstock, son of Dan Weinstock and Paulette Adler of Jacksonville, will receive his Ph.D. from the University of Florida on Dec. 18, in Behavioral Neuroscience. Nathan is employed with AGTC as the Nathan Weinstock Assistant Director, Quality Control in Gainesville.
Sympathies
… To the family of longtime Jacksonville Jewish Center member Harry Verstandig, who passed away, Friday, Oct. 23 at the age of 75. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his children, Wendy (Jeff) Sapolsky, Lauren V. Perez, and son-in-law, Joe Rutansky; his siblings, Brenda (Ed) Schild, Milton Verstandig; and grandchildren Marni, Brooke, Gil, Dillon, Jake, and Elizabeth. Funeral services were held at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, Oct. 25, followed by internment at Riverside Memorial Park. Contributions in Verstandig’s memory may be sent to River Garden or the Jacksonville Jewish Center. … To the family of Richard Turetz, who passed away, Sunday, Nov. 8 at the age of 94. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 71 years, Sylvia. He is survived by his children, Marilyn Kanas and Alan Turetz. Funeral services were held, Nov. 10 at the Jacksonville National Cemetery.
… To the family of Mimi Alkabetz. She is survived by her daughter Lea Gabbay. Funeral services were held in Israel. … To the family of Rabbi Jack Fefer of Rechovot, Israel, who was a former member of Etz Chaim Synagogue. Rabbi Fefer was a unique and special man who touched many lives at the Synagogue, he is survived by his wife Ella. Funeral services as well as shiva took place in Israel. … To the family of Elaine Arber, who passed away, Wednesday, Nov. 11 at the age of 84. She is survived by her mother, Sue (Mark) Kornhauser. A graveside service was held Nov. 13 at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens in Boynton Beach. The family requests that contributions in memory of Elaine Arber be made to Congregation Ahavath Chesed. … To the family of Warwick Abadee, who passed away Sunday, Nov. 15 in Sydney, Australia. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Abadee; sister Carole (Marvin) Feldman; brother Alan (Jennifer) Abadee children Phillip (Libby) Abadee, Geoffrey (Kay) Abadee, Diana (Laurence) Bloch; and his 12 grandchildren. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center. … To the family of of Lynda Samuely Marks, who passed away, Friday, Nov. 6. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Stanley, as well as sons Matthew (Amy) Marks and Stephen (Jamie) Marks, cousins Marilynn (Ira) Goldfield and Merle (Ronald) Cherry; granddaughters Alexis and Elisa Marks, and her sister Golda (Eric) Blum. Shiva was observed at her home in Bethesda, Md. … To the family of Regina Steiner, who passed away Friday, Nov. 13. She is survived by her daughter Talia Steiner and granddaughter Eitan Steiner-Safra. Funeral services were held Nov. 15 in Argentina and memorial services were held in Jacksonville, Nov. 18. The family requests that contributions in memory of Regina Steiner be made to The Temple’s religious school. … To the family of Harvey Jarchower, who passed away Monday, Nov. 16. He is survived by his wife Joy Jarchower, daughters, Jeri (Ken) Braiman, Rea Zaret, Ruthie (Brad) Berger and son, Howard Jarchower; eight grandchildren, three greatgrandchildren and sister, Marilyn Margol. A graveside service was held Nov. 18, at King David Gardens(Greenlawn Cemetery) in Jacksonville. The family requests that contributions in memory of Harvey Jarchower be made to Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple), or Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.
In Blessed Memory
An unveiling service for Scott Paul Zimmerman was held Sunday, Nov. 15 at the New Center Cemetery at 43rd and Liberty Streets in Jacksonville. Zimmerman passed away Dec. 22, 2014 and was the longtime ritual director and coordinator for bar and bat mitzvah’s at the Jacksonville Jewish Center.
