JJN May 2018

A publication of

May 2018

• Sh’vat/Adar 5778 •

www.jewishjacksonville.org

•

JaxJewish

@jaxjewish

JaxJewishTV • Volume 30, Number 10 • 32 pages

Community celebrates Yom Ha’atzmaut

8505 San Jose Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32217

Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

On Sunday, April 15, hundreds from the Jacksonville Jewish community gathered at the JCA to take part in the 2nd Annual community-wide Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration. Programs included a performance by students of Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, a Yom HaZikaron commemoration, the documentary “BenGurion, Epilogue”, and a Rabbinic panel on Israeli topics. Other activities included an Israel Escape room by The Temple, Israeli Song & Dance by the Jacksonville Jewish Center, a Krav Maga demonstration by the JCA, an intergenerational art project by River Garden, an interactive exhibit on the landscapes and stories of Israel by Jewish Family & Community Services PJ Library, and a booth on Good Deeds Day by the Federation.

Published Monthly POSTMASTER PLEASE DELIVER BY FEB. 1ST

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Jacksonville, FL Permit No. 146

By Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

Yom Huledet Sameach

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Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

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11501 Old St. Augustine Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32258 904-292-2683 / www.rivergarden.org/coves RiverGardenSeniorServices

JJN Index Jewish Java sees great turnout in April

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Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

By Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

Jewish Java saw a great turnout for the April program featuring Tommy Cohen, a Second-Generation Holocaust Survivor. His program was called “Hiding from the Nazis in Holland” where he told of the experiences of his parents.

The May Jewish Java program will take place on May 2 and feature Michelle Pargman, mental health counselor. Her program will be focused on coping tools for mind, body, and soul.

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: • Jewish Java (p. 5) Alhambra Theatre (p. 3) • Jumpin’ JAX House of Athenian Owl (p. 22) Food (p. 7) B&C Financial (p. 21) • Larry Tallis (p. 20) Bob Ham Eyewear (p. 27) • Margo’s Catering (p. 27) Brandon Pest (p. 27) • Memorial Advanced Dignity Memorial (p. 29) Surgery (p. 30) Erica Jolles Realty (p. 8) • Pediatric Dentistry (p. 27) Hadassah (p. 28) Hala’s Mideast Eatery • River Garden - The Coves (p. 26) (p. 2) • Hydroponic (p. 3) • Starling at San Jose (p. 13) • JFCS (p. 20) • Stein Mart (p. 9) • Jacksonville Jewish • The Temple (p. 18) Center (p. 10, 12, 14) • UF Health Proton • Jewish Federation of Therapy Institute (p. 15) Jacksonville (p. 15, 19, 21, • Zipora’s Kitchen (p. 11) 28, 31, 32) For your advertising needs, please contact advertising sales representatives Barbara Nykerk at 904-733-4179 or Eta Perras at 904-629-0466.

• • • • • • • • •

May 2018 - Sh’vat/Adar 5778

PROFESSIONAL THEATRE & INSPIRED CUISINE!

Adult Education.................p. 27 Community News...................... ....................................... p. 7-10 Education ...................p. 11-14 Federation News.p. 5-6, 16-18 JCA .................................. p. 23

JFCS ..................................p. 24 Lifecycles.......................... p. 26 Opinion & Cartoons.............p 4 River Garden.................... p. 25 Synagogue News.......p. 20-22

904-641-1212 | alhambrajax.com

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“THIS SHOW IS A HOLE IN ONE!” A hilarious comedy

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This month in JJN History May 2018

about

love & golf

A

FOX FAIRWAY on the

ON STAGE MAY 9 - JUNE 10

One year ago this month, the Jacksonville Jewish News publicized the 2017 Girlfriend Connection, featuring Erin Zaikis as the keynote speaker.

opinion

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Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

JJN’s Rabbinically Speaking: A count up and a countdown

BY RABBI MATT COHEN

Congregation Ahavath Chesed

Last month we celebrated the holiday of Passover. For seven or eight days, depending on your religious observance, we consumed our matza (unleavened bread), feasted on leftovers from our Passover seders, and snacked unnecessarily on more junk food than we normally would eat in a regular week (something about those kosher for Passover matza meal cakes that have me coming back for more). I would safely bet that many of us counted down the days to the best tasting pizza we’ve ever eaten! Z’man Cheiruteinu, “The time of our freedom,” is one of the many names for Passover. While we spent a lengthy week celebrating the miracle of God freeing us from slavery with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, the holiday is not an Island in time.

We remember and commemorate the exodus from Egypt on a daily basis. Every time we pick up a Jewish prayer book to daven (pray) the liturgy within it, be it on a daily basis, on Shabbat, or during any of the Jewish festivals and holidays throughout the year, we recognize the miracle

of the exodus. When we walk through the door of a Jewish home or organization, we are reminded of the miracle by the words of the scroll affixed to our doorpost, Sh’ma v’ahavta. Every time we wrap ourselves with a tallit (prayer shawl) or tefillin we remember the miracle of our freedom. Passover, while seemingly stands on its own during the one time of the year, is inextricably bound to our daily lives as Jews. Additionally, Passover is also deeply connected to the holiday that takes place 49 days from the second night of Passover, Shavuot. Shavuot celebrates z’man matan Torateinu, the time for the giving of the Torah. We are now in between the days and weeks of z’man cheiruteinu and z’man matan Torateinu. During this time we are commanded to keep count of every day for 49 days as it says in Leviticus 23: 15, “And from the day on which you bring the sheaf of elevation offering [in effect, the second night of Passover]…you shall count off seven weeks.” During the time in which the Torah was written, the Israelites lived in an agricultural society and thus could count the Omer, the sheafs of barley used to bake

RABBINICALLY SPEAKING an unleavened offering for the second day of Passover. However, most of us are not farmers and therefore cannot count our own home-grown-Omer, rather we symbolically count the Omer by reciting a blessing each night that recognizes the day and week leading up to 49th day.

Exclusive to this sacred time of year, instead of counting down the days, we count up. We count up in anticipation of receiving the Torah. The count up teaches us that there is no guarantee. It teaches us to number our days.

As in life, we never know the end of our time and therefore we count up, in anticipation of what the next year, day, even moment may bring.

While we may be counting up the days to Shavuot, my family and I are counting down the days to our departure from Jacksonville. It is a bittersweet countdown for us. While we are excited for our next adventure in Galveston Texas, we are saddened to be leaving the place we called home for nearly six years.

We took a leap of faith to leave all of our family and friends in Ohio for this new land in the south. Like the Israelites, our future was full of uncertainty and anxiety. Yet, within no time, we were warmly welcomed into the Jacksonville Jewish community family. I made my second home at Congregation Ahavath Chesed, Erin settled into her new position at the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, and our son Ayden

enjoyed the many opportunities to learn, grow, and play at the JCA. For six years we have been blessed to be a part of this kind and loving Jewish community.

We have made many life-long friendships and adopted families here. We have had countless opportunities for personal growth and professional development.

And we have been blessed to help make our Jewish community and the greater Jacksonville community even stronger and more vibrant.

When the Israelites received the Torah at Sinai, it was not the peak of their journey, but rather just the beginning. Instead of staying at Sinai (arguably the holiest place on earth), they had to move on. They were tasked to carry the Torah forth and pass it down to us in an unbroken chain of tradition. Throughout our time in Jacksonville, we have received the Torah that has prepared us for the next step along our journey. The countdown continues through June for the Cohen family, but the count-up to what is yet to come has been strengthened by the experiences we have enjoyed and the home we built while being a part of this community. And for that we are grateful.

Temple teens participate in March for Our Lives in D.C.

By The Temple

Nine Temple teens, ranging in age from thirteen to eighteen attended March for Our Lives in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. With two adult chaperones, the van set out at 3:30 am the day before the march and drove most of the day before arriving at their host home within the beltway.

Michelle Penson, Director of Religious School at Congregation Ahavath Chesed, organized the trip.

“The community in Washington rolled out the red carpet.

We connected with NFTY and Washington Hebrew Congregation to re-confirm our plans for

the March as well as Shabbat dinner and worship,” recalled Penson. “Their hospitality and connections to the greater community made our trip possible.”

One family housed the delegation for both nights. Sally D’Marie, another adult chaperone, states, “The family had gone away for the weekend and left instructions to make ourselves at home. They stocked the fridge and made arrangements with their grown sons to deliver dinner. The neighbors dropped off lunches and breakfasts.”

Cara Jackson, a senior at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, described “The Friday night Shabbat service at Washington

Hebrew Congregation was by far the most touching and empowering service I’ve been to in my life. A sanctuary full of passionate, Reform Jews standing up for something we believe in and empowering each other in a peaceful way using song, prayer, and empathy. I am forever grateful to Judaism for teaching me how to pray with my voice and my feet.” Teens from Jacksonville excitedly met up with friends from Camp Coleman and NFTY. “Our youth spent time speaking with congregants from WHC, who welcomed both our presence and our mission,” states Penson.

See MARCH, p. 26

Partner Agency Annual Meeting Thursday, May 31 7 p.m. at River Garden RSVP at 904-448-5000 or events@jewishjacksonville.org

Advertising Representatives Barbara Nykerk • 904.733.4179 • 904.923-3205 Eta Perras • 904.629.0466 Editor & Communications Director Natalie McElwee • nataliem@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 Ken Jacobs Federation Executive Director Alan Margolies 904-448-5000 • 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 7th 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, Val Battini, Emma Pulley, Andrew Ocean

federation news

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Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

The Shlicha corner: Israel’s national days

BY SHELLY SHALEV Community Shlicha

Shalom everyone! Wow, what a month this has been for our community - filled with preparations and celebrations of our second community-wide Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day) celebration and our first community-wide Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) ceremony at the JCA. With those amazing times I would like to share my Israeli input of those important and emotional days in Israel. For us, Yom Hazikaron is held a day before Yom Ha’atzmaut, and it is a day of mourning and sadness as we commemorate our fallen soldiers and terror attack victims who have fought for our country.

I always turn on the TV and watch the stories of the fallen soldiers and their family’s memory from them. The radio is playing calm and reflective songs written to the soldiers or sometimes even by the soldiers and were adopted by top singers to commemorate their memory.

For Yom Ha’atzmaut, we are transforming from sadness to happiness in a matter of hours as we say “that is what the fallen would have wanted” and just like 4th of July, it is one big festive day full of music, BBQ’s and celebrations all over the cities and towns in Israel.

With that being said, I am so thankful and grateful to have you guys as an amazing loving community for making me feel at home despite the physical distance. I want to thank each and every one of you that came to celebrate with us on those Israeli national days!

L’shana Habaha Beyerushalayim Amen!

May 2 Jewish Java features Tools for the Whole Mishpucha—Mind, Body, and Soul

BY ISABEL BALOTIN Shalom Jacksonville Director

The May Jewish Java will feature Michelle Pargman, Licensed Mental Health Counselor on Wednesday, May 2 as she gives a dynamic presentation on Coping Tools for Mind, Body, and Soul entitled, “Tools for the Whole Mishpucha.” The monthly program, held at River Garden’s Cohen Auditorium begins a 9 a.m. with a complimentary bagel brunch followed by the speaker. The community is invited to attend.

MISHPUCHA, as you may know, is the Yiddish word for “family.” Family is important, but not necessarily specifically defined. We have incorporated words like framily, to describe friends that we choose to be like a family to us. In any case, your mishpucha is ideally there to support, encourage, and cheer you on. Join your mishpucha, old, new, and still waiting to be framily for this uplifting discussion on ways to manage life throughout the year with great take-aways that can serve you well in your work and/or personal life.

As you can see, the tools go along with the mnemonics device M.I.S.H.P.U.C.H.A., which stands for: • Mindfulness, which

simply refers to focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while recognizing and accepting current thoughts, feelings, and sensations. Learn tools like deep breathing and the impact it has on managing our daily stress.

• Irrational Self-Talk is discussed along with learning ways to identify it so you can minimize its negative impact and make room for more productive self-talk. Changing our thinking can change everything.

• Styles, refers to our communication preferences and why those people that seem the most difficult to us, may really just be different in their styles and approach.

• Happiness Study. Learn a proven method to increase happiness.

• Px3 of Learned Optimism. The good news is that optimism can be learned. The way we explain events can impact our feelings and actions.

Gain insight into becoming more optimistic.

• Unleash your no. Why is it so difficult to say “no?” If you suffer from the “disease to please,” you may come away with a new skill.

• Corral Your Energy and Time. We all have limited time and energy, so explore ways to optimize what you have.

Newspaper production to resume in August

By Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

Following the release of the Jacksonville Jewish News’ Summer Magazine in mid-June, the JJN will return in newspaper format, starting again in August.

However, copies of the magazine will be out alongside the August paper while supplies last in newsstands around the community. Those locations include the JCA, River Garden Senior Services, and Whole Foods Market.

• Humor. Erma Bombeck said, “When humor goes, there goes civilization.” If that is the case, plan on getting more civilized!

• Additional Tools for your stress management tool box will be offered, so you won’t want to miss it.

Michelle Pargman, Ed.S., LMHC, NCC has been serving individuals and groups in a variety of settings including corporate and community as a clinician in the Employee Assistance Program field since 1999. Her writing can be sampled through her blog: https://michelleitlikeitisblog.wordpress.com/

Shalom Jacksonville’s Jewish Java is a monthly program sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and River Garden Senior Services. To RSVP, please contact Isabel Balotin, 904-448-5000 x1206 or shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org. We look forward to greeting you.

May Jewish Java Tools for the Whole Mishpucha ‘Family’ Wednesday, May 2nd

River Garden Senior Services* 11401 Old St Augustine Rd., 9:00am 10:30am

Join Michelle Pargman, mental health counselor, as she gives a dynamic presentation on coping tools for mind, body and soul. Tools such as breathing, corralling energy, acceptance of flaws and humor are just a few that will be discussed. We promise you will walk away with the necessary tools to manage your personal life/work throughout the year with the help, support of family and “framily”- friends we choose to be like family to us.

Michelle Pargman (ED. S., LMHC, NCC)

RSVP by April 27th to Isabel Balotin at 904-448-5000 x1206 or shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org

federation news

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Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

Federation Women’s Division lends helping hand

By Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

On April 11, several members of the Federation women’s division steering committee joined forces with JFCS staff and volunteers to organize and set up the new clothing closet at the DuPont office location.

Hundreds of donated items were sorted, hung on hangers or folded and organized by size in preparation for the closet to open soon.

rGEN sees big turnout at Passover Seder

Community shares memories of schmaltz

BY ISABEL BALOTIN Shalom Jacksonville Director

In the April issue of the JJN, our readers shared some of their fondest memories of schmaltz.

Because we got so many submisisons, we decided to share more this month!

I can still remember the wonderful aroma of my grandmother frying up gribenes. I loved it! And although I never make it myself, to this day (even though my family prefers skinless, boneless chicken breast), I love to bake chicken with the skin on – especially for Yontif dinners. There’s nothing like the taste of that crispy outside on a piece of baked chicken. — Helen Hill

By Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

On March 31, A Night Not to Passover, rGEN’s annual Passover Seder event was a great success. Thank you to everyone who attended and special thanks to our event chairs Nicole Brown & Sarah Beekman and our hosts Haley & Jason Trager! We’re so glad to have had such incredible friends to celebrate Pesach with this year!

My fondest memories came from the crispy gribines that were a byproduct of the manufacturing process and of something that happened when we moved here from Seattle. We were packing up the house and trying to downsize where it made sense. While going through our cookbooks I opened one called ‘Jewish Cook Book’, asking Margie whether it was hers. The copyright was 1918 and this was the 1937, 12th edition. In the front I found a few recipes hand written by my mother. The last ingredient on the top one was “then add chicken fat”. Needless to say, I kept the book and my mother’s recipe. — Aaron Holzer My mom would make it and we would put on rye or pumpernickel and during Pesach, on matza.--Leslie Goldstein

My Mom would send us to school with schmaltz and deli meat sandwiches ( she called the meat vorscht). I also save the schmaltz from the top of my chicken soup and use it with seltzer water to make delicious Matza balls. As kids we used to call them “bombs”!

