Jacksonville Jewish News - March 2017 by JewishLife Magazine

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S REPAIRS NOW UNDERWAY HISTORY MONTH IN IL 1st Congregation

WEEKLY LUNCHES WITH DAD Trio of Jacksonville brothers take time out of their busy schedules to sit down for special Friday lunches Page 4

Israel gives a nod to its most accomplished females Page 7

Sons of Israel gets needed attention following damage from storm Page 10

A publication of

March 2017

• Adar/Nisan 5777 • www.jewishjacksonville.org

River Garden to celebrate annual Anniversary Day on March 26th

Fun and face painting on Anniversary Day

BY SKIP WILLBACH

Director of Communications and Marketing

River Garden Hebrew Home will celebrate its 71st year, Sunday, Mar. 26th from 3-6 p.m., with a wonderful, fun-ﬁlled Anniversary Day festival. Home board member Larry Goldberg will be the chair of the day for this exciting event as the entire community is invited to attend this celebration, which promises to be fun for the whole family. In recent years, upwards of 500 people, ranging in age from infants to seniors, have spent the afternoon together, reveling to their hearts’ content. “All of us are truly delighted,” said Marty Goetz, River Garden CEO, “that each year more and more people come out and join the River Garden family to celebrate this wonderful Home and campus that our Jewish community has built.” The afternoon will include a delicious barbecue lunch and terriﬁc musical entertainment. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase ceramics handmade by River Garden residents and the Auxiliary Gift Shop will be open. In addition, there will be so many activities to keep the youngsters

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JaxJewishTV • Volume 29, Number 9 • 36 pages

Super Sunday nets nearly $175,000 in funds for the community By Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

2017 proved to be a super year for super heroes in our community as a total of 262 people stepped up, answering the call on Super Sunday, Feb. 5th and donating $174,820 to the Federation’s annual campaign. The event was sponsored by Gary and Nancy Perlman and the funds collected that morning will eventually be dispersed to local synagogues and agencies throughout Jacksonville as well as going overseas to help displaced and underprivileged Jews throughout the world. Aside from those who gave of their hard Rabbis Shaya Hauptman and Jim Rogozen earned dollars, others donated their time delicious breakfast courtesy of Whole Foods that Sunday as more than 65 people from Market during their calls and a special the community came to the JCA to make pump up video featuring members of the calls to their peers. The groups with the Volunteers like rGEN’s Stephanie Seebol were most volunteers were the Torah Academy of Jacksonville Jewish community beforehand. busy making calls the morning of Feb. 5th That video can be viewed on YouTube via Jacksonville, which took home a $500 cash JaxJewishTV here: http://bit.ly/2kWB5iy, A prize for their efforts, while the Martin J. Photos by Larry Tallis complete list of donors and volunteers can Gottlieb Day School was awarded $250 for be found on page no. 2 of this issue of the coming in second place. See SUPER SUNDAY, p. 5 Jacksonville Jewish News. The many volunteers were treated to a

Local clergy make appearance at Jax city council meeting in support of the human rights ordinance BY MATT FRANZBLAU

Federation Communications Director mattf@jewishjacksonville.org

In late January, clergy from Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) and the Jacksonville Jewish Center joined with nearly 1,000 of their peers to attend the Jacksonville City Council’s meeting on the expansion of its human rights ordinance (HRO). Rabbi Howard Tilman and Hazzan Jesse Holzer of the Jacksonville Jewish Center, in addition to Rabbi Matt Cohen of The Temple, were just three of a few hundred men and women from the River City to step up to the microphone and make public comment on the matter. “Currently, my own religious freedom is not being respected in this city,” Tilman explained before City Council members . “It is my religion and my faith in the bible that teaches that you should love your neighbor as yourself and that you should treat each and every person with the inherent dignity

that they deserve, but right now in this city, the freedom to believe that is not there.” Tilman spoke for the allotted three minutes that each person coming to speak on the record was afforded, as did Cohen, who echoed his fellow Rabbi’s sentiments. “The issue is whether or not we want to accept discrimination as right or wrong,” the Temple’s associate Rabbi stated. City Council members had the difficult task of weighing public opinion with their conscience, but voted to pass the HRO 12-6, when 10 out of 19 members needed the nod for approval. “I am from Ohio and when I tell my friends there about how wonderful Jacksonville is, I also tell them a little bit about what’s going on with the Human Rights Ordinance and they are in utter disbelief Hazzan Jesse Holzer of the Jacksonville because it doesn’t make any sense,” Cohen Jewish Center speaks before the Jacksonville said.

But now Jacksonville’s actions do make City Council in January about the city’s HRO sense to Cohen and his peers as it becomes one of 250 major cities in the U.S. See JAX CLERGY HRO, p. 8

One local man’s quest to bring Jewish music to Jacksonville BY MATT FRANZBLAU

Federation Communications Director mattf@jewishjacksonville.org

On Sunday, Apr. 2, the local Jewish community will be treated a unique and free concert at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, courtesy of the group ‘Pharoh’s Daughter’, headlined by lead singer Basya Schechter. The music being played that afternoon is part of a larger movement known as ‘Radical Jewish Culture’, which found its way to Northeast Florida through very circuitous means and a man named Keith Marks. Marks is a Jacksonville native who became involved in this movement and eventually founded a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called Avant, aimed at creating and exploring new and exciting music outside

the confines of genre and expectation. “I have been somebody who has always been into music, art and culture, so I connected to this music and this movement,” Marks said. “I really became a fan when I lived in Israel and I went to a couple of shows featuring different artists and musicians as I was really just blown away by the range and diversity of it all.” This unique sound was born three decades ago in the lower east side of New York City and has been growing ever since, forming an even stronger identity in the Big Apple and around the nation. “A lot of musicians who were Jewish had no real bridge to create a connection to the

See AVANT CONCERT, p. 6

Avant founder Keith Marks

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* Please note that the names of the donors to the Federationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entire 2016-17 annual campaign will return in the April issue of the Jacksonville Jewish News

Jacksonville Jewish News â&#x20AC;˘ March 2017

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

opinion and cartoons Rabbinically Speaking Column: A Modest Proposal BY RABBI MICHAEL MATUSON simply talk too much and there is a Rabbi, Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue reason for that. Scientific research

In an essay entitled, ‘The Writing Life’, Daniel Harris observed that a pair of guppies placed in an aquarium will reproduce until they have reached a population that can be adequately sustained by both the available food supply and the size of the tank, at which time the primordial couple will simply devour any additional guppies that threaten the delicate balance necessary for their well being. I fear we are becoming like guppies, not literally of course, but with increasing frequency I hear stories about how in this environment of super charged volatility, friends and even loved ones have become estranged due to differing political viewpoints. I applaud those whose political commitments are informed by deeply held values and I support those who passionately endeavor to translate their values into action, however it worries me when we feel that those who do not agree with us need to be destroyed and devoured as there is no room for them in our lives (or in our fish tank.) The stories I hear are so filled with real pain and genuine loss I feel it incumbent on me to offer a modest proposal that might serve as an antidote (but not an anodyne) to address and mitigate this disturbing phenomenon. First of all, sometimes we

informs us that we humans are programmed to use communication as a vital tool to survive and thrive and like guppies who seek to maintain an environment conducive to their well being we see anything (or anyone) that destabilizes our sense of security as a threat that needs to be removed. When confronting existential threats, there is good reason to resist, but our existence is not at stake every time we engage in a disputation with someone with whom we fundamentally disagree. Perhaps it might help to consider the findings of a study conducted at Harvard, in an average conversation people spend about 60-percent of the time talking about themselves and 80-percent when chatting on social media. If our political views reflect a profound sense of who we are and what we consider to be right and wrong conflicting opinions may feel like a personal assault on our values and ourselves, not to mention taking valuable time away from what we should be discussing, namely, ourselves. Perhaps it might be wise to consider when engaged in political disputations to determine what we hope to accomplish, is it our intent to learn something about those with whom we disagree, or is our purpose to destroy those with whom we disagree? I submit the latter be

RABBINICALLY SPEAKING reserved for those who pose an existential threat to us and the former be employed when discussing politics with those about whom we care deeply. Talking too much inhibits communication and is a particularly ineffective strategy to convince anyone of anything. As Peter Bregman notes in ‘Harvard Business Review’, “Silence is a greatly underestimated source of power. In silence, we can hear not only what is being said, but also what is not being said. In silence, it can be easier to reach the truth.” Years ago Elie Wiesel (Z”L) was asked if there was any place in Ju-

daism for silence. It was a perfectly legitimate question. Amos Oz has written, “Jewish continuity has always hinged on uttered and written words, on an ever expanding maze of interpretations, debates, and disagreements.” Rabbi Jonathan Sacks seems to concur as he said, “Judaism is a very verbal culture, a religion of holy words. Through words, G-d created the universe. According to the Targum, it is our ability to speak that makes us human. It translates the phrase ‘and man became a living soul’ as ‘and man became a speaking soul.’ Words create. Words communicate. Our relationships are shaped, for good or bad, by language. Much of Judaism is about the power of words to make or break worlds.” Given these insights, from two such eminent Jews, one might readily understand the question if there is any place in Judaism for silence? Wiesel’s response may surprise us, “Judaism is full of silences ... but we don’t talk about them.” (You get the paradox - talking about silence may be the least effective method for understanding silence but that does not deter our tradition from doing just that!) So it is not an accident that of the 43 sins confessed on Yom Kippur, 11 of them concern speech. Knowing when to speak, and how to express ourselves when we do, is a central concern of Judaism, but so is knowing when to be silent, and

knowing how to express ourselves when we are. Kohelet teaches us there is a time to speak and a time to be silent and knowing which time is which is evidence of wisdom. We are commanded to speak out against injustice, bigotry, and evil - that is the time to speak. When speaking with loved ones and friends sometimes there is a time to simply listen and be quiet. It’s with this in mind, that I hope we can find the proper balance between speaking and silence. I pray we may not lose the company of true friends and loved ones because we have not yet achieved this balance. My modest proposal is simple but not easy. Cultivating the balance between speaking and listening enables us to hear the music often hidden in the noise. It is a skill we may need now more than ever. Michael Matuson has been a Rabbi in Jacksonville since 1996. He is an advocate for social justice and recently served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Conference for Community and Justice. Prior to coming to Jacksonville, Rabbi Matuson was Associate Director of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, Southeast Council and Rabbi at B’nai Zion Congregation in Shreveport, La. He has been published in Reform Judaism, Jewish Monthly, and Journal of Reform Judaism and has appeared on programs such as CBS’ 60 Minutes and a local interfaith television show called ‘Faith to Faith’. Rabbi Matuson is a native of N.Y., and a proud father of a daughter, Rachel.

Viewing the holiday of Purim through the prism of change BY RENA B. SCHOCHET

The Five Pivotal Points of Change

The story of Purim is iconic as it is a pivotal time in history where G-d gave the Jewish people the opportunity to stop those who wished to annihilate them, by putting Esther into the ultimate position of power. Had this not happened, the Jewish people would certainly have faced extinction. Haman, the arch-villain of the story, was so intent on exterminating the Jewish people that he used lotteries, purim, to seal their fate. However, G-d stacked the odds against Haman, saving the Jewish people while eradicating all members of Haman’s household. Two of the major characters who had to adapt to change and who are central to the understanding of Purim are Achashverosh and Esther. Though Achashverosh deliberately set change into motion, his actions forced Esther to work within a realm of change she neither sought nor desired. Achashverosh (Xerxes) ruled over the then-known world, however he was not born to royalty. As the great commentator, the Malbim explains, Achashverosh was a mere stablehand, an ambitious people-person who spearheaded a rebellion and rose to the monarchy. Achashverosh’s change was successful because he knew how to perfect a strategy to fit his plan. He worked slowly, methodically, and prudently, building on his ambition piece-by-piece, while

eradicating all opposition. After three years, only his royal-born wife Vashti remained to challenge his goal of becoming an absolute Monarch. At this time, Achashverosh threw a lavish party to show off his wealth and power. Here he moved the last impediment to his aspirations by deposing Vashti and banishing her into oblivion. This allowed him to choose a consort better suited for his purposes. Although his new queen refused to divulge her heritage, his infatuation with her paved the way for Esther to become an influential power broker for the Jewish people. Esther’s life changed drastically as her new abode was fraught with court intrigue and political machinations. The differences were vast and the responsibility of her position nebulous until Haman rose as a threat. Esther responded in a way that we all should when faced with changes we’ve neither considered nor wanted. She realized her rise to power was providential, even if she did not know why. She proceeded to regulate her lifestyle in accordance with her situation and when her uncle Mordechai told her of the threat Haman posed to their people, she reviewed her options, revised her tactics, and intellectualized her strategy. Esther dealt practically with her situation, even as it called for her to endanger her own life. The entire nation fasted as the king’s new consort sought

an unscheduled and therefore life-threatening audience with him. Esther risked her life to tell Achashverosh she was Jewish, but in doing so, Esther saved her people. This meeting would swing the Jewish state of affairs from doom and gloom to exultation and victory. It would also foreshadow the downfall of evil and herald the victory of good. Like Esther, sometimes we need to make the hardest, most challenging, and audacious changes. In these cases, we must realize that, although difficult, change may be necessary. We must ask the tough questions, retrain our thought processes, and allow ourselves to internalize, intellectualize, and become inspired as we schedule, strategize, and systematize our method of change. These steps help us develop the right process for our own situation. Mindfulness is important for change because we see a pattern, assess our choices and select a pathway to achieve the most beneficial results. Purim highlights the magnitude of changing our mindset to fit our situation, where Achashverosh failed and Queen Esther triumphed. Rena B. Schochet has spent her life traveling the world with her husband, Rabbi Avi Schochet, living and making connections in a widerange of communities. Schochet’s first book, ‘The Five Pivotal Points of Change’, will be published in late March. For more information, visit MindfulChangeProcess.com.

Dry Bones Cartoons by Yaakov Kirschen

Author Rena B. Schochet

Advertising Representatives Barbara Nykerk • 904.733.4179 Eta Perras • 904.629.0466 Editor & Communications Director Matt Franzblau • mattf@jewishjacksonville.org Communications Committee Jon Israel, Chair Shirley Bielski Helen Hill Michele Katz Joan Levin Andrea Mail Rachel Morgenthal Andrew Ocean Marsha Pollock Federation President Sandy Zimmerman Federation Executive Director Alan Margolies 8505 San Jose Blvd. • Jacksonville, FL 32217 The Jacksonville Jewish News is published monthly. All submitted content becomes the property of the Jacksonville Jewish News. Announcements and opinions contained in these pages are published as a service to the community and do not necessarily represent the views of the Jacksonville Jewish News or its publisher, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Jewish News is not responsible for the Kashruth of any product advertised. Copy due dates: 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. Editorial support: Donna O’Steen, Erin Cohen, Ariel Frechtman, Val Battini, Emma Pulley, Alan Margolies, Andrew Ocean

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Dining with Dad: Jacksonville brothers make time for weekly meals with their dear father

Michael, David and Daniel Miller talk with their dad Richard during one of their weekly lunches, a tradition which was born more than a decade ago and continues today to different locations around Jacksonville

The Miller boys know better than to schedule any work meetings in the “I am so lucky that they want noon hour on Fridays, as this is a to do it but I am so lucky that I standing commitment they have have a chance to see them every

BY MATT FRANZBLAU

Federation Communications Director mattf@jewishjacksonville.org

Every Friday, without fail, there is a steadfast tradition in Jacksonville that has continued through the past two decades, numerous seasons and the many months that follow. While it doesn’t implicitly have anything to do with Shabbat, it does take place on the sacred Jewish holiday, where four members of the local community gather for lunch, each and every noon hour of the final day of the work week, to catch up and spend quality time together. “We have for the last 10 years made it a priority in our family that this comes first,” said David Miller, one of three Miller brothers who take their father Richard out to lunch every seven days. “Our office staff knows not to schedule appointments for us during this time, so this is the one meal that we all work our schedules around.” While David and his middle brother Michael made it a threesome for the occasional lunch when their father was still working around the turn of the century, the trio didn’t add a fourth to the fold until the mid-2000’s. That’s when younger brother Daniel made the move back to Jacksonville from New York, forming this now sacred and time honored tradition. “We never get enough time with dad alone, so we wanted to have a chance to hear the stories again and relive growing up,” Daniel explained. “For him to see us be together and have a chance to reconnect every week is special.” Despite the venues changing from week-to-week, and the conversations rotating around occurrences in each other’s lives, one thing that remains constant is the four men at the table. “Some people will say they want to work out regularly but then something gets in the way, so you have to set your priorities and for us the number one priority is family,” Michael said. “This comes first no matter what as it’s a reoccurring meeting on my calendar.” From the other side of the table, the time each son takes out of his busy schedule to spend time with the man who helped to raise them, speaks volumes about their relationship.

week,” the elder Miller said. “It’s something I look forward to and is one of the highlights of my week.” Sometimes in life, unforeseen circumstances get in the way of a special tradition, but because it’s important to those who carry it on, adjustments and amendments are made to make sure it works for everyone involved. “There are times based on dad’s health we’ve had to have picnics in River Garden,” David described of some lunchtime anomalies. “So it’s less about the place and more about the people.” And that’s exactly why the Miller boys try to keep their meals to just the guys and their dad. “Our spouses know this is just the time for the Miller boys to be together,” David explained. “It’s just a different kind of interaction when it’s just us.” “Sometimes it’s just fun to have guy talk and because of that there is no topic that’s off limits when it’s just us guys,” Michael described of the lunchtime atmosphere. “It’s not always what we say, but it’s how we say it and dad is always here with a smile on his face,” Daniel said. “That is the one constant.” In an age where time is measured in seconds and minutes, not afternoons and evenings, Richard Miller feels lucky that his three sons set aside a portion of their afternoon to make more memories and recounting their old ones. “The idea of getting together like this on a regular basis is wonderful and we’re fortunate that we live relatively close enough to do it,” he said. “So many families today see their kids move apart, and maybe they get together for the High Holy Days or Passover, but we’ve made the choice to stay together,” Michael described of his unique family bond. “We are all in the same business together, we all live within a mile and a half of each other and to some people that idea would seem really foreign, but for us we wouldn’t have it any other way.” “As a family we had the experience growing up on both sides of the tracks but through it all I think one of the things we are most proud of is that our values never changed,” David explained. One thing that has changed,

and for the better, is the selection of eateries available to the Miller men each week, based upon the expansion and location of their offices over the years. “When we started our business (Brightway Insurance), we had one store on the Northside of Jacksonville and there were slimmer pickings for eating,” David remembered. “ But as our business has grown to its second office on St. Augustine Road and to our current location on University Boulevard, so has our selections of restaurants.” With 52 opportunities to make more memories each year, one would imagine there are a lot of laughs and subsequent stories that as a result come from their mid-day, end of the week meet-ups. “There are a few funny ones that stand out, like the one time where both of my brothers got food poisoning following one of our lunches before,” Daniel recalled, “There have also been times that we’ve fought like brothers and had to get through some tough conversations but at the end of the day there is no question that we’re always family and we always come back together.” During the past decade the meals and restaurants have added up, with each brother taking turns treating the other and their dad each week, but one thing that has also grown in size is the Miller family as Richard now has six grandchildren to his name. This gives him and his sons even more reason to put their busy schedules aside and focus on family matters. “When it comes to this, people get an idea of what our values are,” David said about keeping this tradition and not agreeing to meetings and other commitments taking place at noon on Fridays. “Everyone assumes that you always want to say yes to things, but sometimes in our life, saying no speaks more about who are and what you stand for than just saying yes.” So for anyone looking to schedule a meeting with either Miller brother for those allotted 60-90 minutes each week, it’s safe to assume what the answer will be, but rest assured that time is treasured by each son, as ultimately there is no greater gift one can give someone else than what they don’t have an unlimited supply of. For Daniel, David and Michael Miller, their time is just a small token of appreciation to the man that has already given them so much.