Classifieds
Jewish Family & Community Services is seeking a part-time Special Education Teacher who, under the joint direction of the JFCS Inclusion Supervisor and school principal, will plan and provide for appropriate learning experiences for students with disabilities in a variety of educational settings. Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in an approved program for special education and a valid Florida Teaching Certificate. A minimum of two years experience teaching children with special needs in either elementary or middle school. Knowledge of Jewish practices, customs, values and traditions. If you are interested in being considered, please complete the employment application form on our website at www.jfcsjax. org.EOE/AA:females/minorities/ disabled/vetsDFWP Lidia’s Services: home cleaning, sitting elderly weekends, hemming pants. Call or leave a message. 904-387-9293.
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.”
business card directory
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
sports
Israeli Baseball players prepare for 2017 World Baseball Classic By Israel Association of Baseball
The Israeli Association of Baseball has begun preparing for Team’ Israel’s participation in the 2016 World Baseball Classic Qualifier, which will be held Sept. 22-25 in Brooklyn, N.Y., with the winner advancing to the 2017 WBC
Have some news that you want to share with the JJN?
The JJN is published monthly and has been serving the Northeast Florida community for more than a quarter century. Its current circulation is more than 12,000 reaching readers in Duval and various surrounding counties By Jacksonville Jewish News
Whether it’s a milestone achievment accomplished by a friend or family member associated with the Jacksonville Jewish community or simply a story, event or announcement to be shared, drop us a line at jjn@ jewishjacksonville.org. You can also contact newspaper editor Matt Franzblau at mattf@jewishjacksonville.org or 904-4485000, ext. 212 to let us know
what kind of great news is going on in the Jewish community of Northeast Florida. The JJN also accepts nominations each month for its Mensch of the Month feature, where a person or persons in the Jewish community is recognized for their contributions to local synagogues, agencies, day schools or simply other Jews in the area or abroad through their time, money or various talents.
There are nearly 1,000 players in five age groups competing in the Israel Association of Baseball’s nation-wide leagues. Teams from 16 cities including Tel Aviv, Beit Shemesh, Rannana, Jerusalem, and Modiin compete in groups ranging from Minors up to the Premier League. The IAB has also recently begun preparations for Team Israel’s participation in the 2016 World Baseball Classic Qualifier to be held in Brooklyn, N.Y., Sept. 22-25, 2016. In 2012, Team Israel was managed by Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus, and the roster included superstars Joc Pederson and Shawn Green. The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is an
international baseball tournament sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). It is the main baseball tournament sanctioned by the WBSC, which grants to the winner the title of ‘World Champion’. The tournament is the first of its kind to have the National Teams of
IBAF’s member federations feature professional players from the major leagues around the world including Major League Baseball. In addition to providing a format for the best baseball players in the world to compete against one another while representing their home countries, the World Baseball Classic was created in order to further promote the game around the globe. You can support Israel and Israel Baseball through its new online web store at IsraelBaseballShop.com. With Chanukah approaching, Israel Baseball shirts, sweatshirts, and hats make a perfect gift, so use and share the coupon code #IsraelBaseball, which is valid for 10-percent off all purchases.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
kosher cuisine
Scan QR code to find other Chanukah inspired recipies from Jamie Gellar at joyofkosher.com
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
community news Federation recognizes Max Women create lasting friendships and ‘Mickey’ Block at annual delicious challah through WIFI events
Campaign Kickoff event
Federation President Sandy Zimmerman presents Max “Mickey” Block’s three sons with the Joe P. Safer Community Service Award at the annual Campaign Kickoff event, held. Nov. 17. - Photograph by Larry Tallis
Photography by
Larry Tallis
904.373.0173
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If you want to reach a demographic with a higher than average household income and education, the Jewish News is your connection. To advertise, contact: Barbara Nykerk 904-923-3205 bnykerk@comoacst.net Eta Perras 904-629-0466 perraseta@bellsouth.net