— Shirley Bielski Omg. Schmaltz and.

Crackling grubbiness. My life’s blood. Corn bread with schmaltz. Lebanon and kliskela made with schmaltz. I even have the recipe.in English it is

liver and noodles. How I miss the glass jars on the sink.one with schmaltz and one with used tea bags to be used again. hamburgers fried in schmaltz.

Don’t say oi unless you tasted it:.friday night chicken, soup and schmaltz on challah.

Tears......... — Marlene Scheer Chopped liver does not taste right unless it is made with schmaltz. Mayo is just wrong!

We had mother’s chopped liver about once a month for Shabbat. It was my job to grind the liver, egg and onions. I have mother’s grinder (now a kitchen decoration) but the step ladder she kept just to hold the grinder is long gone. I can still hear her voice….”onions last, always onions last because the juice of the onion helps to clear the grinding mechanism.”

The only time mother allowed us to enjoy schmaltz as a condiment was during Passover. Ahh, matzah, schmaltz and salt. There is nothing like it. Butter isn’t bad, but it is not schmaltz.—Goldie Lansky Remembering my grandmother having this jar on the top ledge of her stove and everything she made she scooped out some.into the pan...

What made the food taste great?... was it my grandma’s cooking or just being in her presence in her kitchen or was it the ingredients in the little jar...

— Debbie Price My Bubbe would kosher and clean the chickens for her 3 daughters every week. So there was lots of chicken skin and fat. She would make the schmaltz on Friday afternoon.

When I came home from school I would make a sandwich from the gribbenes ( the hard rendered skin and the fried onions) on fresh challah. Of course being from Pittsburgh it had Heinz ketchup on the bread.

Oh my how good that tasted.

No heart burn at that age. My Dad had to call the plumber every few weeks to come clean the drains because of all the fat going down the sink. --- Ann Stone

See SCHMALTZ, p. 18

community news

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Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

Jacksonville Jewish Food Festival returns

By Robert Cohen

Congregation Ahavath Chesed (“The Temple”) will hold its seventh annual Jacksonville Jewish Food Festival on Sunday, May 6.

The event will take place at The Temple from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at 8727 San Jose Boulevard.​ “The Festival will feature an All You Can Nosh (eat) format that is sure to entice the community’s collective taste buds with delicious Jewish food. This year’s event tastings will focus on traditional, Israeli, holiday favorites and desserts,” said Sarah Fraden, chair of this year’s event.

Brisket, bagels, stuffed grape leaves, hummus, falafel, kugel and assorted desserts will be available for sampling by all attendees.

Jewish cooking combines the cooking styles of the many places that Jews have lived throughout the ages, especially eastern Europe, Germany, Spain and the Mediterranean. The combination of these varied cuisines is what we now refer to as “uniquely” Jewish.

The event will include the annual Jewish baking contest, Bubbe’s Bake Off – “bubbe” is Yiddish for “grandmother.”

Expert foodies including food bloggers, professional chefs and recipe book authors will serve as judges. There will be a children’s division for younger bakers to participate in as well. This year’s event will also feature the “L’Chaim Wine Wall,” where for $18 attendees purchase a ticket and get to pick a mystery bottle of wine from the wall. There is significance behind the ticket cost – the Hebrew letters in “Chai” (which is part of “L’chaim”) add up to the number 18.

Individual tickets to the Jewish Food Festival cost $25, and family passes for up to two adults and two children 16 and under are $75. Kids three and under are free with a paid individual admission.

For more information and to purchase tickets online, go to thetemplejacksonville.org.

Congregation Ahavath Chesed, which was established in 1882, is northeast Florida’s largest and oldest Reform Jewish congregation.

Photos by Larry Tallis

Jewish Business Network explores importance of connecting about building relationships and finding commonalities that bring us together professionally and personally. Business growth comes in many fashions, but it takes time, commitment, trust, sincerity and effort.”

Getting the most from your networking experience! Conversation is the key to achieving your desired goals from your networking experience. Asking great questions are incredibly important and the best way to engage, connect and build trust in these invaluable new relation-

BY JUDITH FOX-GOLDSTEIN “Word by Word”

“Getting to know you, getting to know all about you. Getting to like you, getting to hope you’ll like me!”

Rogers and Hammerstein’s hit song from the “King and I”, that defined an era, was brought front and center to April’s Jewish Business Network meeting.

Coordinated by Duetsche Bank’s Director of Human Development Stacey Jewesak, JBN members were led through a dynamic “HUMAN BINGO” ice breaker.

“Up on our feet and ready to dance” …the momentum of the meeting changed dramatically with a flurry of movement challenging members to flow through the room and discover a plethora of unique attributes, skills, talent and interests shared by other JBN members.

“Do you like to garden? Are you interested in music? Were

Photo by Judith Fox-Goldstein

you born in Jacksonville? Do you play an instrument? Would you like to meet for coffee? …and a host of other intriguing questions that facilitated the goal of building relationships and really

“getting to know each other!”

As JBN president, Zach Cohen said, “Networking is more than just passing around our business cards and expecting our businesses to grow. It’s

JFCS Awarded Grants for Holocaust Survivors

By Jewish Family & Community Services

Jewish Family & Community Services is excited to announce that our fresh fruit and vegetable delivery program for local Holocaust survivors will continue thanks to funding

by The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida and The Jewish Federations of North America.

The grant from The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida allows JFCS to provide fresh produce boxes twice a month to all survivors living in poverty in Duval and St. Johns County.

The two-year grant from The Jewish Federations of North America provides the same for survivors in Flagler County.

Thanks to these generous grants, Jewish Family & Com-

munity Services delivers 48 boxes of locally grown fruits and vegetables to local survivors twice per month, as well as nutritional counseling and culinary art therapy.

The supplier, Front Porch Pickings, prepares the packages from their farm so that they

may go directly to the tables of our clients.

JFCS and Front Porch Pickings have been collaborating for two years and have customized the boxes to the meet the important cultural and nutritional needs of survivors who are living in poverty.

ships. This is a powerful tool and one of the most successful paths to growing your business. Invest the time and get to know your JBN members! Thanks again to River Garden for hosting our meeting!

JBN meetings are held on the 2nd Friday of each month from 8:30-9:30AM. Contact Zach Cohen at Zach@stjohnsasset.com if you’re interested in attending our next meeting. The May meeting will be on May 11 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Global Diamonds location in Town Center.

community news

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

page 8

Center’s Cadette Troop gives back

BY REBECCA FIXEL

Cadette Troop #2098 Leader

The Girl Scout Cadette Troop #2098 at the Jacksonville Jewish Center is focused on community service and social action.

Their bi-monthly meetings consist of going out into the community and participating in everything from arts and crafts with residents at River Garden to organizing closets at Hubbard House to city park cleanup.

Cadette Troop leader Rebecca Fixel, finds any service project that a middle schooler is old enough to volunteer to do, and her Cadettes take action and never complain.

Their one and only fundraiser is the annual Girl Scout cookie sale. Cadette Troop #2098 member’s Meagan B, Anna F, Abigail F, Eva G and Nava K spent many hours and sold over 1800 boxes of cookies this year. They use most of their profits from the sale to give back to their Jacksonville community.

This year the girls decided to buy books featuring strong female role models and donate them to local elementary schools in need of library books. The girls research to find the books they wanted, purchased them and delivered them to the schools. They are involved in every aspect of the process.

If you are interested in learning more about the scouting programs offered at the Jacksonville Jewish Center for your children, please contact the Center’s Setzer Youth Education department at 904-292-1000 or setzeryouthed@jaxjewishcenter.org.

Temple Bet Yam is thrilled to bring back Klezmer Concert

BY JACQUELINE WITTE Temple Bet Yam

Back by popular demand, Temple Bet Yam is presenting the Klezmer group of Joseph and Lynn Goldovitz, Jacob Goldberger on the clarinet, and Ray Guiser on the saxophone. Joseph and Lynn have performed at Klezmer festivals in Israel and around the U.S. Jacob plays the clarinet with the Gulf Coast Symphony

and performs klezmer around the United States and Israel. Ray, who has played in various musical venues and recorded with top performers here in the U.S., developed an interest in klezmer adding those special notes of the sax to the group.

What is klezmer? It’s the music style that originated in the ghettos of Eastern Europe. It was played at weddings – remember Fiddler on the Roof? - and holiday celebrations. Its roots reflect not only Eastern Europe, but gypsy and

Mentors making a difference

By Jewish Family & Community Services

Mentoring a child is one of the most rewarding things a person can do – just ask Jessica Spitzer.

Jessica just became a mentor to a foster child named Amber.

The two have a lot in common and bring out the best in one another.

In January, thanks to a generous donation during the holidays by Josh Bernard at the San Marcolocated Painting with a Twist, Jessica and Amber were able to enjoy creating art together.

Amber, a foster child in the care of Jewish Family & Community Services, added, “I am very creative and love creating all kinds of art.

I loved going to Painting with a Twist with Jessica. It gave us a chance to get out, relax and do something we both love, together. I want us to go back and do it again!”

Jessica decided to get involved with mentoring because she wanted to get involved. “I have a personal connection with the foster care system. I want to help the kids that feel like they have no one they can count on, and if I can help just one child feel wanted and loved, then I have done what I was put here to do – to make a positive impact on someone’s life.”

Amber and Jessica meet on a regular basis and they try to find fun activities to do together. Their next venture: attending a Jacksonville Icemen game. After that, the sky is the limit!

If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a mentor – especially male role models, contact mentor@fssnf.org.

Balkan music, and today, American jazz and Israeli sounds have been added to the mix.

Come to Temple Bet Yam, 2055 Wildwood Drive, just off SR 207 in St. Augustine on Saturday night, May 5th at 7 p.m. You can expect a hand-clapping, sing-along, dancing-in-the aisles evening. Tickets are $25 per person. Contact Carol Levy at 954-895-7332 or bernielevy2012@gmail.com for additional information.

community news

page 9

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

Six decades of dedication to River Garden – a remarkable tribute

BY KEN GOLDMAN River Garden Volunteer

After an astounding six decades of service to River Garden Senior Services, Sheldon Gendzier decided it was time to “retire.”

Gendzier joined River Garden’s board in 1958 following in the footsteps of his father and father-in-law, who both served as president of the facility’s board of directors. Sheldon’s father, Harry, served as president from 1951 to 1956, while his father-in-law, Sam Their, was president from 1965 to 1967. Sheldon himself was president from 1969 to 1972.

Over the past 60 years, Gendzier has held virtually every major board and committee position. As chair of the Master Planning Committee, he became a principal figure in the Home’s decision to move from Riverside to Mandarin in 1989. And over the past decade, as it became clear that River Garden was running out of space to expand its therapy and outpatient programs, Sheldon again chaired the Master Planning Committee and oversaw a 10,000-square-foot addition and facility refurbishment.

Sheldon also played a critical role in building The Coves, River Garden’s independent living community. He and his wife, Estele, have made it their home for the past eight years.

Genzier was honored for his many years of volunteer service at River Garden’s Anniversary Day festivities in March.

The 89-year-old now becomes a lifetime honorary trustee.

“Individuals of Sheldon’s character and commitment do not come along all that often,” said CEO Marty Goetz. “But when they do, they make all the difference in the world.

Thank you, Sheldon, for making a difference in our lives and for our community.”

Photo by Larry Tallis

The Center RE:MIND hosts panel on addiction and the opiate epidemic

By Jacksonville Jewish Center

RE:MIND, the Jacksonville Jewish Center’s community initiative to improve mental health and reduce stigma, is pleased to host a panel discussion on Addiction and the Opiate Epidemic: Yes, this is affecting YOU! on May 29 at the Center starting at 7:15 p.m.

The event is free and open to

the community. Registration is required by contacting remindjax@aol.com or 904-731-7887.

A distinguished panel of local experts will discuss the impact of the opiate epidemic in northeast Florida: Tara Wildes, Wildes Bowen and Associates, LLC & and retired Director, Department of Corrections, Jacksoville Sheriff’s Office--Vicki Waytowich,

PhD, Director, Partnership for Child Health-- Susan Pitman, Executive Director, Drug Free Duval and Policy Chair, North Florida Opioid Heroin Task Force--Raymond Pomm, MD, Medical Director, River Region Human Services, Inc. and Gateway Community Services, Inc.--Eric Bodin, MS, CRPS, Recovery Connections Program Manager, Gateway Community

Services, Inc. Drug misuse is when a person uses a prescription drug that is not intended for them, or uses a prescription in a way that is different than how the doctor indicated (using larger amounts, taking it more often, or using it for longer than prescribed).

Over 7.1 percent of people aged 12 or older misused prescription drugs in the past year.

JFCS Party in the Park Fun

SAVING

beautiful thing

is a

By Jewish Family & Community Services

April was National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Family Support Services of North Florida, along with many child-serving agencies, hosted “Party in the Park” on Saturday, April 7.

This yearly event serves as a unique outreach opportunity for local agencies to educate the entire community about some of services offered by social service organizations in the area. The Jewish Family & Community Services High Risk Newborn (HRN) and the STEPS (Strengthening Ties Empowering Parents) programs were vendors.

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People with mental illnesses are three times more likely to misuse prescription drugs. Consider that 16 percent of parents and 27 percent of teens believe that using prescription drugs to get high is safer than using street drugs.

Opiate drugs are derivatives of the morphine molecule.

These drugs can be addictive when misused.

community news

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

JFCS Passover Seder with Salvation Army

Celebrate Mother’s Day with the JCA

By Jewish Community Alliance

By Jewish Family & Community Services

Matt Lufrano presided over a Passover Seder on April 5 in front of the staff and clients of JFCS and the Salvation Army.

Lufrano read from the Holocaust Haggadah, in honor of the first Passover after the Jews were liberated from the Nazis during WWII.

At the Jewish Community Alliance, Mother’s Day isn’t just for mothers.

The J Institute has a fun, inclusive program to honor all the nurturing women in our lives. Celebrate Ladies’ Day at the J on Friday, May 11 at 10 a.m.

This year’s event will feature a fun Spanish theme, including tapas and a signature sangria cocktail.

Participants can also enjoy great musical entertainment and relaxation

Join the Jax Jewish Singles as they head south for fresh Florida seafood prepared with Southern soul and style. They

By River Garden Senior Services

River Garden invites teens to get out of the house this summer and make a difference.

Share your skills and talent by volunteering at River Garden while meeting teens from around the Jacksonville area.

If you are 13 years or older, you can earn community service hours for school.

To begin the application process, please contact Leslie Held: call 904-886-8429 or email lheld@rivergarden.org.

services. Previous Ladies’ Days have been a great opportunity to meet and celebrate other women in the community.

These events featured food, DJ entertainment, fashion shows and spa and massage services.

Ladies’ Day at the J is open to the community.

The fee to attend is $10; JCA valued members can attend for free. Registration is required.

For information or to register, go to jcajax.org/ji or call 730-2100 ext. 228.

JAX Jewish Singles meeting rescheduled for June

By Francine Smith

Couch potatoes need not apply

page 10

will be having lunch at the Julington Creek Fish Camp which has received a Diner’s Choice Award. For date and time email francine.smith@comcast.net or call her at (904) 221-8061.

education news

page 11

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

Michele Block Gan students take part in science program

Michele Block Gan Yeladim students displayed an array of hands-on science experiments during their Science Thursday event on March 29. Knowledgeable Junior Kindergarten docents walked visitors through the exhibits and explained the various experiments.

It’s our ANNIVERSARY at Hero’s Eatery!!

B”SD

To celebrate, we have revamped our menu

Torah Academy to honor Harry Frisch at Annual Dinner

And changed our name!