JJN Advertising Directory At the Jacksonville Jewish News, our advertisers are precious to us. It is with their support that the Jacksonville Jewish community has a newspaper. Advertising revenue also offsets the cost of production, so Federation dollars can be dedicated to helping Jews locally and overseas. Please continue to live generously and support our advertisers: • All Pro Painting (p. 25) • JCF (p. 28) • Avant Music (p. 28, 36) • JFCS (p. 24) • B&C Financial (p. 4) • Larry Tallis Photo (p. 14) • Beachview Rentals (p. 13) • Margo’s Catering (p. 25) • Bob Ham Eyewear (p. 9) • Memorial Emrgncy (p. 15) • Brandon Pest (p. 8) • Northeast Florida • Erica Jolles Realty (p. 7) Conservatory (p. 10) • Federation (p. 23, 30) • Pediatric Dentistry (p. 25) • Israel 70th Mission (p. 35) • River Garden (p. 5) • Impressions (p. 25) • rGEN Jax (p. 18, 32) • Innovative Financial • Stein Mart (p. 11) Solutions (p. 10) • Shalom Jax (p. 17) • Jacksonville Jewish Center • Super Sunday (p. 2, 31) (p. 22, 33) • The Tax Man (p. 25) • Jacksonville Symphony • Torah Academy of (p. 33) Jacksonville (p. 12) • Jax Jewish News (p. 19) • Wajsman Home Team • Jewish Agency (p. 21) Realty (p. 25) • Jewish Museum FL.(p. 6) • Yom Ha’atzmout (p. 32) For your advertising needs, please contact advertising sales representative Barbara Nykerk at 904-733-4179 or Eta Perras at 904-629-0466.

March 2017 - Adar/Nisan 5777

Adult Education................p. 31 Business Directory.......... p. 25 Chabad News ............. p. 16-17 Community News........... p. 4-9 Education ..................p. 20-23 Federation News ........p. 18-19 Foundation .................... p. 28 JCA ................................. p. 26

JFCS .................................p. 27 Lifecycles ......................... p. 25 Opinion & Cartoons ........... P. 3 Purim Puzzles & Recipies ....... .......................................... p. 34 River Garden ................... p. 29 Synagogue News .......p. 10-14 Top Stories..........................p. 1

Read archived issues online at

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

community news

The Jacksonville Jewish Community

m ot m

Superhero volunteers who answered and made calls on Super Sunday, Feb. 5th

March Super Sunday

2017

The Mensches of the Month for March are all of you! The Jacksonville Jewish community, who stepped up big time, donating their time and money, this past Super Sunday, Feb. 5th, as tireless volunteers who spent their morning making calls as generous donors answered them. All told, a total of 262 gifts were made that day, totalling $174,820. Currently, the Federation’s annual campaign sits at $1,630,700, 10-percent of which came in on Super Sunday. Close to 70 volunteers of all ages and various Jewish backgrounds spent their respective mornings making calls and the Federation cannot thank them enough

If you would like to nominate someone special for Mensch of the for their valuable time, while Month, who volunteers another big thank you goes out both their time and efforts to all those who opened their hearts and wallets to the Jewish to the Jacksonville Jewish community, simply submit community here in Northeast their name, photo and a Florida and abroad, as the dollars donated from the Federashort write-up about them tion’s annual campaign go to to jjn@jewishjacksonlocal agencies and synagogues ville.org. including Torah Academy of Jacksonville, the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, Jewish Family & Community Services, the Jewish Community Alliance, the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida and River Garden Senior Services, in addition to the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Joint Distribution Committee, on a global scale.

Continued from pg. 1 Photos by Larry Tallis

Simon Schuster and Emma Pulley

Torah Academy’s superhero, Emily Rosenbaum and her children

Super Sunday chair Shylie Bannon

rGEN chair Daniel Miller

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

Community news Avant Concert Continued from pg. 1 music they played and their Jewish identity, Marks said. “So in the late 80’s, John Zorn, who was at the time an up and coming Avantgarde composer, came up with the term ‘Radical Jewish Culture’, helping create this movement.” That movement helped give birth to a record label known as ‘Tzadik’, which houses eclectic collections of Jewish jazz-inspired tunes, a far cry from more traditional Jewish themed melodies such as Klezmer. “Zorn basically asked a philosophical question, and that was ‘what does it mean to make Jewish music?” Marks explained. “He’s just simply posing the question and not giving answer.” That’s because as the local Avant founder explained, it’s up to the individual musicians to look within themselves to help create the answer. “The closest thing to an answer is the collection, which he’s asked hundreds of musicians to help,” explained Marks. “So he would go up to for instance, a Jewish jazz saxophone player, or a heavy metal guitar player, and ask them, ‘if you were to make a Jewish re-

his initial actions. “But then I thought, ‘wait I’m going to donate music that no one knows?’ I can’t do that, so I needed to bring some artists to town to get some momentum for the collection.” Fast forward nearly a year later and his new non-profit has put on four events in the community, with a fifth on the horizon, aided by a grant awarded from the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida. “The Hazzan, (Jesse Holzer) over at the (Jacksonville Jewish) Center, really helped promote what I was doing from the first concert,” Marks graciously stated. “So we found an artist that we Pharoh’s Daughter headlined by Basya Schechter (center) will perform at thought would be a good fit and that’s where we find ourselves the Jacksonville Jewish Center in a free community concert, Sun. Apr. 2 today.” “Keith is avant in every sense cord, what would it sound like?” explained. “These are all relof the word as he’s a highly moThe result is this pedestrian evant questions because we are tivated, passionate music lover yet extremely unique and innovaall searching for ways to inspire who truly thinks outside the box,” tive collection of Jewish melodies young people to keep Judaism Hazzan Holzer said. “As a friend which is a tangible response to alive. and supporter of his, and a lover this philosophical question. But Once Marks left the land of of Jewish music in all its forms, it for Marks, this project and this milk and honey to return to became a no brainer to create a movement is more than just muFlorida’s First Coast, he saw that partnership to bring more Jewish sic, it’s an identity framed upon a his hometown did not have much music to Jacksonville set of ideals. in the way of the Radical Jewish Avant’s first concert was ironi“You could strip away the Culture he had fallen in love with, cally enough held at the Jacksonword music and it becomes more so he decided to do something ville Public Library and featured relevant, because you are asking about it. Uri Cane, a Grammy-nominated the question, ‘what does it mean “So I had the idea that it would pianist and composer, where at to make Jewish culture today, be cool to get some of this music the conclusion, 280 CD’s, along or more importantly what does to the library so the community with anthologies of musicians’ it mean to be a Jew today?’ he had access to it,” he recalled of writings and DVD’s were donated

to the library. The collection itself is valued at $4,200 but according to Marks, the addition of it and its potential impact on the community is priceless. “Music is a powerful tool which can bring people together, so for me a successful concert means there are kids running around and there are older members of the community enjoying themselves at the same time,” he said. “The goal of this concert with Pharoh’s daughter, is to really bring in a wide and diverse section of the community, so they will be informed, educated and inspired to push their own boundaries.” “Keith and I ran through a hundred Jewish performers which spanned from jazz to middle eastern to cantorial, but we kept coming back to the eclectic sound of Pharoh’s Daughter, and a concert was born. ”Holzer explained. “Listeners will hear rhythms and sounds that transport them around the world, which is why it’s truly a concert for all ages.” Community members will get to hear that most unique sound, 4 p.m., on the first Sunday in April at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. For more information about Keith Marks and Avant, log onto facebook.com/Avantcurious, and for more on Pharoh’s Daughter and lead singer Basya Schechter, go to pharaohsdaughter.com/.

StandWithUs’ Jacksonville event brings in 60 people to hear never before told stories of two IDF reservists BY JENNIFER KUTNER StandWithUS

StandWithUs recently held an informative and emotional event in mid-February, entitled ‘Between the Lines Voices of Israel: Stories Untold’, which brought IDF reserve soldiers Ilan and Mark (last names withheld for security purposes) to Jacksonville. The reservists were graciously hosted by the Federation at the home of Andrea and Steven Mail

to more than 60 students and adults. The pair also presented to five ROTC classes at Jean Ribault High School. The pair’s nationwide tour features their never-before told personal experiences serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), while explaining how they continue to uphold its strict moral code. They also discussed their backgrounds and answered questions, presenting a clear look into what it’s like to live in a country that is the subject of so much discussion. Ac-

companying Ilan and Mark on the trip is Rayna Rose Exelbierd, the southeast high school coordinator for StandWithUs, a 15-year-old, international Israel education organization. “I thought it was an incredible experience to hear the true stories of former IDF soldiers,” said Stanton College Prep student Ben Miller. “It was inspirational and educational all at the same time.” Fellow event attendee Hannah Gross agreed with those sentiments. “I think that their stories Ilan and Mark speak to Jacksonville Jewish teens at Andrea Mail’s home

are really interesting because they both weren’t born in Israel but they were so passionate about the country.” the Creekside High School student said. “They loved it so much and it makes me want to go to Israel because I realized how safe and positive that country is.” Ilan was born in Venezuela and his father is a Christian, while his mother is the daughter of a Holocaust refugee. Ilan moved to Israel at age 20, after experiencing constant attacks on the Jewish community there. Looking to serve in a unit that represented his ideals of co-existence, he served in COGAT, the Humanitarian and Civil Affairs Unit of the IDF, which works with international organizations and Palestinian authorities to improve the lives of Palestinian civilians. Ilan got to know Palestinians on a personal level and tells a harrowing story about Mohammed, a four-year old boy burned when the family’s

oven exploded. Palestinian doctors told the parents to prepare for the worst, but Ilan and the IDF were able to save Mohammed’s life at Hadassah hospital. Mark, 27, is studying Government at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya. In the IDF, he served as a combat medic in an elite reconnaissance unit of the Golani Brigade. Mark and his platoon were sent to arrest a Palestinian terrorist in the West Bank and he was instructed to wait in the ambulance with his medics prepared to offer assistance to the IDF soldiers. Suddenly, there was a terrible car crash. The dilemma was whether or not to offer aid to the hurt Palestinians or wait as instructed in their position until after the arrest. Mark and his team made the decision to uphold the IDF moral code and help the injured and thankfully, all went as planned with the arrest.

Experience Thai cuisine with Jax Jewish Singles BY FRANCINE SMITH Jax Jewish Singles

Come join the Jax Jewish Singles for dinner at the Blue Orchid. The acclaimed eating establishment does not use filler ingredients but instead fresh, sometimes hard to find Thai ingredients. The food is delicious and presented beautifully, so

you most definitely won’t want to miss this hidden jewel. Please call Francine for details at 904221-8061 or email her at francine.smith@comcast.net.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

community news

The Shlicha Corner: Celebrating Women’s History Month in Israel

BY DANA MARMARI

Community Shlicha jaxshlicha@jewishjacksonville.org

March is ‘Women’s History Month’ in many countries, including the USA. This month we highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society, celebrating their achievements throughout the world. In Israel, the history of women’s rights goes back to the days before the establishment of the state. In 1897, the World Zionist Organization declared that Jewish women have the right to vote and be elected to the Zionist Congress. Despite this declaration, it wasn’t until 1925 when the Jewish communities in Israel began implementing women’s

Anniversary Day Continued from pg. 1 entertained, including face-painting clowns, balloon artists, pony and cart rides and even a bounce house.

Rona Ramon, widow of Ilan Ramon of the Space Shuttle Columbia

tinue fighting for their rights. As the feminist movement developed globally, Israeli women’s organizations such as ‘Na’amat’ and ‘Wizo’ gained power, and alongside revolutionary women, led to policy and social changes that benefited women. When I think of significant Israeli women, there are a number of characters that come to mind. The first is Israel’s fourth Prime Minister, Golda Meir. Throughout her life, Meir served in many notable political positions before becoming Prime Minister. She has paved the way for many female politicians, helping them believe in their ability to influence their reality through the political system that was, for many years, a male territory.

Another inspirational woman is Rona Ramon, best known as the wife of the first Israeli astronaut, Ilan Ramon. After losing her husband and son in tragic flight accidents, Ramon chose to contribute her energy towards creating and promoting educational programs for Israeli youth by establishing the Ramon Foundation. For many, she symbolizes the strength to choose life even while dealing with loss. Last year, Ramon was chosen to light one of the twelve torches during Israel’s Independence Day celebrations. A year prior, another influential woman was given the honor to light a torch during Yom Ha’ Atzmaut festivities. That woman is Lucy Aharish, an Israeli-Arab

news reporter and television host. Aharish is notable for being the first Arab news presenter on a Hebrew Israeli television channel, and is known for her devotion to human rights in Israel and worldwide. For many she is the epitome of a clever woman who has broken many consensuses and proved that hard work can lead to success. These three women represent a much larger group of significant and amazing Israeli women. They showed me, a young Israeli woman, that we have the ability to influence our society, fight for our rights and make a change. Here’s to strong women- may we know them, may we be them.

In addition to the outdoor festivities, the annual business meeting of River Garden Senior Services will begin at 4:30 p.m., in the Cohen Auditorium, where new officers and board members will be installed. It is hoped that many community members will attend this meeting as this important moment in River Garden’s history is celebrated. The Hebrew

Home has served thousands of families in the community during the past 71 years. The day will conclude with the highly anticipated Tombola drawing, hosted by the River Garden Auxiliary. All monies raised through this drawing directly support the residents of the facility. For more information on this community event, contact

Skip Willbach at 904-288-7855 or email him at swillbach@rivergarden.org. River Garden residents,

members of the Coves, families, volunteers and staff are looking forward to celebrating with you.

A double-digit turnout came to the JBN’s ﬁrst gathering of the New Year Jewish Business Network

The first official Jewish Business Network meeting in 2017 was held in mid-February on the Southside. Professionals from various industries such as real estate, law, software development, finance, construction and insurance came together for a productive meeting. Special thanks to Joey Hamaoui, real estate professional from RemaxWatermarke, for sponsoring. After the first 20 minutes of networking, participants were given a few minutes to introduce themselves and

Former Prime Minister Golda Meir

political rights, an exceptional reality for that time. After the second wave of immigration to Israel, equality became a core value in the developing society, so much that the Israeli Declaration of Independence promised “full social and political equality of all its citizens, without distinction of race, creed or gender” and was signed by two women. Many laws conveyed the desire to implement true equality between the genders, such as the ‘Compulsory Educational Law’ in 1949 and the ‘Women’s Equal Rights Law’ in 1951, which anchored women’s equal right for education and political rights. Even so, the road toward gender equality was still long and women had to unite and con-

Jewish Business Network oﬀ to busy start in 2017, with its initial meeting

BY ZACH COHEN

TV personality Lucy Aharish

share about their respective business. Following introductions, Hamaoui spoke about his experience investing in real estate and how it can be an integral part to someone’s portfolio. The group is working hard to create a valued networking experience within the Jewish community. The next JBN gathering will be held Friday, Mar. 10 at 8:30 a.m., and will be sponsored by Talia Gahanian, Attorney at Emet Law. Gahanian’s legal practice focuses on Bankruptcy, Foreclosure Defense and homeowner’s claims. If you would like to attend the next JBN meeting, please RSVP to Zach@ stjohnsasset.com.

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Jax Clergy HRO Continued from pg. 1

to pass such a measure. “This issue is about human decency

Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

community news because we are guided to protect those on the fringes,” Hazzan Holzer conveyed of his feelings to city leaders. “If we are to deny shelter, a job, food, goods and services or deny someone the ability to simply use the facilities as we all need to do, then we deny basic human rights,” he added. “We deny citizens of Jacksonville an opportunity to live a decent life, and in turn, we close off their chance to thrive.” After the initial Feb. 14th vote, Mayor Lenny Curry will have to sign off on the ordinance before it officially goes into effect.

Jacksonville Jewish Center Rabbi Howard Tilman and Hazzan Jesse Holzer The Temple Rabbi Matt Cohen speak to Federation board member Kim Glasgal at the Council meeting speaks to City Council members

Memory of late Jewish Army Corporal Where does Hadassah get to be honored by St. Augustine Jewish its name? Historical Society in Mar.

flying fortress over Tampa Bay on July 20, 1944. His memory will be remembered, Friday, Mar. 17 at 12 p.m. at his grave in the St. Augustine National Cemetery, located at 104 Marine St., in St Augustine. This 20-minute memorial will also recognize the five other service members identified as Jews in the Cemetery, including Army First Lieutenant George Friedlander who, during the First World War, convinced John Philip Sousa to compose what became the official Army hymn. This event is sponsored by the St. Augustine Jewish Ceremony honoring Jews buried in the National Cemetery at St. Augustine Historical Society and is open to all at no cost, so no prior arrangeJewish Army Air Force CorBY MERRILL SHAPIRO ments are necessary. For more poral Leon Breslaw was tragically St. Augustine Jewish information call 804-914-4460. killed while training in a B-17 Historical Society

Southside Chabad holds Israel awareness workshop for college kids and parents By Southside Chabad

In mid-February, more than 50 college students gathered at Chabad of Southside for a special workshop empowering them to successfully advocate for Israel and combat BDS. Insurance executive and attorney Matthew Freiman presented a brief overview of Israel’s chronology outlining Israel’s legal, historical and political history and its right and need to exist. Freiman relocated to Jacksonville from Chicago in 2003 and early in his career he served in the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service. Celebrated author and popular UNF senior lecturer Mark Ari talked about the topic of ‘agreeing to disagree’, providing tools for healthy dialogue, avoiding conflict and promoting civility. Jeff Dawson, a Jacksonville native and the Florida Synagogue Initiative Deputy Director at AIPAC, addressed common myths and outright lies that have become mantras of the anti-Israel communities, setting the record straight with the simple facts. Annie Cohen, ZOA Campus Coordinator shared fascinating insights and FAQs about Israel and

A panel discussion was held to try in inform and inspire Jewish students

participated in a panel addressing questions from the crowd. “To truly support Israel we must ensure that our next generation is equipped with the data, the tools and most importantly the passion to support the Holy Land in our increasingly anti-Israel environment,” said Rabbi Shmuli Novack, who organized the event. “We are very pleased with the turnout and success of the workshop and are already working on a follow-up event.” At the program, a new Israel Resource Library was launched at Chabad at UNF, aimed at providing students with

resources and materials to remain engaged with the pro-Israel community. All participants received swag and some lucky winners took home an XBOX 360, Ticket to Disney World and various gift cards. The event was deliciously catered by Jerusalem Grill of Ormond Beach. Chabad at UNF networked with AIPAC, CAMERA, Israel on Campus Coalition, JNF, Stand With Us and ZOA to make the program a great success. It was made possible by a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida.

