INSIDE THE TENT Invite newcomers to join community events, introduce them to others.
HISTORY Lithuanians immigrate to Jacksonville.
TAKE A PEEK Federation’s event schedule is packed full.
Jewish News Jacksonville
December
2013
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Kislev/Tevet
Beaches Meet and Greet set for Dec. 8
5774
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www.jewishjacksonville.org
page 19
page 2
page 4
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www.facebook.com/JaxJewish
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A publication of the
Volume
26,
Number
6
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20
pages
Thanksgivukah celebrated Federation-style
By ISABEL BALOTIN Shalom Jacksonville
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
Jewish life is thriving at the beaches. It doesn’t matter how long you have lived in this area, we invite you to join us on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the home of Judy and Len Elikan in Ponte Vedra Beach. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet other beachniks, make some new friends and perhaps meet a neighbor or two. Come early and enjoy delicious desserts and coffee. There is a lot going on at the beaches, and we’re inviting people in the know to tell you all about the exciting things happening there for you to enjoy. Yes, Jews are everywhere. Although some of us may live in areas outside the core, it doesn’t mean we don’t want to connect Jewishly. The Jewish Federation’s Shalom Jax’s specialty is helping you make your personal Jewish connections, wherever you live and whatever they may be. For more information and RSVP, contact Isabel Balotin, 904-448-5000 x 206 or email Shalomjax@jewishJacksonville.org. Thanks to Judy and Len Elikan for hosting this event in their lovely home for our beaches friends. Watch the paper for more information about our wine and cheese social in St. Augustine in January. Shalom Jacksonville is a program of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and is the official Jewish welcome wagon of Northeast Florida.
Photos by Larry Tallis To see more Thanksgivukah photos, go to jewishjacksonville.org/chanukah2013.aspx
Young Leadership Division relaunches as rGen By JEANINE HOFF
Young Leadership Division Director
On Oct. 28 social media lit up with the arrival of rGEN. rGEN, which stands for Our Generation, is the new name of the former Young Leadership Division of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville. The Steering Committee decided to change the name as part of the program’s re-launch initiative. rGEN focuses on all aspects of the Jewish young adult community (ages early 20s to mid 40s). The name rGEN was chosen to reflect the wide variety of groups that fall within the demographic: young professionals,
newlyweds, families of all ages, singles, newcomers, community and religious leaders, and much more. Along with the new name comes a fresh and bold new logo, which was designed to represent the differences between us while celebrating the vibrancy and beauty that is our Jewish community. A major component to the re-launch initiative is a fresh approach to our events.
Some of the changes you can expect include incorporating more meaningful content, highlighting the Federation’s partnering agencies, spotlighting our synagogues and clergy, and adding Jewish cultural or holiday content to the programs. The rGEN Steering Committee consists of Nancy Davis and Erica Jolles, co-chairs; Andrew Jaffa, campaign chair; Gabby Bubis; Jon Hill; Dan Jaffa; Karianne Jaffa; Adam Marmelstein; Erin Marmelstein; Ben Marsh; Danny Miller; Andrea Olitzky; Michelle Pargman; Emily Rosenbaum; and Nicole Sena Brown. rGEN can be found on Facebook as rGENJax and Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Foursquare @rGENJax.