We want to thank you all for your continued support this year, so we are celebrating with a

GRAND RE-OPENING! as

By Lisa Ansbacher

Watch for details on our Website and Facebook Pages www.ZiporasKitchen.com @ZiporasKitchen

@HerosEatery and also in

Jews in Jax

Who is Harry Frisch, asked this year’s Torah Academy dinner chair to her husband when she first moved to Jacksonville nine years ago.

He is the mentsh of all mentshes, her husband told her.

Not only is he hardworking and brilliant enough to turn a small retail seafood outlet into one of the world’s largest frozen seafood importers and distributors, but Harry is the kindest and most caring person you can imagine.

His wife, Lilo is just as

incredible, he added. (May her memory be a blessing.)

This year’s Torah Academy Dinner theme “lighting the world” could not be better suited for its honoree, Harry Frisch.

Harry is a person who not only brings light to the children at the Torah Academy, but to every life he touches.

Please join us to light the world as we honor Harry Frisch at the Torah Academy annual dinner.

For more information, contact Yhauptman@torahacademy.com or call 904-368-7719.

EDUCATION news

Join the JCA for a fun, family Shabbat dinner

By Jewish Community Alliance

JCA Jewish and Family Programs bring a multitude of opportunities for families in the community to enjoy programming that strengthens Jewish culture. On Friday, May 11, from 5:306:30 p.m., families from the community are invited to the Family Shabbat Dinner at the JCA. This festive event is being held in conjunction with PJ Library of Jacksonville, an organization that provides Jewish-content books

and music for children up to age six. Representatives will engage participants with activities and storytelling.

JCA’s Family and Jewish Outreach Director, Dave Flagler, and Michele Block Gan Yeladim Judaic resource teacher Morah Karen Morse will lead this Shabbat celebration with songs, music and prayers.

The fee to attend Family Shabbat Dinner is $15 per family; JCA valued member families are $10. For information or to register, go to jcajax.org/family.

Martin J. Gottlieb Day School Observes Yom Hashoah

By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

On Thursday, April 12, students in all grades at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School spent the morning observing Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Younger students learned about an 18th century Torah scroll from Czechoslovakia that miraculously survived the Holocaust, and older students heard a powerful presentation from local survivor Morris Bendit.

The students remarked that they were deeply impacted

by Mr. Bendit’s story, and have renewed appreciation and gratitude for the peace and security in which they live today.

page 12

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

Camp Ki Tov set to blast off

BY PAMELA LEWIS Camp Director

The Jacksonville Jewish Center’s Camp Ki Tov is sure to be full of fun again this summer! We have some new faces on the staff eager to meet their campers. This summer, campers will enjoy some old favorites such as fishing, archery, sports, and more. Camp Ki Tov will include both in-house and excursion field trips. Activities include amazing art and robotics projects, science experiments, cooking around the world, and so much more!

Our weekly themes encourage each cabin to

compete with spirit and pride to win the beloved ‘spirit stick.’ We are also very fortunate to have the Jacksonville Jewish Center clergy participate with lots of ruach (spirit) and passion! We have the privilege of hosting teen counselors from Israel at Camp Ki Tov, and we are excited about the love of Israel that they bring to our camp! As usual, we will have a great time at our annual Camp Ki Tov undernight/ overnight, with nighttime swimming, flashlight games, and kosher s’mores! As always, it is our goal to build long lasting memories for the children at Camp Ki Tov. Flexible one-week sign-ups are available but sign up now to avoid being wait listed. Go to campkitov.org to register.

Michele Block Gan Yeladim celebrates Shavuot with an ice cream event

By Jewish Community Alliance

During holidays and special events, Michele Block Gan Yeladim incorporates fun, enrichment programming to teach students the cultural meaning and significance of these observations.

On Friday, May 18, from

1:30-2:15 p.m., the school will celebrate Shavuot with an ice cream making educational event for children ages three to six.

This Shavuot Ice Cream Making Celebration follows the Jewish custom of eating dairy foods on Shavuot. Michele Block Gan Yeladim Judaic Resource Teacher Morah Karen

will teach students about this holiday and the significance of eating dairy before instructing them in a fun, ice cream making exercise.

This program is $15 and $10 for JCA valued members. For more information, contact 7302100 ext. 235. Register at jcajax. org or 730-2100 ext. 228.

education news

page 13

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

Martin J. Gottlieb Day School Graduation A Community Simcha!

Michele Block Gan Yeladim students study embryology with new chick hatching

By Jewish Community Alliance

By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

This year’s eighth grade class at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School cordially invites the Jewish community to join us as we celebrate our commencement ceremony, which will be held on Wednesday, June 6 at 7 p.m. at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Our graduating class of nine students have been accepted to the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Paxon School for Advanced Studies and Stanton College Prep, the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) program at Mandarin High, and the Advanced Scholar program at Creekside High in St. Johns County. Please make plans to join us and celebrate this milestone with our families. For more information about Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, a K-8 independent Jewish Day School, please call 268-4200.

Every year, Michele Block Gan Yeladim students get a special lesson on embryo development when they observe the incubation and hatching of chicken eggs. This past April, students once again participated in this hands-on learning opportunity.

The Duval Extension Office Embryology Program provided the school with a brooding incubator and clutch of eggs which was set up in the school’s library.

Over 21 days, children ages one to six experienced an amazing life cycle learning program that included all areas of the curriculum. Students learned about the

science of hatching chicks and chicken biology, including the parts of the egg and chick. They also increased their vocabulary with new terminology. Technology and nature were blended with a live web cam that kept families included in the anticipated arrival of the chicks.

Additionally, this experience helped to reinforce Jewish concepts, including tzaar baalei hayim (caring for animals), gemilut chasidim (acts of love and kindness) and the reciting of the shehech heyanu (prayer for birth or new beginnings).

Students also learned about life cycles and related Hebrew vocabulary.

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education news

page 14

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

DuBow Preschool visits Diamond D Ranch

By DuBow Preschool

The three- and four-year-old classes at the DuBow Preschool recently visited Diamond D Ranch on Jacksonville’s Westside. Children enjoyed pony and tractor rides and got to feed cows before enjoying a picnic lunch at the ranch. Ranchers were on hand to give lessons about the animals, including their eating and sleeping habits, and to encourage budding cowboys and cowgirls in the group! A wonderful time was had by all.

Michele Block Gan Yeladim initiates new positive guidance forum

By Jewish Community Alliance

Michele Block Gan Yeladim recently introduced a new, monthly forum, Mornings with Michelle, with the aim of equipping parents and caregivers with skill sets to implement positive guiding techniques within the home.

This new initiative is led by Michele Block Gan Yeladim Parent Liaison and Curriculum Coordinator Michelle Cutler.

Cutler has been an educator for over 22 years and has a specific

interest in the Reggio Emilia Philosophy and its connection to environment and curriculum, guidance and brain

Michelle Cutler

DuBow Preschool celebrates Passover

By DuBow Preschool

Classes at the DuBow Preschool celebrated Passover with model seders and Passover plays in April. Parents, Bubbes, and Zaydes clapped and kvelled as students from age 1 to Pre-K sang songs, told the Passover story, and munched matzah to show how much they have learned and in preparation for their family seders at home.

development. Her goal for the forum is to teach families the same skills Michele Block Gan Yeladim educators use in the classroom, thus creating continuity and connection between home and school.

“The intent for the time we spend together each month is to celebrate all of the rewarding and amazing moments parents have with their children and to offer support in the areas that are hard and frustrating,” said Cutler.

“It has been such a joy to be part of this group; seeing them

share ideas with each other and deepen their relationships has made it feel like a school family.”

The positive guidance techniques taught in the forum are based on the principles of Conscious Discipline, which is an evidence-based, trauma informed approach. Groups have ranged from 3-12 participants, which allows for an intimate discussion of topics. The hour-long sessions include a brief overview of a specific skill and time applying the skill to real-life scenarios. Some

of the topics already covered involve using assertive language, giving positive choices, making a commitment to change, using positive intent to guide behavior, intrinsic motivation and using appropriate consequences to teach.

“The forum is great! I want to do whatever it takes to help my children. When I leave, I am better armed to help them,” stated one parent who has attended all of the sessions. Some changes attendees have noted are calmer responses to their children and less aggression at home.

federation news

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

page 15

The 13th Annual GIRLFRIEND CONNECTION

$45 Guest

•$100 Patron

•$250 Benefactor

A Contribution to the 2018 Federation Annual Campaign is Required to Attend

Thursday, May 17th 6:30 PM Cocktails, Dinner & Program Jacksonville Jewish Center

RSVP by May 10th to 904-448-5000 x1201 or jewishjacksonville.org/gfc2018

•A special recognition of our Women’s Division Past Presidents •Israeli dancing with instructor, Veronica Lane, Florida’s Dance Gypsy •Candle Lighting Ceremony

page 16

federation news The Jewish Federation of Jacksonville thanks you for your support!

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

We appreciate our donors and want to express this each month in the JJN. Thank you to the following donors who have made a commitment to support the 2018 Federation Annual Campaign as of April 19, 2018. Names printed in BOLD TEAL denote a gift that was made after March 20, 2018.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abel Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abramson Dr. and Mrs. Mark Abramson Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Ackerman Dr. and Mrs. Tony Adelson Dr. and Mrs. Philip Adler Mr. and Mrs. David Adler Mrs. Peggy Ageloff Mr. and Mrs. Michel Allen Mr. and Mrs. Sandy Alliance Mr. and Mrs. Norman Allison Mr. and Mrs. Howard Alterman Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Alterman Mr. and Mrs. Allen Altman Ms. Barbara Ames Mr. and Mrs. Allan Andrew Mr. and Mrs. Marc Angelo Mr. and Mrs. Brian Ansbacher Mr. Lawrence Ansbacher Mr. and Mrs. Barry Ansbacher Mrs. Sybil Ansbacher Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Appelbaum Ms. Eve Aptheker Mrs. Sandy Archer Mr. and Mrs. Henry Arnold Ms. Sara August Ms. Diana Azpiazu Mr. and Mrs. Frank Backilman Mr. Al Bagocius and Ms. Carol Doyle Mr. and Mrs. David Bailys Mrs. Audrey Baker Dr. Scott Baker and Mrs. Maureen Ruddy-Baker Mrs. Isabel Balotin Mr. and Mrs. Scott Balotin Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Bannon Mr. and Mrs. Martin Barna Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Barone Mrs. Rita Baumgarten Mr. Jack Bazinsky Mr. and Mrs. Ben Becker Dr. and Mrs. Matthew Becker Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Beckerman Ms. Sarah Beekman Mrs. Mary Beissinger Mr. and Mrs. Jean Benjamin Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bennett Mr. and Mrs. Odell Bennett Dr. and Mrs. Guy Benrubi Dr. Isidore D. Benrubi Mr. and Mrs. Prince Benyehudah Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Berger Mr. and Mrs. Greg Berger Mr. and Mrs. Ira Berger Mr. Martin Berger Mr. Daniel Bergman Ms. Danielle Berke Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Berke Mr. and Mrs. Mark Berman Mrs. Steve Bermudez Mr. and Mrs. Larry Bernard Dr. Anne Bernstein Ms. Carolee Bertisch Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bettman Mr. and Mrs. Richard Beyer Mrs. Adrienne Biber Mr. and Mrs. Abe Bielski Mr. and Mrs. David Bielski Mr. Sheldon Blattner Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Blattner Mr. and Mrs. Larry Blaustein Mr. and Mrs. Philip Bloom Dr. and Mrs. Adrian Blotner Mr. David Blum Ms. Stacey Blum Mrs. Sue Ann Blumenthal Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Board Mrs. Traude Bohrman Mrs. Josephine Bonnett Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bossen Mrs. Rhona Botnick Mr. Wiatt Bowers Mr. and Mrs. James Brady Ms. Michelle Branly Mr. and Mrs. Warren Brattner Mrs. Joyce Braun Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Breault Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Brodsky Dr. and Mrs. Sol Brotman Dr. and Mrs. Andy Brown Dr. and Mrs. Robert Brown Ms. Alison Brown Mrs. Estelle Brust Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Bubis Dr. and Mrs. Dennis Buchman Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Burke Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Burns Mr. and Mrs. Howard Buss Mr. and Mrs. Jan Butensky Mr. Leonard Cagan Mr. and Mrs. Steven Cantor Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Cantor Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood Cantor Mr. and Mrs. Paul Cantor Mr. and Mrs. Howard Caplan Mrs. Barbara Carman Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Chait Mr. and Mrs. Barry Chefer Mr. and Mrs. Allan Cheiken Mr. and Mrs. Alan Chepenik Dr. Colleen Bell and Mr. Craig Cherrin Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Cherry Ms. Susan Cherry Mrs. Rita Clark Mr. and Mrs. Allan Cohen Mrs. Shirley Cohen Rabbi and Mrs. Matt Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Martin Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Danny Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Norman Cohen Ms. Joanne Cohen Dr. and Mrs. Donald Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Jack Coleman Mr. and Mrs. Edward Constain Mr. and Mrs. Mark Cooper Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Coplan

Mrs. Ellen Cottrill Ms. Cheryl Covitz Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Crafton Dr. and Mrs. Richard Crovatto Mr. and Mrs. Walter Crowder Mr. and Mrs. Steven Cutler Ms. Bev Darkatsh Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Datz Mr. and Mrs. Albert Datz Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Datz Ms. Joan Davidow and Mr. Stuart Glass Mr. and Mrs. Richard Davis Mr. James Davis Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Davis Drs. Leo and Joanne Davis Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Dayan Mr. and Mrs. Jim De Arman Mrs. Lisa De Marco Mr. and Mrs. Jon DeBardeleben Mr. and Mrs. Allan Decker Mr. and Mrs. Moti Demri Mrs. Marilyn Desser Mr. and Mrs. Harold Diamond Mrs. Ellen Diamond Mr. and Mrs. Scott Dreicer Mr. and Mrs. Sean Driscoll Judge and Mrs. Robert Droker DuBow Family Ms. Nanci Duchovnay Mrs. Jody Dughi Mr. and Mrs. Alexius Dyer Mrs. Sue Eaglstein Mr. and Mrs. Dan Edelman Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Edelman Mrs. Goldie Edelstein Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Edwards Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Edwards Mr. Marvin Edwards Mr. and Mrs. Martin Edwards Dr. Barry Efron Ms. Gloria Einstein Mrs. Lisa Eisenberg Mrs. Elizabeth Eisenberg Mrs. Marie Eisenberg Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Elikan Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Elinoff Mr. and Mrs. Michael Elkin Dr. and Mrs. Warren Endes Mrs. Fern Estner Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Farhi Mr. and Mrs. Dave Fastenberg Ms. Betsy Federman Dr. Denise Sherman and Mr. Yakov Feig Ms. Harriet Feinglass Dr. and Mrs. Neil Feinglass Mr. and Mrs. Brian Feldman Mr. and Mrs. Edward Feldman Mr. and Mrs. Alan Feldman Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Feldman Dr. Alan Fetner and Dr. Mary Hartigan Dr. and Mrs. Michael Fetner Drs. Howard and Dina Fetner Ms. Gaye Feuer Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fields Dr. Miriam Finegold-Price Ms. Anna Finelt Mr. and Mrs. Neal Finkelstein Rabbi and Mrs. Yaakov Fisch Ms. Cheryl Fisch Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Fischer Mr. and Mrs. Ben Fishman Mr. and Mrs. Myron Flagler Mr. and Mrs. Martin Flamm Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fleet Ms. Bobbie Fost Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Fox Ms. Sarah Fraden Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Franzblau Mr. Matthew Franzblau Ms. Ariel Frechtman Mr. and Mrs. Michael Freedman Mrs. Marilyn Freedman Mr. Michael Freedman Dr. and Mrs. Michael Freeman Dr. and Mrs. Marc Freeman Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Friedman Mr. and Mrs. Steven Friedman Frisch Family Mr. and Mrs. Adam Frisch Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Frohman Mr. and Mrs. Melvyn Fruit Judge Jerry Funk Mr. and Mrs. Paul Furman Mr. and Mrs. Oren Gahanian Mrs. Helena Gandell Mr. and Mrs. Harold Garber Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gare Ms. Nicola Garner Mrs. Zelda Gartner Mr. and Mrs. Simon Garwood Mr. Victor Gaukhman Mr. and Mrs. Larry Geller Mr. Sheldon Gendzier and Ms. Estelle Kritz Mr. and Mrs. Gary Gendzier Mrs. Alois Gendzier Mrs. Sunny Gettinger Judge and Mrs. Marvin Gillman Mr. John Gilmore and Ms. Amy Grass-Gilmore Mr. and Mrs. Randall Ginzig Mr. and Mrs. Marc Gladstone Mr. Peter Levy and Ms. Kim Glasgal Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Glassman Mr. and Mrs. Martin Goetz Mrs. Patricia Goldberg Mrs. Carole Goldberg Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Goldberg Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Golden Ms. Lauren Goldenberg Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Goldfarb Dr. Bruce Goldfeder Mr. and Mrs. Ira Goldfield Mr. David Golding and Ms. Leslie Carmel Mrs. Muriel Goldman