By Jacksonville Hadassah

Hadassah’s hospitals, under the auspices of the Hadassah Women’s Organization of America, are the largest women’s organization in the world. Today, Hadassah boasts more than 300,000 members. This organization, beginning as a small mission to provide emergency care to infants and mothers in pre-state Israel has flourished over the last 105 years into two world-class medical and research centers in Jerusalem. But how did it get started and how did it get its name? The organization was founded in New York, on March 3, 1912 by a group of women led by Henrietta Szold. After a visit to Israel, Ms. Szold devoted herself to the advancement of medical care in Israel. The first organizational meeting was held around the Purim holiday, inspiring the organization’s name, Hadassah, which was Queen Esther’s Hebrew name. Jacksonville Hadassah, chartered in 1925, is a vibrant chapter of more than 1,000 members and associates and is one of the oldest chapters in the State of Florida. Members enjoy educational programs on a variety of topics, attend luncheons throughout the year, while promoting women’s preventative health and encouraging heart-health awareness through ‘Walks for Health’. The local chapter also sponsors book reviews and advocates for women by promoting activism on topics such as gender equity in medicine, human trafficking, and Zionism. Without the generous sup-

port of Hadassah members, associates and others, the group would not be able to support its two remarkable hospitals, Hadassah Mt. Scopus, a community hospital built in 1949, and Hadassah Ein Kerem, a tertiary care facility built in 1961. Hadassah Ein Kerem is home to the Charlotte R. Bloomberg Mother & Child Center, in addition to the new state-of-the-art inpatient facility, the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital Tower and the Linda Joy Pollin Cardiovascular Wellness Center for Women. Jacksonville Hadassah also helps support the Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Medicine in Jerusalem. These hospitals bring advanced medical care to all, regardless of race, ethnicity or nationality, earning Hadassah a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. So, this Purim when you hear the name, ‘Hadassah’, hopefully you will not only remember Esther, but you’ll also remember the organization that bares the same name. For more information about upcoming programs, events, or to get information how you can become involved, contact Liat Walker at 904-591-6984 or via walkers.beach@gmail.com.

Used postage stamps are being collected for unique Holocaust stamp project

BY MARTY KAUFFMAN Holocaust Stamp Project

This past Jan. 27th marked the day declared by the United Nations as International Remembrance Day, commemorating the date of the liberation of Auschwitz death camp in 1944. In 2009, the students of the Foxborough Mass. Charter school undertook a project of collecting 11 million postage stamps which will represent those killed during

the Holocaust. The students at the school are creating a series of 18 one-of-a-kind collage artwork peices to depict what they are learning about the events and effects of the Holocaust. Marty Kaufman of Jacksonville is participating in this project and reported that so far 8,273,345 stamps have been collected. To help them reach their goal, he is asking anyone who can save their used stamps to contact him at 904-626-2472 to donate.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

community news

JCA JAway and Chabad of S. Johns partner for model Matzah bakery By Chabad of S. Johns

As Passover is just around the corner, Jacksonville’s Jewish community is in full pre-holiday madness mode. There’s so much to be done, cleaning, cooking, Seder prep, shopping and more. This year, in collaboration with the JCA JAway program, children will play a special role in ushering in the Passover Holiday with the Model Matzah Bakery, scheduled for Sunday, Mar. 26. Unlike the square, store bought variety, traditional matzah was round and handmade, and that’s exactly how the kids at the Jewish Kids Club

will be learning to make it. Eating matzah is one of the most fundamental mitzvahs of Passover through which we commemorate the haste in which the Israelites left Egypt. They didn’t even have enough time for their dough to rise resulting in the flat, unleavened matzah we’ve all come to know. The Model Matzah Bakery takes children through a hands-on, messy and educational journey, while they explore the history and significance of Passover and matzah. The kids will begin with stalks of wheat from which they will separate the grain, then they’ll

grind it, draw the special wellwater, and finally, don the full matzah-baker-master regalia, which includes a hat, apron, floury face and hands as they each shape and eventually bake a

spectacular matzah. “The kids have such a great time at the Model Matzah Bakery every year as it helps them develop a profound appreciation for the holiday and really feel involved in the holiday prep,” said Rabbi Mendel Sharfstein. “Essentially, that’s what the Jewish Kids Club is all about as its fun, exciting and at the same time, a meaningful Jewish experience.” “We are very excited to have our first JAway collaboration with Rabbi Mendel, Rebbetzin Dini, and Chabad of S. John’s.” said Dave Flagler, Director of Family and Jewish Outreach at the JCA.

“We look forward to this Passover preparation program, and we hope to continue to participate and bring more Jewish learning opportunities and experiences to the community at large.” The Model Matzah Bakery will start at 2 p.m., and RSVP’s can be submitted at JewishSJohnsCounty. com/JKC or by phone at 904701-4422. For more info about all of the programs and events at Chabad of S. Johns, check out JewishSJohnsCounty.com. For more information about the JCA’s offsite JAway program, please contact Dave Flagler at 904-7302100, ext. 271.

The St. Augustine Jewish IDF veteran garners a large turnout Historical Society’s holds for January discussion its ﬁrst ever bagel brieﬁng

Attendees enjoy their bagels and short brieﬁng from Rabbi Merril Shapiro

BY MERRILL SHAPIRO By St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society

The St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society held its first ever bagel briefing and paid-up membership event on a Sunday morning in early February and the turnout was about triple what was expected. The talk was held at Donovan’s Irish Pub in St. Augustine and featured bagels, and coffee for attendees as well as updates on the organization’s progress and ultimate research.

Thanks to Martin Berger, volunteer staff photographer, who took the above photo and for all those who came out as your continued support and your willingness to help tell the story of the Jewish community in this most historic city as it unfolds is helping make up for the previous 500 years of silence. For more information on the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society, its mission or to view pictures from the event, go to the organization’s official facebook page at facebook.com/StAugustineJewishHistoricalSociety.

A standing room only crowd came to listen to former IDF soldier Sassy Reuven speak as the Chabad of S. Augustine hosted the military hero By Chabad of S. Augustine

In late January, Chabad of S. Augustine hosted Sassy Reuven, a veteran of the Israel Defense Special Operation Forces. During the terror-filled years of 1973-76 Reuven served in the IDF’s elite ‘Red Beret’ paratrooper unit, participating in several covert operations in Israel’s mighty struggle against Arab terrorism. In July of 1976, he took part in the famed Entebbe counter-terrorist hostage-rescue mission code named ‘Operation

Thunderbolt’, flying thousands of miles over enemy territory to rescue Jewish hostages being held by terrorists in Uganda. Reuven shared his personal experience, step-by-step from the moment he was called to duty, including the preparation for the mission, landing in Uganda and completing the mission behind enemy lines. His story is Israel’s story of courage, endurance, Reuven was in ‘Operation Thundefiance and a willingness to derbolt’, or what is more comsacrifice it all for the right to live monly referred to as the ‘Miracle in in your homeland in freedom. Entebbe’

Jewish women’s circle of S. Johns successfully solves great escape room recently connecting to our creator. This is precisely how we all escape any challenge, by connecting to G-d’s unlimited essence, which has always been the Jewish Escape route. The Jewish Women’s Circle (JWC) is a unique opportunity to connect with Jewish women from diverse backgrounds and affiliations in a warm, lighthearted

BY JENNY DILLON Event Participant

20 women stuck in a room full of mysteries, unscrewing things to find clues and sifting through old books to solve riddles. This is what the Jewish Women’s Circle of St. John’s recently found itself doing while locked in the Great Escape Room. One might be curious what, if anything, does the Great Escape Room have to do with Judaism? Think about the recent Torah portion that talks about the story of the Jewish people’s Exodus and our time in Egypt. Being locked or trapped in a room together is like the Jewish people being enslaved in Egypt. We had to solve problems and find lots of clues, which were like the wonders and miracles G-d sent through Moses and Aaron. A limited amount of time was had to complete this task, just one hour to be exact, to make the daring escape, after which the group would be released, just like the Jewish people were taken out of Egypt. But only by working together as Moses, Aaron, and the Jewish people did, could the group be set free. In today’s world, when Jews work together or discuss Torah, they are remembering their past

Members of the Jewish Women’s Circle of S. Johns pose for a picture after successfully solving the ever elusive ‘Great Escape Room’ during their most recent trip last month

and strengthening their Judaism and spirituality. While we may not be physically be enslaved in Egypt any more, there are many personal and spiritual obstacles to freedom. When we tap into our Neshama (Jewish soul), it uplifts us and we can rise above any challenges we are facing. Although we use the term mitzvah to mean any good deed, the word mitzvah really has two meanings, 1) A commandment, 2) A connection. Doing a mitzvah, a commandment from G-d, is the way we connect to and have a relationship with G-d, so by doing G-d’s Mitzvot we connect ourselves to His unlimited essence. By lighting Shabbat candles, giving to others, and eating kosher we are releasing ourselves from the restrictions of creation and

atmosphere. All are invited to come and bring a friend. Next up at JWC is sushi making and Hamentash decorating, scheduled for Wednesday, Mar. 1. To RSVP or find out more about the Jewish Women’s Circle, contact Mrs. Dini Sharfstein at 904-701-4422 or Email: Dini@JewishSJohnsCounty.com.

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synagogue news

Repairs to historic St. Augustine synagogue underway following recent Hurricane Matthew BY LES STERN

Synagogue President

The First Congregation Sons of Israel Board of Trustees wishes to thank the many generous donors who have reached out to help in our efforts to begin repairs of the Sanctuary of the city’s historic synagogue. Special appreciation goes out to the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and the United Way of Northeast Florida for their assistance. The Sanctuary has been closed since suffering extensive damage from Hurricane Matthew. Fortunately, Sabbath services have continued in the Max Jaffe Hall to the rear of the building. Once repairs are made and the Sanctuary is open for services again, building restoration efforts will be completed for this historic structure. First Congregation Sons of Israel is the oldest synagogue in the Nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida, and the congregation,

with its humble beginnings in the 1800s, has been active, continuously since. These early Jewish settlers to St. Augustine had a vision to provide a place for Jewish worship, learning, and activities for the members then, and to provide an enduring legacy for future generations. Because of a request from descendants of those original families to continue that vision, restoration plans were in the process when Hurricane Matthew struck on October 7, 2016. This 100-year storm caused extensive damage to the Sanctuary, which houses the historic stained and leaded glass windows and the Torah scrolls which were brought from Europe to St. Augustine by the early congregants. The heart of the congregation lies in the sanctuary, as here, the culture of the congregation is maintained, preserved, and celebrated daily. The storm flooded the Sanctuary causing the HVAC system to fail, ruining prayer books, damaging the office and its equipment

Congregants of the historic First Congregation Sons of Israel were unable to use the sanctuary (right) due to water damage from October’s Hurricane Matthew but now repairs have begun and hope to be ﬁnsihed soon

and causing the closure of the Sanctuary for the first time in 93 years. Thanks to the generosity of donors for this cause, repairs are ready to begin. Prayer books have been donated by congregations in Gainesville and Atlanta, so that services can continue. Mechanical and electrical engineers have been contracted to rewire and replace the HVAC system, and the roof over the sanctuary will also need to be replaced, as will the ceiling tiles after they’ve been taken down for re-wiring. New lighting

fixtures will be needed, as well as restoring of vintage theater seats which have been in the sanctuary since their acquisition from St. Augustine theaters in the 1940s. Before replacing the seats, which have already been carefully removed from the sanctuary, the original heart of pine and yellow pine flooring will be refinished and brought back to its original beauty. There are fourth and fifth generation descendants of the Congregation Founders who continue

as members, many of whom have suffered personal loss during this devastating storm. Having their spiritual home restored would bring stability and continuity to their lives. Any help from the community at large is appreciated, so if you are interested in making a donation to help with the repairs and restoration process, contact the Congregation office at 904-829-9532 or send an email to fcsi1924@gmail.com.

Etz Chaim Synagogue holds its annual Beth El – The Beaches to Yom Limmud program show film ‘Remember’ at

BY JIM RICHMAN Event Participant

Etz Chaim Synagogue’s annual Yom Limmud program took place this past month and was well attended as the esteemed and humorous Rabbi Benjamin Blech led the more than 140 people in a deep discourse, dissecting com-

plex statements with Torah and Talmudic cites. The theme ‘G-d is omnipotent, G-d is good and good people suffer’ was explored and discussed as the diverse intergenerational audience was enthralled and truly engaged during the entire lecture, which was sponsored by the Kanter family. The weekend provided an exhilarating experience for all those in attendance, filled with learning,

questioning and reassessing. Our lives are a journey which presents more questions than answers, and that desire to have answers has increased as there are many more years behind many of us than in front of us. Making sense of the spiritual world involves opening up our minds to all possibilities and to have the courage to question and challenge Jewish traditions, laws and rituals. For some individuals, adopting the belief that G-d makes absolutely everything happen is enough but others need more. The ability to explore and follow a course of thought and questioning that in the end, results in something that can be made peace with is just what programs like Yom Limmud are for, to help those on that journey along their desired path.

next mixer BY GAIL GREENFIELD

Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue

The community is invited to Beth El – The Beaches synagogue, Sunday, Mar. 19 at 5 p.m., for its wine and cheese social, where the film ‘Remember’, will be shown. Remember is the contemporary story of Zev (Christopher Plummer), who discovers that the Nazi guard who murdered his family some 70 years ago is living in America under an assumed identity. Despite his de-

mentia and with the aid of a fellow Auschwitz survivor at their New York nursing home, Max (Martin Landau), Zev sets out to deliver long-delayed justice with his own trembling hand. With a handwritten letter in tow of the addresses of four possibilities living under an assumed name, what follows is a remarkable cross-continent road-trip with surprising consequences. This event is free and open to the community, however donations are gratefully appreciated. For more information, contact Gail Greenfield at gailsgreenfield@hotmail.com or call 904534-7381.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

synagogue news

Etz Chaim Synagogue and Torah Academy of Jacksonville will hold a March Purim extravaganza By Etz Chaim Synagogue

Etz Chaim Synagogue and Torah Academy of Jacksonville are excited to once again partner in inviting the entire Jacksonville Jewish community to join in its Purim Extravaganza, as the holiday event will feature a delicious catered dinner, lots of fun

activities for the kids, live music and dancing, coupled with plenty of Purim spirit to go around for everyone. The festivities will be hosted at Etz Chaim Synagogue (10167 San Jose Blvd.), Sunday, Mar. 12, and the schedule begins with a late afternoon megillah reading, followed by mincha services, which lead right into the joyous Purim celebration.

Visiting Rabbi series comes to St. Augustine synagogue By First Congregation Sons of Israel

First Congregation Sons of Israel, a conservative egalitarian synagogue, wants to announce the beginning of a Visiting Rabbi Series, as congregants have sought for the return of a Rabbi since the retirement of Rabbi Samuel Cywiak several years ago. Now, thanks to the endowment of a friend of the congregation, the synagogue is now in a position to have a visiting Rabbi lead Shabbat services once or twice a month. After kicking off the series in late February, Rabbi Joel Fox will lead congregants in services, Saturday, Mar. 11 at 5 p.m. He will lead Mincha, Ma’Ariv, and Havdalah services and there will also be a reading from the Megillah. Services will be followed by a wine and cheese reception. On Sunday, Mar. 12 at 10 a.m., Rabbi Fox will lead service for Purim, with brunch following. Rabbi Fox is a proud member of the Cantors Assembly, the largest body of Hazzanim in the world. In 2014, Rabbi Fox received his Smicha from Rab-

By Galinsky Academy PTA

Visiting Rabbi Joel Fox

binical Seminary International, then became spiritual leader at Temple Beth Shalom in Melbourne Fla. Today, Fox serves as both a rabbi and cantor in the capacity of teacher and entertainer. Rabbi Fox, his wife Tali, and their children Arianna, Daniella and Michael make their home in Rockledge, Fla. The Visiting Rabbi Series will continue through June, so for more information, call the Congregation office at 904-829-9532, or send an email to fcsi1924@gmail.com.

Temple Brotherhood has busy March planned with a pair of honored guests

Dana Marmari By Temple Brotherhood

The Temple Brotherhood welcomes Dana Marmari, Community Schlicha, to join them for their monthly breakfast, Sunday, Mar. 19, beginning at 10 a.m., where both men and women are welcome to attend. “This is the first time I have lived in a community with a schlicha and I am learning so much about Israel,” explained Mike Elkin, Social Action Chair at Temple. “I have always been connected emotionally and now I understand how many tangible connections we share, as social action is a founding principle of Reform Judaism

Galinsky Academy’s annual Purim Carnival is just around the corner

David Lamm

and Temple is always engaged in actions to make the world a better place.” Later in the month, the Brotherhood will welcome in a legendary voice, David Lamm to a dessert reception, Wednesday, Mar. 29 at 7 p.m. “Men and sports is an unbreakable tie,” said Andy Cohen, Brotherhood President. “David Lamm is a Jacksonville area radio sports legend and we are thrilled to welcome him to The Temple.” Lamm was a longtime radio host on Sports Radio 930 (WFXJAM) from the early 90s until 2009. Men and boys from throughout the community are welcome to participate, but sorry, ladies as this is a men’s only event.

