ANNUAL MEETING See the program with awards and board members. page 3
WORLD OF NATIONS See photos of the Federation’s Israel booth.
YEAR IN REVIEW Read about what your Jewish agencies have been up to.
REMEMBERING Read about area Yom Hashoah events, see the pictures. page 23
page 5, 6, 7, 8, 10
page 2
JEWISH NEWS Jacksonville
June 2012 • Sivan/Tamuz 5772 • Published by Jewish Federation of Jacksonville • www.jewishjacksonville.org • Volume 24, Number 12 • 24 pages
Introducing Jacksonville’s Jewish agency presidents
Mark Green, Foundation
Jan Lipsky, JCA
8505 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32217
Jewish Federation of Jacksonville
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Jacksonville Jewish agency leaders for the 2012-2013 year are: Jan Lipsky, Jewish Community Alliance president; Mark Green, Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida president; Mark Lodinger, River Garden president; Francine Kempner, Jewish Family & Community Services president; and Larry Appel, Jewish Federation of Jacksonville president. Introducing: Jan Lipsky is the new president of the JCA Board of Directors. Lipsky has served on the board for 11 years, most recently as vice president. She has chaired the Personnel Committee, facilitated board retreats, and guided the board’s work on development of the mission and vision statements. Additionally, she drafted board member roles and responsibilities ultimately adopted by the board. In 2010, she received the prestigious Esther Leah Ritz Next Generation JCC Leadership Award from the Jewish Community Centers Association of North America. The award identifies future leaders of Jewish community center boards and includes a training program designed to enhance the skills needed for them to assume top leadership roles. Lipsky has served as system vice president for Human Resources and Organizational Development for St. Vincent’s HealthCare since 2000. She has served the organization for over 30 years, beginning as an instructor for Critical Care. Lipsky assisted the transition of St. Vincent’s Southside (formerly known as St. Luke’s Hospital) from Mayo Clinic in 2008 and is helping plan St. Vincent’s Clay, the sys-
Mark Lodinger, River Garden
tem’s third hospital opening in Clay County in 2013. She is a past board chairman for Girl Scouts of Gateway Council serving from 1998 to 2004 in that role. During this time the Council Board purchased North Fork Ranch in Clay County, assuring a safe camping location for future generations of members. Jan served the council and her synagogue, the Jacksonville Jewish Center, by building the Girl Scout program from one Brownie troop to over 100 girls in all levels during the 1990s. Jan has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from FSU and UF, earned the Senior Professional Human Resources certification and is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. She is married to Bruce Lipsky, a photojournalist for The Florida Times-Union. They have two daughters: Jessie Lipsky is a graduate of FSU and Emma Lipsky is a graduate of UF. Both teach third grade, the Seminole in Jacksonville, the Gator in Gainesville. Football season is a real problem. Mark Green continues as president of Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida. Our Jewish Community Foundation is pleased to announce that Mark Green will be serving as president for an additional year. As a founding member of the board, Mark understands the significance of the work Foundation does. Through the Create a Jewish Legacy initiative, the Foundation is raising awareness of the need for leaving bequests and estate gifts to the Jewish
Francine Kempner, JFCS
Community Foundation for the benefit of the Jewish community. We are raising and growing endowment funds needed to ensure the financial strength of our Jewish agencies and synagogues. Mark has served as an active board member since Foundation’s inception in 1995. His service has included chairing the Grant Review/Allocations Committee and serving on the Development, Bylaws, Professional Advisory, Real Estate, Nominating, B’nai Tzedek Youth Philanthropy, and Create a Jewish Legacy Steering committees. For several years, he served as the designated partner representative for The Temple. Born in Albany, N.Y., Mark relocated to Jacksonville and attended public schools, received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and his J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. A local attorney specializing in marital, family and criminal law at Dale, Bald, Showalter, Mercier & Green, P.A., Mark volunteers for the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, was listed in “Who’s Who in America Law” in 2007 and named a Florida Super Lawyer in 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Active on local community boards, Mark was past president of The Bridge of Northeast Florida and the Jewish Community Alliance. During his 16 years on the board of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, Mark was recipient of the 2007 Joe P. Safer Community Service Award. He has returned to the Federation board as a member of the Executive Committee. Mark and his wife Nancy believe in Tikkun Olam and giving back. As the couple
Larry Appel, Federation put it, “We want to leave the world a better place than we found it.” Mark Lodinger is now in his second year as president of River Garden Hebrew Home/Wolfson Health & Aging Center. He has served on the River Garden Home board since 1991 and served as chair of the River Garden Admissions board for the past seven years. Mark is also a member of the River Garden Senior Services board as well as the River Garden Foundation board. Mark spearheaded and co-chairs the River Garden Classic Golf Tournament, which has raised over $900,000 since its inception 16 years ago. The tournament benefits The Albert Z. Fleet Geriatric Training Center at River Garden, a Florida licensed not-for-profit post-secondary school that provides academic training and skills for persons desiring to become certified nursing assistants. Mark is excited about the recently opened 10,000-square-foot expansion and additional refurbishment of River Garden facilities to further develop outpatient therapy programs, adult day care and home health programs. He invites the community to visit River Garden and check out our beautiful new look. Lodinger is a well-respected insurance planner, with knowledge of a wide range of financial products. He also advises on estate planning and business continuity strategies. He is a member of Congregation Ahavath Chesed, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and serves on the board of the Jacksonville
See PRESIDENTS, p. 19
Spotlight: River Garden Senior Services This month’s feature of one of Federation’s beneficiary agencies: River Garden
they share eight children, three of hers and five of his. Merline has been attending the Adult Day Care Program at River Garden for three years. The Adult Day Care Program at River Garden provides support for older adults in the community who live at home but may Adult Day Care program require health monitoring, socialization thrives at River Garden and nutritional guidance in a secure setting By River Garden Senior Services during daytime hours. “When Merline first came to the Adult Merline Harbin A proud graduate of Florida Day Care Program State University and an avid she was so sick – she “We had looked at other Adult Day Care faSeminole fan, Merline Harbin can had been told that she cilities, and we feel we found the best prooften be spotted sporting her FSU was going to need gram in Jacksonville here at River Garden. colors. Merline worked as an exat jewishjacksonville.org, dialysis and was even It’s important to have high quality adult day ecutive director of the Girl Scouts put on Hospice care. care in the community so family caregivfor many years in Tallahassee and She improved so ers can continue to work or just have some Jacksonville. She and her husband, Nelson, much she didn’t need Hospice and her kidtime for other daily activities.” He credits have been married for over 38 years and ney function got better,” shared Mr. Harbin. See RIVER GARDEN, p. 19
READ MORE
page 2
Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
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FEDERATION NEWS Federation’s Israel exhibit Did you know?
development programs and attain good marks in school. The benefit to them is involvement with an Israeli professional soccer team. The Jewish Agency for Israel is a beneficiary partner of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville.
Through the Federation’s Israel partner, the Jewish Agency for Israel, young Israelis are encouraged to participate in leadership
For more information about how Federation helps Jews here, in Israel and around the world, please visit the Israel or Ways to Give sections of our website: jewishjacksonville.org.
Enroll Now, Spaces are Limited! Martin J. Gottlieb’s Dance Team performs at the Federation’s Israel exhibit at the city’s World of Nations Celebration last month.
2012
Camp dates:
Adventure Days: 6/11 – 6/15, 8/13 - 8/17 Camp Gan Yeladim & KinderCamp Session I: 6/18 – 6/29
Session II: 7/2 – 7/13 (ages 2 – 5 by 9/1/12) (no camp 7/4) Camp Sabra (entering grades 1 – 2) Session III: 7/16 – 7/27 Camp Habonim (entering grades 3 – 6) Session IV: 7/30 – 8/10 Theatre Camp (entering grades 1 – 9) Session I: 6/18 – 7/13 (no camp 7/4), Session II: 7/16 – 8/10
Above, our volunteers – enjoying every minute of their time. Right, The Kidzone – puzzles and a lot of fun. Below, Getting your English name in Hebrew. Photos by L. Tallis
David A. Stein Jewish Community Alliance on the Ed Parker Jewish Community Campus 8505 San Jose Blvd. • Jacksonville, FL 32217
since 1991
American Red Cross
(perfect score!)
For more information:
since 2004
Scan for more camp details
730-2101 or www.jcajax.org
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
page 3
www.jewishjacksonville.org
21st Annual Celebration of Jacksonville’s Jewish Agencies program Welcome Larry Appel
Invocation
Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner
Greetings from Israel Aviad Sela
Award Presentations Jewish Family & Community Services Howard Caplan Jewish Community Alliance Nancy Perlman Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida Mark Green
Recognition, Election and Installation of Officers and Board Members Richard Sisisky
Award Presentations Jewish Federation of Jacksonville Larry Appel River Garden Mark Lodinger
Adjourn Officers and Board Members Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida Board of Trustees Mark Green, Esq., president Dr. Scot Ackerman Andy Cantor, CFA Matthew Edelman, CPA, treasurer Jeff Edwards, secretary Leonard Elikan Dr. Ronald Elinoff Meredith Frisch Melvyn H. Fruit, VP *Mel Gottlieb Barbara Jaffe, CIMA Michael Korn, Esq. Mark Lodinger Andrea Mail Neil Presser, CPA, VP Dr. Hal Resnick David Robbins, Esq. Ellen Rosner Michael Schneider, Esq. Steven Sherman, CSM, CRPC. Mark Shorstein, CPA* Richard Sisisky* Sandy Zimmerman Barry Zisser, Esq. Of blessed memory Michele Block-Wiener, Esq. Michael Donziger*
Dr. Roy J. Sloat Honorary trustees Elliott Horovitz *past president Endowment Achievement Award Andrea Mail Ellen Rosner
Jewish Community Alliance Board of Directors Jan Lipsky, president Ali Korman Shelton, vice president Adam Frisch, vice president Suzette Allen, secretary David Wolf, treasurer Mary Edwards, asst sec/treas Positions Expiring in 2013 Debbie Banks Kitay Irene Cywes * Jon Kaplan Daniel Miller Chase Zimmerman Positions Expiring in 2014 Moti Demri * Simon Garwood * Katie Kight Alison Trager Susan Wolchok Positions Expiring in 2015 Andy Cantor * Ron Elinoff * Adam Marmelstein * Brian Mendelson * Gary Perlman * Past presidents David Miller Nancy Perlman Nominating Committee David Miller, Chair Mary Edwards Ken Jacobs Katie Kight Alison Korman Shelton Adam Marmelstein Nancy Perlman Chase Zimmerman Myron Flagler, staff * new term Howard Korman President’s Award Dan Kossoff Special Services Award Stephen Wolchok Special Services Award Alison Trager Special Services Award Rebekah Selevan
Jewish Family & Community Services Board of Directors Francine Kempner, president Ellen Rosner, first vice president Jodie Leach, Anne Lufrano, vice presidents Dr. Harold Resnick,
secretary Tom Harris, treasurer Howard Caplan, chairman Members (new members*) Caren Appel* Danny Berenberg* Mary Berger Mary Edwards Stephen Goldman Michael Katz Stuart Klein* Blanche Koegler* Jodie Leach Sue Levine* Jill Metlin Robert Morgan* Rick Plotkin Stephen Pollan Judy Poppell* Rabbi Avi Schochet* Vanessa Solomon* Glenn Ullmann Elaine S. Wright *new board member Past Presidents Dr. Guy Benrubi Dr. Sol Brotman Jack Coleman Albert Datz David Garfinkel Debbie Gottlieb Lawrence Jaben Jim Kempner Dr. Dennis Lafer M. H. Levine Leonardo Maiman Lew Meisel Mark Shorstein Isa Tanenbaum Gary Wilkinson Cathy Winterfield Honorary Board Larry Appel Richard Browdy Dr. Lawrence Goldberg Ken Goldman Beverly Goldstein Paulette Keifer Henri Landwirth Joan Levin Michael Lissner Dr. Milton Mann Dr. Edward Mizrahi Barbara Parker Jack Price Linda Rubens Shari Weitzner Eunice Zisser Rabbi Yaakov Fisch Rabbi Yossie Kahanov Rabbi Nochum Kurinsky Rabbi Joshua Lief Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner Rabbi Michael Matuson Rabbi Shmuli Novack
Iris Kraemer, vice president Mike Nussbaum, vice president Wendy Efron, vice president, Women’s Division president Erica Jolles, YLD chair Sandy Zimmerman, treasurer Ken Jacobs, secretary Risa Herman, women’s campaign chair Gary Perlman, immediate past president Stephen Silverman, presidential appointee Mark Green, Jewish Community Foundation president Board members Francine Kempner Mark Lodinger Jan Lipsky* Michael Abel* Jon Israel Michael Koren Michael Korn Michael Levin Andrea Mail Lenny Maimen Adam Marmelstein Jenifer Plotkin* Zach Sherman* Ellen Rosner Diane Rothstein Perrin Rubin Ben Setzer Mark Shorstein Mike Solloway Rori Stevens Susan Wolchok* Eugene Wolchok* Barry Zisser Rabbi Mona Decker Rabbi Yaakov Fisch Rabbi Joshua Lief Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner Rabbi Michael Matuson *new members Honorary Life Members Scot Ackerman Guy Benrubi Jack Coleman Ron Elinoff Leslie Held Joan Levin Mitchell Levine David Robbins Al Schneider Ken Sekine Leonard Setzer Stephen Silverman Richard Sisisky Arnold Vandroff Elliot Zisser
Volunteer of the Year Award Raven Transport
Irene Sari Selevan Young Leadership Award Risa Herman and Dan Jaffa Joe P. Safer Community Service Award Guy Benrubi
Jewish Federation of Jacksonville
River Garden Hebrew Home
Board of Directors Larry Appel, president Hal Resnick, first vice president, campaign chair Susan DuBow, vice president
Officers Mark Lodinger, president Michael Price, vice president, chairman of admissions
Thank you ... thank you ... thank you 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 adverisers: • • • • • • •
Augustine Landing Beachview & Party Rentals Beth El The Beaches Synagogue Bob Ham Eyewear Brandon Pest Control Brighton Bay Butensky & Cohen Financial Security • Carriage Club Jacksonville • Clay Eye Physicians and Surgeons • Cumberland Packing Corporation
• Damon Photography • Erica Jolles - Magnolia Properties • Florida State College at Jacksonville • Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home • Heekin Orthopedic Specialists • Jacksonville Center for Clinical Research • Jacksonville Jewish Foundation • Jewish Community Alliance • Jewish Museum of Florida • Margo’s Catering • Mark Kraus, MetLife
• • • • • • • • • • •
Martin J. Gottlieb Day School Mediterrania Paige Wajsman Pecan Roll Bakery Riverside Spine & Pain Physicians Stein Mart Tallis Ad Designs The Blue Fish Restaurant and Oyster Bar Vandroff Insurance Willow Organic Salon & Day Spa Business Directory, p. 20
For your advertising needs, please contact advertising sales representative Barbara Nykerk at 904.733.4179 or Eta Perras at 904.629.0466.