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Goldman Mrs. Irma Goldman Mr. and Mrs. Jack Goldman Mr. and Mrs. Karl Goldman Mr. Alan Goldman Mr. Kenneth Goldman Dr. and Mrs. Roy Goldman Mr. and Mrs. David Goldman Mrs. Hilda Goldman Mr. and Mrs. Marty Goldmintz Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Goldsmith Ms. Bea Goldsmith Mrs. Barbara Goldstein Ms. Janet Goldstein Mr. and Mrs. Allen Goldstein Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Goldstein Mr. Harvey Goldstein Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Goldstein Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Goldstein Mr. and Mrs. David Goodman Mrs. Gloria Goodman Mr. Jonathan Goodman Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell Gordon Mrs. Naomi Gordon Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Gordon Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Goshen Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Jarzyna Gottlieb Family Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Gottlieb Mr. and Mrs. Chris Gould Mr. and Mrs. John Grado Mrs Polina Graff Dr. and Mrs. Brett Gratz Mr. and Mrs. Mark Green Dr. and Mrs. Alvin Green Ms. Diane Greenbaum Mr. and John Barrett Dr. and Mrs. Jesse Greenblum Dr. and Mrs. Michael Greenburg Dr. Melinda Greenfield Mr. and Mrs. Paul Greenfield Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Greenfield Mr. and Mrs. Joel Greenhut Mr. Gerald Greenspoon Ms. Gari Greenwald Dr. and Mrs. Earl Greenwald Mr. and Mrs. Edward Grenadier Ms. Ilisa Griffin Mr. and Mrs. James Grinnan Mr. Matthew Grinnan Dr. and Mrs. Jonathan Gross Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Arnold Mr. Michael Grossman Mrs. Roslyn Grossman Mrs. Dolly Grunthal Mr. Stephen Gurne Mr. and Mrs. Scott Gutterman Drs. Randall and Shoshana Haas Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Haile Mr. and Mrs. Greg Hall Dr. and Mrs. Jesse Halpern Mr. Robert Handmaker Mrs. Cynthia Handmaker Mrs. Bonnie Hardy Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Hare Mr. and Mrs. Gary Harlow Dr. Sherrie Harris Dr. and Mrs. Alan Harris Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Harris Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harris Mr. and Mrs. Alan Harrison Rabbi and Mrs. Shaya Hauptman Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayflick Mrs. Sonie Hecht Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hedrick Mr. William Layton and Ms. Rachel Heiser Mrs. Leslie Held Mr. Steven Heller Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Helming Dr. and Mrs. Bradley Herbst Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Herman Mr. Christopher Hernandez and Mrs. Christopher Hernandez Mr. and Mrs. Brian Herschkowitz Mrs. Raymonde Higgins Mr. and Mrs. Ken Hilbert Mr. John Nelson and Ms. Murren Hill John and Helen Hill Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hirsch Ms. Masha Hleap Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hodor Mr. David Hoffman Mr. Royal Holian Mr. and Mrs. Jay Holiday Hazzan and Mrs. Jesse Holzer Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Holzer Mr. and Mrs. David Honig Mrs. Nancy Honig Mrs. Wendy Honigman Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Horn Ms. Sheila Horowitz Mr. Arthur Hurwitz Ms. Janet Healy and Mr. Charles Hyman Mr. and Mrs. Michael Isakbayev Ms. Helene Isolica Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Israel Mrs. Judith Israel Mr. and Mrs. Larry Jaben Dr. and Mrs. Ira Jackler Mr. and Mrs. Ted Jackrel Mr. and Mrs. George Jackson Mr. Marc Jackson and Ms. Ann Tiefenthaler Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Jacobs Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Jacobs Mr. Darryl Jacobson Mr. and Mrs. Sam Jacobson Mr. and Mrs. Leo Jacobson Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Jaffa Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jaffa Mr. and Mrs. James Jaffa Mr. and Mrs. Larry Jaffe Mr. and Mrs. Jon Jagodinski Ms. Anita Jarrett Mrs. Lorraine Jenkins Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Jolles Dr. Edward Joseph

Ms. Sharon Juhasz Mr. and Mrs. Alan Kagan Mr. and Mrs. Norman Kagan Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kahn Mr. Jeffry Wollitz and Ms. Randy Kammer Dr. and Mrs. Jesse Kane Dr. and Mrs. Robert Kanner Dr. and Mrs. Larry Kanter Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Kantor Mrs. Barbara Karsin Mr. and Mrs. David Kasriel Mr. and Mrs. Michael Katz Ms. Heidi Katz Mr. and Mrs. Alan Katz Ms. Michele Katz Dr. and Mrs. David Katz Ms. Libby Katz Mr. and Mrs. Manfred Katz Mr. and Mrs. Martin Kaufman Mr. and Mrs. Howard Kaufmann Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Kaunitz Mr. and Mrs. Donald Kaye Mrs. Barbara Kazin Mr. and Mrs. Jason Smith Ms. Sharon Kenner Rabbi and Mrs. Dov Kentof Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kersun Judge and Mrs. Morton Kesler Ms. Sharon Kesler Ms. Marcia Kessler Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kessler Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf Kigel Mr. and Mrs. David Kight Ms. Simone Kilbourn Ms. Ida Kirsner Dr. and Mrs. Garry Kitay Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Klausner Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kleiman Mr. and Mrs. William Klein Mr. and Mrs. Gil Kleiner Ms. Janice Knack Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kopp Mr. and Mrs. Howard Korman Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Korn Mrs. Annetta Kornblum Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kornhauser Mr. Yefim Brunfon and Mrs. Polina Koropova Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Kossoff Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kraemer Mrs. Sylvia Kraemer Dr. and Mrs. Alan Krantz Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kraus Mr. and Mrs. Leo Kreisel Mrs. Carolyn Krestul Ms. Ann Kristal Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Kuhbander Mr. Don Kupfer Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Kurtz Dr. and Mrs. Ron Kushner Mr. Carl Kutlin Dr. and Mrs. Dennis Lafer Mr. and Mrs. Eric Land Mr. Howard Laner Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Langer Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lantinberg Mrs. Sonya Lasris Mr. and Mrs. James Lawson Mrs. Naomi Lazar Mr. and Mrs. Eric Leach Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Leach Mr. and Mrs. Edward Leader Ms. Jean Lebowitz and Ms. Thelma Lebowitz Mrs. Dorothy Legum Ms. Sybil Lehr Mr. and Mrs. Stephan Leimberg Ms. Tilde A. Lerman Dr. and Mrs. Eli Lerner Drs. Jeff and Ilene Levenson Dr. and Mrs. H. Ronald Levin Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Levine Mr. and Mrs. Arnie Levine Mrs. Eileen Levine Ms. Robin Levine Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell Levine Ms. Stefanie Levine Mr. and Mrs. Mark Levine Mr. and Mrs. Kal Levinson Mr. Alan Levinson Mr. and Mrs. Don Levinson Ms. Carol Levitan Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Levitsky Levy Memorial Fund Mrs. Phyllis Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Sam Lewis Ms. Suzanne Lichter Ms. Karen Lidsky Dr. and Mrs. Larry Lieberman Mr. Tyler Curl and Ms. Jessica Ligator Dr. Leonard Lipkin Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Lipsky Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lissner Mrs. Muriel Litt Mr. Mark Lodinger Mr. Herman Lodinger Mr. and Mrs. Alan Loeser Ms. Rhoda London Ms. Esther LoPiano Ms. Sherri Louer Ms. Sylvia Lubliner Ms. Marcia Luettchau Drs. Robert and Anne Lufrano Ms. Diane Lurye Mrs. Betty Lustig Ms. Lucille Lustig Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mack Ms. Gabrielle E. Magid Mr. and Mrs. Steven Mail Mr. and Mrs. Leonardo Maiman Mrs. Raquel Maiman Mr. and Ms. Yan Makeev Mrs. Amy Malkin Ms. Maria Mamalui Mrs. Ilana Manasse Mrs. Laura Marder Mrs. Marilyn Margol

Mr. and Mrs. Alan Margolies Mr. and Mrs. Adam Marko Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Marks Ms. Caroline Marks Dr. and Mrs. Alan Marks Mr. and Mrs. Adam Marmelstein Dr. Donald Mars Dr. Ronald Mars Mr. Ben Marsh Mr. and Mrs. Bob Marshak Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Martino Dr. and Mrs. Mike Mass Mrs. Deinya Mautz Mrs. Charlotte Mayo Mr. and Mrs. Adam McDonough Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Melamed Mr. and Mrs. Walter Menaged Mr. and Mrs. Myron Mensh Mr. and Mrs. Paul Metlin Mr. and Mrs. Yosef Meyer Mr. A.J. Michaels Mr. and Mrs. Barry Michelson Mr. Alex Migdall Mr. and Mrs. Tony Milian Mrs. Jo Miller Mrs. Margaret Miller Mr. Daniel Miller and Ms. Lior Spring Mr. Matthew Miller Mr. and Mrs. Albert Miller Mr. Glenn Miller and Mr. Michael Miller Mr. Michael Miller Mr. and Mrs. Richard Miller Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Millrood Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Mintzer Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mizrahi Mr. and Mrs. Alan Mizrahi Mr. and Mrs. Steven Mizrahi Mrs. Judy B. Mizrahi Mr. and Mrs. Jack Mizrahi Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Montagna Ms. Cheryl Moore Dr. and Mrs. Craig Morgenthal Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Morris Mr. and Mrs. Joel Morris Ms. Vanessa Morris Mr. and Mrs. Todd Morse Ms. Geri Myers Mrs Marlene Myers Judge and Mrs. Bernard Nachman Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Nadler Dr. and Mrs. Peter Natale Dr. and Mrs. Alan Nathans Ms. Melissa Neadle Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Neadle Drs. Steven and Tmima Neihaus Mr. and Mrs. Lon Neuman Ms. Kym Newlen Mr. and Mrs. Robert Newman Mr. and Mrs. Lance Newman Mr. and Mrs. William Newman Mr. and Mrs. Michael Nicotra Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nied Drs. Michael and Sue Nussbaum Ms. Linda Oberdorfer Mr. Andrew Ocean Ms. Gloria Oehlman Mr. and Mrs. Jais Ohayon Mr. and Mrs. Moshe Ohayon Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Olesker Mrs. Donne Ordile Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Organes Ms. Allysondra Osborne Mr. and Mrs. Morrie Osterer Ms. Sandra B. Overton Ms. Marilyn Pagano Mr. and Mrs. Michael Paisner Ms. Leah Palestrant Mr. and Mrs. Elliott Palevsky Mr. Michael Pallen Mrs. Francine Parfitt Mr. and Mrs. Brian Pargman Mr. and Mrs. Richard Passink Mr. and Mrs. Herman Paul Mr. and Mrs. Michael Paul Ms. Adele Paul Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Pearl Mrs Evelyn Peck Mr. and Mrs. Mark Penson Mrs. Sophia Pentel Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Perin Mr. and Mrs. Donald Perlin Dr. and Mrs. Gary Perlman Dr. and Mrs. Morton Perlman Ms. Meredith Persky Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Persky Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Peters Ms. Laura Platzer Mr. and Mrs. Michael Platzer Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Plaut Mr. and Mrs. Jay Plotkin Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Plotkin Mr. and Mrs. Richard Plotkin Mrs. Lita Poehlman Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Pollan Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Pollock Dr. Judy and Mr. Ronel Poppell Dr. and Mrs. Steven Porter Mrs. Phyllis Portnoy Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Portnoy Mr. Jan Pozin Mr. and Mrs. Marc Preminger Mrs. Anne Presser Mr. Bradley Preuss Mr. and Mrs. Ron Price Ms. Terri Quint Dr. and Mrs. Marco Rand Mrs. Laura Rappaport Mr. and Mrs. Joel Rappoport Mrs. Cornelia Rappoport Dr. Todd Rasner and Dr. Inbal Cohen-Rasner Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Rauchwarger Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Raudt Mr. Melvin Redmond Rein Family

DONORS CONTINUED ON PG. 17

federation news

page 17

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

Community Hospice offers award-winning Pet Peace of Mind program

By Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

In 2014, Community Hospice & Palliative Care joined hospices nationwide in the Pet Peace of Mind program, and it has been making a difference in the lives of volunteers, patients, and their familys ever since.

Pet Peace of Mind is a program that takes place nationally, and the mission of the program is to “enrich the quality of life and well-being of hospice and palliative care patients by providing a national support network to help care for the pets they love.”

This program allows patients to continue to have the bond with their pet even if they are unable to take care of them themselves. People can receive assistance in taking care of their pets or they can sign their pets over to be adopted through this program.

Since Community Hospice joined this program, they have provided 147 services for dogs and cats of their patients. They have adopted out 34 dogs

and 30 cats during this time period.

The national program was recently awarded the 2017 VIC Innovation Award for Nonprofit Innovation from the Veterinary Innovation Council, making them the first nonprofit organization ever to be recognized with this honor.

Jacksonville Pet Peace of Mind Volunteer Coordinator Chris Whitney has seen the positive impact firsthand. “The title says it all – Pet Peace of Mind,” Whitney said. “It’s incredible when I talk to patients or caregivers the amount of relief they have knowing their pet is going to be taken care of. Most of the people in Florida came from somewhere else, so their family is somewhere else. To have the knowledge that somebody is there to take care of their pet is such a relief.”

If you are interested in volunteering with Pet Peace of Mind or adopting one of the pets up for adoption, please contact Chris Whitney at 904-407-5204.

Animals up for adoption:

Top left: Bella Bottom left: Angel Above: Baby

Proposed slate of officers, board members announced by Federation

By Jewish Federation of Jacksonville

In accordance with the bylaws of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, the nominating committee, chaired by past president Sandy Zimmerman, presents to the members of the Jewish community a proposed slate of officers and board members for the fiscal year July 1,

2018, to June 30, 2019. election and installlation will occur at the annual meeting to be held thursday, May 31 at River Garden. Any changes or additions to this list will be noted in the next issue of the Jacksonville Jewish News.

The executive committe will include: Ken Jacobs, president; Iris Kraemer, vice president and campaign chair; vice presidents, Andrew Jaffa, Daniel Miller, Sue

Nussbaum, Allison Jacobs, vice president and women’s division president; Debbie Banks Kitay, women’s campaign chair; Jen Plotkin, treasurer; Kim Glasgal, secretary; Shylie Bannon, rGEN chair; Sandy Zimmerman, immediate past president; Mitchell Levine, presidential appointee.

Board members include: Susan Cohen (River Garden), TBA (Jewish Community Alliance), Stephen Goldman (Jewish

Family & Community Services), Claudia Baker, Susan DuBow, Jeff Edwards, Sue Eaglstein, Dina Fetner, Mark Green, Risa Herman, Jon Israel, Michael Korn, Mark Kraemer, Sue Levine, Richard Margulies, Ben Marsh, Judy Silverman, Jeanine Rogozinski, Emily Rosenbaum, Zachary Schwartz, Rebecca Selevan, Nicole Sena Brown, Haley Trager, Susan Wolchok, Barry Zisser.