Come one, come all, Sunday, Mar. 5 from 12-5 p.m., at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, where the Galinsky Academy PTA will host the biggest and best Purim Carnival ever held. Featuring more than 17 fun filled booths with amazing prizes to win and oversized games like Connect Four and Jenga, everyone is sure to have a good time. In addition, the carnival will have a wide variety of inflatable fun, toddler zone, train rides, horseback riding, a petting zoo, Captain Character, photo booth and more, so bring the entire family in costume for the

costume contest, featuring prizes for adults and children. Delicious hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie bugers and salads will be on sale from Margo’s Kosher Catering, and carnival staples cotton candy and popcorn will also be available. Advance discount tickets are now on sale for $36 per family or $20 for individual. To purchase your tickets visit facebook. com/events/1338547782832248. Prices increase $10 at the door so be sure to secure yours today. The carnival wouldn’t be possible without the event’s many amazing sponsors. Thank you to Platinum Sponsors Cruisers Grill, Gold Sponsors Debbie Kaye Consulting, Glasgal

and Levy Family, Jason and Haley Trager, Kazu Japanese Restaurant, Margos Catering, Spark Inc, Villela & Shilts LLC and Silver Sponsors Ackerman Cancer Center, Bobby Handmaker, Brent & Alison Trager, Camp Ramah, Capital Veterinary Specialist, Dr. Shawn Perce Orthodontics, Keller Williams, Cara Ferreira, the Mail Family, Mark Spivak’s Institute of Dance, Morgan and Morgan, Olive My Pickle, The Jaffe Group at Morgan Stanley, Tutoring Club, and Weaver and Stratton Pediatric Dentistry. This incredible Purim Carnival is open to the community, so bring your friends and neighbors and make some amazing memories.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

synagogue news

Steve Whitﬁeld returns home to the Temple for March Shabbaton By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

Brandeis University Professor Steve Whitfield, who holds the Max Richter Chair in American Civilization, returns to his hometown of Jacksonville for a Shabbat of Learning at Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple,) Mar. 3- 4. Dr. Larry and Kathy Kanter, through their Fund for Jewish Preservation will serve as the community’s hosts. Dr. Whitfield will deliver the sermon during Erev Shabbat service on Friday. His topic, ‘Southern Jews against the Klan’, describes how some rabbis, journalists and others in the Jewish community challenged the

power of the most dangerous and notorious hate group in American history. The influence of the Klan has waned dramatically since the 1920s and especially since the 1960s, though its strength is hardly spent. Dr. Whitfield will ‘name names,’ as he says “some Jews in the region merit recognition for their gallant role in opposing the Klan.” Friday evening service begins at 7 p.m., while Saturday Kiddush lunch is hosted by Dr. Larry and Kathy Kanter. At lunch, Dr. Whitfield will address a piece of Jacksonville history. His topic will be, ‘Jacksonville Jews as Businesspeople: A Brief History’, as he recounts the remarkable impact that members of Congregation

Steve Whitﬁeld

Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) in particular, have exercised in this community. Drawing in part on synagogue records, this presenta-

tion is intended to show how Jewish merchants, builders and other businesspeople helped shape the economy of the city and contributed to its prosperity for much of the twentieth century. “While I now call Boston home, I am very proud of my Jacksonville roots,” explained Dr. Whitfield. “I am prouder of the impact a small group of Jews have had on the development of the City of Jacksonville and its social consciousness.” “It is a special honor to welcome Steve back to Jacksonville,” said Larry Kanter. The Brandeis student population recognizes his commitment to teaching as he was awarded the Louis D. Brandeis Prize for Excellence in Teaching

and the Student Union Teaching Award. He is also the author of eight books, each more fascinating than the last. Trained as an historian, he first encountered the field of American studies when he had to teach it, beginning in the fall of 1972 at the University. His curricular and research interests are primarily in the intersection of politics and ideas in the 20th century. The entire community is welcome to attend both of Dr. Whitfield’s presentations. Those planning on coming to Kiddish, should send an email to RSVP@ TheTempleJacksonville.org for lunch, so appropriate food arrangements can be made.

Temple Bet Yam to hold Etz Chaim Synagogue’s NCSY Winter its annual fashion show Shabbaton features basketball and By Temple Bet Yam

Temple Bet Yam in St. Augustine will hold its annual sisterhood luncheon and fashion show, scheduled for Thursday, Mar. 23 at 11:30 a.m. The event will be held at the beautiful Serenata Beach Club (3175 South Ponte Vedra Blvd.), where the latest fashions by Belk will be presented on the runway, while music by Bernard will be played throughout. Luncheon selections include a gluten free choice of pan seared salmon, spaghetti alla puttanesca, or chicken piccata. Tickets are $30 per person made payable to TBY Sisterhood. They do go quickly so get your reservation in by Mar. 9 by contacting Ruth Kurlandsky at 315-663-6236.

Havdalah

By Etz Chaim Synagogue

Etz Chaim Synagogue’s annual NCSY Winter FNL Shabbaton was a smashing success as participants were able to experience a Jacksonville Giants basketball game one Saturday night. Following the game, Havdalah was held with a total of 25 children ranging in age from fifth grade all the way to seniors in high school. The kids were also treated to gourmet cuisine by Mrs. Cohen and astounding stories from Akiva. The next FNL Shabbaton will be held May 27th, so for more information on that or any NCSY events, please contact Rabbi A.Y. Cohen at 904-2623565, ext 12.

Shabbaton particpants pose with the Giants’ mascot following the game

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

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synagogue news

Beth El – The Beaches’ annual corned beef sandwich sale returns this month BY DENICE GOLDBERG Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue

Beth El – The Beaches is excited to announce that the Synagogue’s annual Ben’s Deli Kosher Corned Beef Sandwich Sale is just around the corner as this very

important and tasty fundraiser will take place Mar. 30-31, from 9-2 p.m. Large order deliveries of 10 or more sandwiches will take

place on both days. For those who purchased sandwiches last year, you know first-hand how gold was struck with Ben’s Corned Beef

because it is tender and delicious. This year, a new rye bread manufacturer has been added to the fold to add to the eating experience. The sandwiches still come with chips, pickle, mustard, mint, and a bottle of water for only $12, which is a great deal. Corned beef is also being presold by the pound at just $25. Questions and order forms may be answered and obtained by Denice Goldberg at dzboss1@hotmail.com. Payments

and forms must be in by Friday, Mar. 17, and credit card payments will be accepted using The Square. For plastic payments, please email bethelcornedbeef@gmail.com or call 706-962-3849 and leave a message. Thank you in advance for actively supporting Beth El and the community as the Synagogue will again be making a donation to The Donna Foundation, while feeding Northeast Florida.

Temple confirmand finds his political voice during influential D.C. vist BY JONAH BENNETT Program Participant

Throughout this entire political season, I always felt left out. I had a candidate to support, but it seemed that my voice was not being heard. Repeatedly, I felt lost, confused and often angry that some people had so much influence over the future of our country, and I was not one of them. Then I went with my fellow

Temple Confirmands to Washington, DC on L’Taken , a teen experience organized by the URJ Religious Action Center (RAC.) Not only did I have the opportunity to view the complexity and nuanced nature of American politics, but I also had the opportunity to speak and make myself heard by some powerbrokers.

Through a series of programs and discussions, we learned the Reform movement’s positions on torture, climate change, separation of church and state, to name just a few. In one interactive session, we were taught how to argue both in favor and against specific pieces of legislation, and this particular experience clarified my own

Temple Bet Yam to host hard lox café and a Hamentaschen tasting Hamentaschen Tasting. Temple Bet Yam is located at 2055 Wildwood Dr., in St. Augustine, and tickets are $18 for adults and $5 for children. Admission entitles you to the brunch, hamentaschen, and a vote on your favorite dessert. RSVP’s are requested by Mar. 8th, so contact Carol Levy at 954-895-7332 for more information.

By Temple Bet Yam

In honor of Purim, Temple Bet Yam will host a Hard Lox Café brunch, Sunday, Mar. 12th at 11 a.m., which will include a mouth-watering spread of bagels, lox, and salads. For dessert, attendees will be invited to savor delicious homemade hamentaschen at the Temple’s

WRJ Temple Sisterhood to host its 24th annual Women’s Seder in March BY JUDI GREENHUT & DOTTIE WILSON Seder Co-Chairs

The WRJ Temple Sisterhood’s 24th Annual Women’s Seder will, once again, be held in memory of Rabbi Julie R. Spitzer, whose passion was saving women in abusive relationships, exposing the myth that domestic abuse does not happen among Jews. WRJ/Temple Sisterhood supports the efforts to end domestic violence by contributing the proceeds of the Women’s Seder to Hubbard House, a shelter for abused women and children in the Jacksonville Area. “We proudly announce that Gail Jarrett will be honored at this year’s Women’s Seder for her many years of dedication to WRJ/Temple Sisterhood,” explained Women’s Seder Co-

Gail Jarrett

Chairpersons, Judi Greenhut. Jarrett is the second generation of WRJ/ Temple Sisterhood leaders. “In addition, this year we are introducing a Chocolate Dessert Seder Haggadah in place of the traditional Haggadah service,” said fellow Seder co-chair Dottie Wilson. “A vegetarian meal will

be served followed by the Chocolate Seder, so bring yourself, your mothers, daughters, friends and any other special women in your life to help us honor l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation.” The Chocolate Seder will take place Thursday Mar. 23rd at 6:30 p.m., with check in beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $18, however additional contributions are encouraged, with Patrons at $36 and Angels at $54. Donations at $72 are recognized as Rachel and a $108 contribution is Miriam. Young women, six to 12 are $9 each, so RSVP by Mar. 9. Checks may be mailed to the Temple Sisterhood at 8727 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32217, with Attention to ‘Women’s Seder’. For more information, contact Judi at 904-655-6637 or Dottie 904699-3231.

The Temple’s Saturday night at the movies to show the film ‘Goodbye Columbus’, March 4th By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

Philip Roth’s prize-winning novella about a decent, edgy Jewish boy from Newark who falls in love with a rich, tennisplaying Jewish princess from Short Hills, is a classic film, entitled ‘Goodbye Columbus’. This

movie, which is a very funny, immensely appealing story of a suburban romance will be shown at Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) ‘Goodbye Columbus’, Saturday, Mar. 4 at 7 p.m. An after movie discussion will be led by Rabbi Shapiro.

beliefs on specific issues. Many people view the same issue differently and they use selected facts to support their position, that’s why the RAC created the space for an open exchange of ideas, and an opportunity to converse, debate and even agree to disagree. As I climbed the same steps as many influential politicians of

our country, I felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. When we met with representatives of Congress, we were treated with respect and made to feel that our opinions mattered. I learned that I could make a difference by exercising my right as an American citizen. Ultimately, I felt proud to be Jewish, as I could connect current issues with Jewish values. Additionally, I felt proud to be an American and a citizen of this country in which every active voice has a say in government and every person can make a difference.

Etz Chaim Synagogue to hold three-part series on preparing for Passover

By Etz Chaim Synagogue

It’s hard to believe that Pesach is around the corner as there is an extraordinary amount of planning and preparing in getting ready for the holiday. This time of year generates feelings of anxiety for many of us because there are so many technical details to oversee that it can be quite overwhelming. Not to mention strolling down the Passover section at your local grocery store and seeing the significant increase in basic goods. Many people have asked, ‘come on, does dish soap really have to be be kosher for Passover?’ or ‘why does Shmura

matzo seem like it requires a second mortgage? to ‘how can I make my Seder a little more meaningful?’ The answers to these questions and the best way to get ready for Pesach is to be more informed and well prepared for this important change. With this in mind, please join Etz Chaim Synagogue for a three-part miniseries, starting Monday, Mar. 20 and continuing on Mar. 27, with the final installment to take place Monday, Apr. 3. Rabbis Yaakov Fisch and Avi Feignbaum will be leading these most informative and practical sessions which will enable you to celebrate Pesach with a minimal amount of stress.

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synagogue news

Etz Chaim’s annual gala transforms Synagogue into Bourbon St. BY SARAH PERFIDO Event Attendee

Walking into the synagogue the night of Etz Chaim’s annual gala, last month, attendees could see a completely transformed building as the walls were lined with black velvet curtains and blue tinted lights that made the entire place look like a swanky night lounge. Upon their arrival, people were greeted at the door by friendly faces and a two-man jazz band with a saxophonist and pianist. Guests arrived styled in Great Gatsby fashion, dressed like flappers from the Roaring 20s Jazz Era. My costume included a black dress, numerous pearl necklaces, elbow high gloves, a feather boa, and a jeweled headpiece, while my husband Yosef wore a black suit, black dress shirt, white tie, and white fedora, complete with a real

cigar. As we made our way into the dining room, we saw covered high tables and an open bar, along with purple, green, and gold ostrich plum feathers, twinkling candles, beads, and other decorations which brought the room to life. As

the night continued, we dined on delicious authentic New Orleans cuisine including kosher jambalaya and enjoyed live music from a second jazz band encompassing a keyboard, electric guitar, drums, trumpet, saxophone, and upright bass. We also laughed at the hilar-

Beth – El The Beaches Synagogue to hold annual night of caring, April 22 By Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue

Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue will be hosting its annual ‘Night of Caring, Unmask the Possibilities’, Saturday Apr. 22, as it will be a masquerade theme. The excitement begins with a silent auction, a live auction and plated dinner to follow later in the evening. In addition, there will be a full bar and live music all night long for dancing and fun for everyone. Over the years, Beth El-The

to leave with a printed photo on the spot. The night finally ended with a huge raffle giveaway and although we didn’t get our ticket called for a prize, just attending this fabulous event was already a win for the both of us.

The Temple to hold a forbidden Purim event, Mar. 11th By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

Save the date for Beth El’s Night of Beaches Synagogue has had Caring, Saturday, April 22nd and many supporters both in town and at the beach, so please come unmask the possibilities of the eveand share in the joy as the Syna- ning’s masquerade theme, complete gogue at the beach is celebrated. with fun, food and music in addition For more information, contact to auctions at the synagogue Jacquie at 904-273-9100.

Renew your spirit, & quiet your mind with some Yoga Shalom at the Jacksonville Jewish Center By Jacksonville Jewish Center

Come to the Jacksonville Jewish Center for a low impact Yoga Shalom class, Wednesdays, Mar. 8, 15 and 22 at 10 a.m., and keep that commitment to yourself to exercise and get in shape in 2017. No fee or prior experience is necessary, so bring a positive attitude and a towel or exercise mat. Yoga Shalom meets the second, third and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the Center. Contact Sandy Selwitz at selwitzs@gmail.com or Naomi

ious improv group that performed a live version of skits and games as seen on ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ A photo booth and props also drew long lines as guests smiled and posed amidst a variety of green screen backgrounds and participants were even able

Lazar at naomilazar2014@gmail. com to register or for more information.

Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) will celebrate Purim in an adult-oriented fashion, Saturday, Mar. 11 beginning at 7 p.m. The Temple family will explore the Purim story through the lens of favorite Broadway shows thanks to Daniel Barkowitz, who has created a unique approach to the Purim story. Those who like ‘Hamilton’, ‘Book of Mormon’, ‘The Lion King’, ‘Evita’, and ‘Grease’ should come as the Purim story is retold with ribald humor and jokes for the in-crowd. This year’s production Last year’s Purim’s theme was will star Temple’s clergy, Director of Education and Executive DiGrease and inspired these costumes rector with able assistance from to attend as costume clad guests talented Temple members. Food are welcome as well. and drink will be provided and the entire community is invited

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

chabad news

Chabad’s annual community Purim celebration to take on unique southern style By Chabad Lubavitch of NE Fla.

With the approach of the joyous holiday of Purim, the Jacksonville Jewish community is in for a treat once again, as Chabad Lubavitch of Northeast Florida is gearing up for another production of its annual Purim event. This year’s celebration is set to take place, Sunday, Mar. 12 at 5 p.m. over at the Chabad Headquarters in Mandarin. A Megillah Reading will take place at 4:30 p.m., preceding the event, which is now in its 25th year, and has become a hallmark of Jewish joy and unity. “This celebration brings Jews of all ages and backgrounds together with the single purpose of sharing the joy and warmth of our common Jewish heritage,” said Rabbi Levi Vogel, Director of Chabad S. Augustine. The event’s theme, Purim in Jacksonville, has been

Singer, songwriter Choni Teitlebaum will perform at the Purim event

chosen to help the community at large to become more acquainted with the rich Jewish history and roots of the local community. Early Jewish immigrants established a tight knit community in the downtown area of LaVilla between the 1880s and 1920s. Most of them were peddlers who came with nothing more than packs on

their backs. In fact, prior to the 1930s, Jacksonville’s Jewish population was the largest in Florida. Attendees of the event will have the opportunity to see a variety of scenes from the Jacksonville of old and in addition to the joyous Purim spirit, for which the annual event has become popular, this year the crowd will

be entertained with live music and song, by the popular Choni Teitlebaum, a very talented and skilled musician, who has “unbelievable playing skills, a fantastic sound, along with great interaction with the crowd.” For the Kids, there will be a fabulous program, featuring Captain Character and his ventriloquist puppet and magic show, along with balloon twisting and face painting. The celebration will open with a social hour offering a huge selection of great kosher wines and other fine spirits. The menu will include a delectable southern buffet dinner with all the favorites including corn bread, chicken fried steak bites, oven fried southern chicken, mashed potatoes, collard greens, southern style green beans, assorted pies and more which will have you coming back for seconds, so prepare to be entertained, filled with food and enjoy a jolly Purim atmosphere. The festival is sponsored by Chabad of Northeast Florida, Mandarin/Headquarters, the

Beaches, Southside, S. Augustine, Clay County & S. Johns. Tickets may be purchased in advance from one of the above listed Chabad Centers and the cost of tickets this year has been slashed to only $10 an adult when purchased in advance, by Mar. 7 and $8 per child or student. After Mar. 7, or at the door, tickets are $18 per adult and $10 per child or student. Event sponsorships are encouraged to help defray the program costs and sponsorship includes $180 for two tickets, $260 for four, $360 for six, $500 for eight and $1,000 for a dozen. For more information and to reserve your spot, call Chabad Mandarin/Headquarters at 904-262-6641, Southside 904646-4434, Beaches 904-543-9301, S. Augustine 904-521-8664, Clay County 904-290-1017, or S. Johns at 904-701-4422. You can also log onto the respective Chabads official websites at chabadjacksonville.org, chabadbeaches.com, southsidechabad.com, chabadsaugustine.com, jewishclaycounty. com, or jewishsjohnscounty.com.

