IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR LOCAL SYNAGOGUES AND JEWISH SCHOOLS
JEWISH HERITAGE Meet Mr. Levine, who returned to his Jewish roots in his final days.
HUMANITARIAN Elinoff honored with One Jax award.
COMMUNITY U Community will unite March 9 for fun, learning.
JEWISH NEWS Jacksonville
February
2014
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Sh’vat/Adar
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5774
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www.jewishjacksonville.org
Answer the call
page 5
page 14
page 2
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www.facebook.com/JaxJewish
SAVE THE DATE
MARCH 9, 2014
Jacksonville Jewish Center
A publication of the
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Volume
26,
Number
8
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20
pages
Champagne Brunch
By Jewish Federation of Jacksonville
Sunday, Feb. 2, is Super Sunday, the Federation’s annual phone-a-thon to raise funds to benefit its partnering agencies. The 2014 Annual Campaign helps local and overseas partners including the Jewish Community Alliance, Jewish Family & Community Services, River Garden Senior Services, Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, Torah Academy, Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, Jewish Agency for Israel and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. This year Super Sunday will be chaired by the rGEN Steering Committee as part of its re-launch initiative. If you would like to volunteer to be a caller on Super Sunday please contact the Federation office at 904-4485000 or visit www.jewishjacksonville. org/2014supersunday.aspx. This year
Above: Marcy Sandler, Alyssa Sandler, Myra Shapiro and Eric Sandler Below: Josh and Falyn Shilts, and Talie Zaifert
Above: Mary Edwards, Rabbi Kerry Olitzky and Diane Rothstein Below: Bobby Adler, Joanne Jagodinski and Joyce Schneider
See THE CALL, p. 4
Lerner accepts We Care award
On Nov. 14, 2013, We Care Jacksonville held its 4th Annual 2013 Caring Awards at the Jacksonville Marriott, also celebrating its 20th anniversary. Dr. Eli Lerner accepted the George S. Trotter Founder’s Award on behalf of the Duval County Medical Society. Lerner, former president of the DCMS, has continued the relationship with We Care and also served as a volunteer surgeon until 2011. He is a member of the University of Florida-Jacksonville, Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery. We Care Jacksonville coordinates specialty medical care for the uninsured, low-income of Duval County through a volunteer network. Dr. Sue Nussbaum, former executive director of We Care Jacksonville,
8505 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32217
Jewish Federation of Jacksonville
POSTMASTER PLEASE DELIVER BY FEB. 1
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Jacksonville, FL Permit No. 146
See WE CARE, p. 4
At left: Andrea Olitzky, Joan Waitz and Linda Bloom At right: Seeman and Nancy Zimmerman The Women’s Division welcomed Rabbi Kerry Olitzky to the Champagne Brunch on Jan. 12. Olitzky is the executive director of the Jewish Outreach Institute. He is also the father of our own Rabbi Jesse Olitzky of the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Over 90 people attended the brunch, which is considered the Women’s Division kickoff to the Annual Campaign. A big thank you to event chairs Mary Edwards and Diane Rothstein, Above: Karen Gare and Sam Levin along with our committee: Joan Levin, Marcy Sandler and Debra Setzer. Photos by L. Tallis
Spotlight: Jewish programs collaborate By Jewish Family & Community Services
Judy became a client of Compass to Care two years ago. She was living at home, but needed additional support. Jewish Family & Community Services’ Jewish Services Program Compass to Care is a one-stop, comprehensive program catering to seniors. Services include ongoing contact, monitoring and advocating for the client’s needs while communicating with local or long-distance families, and linking individuals and their families to community resources. Judy met with Care Managers who
assessed her needs, and, in addition to Compass to Care, recommended Judy be matched with a Jewish Healing Network volunteer. These are Jewish volunteers trained and screened by JFCS to visit members of the Jewish community who are ill or facing challenges. Bobby, a JHN volunteer, started visiting with Judy in June 2012. A strong connection was quickly created between the two women. Both attended Brandeis and are retired teachers. They spend each Thursday together doing a variety of activities such as attending events at River Garden, sharing delicious lunches, or running errands. Judy shared
with her out-of-town family how this support has served as a lifeline. Bobby understands Judy, knows what she needs, and knows how to give support to her in the most quiet, gentle manner. For Judy and her out of town family, there is no way to thank Bobby for her support. For more information about Compass to Care, contact Hilary Rotenberg, MSW at (904) 394-5722 or hrotenberg@jfcsjax. org or Naomi Mirensky at (904) 394-5777 or nmirensky@jfcsjax.org. If you would like to be a Jewish Healing Network volunteer please contact Karen Susman at (904) 394-5737 or ksusman@jfcsjax.org.