Past president/honorary life members include: Scot Ackerman, Larry Appel, Guy Benrubi, Jack Coleman, Ronald Elinoff, Leslie Held, Joan Levin, Gary Perlman, David Robbins, Kenneth Sekine, Leonard Setzer, Steve Silverman, Richard Sisisky, Arnold Vandroff and Elliot Zisser. Rabbis include: Rabbi Yaakov Fisch, Rabbi Elizabeth Bahar, Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner and Rabbi Michael Matuson.

The Jewish Federation of Jacksonville donors continued from pg. 16 Dr. Harry Reinstine Jr Mr. Edward Witlen and Ms. Marie Reitzes Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Resnick Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Resnick Mrs. Barbara Resnick Ms. Sondra Resnikoff Mr. and Ms. Ronald Rettner Ms. Karen Rettner Mrs. Marian Rice Ms. Rachael Rice Dr. Deena Richman and Mr. James Richman Mrs. Ina Richter Mr. and Mrs. Matt Rickoff Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Rideman Mr. and Mrs. William Rifkin Mrs. Toby Ringel Dr. and Mrs. Harris Rittenberg Mr. and Mrs. Skip Roach Mr. and Mrs. David Robbins Mrs. Linda Rodman Mr. Howard Roey Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Rogove Ms. Danielle Rogozinski Dr. and Mrs. Abe Rogozinski Dr. and Mrs. Chaim Rogozinski Mr. and Mrs. Sam Rogozinski Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rohan Mr. Jeff Rood Mr. and Mrs. Don Rosborough Ms. Margaret Rose Mr. William Rose Mr. Paul E. Rosen Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Rosen Ronnie & Jerrold Rosenbaum Family Dr. and Mrs. Elliott Rosenbaum Mr. Jerome Rosenbaum Dr. and Mrs. Sanford Rosenberg Mrs. Joan Rosenberg Mrs. Janet Rosenblatt Mrs. Stacia Rosenblum Rabbi Shira Rosenblum Mr. and Mrs. Martin Rosenfield Mrs. Elaine Rosenthal Mr. and Mrs. Alan Rosner Mr. and Mrs. Steve Ross Dr. Emily and Mr. Erik Rostholder Ms. Hilary Rotenberg Dr. and Mrs. Neal Roth Mrs. Sandi Roth Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell Rothstein Mr. and Mrs. Paul Rothstein Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Rothstein Mr. Simon Rothstein Mr. and Mrs. George Rubens Ms. Nancy Rubenstein

Dr. and Mrs. Devon Rubin Mrs. Arlene Rubin Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Ruby Mrs. Shirley Rudnick Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rudowitz Mr. and Mrs. Leif Rush Mr. Joseph Rutansky Mr. and Mrs. David Saag Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Sachs Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Sachs Mrs. Carol Sack Ms. Daryl Sadowsky Joe P. Safer Endowment Fund Ms. Eleanor Safer Ms. Bess Saliman Dr. and Mrs. David Sall Mr. and Mrs. Neil Sandler Dr. Rachel and Mr. Daniel Sandler Ms. Mitzi Saul Mr. and Mrs. Mark Saye Mr. and Mrs. David Schachnovsky Dr. and Mrs. Michael Scharf Mr. and Mrs. Eric Anderson Dr. and Mrs. Jay Schauben Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Scheer Mr. and Mrs. William Schemer Judge and Mrs. Jack Schemer Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Schemer Mrs. Shirley Schemer Ms. Amy Schemer Mrs. Frances Schemer Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schiller Ms. Ilene Schinasi Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Schlackman Judge and Mrs. Harvey Schlesinger Mr. and Mrs. Michael Schneider Rabbi and Mrs. Avi Schochet Mrs. Laura Schulman Shira and David Schwam-Baird Dr. Renee Scott Mr. and Mrs. Allan Sebotnick Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Seebol Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Sekine Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Selber Selevan Family Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Selevan Mrs. Mimi Selig Dr. and Mrs. Robert Selwitz Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Serkin Mr. Howard Serkin Setzer Family Dr. and Mrs. Barry Setzer Mr. and Mrs. Michael Setzer Mr. and Mrs. Alan Setzer Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shafer Mrs. Arlene Shainbrown Mr. and Mrs. Mark Shainbrown Mr. Barry Shapiro

Mr. and Mrs. Joel Shapiro Mr. and Mrs. Steven Shapiro Dr. and Mrs. Craig Shapiro Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shenkman Mr. and Mrs. Steven Sherman Mr. and Mrs. Richard Shieldhouse Mr. Mike Shields Mr. and Mrs. Josh Shilts Mr. Harry Shmunes Shorstein Family Mr. and Mrs. Harry Shorstein Mr. and Mrs. David Shuman Dr. and Mrs. Michael Shumer Dr. and Mrs. Jules Sidle Mr. and Mrs. Edward Siegel Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Siegel Dr. and Mrs. Arnold Signer Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Silbar Mr. and Mrs. Allen Silberman Mr. and Mrs. Leon Silke Mrs. Cynthia Silverberg Mr. and Mrs. Gary Silverfield Ms. Barbara Berlin and Mr. Robert Silverman Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Silverman Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Simms Mr. Richard Singer Mr. and Mrs. Federick Singer Mrs Carole Sinoff Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sisisky Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Sherman Mr. and Mrs. Adam Skala Mrs. Irene Sloat Mr. Michael Smalline Mr. Michael Smalling Mrs. Joscelyne Smiley Ms. Laurie Smirl Ms. Francine Smith Mr. and Mrs. Avi Smith Ms. Dianna Smith Mr. and Mrs. Eric Smith Mr. and Mrs. Lon Smolensky Drs. Todd and Catherine Snowden Mrs. Phyllis Sohn Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Soilson Mr. and Mrs. Eugolio Soliven Dr. and Mrs. Michael Solloway Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Solomon Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Solomon Mrs. Carole Solomon Mr. and Mrs. David Solomon Mr. and Mrs. David Spencer Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Spill Mrs. Elaine Stack Mr. Rob Armstrong and Ms. Barbara Stafford Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Stark Mrs. Susan Stein

Mrs. Marilyn Stein Mr. and Mrs. David Stein Ms. Ruth Stein Mr. Daniel Stein Mr. and Mrs. Martin Steinberg Ms. Talia Steiner Mr. and Mrs. Murray Stern Ms. Adele Stewart Mr. Richard Margulies and Mrs. Karen Stone Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Stone Mrs. Bernice Stone Mrs. Ann Stone Dr. and Mrs. Richard Stromberg Mr. George Strumlauf Ms. Linda Stuart Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Sugar Dr. and Mrs. Saul Sussman Dr. Millie and Mr. Edward Tannen Dr. Kenneth Tannenbaum and Mrs. Kenneth Tannenbaum Mrs. Marilyn Tanney Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Tavill Mr. and Mrs. Howard Teitelbaum Mr. Larry Teitelman Ms. Marion Tischler Dr. Karen Toker Mr. and Mrs. Marty Trachtenberg Trager Family Mr. and Mrs. Jason Trager Mr. and Mrs. Fred Tromberg Ms. Esfir Tulchinskaya Mrs. Carol Turbow Mr. and Mrs. Izrail Turovskiy Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Ullmann Mr. and Mrs. Sean Valliere Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Van Ms. Ruth VanAlstine Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Vandroff Mr. and Mrs. David Vandroff Mrs. Dot Verstandig Mr. and Mrs. Vladimir Voloshin Mr. and Mrs. Jules Wagman Mrs. Leonore Wagman Mr. and Mrs. David Wagner Mr. and Mrs. Sumner Waitz Mr. and Mrs. Ilan Wajsman Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wallman Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Ware Dr. and Mrs. Steven Warfield Mr. Michael Waskew and Ms. Elsa Mitschele Drs. Paul and Marte Wasserman Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Weihnacht Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Weiner Mr. and Mrs. Frank Weiner Dr. Joseph Weinman Mrs. Renee Weinstein

Mrs. Margie Weinstein Mr. Daniel Weinstock Mr. and Mrs. Dan Weisberg Mrs. Susanne Weisman Mr. and Mrs. Alex Weiss Dr. and Mrs. David Weiss Mr. Mitchell Weiss and Mrs. Gale Cohen-Weiss Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Weiss Dr. and Mrs. Jerome Weitzen Dr. and Mrs. Jeff Weitzner Dr. and Mrs. Gary Weltman Mrs. June Weltman Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Werner Mr. Jeff Wiener Mr. and Mrs. Gary Wilkinson Mrs. Linda Wilkinson Mr. and Mrs. Skip Willbach Mr. and Mrs. Steven Wilson Mrs. Dottie Wilson Ms. Grace Wilson Mrs. Hylda Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Witt Mrs. Jacqueline Witte Ms. Carole Witten Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Witten Ms. Kathy Wohlhuter Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Wolchok Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Wolchok Mr. and Mrs. David Wolf Mr. and Dr. Arnie Wolf Mrs. Carole Wolpin Mr. and Mrs. Howard Wolpoff Mr. and Mrs. Frank Woodard Mrs. Daiva Woodworth Mrs. Marjorie Wyzan Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Wyzan Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Yahre Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Yergin Mr. Leon Yergin and Ms. Caryn Kenny Dr. Harry Yoffee Mr. and Mrs. Donald Young Dr. and Mrs. Larry Young Mr. and Mrs. Dana Zaifert Mrs. Elissa Ziemba Mr. and Mrs. Lev Zilberman Mr. Bradley Zimmerman Dr. and Mrs. Rod Zimmerman Zimmerman Family Mrs. Barbara Zimmerman Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Zisser Mr. Jonathan Zisser Mr. and Mrs. Barry Zisser Mr. Daniel L. Zucker Mr. and Mrs. Paul Zyserman

federation news

page 18

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

Rabbi Matt and Erin Cohen Rabbi Matt and Erin Cohen have been prominent

2018

May Schmaltz

hard boiled eggs and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. This was served as an appetizer on lettuce with sliced radishes, sometimes tomato and cucumber. Not only do I feel the arteries clogging just thinking about these delicacies but I feel weight gain directly on my hips!—Molly Kushner

Continued from pg. 6 My grandmother and mother made hard boiled eggs chopped with diced boiled potatoes and raw diced onions held together with schmaltz or onions fried in schmaltz. The whole house smelled great when the onions were frying in schmaltz. It was delicious served on matzah or plain matzah schmeared with schmaltz was good too. And my favorite anytime of year was chopped chicken livers with onions fried in schmaltz with

My grandfather Sam Shulman owned Kosher bakeries in the Bronx, New York in the 1920-60s and a flour mill upstate NY in the Catskills. His world was about great breads. My grandmother Pauline was as passionate a cook as he was a baker ~ but she maintained a very limited menu for her family of three children (my fa-

assets in the Jacksonville Jewish Community for six years and have made an indelible mark on both The Temple, the Jewish Community and the Jacksonville Community as a whole.

Rabbi Cohen has served The Temple’s congregation as Assistant Rabbi, Associate Rabbi, teacher, musical director, mentor and friend. For the past year, he has single handedly provided the entire spiritual guidance for the congregation. Rabbi has been a community leader, participating in and representing Temple in community discussions and interfaith activities.

His days are long, between classes, B’nai Mitzvah training, community involvement i.e. the passage of The Human Rights

Ordinance, for example, and prep for pulpit and Torah study. Yet, he greets every situation with warmth and a sense of humor.

He was instrumental in taking a group of high school/Confirmation students to Washington a few months ago to learn how to lobby Congress on social justice issues.

He spends time at Camp Coleman each summer and participates in many of Temple’s social and social action activities. Rabbi Cohen is Tikkun Olam personified.

Erin is a very visible rabbi support system around Temple, being present for most services and all activities. She has been an asset to the community and deeply involved with Federation.

Her smile, wit and bubbly presence is always a welcome sight.

Between jockeying jobs and Temple, Erin and Rabbi always

If you would like to nominate someone special for Mensch of the Month, who volunteers both their time and efforts to the Jacksonville Jewish community, simply submit their name, photo and a short write-up about them to jjn@jewishjacksonville. org.

ther Abraham Shulman was their only son). Our visits to Grandma & Grandpa Shulman were centered around eating, not conversation because their Polish/Yiddish background kept them from really learning/speaking/writing English. Children sat at their own tables while the adults continually talked ‘business and money’. So around the tables we gathered ~ always with mounds of delicious breads and ONLY schmaltz. I don’t recall eating ‘bread & butter’ ~ only the schmaltz because the other daily staple for Grandma was Chicken. Grandma Pauline only cooked fresh chickens from her ‘chicken man’ on Lydig Avenue in the Bronx. AND she

made her own delicious Shmaltz ~ perfectly seasoned and utterly, richly, sinfully delicious. Our summer weekends found the family crowding into the Shulman family bungalow in Liberty, New York. Different setting / same menus ~ breads, chicken, homemade gefilte fish, killer matzoh balls and SHMALTZ! We have no recollection of vegetables or fruit at family meals ~ except for her famous ‘huckleberry pies’ from huckleberry bushes behind the bungalow. To this day, I have no idea how to make her shmaltzy delicacy. Or how to butcher a chicken ~ Or how to make gefilte fish from the live pike swimming in her tub. But I know the

texture, aroma and taste of great SHMALTZ. Now the challenge is to find out where I can buy it and share with friends who might appreciate its legacy as much as I crave the taste from my dear Shulman Family.---Leigh Cort

7 ANNUAL JACKSONVILLE

make room for quality time with their son, Ayden. The guitar is his main event these days, following in dad’s footsteps.

Come July 1, Rabbi Matt and Erin will be moving on to Congregation B’nai Israel in Galveston, Texas. We will miss them.

We wish them all the luck and happiness that life has to offer this wonderful family.

My Bubbie used to make some every Friday. I loved the Gribbenez. We used to let the schmaltz cool in the fridge. Then spread it on rye bread with some gribbenez and fried onions. I swear I was in my teens when I realized that schmaltz was not fleichadic butter. I loved it in mashed potatoes.

Still do. I buy schmaltz from a butcher in South Florida. --Ruth Rappaport Ware

th

THE

JEWISH FOOD F E S T I VA L

THE

TEMPLE

Congregation Ahavath Chesed

S UNDAY, M AY 6 t h 11:30

AM

- 2:30

PM

The Temple is proud to host this 7 th Annual community-wide celebration of food, fun and friendship!

Sample brisket, kugel, bagels, falafel and much, much more...

We will have fun, kid-friendly activities so come hungry and bring your family.

General Admission Family Pass

$

$

25

75

(includes 2 adults & children under 16)

Children 3 and under

FREE

Ticket Info Wine Wall

$

18

each or 2 for

50/50 Raffle 1 for

$

5

or 5 for

$

10

30

Bake-Off

20

Unlimited entries per person

$

$

Per Entry

Thank you to our participating donors, vendors & sponsors

The

Well bistro

To Purchase Tickets In Advance Call 904-733-7078 or visit TheTempleJacksonville.org

8727 San Jose Boulevard • Jacksonville, Florida 32217 Ad design and marketing courtesy of The Marko Group. • In-kind services provided by: Larry J. Smith Events and Tallis Photography

page 19

www.jewishjacksonville.org

Jacksonville Jewish News • April 2018

Summer MagazIne The JJN’s Summer MagazIne wIll return for summer 2018. Scheduled to hIt newsstands and maIlboxes In and around Northeast FlorIda on June 15, the specIal double Issue wIll once agaIn cover a wIde varIety of topIcs and replace the June and July newspapers.