Chabad of the Southside boasts an Chabad at the Beaches important presence on UNF campus to sell the world famous Reisman’s Hamantashen

Students set up a table for the Jewish Ospreys on the UNF campus By Chabad of the Southside

A picture is worth a thousand words they say, but on Shabbat pictures are not taken, so here are a thousand (or fewer) words to paint a picture. Each Friday night dozens of UNF students gather at Chabad for a lively and

delicious Shabbat Experience. As Challah, soups, salads and entrees are passed around students introduce themselves, sharing their passions and interests with the crowd, friendships are forged and lifelong relationships are established. Following a delicious, traditional multi-course meal,

students socialize, sing songs, and learn about each other and about Judaism. In addition to Shabbat dinners, Chabad counsels students, hosts BBQs and Falafel Dinners during the week and sets up a table on campus in order to reach out to the University’s Jewish Students.

Jewish Jacksonville women learn about the mystique of the Mikvah By Chabad of S. Augustine

Women from Greater Jacksonville came together in late January for an afternoon of inspiration, as Mrs. Miriam Lipskier of Atlanta enlightened the crowd with her beautiful presentation on the Sanctity of marriage and the mystical aspects of Mikvah. As one participant commented, “I’ve heard many explanations on this topic, but this was the best.” Additionally, the women were treated to a delectable assortment of salads and after the talk, Rivkie Kahanov led a tour of the Community Mikvah. The program was sponsored by the six Chabad Centers in Northeast, Fl and Mikvah USA.

Rivkie Kahanov (left) talks to women at the Chabad’s ofﬁcial Mikvah

Social Media Directory

By Chabad at the Beaches

Chabad at the Beaches this year will sell World famous Reisman’s Hamantashen, which will be sold below retail price, going for only $5.50 a pound. For those who don’t know, Hamantashen are a triangular, filled pastry

which is traditionally served on Purim. The pastries are available in four delicious flavors raspberry, apricot, poppy seed and prune, and orders must be submitted before Mar. 1st. Reisman`s Hamantashen are famous, as they are the most mouthwatering around, just taste one and you’ll keep coming back for more.

Chabad of S. Johns will be celebrating Purim with Megillahs and margaritas

By Chabad of S. Johns

Join the Chabad of S. Johns this Purim for its monumental, magnificent, memorable Megillah & Margaritas merry-making, Saturday Mar. 11. Now that’s a lot of ‘M’ words and in fact, Purim is all about ‘M’ words. Mishloach manot is when gifts of food are given to friends and family and Matanot l’evyonim is when money is given to the poor. Megillah is read and people listen to the story of how Queen Esther and the Jewish leader

Mordechai, saved the Jewish people from an attempted annihilation. Mishteh is when a Purim feast is hosted to show gratitude to G-d for saving our people from the wicked Haman. This year, Margaritas have been added to the fold, to go along with mouthwatering food for the whole family. Megillah & Margaritas will kick-off at 7:30 p.m. and it’s going to be marvelous, so for more information or to RSVP email Rabbi@ JewishSJohnsCounty.com, or call 904-701-4422.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

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chabad news

Stand-up comic and DJ to both headline Southside Chabad’s March Purim party By Southside Chabad

Southside Chabad will be hosting its ‘Purim Night Live’ event Saturday, Mar. 11, featuring a live Megillah, live music and live comedy. Enjoy refreshments or grab a drink from the bar as DJ G-BAUM rocks the house. Headlining the event will be renowned stand-up comic Mitch Aron, with special comedic guest performances. This cosmopolitan Purim party will get underway at 7:30 p.m., and is proudly presented by Chabad of Southside (11271 Alumni Way), so visit SouthsideChabad.com for more information.

Friday night (Shabbat) dinner – Next one to be held Feb. 3rd in Fleming Island. Mandarin/HQ Daily Chassidic Philosophy Held weekday mornings, Monday – Friday, 6:40 a.m., Sundays 8:15 a.m., with instructor Rabbi Yossie Kahanov.

Mitch Aaron

By Chabad at the Beaches

DJ G-BAUM

Hamantachen for dessert. Attendees will enjoy live entertainment, a costume contest, in addition to plenty of fun and excitement. The event will start with a

Havdalah Service at 7:20 p.m. and the Megillah reading will take place at 7:30, followed by Purim goodies. The event will be held at Chabad at the Beaches’ Center for Jewish Life (521 A1A N) in Ponte Vedra Beach. The Purim celebration is free, however sponsorship opportunities are available. Donations are always appreciated and can be sent to ChabadBeaches. com/donate. RSVP is not necessary, but is always appreciated and can be done via email to Chabad@ ChabadBeaches.com or by calling 904-543-9301.

Chabad of S. Augustine holding Purim in the roaring 20s themed party By Chabad of S. Augustine

Chabad of S. Augustine invites the entire Jewish community to a Purim celebration ‘in the Roaring 20s’, Saturday, Mar. 11 at 7:30 p.m., so don’t forget your furs, pearls, top hats and tails and you’ll enjoy

Jewish women circle will hold Hamentashen bake Mar. 5th

By Chabad of S. Augustine

The Jewish Women’s Circle of S. Augustine will hold a Hamentaschen bake, scheduled for Sunday, Mar. 5 at 11 a.m. While there, you’ll be able to roll, ﬁll, pinch and bake all the classic ﬂavors plus some new ones and come home with some delicious samples of Hamantashen, the distinct Purim pastry. Rediscover the story of Purim and the woman who made it all happen, so please email Fraidy@ChabadSAugustine. com to reserve your spot today.

Clay County Tanya Class - Practical Spirituality for Everyday Life. Held Shabbos mornings from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Shabbat Beginner’s Service – Held 12 p.m. followed by a light Kiddush.

Chabad at the Beaches presents the 2,439th annual Purim celebration Chabad at the Beaches’ annual Purim celebration will be held Saturday, Mar. 11 and creates Jewish excitement and fun for the whole family, as the entire Beaches Jewish community is invited regardless of affiliation or background. The event will include a fun interactive Megillah Reading, followed by a meal that will feature delicious South American cuisine, where you’ll get to create your own taco’s, and wash them down with Brazilian drinks and

upcoming and ongoing events

cocktails, hamantashen and Jewish Jazz. A sand art multi-media Megillah presentation will accompany the megillah reading. This event is fun for the entire family, so for more information call 904-521-8664, or email rabbi@ chabadsaugustine.com.

Insights on the Torah Portion Shabbos Mornings, 8:30 a.m., with instructor Rabbi Mendy Browd. Exploring The Talmud Tuesday evenings after Maariv with instructor Rabbi Mendy Browd. Women’s Study Group Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m., with instructor Rebbetzin Rivkie Kahanov. Shabbos Live - Join us for a memorable Shabbat dinner and monthly oneg. The dinner is free and open to all to experience the feeling of holiness that only Shabbat can bring. Great food, insightful discussion, Chassidic melodies and a warm ‘Heimish’ atmosphere is to be had. Call 904-262-6641 for more information or to reserve a spot. Southside CHS - Chabad Hebrew School on the Southside - At CHS Jewish learning is meaningful and fun. The school enjoys a well-earned reputation as a trendsetter in creative Jewish education for children ages 5-13. From lively interactive classroom discussions to exciting hands on learning programs, it’s unique learning experience. School is held Sundays from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Visit SouthsideChabad.com for more information. Yoga and Torah for Women: Unleash Your Inner Strength Invigorating Yoga exercise followed by delicious and healthy refreshments and a thought provoking discussion of Jewish wisdom. No

prior Jewish Education or Yoga Experience necessary. Class meets every other Wednesday evenings by the St. Johns Town Center. To RSVP visit SouthsideChabad.com or call 904-646-4434. Saturday Morning Shabbat Services Join us for services with Rabbi Shmuli Novack in a warm, friendly atmosphere. Our nonjudgmental philosophy embraces everyone, regardless of commitment or religious background. Services are held at 10:30 a.m., in a traditional setting, with a contemporary message. A traditional cholent luncheon follows services. Visit SouthsideChabad.com for more information. S. Augustine Family Multimedia Megillah Reading - Sunday, March 12, at 12 p.m. Kabbalah and Coffee - Sunday Mornings 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Torah Studies - Weekly Torah Portion, Wednesdays 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Beginners Shabbat Services & Kiddush – Saturdays 10 - 12:30 p.m. S. Johns Torah & Tea Series – Join Jewish women Mondays at 7:30 p.m., for inspiring Torah discussions, Jewish meditation, camaraderie, hot tea, and delicious refreshments for the feminine Spirituali-Tea! For more information Email: Dini@JewishSJohnsCounty.com. GROW MyPalette Series - Grow After-School Enrichment Program begins a new six-week course entitled ‘MyPalette’. The GROW After-School Enrichment Program takes place every Tuesday at Durbin Creek Elementary School. For more info visit JewishSJohnsCounty.com/GROW. Hebrew School for Grownups - Is your informal space to refresh your knowledge of Judaism. You’ll gain a basic knowledge of Jewish practice and an understanding of why we ‘Jew-it’, while delving into the deeper, more mystical aspects of Jewish life. Contact info@ JewishSJohnsCounty.com for more information.

www.chabadjacksonville.org

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federation news

rGEN partners with the MOSH for evening of education BY ARIEL FRECHTMAN rGEN Director arielf@jewishjacksonville.org

During the months of January and February, thousands of individuals visited Jacksonville’s Museum of Science and History to experience the Voices of Hope exhibit ‘Anne Frank: A History for Today’. Because of this, rGEN could not pass up the opportunity to create its own experience with the exhibit and steering committee mem-

ber Leah Palestrant, along with Second Generation Holocaust Survivor Molly Kushner did just that. In late January, more than 50 young adults gathered for ‘rGEN and Anne: A History for Today’, where after touring the exhibit, participants filled the museum’s Wells Fargo room to hear Kushner’s family story and discuss the unique privilege our generation has to meet in person with Survivors, something many of our own children will not have the opportunity to do some day.

A docent led tour was available for attendees to talk part in and listen

Second Gen Holocaust survivor Molly Kushner speaks to the group

Seth Weintraub looks at the diary

rGEN steering committee member Haley Trager views the exhibit

Event chair Leah Palestrant and guest speaker Molly Kushner

Anne Frank’s Voices of Hope exhibit will continue to provide inspiration throughout the spring By Voices of Hope

Following a successful winter exhibition of the Anne Frank ‘Voices of Hope’ and ‘A History for Today’ displays at the Museum of Science and History (MOSH), another exhibit about the Holocaust will be taking place

throughout the spring. Searching for Identity Through the Lens of the Second Generation Holocaust Survivor will be available for viewing at the Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church from March 8 – May 1. The multimedia exhibition highlights essays authored by Jacksonville second generation Holocaust survivors in collabora-

tion with maquettes, which were hand built by the Bolles School AP art students and portraitures taken by Jacksonville photographer, Chad Dennis. Admission is free and the display is sponsored by Searching for Identity and Jewish Family & Community Services. For more information log onto annefrankjax.org.

Honored FBI Guests

Federation board president Sandy Zimmerman and executive director Alan Margolies pose with FBI director James Comey during his recent visit to the Bureau’s Jacksonville headquarters

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

www.jewishjacksonville.org

federation news

Large gathering at the MOSH highlights Women’s Division annual champagne brunch event

Erica Jolles, Beth Goldman, Isabel Balotin & Caryl Raudt

Cheryl Plotkin, Michelle Margol & Caroline Lee

BY ERIN COHEN

Women’s Division Director erinc@jewishjacksonville.org

Photos by Larry Tallis

In late January, more than 140 women gathered at Museum of Science & History for the annual

Women’s Division Champagne Brunch. Prior to the museum opening to the public, guests were able to experience private, docentled tours of two extraordinary exhibits, ‘Anne Frank: A History for Today’, and ‘Remembering the Holocaust in Art,’ from the private collections of Cindy & Dan Edel-

Joan Rosenberg, Faye Mizrahi, Lauren Block & Holly Emas

Diane Ackerman & Sheryl Johnson

Doris Singer, Ilene Levenson, Sandy Rosenﬁeld, Mary & Lauren Edwards

Mauri Mizrahi & Judy Silverman

man. The Federation is grateful to Cindy for coming to the event and speaking about her collection and why these works are so relevant today. The Champagne Brunch was co-chaired by Debra Pataky and Ilene Schinasi, and it’s important to note that it was the largest

women’s division event in more than five years. Kudos to Debra, Ilene and an incredible committee who worked hard to make everything so beautiful and special. Also, thank you to Larry Tallis Photography for the great shots from the morning and Kiley and Sam Efron who continued the

tradition started by Wendy Efron of blessed memory, by donating the champagne to this event. For more information about the Federation Women’s Division, contact Erin Cohen, at 904-4485000, ext. 1205 or erinc@jewishjacksonville.org.

Shalom Jacksonville’s Jewish Java quickly becomes a monthly morning favorite for all BY ISABEL BALOTIN

Shalom Jax Director shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org

Shalom Jacksonville’s Jewish Java has become a morning favorite for many newcomers and friends in the Jacksonville area. The group meets the first Wednesday of every month from 9-10:30 a.m. at River Garden Senior Services’ Cohen Auditorium. A delicious bagel brunch is served, followed by an inspirational and educational program. Additionally, there is lots of time for schmoozing and connecting with old friends and meeting new ones. If you are new to the area, newly interested in the Jewish community or a longtime resident, this is your opportunity to connect with some of the friendliest people in Jacksonville. Last July, Java began a partnership with River Garden and the program has grown tremendously. By offering a larger facility and providing a delicious bagel brunch, the program can now accommodate up to 100 people. Average attendance has grown to about 50-80 people each gathering. A big thanks goes out to Leslie Held, Jewish Life and volunteer coordinator and the River Garden staff for their dedication to this successful program. Federation’s Shalom Jacksonville is the official Jewish welcome wagon serving Northeast Florida from Amelia Island to St. Augustine. If you are new to the community, please reach out to us, so you can be invited to the many casual events that are de-

A near capacity crowd during the last Jewish Java in February to hear community builder Andrea Mail speak about the languages of love

signed to foster friendships and community connections that are most meaningful to you. Go to your calendars now and reserve the first Wednesday of every month for Jewish Java. For more information contact, Isabel Balotin, Shalom Jacksonville Director, 904-448-5000, ext. 1206 or at shalomjax@jewishjacksonville. org. There is no charge for any of the programs, however reservations are a must. Coming Attractions include Mar. 1, when Temple Executive Director Goldie Lansky shares the many experiences of her humanitarian trip to Cuba and then Apr. 5, when Etz Chaim Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum explains Passover and ‘The Freedom to be Yourself ’, delving into the deeper meaning behind the Seder’s variety of customs and practices.

Mail, Shalom Jax’s Isabel Balotin, & River Garden’s Leslie Held

Wants YOU to be a part of its growing advertising sales team! The Jacksonville Jewish News is in search of a highly qualified, highly motivated sales representative to secure advertising on a monthly and yearly basis for the official publication of the Jacksonville Jewish community. Candidates should have 2-3 years of sales experience and be willing to work in assigned territories. The Jacksonville Jewish News is a newspaper published monthly from August – May, with a Summer Magazine for the months of June and July. The JJN has a circulation of approximately 13,000, with three stands for pick up, in and around Mandarin. *Please note that this is a commission based, part-time position with no benefits* Interested candidates should e-mail their resume to JJN editor Matt Franzblau at mattf@jewishjacksonville.org, no later than March 15th.

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education

Students to take part in special Purim holiday baking program at Michele Block Gan Yeladim BY NATHAN WOODS Michele Block Gan Yeladim

On Friday, Mar. 10 at 1:30 p.m., the community is invited to come bake some yummy hamentashen and get ready for the Purim holiday at Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s Preschool and Kindergarten. Every year, the school offers programs to educate and celebrate Jewish holiday and with programs

poppy seed, apricot and chocolate, and the triangular shaped snack is meant to represent Haman, the villain of the Purim story from the biblical Book of Esther, and his three-cornered hat. All children ages three to six are invited to this special Purim holiday baking class where they will learn to bake this treat from scratch with Morah Karen. Registration is $15 and $10 for JCA valued members. For more information or to register for the class, please contact Rochelle Golomb at 904-730-2100 ext. 259.

such as Chanukah baking, a Tu B’shevat celebration Seder and sensational sensory Sukkot, children are taught the meaning and history of these holidays through fun, interactive activities. For this event, children will bake hamentashen, the traditional holiday food associated with Purim. Hamentashen are a triangular pastry with filling in the middle. The fillings can vary and include ingredients such as

Making mitzvah day a success the DuBow Preschool way

Students learn about the concept of Tikun Olam or repairing the world

BY SUZIE POLLAK BECKER beds, created cards and personally DuBow Preschool Co-Director

In early February, DuBow Preschool students and their families as well as those from the Jacksonville Jewish Center had the opportunity to turn the lessons learned about Tikkun Olam, repairing of the world, into a real life learning experience. The preschool community came together to work on replacing the school’s garden

decorated pots filled with flowers into gifts that bring joy for friends at River Garden Hebrew Home, while showing love and appreciation for the school. Students spent time in a sensory area washing and drying toys, while some created labels for books with PJ Library for the new lending library that will be placed outside the school to be utilized by the public. Planter sticks were also decorated for the

Martin J. Gottlieb Day schoolers participate in cross continental social studies project

Kids clean up their toys

newly refurbished garden, as well as making tags for toys to leave for other children to find in parks and playgrounds that represent random acts of kindness. Snacks were shared while students had the opportunity to spend time with friends who are like family in the warm and loving atmosphere that fostered at the DuBow Preschool. To learn more about the school and its mission, please call 904-292-1000, ext. 143.

Students proudly diaplay their Israeli artifacts following their lessons By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

The fifth-grade class at Martin J. Gottlieb Day School is working hard on a cross-curricular project that integrates Social Studies, Hebrew language, and Art. The students are intensively comparing the United States Declaration of Independence to Israel’s Megillat Ha’Atzmaut, and plan to showcase their research to parents and teachers in a bilingual presentation. Initially, students read Israel’s declaration of independence in Hebrew

while learning about the founding of the U.S. in Social Studies. Each student is researching an important figure who contributed to the founding of his or her respective country. Finally, in the Art studio students are creating monochromatic portraits depicting those historic leaders. “This is a great project for our fifth graders because it highlights the values on which both countries are established, and also strengthens the students’ identities as both Jews and Americans,” said Jewish Studies teacher Liat Walker.