Susan Cohen, vice president, co-chair of admissions Marsha Pollock, vice president, co-chair of admissions Morrie Osterer, vice president, chairman of house Judy Paul, secretary Cindy Demri, treasurer Trustees Karen Backilman David Cohen Susan Cohen Cindy Demri Susan Edelman Gloria Einstein Jeff Edwards Ron Elinoff Janis Fleet Nancy Rubin Friedman Sheldon Gendzier Larry Goldberg Rachelle Gottlieb Michael Greenburg Allen Gray Edward Grenadier Bruce Horovitz Michael Howard Charles Joseph Debby Kaye Randy Kammer Michael Lissner Mark Lodinger Lew Meisel Bernard Nachman Morrie Osterer Herman Paul Judy Paul Marsha Pollock Jack Price Michael Price Jerry Rothstein Rubye Safer Harvey Schlesinger Barbara Schneider Beth Shorstein Shari Shuman Fred Tromberg Sandy Zimmerman Volunteer Service Awards 5,000 Hours of Service Ira Duschoff Ed Schroeder 4,500 Hours of Service Leanore Nathanson 4,000 Hours of Service Sondra Resnikoff 3,000 Hours of Service Marilyn Datz Leslie Carmel 2,500 Hours of Service Alice Sherman Stella Eison Bernie Datz Roz Cassell 2,000 Hours of Service Barbara Safer 1,500 Hours of Service Lovie Callahan Frank Baltes 1,000 Hours of Service Jeanette Tabak Ruth Seebol Janice Hayflick Carole Ort
What’s inside Community................................. p. 4 Education.................................. p. 11 Federation ................................. p. 2 Jewish Family & Community Services.................................... p. 10 Jewish Community Alliance ...... p. 5 Jewish Foundation..................... p. 8 Lifecycles.................................. p. 20 Obituaries................................. p. 20 Perspectives............................. p. 18 River Garden............................... p. 6 Synagogues ............................. p. 14 Women’s................................... p. 15 For the Adult Education listing, please go online at jewishjacksonville.org under education.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
COMMUNITY NEWS
It’s all about the children: MJGDS 50th anniversary celebration By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School
Jacksonville Mayor, Alvin Brown, proclaimed May 6, 2012, Martin J. Gottlieb Day School 50th Anniversary Day. Reliving the past and celebrating the future, the Day School and the Jacksonville Jewish Center, 50th Anniversary Celebration Weekend was a true blessing. Almost a year of planning culminated in a weekend of outstanding memories for all in attendance. “The alumni’s achievements astound; the volunteers’ passion unmatched; and the faculty’s love unrivaled. This is not merely a celebration of and for the Day School. … This is a moment only reached because of a Jewish community that continues to believe in the power of Jewish education. This is a dream fulfilled because of the support of a generous and forward-thinking Jewish Fed-
eration,” said Jon Mitzmacher, MJGDS head of school, in his blog. The weekend celebration began with a Shabbat service and luncheon dedicated to honoring the past and present teachers and faculty of the Day School. Saturday evening, alumni from 50 years of classes gathered for a fun evening of “Chamesh de Mayo.” Music from the past five decades was played, alum participated in Israeli dancing led by Ilana Manassee, and class pictures were taken throughout the night. Congratulations to the 1st and 17th Class of the Day School with the most representation! Sunday morning, a family luau, sponsored by the JJC PTA, was enjoyed with Polynesian dancers and fare, swimming and a performance by the MJGDS dance team. The weekend culminated on Sunday evening with the 50th Extravagan-
Reading and aging programs By Jewish Family & Community Services
Read me a Story
The award winning program, the PJ Library, coordinated by Jewish Family & Community Services, provides one free book per month to families with Jewish children between the ages of 6 months and 8 years. Sign up now by going to www.pjlibrary.org. For information, or to schedule a program at the Temple’s recent Nosh & Notes event, call Sue Kornhauser at 394-5724.
Are you in the sandwich generation?
Do you have concerns about both your children and your aging parents, and are you a member of the sandwich generation? If so, lettuce help. Save the date: Tuesday, July 17, at noon when we meet over sandwiches and give you an opportunity to discuss your concerns. If you would like to be sent a reminder about this event, call 394-5722.
za attended by over 370 guests. With fabulous food provided by Margo’s Catering, amazing décor by PRI Event Planners, engaging entertainment by Mark Scheff, Hazzan Holzer and Jeanine Hoff, the evening was spectacular. Three major announcements were made during the evening: first, the Jacksonville Jewish Center schools will now fall under the newly named, Galinsky Academy, named after Samuel and Esther Galinsky, who left a significant and lasting legacy gift. Second, an endowment to the Galinsky Academy by the DuBow Family will allow children in the newly named DuBow Preschool to spend their early years in a state-of-the art facility and experience a world-class preschool education. And finally, L’Dor V’Dor is the Jacksonville Jewish Center schools most important annual fund. “We continue to live in difficult economic times and hope that our community will be inspired to continue to support this fund each year as a key component to
sustaining the future of all our JJC schools,” stated Mitzmacher. Laurie DuBow, emcee of the evening, so eloquently stated, “It’s all about the children. It always has been. It is now...and it will always be.” Congratulations to the 50th Anniversary chairpersons, Bruce Horovitz and Andrea Mail, honorary chairpersons, Linda and Laurie DuBow & Debbie and
Mel Gottlieb, Event Committee chairs, Arlene Yegelwel, Marsha Pollock, Kim Glasgal, Robin Shorstein, Sheri Weiss, Brent Trager, Rebecca Fixel, Jeanine Rogozinski, and all the volunteers and staff of the JJC who worked so hard over the past year to make the 50th Anniversary Celebration such a successful and memorable weekend.
JCA Dinner and After Party
Karen Susman joins JFCS By Jewish Family & Community Services
Jewish Family & Community Services is excited to welcome Karen Susman, who is serving as the Jewish Healing Network program coordinator. Karen has been working in the Jewish community for over 25 years as a Jewish educator. She is the director of lifelong learning at Beth El - the Beaches Synagogue, and is also a chaplain at Baptist Hospital. Her commitment to Bikkur Cholim, visiting the sick, and helping those who are facing life’s challenges is something very important to her. Karen grew up in New Jersey, lived in South Florida and relocated to Jacksonville two years ago. She received certification as an early childhood director from University of California, Los Angeles, and has continued her education by attending Beit Midrash programs in Israel during the summers and many professional workshops over the years. Karen is a mother of twin sons, Evan and Bryan. The next JHN volunteer training class begins Monday, June 4, and will be held for three con-
Karen Susman
secutive Mondays, June 4, 11 and 18, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at JFCS. Contact Karen at 394-5737 or ksusman.@jfcsjax.org.
La Dolce Vita, the JCA’s fifth annual Dinner and After Party fundraiser. At left, Eleanor and Charles Berman. At right, from left: Garry Kitay, Debbie Banks Kitay, Fran and Russell Selevan.
Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
page 5
www.jewishjacksonville.org
ANNUAL REPORT: JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE
JCA continues to grow, change and strengthen The Jewish Community Alliance continued to grow, change and strengthen our Jewish commitment and involvement over the past year. We also continued to make improvements to our building, equipment, programs, services and staff. We served the Jewish community more completely and better than ever before. We continued to serve our Jewish community through programs like our nationally accredited preschool, elementary afterschool care, classical music concerts, art classes, theater outings, AARP Mature Driving Courses, and a host of sports, recreation and fitness activities. For the third year in a row, JCA members gave the JCA staff, programs and facility the highest ratings in a study by the national Jewish Community Centers Association. The JCCA also presented three awards to the JCA for programs, management and interaction with new members. JCA Board Members Adam Frisch and Chase Zimmerman received Leadership Awards from the JCCA. JCA Executive Director Myron Flagler and former President Steve Sherman were elected to the JCCA board while former President Kenneth B. Jacobs was re-elected to a second term. In February 2012, the JCA presented the first Jacksonville Jewish Film Festival. The event showcased Jewish-themed films and gave Jacksonville film buffs
a chance to interact with producers, directors and an expert on the American Jewish experience on film. Films included “A Matter of Size,” “Restoration,” “My So-Called Enemy” and “Sholem Alechiem: Laughing in the Darkness.” The 15th annual Jewish Book Festival, held for two weeks in November, attracted hundreds of participants attending the various events. There was a wide and interesting variety of books by Jewish authors, including Myla Goldberg (“The False Friend”), Kathy Kacer (“Restitution – A Family’s Fight for Their Heritage Lost in the Holocaust”), Marc Agronin, (“How We Age – A Doctor’s Journey into the Heart of Growing Old”) and Kenneth Ginsburg (“Letting Go with Love and Confidence, Raising Responsible, Resilient, Self-Sufficient Teens in the 21st Century.”) The Patrons’ Reception featured Jenny Anderson and Paula Szuchman, authors of “Spousonomics – Using Economics to Master Love, Marriage and Dirty Dishes.” The Vandroff Art Gallery offers local artists and photographers the opportunity to exhibit their work to a large audience of JCA members and nonmembers. Group shows included the Jacksonville Watercolor Society, the Art Guild of Orange Park and the Jacksonville Camera Club The JCA Concert Series
JCA’s annual Purim parade hits the hallways.