A publIcatIon of:

AdvertIsIng optIon

SIze requIrements

PrIce

Full page ad

7.5” w x 10” h

$682

1/2 page ad

7.5” w x 4.9” h

$506

1/4 page ad

3.69” w x 4.9” h

$374

1/8 page ad

3.69” w x 2.4” h

$275

*Please add 1/4 Inch on all sIdes of full-page ads for bleedIng For advertIsIng optIons, please contact: Barbara Nykerk at 904-923-3205 or bnykerk@comcast.net Eta Perras at 904-629-0466 or perraseta@bellsouth.net

Synagogue news

page 20

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

Spring Shabbaton With Rav Gav

BY MARCY RUDOWITZ. Etz Chaim Synagogue

World-renowned Rabbi Gavriel Friedman, a.k.a. Rav Gav, delighted our community for the Etz Chaim Shabbaton weekend on March 23-24, 2018. Originally from New York, Rav Gav has spent the last decade studying and teaching in Jerusalem and is one of the most in-demand speakers on the kiruv circuit. Rav Gav captivated audiences of all ages with his charisma, gift for imitation and hilarious quick one-liners. Underneath the shtick, Rav Gav delivered profound content, navigating the modern minefield of political correctness while captivating the unaffiliated with no-frills learning. From reciting Talmudic singsong to old television theme songs, he kept everyone engaged and entertained — and eager to come back for more. Thank you Debbie and Mel Gottlieb for hosting the Women’s lunch and to all the donors and community members who helped make this event a weekend we will never forget.

Jacksonville Jewish Center to host Shabbat evening interfaith program June 8

By Jacksonville Jewish Center

The Jacksonville Jewish Center is welcoming back members of the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida (ICNF) to join them for a festive Shabbat dinner and study program that coincides with the month of Ramadan, a period of elevated sanctity on the Muslim calendar.

To that end, the Jacksonville Jewish Center will host members of the ICNF and simultaneously serve iftar, the traditional meal eaten by Muslims to end their daily fast during Ramadan.

The program, which will be held on Friday evening, June 8, will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a brief introduction for Muslim participants about the meaning of Shabbat and for Jewish participants about the significance of Ramadan, followed by Kabbalat Shabbat, a study session and dialogue, a Muslim prayer service, and a Shabbat/Iftar dinner.

Last year, the Jacksonville Jewish Center launched this successful interfaith initiative to host those from the Muslim community during the holiday of Shavu’ot.

Similar to last year, members of both congregations will join together in the synagogue’s

kitchen earlier in the day to cook a kosher meal, incorporating recipes from both faith traditions, to serve at that evening’s meal. “Neither Jews nor Muslims believe in a gerrymandered God. We may worship differently, but ours is the same Deity who created all of humanity in the Divine Image,” said Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner, the Center’s Jack F. Shorstein Senior Rabbinic Chair. “By hosting an iftar which also serves as our Shabbat meal, complete with Kiddush and Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals), we serve to underscore that our religious differences need not serve as a barrier to learning from and about one another. In an increasingly polarized world, it is more important than ever to build bridges of understanding between neighbors.”

The Shabbat dinner will be preceded by a study program that will include facilitated learning by the synagogue’s clergy as well as members of the Islamic Center who are fellows of the Muslim Leadership Initiative sponsored by the Shalom Hartman Institute in Israel.

For more information or to RSVP for this special evening, please contact the synagogue office at (904) 292-1000.

2-week Jewish specialty camp: Gan Israel of St. Johns

By Chabad of St. Johns

There are soccer and theater camps, science and ballet camps, but when children connect to their Jewishness while having an awesome time with their friends, they create happy, healthy Jewish memories that will last a lifetime.

For the last 2 summers St. John’s Ultimate Jewish Summer Camp Experience rocked the city with its enriching Jewish program: fantastic day trips, art projects and a spirited staff - plus a bunch of Jewish kids who were begging for camp to go on forever.

Our warm and spirited counselors will fill the Gan Israel days to the brim with exciting trips and activities. Most importantly, they’ll keep everyone on their toes

until they’re happily exhausted at the end of each day.

Before you know it, summer will be here, and the outrageously jam-packed Jewish adventure Gan Israel of St. Johns - is back in town!

Gan Israel will run from June 18 to June 29 and will take place in St. Johns County.

From Rebounderz to Adventure Landing… from Bubble Magic to Crazy Hair Day to the Jewish Hero Fashion Show… it’s bound to be another unforgettable experience.

Get ready to laugh your heads off and make lots of new Jewish friends. We can’t wait to see you at camp! *To register visit JewishSJohnsCounty.com/GanIsrael

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or call 904.394.5706 for a free 15-minute phone consultation.

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We’ll also come to YOU with in-home counseling services.

synagogue news

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

page 21

Confirmation at the Jacksonville Jewish Center A capstone to the Jewish High School experience

By Jacksonville Jewish Center

The Jacksonville Jewish Center will celebrate the Confirmation of its 2018 Siyyum class on May 20 at Shavu’ot morning services beginning at 9 a.m.

Siyyum, which means “conclusion” or “graduation” in Hebrew, is the name of the Jacksonville Jewish Center’s 12th grade program. Culminating in Confirmation, Siyyum is a part of the synagogue’s Setzer Youth Education program, and serves as the capstone to secondary school education at the Center’s Galinsky Academy.

Throughout the senior year, students partnered with a friendship family coordinated by Jewish Family & Community Services, which provides quality social and community services across the life spectrum to enhance the lives of children, adults, seniors and families coping with challenges that arise throughout the lifecycle. These services are available to all residents of First Coast Community. Through study and dialogue with program director Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner, Siyyum participants explore biblical and rabbinic texts relevant to the challenges those with hardship face.

This year’s class partnered with a family comprised of a single mom in early 30s with a number of health issues who still manages to work full-time, and her three sons aged 16, 12 and 11, and one daughter aged 19.

In addition to working with a friendship family, members of the Confirmation class received full scholarships to attend AIPAC’s Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. Through the generosity of Charles, Elyne, Seeman, Nancy, Morrie and Chase Zimmerman, confirmands traveled to Washington at no expense to them to learn about the challenges facing pro-Israel students on college campuses, lobby congressional representatives on important Israel-related issues, and enjoy the sights of our nation’s capital.

At the Confirmation ceremony on May 20, students will participate in the morning’s worship and share their thoughts about their experiences in the Siyyum program and how it has impacted their Jewish identity. This year’s confirmands include Jacob Abraham, Shira DuBow, Josh Feig, Allie Israel, Ellis Levine, Sabrina Mail, Max Mizrahi, Montgomery Phillips, Reesa Zaifert, and Abby Zilberman. All are invited to attend and partake of a Shavu’ot Kiddush luncheon afterwards in honor of this year’s graduates.

Temple to host Anti-Semitism talk

By The Temple

Richard L. Cravatts, PhD, President Emeritus of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East (SPME) will speak at Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) on Tuesday, May 22 beginning at 7 pm. Dr. Cravatts will address “The Worsening Situation on American Campuses Infected with Anti-Israel Radicalism and AntiSemitism.”

“On college campuses, where virulent pro-Palestinian activists have discovered that it is perfectly acceptable to demonize Israel and seek to delegitimize the Jewish state, it is no wonder that Jewish students and pro-Israel speakers are regularly intimidated, harassed, and threatened with verbal and physical assaults as part of the virulent BDS (boycotts, divestment, and sanctions) campaign.

Whole departments of Middle East studies, funded by millions of dollars of Gulf State oil wealth, have also been hijacked by ideologues who politicize scholarship to tarnish Israel and the U.S., and campuses are plagued with radical anti-Israel activism that regularly morphs into raw anti-Semitism, creating a hostile environment for Jewish students and other Israel supporters,” reports Dr. Cravatts.

• A Brandeis Center for Human Rights under the Law Anti-Semitism Report revealed that “more than half of 1,157 self-identified Jewish students at 55 campuses nationwide who took part in an

online survey reported having experienced or witnessed antiSemitism on their Dr. Richard Cravatts campuses . . . .”

• Anti-Semitism on campus increased 40% and genocidal expression doubled in 2016, according to an AMCHA Initiative study that examined anti-Semitism at more than 100 public and private colleges and universities with the largest Jewish undergraduate populations.

• A survey of 113 US campuses has shown that anti-Zionist activity is highly correlated with anti-Semitic targeting of Jewish students.

Dr. Cravatts’s timely speech will offer some concrete solutions to help bring North American campuses back to a balanced and level-headed discussion about Israel and the Middle East.

The Temple is proud to present this learning opportunity and encourages the entire community, particularly college students and their families, to attend. Dr. Cravatt’s presentation is made possible by the generous support provided through the Dr. Larry and Kathy Kanter Fund for Jewish Preservation. Refreshmants will be served.

PARTNERSHIP2GETHER PHYSICIANS’ DELEGATION EXCHANGE The Jewish Federation of Jacksonville through our Partnership2Gether Physicians’ Delegation Exchange has reserved spaces on a unique and specialized weeklong trip for medical doctors.

January 20-26, 2019

Trip Includes: • All meals and hotel accommodations including two nights of home hospitality.

• Tours of Hillel-Yaffe Hospital, Hadassah Medical Center, Western Galilee Hospital, and other innovative medical facilities.

Program includes touring, Shabbat in Jerusalem and social and professional time with physicians in our region.

Cost $950 for all land costs for one week.

Airfare purchased on your own.

For more information or to reserve your space, contact: Jill Abel, Israel Partnership Director at jilla@jewishjacksonville.org or 904-224-1445

synagogue news

page 22

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

Never again: The community remembers Congregation Ahavath Chesed hosts Yom Hashoah program

By The Temple

Morris Bendit is a first generation Holocaust survivor. He accepts every invitation he receives to speak to school groups about the Holocaust.

“Silence creates the void in which evil can thrive, therefore, I must speak,” he explained at the Community-Wide Yom Hashoah Commemoration held at Congregation Ahvath Chesed (The Temple) on Sunday, April 8.

Mr. Bendit participated in Zichron BaSalon (memories in the living room) an intimate conversation among him, Manya Osher, a second-generation survivor, Dana Rogozinski, a third generation survivor and led by Rabbi Matt Cohen, Associate Rabbi at The Temple.

Mr. Bendit said “millions have no one who can tell their stories; no one who remembers them; no one who can light a candle in their memory.”

That realization was the inspiration for a Holocaust art piece which stood on the pulpit.

The base of the installation is a series of photographs: train cars, piles luggage, some bearing names and some without names and piles of shoes. The centerpiece is a quote saying, “God is their heritage. May they rest in the Garden of Eden.”

Atop the installation are six yellow light bulbs in memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis.

Mr. Bendit designed the two panel granite installation at the Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery at JFCS. The etched mural depicts a map and other information about the human and geographic scope of the genocide.

The artist was insistent that the piece be crafted in stone, so it would last “forever.” While there are several Holocaust museums throughout Florida, the Memorial Gallery is the only Holocaust memorial between

Miami and Atlanta.

Rabbi Cohen concluded the conversation by saying “We do not define ourselves by our tragedies but rather by the strength of our survival and the

purpose of our lives today as Jews.” Mr. Bendit responded, “Living the past is not healthy. Remembering the past is essential.”

Temple to celebrate 2018 Confirmation class on May 20

By The Temple

On Sunday, May 20 at 10:30 am, The Temple family will celebrate Shavuot and ten 10th graders will confirm their commitment to live their lives as Jews.

The 2018 Confirmation class is:

Trinity Byrd, daughter of Jonathan and Nicole Young Emilia Dahlman, daughter of Adam Dahlman and Sally D’Marie Joshua Jacobs, son of Ken and Allison Lindsey Kight, daughter of David and Katie Josie Neuman, daughter of

Lon and Jenn Jillian Penson, daughter of Mark and Michelle Camille Perrin, daughter of Andi Logan Ellis Sims, son of Mike and Dea Andrew Williamson, son of Wayne and Sheri Andrew Wright, son of Lisa

“When these students celebrated their B’nai Mitzvah, they demonstrated their ability to lead the congregation in worship, to read Torah and to teach the lesson from the parsha. Each of the students engaged in acts of tikkun olam,” explained Michelle

Penson, TIR Director. “Now they will stand in front of the congregation and declare their commitment to living their lives as Jews. We are very proud of each of them, their thoughtfulness and their pride in our Jewish traditions and history.”

Chabad at the Beaches to celebrate 15 years at Annual Gala event Featuring musical selections from around the world with Opera Tenor & Cantor David Babinet

By Chabad at the Beaches

A capacity crowd is expected at the One Ocean Resort in Atlantic Beach. On Sunday, June 3, at 4:30 p.m., Chabad at the Beaches will be celebrating its fifteenth year of commitment to Jewish life in the Ponte Vedra and Jacksonville Beaches communities with its annual Gala Dinner and Celebration.

Opera Tenor/Cantor David Babinet will entertain the crowd.

This year’s honorees are Mr. & Mrs Robert and Carolyn Hirsch, as well as, 14-year-old community stars Noam Bensimon & Avi Kurinsky. Our honorees have made great contributions to the broader community as well as locally through sweat, spirit and inspiration. As we honor our longtime colleagues, friends and supporters, we also take time to reflect on another year of spiritual and material growth. (See honoree bios below press release.)

The evening will feature a delectable four-course lavish gala dinner replete with first class entertainment.

Dovid Babinet an accomplished baritone and synagogue cantor will delight us with a mix of opera, Broadway and cantorial selections. He will take us on a musical journey to Morocco as well as the many places Jews in Morocco have immigrated to.

The Gala is timed to coincide with the yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing of) our beloved friend Mr. Aaron Scharf. Mr Scharf and his wife Blanche of blessed memory are our center’s namesakes.

The dinner will highlight the vast educational and social work of Chabad around the world and Chabad at the Beaches in particular; all of which is testimony to the vision, passion, and leadership of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

In Florida alone, there are 250 Chabad institutions, 7 of which are in the Jacksonville area. This year

15,000 children attended Chabad’s 18 schools, 51 preschools, 85 Hebrew Schools, and 29 summer camps in Florida.

The event will be held at One Ocean Resort and Spa in Atlantic Beach, 1 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 on Sunday, June 3 at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $175 per person or $150 for tickets prepaid

by May 20.

For sponsorship opportunities, program journal ads and dedications or to RSVP please contact Chabad @ the Beaches via email: Dinner@ChabadBeaches.com or 904.543.9301 or go to JewishDinner.com.

WHEN: Sun., June. 3, 2018, 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: One Ocean 1 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 More Information: (904) 5439301 COST: $175 per person or $150 for tickets prepaid by May 20

Authentic Greek Food

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Closed Sun. Phone: 904-503-3008 Website: athenianowljaxfl.com

jewish community alliance

page 23

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

JCA leaders honored by JCC Association of North America

By Jewish Community Alliance

Jewish Community Alliance board members Rochelle Stoddard and Sunny Gettinger will be honored with the Esther Leah Ritz Next Generation JCC Leadership Award from the JCC Association of North America.

“We are so honored that Rochelle and Sunny are recipients of this prestigious national award. We are grateful for their amazing contribution to the J,” said JCA Executive Director Myron Flagler.

This prestigious award recognizes future leaders of Jewish community center boards and provides a training program to enhance the skills needed for

them to assume top leadership roles.

The training program will begin at Sunny Gettinger the JCC Association Biennial conference in Memphis, Tenn. from May 6-8.

Past recipients of this award have gone on to serve as president of the JCA, including the JCA’s most recent past presidents, Allison Korman Shelton, Adam Frisch and Jan Lipsky.

Stoddard and Gettinger are

honored to be among this group of Jacksonville leaders.

“I appreciRochelle Stoddard ate the honor and that I am able to serve our JCA community while carrying the torch for my family,” said Stoddard of receiving the award. She is a third generation JCA Board member and secondgeneration treasurer, a position she currently holds. She is also the third-generation president/

owner of Berman Bros., Inc. Her family also sponsors the annual JCA Young Concert Artists Series, which brings young musical talent to Jacksonville for events that are free and open to the community.

Sunny Gettinger is JCA Board assistant secretary/treasurer, past chair of Riverside Avondale Preservation and on the board of Duval Early Learning Coalition. She was chair of JCA’s 2016 Jacksonville Jewish Film Festival. Gettinger handles communications for Google Fiber in the southeast.