Torah Academy of Jacksonville students get guided tour of MOSH’s recent Anne Frank Exhibit Chabad of S. Johns puts

on Shabbat dinner for kids by kids in February

By Torah Academy of Jacksonville

Torah Academy of Jacksonville students went on a field trip earlier this winter as all grades were bussed over to the Museum of Science and History. The students had a peaceful lunch outside the MOSH and then the fifth through eighth-grade students had a guided tour of the Anne Frank exhibit, while the Kindergarten through fourth graders explored astronauts at the planetarium. Upon their return to the school, students with the required PBIS points had ice cream and raffle prizes, which made for an educational

Students pose in front of the Friendship Fountain following the MOSH

and entertaining afternoon. The next ‘Positive Behavior in School’ event is scheduled for Friday, Mar.

17, which will also prove to be an exciting adventure for the students involved.

Ganeinu Preschool students learning about trees for the Tu B’Shevat holiday By Southside Chabad

As Tu B’Shevat approached Ganeinu Preschool students learned in their outdoor classroom in nature. They turned to trees for bark rubbing, an artistic technique that applies a canvas to the bark exterior and when rubbed with ink transposes the bark pattern onto the surface. Students celebrated Tu B’Shevat with a fruit tasting ceremony, encouraging students to eat nutritiously and develop their pallets. The program culminated with a grand vote as the students choose their favorite fruits.

Ganeinu students learn about trees while outside an on the playground

Kids show off their homemade Challah from the kids inpsired Shabbat By Chabad of S. Johns

Shabbat begins with candles, prayer, wine and challah and if you ask the kids at GROW, they’ll tell you why. First, each of the kids prepared a special Shabbat box, which held a kiddush cup, challah cover and candlesticks, along with everything they’d need to do Shabbat on their own. Then the kids invited their parents and siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins, grandma and grandpa to a family Shabbat dinner hosted by Morah Dini from GROW.

Next, the kids led the entire ceremony from A to Z, where each child was given a chance to explain one of the Shabbat meal customs to the curious crowd. “The kids did an amazing job and the food was delicious,” said one guest. Shabbat dinner was delectable and the company delightful. The evening was concluded with a beautiful rendition of the grace after meals and after everyone’s tummies and curious minds were fully satisfied, they all happily made their way home. For more info about GROW, email Dini@JewishSJohnsCounty.com, or call 904-701-4422.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

education

Registration open for Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s Summer Camp BY IMAN BYFIELD

Jewish Community Alliance

Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s fully accredited summer camp program offers an exciting and memorable summer camp experience for young campers. Camp Gan Yeladim and KinderCamp provide a wide-range of engaging and age-appropriate activities to enrich your child’s summer. Registration is currently open for the 2017 JCA Summer Camp season. For campers ages two through four, Patty Cakes, K’ton and Tovim groups are the best place to enjoy daily music, art, gardening, water play and more in a fun and engaging environment. KinderCamp helps children entering kindergarten make the transition from preschool with ease and enthusiasm. KinderCampers are guided toward independence with high quality sports, outdoor play, music, cooking and other age-specific special programming. Campers (potty trained K’ton age and

older) also receive daily Red Cross water safety swim instruction. Michele Block Gan Yeladim Summer Camp is offered in four sessions, as each session explores a different, fun theme. Session I is from June 12 – 23, and the ‘Ooey, Gooey’ theme of this session is all about experiencing, investigating and exploring through

messy, hands-on science activities. Session II is from June 26 – July 7 and focuses on things in the sky. ‘Up, Up and Away’ explores transportation methods such as airplanes, helicopters, hot air balloons and rockets, while campers also learn about properties of wind, air and weather. ‘Animal Antics’, from July

10 – 21, encourages campers’ love of animals, as this session will combine dramatic play with art, science, music and literature that’s all about animals. The final session, ‘Under the Sea’, will take place from July 24 – Aug. 4, and gives campers the opportunity for increased water play and education on fish and other sea crea-

tures. Campers will also enjoy our water slide and special event days throughout the summer. Campers and staff at Michele Block Gan Yeladim are sure to have a great summer at the JCA. For more information, contact Theresa Levy at 904-730-2100, ext. 237 or Rochelle Golomb at ext. 904-730-2100, 259.

Torah Academy of Jacksonville honor to Larry and Caren Appel at annual dinner BY RENA SCHOCHET

Torah Academy of Jacksonville

The 2017 Torah Academy Dinner, scheduled for Sunday, May 21, will be a star-studded event, as the school has chosen two wonderful couples, Caren and Larry Appel and Sima and Barry Chefer to honor. Both couples have displayed steadfast dedication, intensive time commitment, and epic energy. The Appels have donated their time and talents toward helping the school develop and grow. They truly are two jewels in the Jacksonville Jewish community as well as at the Academy. Many Jewish organizations in this city have benefitted from the presence and

participation of this couple. The Appels came to Jacksonville from Atlanta and entrenched themselves in Jewish communal causes. While in Atlanta, Larry worked with The Home Depot and before that practiced law with King and Spalding. In Jacksonville he served in executive positions with Winn-Dixie and Skeeter Snacks. The Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and the Torah Academy are two of the organizations where he has served as president and last year, he was a most deserving recipient of the Joe P. Safer Community Service Award. This prestigious award recognizes individuals for their community service, their ability to bring people together and to make our city a better place. Federation

Larry and Caren Appel

executive director Alan Margolies, said that “Larry Appel sets a high bar for leadership in the Jacksonville community.” Larry’s wife Caren is vice president of the Board at Jewish Family & Community Services and she is at the forefront of coordinating volunteers on behalf of this important communal organization. Caren has a flair for art and because of this many philanthropic events have benefitted from her passion. Under her

leadership as the Event Chair forthe JFCS annual dinner, the event brought in record funds and Torah Academy’s Annual Dinners in 2015 and ‘16 similarly saw this effect as Caren raised the bar for fundraising for the school. The Appels are more than deserving of this recognition and Torah Academy of Jacksonville is proud to be the vehicle to bestow this couple with this esteemed approbation.

Martin J. Gottlieb Day School students get an up-close look at violins of hope

The violins from the Violins of Hope concert made their way to the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School while they were in Jacksonville from Tel Aviv By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

While the ‘Violins of Hope’ project was recently in Jacksonville to perform with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, project coordinators were kind enough to stop by the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School to give students an up-close look at the instruments in an educational and inspiring presentation. Based in Tel Aviv, Violins of Hope is a collection of instruments that survived the Holocaust, each

with its own fascinating and harrowing story. Each instrument was introduced to the students and then played by a professional musician. “It was a meaningful way of connecting the stories with both memories and melodies and making it become real for our students,” said Middle School Vice Principal Edith Horovitz. “We are very appreciative to the Violins of Hope project for including our school in their visit to Jacksonville.”

Trip chaired by Jacksonville’s own Guy Benrubi and Joan Levin

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education

DuBow Preschool students celebrate the trees’ birthday in style BY SUZIE POLLAK BECKER uted a portion of their tzedakah DuBow Preschool Co-Director

DuBow Preschool excitedly introduced this year’s Tu B’Shevat program that incorporated lessons and songs about the importance of trees. In addition to the annual Shoobee Doobee Shabbat program that featured three-year-old Parparim classes performing live, the school has partnered with the Jewish National Fund to help deepen students’ connection to Israel, so that it continues to grow in the coming years. Each child received a tree picture that helped them to understand why trees are important to Israel, the environment, and also to themselves. In addition, students contrib-

funds to JNF to plant trees in Israel in honor of the holiday of Tu B’Shvat. Preschool families also contributed to planting trees in the memory of a loved one, or in honor of their children, and for other milestones. The DuBow Preschool takes pride in fostering an appreciation for nature with its Gardening and Science program. The school also strives to reinforce its connection to Israel a love of being Jewish. Most importantly, this time of year the lessons that are learned from trees are remembered and they are recognizing that we have roots to connect us to where we came from and, just like branches, to Students celebrate the New Year of reach for the sky. the trees for Tu B’Shevat

Michele Block Gan Yeladim to hold another JCafé Cummer Museum family day BY NATHAN WOODS Michele Block Gan Yeladim

In the endless pursuit to provide the best cultural arts curriculum to its students, Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten invites you to experience a JCafé Cummer Museum Family Day, scheduled for Sunday, Mar. 19 at 12 p.m. JCafe, the JCA Cultural Arts Family Experience program, invites the families of Michele Block Gan Yeladim to engage in an exclusive, educator-led, hands-on art and nature experience and tour at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Riverside. This program is part of an ongoing partnership between Michele Block Gan Yeladim and the Cummer Museum, through which the school provides unique,

enriching programs to inspire an appreciation of the arts among its young students. Educators from Michele Block Gan Yeladim and the Cummer work together to bring STEAM experiences to their students. Led by the Cummer education staff, Michele Block Gan Yeladim students have the opportunity to explore the galleries and gardens of the Cummer and engage in hands-on activities

in the classrooms and gardens at Michele Block Gan Yeladim. The per-family registration fee is $15 and $10 for JCA valued members. This fee includes a kosher picnic snack in the garden. For more information about the program or Block Gan’s partnership with the Cummer, contact Rochelle Golomb at 904-7302100, ext. 259.

Leadership of Michele Block Gan Yeladim goes to a national JCC conference

BY NATHAN WOODS Michele Block Gan Yeladim

This month, the leadership at Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten will attend the 2017 JCC Association of North America Professional Conference in Orlando. The biennial conference is a gathering of the top professionals from JCCs across the continent, including Michele Block Gan Yeladim Director Theresa Levy. Early childhood education is among the main topics to be discussed at the conference. The JCC Association curriculum framework for early childhood educators is referred to as Sheva, or ‘seven’ in Hebrew. It represents the seven core elements of exemplary early childhood practice as defined by the JCC Association of North America. The professional development, reflective practice and ideas shared at the conference are incorporated into future curricular programming at Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten. The event is an invaluable resource for JCC educators as it brings together groups of like-minded profes-

sionals to share ideas, resulting in the development of better educational programming and a positive community focused on learning. JCC Association is the leadership network for the Jewish Community Center Movement, which is comprised of almost 350 JCC, YM-YWHA, and camp sites in the U. S. and Canada. JCC Association offers a wide-range of services and resources to strengthen the capacity of its affiliates to provide educational, cultural, social, Jewish identity-building and recreational programs to enhance the lives of North American Jews of all ages and backgrounds. Additionally, the movement fosters and strengthens connections between North American Jews and Israelis as well as with world Jewry. JCC Association is also a U.S. government-accredited agency for serving the religious and social needs of Jewish military personnel, their families, and patients in VA hospitals through JWB Jewish Chaplains Council. For more information about Sheva or the JCC Association of North America Professional Conference, please contact Rochelle Golomb at 904-730-2100, ext. 259.

DuBow Preschool students’ routine strolls transform into special sensory experiences BY BILLIE MCNETT

DuBow Preschool Co-Director

At the DuBow Preschool, education starts with the littlest of littles. Experiences these small ones are exposed to are imperative to growth and development, as everyone at the Jacksonville Jewish Center community knows all about the ‘Big Red Buggy’, where the preschool uses it to push around the one and two year old. Prior to this year, there has always been two, but the last half of this school year, the fleet grew, and the school had to add a third buggy to accommodate the growing classes. This amazing red cart holds six little ones at a time, allowing teachers and students to be mobile and to move about freely while exploring the environment and surroundings. It is never just ‘going on a walk’ as each stroll is an adventure. For instance, if it is raining, a meandering trip is made through the Day school and Synagogue hallways. The Sanctuary where Shabbat services take place is pointed out as are the mezuzah’s on the doorways. Familiar faces of the clergy and staff are also interacted with as this exposes these new little brains to examples of being polite, speech growth and conversation skills. The buggies then venture into the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, where there is always beautiful art on display from the students. Opportunities are seized to talk about what objects are in the art, the shapes and colors as it is like a museum at everyone’s disposal. If the weather is nice, watch out because walks outdoors are

The famous ‘Big Red Buggy’

nothing short of a sensory over load as everything that is seen, heard and smelled is talked about. Leaves and pinecones are even picked up to discuss the difference in textures and smells. The resident geese are always appreciative of the visits as they are typically hanging out in the pond or just cruising around the property. They are counted and then students listen for their tale-tell honks. In the spring, they have babies and these little goslings are monitored as they grow up with each passing month. During these legendary strolls, turtles are often seen crossing paths, and squirrels can be spotted munching on acorns, while birds chirp away in the trees. None of these above experiences can be found in a classroom, so it’s no wonder these little one’s squeal with excitement when they see the ‘big red buggy’ come rolling in.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

education

Torah Academy of Jacksonville holds its March’s Jewish book annual science fair during month of Feb. club for women to read

the ‘Ice Cream Queen of Orchard St.’ By Chabad at the Beaches

from the final scores. Judges included Mr. Jimmy Jaffa, Mr. Andrew Jaffa, Dr. Richard Bronowitz, Dr. Joey Dayan, and Dr. Ed Joseph. Following the Science Fair project displays, Miracles of Science provided an entertaining and educational assembly for families, where students were captivated as they learned about chemicals and chemical reactions.

By Torah Academy of Jacksonville

Torah Academy of Jacksonville’s annual science fair was held early last month, with great attendance as students created projects based on earth and nature. The focus was chosen to help celebrate Tu B’shevat, the New Year of the Trees and the projects were judged throughout the day, and winners calculated

Torah Academy of Jacksonville nets new novels from its recent book fair

By Torah Academy of Jacksonville

A big thank you goes out to all the families who supported the Torah Academy book fair in late January, as sales from the event totaled almost $900, earning more than $400 worth of books for the Academy’s library and classrooms.

Another thank you goes out to very special guest readers Alex Ackerman, Deanna Lissner, Irene Jaffa, Leslie Held, Sandi Roth and David Robbins for donating their time and talents. The book fair also featured an online component, where readers could shop selections at scholastic.com/bf/torahacademy until early February.

Chabad at the Beaches’ Jewish book club for women meets every month and discusses a new book. The novels cover a wide-variety of topics that meet various interests and it’s a great opportunity to meet new people, share your thoughts and opinions, and hear other people’s insights as well. The next meeting will take place Saturday, Mar. 11 to discuss ‘The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street’, which is bestselling author Susan Jane Gilman’s Indie Next Pick novel about an immigrant girl’s transformation into an indomitable businesswoman in early 20th century New York. As a child in 1913, Malka Treynovsky fleed Russia for New York with her family, only to be crippled and abandoned in the streets. Taken in by a toughloving Italian ices peddler, she survives, but when she falls in love with Albert, they set off together across America in an ice cream truck to seek their fortune. Slowly, she transforms herself into Lillian Dunkle, ‘The Ice Cream Queen of America’, doyenne of an empire of ice

cream franchises and a celebrated television personality. Spanning 70 years, Lillian’s rise, fraught with setbacks, triumphs, and tragedies is inextricably linked to the course of American history itself, from Prohibition to the disco days of Studio 54. When her past starts catching up with her, her world implodes spectacularly. The book club is hosted at private homes and is free of charge. Address information is given with reservations. For information, please call 904-543 9301, or email info@chabadbeaches.com.

Winter at Ganeinu Preschool

In February Ganeinu preschool students delved into their winter unit. The children explored ice and how it reacts with all kinds of materials and in this picture students experiment with salt and paint on a block of ice.

Have some news or a story you would like to share with the JJN? By Jacksonville Jewish News

Whether it’s a milestone achievement accomplished by a friend or family associated with the Jacksonville Jewish community, or simply a story, event or announcement to be shared, drop us a line at jjn@jewishjacksonville.org. You can also contact newspaper editor and Federation Communications Director Matt Franzblau directly at mattf@jewishjacksonville.or or by calling 904-448-5000, ext. 212. The Jacksonville Jewish News is published 11 times a years, in newspaper from January to May and then again from August to December, with a Summer Magazine covering the months of June and July. For further information as well as advertising rates, log onto jewishjacksonville.org/news and for back issues go to issuu.com/jewishnews.

For advertising inquiries contact Barbara Nykerk at 904923-3205 or bnykerk@comcast. net, or reach out to Eta Perras at 904-629-0466 or perraseta@ bellsouth.net.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

lifecycles Births

Lucy Belle Levine was born Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016 in Boca Raton, Fla., to parents Jessica and Blake Levine. Proud grandparents are Andrew and Catrina Ruby of Jacksonville

Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship. She is currently on the golf team at the University of West Florida, where Hannah Berman she was named October’s Gulf Coast Conference Freshman Athlete of the Month.

Sympathies Lucy Belle Levine

and Leslie and Keith Levine of Weston, Fla. Great grandparents are Margo and Stanley Ruby of Jacksonville in addition to Diane and Roger Jenkins of North Carolina, Bob Eckhardt of Colorado and Miriam Levine of Delray Beach, Fla.