presented free performances by prize-winning musicians from the Young Concert Artists Series including pianist Benjamin Moser, violinist Benjamin Beilman and clarinetist Narek Arutyunian. The JCA Film Series showed a film of Jewish interest every month. Films included “A Film Unfinished,” “Eyes Wide Open,” “Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance,” “Lebanon,” “Fighter,” “For My Father,” “Encounter Point,” “Praying with Lior,” and “Imagine This.” Most of these films had not been shown in Jacksonville, and the JCA gave an opportunity to see award-winning films of Jewish and Israeli content that would otherwise not be available. Throughout the year, we hosted “Live from New York…” simulcasts featuring appearances by U.S. diplomat John R. Bolton, economist Lawrence Summers and Middle East envoy George Mitchell. The Early Childhood Education Department presented its 3rd Annual Early Childhood Symposium: “The Whole Child – Fit Mind & Body.” More than 400 members of all ages attended the Annual JCA Chanukkah Party. Our famous hotdog and latke dinner was served. The JCA Theater of Youth sang traditional Chanukkah songs. Parents and children participated in a variety of hands-on activities such as craft projects, dreidel playing, Maccabbi games, and cookie decorating. New toys were collected and donated to JFCS to be distributed to needy families. More than 300 members enjoyed a festive meal, songs and crafts for the children at the Pizza in the Hut Sukkot Family Celebration in October. Members and guests celebrated a night of “La Dolce Vita” in the agency’s fifth annual Dinner and After Party fund-raiser. The Traditions Cart is a permanent fixture in the JCA lobby. The children of the Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool help create the cart projects focusing on the holidays of the Jewish calendar. The cart has succeeded in teaching Jews and non-Jews the significance of our holidays. Valued Member events, which are free for members, included an October Hoedown and a Sweethearts Cabaret in February. J Institute programs offered over the past year ranged from
The annual lighting of the JCA menorah at Chanukah vermiculture to belly dancing to lunch with cookbook author Sheilah Kaufman. Classes are offered in pottery, drawing, oil painting, watercolor and mixed media. The JCA offers a wide variety of programs to enhance the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of our members and the community at large. Programs included Sit and Get Fit, monthly health lectures which are free and open to the community, yoga, nutrition seminars, senior stretch and tone, blood pressure screenings, and senior lunch and learn programs. Building teen and youth involvement is developing at the JCA, especially in our Sports & Recreation Department, Theater Department and the Youth Services Department. We are able to provide programming and many activities for our youth population utilizing an interdepartmental approach to program development with an emphasis on social activities, educational programs, the arts, volunteerism and sports. The Youth Services Department’s Break Away Day program, which provides care on days when schools are closed for K-6 grades, serviced over 1,000 students. A very successful continuing program for teens is Jacksonville Teens Volunteer with projects at the Jacksonville Zoo, River Garden Hebrew Home, Dignity U Wear and Mandarin Museum/ Walter Jones Historical Park. Our Theatre Department has evolved from a youth services department program to a department that serves members of all ages. We continued to entertain and
educate over 20,000 elementary school children with our Magic Wardrobe series. Each show in this repertory-style program follows the educational curriculum of the Duval, Clay and St. Johns county school systems. Our JCA Youth and Teen Basketball Leagues had 30 teams and almost 225 participants ranging in ages from 4 to 18 and 32 volunteer coaches. The JCA Select Basketball Teams (co-ed), ages ranging from 10-15, had 30 players participate. Youth Soccer had 103 players age 4-12 and 12 volunteer coaches. Flag Football had 125 players and 16 volunteer coaches. The JCA Sports & Recreation Department offered a variety of preschool, elementary, and middle school sports clinics ranging from basketball, baseball, soccer, girls’ only sports, lacrosse, floor hockey, etc. The Aquatics Department ran year-round swim lessons in private and group settings for ages 12 months to adults. The Aquatics Department also offered Swim Team, Red Cross CPR for community, CPR for the professional rescuer and lifeguarding. The JCA Tennis Department offered a variety of private and group lessons for ages 4-18. The JCA Fitness Department saw a rise in JCA teen members utilizing personal training over the past year. Participants in the Weigh to Wellness program lost more than 500 pounds. And the Fitness Center began a monthly program for members that focuses on a fitness topic. Senior adults enjoyed a variety
See JCA, p. 19
JCA BOARD AWARDS Howard Korman President’s Award – Dan Kossoff This award is named in honor of Howard Korman, past president of the Jewish Community Alliance, whose leadership, vision and courage allowed the agency to navigate trying and difficult challenges. This award recognizes board members who have emulated these significant qualities of leadership, vision and courage during the past program year. Kossoff is being honored for his work on the JCA’s first Jacksonville Jewish Film Festival. A founding board member of the JCA, Kossoff was asked to return to a leadership role in the agency because of his “wisdom and perspective,” said Myron Flagler, JCA executive director, who credited Kossoff’s “leadership, knowledge and mentoring” with helping to make the Film Festival
Dan Kossof
Stephen Wolchok
Alison Trager
Rebekah Selevan
a success. Special Services Award – Stephen Wolchok, Alison Trager, Rebekah Selevan The Special Services Awards is given to an individual who demonstrated outstanding service to our agency. Wolchok is being honored for his efforts as chairman of the
JCA’s first Jacksonville Jewish Film Festival. Wolchok “embraced the Film Festival and focused on every detail to ensure its success,” Flagler said. His “relentess effort” and use of technology produced an outstanding list of directors, producers and actors who interacted with
Jacksonville attendees locally and from as far away as Israel, Flagler said. Trager and Selevan are being recognized for their work as co-chairs of “La Dolce Vita,” the JCA’s 5th annual Dinner and After Party fundraiser. “Alison and Rebekah were awesome co-chairs for the 2012
JCA Dinner and After Party!” said Nancy Green, JCA assistant executive director. “They were highly organized, creative and provided the leadership this event needed to succeed financially as well as socially. It was truly a pleasure working with them.”
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
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ANNUAL REPORT: RIVER GARDEN SENIOR SERVICES
River Garden Senior Services: continued excellence in elder care River Garden enters its 66th year as a strong mission-driven Jewish community resource with an unwavering commitment to excellence in elder care programs services. As a five-time recipient of the prestigious “Florida Governor’s Gold Seal Award for Excellence in Long-Term Care,” River Garden is the only freestanding skilled nursing facility in the state to have been so recognized. River Garden continues to prepare for the future of seniors in our Northeast Florida Jewish community. Over these next 20 years, almost 80 million baby boomers will transition to seniors and the cumulative effect this age tsunami will place on our nation’s healthcare system will be felt for generations. As the future now begins to unfold, we are positioning our care resources to remain responsive and relevant to meeting senior care needs through enhanced and expanded home and community-based programs and services. In January 2011 ground was broken on our new 10,000-squarefoot two-story addition allowing us to further develop outpatient therapy programs, adult day care and home healthcare services to the entire community. We also expanded our admissions suite, home health, pharmacy, medical clinic, medical records, nursing and conference areas. As of this writing, we are refurbishing our entire 22-year-old skilled nursing facility. Our projects are scheduled for completion the end of 2012. March 2012 brought the 66th anniversary celebration of the home and the annual meeting of River Garden Senior Services. Mark Lodinger entered his second term as president of River Garden Hebrew Home. Continuing board presidents: Ron Elinoff of River Garden Senior Services, Donald
Romo of The Coves and Sheldon Gendzier of The Albert Z. Fleet Geriatric Training Center at River Garden. Stacie Wilf, after four years of tireless dedication as president of the River Garden Foundation Board, passed the baton to Veronica Maybury. River Garden Foundation’s $7 million Capital Campaign titled, Building Our Future - Together, is chaired by Susan DuBow and Sandy Zimmerman and spearheaded by honorary chairs David and Linda Stein. The capital campaign is funding the building expansion and refurbishment to better meet the needs of residents and their families. The capital campaign now stands at $6.2 million in pledges. Thanks to the efforts of the River Garden Foundation, this year’s 19th Annual River Garden Gala, Mission: Possible, continued the tradition of excellence. Co-Chaired by Dorothy Verstandig and Maxine Romo, the gala raised significant funds in support of indigent resident care at River Garden. River Garden is grateful and proud to have partnered with SunTrust Bank as Premier Gala sponsor. The Albert Z. Fleet Geriatric Training Center, our not-for-profit Florida licensed post-secondary school that trains students to become certified nursing assistants, and endowed through a generous grant by The Albert Z. Fleet Trust, continues to make it possible for River Garden to train the next generation of geriatric caregivers. Funding for The Albert Z. Fleet Geriatric Training Center is provided in part through the annual River Garden Foundation Golf Classic chaired by Mark Lodinger and Michael Price. Thank you to Janne and Jody Brandenburg and Hardage-Giddens Funeral Homes and Cemeteries for partnering with us as title sponsors.
The Coves independent living retirement community on the River Garden campus continues to offer elegant, yet affordable living in 80 one- and two-bedroom garden apartments. The Coves members benefit from having priority access to the River Garden Home, along with access to the many outpatient services available through our Home Health Agency. River Garden Senior Services board, along with the caring community that supports our work, is committed to remaining focused on our mission of senior care programming to the frail elderly in our community. We continue to affirm the values that have sustained and nourished our agency for the past 66 years – River Garden is a care community where everybody is a somebody and the life of each resident entrusted to our care is honored and valued. River Garden is grateful to the community for its ongoing support of the home; and to our agency partners and synagogues for their collective work in developing and maintaining a strong and vibrant Jacksonville Jewish community. We are grateful to be a beneficiary of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville. A community that works together grows together and helps to ensure the future for generations to come.
Rubye Safer and Lew Meisel – for 50 years of service on the River Garden Home Board
Every day is a party at River Garden.
Bernard (Bernie) Datz – upon his Stacie Wilf – for her service retirement from the River Garden as President of River Garden Home Board, and his election as a Foundation lifetime honorary board member
Serving Northeast Florida Since 1898 Vintage cars were on display as Golf Tournament Chairs Michael Price, left, and Mark Lodinger, right, join Jody Brandenburg, president of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, tournament title sponsor.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
page 7
www.jewishjacksonville.org
ANNUAL REPORT: JEWISH FEDERATION OF JACKSONVILLE
Federation: More people, more connected more dollars On Thursday, June 7, the community is invited to attend the annual meeting we share with the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, Jewish Community Alliance, Jewish Family & Community Services and the River Garden Hebrew Home. We are the only community in North America holding such an event. Please come out and join us the evening of the 7th to help honor the officers and board members of our organizations and the recipients of the various agency awards. In this issue of the Jacksonville Jewish News, we read of some of the accomplishments of the agencies. It can never be overstated just how effective these Jewish agencies are and how much they
add to the quality of life in our community! Each of these agencies is recognized throughout the country by national organizations for their excellence. Every measurement taken finds that Jacksonville’s organized Jewish community excels in taking care of its people. We have much to be thankful for, and we are proud of the partnerships shared and the work accomplished together. At Federation we, too, have set standards that receive top marks from our national organization, the Jewish Federations of North America. Our overseas missions, the programming of both the Women’s and Young Leadership divisions, and the Jacksonville Jewish News are recognized as
Young Leadership Division’s Mix ‘n’ Mingle
Federation leadership awards go to Benrubi, Herman and Jaffa Each year the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville selects recipients of its leadership awards. These are the Joe P. Safer Community Services Award and the Ilene Sari Selevan Young Leadership Award. The recipient of this year’s Joe P. Safer Award is Guy Benrubi. The recipients of this year’s Ilene Sari Selevan award are Risa Herman and Dan Jaffa. Guy Benrubi will receive the Joe P. Safer Community Service Award for his volunteer work on behalf of Jewish Family & Community Services and Federation. He is a past president of both organizations. He, like the man for whom the award is named, has had the best interests of the entire Jewish community evident in his leadership roles for this Jewish community. Both Risa Herman and Dan Jaffa will receive the Ilene Sari Selevan Young Leadership Award for their outstanding volunteer work on behalf of Federation. Herman is campaign chair of Federation’s Women’s Division and has been active in many aspects of Federation over many years. Jaffa has co-chaired Super Sunday these past two years and plays an active role on the Young Leadership Steering Committee. Federation and other agency awards are presented at the June 7 annual meeting for the Jewish Community Alliance, JFCS, River Garden, the Jewish Foundation and Federation. To RSVP for the annual meeting, please call Debby Emerson at 448-5000 ext. 201.
models by other federations. And, we are the model Jewish Federation when it comes to nurturing relationships among the major local recipient organizations and synagogues. No one does this better! Throughout this year, our board of directors has engaged in a process to learn where we would like to set our priorities in the coming years. The challenges of recent years, including a difficult economic environment for fundraising, and a desire to ensure that we are doing all we should be doing to best serve the community, have led us to move in a direction that will include: More People. More Connected. More Dollars. We want to reach as many people in our Jewish community as possible and provide every individual with the opportunity to be involved. Our Shalom Jacksonville program is one excellent example of an outreach program, and we will be looking for more ways to reach more people. As the organization that supports every agency and synagogue in our Jewish community, we want our federation to help connect us, making our community stronger, and also to build ties with Jewish communities around the world. We will deepen our relationship with our Israel Partnership community of Hadera, as one example, and will also make more effective use of the Jewish News, our website, Facebook and email blasts, all with the intention to share with the community the work of our agencies and federation. We want to raise as much money as possible to support the great work being done by our beneficiary agencies. To do that, we will focus on being as efficient as possible in our administrative efforts and bringing new thinking and innovation to our annual
Lion of Judah’s event provides an Israel experience.
Shalom Jacksonville’s Sukkot Garden Party campaign. In addition, in partnership with the Jewish Foundation, we will build our planned giving capabilities. We want to express our sincere appreciation to the members of the board and to the federation staff. The partnership shared by our professionals and volunteers is something of which we can be extremely pleased.