Tasty challah was made at WIFI’s mega baking event last month, along with great memories among good friends
BY ANDREA MAIL Challah Baking Host
There are many reasons our family enjoys hosting Etz Chaim’s women inspired WIFI events, especially the challah baking which the group took part in last month. First there is the unique ability to meet and bond with wonderful women from all parts of our terrific community. Secondly, seeing our daughter
participate and appreciate how meaningful it is to host Jewish events is a blessing. It is also a blessing to be able to work with Etz Chaim’s Rabbi Fiegenbaum who brings such joy and energy into these events. Smelling the delicious aroma of fresh challah baking in our home is another plus, but possibly the most important part of the evening was learning about the spiritual
significance of making challah and taking part in other cherished Shabbat traditions. The next WIFI event will be entitled, ‘crafting your own shabbos candlestick’ and will be held at the home of Nancy Davis, Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. For more information about this event or others, please contact Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum at avifeigenbaum@gmail. com
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
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community news
Jacksonville Jewish Center represents Hadassah to host ‘Every Jewish community at ICARE assembly Step Counts’, walk for heart health at UNF
BY HELEN HILL
Jacksonville Hadassah
Nine members from the Jacksonville Jewish Center attended the recent ICARE Community Problems Assembly
BY MERRILL SHAPIRO St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society
Nine members of the Jacksonville Jewish Center represented the Jewish Community as nearly 500 people gathered at Christ the King Catholic Church to caucus and prioritize social issues facing Duval County. Representatives of 39 congregations agreed to continue their important work on jobs in economically challenged areas, access to mental healthcare services, alternatives to arrest for first time non-violent juvenile offenders, and services for the homeless. They also voted to take on a new issue - to address exoffender/re-entry concerns under the umbrella of crime reduction. The ICARE community heard reports on hard-won victories in the fields of job creation, education, youth crime, homelessness and mental health. All involved congregations were called upon to contact their state legislators in an effort to increase the use of civil
citations for errant youth rather than criminalizing certain lowlevel behaviors such as providing false identification documents or resisting arrest without violence. Such a request to members of the Florida legislature will help to keep a significant number of young people out of the criminal justice system, allowing them to return to society and become productive members of the community. ICARE, the Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment, is now comprised of 40 total congregations in Duval County and is now in its 17th. Combined, these congregations represent more than 30,000 residents from a broad crosssection of the Jacksonville community. ICARE is incorporated in Florida as a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) tax exempt and politically non-partisan organization. ICARE was created to powerfully address citywide concerns related to issues of justice and fairness.
It is a direct action organization not a direct service organization. The Coalition uses its collective people power to press elected officials and other city leaders on county-wide solutions to the problems that plague our community: crime, the low graduation rate, homelessness, jobs and other community concerns. Through a multitude of programs that the Jacksonville Jewish Center community has participated in over the years, many have been enabled to integrate Jewish values into community service, to promote needed social change and to provide help for people in need. The JJC works to incorporate Tikkun Olam into all aspects of the congregation activities and into all aspects of our congregants’ lives. Social Action, Social Justice, Tikkun Olam, and Mitzvot are all words that should inspire Jews to reach out to others, to do good, and to try to make this world a better place for all people.
The Jacksonville Hadassah is joining with other Chapters throughout the region and participating in ‘Every Step Counts’, a walk to benefit Hadassah’s Heart Health program. The
walk will be held at the beautiful Robert W. Loftin Nature Trails of the University of North Florida (UNF) campus, Sunday, Dec. 6, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The cost to register is $18 and anyone interested in joining should contact Michelle Jacobs McCormick at 904-608-9049 or mpomz@ comcast.net.