“I’m honored to receive the JCC Association’s Esther Leah Ritz Next Generation Award,” Gettinger said. “The JCA plays

a vital role in our community, providing a place for us to come together and celebrate our culture and differences and those essential things we share too. And it’s so much more than that - with an incredible early learning center, top notch fitness facility, sports leagues, and cultural programming year-round.

I look forward to attending the Institute next month and learning how I can grow as a servant leader in this organization.”

JCC Association is the umbrella organization for the Jewish Community Center Movement, which includes more than 350 JCCs, YM-YWHAs and camp sites in the U.S. and Canada.

JCA 2018 Family Fun Day & Cardboard Boat Regatta

By Jewish Community Alliance

Summer is almost here and that means more outdoor aquatics fun at the Jewish Community Alliance.

Every year, the JCA celebrates Memorial Day with the opening of the Howard and Joy Korman outdoor pool and a fun cardboard boat regatta. On Monday, May 28, JCA members can join this Family Fun Day from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

This event features fun at the JCA with games, music and food. Regatta competitors put together their best and most creative cardboard boat designs for a chance to win top prize in the race. This afternoon is a great opportunity for JCA valued members to get to know each other and have fun with other families.

For race rules and information on entering your boat in the race, contact Aquatics Manager Josie Marten at 730-2100 ext. 240.

Send a kid to JCA Summer Camp for a memorable summer experience

By Jewish Community Alliance

JCA Summer Camp strives to give every child a summer experience filled with fun and excitement. Each year, a significant number of families need financial assistance to attend the wonderful programming JCA Summer Camps offer. The JCA Send a Kid to Camp campaign helps deserving youth have a great camp season through the generosity of others.

Children at JCA Summer Camp spend their days physically active and engaged. They gain resiliency through encouragement and a nurturing environment. They also experience success and build con-

fidence through non-competitive activities. JCA Summer Camp gives children the opportunity to unplug from technology and grow more independent by rediscovering their creative powers and engaging in the real world. Children develop self-identity and expand their abilities while learning social skills and making friends in a close-knit community.

You can make a difference by sending a kid to JCA Camp!

Your support allows the JCA to continue this proud tradition of assisting those in need. To make a gift, please contact Lior Spring at 730-2100 ext. 318 or lior.spring@ jcajax.org or go to jcajax.org/ donate.

Jewish Community Alliance HAPPENINGS May 2018/Sh’vat Adar 5778

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 the Art Guild of Orange Park will be featured from May 3 to 30. The reception for this exhibit is on May 6 from 1-3 p.m.

Sunday Film Series

See Cloak and Dagger (1946) starring Gary Cooper and Lilli Palmer in this WWII drama on May 13 at 2 p.m. This is free to the

community.

Family Shabbat Dinner

Join other JCA Families for a festive Shabbat celebration and dinner with PJ Library on Friday, May 11 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The family fee is $10 and JCA valued member families are $10. Registration is required by May 8.

Middle School Movies

Join us at Tinseltown on Southside on Saturday, May 5 from 7-10 p.m. The fee is $30 and $20 for JCA valued members; includes ticket and snack box.

Elementary School Excursions

Enjoy a special Mother’s Day project on Sunday, May 6 from 1-4 p.m. The fee is $30 and $20 for JCA valued members.

Advance Basketball Clinic

This JCA basketball clinic from May 8 to June 12 is for intermediate to advanced players. The fee is $90 and $60 for JCA valued members.

infant CPR and first aid certified on Thursday, May 31 from 4:309:30 p.m. The fee is $98 and $65 for JCA valued members.

Makos Summer Swim Team

Splash into another great summer on this swim team for ages 5-18. Contact Josie at ext. 240 for information.

Red Cross CPR Certification

Get community adult, child and

JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE 2017 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $186,590

Private and Group Swim Lessons

JCA Aquatics offers private swim lessons for children and adults.

For information, contact Josie at ext. 240.

Private and Group Tennis Lessons

JCA Tennis has ongoing clinics for youth and adults. For information, contact Reggie at ext. 317.

Jewish family & community services briefs Local Holocaust Survivor is

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

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 904-394-5724.

“Born to Remember”

Survivor receives support through 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 for more information at 904-394-5724.

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.

Jewish Healing Network

Become a Jewish Healing Network Volunteer at JFCS and help us fulfill the mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim. We need volunteers 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 at 904394-5723.

Claire Soria (far right in top photo) with her kindergarten class in Brussels, Belgium.

Photo by Kristen DeSmidt

By Jennifer Leggett

Local Holocaust survivor Claire Soria’s sewing basket is filled with memories. Gifted by her father when she was just 6 years old, the wicker basket contains photos of her mother, father and large extended family.

The photos are the only things she has left to remember them by.

Soria was one of only three people in her family to survive the Holocaust; 54 of her family members perished in Auschwitz.

While her mementos may be few, the 83-year old is committed to sharing her experiences with the next generation. Soria, who is one of 69 local Holocaust survivors receiving support through Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS), feels she

survived to tell her story.

She had a pleasant childhood growing up in Brussels, Belgium, until the Germans invaded in 1940.

After they took over, her family was forced to wear the yellow stars, and she was no longer allowed to attend school because she was Jewish.

As the dangers grew, her mother placed Soria with an older Christian couple who risked their lives to hide her from the Nazis. Soria stayed with them for the remainder of the war and posed as their granddaughter. In the meantime, her parents and most of her family perished.

Soria lived in fear every day that the Germans would find her. When the Gestapo once tried to enter the house where she was hiding, the woman she

See JFCS, p. 26

Staff Spotlight: Jackie Lott Do you ever wonder who answers the phone when you call Jewish Family & Community Services? Who that pleasant and welcoming voice is on the other end? Her name is Jackie Lott, our receptionist and Office Administrator. She has been employed by JFCS for 13 years and knows everything there is to know about all the services we provide. She always remembers client names and makes them feel comfortable in what can be a trying experience for them.

We asked her some questions so readers can love her as much as we do here at JFCS. What three traits would you use to define yourself?

JL: Dependable, kind and honest.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

JL: I could not live without my comfortable and amazing bed!

What is the one thing you cannot resist?

JL: I absolutely cannot resist my 6-year old grandson. Every time he asks me for something, I melt and have to give it to him.

What is your greatest fear?

JL: My greatest fear is that I

won’t live my best and most fulfilling life.

Where is the Jackie Lott best place you’ve traveled to and why?

JL: If you would have asked me that in a few months, I probably would have said Cozumel – I have a trip planned, but since I haven’t been there yet, I have to say Washington, D.C. There is something about the hustle and bustle and it being a place of history that makes the atmosphere very unique.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

JL: I have always wanted to learn how to do sign language.

What are 3 words you’d use to describe JFCS? JL: Helpful, beneficial and caring.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

JL: The first thing I would do is call a lawyer!

When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass

the time?

JL: I sleep…I can never get enough of that!

What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?

JL: Walking. I love to walk and could walk for hours upon hours.

What is your favorite thing about working at JFCS? JL: There’s so much I could say, but probably my favorite thing of all is being a part of an agency that actually helps the people who need help.

What chore do you absolutely hate doing?

JL: Wow…I hate cleaning baseboards…I will do anything to not do that.

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?

JL: I would want to meet George Washington. He was so interesting and I would love to see and hear about how he lived.

If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

JL: Oh, pizza. Definitely pizza! I love pizza!

JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES 2017 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $265,600

page 24

JFCS Board Focus: Kimberly Sisisky Kimberly Sisisky was born and raised in Reading, Pennsylvania.

She obtained her degree from Endicott College in Beverly, MA. After college, Kimberly married Kimberly Sisisky Richard Sisisky and moved to Richmond and then Petersburg, Virginia where they lived for 10 years before moving to Jacksonville.

Prior to her move to Jacksonville, Kimberly was President of Sisterhood and Hadassah in Petersburg, a founding member of Petersburg Symphony Guild and the Southside Virginia Chapter American Needlepoint Guild. Since the move, Kimberly has served on several boards, including the Jacksonville University Fine Arts Council, Jacksonville Symphony Guild, Endicott College Alumni Council and Endicott College Advisory Board, and the Women’s Health Advisory Council at Baptist Health. Additionally, her support of the Jacksonville Jewish community has been outstanding. She spent nine years on the Jewish Community Alliance board, is currently on the Jewish Family & Community Services board, participated in the River Garden Gala and JCA Gala Committees, currently serves on the Federation Allocations Committee and co-chaired the very successful JFCS Centennial Celebration - 100 Years of Service - with Mary Edwards.

In 2016, Kimberly was presented with the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland award at the International Lion of Judah Conference. The KipnisWilson/Friedland award celebrates women with the highest ideals of leadership and involvement in their communities and Kimberly certainly embodies this standard.

Kimberly and Richard have been married for almost 40 years. They have two children, Blair (Zachary) and Kendall (Sean), and two granddaughters. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, volunteering and needlepointing. JFCS is so thankful for Kimberly’s commitment to our cause. She is a truly amazing woman!

Heroes Among Us – thank you all A huge thanks to everyone that supported Jewish Family & Community Services 101st year celebration with the Heroes Among Us – Looking Forward to the Future event, which was held on April 26 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. It was a fun and moving evening with guest speakers highlighting the programs that have helped them and honoring the JFCS Faces of the Future. Look for highlights from the event in the JJN Summer Magazine and on our Facebook page at facebook.com/ jfcsjax/.

river garden senior services

page 25

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

CELEBRATING 72 YEARS WITH ANNIVERSARY DAY FESTIVITIES

By SKIP WILLBACH, Director of Marketing and Communications

904-260-1818

www.rivergarden.org

11401 Old St. Augustine Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32258

Briefs Caring for a loved one with a memory disorder?

We invite you to attend a

Monthly Caregivers Support Group

2nd Wednesday of each month 3:30-4:30 PM in the Frisch Family Pavilion.

Confidential, free of charge and open to all.

For more information, contact Dr. Sue Krall, PhD, ARNP 904-886-8421 or skrall@rivergarden.org

YOU are the Best Gift!

If there was a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon, we have yet to hear of it. More than 500 members of the community filled the River Garden campus in celebration of the agency’s 72nd Anniversary Day and Annual Meeting.

After about 4 minutes of light rain just before the start of the event, the rest of the day was best summed up by fun, laughter and lots of activity. Festivities included a barbeque, pony rides, face painting and clowns, balloon artistry, games, and a bounce house.

Splendid background music was provided by a very talented trio of students from the UNF Jazz program; grill masters Art Sherman, Marc Raitt and Charlie Raitt cooked up hot dogs, hamburgers and delicious chicken sandwiches; wonderful desserts were prepared and served by River Garden Auxiliary, headed by Sharon Smith and Carla Bernard.

Many also attended the annual meeting of River Garden Senior Services, in the

Cohen Auditorium, where River Garden installed new board leadership and trustees.

After five outstanding years as President of The Coves at River Garden board, Lois Schlesinger passed the honor to Dennis Lafer, who served as Vice President.

Continuing as Presidents of their boards: Gloria Einstein, Senior Services board; Susan Cohen, Hebrew Home board; Jeanine Rogozinski, Foundation board; Sheldon Gendzier, Albert Z. Fleet Geriatric Training Center board. Newly installed board trustees include Colman Brodsky, Randy Kammer, Rachel Monteiro and Erik Rostholder to the Foundation board, and Nathan Goldman to the Hebrew Home board.

Gloria Einstein, Senior Services board President, and Susan Cohen, Hebrew Home board President, honored Sheldon Gendzier, naming him Lifetime Honorary Trustee as he celebrates 60 consecutive years of board and leadership service to River Garden.

Nan Rothstein, Home Board member, chaired the event, and was outstanding in coordinating the activities of the day and hosting the annual meeting. When asked what River Garden means to her, Nan said, “To me, River Garden is one of the most beautiful places on earth because it is a true home filled with lovingkindness and compassionate, dignified care, and our mission is sincerely held by every administrator, staff member, and volunteer.” Reflecting on River Garden’s longstanding role in our community, Rothstein said, “We are proud beyond measure of the Northeast Florida community and grateful for the love that has nourished our home for generations.”

The day concluded with River Garden Auxiliary’s popular and much-anticipated annual Tombola drawing, when a lucky member of the community walked away with a $2,500 grand prize (and some new “best friends”!)

Acts of kindness are what build the world.

Our campus is home to devoted and caring volunteers.

From teens to those who are young at heart, we invite you to become a part of our volunteer team.

Create your own convenient schedule… we guarantee your personal fulfillment!

Contact Leslie Held at 904-886-8429 or lheld@rivergarden.org

Remember River Garden when honoring or memorializing your loved ones

Chair of the day Nan Rothstein addresses a packed Cohen Auditorium during the annual meeting of River Garden Senior Services

Left: Everyone loves balloon artists and their creations

Donating to River Garden is an uncomplicated, feel-good activity. Here are several ways we’ve made it easy for you…

Simply go online: www.rivergarden.org/donate Or mail to: Development Department River Garden Hebrew Home 11401 Old St. Augustine Rd. Jacksonville, Florida 32258 Or call: 904-886-8432 From Generation to Generation…

L’Dor V’Dor Remember River Garden and the entire Jewish Community in your will.

Right, L to R: Paul Rothstein and Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum visit with our BBQ chefs Art Sherman, Marc Raitt and Charlie Raitt (photo: Larry Tallis)

Left: Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum and family take full advantage of balloon art, face painting and some delicious BBQ

Right, L to R: Jeanine Rogozinski and Andrea Mail mug for the camera as they enjoy a little comeraderie (photo: Larry Tallis)

- Please Note -

As an integral part of the River Garden community, you have priority access to our care system when our programs can best meet your needs

Left, L to R: Marsha and Ron Pollock visit with Don and Maxine Romo (photo: Larry Tallis)

River Garden Senior Services

Admissions...........904-886-8420 Adult Day Care ........... 288-7858 Donations .................... 886-8432 Foundation .................. 886-8430 Home Health Care....... 288-7851 Rehab / Therapy .......... 886-8454 The Coves ................... 292-2683 Volunteers.................... 886-8429 CEO Marty Goetz ....... 260-1818

Right: Students from the UNF Jazz program provide some great background music for all to enjoy

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK! Simply search for RiverGardenSeniorServices. We invite you to “like” our page, share our content with family and friends, and

be part of our online community! Our Facebook page is a forum to keep you up-to-date on services and events on our active campus and in the surrounding community.

RIVER GARDEN SENIOR SERVICES 2017 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $175,160

lifecycles B’nai Mitzvah

Daniel Marmelstein, son of Adam and Erin Marmelstein will be called to the Torah on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah on April 21, 2018 at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Daniel is in the 7th grade at James Weldon Johnson Middle School. Daniel plays baseball and enjoys travelling with his family. Proud grandparents are Joel and Marla Marmelstein, William Neill and the late Judith Neill.

Weddings Nicole Miller and Fred Marks were married on Sunday, March 11, 2018 in St. Augustine. Nicole is the daughter of Marc and Kim Miller of Jacksonville and granddaughter of Jerry and Sylvia Miller of Stoughton, Massachusetts. Fred is the son of Jeff and Penny Marks and the grandson of Lee Marks and the late Dr. Bernard Marks, all of Jacksonville. Nicole and Fred live in Jacksonville also.

Sympathies

…Jules Wagman, beloved husband of Lee, father of David (Susan) Wagman, Matthew Silverman, Sally Ann (Miles) Ross, grandfather of 10 and great grandfather of 5, passed into his eternal rest on April 13. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 22 at 11:00 am at The Temple. Meal of consolation to follow. The family requests that contributions in memory of Jules be made to Temple’s Wurn Family Library or River Garden. All of us at Congregation Ahavath Chesed join in offering the family members our sincere condolences. Hamakom yenachem Otam B’Toch Sha’ar Aveilei Tziyon Viyrushalayim. May God comfort them among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Mazel Tov

Aramie Brooks-Salzman and Zachary Asher Morris are engaged to be married in October in upstate New York. Aramie is the daughter of Lori Brooks and Robert Salzman of Manhattan and the granddaughter of Judy and Arthur Brooks of Hudson, New York. Zach is the son of Robin and Jeffery Morris and the grandson of Bess and the late Floyd Saliman and of Sonya and the late Byron Morris. Aramie graduated from the University of Vermont and received a Masters in Social Work from Smith College. She is a school social worker in Coney Island. Zach graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and received a Masters from Oxford and a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.