We can never say “thank you” enough to our donors! We look forward to working with you over the course of the coming years. We will build on our successes and achieve significantly more with your continued support. - Larry Appel, president - Alan Margolies, executive director
Does the thought of buying, selling or building a home give you shpilkas? Guy Benrubi
My Commitment to You
Risa Herman
I am committed to my clients by meeting their individual needs and by being completely focused on results that are in their best interests. I go above and beyond the real estate transaction to help guide them as they make the transition to or from their home. It is for this reason, why I am my clients’ Jacksonville ‘Realtor for Life’.
Visit me on the web at www.BuyorSellJacksonvilleFL.com.
I’ll treat you like mishpacha. Erica Jolles – Realtor erica@jaxrealestateforlife.com phone
Dan Jaffa
904-652-5978
CRC1326780
page 8
Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
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ANNUAL REPORT: JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Jewish Community Foundation: What will your legacy be? State of the Foundation: Our Create a Jewish Legacy program continues to be at the forefront of Foundation’s focus and the heart and soul of the organization. As we begin year four of CJL, we look back to measure success. Of the JFNA CJL pilot communities nationwide, Jacksonville is the only community to receive the maximum available competitive grant for all of the three consecutive years we were a pilot. Collaborative community effort: Foundation’s partner synagogues and Jewish agencies are working collaboratively, in the true spirit of community, stating with one voice, “Create a Jewish Legacy. Please remember the Jewish community in your will and estate plan.” Foundation President Mark Green and his wife Nancy hosted a brunch during which Mark thanked volunteers who helped with our community CJL Donor Recognition event and participated in focus groups. We evaluated CJL progress and developed community and internal strategies. Together, our agencies and synagogues participated in a CJL Strategic Planning process to ensure the momentum of the program continues through year three and after the pilot. Notable quotes: Mark Green, Foundation president and CJL Steering Committee member, had this to say, “I feel the creation of a strong foundation is essential to the continuity of our Jewish agencies and synagogues and their ability to serve our children and our children’s children. By maintaining a strong foundation, we will provide a continued stream of funding to our synagogues and agencies. This worthwhile cause will benefit generation after generation. What better legacy could we create?” Since initiating CJL in July
2007, Richard Sisisky, past Foundation president, continues to lead the charge as chair of our community CJL program and Steering Committee. “We achieve philanthropic immortality when we decide to leave a bequest in our will or, in some other way, contribute to or establish a permanent endowment fund that will benefit Jewish causes for the future,” explained Sisisky. “Our commitment to provide for the continued sustainability and growth of our agencies and synagogues long after we are gone is our Jewish legacy.” Creating Jewish legacies: Over 400 individuals advised us they will remember Jewish causes in their wills and estate plans. 233 declared their intent to create a Jewish legacy; others advised that, prior to CJL, they designated something in their will to Jewish causes and/or gave cash gifts to Jewish endowment funds. Thank you: On behalf of the Jewish community, “Thank you for creating your Jewish legacy.” Imagine what we will accomplish together by including Jewish causes in our wills and estate plans. Mel Fruit, Foundation vice president and long time board member, stated, “The best thing we can do is not tell the next generation what to do … Instead, leave for them the building blocks to grow on and leave it in their hands.” Youth philanthropy impact: 226 youth philanthropists have established philanthropic funds from which they make distributions to Jewish causes they wish to support. Cumulatively last year, B’nai Tzedek youth philanthropists distributed $7,174 to Jewish causes in Northeast Florida. Yasher Koach, well done. Success: When Foundation was incorporated in 1995, there
Rina Hovey, Suri Kinzbrunner and Amy Lipper at CJL and Etz Chaim Sisterhood Ethical Will Program
was very little in Jewish organizational endowment funds. To date, $52 million is owned, managed or has been designated through current and future charitable gift giving methods to Foundation for Jewish causes. CJL success: Since CJL’s inception in Jacksonville, 233 individuals declared their intent to create Jewish legacies. Through CJL, nearly $19 million in future legacy gifts were promised to the Jewish community, and we have only begun. Where the gift amount is unknown, Foundation uses the national bequest average of $50,000. Facts: Statistically, we will know of only three out of eight bequest gifts during the lifetimes of the donors. When those who did not plan to include Jewish causes in their wills were asked why not, the No. 1 one reason given was, “No one ever asked me.” Through CJL, we are asking. Promises to plans: Many individuals who signed declarations of intent have completed legacy plans with the help of the Foundation. Foundation ensures that your intent to support causes meaningful to you is always honored. Who will benefit: Endowment funds will benefit these Jewish causes, the Jewish community and generations to come: Beth El - the Beaches Synagogue, Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple), Etz Chaim Synagogue, Jacksonville Jewish Center, Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, Jewish Community Alliance, Jewish Family & Community Services and River Garden Hebrew Home. How does the community benefit: If we converted $52 million into cash today, and our synagogues and agencies collectively received just 5 percent of this balance each year, they would have $2.6 million to help meet the needs of members of our community. Foundation grants: From March 31, 2011, through March 31, 2012, Foundation distributed nearly $743,000 to qualified charities. More than $505,000 was distributed to Jewish nonprofits. What could be funded: Transportation and quality nursing home care for older adults, Jewish education and scholarships, hope and comfort during difficult times, food for the hungry, relocation for Jews living in harm’s way, social and spiritual programming, and more are available to members of our community through Foundation partners. Imagine the exponential effects of adding just one more donor. Simple process: Foundation assists individuals with confidential
Kansas City CJL Forum: Mark Green, Paulette Keifer, Ilana Clayman, and Richard Sisisky
Judy Elikan and Jill Metlin at the CJL Thank You Brunch
charitable gift planning services. Donors establish funds in a way that is meaningful to them. Every gift counts: Consider the cumulative effect. As Foundation grows, so will endowment funds available to ensure the financial viability of our partners. Foundation safeguards invested funds: An Investment Oversight Committee, comprised of investment savvy local Jewish individuals with a passion for the cause under guidance of a professional money manager and approval of the board, safeguards donated funds. Managed assets perform well: For each investment mix, funds invested with Foundation have performed well against indices and benchmarks for one-year, three-year and five-year periods. We feel confident we are doing an excellent job for those who instill their trust in Foundation. Special thanks: Thank you to our donors, volunteers, lay leaders and partner organizations for helping to accomplish our
collective goals. Thank you to our community CJL Steering Committee, the Foundation Board, and partner professionals and boards for your efforts to ensure success with our collaborative CJL program. To our seven community angels, “We could not have come this far without you.” To those who are creating Jewish legacies, “The future is in your hands and looking brighter each day.” Create your Jewish legacy: Ensure that those causes you feel passionate about today - causes you have nurtured and cared for during your lifetime - will have the benefit of your giving for the future. Contact the Foundation at 394-0720 for a confidential conversation. What will you build? Whom will you teach? What will you plant? Create your Jewish legacy for causes you care about. Together we will secure a vibrant future for our Jewish community and the generations that will follow us.
Mail, Rosner receive JFNA 2011 Endowment Achievement Award Andrea Mail has served on the Foundation board since July 2009 and, in January 2011, co-chaired with Ellen Rosner the successful community Create a Jewish Legacy celebration. She is a member of the CJL Steering Committee, chair of the Donor Recognition/ Programming Committee and assisted with planning other CJL events. In addition she serves on the board of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and chairs its Electronic Media Task Force. A supporter of Jewish education, Andrea received the 2008 Jacksonville Jewish Center Synagogue Volunteer of the Year award. She volunteers at Martin
J. Gottlieb Day School and serves on its 50th Anniversary Celebration committee. Andrea was the executive director of British Friends of the Hebrew University, a rotary scholar to the Hebrew University and a Wexner Scholar to Hebrew Union College. She shared, “Being involved with Create a Jewish Legacy and the Foundation is how I help to ensure that my dream of a more inclusive Jewish community becomes reality.” Since July 2010, Ellen Rosner has served on the Foundation board and, in January 2011, co-chaired with Andrea Mail the
successful community Create a Jewish Legacy celebration. She is an active member of the CJL Steering Committee and also serves on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and Jewish Family & Community Services. A graduate of South Texas College of Law, Ellen dedicates her time and energy to helping Jewish causes. She was president of Martin J. Gottlieb Day School PTA and the Jacksonville region National Council of Jewish Women, and served on the board of the Jacksonville Jewish Center synagogue for many years. When asked about her hopes
Andrea Mail
Ellen Rosner
for CJL, Ellen replied, “Everyone should feel proud of what they give. It feels good when you do your part, whatever the amount.
Others aren’t going to support our organizations – we have to. Endowment funds are crucial. Foundation makes it easy.”
Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
page 9
www.jewishjacksonville.org
COMMUNITY NEWS
Martin J. Gottlieb Day School visits the Windy City By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School
“Count off: 1, 2, 3….44.” Taking count was a regular task when MJGDS students visited Chicago the last week in April. Moving through Chicago at lightning-fast speed, the students saw a lot in a short time. Day 1 in Chicago, the students started off at Lincoln Park Zoo, had some fun at Whirly Ball, and enjoyed the Ferris wheel and a speed boat tour of Chicago at the U.S. Navy pier. Day 2 was filled with the Holocaust museum in Skokie, the Shedd Aquarium and the Skydeck on top of Sears Tower, now known as the Willis Tower. There was a quick stop in front of the United Center for the boys to take a picture in front of the Michael Jordon statue, which was a highlight for many of them. The evening was spent at Wrigley Field watching the Cubs win against the St. Louis Cardinals. Day 3, students helped at the G’mach in Chicago stocking food, sorting out clothing and doing whatever was asked of
them. G’mach is a Hebrew acronym for g’milus chasadim, meaning acts of loving kindness. In practice, a g’mach is a service offering various services and merchandise to those who need them most – at no cost. A g’mach is one of the biggest ways of showing loving kindness. At the Chicago Chesed Fund, it’s the variety of g’machs they offer that has turned their 44,000-square-foot warehouse into a free department store for those in need. Afterward, the sixth and seventh graders were taken to the airport to head home while the eighth-grade class stayed on for another packed two days. The eighth graders experienced a Segway nighttime tour of Chicago, celebrated Yom HaAtzmaut in downtown Chicago, visited the bean statue at Millenium Park and explored the Museum of Science and Industry. Middle School students at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School visit three cities in three years: Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York. Students learn so much
Yasher Koach (thank you) to Edith Horovitz who planned the trip, arranging for kosher dining, hotels and experiences.
There’s still time to sign up for Camp Ki Tov
Tzeeporim class kindergarten bound
By Jacksonville Jewish Center
By SHEREEN CANADY JJC Preschool Director
“Is my child ready for kindergarten?” This is a common question our teachers and I are asked every year at this time. It is one that I reflect on prior to answering. I begin by talking about what it means to be ready for “the big school.” Baby Center.com states, “Experts say no single or simple factor determines whether a child is ready for kindergarten. Instead, a child’s development needs to be evaluated on several fronts. His ability to think logically, speak clearly, and interact well with other children and adults are all critically important to success in school. A child’s physical development also needs to be considered. In reality, very few children are equally competent in all these areas. Many children who are advanced mentally may lag behind emotionally, while children who are extremely adept physically may be slower in terms of language development. But most early childhood educators agree that a child’s brain development is the most important gauge of readiness for kindergarten. In other words, your child may be small for his age, and lagging behind other kids socially and physically, but if his language, thinking, and perceptual skills are in place, then he’ll probably do well in kindergarten.” Every day at the JJC Preschool we work with all our students in an effort to nurture their curiosity and enrich their experiences. Our small
on these trips, while having a lot of fun. “They don’t even realize learning is taking place,” shares an eighth-grade parent. A
class approach allows our teachers to develop strong bonds with each child. Our teachers prepare engaging, challenging and discoverybased lessons tailored to the needs and interests of their students. One of my favorite professors often said, “The magic is in the journey.” In preschool we work with parents to build a solid, social, emotional, physical and academic foundation for our cuties, steeped in Jewish values and traditions. So, when a parent asks me if their child is ready for kindergarten, together we look through the child’s portfolio and discuss their developmental gains as documented by the teachers. I am proud to say that our Tzeeporim (VPK) classes leave us ready and eager to begin their formal education journey. They have practiced and learned how to share and work within a group, developed self-help skills and the confidence to clearly state, “I can do that by myself.”