Sena Brown recognized at Campaign Kickoff event
Federation President Sandy Zimmerman gives Nicole Sena Brown the Ilene Sari Selevan Young Leadership Award at the annual Campaign Kickoff event Photograph by Larry Tallis
Jax Hadassah officers to be installed in Tampa Bay BY HELEN HILL
Jacksonville Hadassah
Installation of officers for the Jacksonville Chapter Hadassah, will take place at the Florida Central Region’s Installation on Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Bay Harbor Hotel and Beach Bar in Tampa. The slate of officers for Jacksonville Hadassah, 2016 are as follows: -Aviva Kaplan, President -Liat Walker, PRAZE VP -Terry Schare, Membership VP -Helen Hill, Communications VP -Karen Backilman, Treasurer -Leah Ben-Yehuda, Recording Secretary -Tammy Shumer, Records Administrator Additionally, Lin Pomerantz will be installed as the Organization VP for Florida Central. All Jacksonville members are invited to attend. Arrangements are being made to drive down together and, as a special incentive, room expenses for Saturday evening are complimentary. Anyone interested in attending the Installation should contact Lin at 904-9238030.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015
synagogue news
Artist-in-residence Mordechai Rosenstein blesses Jacksonville Jewish Center with his time and many talents during recent visit
Galinsky Academy students learning about the artwork
BY FALYN SHILTS
Jacksonville Jewish Center fshilts@jaxjewishcenter.org
The Jacksonville Jewish Center hosted an Artist In Residence program Oct. 28 – Nov. 1, with Mordechai Rosenstein that was
Creating artwork especially for the JJC Rosenstein teaches his tricks of the trade Painting and Pinot Masterpieces with Rosenstein’s help
truly a once in a lifetime experience. Rosenstein’s program crossed all areas of the congregation and academy. The children in the Galinsky Academy (DuBow Preschool, Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, Bernard and Alice Selevan Religious School, and Setzer Youth Education), all had an
amazing time with him, learning how he incorporates the Hebrew alphabet into his artwork. The children made artwork themselves of either their own personalized Hebrew name, or meaningful things in their life that they enjoy. The Thursday evening Painting and Pinot program was a great
time for everyone, with ages ranging from people in their 20’s to those in their 70’s. It was a meaningful experience to have people from all cross sections of life to come together, paint, socialize and have fun. Shabbat, in addition to the Saturday evening reception, were personal experiences
to get to know Rosenstein and his famous works of art. The Jacksonville Jewish Center was proud to host him for five days and appreciates that this was a one of a kind type of program. For more information about Mordechai Rosenstein or to purchase his art, please visit rosensteinarts.com.
Sixth annual Temple Sisterhood Mah Jongg has large turnout By The Temple Sisterhood
A fun afternoon of competitive play was had by all as the Temple Sisterhood’s sixth annual Mah Jongg tournament brought together more than 100 women from the Jacksonville area in addition to the Beaches, Amelia Island and as far away as Gainesville and Orlando. This year’s winners
were Carol Mandel and Sharon Abelman who tied for first place, while Gail Rudolph came in second. The 50-50 raffle was won by Estelle Klineman, who took home a nice amount of change. The second 50-50 winner won a pair of tickets to the Alhambra theatre for dinner and a show of her choice. Carol Mandel, Leslie Goldstein and Janet Rosenblatt took home prize money as top
winners in each round of play. The tournament is an annual fundraiser which provides support to the many projects that WRJ Temple Sisterhood supports. Those projects include assisting the blind and visually impaired, through the Temple Sisterhood Braille Group, which consists of volunteers who produce books, graphics and other materials in Braille and raised line drawings. Mah Jongg winners Janet Rosenblatt, Carol Mandel and Leslie Goldstein
These items are sent to people all over the world at no charge. The Temple Sisterhood has also supported community projects promoting women’s health issues and works diligently to provide awareness programs on subjects ranging from domestic violence to Human Trafficking which is occurring right here in Jacksonville. The Sisterhood has also adopted a Duval public school in a low income area and purchases school supplies for the students because
they believe that all children should have the tools they need to become outstanding students. These funds raised helped send children to camp Coleman in the summer, but the list of additional items of support goes on as these funds have a broad reach in the community. It’s because of this that everyone is so much looking forward to the seventh annual tournament to be held in Nov. 2016.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • December 2015