He is currently an assistant professor in Social Welfare at Stony Brook University in New York.

Congratulations to Travis Melamed on graduating from the International Baccalaureate program at Stanton College Preparatory High School.

Travis will be spending a gap year in Israel studying at Yeshivat Aish Hatorah in the Old City of Jerusalem before entering the University of Central Florida in the Fall of 2019.

Travis will combine his love of football and business while studying at college. Additionally, Travis enjoys Cuong Nhu (Vietnamese Karate) for over ten years, a certified scuba diver and being outdoors hiking, camping and canoeing with his family.

To submit an item for lifecycles, please email it to jjn@ jewishjacksonville.org. Due date is the 6th of the month.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

JFCS Continued from pg. 24 lived with pretended she couldn’t open the door. Although the officers threatened to return, they never did.

Even during these dark times, Soria was able to find light through music. The couple she stayed with taught her to play piano, and when she left, she promised she would continue.

After the war ended, at the age of 13, Soria moved to the United States to live with family. She has been here ever since. Now a Palm Coast resident, Soria’s lifelong passion for music inspired her to become a piano teacher.

In addition to teaching students to play, she is equally passionate about sharing her story of survival with the next generation so the atrocities that happened during the war will never happen again and she regularly finds opportunities to speak about her experiences.

“I was born to remember,” Soria said. “We can only prevent this from happening again by talking about it.”

She is especially happy to share her story with her own grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She used to struggle with self-esteem issues regarding being Jewish, but she said her grandchildren now represent a new era and education is key.

“Being a Holocaust survivor used to be something you could never talk about, and I grew up

March Continued from pg. 4 Shabbat services were led by teens with special musical guests Rabbi Joe Black, Noah Aronson, Allan Goodis and Dan Nichols.

On Saturday morning the group gathered at Washington’s Marriott Marquis. After opening remarks from Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz, Shabbat morning worship was led by NFTY teens. Posters were mass-produced by the Religious Action Center and Washington Hebrew Congregation for the event with sayings such as: We Stand against Gun Violence and Do not stand idly by while your neighbor’s blood is shed.

Leviticus 19:16 and Do Justice.

Love Mercy. March Proudly. The Temple teens made a number of signs at a pre-trip event attended by teens from the Jacksonville Jewish Center and Beth El the Beaches, all of which they carried on Pennsylvania Avenue.

The group was amazed by the Dr. Michelle DeDeo, wife of Bradford Lefkowitz and mother of Noah DeDeo and Ethan Lefkowitz, was recently announced as the recipient of one of UNF’s 2017-2018 Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Awards.

Only 10 faculty are chosen each year out of more than 500 for excellence in teaching. The award will be presented at UNF’s Fall Convocation in August near her 20th anniversary of teaching mathematics at UNF. She is currently a member of the Temple where she is an Assistant Scoutmaster for BSA Troop 12.

Claire Soria at JFCS’ Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery in Jacksonville Photo by Kristen DeSmidt

being ashamed of who I was,” Soria said. “With my grandchildren, they feel pride about their heritage. It’s such a beautiful thing to see.”

Although Soria has built a family of her own, one of the biggest challenges she’s faced in recent years is a lack of aging “models” – a common issue for Holocaust survivors. Many of them don’t know what to expect in terms of aging because they’re families were killed when they were young. Without someone to model their behavior on, it can be harder to navigate the challenges of old age.

However, Soria has been able

to get the support she needs in her older years through JFCS, which provides support and compassionate care for aging Holocaust survivors.

Soria receives case management services through the century-old nonprofit, including Kosher meals and a fresh fruit and vegetable food box that is delivered through JFCS’ Meals 4 You program, as well as transportation services and participation in Café Europa social activities programs that allow her to connect with other survivor families.

Soria said she is thankful for the support and that she can continue telling others about her

experiences. Her sewing basket of old photos now has new memories added to it – of articles and books that outline the family’s story she continues to share.

“People risked their lives for me, and what they did allowed me to be here today,” Soria said. “I am still alive so that I can remember their stories and help share them with the next generation.”

(Footnote) This feature is part of the Holocaust Survivor Series, which highlights the story a local Survivor each month. The series is presented by Jewish Family & Community Services. To learn more about the nonprofit, visit JFCSJax.org.

sheer number of people attending the event. The teens stood in front of a large screen to watch the three hours of speeches, prayer, song and promises. The spirit throughout the whole weekend was power to youth. Many speakers applauded the youth leadership in

this movement. ”For the first time, I felt like I was really making a difference. I felt like my presence in the march was making an imprint.

I felt inspired and exhilarated,” said Emilia Dahlman, a tenth grade student at Fleming Island High School.

“We were all moved by the experience,” remembers Penson.

“At one point I looked up at the building behind the large screen and realized we were standing in front of the Archives of the United States of America and we were making history.”

adult education May 2018 - Sh’vat / Adar 5778

To include your adult education event in this listing please email 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

May 1

Jewish Community Alliance (7-8:30 p.m.)

WALKING THE STREETS OF JERUSALEM – Join us for an exciting walk through the streets of Jerusalem with former resident Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum and shlicha Shelly Shalev to discover what makes this holy city so special. Advance registration appreciated. This is free to the community.

May 3

Jewish Community Alliance (6:30-8 p.m.)

INFLAMMAGING: INFLAMMATION AND AGING – Join Trisha Howell, founding dietician of Cleveland Clinic Functional Medicine Center, and learn how to prevent and mitigate the effects of inflammation as we age. Advance registration appreciated. The fee is $5; JCA valued members are free.

May 6

Jewish Community Alliance (11 a.m.)

SWEET PETE’S CANDY CLASS TOUR AND LUNCH – Meet us for a private class and learn how to pull, cut and wrap old-fashioned taffy. We’ll also take a tour of the facilities and dine at the delicious Candy Apple Café. Registration is required by April 25.

The fee is $33 and $22 for JCA valued members. Lunch is Dutch treat.

Jacksonville Jewish Center (12:30 p.m.)

YIDDISH “CLUB” — Our monthly meeting will be held in the JJC Kramer Library at 12:30. 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!

Open to all. ***We are considering meeting on another day/ time to work more intensively on Yiddish Conversation.

Please contact Lois Tompkins if you are interested in this new group! Please note that this will not interfere with our

regular, monthly Yiddish Club meetings. Contact Lois Tompkins 904-292-1000 ext. 146 or ltompkins@jaxjewishcenter.org for questions on dates or more Adult Education opportunities.

through some of the most important healthy habits we can have today to support a healthy life tomorrow. Registration appreciated. This is free to the community.

May 8

May 24

Jewish Community Alliance (2 p.m.)

RIGHTSIZING – Learn to plan ahead with guest speaker Marshall Gallop, a certified reverse mortgage professional who created a program to teach Baby Boomers how to improve their monthly cash flow and reduce bills. Registration is required by May 4. The fee is $5; JCA valued members are free.

Regular Events Mondays

May 14

Jacksonville Jewish Center (7 p.m.)

TALMUD CLASS (NOTE): Rabbi Lubliner explores communal responses to crisis in tractate Ta’anit. Open to all!

May 7, 14, 21

Jewish Community Alliance (7-8:30 p.m.)

ISRAEL AT 70 WITH AUTHOR YOSSI KLEIN HALEVI – In partnership with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee(AIPAC) and the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville the JCA presents an evening of insight and inspiration with community shlicha Shelly Shalev. Registration is required

by May 13. This is free to the community.

May 15

Jacksonville Jewish Center (7:30 p.m.)

CENTER BOOK CLUB — Our next meeting is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, in conjunction with RE:MIND, the Mental Health Initiative. The book this month is Furiously Happy

by Jenny Lawson.

May 19

Jacksonville Jewish Center (8-9 a.m.)

COFFEE & TORAH —Third Shabbat of every month Come 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.

May 23

Jewish Community Alliance (6 p.m.)

HEALTHY HABITS – Tolulope A. Adeyemo, MD, from Baptist Primary Care, takes us

Upcoming event: River Garden Game Day When: June 26 What time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

EnjoyBridge, Canasta, Mah Jongg or any game of your choice

Jewish Community Alliance (7-8:30 p.m.)

ISRAEL ADVOCADY: AGAINST ALL ODDS – Join community shlicha and proud Israeli Jew Shelly Shalev for an open dialogue on some of Israel’s most pressing issues.

Registration is appreciated.

This is free to the community.

May 10

Jewish Community Alliance (12 p.m.)

WHEN A STROKE HAPPENS, BE FAST – Learn how to recognize the signs of a stroke with Wendy Camp, ARNP, director of the Stroke Program at Baptist Health.

Reservations, limited to 30, required. This is free to the community.

Cost: $20 Questions: Faye Hyken 904-534-8001 or flexyfay@gmail.com

CLASSIFIED PRIVATE SENIOR CARE 24/7 (904) 370-9178 I am certified Nurse Assistant, FL. License. w/many years experience in Geriatric care like: Dementia, MS, Diabetic,Stroke.etc.

(Grooming,Bathing, G.Tube feeding, Monitoring behavior.. etc) Also office/Computer work. Have excellent references & clean FBI background letter report.

page 27

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

Jacksonville Jewish Center MONDAY MINYAN MAPQUEST — Monday mornings, following morning minyan: Rabbi Lubliner takes us on a tour of Jewish cities, explaining history and current statistics of some well-known and not-sowell-known Jewish communities around the world. May 7, 14

Jacksonville Jewish Center (9:15 p.m.)

SHALOM MEDITATION — Please join us for 25 minutes of meditation in a Jewish environment! At 9:15-9:30, we will offer some basic instruction of meditation technique and approach. We will start our actual practice at 9:30 and go until 9:55 (in time for the Torah service). We meet in the Henry & Miriam Kraemer Library (Jacksonville Jewish Center). May 5, 12, 19, 26

business card directory

page 28

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Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF HENRIETTA SZOLD HADASSAH-HEBREW UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING

Love Makes a Family with First Coast Adoption Professionals

By Jewish Family & Communtiy Services

Adoption can be an incredibly rewarding but challenging experience. JFCS’ First Coast Adoption Professionals (FCAP) strives to make the process safe and easy so that the adoption process is as seamless as possible. Our case managers are involved in every step of the process – from aiding birth mothers to helping match adoptive parents with children.

Since July 1, 2017, our dedicated team, working in collaboration with our Child Welfare program, has finalized 83 adoptions and

right now has 16 children available to become a part of your family.

“There are so many benefits to adoption that people don’t realize, including a tuition waiver for a Florida college, Medicaid and an adoption subsidy until the child is age 18,” said Rebecca Marguilies, an adoption specialist with FCAP. “Each child in our care has something unique to offer and they all deserve to have a forever family, and it’s extremely rewarding.”

If you or someone you know is interested in adopting a child, contact Laura Evans at 904-3945747 or by email at levans@ jfcsjax.org. Family is forever.

Interested in Scouting?

By Cliff Rose

If you are interested or would like more information, BSA Troop 12 would like to talk with you. Scouting offers unparalleled opportunities for adventure and developing leadership skills, self-reliance, and personal growth through a combination of camping, outdoor activities such as backpacking and canoeing, and community service.

You can even experience the

ultimate at BSA high adventure bases: the Summit at Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia, Florida Sea Base in Islamorada, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, or Northern Tier at the Minnesota/ Canada border.

The Troop meets at 7:15pm on Thursdays at Temple Ahavath Chesed. Their website is www. jaxtroop12.com. For more information contact Scoutmaster Jeff Rose at jaxtroop12@gmail.com or (904) 463-2673.

Hadassah has been at the forefront of saving the lives of generations of Israelis, bringing state-of-the-art research and medical breakthroughs to the world, and enriching and empowering the lives of American Jewish women for 100 years.

Jacksonville Hadassah says “Thank You” to all nurses during International Nurse’s Week

The Hadassah Medical Organization 100 YEARS OF PROMOTING HEALTH AND MEDICAL TRAINING IN ISRAEL, AND OF PROMOTING THE VALUES OF ZIONISM AND ADVOCACY IN AMERICA.

May 6 - 12, 2018

Plans are underway for a special celebration of nurses this fall as we celebrate 100 YEARS OF NURSING of the Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO). If you are a nurse, active or retired, contact Shoshana Haas (904) 262-3537 so you can be included.

January 13-15, 2019 Diplomat Beach Resort, Hollywood, Florida We are the Jacksonville Lions of Judah - part of the world’s most influential female philanthropists.

Join us in January at the International Lion of Judah Conference - the premier gathering of dynamic, philanthropic Jewish women. Together, we will examine the changing face of our world. Hear from our leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Be inspired. Inspire new lions. Give back. And empower one another to do even more.

We will also honor Sue Eaglstein with the Kipins/Wilson Friendland Award, for her many years of dedication and service to the Jewish Community. Sue exemplifies the spirit of the Lion of Judah, and we hope all our Jacksonville Lions will come together to acknolwedge her accomplishments.

page 29

www.jewishjacksonville.org

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

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page 30

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Jacksonville Jewish News â&#x20AC;˘ May 2018

Take T

HAT THAT chest pain.

We offer the fastest ER wait times in the area.

We're ready to treat you or a loved one during an emergency.

Check out our average ER wait times at MemorialHospitalJax.com/TakeThat.

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page 31

www.jewishjacksonville.org

Travel Deeper

NYL Summer Mission 2018

Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

Mission at a Glance Travel deeper into an Israel that only Federation has access to. Explore the land with fellow adventurers (ages 25-45) from across North America. Meet with Israelis from all walks of life to gain a local perspective. Hear their stories and give back to their communities through hands-on service projects.

You will touch each other’s lives in ways you never imagined.

Dates

July 2-8, 2018

Cost

Highlights • Join an all-encompassing tour of Israel to see the breathtaking landscapes of the North

Double Occupancy

$2,999

Single Supplement

$936

Price includes first-class hotel accommodations, transportation, guides, most meals, taxes, tips, group transfers, and security. Participants are responsible for airfare.

• Dive into Israel’s vast history as you tour Jerusalem • Feel the energy in cosmopolitan Tel Aviv • Hear from dynamic Israeli leaders shaping the highest levels of business, government, technology, and military

Minimum Suggested Gift

• Experience tikkun olam through hands-on service projects

$500

• Connect with your global Jewish community during a vibrant Shabbat together

Co-Chairs Haley Trager (Jacksonville) Marc Wolf (New York)

Website

www.jewishfederations.org/NYLSummerMission For more information, contact Leanna.Lynch@JewishFederations.org

What Past Participants Are Saying

“

A wonderful, spiritual, ENLIGHTENING experience that I can’t wait to share with others!

“

I am so grateful that I had the OPPORTUNITY to be on this mission. It gave me an in-depth look at issues in Israel today, the wonderful work of Federation, and the chance to meet with Israelis from all walks of life.

“

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. Let us be outdoors, SEE Israel through food!

A trip to remember During the National Young Leadership Mission, I was able to experience a side of Israel not just anyone on a trip there would be able to see. I am very grateful for the opportunity I had, the sites I saw, and the lifelong friendships I made. There are so many words I could use to describe my experience but the one that sums it up is “magical”.

-Sarah Beekman, 2017 NYL Mission Participant

page 32

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Jacksonville Jewish News • May 2018

You’re Invited Partner Agency Annual Meeting Thursday, May 31st 7:00 p.m. at River Garden Program will include installation of new board members of local Federation partner agencies.

RSVP by May 24: 904-448-5000 or events@jewishjacksonville.org