The Jacksonville Jewish Center’s Camp Ki Tov will be kicking off our summer season in just a couple of weeks, but there is still limited space available for what will be Camp Ki Tov’s best summer yet. Camp Ki Tov has been providing fun, positive, and safe programming in a Jewish setting for over 50 years. Located on over 35 acres of the Jacksonville Jewish Center, Camp Ki Tov offers a ton of great programming – indoors and outdoors – for children of all ages. Our outdoor facilities include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, soccer fields, a basketball court, a baseball diamond, a Gaga pit, as well as a gazebo and picnic tables for outdoor bunk programming. Our in-
door facilities offer opportunities for quiet indoor games, as well as drama, arts and crafts, music, dance and many other activities. Ki Tov is the only camp in the area that offers weekly sessions and has the fun of a sleep-away camp in a day camp setting. Our camp, under the leadership of Stephanie Teitelbaum, also offers a Camp Rishonim Preschool program, under the leadership of Shereen Canady. The preschool program is a perfect complement to those little ones looking to continue their learning and exploring that they regularly experience in preschool during the summer months. A daily kosher lunch is provided at camp, along with morning and afternoon snacks. Additionally, Camp Ki Tov goes on weekly field trips on
Thursdays based on the weekly theme of each session. We will be offering the following themes for summer 2012: week 1: time travelers; week 2: under the big top; week 3: Hawaiian hullabaloo; week 4: superheroes and emergency services; week 5: Nickelodeon days; week 6: out of this world (space); week 7: Olympics; week 8: best of the best - Camp KiTov Rocks! For more information about camp or to sign up, please contact Stephanie Teitelbaum at 268-4200 ext. 143 or kitov@jaxjewishcenter.com, Shereen Canady at shereen.canady@jaxjewishcenter. com, or Rabbi Olitzky at jesse. olitzky@jaxjewishcenter.com. We are looking forward to an incredible summer at Camp Ki Tov - where lifelong memories are made.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
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ANNUAL REPORT: JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES
JFCS provides for those in need in Jewish tradition For nearly 100 years, Jewish Family & Community Services has provided for those most in need in the Jewish tradition of helping people help themselves. We have provided social services for the young at heart to the most experienced hearts, all to strengthen the entire community. As the year is coming to an end, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on the wonderful partnerships we’ve developed and the lives that we’ve touched through our programs. Last July, we offered our ever popular 8 Notes of Summer programs, sponsored by the Ben Gottlieb Family. We facilitated this program in five senior living facilities. In August, we began the year with kickoff plans for the PJ Library. Developed and funded by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, with local funding by the DuBow Family Foundation and the Sam Berman Charitable Foundation, we mail free, high-quality Jewish children’s literature and music to children of families raising Jewish children from ages 6 months to 8 years old. We held our annual Jewish Healing Network Volunteer Appreciation Event honoring the volunteers who make visits to those who are ill or shut in. Partnering with the JFCS in West Palm Beach, we began providing services to Holocaust survivors with Claims Conference funding. As the new school year started, Congregation Ahavath Chesed donated carloads of school supplies to our foster children and Achievers for Life students. The Jewish Educational Loan Fund, in partnership with JFCS, was pleased to provide seven interest-free college loans to Jewish students. During the High Holidays, JFCS’ Feed A Needy Neighbor
Volunteers make Passover bags.
Program received truckloads of nonperishable items thanks to the generosity of congregants from the Temple, Beth El, Beth Shalom and the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Without their support, hundreds of families would have gone hungry. In addition to the community support, the Block Family provided Winn-Dixie and Wal-Mart gift cards to hundreds of families to purchase food for their bare pantry shelves. As the hot hazy days of summer turned into the cool crisp days of fall, JFCS entered a time of festivity and excitement. In October, after a nationwide search, Colleen Rodriguez was selected as JFCS’s executive cirector. Colleen has been with the agency 14 years, most recently as interim executive director. At the end of October we held a luncheon, hosted by Michael Donziger, David Robbins and David Stein, at Epping Forest for businessmen in the community to help educate them about JFCS and its programs and services. The agency also saw great celebrations of Sukkot within the JFCS Culture Club. In November, volunteers were recognized for their service to the Jewish Healing Network at the Bikkur Cholum Shabbat. The Jacksonville Jewish Center, Congregation Ahavath Chesed and Beth Shalom participated in honoring individuals for fulfilling the mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim. The amount of time they commit to visiting those who are sick and those in need is immeasurable. Koleinu, a forum for education, resources and social interaction for parents of Jewish children with special needs, presented the movie, “Praying with Lior,” a story of courage and inclusion, at Congregation Ahavath Chesed. Partnering with the JCA, we sponsored Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, a noted pediatrician, who discussed his book, “Letting Go With Love & Confidence,” providing parenting tips to families with teenagers. For our Holiday Gift Giving Program, contributions of toys, clothing and funds were again donated to make the holiday season special for those in our Child Safety, Prevention, Achievers for Life programs and seniors. These gifts might have been the only ones they would receive. In December, we mailed a
communitywide distribution of PJ Library enrollment packages. To date, 225 families are enrolled. We presented our third annual 8 Notes of Hanukkah, a musical program at six senior living facilities. As JFCS entered 2012, the Jewish Services Department was busy with our Alexandra Miller Speaker Series. Our guest speaker was Rabbi Kerry Olitzky, the executive director of the Jewish Outreach Institute in New York City and Rabbi Jesse Olitzky’s (Jacksonville Jewish Center) father. Rabbi Olitzky educated over 100 members of the medical and Jewish communities on issues surrounding addiction. Also in January, JFCS held a Women’s Event at Seasons 52 for over 80 women who were there to learn more about JFCS. The host committee included Caren Appel, Cecilia Cristol, Jackie Goldman, Francine Kempner, Andrea Mail, Kim Robbins, Jeanine Rogozinski, Ellen Rosner, Fran Selevan and Tammy Shumer. On March 1, the agency honored Iris Young, executive director of JFCS for over 27 years, for her many years of service to the community and to JFCS. A beautiful dinner was held at Epping Forest and included many past presidents as speakers who told of their tenure and stories of Iris. The room was filled with a sold out crowd. Thank you to everyone who attended. March continued to buzz with celebrations of Purim. The JCA Youth Group, and the students of the Martin J. Gottlieb Middle School and Kehillah Chadashah baked hamentaschen with residents of Sunrise Senior Living. A second showing of “Praying with Lior” was held at the JCA. Parents and children with special needs attended the movie. Charlotte Temple, advocacy director at The ARC led a discussion. In observance of Passover, JFCS worked with the students of the Martin J. Gottlieb Middle School to fulfill our annual agency tradition of holding a Model Seder at Mt. Carmel. Through the Kosher Kart program, JFCS provided over 50 bags of Kosher for Passover food to families. In April the Jewish Services Department welcomed Karen Susman as the new Jewish Healing Network Coordinator. JFCS
nonperishable groceries for delivery to the JFCS office located off Dupont Avenue. They do all the loading and unloading, and the driver, Larry Anderson, even brings a dolly from home to help with the unloading. Raven assists JFCS in moving other products from one location to another when needed. When an over-shipment of pallets or cases of slightly damaged canned food is donated to us, they send a truck and driver. Or when they are called to pick up surplus from other food banks, such as Second Harvest, Raven always offers the food items to JFCS first for the Food Pantry. Because we have no van or truck, Raven’s availability to pick up the thousands pounds of food that they bring to us each year, offers an invaluable resource and incomparable service. Raven also has an employee community service committee which raises money through various internal means to use for
worthy causes in our community; JFCS has long been on the list to receive donations through the employee group. The committee has contributed every year to the Feed a Needy Neighbor program and, on several occasions over the years, they also made up Thanksgiving food packets with everything a family would need to prepare a complete Thanksgiving dinner. Raven has also donated hundreds of dollars worth of gift cards for seniors at Christmas and Hanukkah time. We are so grateful to Raven Transport and Steve Silverman, COO, for their unselfish commitment to taking care of those in need. They are one very valuable cog in the wheel, making it possible for the Winn-Dixie Emergency Food Pantry at JFCS to continue serving over 50,000 meals through our pantry in this last year alone. Thank you Raven Transport for your support and dedication.
JFCS honors former JFCS executive director Iris Young.
JFCS welcomes PJ Library. continued to collaborate with the Block Family to coordinate the Block Family Food Challenge during April and May, whereby monetary contributions were matched to benefit the Feed A Needy Neighbor Program. Advance Directive workshops, facilitated by Jewish Services’ case managers, were presented to St. Vincent employees and cosponsored by JFCS and Eldersource in partnership with Congregation Ahavath Chesed. We also kicked off Hear-O-Israel, a support group for those with hearing loss. In June, we look forward to our new board members joining us: Caren Appel, Danny Berenberg, Stuart Klein, Blanche Koegler, Sue Levine, Robert Morgan, Judy Poppell, Rabbi Avi Schochet and Vanessa Solomon. We say
goodbye to board members Lauren Block, Harvey Ditker, Helen Dubow and Sara Green, who gave of their time and expertise in service to the families and individuals of JFCS. We thank you for all you have given to JFCS. JFCS closes another year of great accomplishments through meaningful partnerships and collaborations with agencies, synagogues, businesses, families and friends. Without so many of you, JFCS could not honor its goal to fully meet the needs of the Jewish community while providing significant services to the broader community in the Jewish tradition of Tikkun Olam. Together, we all make our own community a better place. Thank you – Colleen Lloyd Rodriguez, executive director
Raven Transport: providing a large service in a great big way Raven Transport Inc. is a privately owned transportation company that has been doing business in Jacksonville since 1985. Operating an entire fleet of state-of-the-art equipment, meeting a variety of trucking and transportation needs throughout the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Northeast, they are proud of their experienced drivers and their award-winning service record. And now they have a new award, of which to be proud. JFCS announces that Raven Transport has been selected for the 2011-2012 Volunteer of the Year award. They faithfully donate a truck and drivers’ time and energy and a dedication of service to our Winn-Dixie Emergency Food Pantry. On the second Tuesday of every month, Raven provides a tractor-trailer and a driver for our use all day, or for as many hours as we need it, and at no cost to us. They go to the Winn-Dixie warehouse and pick up pallets of
Above, Raven workers Larry Anderson and Joseph Vona
Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
www.jewishjacksonville.org
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EDUCATION
Happy Shavuot (The Feast of Weeks) By JJJC Preschool
The holiday of Shavuot celebrates two things: First are the first fruits ripening in spring. Second is the Torah and that God gave and
Center preschool students donate canned fruit.
Yom Ha’Atzmaut
The children at the Jacksonville Jewish Center Preschool culminated their study of Israel with a big birthday party celebration on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. They sang, boarded an imaginary El Al airplane, ‘traveled’ to Israel, waved their flags and ate yummy cahol (blue) and lavan (white) cupcakes.
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we took. And that’s why we are called the people of the book. The Jacksonville Jewish Center Preschool celebrated the Bikkurim Festival with the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School students by wearing
white and donating canned fruit. We love learning about the Ten Commandments and living by them, too. The rules are followed not just at school but continue through the summer.
page 12
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
Photos left to right: Andrea Mail and Jeanine Rogozinski, 50th Anniversary Extravaganza Co-Chairs. Don Kriss, JJC Executive Director and Debbie & Mel Gottlieb, 50th Anniversary Honorary Chairpersons
Photos left to right: Michael DuBow, JJC President and Rabbi Emeritus David Gaffney Robin Shorstein and Kim Glasgal, 50th Anniv. Tribute Journal Co-Chairs
Thank you to the following businesses and individuals who helped the 50th Anniversary Committee make the celebration possible:
Alhambra Dinner Theatre
Margo’s Catering
Beachview Tent Rentals
Mark Scheff – Bevmark Entertain. Prince Pele’s Polynesian Revue
Christopher Hernandez
Minute Man Press
PRI Productions
David Goldberg Image Design
Minute Man Press of San Marco
Jeff Davis
Jacksonville Jewish Center PTA
Renaissance Hotel at the World Golf Village
Joana Thurston
JJC Sisterhood Gift Shop
Larry Smith & Billy Silverman
Oliv’r Twist
PGA Tour Entertainment
Robin Allerding Ryan Noble Photography
Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
page 13
www.jewishjacksonville.org
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Issue | Date
SPECIAL THANK YOU to our 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee Chairs: Linda and Laurie DuBow & Debbie and Mel Gottlieb, Bruce Horovitz, Andrea Mail, Kim Glasgal, Robin Shorstein, Arlene Yegelwel, Marsha Pollock, Sheri Weiss, Brent Trager, Rebecca Fixel and Jeanine Rogozinski.
50TH ANNIVERSARY ALUMNI REUNION
50TH ANNIVERSARY PTA SPONSORED FAMILY LUAU
50TH ANNIVERSARY EXTRAVAGANZA
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
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SYNAGOGUE NEWS Kugel Queen
Richard and Evalee Talpalar Grenamyer welcome you to...