Accomplishments

Mazel Tov to Hannah Berman of Ponte Vedra, who will be representing the United States’ golf team for the 20th World Maccabiah Games, July 4-17 in Israel. Berman, 19, will be the youngest member of the Open Women’s Golf Team. A 2016 Ponte Vedra High School graduate, she was a two-year team captain and two-time MVP who lead the Sharks her senior year to a sweep of District and Regional titles in 2015 and a fifth place finish in the State Championships. At 16, Berman played in the 2015 US Women’s Amateur Championship and has qualified for the 2017 US

… To the family of Barbara Cramer, who passed away Sunday, Jan. 22nd at the age of 77. She is survived by her sons, Jon (Rebecca) Cramer, Adam Cramer, and Josh (Melissa) Cramer, grandsons Gavin and Grifﬁn, niece Hope (Carey) Heller, nephews Justin and Jordan Axelrod, great-nephew Sammy Heller and sister-in-law Ava Axelrod. Funeral services were conducted in Annapolis, Md. Contributions in Barbara Cramer’s memory can be made to the Jacksonville Chervera Kadisha, c/o Bruce Goldring, 4050 Hillwood Road, Jacksonville, FL 32223. … To the family of Marilyn Nochimson, who passed away Tuesday, Jan. 24th at the age of 78. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Robert M. Nochimson, children, Dr. Geoff Nochimson and Debra Nochimson Wilson, in addition to sister-in-law Maxene (Marvin) Gillman. Funeral services were held in Newport News, Va., Jan. 25th. Contributions in Marilyn Nochimson’s memory can be made to the Jacksonville

Jewish Center. … To the family of Jeanette Mayo, who passed away Thursday, Jan. 26th at the age of 85. She is survived by her sister, Francine Friedman, daughters, Shelley (Van) Dunn, Ellen Ernest, grandson Ryan (Alicia) Dunn and nieces Betsy (Keith) Zipper and Marla Semmel. A graveside funeral service was held Jan. 31st at The Temple Cemetery (Evergreen). The family requests that contributions in memory of Jeanette Mayo be made to The Temple’s General Fund, Community Hospice or River Garden. … To the family of Clare Adelson, who passed away Sunday, Jan. 29th at the age of 87. She is survived by her children, M.B. Adelson, Karen Strauss, Terry Jackson, Deborah Johns and Duane Adelson, 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. A graveside funeral service was held Feb. 3rd at The Temple Cemetery (Evergreen). The family requests that contributions in memory of Clare Adelson be made to the charity of your choice. … To the family of Michael ‘Wayne’ Myers, who passed away Saturday, Feb. 4th. He is survived by his wife Marlene and children Lauren and Gary. Funeral services were held, Feb. 6th at Hardage-Giddens Mandarin and shiva was held Feb. 8th at the Myers home. The family requests that contributions in memory of Wayne Myers be made to the Temple or FSU Foundation. … To the family of Doris Weintraub, who passed away Thursday, Feb. 23rd at the age of 86. She is survived by her children Steven Weintraub (Luanne),

Jacksonville Jewish community gears up for Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration in April BY DANA MARMARI

Community Shlicha jaxshlicha@jewishjacksonville.org

Every year during the month of April, Israeli society starts preparing for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. After a day of mourning and commemorating fallen soldiers, as the clock strikes 8 p.m., Israel awakens and a festive atmosphere fills the streets, celebrating life and the existence of the state. This year, the Jacksonville community will be joining the celebrations and will come together to celebrate Israel’s 69th Independence Day, which is commonly referred to in Hebrew as ‘Yom Ha’atzmaut’. This community-wide celebra-

tion will be taking place at the Jewish Community Alliance, Sunday, Apr. 30th, from 12-3 p.m. Throughout the event, participants will be able to enjoy fun activities for all ages in which they will experience different aspects of Israeli culture. Activities will

include sports, music, dancing, arts and crafts, food and more. The event will be open to the entire community and is made possible thanks to the hard work and wonderful collaboration of numerous community agencies including Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple), Etz Chaim Synagogue, Jacksonville Jewish Center, Jewish Community Alliance, Jewish Family & Community Services, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, River Garden and more. More information and volunteering options will be released in the weeks to come, but for now, save the date so you will be able to join the entire community in this exciting celebration.

Bruce Weintraub (Kathy) and Lee Weintraub, in addition to granddaughter, Kelli (Tad) and great-granddaughter, Cameron. A Graveside Service was held Feb. 24th at Arlington Memorial Park in Jacksonville, with Rabbi Yaakov Fisch ofﬁciating. Memorials may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.

To submit an item for life cycles, please email it to jjn@ jewishjacksonville.org. Due date is the 15th of the month. For guidelines of how to write Bar/Bat Mitzvah, wedding or obituary announcements, go to jewishjacksonville.org/news under “Share your news.”

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

JCA fundraiser a smashing success JCA teens share art with thanks to community-wide support River Garden residents By Jewish Community Alliance

Jacksonville Teens Volunteer (JTV) is an exciting program directed by the Youth Services department of the Jewish Community Alliance. JTV provides opportunities for teens, ages 15 and older, to participate in meaningful and educational volunteer experiences throughout Jacksonville. In late January, JTV participants partnered with River Garden Hebrew Home residents for a fun, painting project that turned out to be a perfect intergenerational event. In proving the adage that ‘art has no age’, this collaborative art project between the JCA teens and River Garden residents was a huge success, as participants created a warm, positive atmosphere while listening to music and unleashing their creativity. Teens were able to bond with the residents, learning JCA 2017 Fundraiser Committee— (top, l-r) Jeffrey Wiener, Brent Trager, Nicole Brown, Sherrie Saag, Pat Frisch, new creative skills and spending quality time with them in the Mary Edwards, Ryan Saltz; (bottom, l-r) Alison Trager, Randee Steinberg, Sharon Bloom, Lior Spring, Jane process. Levine, Kendall Sisisky-Valliere. Absent: Sue Elinoff, Adam Frisch, Sierra Frisch, Allison Jacobs, Glenn Miller, “I’m really proud of our work Michael Miller, Monique Miller, Debbie Parker, Kim Robbins, Jeanine Rogozinski, Ellen Rosner, Shari Saye, Fran and I can’t wait to come again!” Selevan, Rebekah Selevan, Allison Korman Shelton, Kimberly Sisisky, Linda Stein, Michele Steinfeld, Rochelle Stoddard, Stacie Wilf, David Wolf and Chase Zimmerman. By Jewish Community Alliance

The JCA’s annual fundraising event honoring the Block Family took place Saturday, Feb. 25 and was a huge success thanks to the efforts of an extremely dedicated planning committee, which included Sharon Bloom, Nicole Brown, Mary Edwards, Sue Elinoff, Adam Frisch, Pat Frisch, Sierra Frisch, Allison Jacobs, Jane Levine, Jan Lipsky, Glenn Miller, Michael Miller, Monique Miller, Debbie Parker, Kim Robbins, Jeanine Rogozinski, Ellen Rosner, Sherrie Saag, Ryan Saltz, Shari Saye, Fran Selevan, Rebekah Selevan, Allison Korman Shelton, Kimberly Sisisky, Linda Stein, Randee Steinberg, Michele Steinfeld, Rochelle Stoddard, Alison Trager, Brent Trager, Jeff Wiener, Stacie Wilf, David Wolf and Chase Zimmerman. The event would not have been possible without the generosity of sponsors Alexandra and Scot Ackerman, Beth and Marc Angelo, Ansbacher Family Foundation, Baptist Health, Berman Family Foundation, Block Family, Deborah and Lathun Brigman, Harriet and Ernest Brodsky, Nicole and Andy Brown, LaVerne

and Andrew Cantor, DuBow Family Foundation, Mary and Jeff Edwards, Sue and Ron Elinoff, Flagler Family, Florida Blue, Frisch Family, Meredith and Mark Frisch, Debbie and Mel Gottlieb, Nancy and Mark Green, GreeneHazel Insurance Group, Paula and Kenneth Horn, Ken Jacobs/ Gray-Robinson, P.A., Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Irene and James Jaffa, Jaffe/Zimmerman Families, Randy Kammer and Jeffrey Wollitz, Korman and Shelton Families, Joan and Ronald Levin, Jan and Bruce Lipsky, Daniel Miller, Brightway Insurance – Riverside, Glenn and Michael Miller, Monique and David Miller, Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A., Sue and Michael Nussbaum, Debbie and Jeff Parker, Nancy and Gary Perlman, Susan Ponder-Stansel and Sid Ansbacher, Louise Rapp, Kim and David Robbins, Rogers Towers, Jeanine and Chaim Rogozinski, Shari and Mark Saye, Selevan Family Foundation, Sylvia and Joel Shapiro, Steve Sherman/ Dana Current – Current/Sherman Group, Merrill Lynch, Kimberly and Richard Sisisky, Linda and David Stein, Lonnie and Bruce Steinberg, Stein Mart, Synovus Bank of Jacksonville, TD Bank, Trager Family Foundation, Tracey

and David Vandroff, Stacie and Larry Wilf, Brenda and Gene Wolchok, Susan and Stephen Wolchok, Robin and David Wolf and Zimmerman Family Foundation. Sponsors listed above are as of Feb. 1, 2017. The JCA would also like to extend a special thank you to Beaver Street Fisheries, Rabbi Yaakov Fisch, Krista Freeman Photography, Pat and Ben Frisch, Impressions San Marco, Jacksonville Dance Theatre, Perfect Parties and Southern Wine and Spirits. Thank you to all who attended the event and supported the JCA’s 2017 fundraising campaign as this campaign benefits many JCA programs, including senior activities, preschool, after school care and summer camp tuitions for families in need. The JCA awards more than $330,000 in scholarships annually to low and moderate income children and families. As part of its mission, the JCA never turns anyone away for the inability to pay. This fundraiser allows the JCA to continue to enrich the lives of countless individuals, offering services that are unparalleled and reaching those who otherwise could not afford the benefits of the agency.

one teen remarked. River Garden residents were equally impressed with the outcome of the project. “I just can’t get over that we made these paintings,” noted one. The results of the JTV event will be presented in a new collaborative exhibit titled ‘In Bloom’. The paintings will be displayed on the second floor of River Garden Hebrew Home. With the success of this fun, intergenerational afternoon, the JCA and River Garden look forward to future collaborative projects together.

March’s Young Concert Artist Series to welcome an acclaimed violinist BY IMAN BYFIELD

Jewish Community Alliance

Through the generous support of the Berman Family, JCA Cultural Arts welcomes young, concert musicians to Jacksonville to share their talent with the community as part of the Young Concert Artists Series. In January, pianist Tomer Gewirtzman visited the JCA for a rousing performance. In February, the Zorá String Quartet shared a wonderful concert, and the JCA Young Concert Artists Series continues in March as on the 19th at 3 p.m., violinist Aleksey Semenenko will perform. Praised for his passionate performances and refined musicianship, Semenenko is a winner of the 2012 Young Concert Artists International Auditions. A native of Odessa, Ukraine, he began his music studies at age six at the Stolyarsky School. He has appeared as soloist with orchestras around the world, including the Kiev National

Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, the Brussels Philharmonic, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Alice Tully Hall and more. Semenenko currently studies at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne. Thanks to the generosity of the Berman Family, the Young Concert Artists Series is free and open to the entire community. For information, please contact Thelma Nied at thelma.nied@jcajax.org.

Jewish community alliance HAPPENINGS March 2017 Adar/Nisan 5777

For more information or to register for programs at the JCA, call 904-730-2100 or visit our official website at www.jcajax.org.

Vandroff Art Gallery

The work of Nena Tahil-Wolfert will be shown from Mar. 2 – 29. Influenced by her multi-cultural background, Nena’s work translates feelings and memories of places and events. The reception for this exhibit is on Mar. 5 from 2 – 4 p.m., and is free and open to the entire community.

Gene Kelly Film Festival

See ‘An American in Paris’, Wednesday, Mar. 1 at 12 p.m. Winner of six Oscars, this film tells the story of an ex-G.I. who loves Paris and an alluring shop clerk. This is free and open to the entire community.

Sunday Film Series

On Sunday, Mar. 5 at 2 p.m., see

‘A Tale of Love and Darkness’. This newly released drama stars Natalie Portman and takes place in Jerusalem in the first years of independent Israel. This is free and open to the entire community.

JCafé Cummer Family Day

Michele Block Gan Yeladim JCafé invites families with young children for an exclusive, handson art and nature experience, tour and picnic on Sunday, March 19 from 12 – 1:30 p.m.

Spring Break Theatre Camp

From March 20 – 24, youth in grades one through eight can join the JCA for ‘Mystery at the Theatre’, Spring Break Theatre Camp. The fee is $200 and $175 for JCA valued members. For information, call Craig at 904-730-2100, ext. 248.

Art Talk: The Painter’s Muse Explore the relationship between

famous painters and their muses in this discussion scheduled for Wednesday, March 15 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. The fee is $5, however JCA valued members are free.

Morse Museum of American History

Travel with the JCA by bus to Winter Park and enjoy some art and lunch, Sunday, March 12 at 8:45 a.m. The fee is $54 and $36 for JCA valued members.

Trivia Israeli Style

On Tuesday, May 21 from 7 – 8:30 p.m., Israeli Shlicha Dana Marmari leads an exciting evening of Israeli trivia. Wine and snacks will be served, and advance registration is required.

Youth Flag Football

The JCA offers flag football lessons for youth, beginning Apr. 2nd. A mandatory skills evaluation is scheduled for Mar. 5, so for information, contact Mike at 904-730-2100, ext. 254.

Adult Flag Football

The JCA offers flag football lessons for adults, beginning April 2. The fee is $105 and $70 for JCA valued members. For more information, contact Mike at 904-7302100, ext. 254.

Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Course

Get certified to teach parent and child aquatics, preschool aquatics and Learn-to-Swim programs beginning March 7. Must be 16 or older to participate, so call 904730-2100, ext. 240 for details.

JCA Aquatics Lessons

The JCA offers Learn-to-Swim programs and JCA Summer Makos Swim Teams for youth. Contact JCA Aquatics Manager Josie Martin at 904-730-2100, ext. 240 for details.

JCA Tennis

The JCA has youth tennis clinics, adult tennis teams and private lessons for youth and adults. For

JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE 2016-17 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $196,000

information, contact Reggie at 904-730-2100, ext. 317.

Varsity Basketball League

This league, for youth ages 14 – 18, is on Sundays, April 2 – June 4. For more information, contact Mike at 904-730-2100, ext. 254.

18+ Men’s Basketball Form teams of six players for 4-on-4 games from March 8 – May 17. To register and for more information, call 904-730-2100, ext. 254.

Fencing

The JCA offers fencing lessons for youth, beginning March 12, and adults, beginning April 5. For more information, contact Mike at 904-730-2100, ext. 254.

Lacrosse 101

Youth, ages 7 – 12, learn lacrosse basics in this clinic on Mondays, Feb. 27 – March 27, from 5 – 6 p.m. The fee is $75 and $50 for JCA valued members.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

JEWISH FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES Briefs

JFCS’ Scotch & Poker men’s charity event sports a full house over at bestbet

PJ Library

PJ Library, the award winning free program for books and music is open to all families with Jewish children in Jacksonville. If your children are between the ages of six months and eight years, they are eligible. Please sign up now by going to pjlibrary.org/communities/jacksonville, or calling Whitney Kuvin at 904-3945724.

‘Bounties’ joined the event and they were Ken Jacobs, Ben Becker, Charlie Cofer, Colleen Rodriguez, Richard Nunn, Bill Nolan By Jewish Family & Community Services

Meals4You

JFCS in partnership with River Garden is pleased to bring you our meal program, Meals4You, from our kitchen to yours. Meals are delicious, nutritious, convenient and delivered right to your door. Jewish dietary laws are observed. Call Whitney Kuvin for more information at 904-394-5724.

bestbet Jacksonville hosted and contributed to a fun and competitive sixth annual men’s charity event, with all proceeds

going to JFCS’s family strengthening programs. A large turnout was on hand to play some hands, eat some great food and grab drinks with great friends and contacts in the community.

“I’m thrilled about the success of another JFCS Men’s Event as there was great energy in the room,” said JFCS Executive Director Colleen Rodriguez. “It was fun to see JFCS supporters’

competitive sides, and especially wonderful to see people’s generosity and support of the familystrengthening programs JFCS provides to the community, so I can’t wait until next year.”

Apply for interest free PJ Library focuses on the higher education loan entire family with parent for the 2017-18 school themed events year through JELF By Jewish Family & Community Services

Call2Go

JFCS is now using a Lyft product called Concierge, which allows JFCS to arrange rides on behalf of its clients, including the ability to schedule rides up to a week in advance. Lyft has also partnered with GreatCall, a senior focused cell phone company, which will help seniors use Lyft without having to navigate the smart phone app. Anyone using a Jitterbug phone can now simply press ‘0’ and arrange a ride with the company. To learn more or schedule rides, please call Whitney Kuvin at 904-6609268.

Chris Atkins celebrates a winning hand as JFCS executive director Colleen Rodriguez cheers him on in his efforts

By Jewish Family & Community Services

Applications for JELF’s interest-free loans for higher education (college, graduate school and vocational programs) are available to Jewish students in the Jacksonville area for the 2017-18 school year, in partnership with Jacksonville Jewish Family & Community Services. JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund) grants need-based, ‘last dollar’ financing, meaning that JELF provides the final dollars that bridge the gap between a student’s total financial

resources and the cost of attending school. To qualify, applicants must be enrolled full time in a program leading to a degree or certificate at an accredited U.S. institution, a U.S. citizen or have lawful immigration status, and able to demonstrate financial need for which a 2017 FAFSA application is required. In 2016, JELF granted $814,070 in interest-free last-dollar loans to 220 students across its five-state region. JELF is proud to serve students in the Jacksonville Jewish community, so for more information, visit jelf.org or email rglevin@jfcsjax.org.

Mom’s Night Out gatherings are part of PJ Library’s ‘A Mitzvah for All Seasons’, program. Last summer, PJ Library Jacksonville received a grant to create monthly programming with a Mitzvah theme. The purpose of this program is to deepen connections between families in the community. These parent focused events allow everyone to spend time together, while their little ones are sleeping. While doing this, they are not only creating connections with each other, but including the ‘Mitzvah Projects’, they are giving back to the community and fulfilling the Mitzvah of Tzedakah. Late last year, numerous PJ Library moms gathered to make ‘no-sew’ blankets to benefit children who use JFCS services,

and in February the group gathered to complete a service project in which they organized items collected at the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville ‘s annual Champagne Brunch. The ladies packaged the donated spa items in vibrant gift bags and then JFCS staff brought these heart-warming presents to Holocaust Survivors’ homes in mid-February. A big thank you goes out to all the women who donated, and to all those volunteers who took the time to organize and stuff the bags.

See through the eyes of a Second Gen. Holocaust survivor with emotional new exhibit

GROWing the Food Pantry Jewish Healing Network

Become a Jewish Healing Network Volunteer at JFCS and help us fulfill the mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim. Volunteers are needed to make weekly visits or phone calls to a senior or deliver food to those who cannot get out. For more information, please call Gail Furman at 904-394-5723.

Hendricks Ave. Baptist Church By Jewish Family & Community Services

Students from the GROW After-School Enrichment Program of the Chabad of S. Johns visited the Max Block Food Pantry at JFCS to learn about helping feed those in need. During their visit, they unpacked many bags of food they had collected for this service project.

Save the date for the opening of an emotional new exhibit, Wednesday, Mar. 8, from 6-7 p.m., when ‘Searching for identity through the lens of the Second Generation Holocaust Survivor’, will open up at the Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church. This

Photographer Chad Dennis

multi-media exhibit highlights essays authored by Jacksonville second generation Holocaust survivors in collaboration with three-dimensional maquettes, hand built by the Bolles School AP art students, and portraiture by Jacksonville photographer, Chad Dennis. Admission is free as the event is sponsored by Jewish Family & Community Services and Searching for Identity.

JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES 2016-17 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $279,000

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA

Spring into a new season Spring Meeting to be held for JCF’s of giving with the JCF B’nai Tzedek youth philanthropy BY LAURA C. THOMPSON program Interim Executive Director

Spring is finally on the horizon and if you’re anything like us, this season means excitement over longer days, new flowers, and the return of Florida’s fabulous beach weather. For many, this time of year also brings about cleaning, organizing, and replanting projects. While you are getting your home ready for this vibrant new season, take a moment to contemplate how you may help make this a better spring for those in need here and around the world by considering the following … • What causes are important to you? • Which nonprofit organizations work to further those causes? • What local nonprofits or places of worship meaningfully impact your family? • How may you assist nonprofit organizations reach their goals? • Do you currently make financial gifts to nonprofits? • What is your current planned giving strategy? Once you have answered these questions, contact the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, Inc. at 904-394-0720 to come up with a roadmap towards making your philanthropic dollars reach further. The mission of the JCF is to encourage individuals and families along with our partners to create charitable gifts that will financially sustain our community. Through funds managed by the JCF, thousands of local and international nonprofits have received financial support. Synagogues, Jewish day schools, museums, galleries, universities, social welfare programs, missions to Israel, Jewish summer camps, environmental agencies, theatres, Jewish federations, and symphonies have all been funded in part by donations from the JCF. Thus, when you meet with us you have the ability to tailor your fund to benefit the organizations that are close to your heart. The three main ways to support and sustain the nonprofits important to you are through a bequest, a donor-advised fund, or an endowment fund. Those are as follows … 1) A bequest is a sum of money or other property (such as stocks or bonds) left to an individual or organization through the provisions of a will or estate plan. Charitable bequests made by you are managed by the JCF which ensures that the funds support the designated nonprofit, educational institution, or religious organization of your choice. 2) A donor-advised fund, or DAF, which is a philanthropic

BY LAURA THOMPSON Interim Executive Director

MONEY MATTERS

Jewish Community Foundantion of NE. Fla. vehicle established at a public charity, and allows donors to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax beneﬁt and then recommend grants from the fund over time. An easy way to think about a donor-advised fund is like a charitable savings account, as a donor contributes to the fund as frequently as they like, then recommends grants to their favorite charity when they are ready. The JCF manages the fund and ensures that the assigned charity receives your gift. 3) An endowment fund is an investment fund established at a foundation that makes consistent withdrawals from invested capital. Endowments are designed to keep the principal amount intact while using the investment income from dividends for charitable efforts. The JCF manages and invests the capital to ensure the fund continues to grow. Endowment funds are typically funded entirely by donations that are deductible for the donors. Restricted endowment funds allow donors to specify a speciﬁc purpose for the revenue generated by the fund. By creating a donor-advised fund, setting up a bequest, or establishing an endowment fund, you play a vital role in helping the organizations you care about continue their work this spring and in the many seasons to come. While assisting with the day to day operating costs of charitable endeavors is a necessary part of giving and so is working to provide for the future needs of an organization. The goal of helping organizations sustain their operations makes donating though the JCF both unique and important, so call us today as we welcome the opportunity to assist you in making a difference this season.

Hundreds of youth have taken the initiative to participate in the B’nai Tzedek Youth Philanthropy program at the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida. This program allows Jewish teens who are celebrating their Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah to donate $125 to a fund designated to assist Jewish 501(c)(3) organizations in our area. Instantly, that $125 fund grows to a $500 fund, thanks to generous donation matches of $125 by the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and $250 by the Gottlieb Family Philanthropic Fund. The students are also awarded with certificates from the JCF, that recognizes and thanks the young men and women for their charitable donation. The JCF has funded numerous local organizations through B’nai

Did you know that the JCF provides support for THOUSANDS of local and international nonprofit and religious organizations? In 2016, these are just some of the organizations the JCF supported through YOUR generous contributions: • Jewish Community Alliance • St. John’s Riverkeeper, Inc. • Jewish Federation of Jacksonville • River Garden Foundation • Mandarin Museum & Historical Society

Tzedek Youth Philanthropy Funds. In 2016, the JCF Grant Committee selected multiple Jewish organizations to benefit from dollars raised by the B’nai Tzedek Youth Philanthropists, including Avant Arts, Chabad at the Beaches, Chabad of St. John’s County, Chabad Lubavitch of Southside, Jacksonville Jewish Center, Jewish Community Alliance, Jewish Family and Community Services, and Martin J. Gottlieb Day School. This year, as the JCF updated their database of B’nai Tzedek Youth Philanthropists because donors should be given a chance to feel the joy of giving. This

• Junior Achievement of North Florida • Torah Academy of Jacksonville • Hillel Academy of Tampa • Wolfson Children’s Hospital • Community Hospice Foundation • Jacksonville Jewish Center • Hubbard House • B’nai B’rith International • University of North Florida Foundation • Cystic Fibrosis Research Fund • Jewish Family & Community Services • We Care Jacksonville

spring, a meeting will be held to give young donors a voice with the goal of finding out what causes are important to donors from recent years, and years prior. Did you start a B’nai Tzedek fund? What about your friend, classmate, cousin, brother, or sister? Get them on board by contacting the JCF by emailing laura.thompson@jewishfoundationnefl.org to update your contact information with your name, phone number, and email. Stay tuned for the announcement of the meeting date and don’t miss out on the chance to decide how your dollars make a difference in our world.

• Give Kids the World • Oxfam-America, Inc. • Holocaust Museum Houston • Doctors Without Borders USA, Inc. • Wounded Warrior Project • Etz Chaim Synagogue • American Heart Association • Congregation Ahaveth Chesed ( The Temple) • Jacksonville Symphony Association • Maccabi USA • United Way of Northeast Florida • Museum of Science and History (MOSH)

JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA 2016-17 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $83,560

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Jacksonville Jewish News â&#x20AC;¢ March 2017

RIVER GARDEN SENIOR SERVICES

RIVER GARDEN 2016-17 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $184,000

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Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

adult education March 2017 Adar/Nisan 5777 To include your adult education event in this listing please e-mail the Jacksonville Jewish News at jjn@jewishjacksonville.org, with the time/date or frequency of the event from your specific organization or synagogue, along with a short description of each program or event.

Special Events

March 3rd

Congregation Ahavath Chesed (7:30 a.m.) PRKEI AVOT - Learn and then head to work. Join Rabbi Cohen and your Temple friends to explore and discuss these Jewish wisdom texts to add meaning to the experiences of our lives in the past, present and future.

March 5th

Jacksonville Jewish Center (12:30 p.m.) YIDDISH CLUB – Monthly meetings will be held in the Henry & Miriam Kramer Library. This is an informal group of all ages with varying levels of ability. Meet other local speakers to practice the language, or to just shmooze a bisl! We’ll listen to Klezmer music, watch videos and films, read and speak in Yiddish, so please join the fun.

March 6th

Jewish Community Alliance (6:30 – 9 p.m.) OH SUGAR, SUGAR – Join a Green Lotus Studios instructor to make a nourishing body scrub. The fee is $23 and $15 for JCA valued members. Registration required by Mar. 1.

March 7th

Jewish Community Alliance (12:30 p.m.) HEART HEALTH SERIES: STRESS TALK – Join Nancy Crain, P.A., to learn more about your hearth health. This event is free and open to the entire community.

March 8th

Jewish Community Alliance (1 – 3 p.m.) THE PAINTING PALLET WORKSHOP – Create a custom wood pallet sign to take home. The fee is $30 and $20 for JCA valued members. Registration is required. Jewish Community Alliance (6:30 – 9 p.m.) STRING ME ALONG STRING ART WORKSHOP – In this workshop, create a piece of art using this popular technique. The fee is $27 and $18 for JCA valued members. Registration is required.

March 11th

Jacksonville Jewish Center (9:15 – 9:55 p.m.) SHALom MEDITATION – Held the second Shabbat of every month, so please join us for 25 minutes of meditation in a Jewish environment. From 9:15-9:30, we will offer some basic instruction of meditation technique and approach and then we’ll start our actual practice and go until 9:55, just in time for the Torah service.

March 14th

Congregation Ahavath Chesed (12 p.m.) LUNCH & LEARN - Satisfy your hunger and thirst for a thoughtful and interactive discussion. led by one of Temple’s clergy, of current events in the United States, Israel and around the world through the lens of Jewish values and tradition. Held at Athens Café. For more information or to RSVP, send an email to rsvp@TheTempleJacksonville.org.

March 15th

March 16th

Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue (7 p.m.) BELLES BOOK CLUB - The BELLES (Beth El Literary Ladies Enjoying Sisterhood) Book Club will meet again this month and the book to be discussed is ‘The Boston Girl’ by Anita Diamant. 85-year old Addie tells the story of her life when her granddaughter inquires, “How

did you get to be the woman you are today?” Jewish Community Alliance (6 – 7:15 p.m.) FOOD, MOOD & ENERGY – Join holistic health provider Dr. Jon Repole as he explains the symbiotic relationship between food and how we feel physically and emotionally. The fee is $5, however JCA valued members are free. Advance registration is always appreciated.

March 18th

Jacksonville Jewish Center (8 – 9 a.m.) COFFEE & TORAH – Held the third Shabbat of every month, where you can come and enjoy a strong cup of brew, a tasty breakfast treat and thought-provoking insights into the weekly Torah portion in the intimate setting of Rabbi Lubliner’s office.

March 19th

Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue (5 p.m.) WINE & CHEESE SOCIAL – The Screening of the film ‘Remember’, will take place, which is the contemporary story of Zev (Christopher Plummer), who discovers that the Nazi guard who murdered his family some 70 years ago is living in America under an assumed identity. Zev sets out on to deliver long-delayed justice with his own trembling hand and what follows is a remarkable cross-continent road-trip with surprising consequences.

March 21st

Jacksonville Jewish Center (7:30 p.m.) JEWISH BOOK CLUB - Open to all interested adults with a monthly meeting in the Starbuck’s section at Barnes & Noble on San Jose Blvd. This month’s book is ‘Hillbilly Elegy’, by JD Vance.

March 26th

Jewish Community Alliance (1 – 4:30 p.m.) UPCYCLING: FROM TRASH TO TREASURE – Lisa Miller from Saltologie teaches how to breathe life into old home furnishings and décor items. Bring a small item to refurbish. Registration required by Mar. 21. The fee is $90 and $60 for JCA valued members.

March 29th

Jewish Community Alliance (6 – 8 p.m.) CREATIVE COCKTAILING AT HOBNOB – Enjoy fun, hands-on cocktail making at HOBNOB. The fee is $30 and $20 for JCA valued members. Registration is required by Mar. 21.

March 30th

Jewish Community Alliance (7 – 9 p.m.) SCIENCE OF PARENTHOOD – Norine Dworkin-McDaniel addresses frustrating parenting moments as examined in the book, ‘The Science of Parenthood’. The fee is $5 and JCA valued members are free, however registration required by Mar. 24.

Regular Events

Sundays

Etz Chaim Synagogue (after Shacharis) THE CHABURAH - The Chaburah is a text based Talmud study learning program with an emphasis on practical Halacha. After preparing the source materials with a learning partner, a brief synopsis and discussion is led by Dr. Elliott Rosenbaum. Hot coffee and pastries are served. For more information or to sponsor this event, please speak with Avi Smith or Jonathan Gross. Jacksonville Jewish Center (10:15 a.m. – 12 p.m.) FOUNDATIONS OF JUDAISM Classes are open to all, whether you are considering conversion, seeking to understand a friend or relative’s religious choices, or simply trying to go beyond your childhood Jewish education. Classes are ongoing, so join us at any time. Subjects in March include: Bioethics, taught by Rabbi Howard Tilman, on Mar. 5, Lifecycle: Early life, taught by Etta Fialkow, on Mar. 19 and Lifecycle: Mid-Life, taught by Etta Fialkow, on Mar. 26.

Mondays

Jacksonville Jewish Center (Following minyan) MONDAY MINYAN MAPQUEST - Rabbi Lubliner takes us on a tour of Jewish cities, explaining history and current statistics of some

well-known and not-so-well-known Jewish communities in our country. Mar. 6 and 13. Jacksonville Jewish Center (12:15 p.m.) PARSHA CLASS - Held in the Henry & Miriam Kramer Library. Join Marci Rogozen as we continue to explore each week’s Torah portion. There will be opportunities to address questions relating to modern issues, family dynamics, and personal dilemmas. See how the Torah is made relevant through midrash (interpretive narrative), halacha (Jewish law), and even science. Perfect for parents wanting to parallel their children’s learning, and for those seeking personal growth and knowledge. Classes will be held Mar. 6, 13, 20 and 27. Jacksonville Jewish Center (7 p.m.) TALMUD CLASS - Rabbi Lubliner explores communal responses to crisis in tractate Ta’anit. Open to all, Mar. 6 and 13. Jacksonville Jewish Center HEBREW CLASSES: SERVICE SKILLS – (Intermediate Hebrew level) This is an ongoing class, designed to increase prayer fluency and help our congregants to become more comfortable in our Jacksonville Jewish Center weekday and shabbat services. Basic reading skills are necessary, but we will work together on fluency and prayer vocabulary. All are welcome to join, Mar. 6, 13 and 27.

Tuesdays

Etz Chaim Synagogue (8 p.m.) TALMUD STUDY - Learn the Talmud as you never have before with Rabbi Rabinowitz. The class will slowly and methodically study the sixth chapter of Tractate Brachos and delve into its many intricacies. Previous Talmud study is recommended but not required. Congregation Ahavath Chesed (10:30 a.m.) WISDOM YEARS - The Wisdom discussion group meets to talk about contemporary issues viewed through a Jewish lens. Congregation Ahavath Chesed (7 p.m.) THE PHARASIC REVOLUTION - The Torah Only Means What the Rabbis Say It Means, Five Week Mini-course will be held Mar. 7, 14 and 28 this month. From the first century B.C.E. through the fifth century C.E., the rabbis of the

Mishna and Talmud introduced many radical innovations into the life of ancient Israel, innovations which began to create the Judaism that we recognize today. This series, taught by Rabbi Shapiro, will explore some key examples of these innovations as well as the process used to produce them.

Center for a low impact Yoga Shalom class. No fee or prior experience is necessary, so bring a positive attitude and a towel or exercise mat. To sign up or get more information contact Sandy Selwitz at selwitzs@ gmail.com or Naomi Lazar at naomilazar2014@gmail.com. Sessions will be held Mar. 8, 15 and 22.

Congregation Ahavath Chesed (7 p.m.) JEWISH LITERATURE GROUP - The group selects the book to be read and discussed each month, focusing on topics ranging from their overall feel for the book, how it is a Jewish piece of literature, how it speaks to their Judaism, what the book says about Judaism, how the book reflects Judaism and what elements of the book they particularly enjoyed or disliked, and why. The group is led by Kelsi Hasden and everyone is welcome to attend. Join the conversation by sending an email to khasden@gmail.com.

Thursdays

Wednesdays

Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue (10:30 a.m.) YOGA SHALOM & MEDITATION SPIRITUALITY - Using a DVD with Cantor Lisa Levine and Carol Kurgoff, you will learn to relax your body, calm your mind, and nurture your spirit. We learn to use advanced, gentle chair modifications for each posture sequence, so bring your mat and we will see you at the next session. Immediately following Yoga Shalom is an hour of Jewish Meditation and Spirituality for you to study and grow spiritually within a Jewish framework. Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue (5 - 5:45 p.m.) INTERMEDIATE HEBREW FOR ADULTS - This intermediate class is taught by education director Beth Brenner and is designed for those students who want to improve upon their basic knowledge of the Hebrew language. This class meets Mar. 8, 22 and 29th this month. Etz Chaim Synagogue (8:45 a.m.) JAVA FOR THE SOUL – Class is for women and is taught by Rabbi Feigenbaum. The weekly class on ‘The Ethics of our Father’ will help you discover how these messages are relevant to our daily lives. This is an informal class that offers a unique blend of inspirational insight and practical tools for our daily lives. Jacksonville Jewish Center (10 a.m.) YOGA SHALOM - Join us at the

Etz Chaim Synagogue (8:45 a.m.) JAVA FOR THE SOUL – Class is for women and is taught by Rabbi Feigenbaum. The weekly class on ‘The Ethics of our Father’ will help you discover how these messages are relevant to our daily lives. This is an informal class that offers a unique blend of inspirational insight and practical tools for our daily lives. Etz Chaim Synagogue (6:50 p.m.) NOSH & DRASH - This class is taught by Rabbi Fisch and covers Torah portion that are every week in synagogues. Yet for many of us there is a major disconnect between the words from this ancient text and our lives. Please come for an informal discussion and see the weekly parsha come alive like never before. Hot potato kugel from Sweeta by Ita will be served for participants to enjoy. Jewish Community Alliance (6:30 – 8:30 p.m.) POTTERY – Learn the fundamentals of clay forming, hand building and wheel throwing. Clay is provided. The fee is $216 and $144 for JCA valued members. Class meets from Mar. 16 – May 18. Jewish Community Alliance (7 – 9 p.m.) PAINTING WATER COLOR – Explore watercolor techniques for the novice and experienced artist. The fee is $204 and $136 for JCA valued members. Class meets from Mar. 30 – May 25.

Saturdays

Congregation Ahavath Chesed (9 – 10 a.m.) TORAH STUDY - Join the clergy to explore the Torah portion of the week and readings relevant to the Jewish holidays. Torah Study meets each Saturday and a light breakfast is served starting at 8:45 am, with Shabbat service beginning at 10:30 a.m.

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Purim Puzzles and recipies

Jacksonville Jewish News • March 2017

Pareve Cinnamon Dulce De Leche Hamantashen Recipe • Recipie specified for 24 servings

INGREDIENTS For the dough: • 1 cup margarine • 1 cup sugar • 2 Eggs • 2 1/2 cup flour • 2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder • 1/2 tablespoon cinna mon • dash salt For the Dulce De Leche: • 2 cup nondairy milk of your choice (almond, coconut, soy) • 3/4 cup sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

PREPARATION For the dough 1. Cream margarine and sugar together in a large bowl by hand or with a mixer. Add eggs and mix thoroughly. 2. Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt and stir until dough is formed. 3. Preheat oven to 375 and prepare baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 4. On a lightly floured surface roll out dough 1/4 inch thick. With a 3 inch cutter (I use a glass) cut out as many holes as possible. Fold up corners to form a triangle, leaving a nice empty hole in the center to fill afterwards. 5. Transfer hamantashen

to baking sheet, place in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and then using a spoon pour in some dulce de leche.

FOR THE DULCE DE LECHE 1. Heat milk and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Add vanilla and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add baking soda, stir and bring heat down to lowest setting, allowing to cook on a low simmer for about 2 hours, stirring every so often. 2. Once it turns brown and thickens a bit, strain through a strainer and store in the fridge until ready to use.

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