Nancy Eber is crowned Kugel Queen 2012 at Temple’s recent Nosh and Notes Jewish Food & Music Festival. Linda Weinstein and Linda Granat were awarded 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
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WOMEN’S PAGE
Temple celebrates Sisterhood Shabbat
Summer is in bloom at Stein Mart
By SAM GRISWOLD
Congregation Ahavath Chesed
They say that behind every good man is a good woman. One could argue that behind every strong synagogue is a strong sisterhood. This would definitely be true for Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple). On May 11 the Temple celebrated Sisterhood Shabbat, installing the new officers of WRJ Temple Sisterhood and recognizing those past leaders who were completing their term in office. Past-President Celeste Danos concluded her term and said, “One of the most touching moments of my presidency was watching the Youth Torah, created by Temple families and crafted by sisterhood’s own Heidi Ruff and Phyllis Stein-Wood, being unrolled for the first time. Seeing the congregation, young and not so young, connected by the threads of this Torah brought great joy to my heart.” Danos handed off the presidency to Co-Presidents Susan Board and Rhoda London, both of whom have a long personal and family history with sisterhood. Board is following in the footsteps of her mother, who served as sisterhood president in Pine Bluff, Ark., for many years. London previously served as Temple Sisterhood president from 2004 to 2006. “I’m excited to be recycled as co-president with
More everyday low prices and extraordinary values. Temple’s Youth Torah was created by Temple families and crafted by sisterhood members Heidi Ruff and Phyllis SteinWood. Susan and look forward to working with our talented, enthusiastic volunteers,” she said. Temple is more vibrant thanks to the efforts and contributions of its sisterhood including its Women’s Seder with proceeds going to Hubbard House, youth scholarships for school and camp, the Temple Braille Group, care packages for Jewish military personnel, support for the Wurn Family Library, Feed A Needy Neighbor and more!
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
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WOMEN’S PAGE/EDUCATION
Hadassah offers centennial news By Hadassah
The doors to the magnificent Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital Tower opened March 19 to welcome the first patients. The tower will be formally dedicated at Hadassah’s Centennial Convention on Oct. 16. Before the patients arrived, a celebratory — and stirring — Moving-in Day Ceremony was held in the elegant three-story glass-enclosed atrium
that serves as the main entrance to the tower. Hadassah National President Marcie Natan presented the key to the tower to Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. One of the highlights of the day was Emily Reaser’s (Mrs. Davidson’s granddaughter) announcement of a matching gift up to $12.5 million to ensure the Davidson Hospital Tower is completed and fully equipped. Jacksonville Hadassah is one
Temple Sisterhood takes a spirituality retreat 15 no-sew blankets, generously funded by Rae Masin, were made at Temple’s 2012 Sisterhood Spirituality Retreat to donate to the Community PedsCare.
By AUDREY GOLDBERG Temple Sisterhood
Approximately 20 women gathered at Marywood Retreat and Conference Center in Switzerland, Fla., for a weekend of relaxation, reflection and spiritual renewal April 27-29. Participants arrived eager to welcome Shabbat in the company of other enthusiastic women. Following dinner, services and a lovely Oneg, we engaged in an array of enjoyable activities including a Chinese auction, karaoke and yoga. Following Shabbat morning services and Torah study, the day was filled with a variety of activities from arts and crafts to massages, a film and discussion. As one of the weekend’s social action projects, everyone made adorable no-sew blankets for the children in Community PedsCare, a pediatric hospice program in
On April 19 at the TimesUnion Center for the Performing Arts Moran Theatre, Edith Horovitz, MJGDS mitzvah project coordinator and middle school vice principal, was invited to the stage to receive the HandsOn Schools Award for service in the community. The following is an entry on the HandsOn Jax blog: “Martin J. Gottlieb Day School is a place where the culture of giving back and community engagement has been cultivated for the past 16 years.” While learning the importance of service to others, the students are leaving their mark on our community. Their activities include visiting hospitalized seniors, delivering food to the Jewish Family & Children Ser-
the Centennial Convention in Jerusalem. It will cap three whirlwind days of excitement, emotion and education, highlighted by the Oct. 16 dedication of the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital Tower. For more information on this historic convention visit www.hadassah.org Liat Walker dresses as Henrietta Szold at the Spring Florida Central Region Conference in Naples.
Jacksonville servicing children with life-threatening and lifelimiting illnesses. A second social action project involved collecting toiletries and arts and crafts supplies for Quigley House, a domestic violence and sexual assault shelter in Clay County. Sunday morning brought us back together for one final gathering, as we held our healing service and closing ceremony. We each took turns holding the Torah and shared our thoughts and feelings about the weekend, our lives and each other. Our retreat had come to an end and as we hugged one another goodbye, we left Marywood calmer, more at peace, closer to each other, closer to G-d and with a renewed sense of strength and purpose, so that we may all face whatever lies ahead. We hope that everyone will join us next year and experience the beauty of our Sisterhood Retreat.
vices food pantry, working with special-needs students, serving breakfast at Clara White Mission, delivering Thanksgiving meals to the Malivai Washington Foundation’s clients, environmental cleanups and more. The students of Martin J. Gottlieb Day School spend two to three hours each week in various community acts of service. While they volunteer as a part of their school’s program, they use their free time preparing for various service projects. From senior citizens to special-needs students, many lives are enriched because of the dedication of these students, as the student’s lives are enriched through service to others. Congratulations to our middle school mitzvah program for inspiring others in our community to do good.
Jacksonville
JEWISH NEWS Grow your business
Liat Walker dresses as Henrietta Szold.
edJEWcon 5772.0 puts the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School on the map By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School
Martin J. Gottlieb Day School wins HandsOn Jax award By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School
of 23 chapters in the Florida Central Region, which spans from Naples on the southwest coast up to Tallahassee. The Florida Central Region recently raised $36,000 to put its name on the Burn Unit Nurses’ Lounge in the new tower. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will receive Hadassah’s Henrietta Szold Award on Thursday evening, Oct. 18, at the gala celebration that will close
Twenty-one Jewish day schools came together in Jacksonville at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School for edJEWcon, a ground-breaking conference designed to demonstrate to teams of day school educators how to implement a 21st-century approach to curriculum and instruction. The integration of technology and digital media into teaching and learning are essential tools to engage all learners. This innovative conference raised the bar and showed the way for participants to acquire new understandings and gain needed skills. The conference, with just over 100 participants, reached an audience on Twitter of over 100,000 in under 24 hours. Sponsored by the Avi Chai Foundation and the Schechter Day School Network, with guest keynote speakers, Heidi Hayes Jacobs and Angela Maiers, this conference was like no other. A Twitter feed, #edjewcon, contained over 1,000 tweets mentioning things learned; thanking MJGDS for this incred-
ible conference; and helping the schools and agencies in attendance, and those following the conference via Twitter, network with one another. Jewish day schools of every denomination sent teams to participate in this unique learning opportunity, in addition to representation from many major Jewish educational agencies. The schedule consisted of three packed days of track sessions, choice sessions, keynote speakers, and time in the blogger’s café for reflection and sharing. Conference sessions were led by guest speakers and members of the MJGDS faculty, as well as a few MJGDS Middle School students. On the first day, teams had time to learn about, and set up, the new tools they received at the conference: iPads, flip cameras and iPods. The Martin J. Gottlieb Day School has been a leader in 21st Century Learning skills for the past two years, and now schools across the country are using MJGDS as a model. Thanks to the vision of Andrea Hernandez and Silvia Tolisano, MJGDS 21st
Century Learning specialists, and Head of School Jon Mitzmacher, edJEWcon was born, and Jewish day schools across North America are benefitting from that vision. “My mind is atwitter. I’m all blogged out. And I can’t spend any more time in the app store. I’m uncomfortable, in brain pain, and petrified of what I don’t know. And I couldn’t be more excited or invigorated about it,” said one edJEWcon attendee in a blog entry. Andrea Hernandez, one of the conferences organizers and presenters concluded: “We often talk about 21st Century Learning in terms of the skills needed to be successful in this technological world. One of those important skills is collaboration. edJEWcon is collaboration at its best.” Future plans include turning edJEWcon into a yearly professional development opportunity and sharing the learning at national educational conferences and beyond the day school milieu.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
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EDUCATION
JCA launches program to fight childhood obesity By SUJATA DESHMUKH Jewish Community Alliance
According to recent studies on childhood obesity, the current generation of American children may be the first to not outlive its parents. The JCA, in partnership with JCC Association, the continental umbrella for the JCC movement, wants to do something about it. Last year, JCC Association launched Discover: CATCH Early Childhood, a program for children ages 3 to 5 that seeks to nurture a love of physical activity and encourage them to develop life-long healthy eating habits. The program emphasizes movement and fun, group games, gym and outdoor-time activities. Six JCCs have piloted the program over the past year, and staffers at Jacksonville’s JCA
began program training in May. The JCA is one of seven Florida JCCs that will adopt the program, courtesy of a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida. “CATCH will permeate our everyday activities and curriculum,” said ECE Director Theresa Levy. “We hope that students in our program understand from a young age how important it is to take care of their bodies by moving regularly and frequently, and making healthy food choices in appropriate portions. Recent brain research shows that gross motor movement increases cognitive functions. We hope that these healthy habits stay with children and their families, increasing their chances of having a healthy, long and fulfilling life.” The original CATCH program was launched at the University of Texas, and a key collaborator
is Jared Fogle, the spokesperson for Subway. Fogle is the face of CATCH and Discover CATCH. Discover CATCH collaborates with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Initiative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to Mark Horowitz, vice president, Early Childhood Education & Family Engagement at JCC Association, Discover CATCH incorporates physical activities that escalate from moderate to vigorous, nutrition information, tips on how to get parents involved, and a context of Jewish values. “Our Jewish texts make it very clear that we need to take care of our bodies,” he said. “We hope to teach wellness, fitness and nutrition in a meaningful way. It’s easier to create good health habits rather than change behavior as children get older.”
Register for Bernard & Alice Selevan school By Center Religious School
Registration is now open for next year. The award-winning program, recognized by United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism as a Framework for Excellence school, integrates formal and informal educational programming and meets rigorous standards in all academic areas that include professional development, curriculum development and family education. As always, the school, which
begins in kindergarten and continues through eighth grade, incorporates art, music, 21st Century Learning and experiential programming. An individual tracking and assessment system assures that every student progresses at their own pace with their Hebrew reading, language and prayer skills. A special-needs professional is always on hand to give support as needed to individuals and groups. Rounded out with
a strong Judaic curriculum; including Torah, mitzvot, history, lifecycle, and holidays; numerous family programs, and a dedicated and nurturing staff, the Religious School provides a complete Jewish education that prepares children to enter our community as capable young adults. If you would like more information, please contact Lois Tompkins, principal, at 268-4200 ext. 146 or visit us at www.jjcreligiousschool.wordpress.com for all of your registration forms.
NAOMI ALEXANDER Once Upon a Time in LITHUANIA & the Florida Connection T hru September 30, 2012 English artist Naomi Alexander, ROI, records the last remnants of Jewish heritage in Lithuania today. Alexander traveled the country depicting her impressions of the people and their communities. The Museum adds photographs, artifacts and stories from Floridian Jews whose origins are from Lithuania. Courtesy of the London Jewish Cultural Centre exhibition organized in association with the Ben Uri Gallery, the London Jewish Museum of Art. Kitchen interior, Zeizmariai, detail, oil on wood, 2003.
Local Sponsors: Sarita, Jimmy & Lidia Resnick and Deborah & Bruce Kaye in memory of Sonia & Nochim Golomb.
Woman of Telz and red door, oil on wood-triptych, 2002.
MEL FINKELSTEIN: PICTURING THE MAN BEHIND THE CAMERA Thru October 14, 2012 Mel Finkelstein & Kim Novak, gelatin silver print, 1960.
Featuring a lifetime of work by acclaimed photojournalist Mel Finkelstein, these images from the 1950s-1980s focus on iconic symbols of our cultural past, from presidents to performers, giving a sense of this larger-than-life man and his world of time, place and celebrity.
The Beatles, gelatin silver print, 1964.
Exhibit curated by Donna Wendler and Susan J. Geier and circulated by the Mel Finkelstein Family Trust. Partially sponsored by Congregation Beth Jacob.
Also enjoy our core exhibit MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida, Museum Store & Bessie’s Bistro
The Museum is supported by individual contributions, foundations, memberships and grants from the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Arts Council, and National Endowment for the Arts; the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners and its Cultural Affairs Council and Tourist Development Council; and the City of Miami Beach and its Cultural Arts Council.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
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PERSPECTIVES/SHALOM JACKSONVILLE Jacksonville
JEWISH NEWS Diane Rodgers, Communications Director 904.448.5000, ext. 212 Advertising Representatives Barbara Nykerk • 904.733.4179 Eta Perras • 904.629.0466 Communications Committee Jon Israel, Chair Shirley Bielski Michele Katz Joan Levin Rachel Morgenthal Marsha Pollock Gail Sterman Federation President Larry Appel 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.
Never stop blessing our children By RABBI JESSE OLITZKY Jacksonville Jewish Center
W
e begin the month of June with Parashat Naso, the Torah portion of Naso, in which we learn about the priest’s role in Ancient Israel with regards to his relationship with the people. This parasha includes arguably the most famous of blessings, the priestly benediction. Chapter six of the book of numbers concludes with God telling Moses to instruct Aaron and his sons, the high priests, that they should bless the people of Israel as follows: “May the Lord bless you and keep you! May the Lord deal kindly and graciously with you! May the Lord bestow God’s favor upon you and grant you peace!” These words of blessing are referred to as a single blessing or benediction and yet they are really three separate blessings woven together: a blessing for protection, a blessing for kindness toward others as well as from others, and lastly a blessing of peace. While this blessing is said regularly during services as part of the repetition of the Amidah or in more traditional contexts during duchenen on festivals, these words are familiar to so many
RABBINICALLY SPEAKING
Java participants play Jewish trivia Jewish Java has been going strong for seven years. Each month brings regulars, newcomers and many people who are interested in making new friendships. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve lived in Jacksonville, you have an open invitation to join us anytime. Buy your fresh breakfast, a bagel, Danish or whatever. The coffee and tea are compliments of Marc Kahn, owner of Let’s Nosh. Mark your calendars now for the first Wednesday of every month from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Let’s Nosh, 10950 San Jose Blvd. Our next Javas will be held on June 6 and July 11. Note we will not meet July 4.
Shalom Jacksonville
For most of us, the summer months are a time to relax, catch up on our reading, spend time outdoors and just take a break from some of our day-to -day activities. However, for Shalom Jacksonville this is the season for newcomers. While many families move to this area all year long, we find most arrive during the summer months. To acquaint new people with our area, we are planning a couple of casual gatherings for newcomers and anyone else interested in making Jewish connections and learning more
“If You See Something, Say Something” is the slogan for The Secure Community Network. This homeland security initiative of the Jewish Federations of North America and other major Jewish organizations alert our local Federation of any suspicious activity in our area and the world. The slogan reminds us to be vigilant to any possible anti-Semitic situations that might cause harm to our people and encourages us to report them to our local law enforcement. We, at Federation take these reports seriously. This phrase is very versatile.
about the general community. Our first event will be held on Sunday, June 24, at 7 p.m. at the home of Yvonne Cohen, 1194 Cunningham Creek Drive (Julington Creek area). This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone new to the Jewish community to make connections with their neighbors and find out the latest happenings around town. Summer salads and fruits will be served. Please RSVP to Isabel Balotin, 904-448-5000 x 206 or shalomjax@jewishjacksonville. org. Shalom Jacksonville is a program of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and is sponsored by Florida Blue.
If you meet someone, tell someone Shalom Jacksonville
to God for kindness in hopes that the lessons we have taught our children, and ethics and values we have instilled in our children, will carry with them as they become more independent. Making decisions on their own, we pray that they will be kind to everyone, to never superficially judge another, and to always greet someone with a cheerful face. Additionally, we pray that others will be kind to our children. There are no security blankets in the real world that we can cling to when we are frightened, and there are plenty of mean people that deflate kindness. We pray that the kindness of our children ignites a spark in others, creating a cultural shift and making an effort for everyone to be kinder to each other. When this happens our final prayer, a prayer for peace, will become a reality. Never stop praying with your children. No matter how much they grow up or how old they get, you will always be there to protect them, teach them kindness, and help them make peace in this world a reality. Let us recite these words of blessing as we bless our children every Shabbat and let us not be afraid to add our own personal words of blessing as well. Let us never stop blessing our children because they bless our lives every day with everything that they do.
Shalom Jacksonville summertime welcome By ISABEL BALOTIN
Top photo: People enjoy playing Jewish trivia and were surprised at some of the answers to the pop culture questions. At right: Newcomer Marshall Koonin reads the list of Ten Commandments, which had a value of 20 points if answered correctly. Far right: Jackie Simms welcomes newcomer Lisa RattaShoshan.
By ISABEL BALOTIN
of us because they are the words we use to bless our children on Friday evening as we welcome in Shabbat. Although these words were reserved for ritual, exclusively when Aaron blessed the entire nation, they are especially fitting on the personal level as a blessing that parents offer a child. The reality of parenting is that children become fiercely independent way too quickly. This is true for the teenager with a driver’s license, the middle school student who no longer wants to hang out with her parents, or the elementary school student who prefers to do tasks on his own, even if done incorrectly. The same is even true for my own daughter who at just 19 months old insists on picking out her own outfits every day. Such independence helps parents realize that we cannot protect our children from the challenges of the real world forever so we turn to God and pray. We pray that God will continue to protect them as they make mistakes, because we all make mistakes and, frankly, part of what it means to be independent is to make mistakes. Such protection gives children (and adults) the courage to try again after making mistakes. We pray
By simply changing a word or two, one can make it applicable to hundreds of situations. For purposes of this article, I will customize it for Shalom Jacksonville. It could read: If you meet someone, tell someone or if you meet someone, tell him/her about our Jewish community. We meet new people daily: at work, at schools, at programs, even in our neighborhoods. When you find out they are Jewish or newly interested in the Jewish community, ask them if they would mind your sharing their names with the federation. Then all you need to do is contact me and I will call them for further information. In the spirit of
cooperation, we share our list of unaffiliated families with all the local synagogues giving them an equal opportunity to reach out to newcomers. The height of the season (an old Catskills’ expression) for newcomers begins in June and continues through the High Holidays. All I ask is that you be aware of new faces, new neighbors and campers who might be interested in our community. And by all means, welcome them warmly, let us know who they are so we can reach out to them and make them feel at home in their new comunity. For more information, contact Isabel Balotin, 448-5000 x 206.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
COMMUNITY NEWS PRESIDENTS Continued from p. 1
Jewish Foundation. Mark and his wife, Jill, were recently married in Santa Fe, N.M., in a Western-themed ceremony. Mark’s daughter, Morgan, recently married Leo Roci, and is enrolled in physician assistant school at Berry College in Miami. Mark’s son, David, is graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in building construction, and will be joining the Stellar Company immediately after graduation. Everyone raises their glass at JCA’s seder.
JCA
Continued from p. 5 of musical programs throughout the year. The Taste & Tour with the JCA series offered day trips to points of interest in the area followed by a delicious meal. The JCA Summer Camp program is accredited by the American Camping Association and served over 800 campers last summer. Our program offers camp activities for children age 1 through high school. The preschool camp offers the same security and quality to our youngest population that is received yearround in our NAEYC-accredited preschool and kindergarten. The Early Childhood Education Department continued to offer the very best programming for young children. Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool is one of the first programs in the area to achieve re-accreditation under the new, far more rigorous NAEYC guidelines.
ECE has partnered with the Cummer Art Museum and Gardens, the Jacksonville Symphony, MOSH, the Jacksonville Zoo and the St. Johns Riverkeeper to enhance its students’ learning experience. ECE also produced the always popular Bountiful Baskets fundraiser. Our website (jcajax.org) provided information on JCA programs, activities and events in searchable formats. The site enables participants to register for programs online and provides an additional avenue of communication between the community and the JCA staff. The JCA’s Facebook page has more than 800 followers who receive updates on JCA events, programs and activities. The JCA also began using Twitter and added video kiosks and in-house TV programming to keep clients informed of upcoming events, programs and activities.
Robbins family helps build classroom With the support of the Robbins family of Jacksonville, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee recently inaugurated a large, new classroom for the Girls’ School in Zarzis, Tunisia. After a full day studying in public school, approximately 15 girls of different ages come to study Hebrew and Judaism for two to three hours a day. Built above the existing nursery school, the more than ample, freshly equipped classroom adjoins a good-sized balcony used to host discussions on Shabbat. Modern lavatories also enhance this facility. The funds to construct and furnish this facility were shared by the Robbins family and this remarkable community of 100 members (of whom 40 or more are children).
Community President Eliahou Souffir expressed everyone’s deep appreciation to the Robbins family and to the Joint for such tangible and productive encouragement. The completion of this project, moreover, has already whetted the community appetite for physical renovation. They will now reconstruct the kosher slaughtering area and at the same time create a modern kitchen to serve community events. Once that is completed (at community expense) JDC will be looking for donations to help the community transform the old classroom for girls into a modern mikvah and then convert the adjacent old mikvah into a proper dressing and relaxation area. In the meantime JDC will pay to renew the children’s playground equipment in the courtyard down below.
Francine Trager Kempner, who will take over the presidency from Howard Caplan, is a Jacksonville native, having graduated from Hendricks Avenue Elementary School, Landon High School and The University of Florida. Married to Jim Kempner, they have two children and four grandchildren. Daughter Merideth McEvoy lives in Ft. Lauderdale with her children, Avery and Madison; son Peter lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., with wife, Simone, and children Marley and Seeger.
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Larry Appel continues with his second year as president of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville. Appel has tremendous experience in retail, having worked at Winn-Dixie for nearly a decade and at Home Depot prior to that. Prior to entering the corporate world, he was in private practice in Atlanta, predominantly with the King & Spalding law firm. He has vast experience in mergers and acquisitions; equity and debt financing; and other major business transactions. Appel holds a bachelor of arts in government from the University of Virginia and a doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated Order of the Coif, an honor society for U.S. law school graduates. Larry is married to Caren. They have three children: Rebecca, Molly and Michael.
her immense improvement to the stability of food/fluid intake while in the Adult Day Program as well as Merline’s positive outlook in coming to River Garden to see her friends three days a week. “I love River Garden, and it has done so much for my health. I like going to the doctor now since I’m so much better,” said Merline. “I’ve even quit smoking since I’ve been coming here, because I’m doing things I like to do. I love to help people and see people each day.” Open seven days a week, Adult Day Care at River Garden is a structured, comprehensive program which provides a secure and supportive environment to foster mental and physical wellness. The program gives participants like Merline the opportunity to socialize, engage in activities of interest, and enjoy peer interaction and support.
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2009. In addition to the above, Francine is also a member of the Women’s Giving Alliance for the Community Foundation of Jacksonville and Congregation Ahavath Chesed.
Continued from p. 1
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Francine’s career started in retail working in her family’s business, the Pic N’ Save stores, for 26 years. In 1998 Francine and Jim approached the agency with the idea of hosting a dinner to benefit the Feed A Needy Neighbor Program. Francine and Jim hosted dinners to benefit FANN for many years, and friends of theirs kept asking to be invited back as the evening was so much fun. Not only would the Kempners get involved with FANN through these dinners, they have also continued to be one of our major contributors to make sure that everyone who came through our doors for assistance would not go away hungry. In addition to serving on the board of Jewish Family & Community Services for over 10 years, she has also served on the River Garden Gala Committee and as the River Garden Gala chair in 2004. Francine is a member of the board of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and has served on the executive committee and as treasurer in 2010. Francine also served as campaign chair and president of the Federation Women’s Division from 2005 to
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
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LIFECYCLES Births
Cara and David Berman of Falls Church, Va., announce the birth of their daughter, Raya Samantha, on Nov. 16, 2011. Proud grandparents Eric and Polina Berman of Jacksonville, and Terry and Jeff Spiro of Middletown, N.Y., great-grandmother Anita Spiro of Middletown, Uncle Paul and Aunt Kalpana Berman of Portland, Ore., share their joy.
B’nai Mitzvah
Jillian Hayley Kight, daughter of David and Katie Kight, will be called to the Torah on the occasion of her Bat Mitzvah on June 16, 2012, at Congregation Ahavath Chesed. Sharing in the simcha will be her sister Lindsey Kight, 10; grandparents, Marilyn Freedman
of Jacksonville, and William and Arlene Kight of Jacksonville; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Jillian is a seventh grader at Bolles Middle School. Jillian spends most of her free time training as a regional figure skating competitor. She also enjoys surfing on the weekends. As her mitzvah project, Jillian volunteered as a junior coach assisting students in the learn-to-skate program all year. In addition she donated over 16 hours of ice time to skaters who needed financial assistance in skating. Elan Binyamin Sandler, son of Dr. Craig and Natalie Sandler, will be called to the Torah on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah on June 2, 2012, at Congregation Ahavath Chesed. Elan is a seventh grader at LaVilla School of the Arts, where he majors in theater. He is a member of the mime ensemble. Elan is appearing as
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an anchor in the show, “Real School,” shown on WJCT. He is also working at Douglas Anderson on a production, which will be used by high school students as a project to help enrich the lives of young orphan African children. He is a member of the National Junior Honor Society. For his mitzvah project, Elan is volunteering his time with the Jacksonville St. Bernard Rescue.
… to the family of Martin “Marty” J. Sack Jr., husband of Carol Sack and father of Kevin (Dina) and Andrew. Martin died April 29, 2012. He is also survived by brother Michael; former sister-in-law Jeannie; grandchildren Laura Sack, Alan Srochi and Sara Srochi; brother- and sister-inlaw Stanley and Sharon Kantor;
Sympathy
… to the family of Edythe Moscovitz Freedman, sister-inlaw of Rae Masin and the wife of the late David Freedman. Edythe died May 7, 2012. She is also survived by her two children, Harvey Freedman also known as Wayne, and Sandra Freedman Perry. Edythe was the daughter of the late Mary and Morris Moscovitz. … to the family of Joel Goldman, who died May 4, 2012. He is survived by children Stephen (Jackie) Goldman, Audrey Goldman (Irwin Stotzky) and Alan Goldman; grandchildren Andrew and Alec Goldman, Jacob and Joshua Stotzky; and stepson, Nick Chadeayne. Contributions may be directed to the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville.
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nieces Celia Sack, April Sack and Peri Kantor; and a number of cousins. Contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Harry Witlen, father of Edward Witlen (Marie Reitzes), died May 8, 2012. Contributions may be made to the Temple.
Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
page 21
www.jewishjacksonville.org
SYNAGOGUE NEWS
Temple’s Jo-Ellen Unger begins a new chapter increased since ACU was implemented, as many students have expressed that having a say in their education has made them feel more connected. Over the past nine years, Hebrew language training has been integrated in TIR classes begin-
By SAM GRISWOLD
Congregation Ahavath Chesed
Life is like a book. As one chapter ends, another one begins. Jo-Ellen Unger, beloved director of Education and Youth at Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple), will conclude nine years of dedicated service to the Temple and the Jewish community of Jacksonville in June. She will continue to work in Jewish education, as she begins her new role as director of Congregational Learning at Har Sinai Congregation in Owings Mill, Md., beginning in July. Her tenure at Temple has been one of accomplishment. Temple’s Madrichim program encourages teens who are post Bar/Bat Mitzvah to stay engaged in Jewish learning by volunteering at the Temple Institute of Religion. The program had previously consisted of about 20 teens who helped in the classroom. Along with Lani Derby, Unger provided the vision and leadership to grow it into a three-tiered program with over 70 kids (eight to 12th grades). Some work in the classroom, some in specialty roles and some are responsible for schoolwide programming. A success of the Madrichim program is that it has kept teens in Temple well beyond the average drop-out age. Those that have participated in a First Friday Shabbat service will
JACKSONVILLE’S
Jo-Ellen Unger have heard the upbeat, contemporary sounds of the Jew Crew. This group started as a few kids who occasionally played guitar at worship services. As part of JAFTY’s (Jacksonville Area Federation of Temple Youth) Creative Service Initiative with the arrival of Rabbi Lief and under the direction of Unger, the group has grown to include vocalists, guitar, keyboard, saxophone and violin players that provide musical accompaniment at the first Friday of every month. Ahavath Chesed University started as a new way to look at middle school education. Sunday is divided into three periods with two core courses and an elective. The core classes are Jewish ethics and history while the electives range from Torah chanting and study, Madrichim training to art and Jewish cooking. Retention post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah has
ning with pre-K. Formal Hebrew education now begins with second grade. We have also implemented two special classes; the transitional Hebrew class to assist students who have fallen behind, or who start the program later than others and the tutorial program for those
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with different learning needs. These are just a small representation of the many ways Jo-Ellen Unger has changed and grown the way Temple learns and worships as director of Education and Youth, congregant and proud mother. We wish her well.
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“Before making Brighton Bay my home I was eating alone and was probably not getting a balanced diet. When leftovers and snacks in front of the TV became commonplace… that was my wake up call.
By LINDA LEVIN Kehillah Chadashah
Kehillah Chadashah held its first congregation’s Passover Seder at Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. Members read from the new Reconstructionist Hagaddah, reflecting on our history as slaves in Egypt while also considering other ways in which we are enslaved. Participants enjoyed song and dance, schmoozing and feasting on a meal catered by Ashley Street Catering, the culinary arts program of the Clara White Mission as well as desserts prepared from the Holocaust Survivor’s Cookbook. Lag B’Omer was not far behind. Kehillah Chadashah celebrated Lag B’Omer with Shabbat services, cookout and pool party! For more information on upcoming Kehillah Chadashah activities, call 208-5191 or email kehillahchadashah@gmail.com.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
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SYNAGOGUE NEWS/BUSINESS Mitzvah garden
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Temple Bet Yam’s B’nai Mitzvah class works in its garden, which helps feed the hungry and homeless in St. Augustine.
Camp Broadway CLASSIFIED ADS returns EMPLOYMENT School Faculty: Beth to Jacksonville Religious El, the Beaches Synagogue is By The Artists Series
Camp Broadway, presented by The Artist Series, returns to Jacksonville for its 12th year from Monday, June 18 – Friday, June 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Wilson Center for the Arts on Florida State College at Jacksonville’s South Campus. Camp Broadway introduces young people ages 10 to 17 to the world of Broadway on-stage and behind the scenes. Campers work with Broadway directors, choreographers and musical directors to receive training in acting, scene study, improvisation, music theory, solo and ensemble singing, movement, and dance. This five-day performing arts program offers each camper the opportunity to expand his or her creative talents, build self-esteem, learn the art of collaboration, and gain a fuller respect and understanding of musical theatre. The 40 hours of camp include singing, dancing and master classes. No singing, dancing, or acting experience necessary - just a willingness to have fun and a curiosity about what happens on stage and behind the curtain. Applications are being accepted for Camp Broadway, and tuition is $550 per camper, with half due at time of registration. Space is limited to 100 campers. Contact Katherine McManus at (904) 632-3015 or email kmcmanus@fscj.edu for applications and for more details.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
page 23
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FEDERATION\COMMUNITY NEWS Mingling with YLD Yom Hashoah events Dozens of St. Augustine residents gathered on the eve of the internationally recognized Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, in the gazebo on the campus of Flagler College to read the names of victims of the evil that befell European Jewry from 1933 through the conclusion of World War II in May 1945. Thousands of names were read from
lists provided by Yad VaShem, the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, Israel, in a program created in a partnership between International B’nai Brith and the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society called, “Unto Every Person There Is A Name.” Participants name the victims and where and when they were born and died. The ceremonies
Scene from Beth El and Federation’s remembrance event
Members of the young leaders community of the Federation do a little mixing and mingling with old and new friends.
Scene from Beth El and Federation’s remembrance event
occur on the 27th day of the month of Nissan on the Jewish calendar. These observances, created by Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, honor more victims each year, as the project collects more names. Reading of names of victims at public ceremonies around the world give these victims an identity that has been lost forever.
Learning from each other with a little help from two agencies By JILL METLIN
ComForcare President
and HELEN HILL JFCS
Girls born in 42/43 hold reunion Once again Rene Montaigne chose a beautiful three-story home on St. Augustine Beach with a magnificent view for our reunion. It was such a blast from the past. We called it a giant slumber party, and we all agreed that we were coming again next year. You may ask what we did that was so much fun. “Well all I can say is I’ve never laughed so much, joked around and thoroughly enjoyed being with all of my old friends.” We shopped in the Old City, dined at fine restaurants all over
St. Augustine, played games until after midnight and remembered what it was like growing up Jewish in Jacksonville. Those in attendance were Claire Lynn Fleet Berkman, Sandra Setzer Cotter, Gail Safer Greenfield, Debby Mizrahi Katz, Shirley Levin Kravitz, Frances Goldstein Malever, Judy Bartley Mizrahi, Rene Slott Montaigne, Marsha Leibo Pollock and Linda Diamond Weinstein. We were also joined by two other girls for dinner, Sue Ann Biller Blumenthal and Edna Steinfeld Sheffler, and also husband Stanley Greenfield.
Last fall, ComForcare embarked on a journey with Jewish Family & Community Services, hiring them to conduct a workshop for their home health staff on cultural sensitivity and caring for the Jewish client. Reflecting on the success of this venture resulted in our talking with an employee of ComForcare, and a resident of the Coves who, although lives independently, appreciates some help each day with the activities of daily living which is provided by her CNA. Anita Callahan, CNA, has worked at ComForcare in Jacksonville since the day it started, and she was also one of the first employees to attend this training class. She recently sat down with her client Rachael Weinstein, an energetic 97-year-old balabusta,
YOUTH NEWS Teens take regional youth leadership positions By United Synagogue Youth
Trudy Morse and Elana Maiman of the Jacksonville Jewish Center have been elected to serve on the United Synagogue Youth Hanegev Regional Board. USY is the international youth group of the conservative movement, consisting of local chapter programs, as well as sub-regional, regional and international programs. The Hanegev region of USY consists of the southeastern part of the United States and includes chapters in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and, of
course, Florida. Trudy Morse will serve as Israel Affairs vice president, responsible for implementing Israel education and encouraging Israel advocacy within the region, which consists of thousands. Elana Maiman will serve as Membership/Kadima vice president, working to increase membership on the regional and chapter levels, as well as overseeing the Kadima programming within the Hanegev region. Kadima (which is Hebrew for forward) is the pre-USY youth group program of the conservative movement, meant for children in grades 6-8.
With so many USYers from so many different pockets of the Southeast, it is both a significant statement that two of the board members come from Jacksonville and the strong and successful Jacksonville Jewish Center’s USY chapter. The Jacksonville Jewish Center is proud of Trudy and Elana and looks forward to them excelling in their leadership positions. For those interested in learning more about USY or Kadima (or Chalutzim, our youth program for students in grades 4-5,) please contact the Center’s Youth Director Gayle Bailys at 2684200 ext. 149.
Temple educator touches lives: a youth perspective By KIM GLASS JAFTY President
Temple’s (Congregation Ahavath Chesed) loss of JoEllen Unger is not a loss at all. Because she will never really be leaving us – no good friend ever does. Jo-Ellen is not just an administrator; she is a close, devoted and caring friend to each and
every one of us. We all know she’s only a phone call away. Jo always told us her phone is on at all hours and to not hesitate to call her, regardless of the time, if we need her. She’d be there for us. That always struck a chord with me. How many people do you know that would give this much of themselves to other
people? And not just to a select few, but to every child that has ever walked through her office doors? This, I believe, summarizes everything that there really is to be said about Jo-Ellen. She has taught us how to seek our own Jewish identity and how to be responsible leaders, but most importantly, she has taught us how to care.
Rachel and Anita who is outspoken, classy and, in Anita’s opinion, the epitome of aging gracefully. When Anita began her journey with Rachael, she knew very little about Judaism. As a result of the class that JFCS offers, Anita said she has a much better appreciation of the culture and observances of the Jewish religion. She shared with us that she has a better understanding of the holidays and customs, what is kosher, that the Jewish Sabbath is called Shabbat and that it is on Saturday rather
than Sunday. “I have learned more since working with Mrs. Weinstein,” Anita said. “I enjoy continuing to learn about her customs and have grown to have such great admiration for her. Because of the training, I understand the reasons behind why she doesn’t do housework on the Sabbath.” Rachael concurs, “Anita knows there are certain things I don’t even like her to do on Shabbat because that’s how I’ve always been, and my parents before that.” Anita makes sure she leaves Rachael just a little more dressed up before she leaves for the day on Friday, and makes sure she has everything she needs before she leaves. There is definitely a mutual admiration society between these two ladies. Rachael says she can’t get Anita to try chopped liver or gefilte fish. But that they both like matzah and agreed that not eating bread for eight days last month, during Passover, was not a problem.
"Creating a Jewish Legacy is an essential way to ensure the vitality of our Jewish agencies for our children and generations to come." -The Jacobs Family
j{tà ã|ÄÄ çÉâÜ Äxztvç uxR Please remember the Federation and the Jewish community in your will and estate plans. For a confidential conversation, please call the Jewish Community Foundation: 904.394.0720
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Jacksonville Jewish News • June 2012
We’ve helped over 275,000 young Jews strengthen their roots in Israel. Thanks to donors like you, here’s one of them.
From farm focused, eco-Israel experiences to Birthright and MASA programs, Jewish Federation is actively supporting new innovative projects From focused, eco-Israel experiences to Birthright MASA stratthatfarm inspire a deep love of Israel and Jewish life. It’sand a successful egy we apply to Federation every issueiswe tackle. From feeding the hungry and programs, Jewish actively supporting new innovative helpingthat the inspire unemployed supporting projects a deeptolove of Israellocal andJewish Jewisheducation, life. It’s a together, we do a world of good. Donate. Volunteer. Make a difference today.
successful strategy we apply to every issue we tackle. From feeding the hungry and helping the unemployed to supporting local Jewish education, together, we do a world of good. Donate. Volunteer. Make a difference today.
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