2013
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Chesvan/Kislev
page 27
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E November
TAKE A PEEK Federation’s event schedule is packed full.
LIONS Lion of Judah luncheon announced plus feature on Lion chair
KICKOFF Campaign opening event attracts 130 people. page 2
E 5774
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www.jewishjacksonville.org
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A publication of the
www.facebook.com/JaxJewish
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Volume
26,
Number
5
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28
pages
Federation’s Partnership: Rachel Herriff takes on Israel rGEN and Shalom Jax host events By RACHEL HERRIFF Israel Partnership
By JEANINE HOFF
Young Leadership Division Director
A once-in-a-70,000-year event: Thanksgivukah
Save-the-Date of Nov. 24, when rGEN and Shalom Jacksonville team up for our first family event of the year: A Thanksgivukah Celebration. This year we’re combining Thanksgiving and Chanukah into one big afternoon filled with food, fun and activities for children of all ages. Look for more details coming soon to your inbox. Not receiving our emails? Please call 904-448-5000 so you can be added to our list.
Shabbat Across Jax 2.0 set for Dec. 13
Join rGEN on Friday night, Dec. 13, for the biggest Shabbat dinner in town. Shabbat Across Jax 2.0 pairs attendees with home hosts for an evening of Shabbat dinners hosted all around Jacksonville. All are welcome: families, young professionals, newlyweds, you name it. Look for our eblast or check us out on Facebook for more details on how to sign up.
Mix ‘n’ Mingle with us at Vodka Latke
8505 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32217
Jewish Federation of Jacksonville
POSTMASTER PLEASE DELIVER BY NOV. 1
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Jacksonville, FL Permit No. 146
Come celebrate Chanukah with rGEN at this year’s Mix ‘n’ Mingle Vodka Latke event on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 4. This free event is a great way to meet new people in the community, network or just have fun. You provide the vodka, we provide the latke. For more details or to register, check us out on Facebook or watch for our email.
This past trip to Israel will be, without a doubt, one of the most memorable trips I have ever taken, and one I will never forget. Ever since I can remember I’ve wanted to go to Israel to experience for myself the greatness of the country and to connect more with the Jewish people. I enjoyed everything I did on this trip but here are my top five favorite activities. 5. The City of David. My favorite part of the City of David was the underground tunnels. Navigating through them in the
Rachel poses with the view of Bahai Garden in the background.
dark with the cold water and screaming of others in our group only made it so much more fun. 4. The Baha’i Gardens. I had always heard about how pretty the gardens were, but never really fully understood it until I witnessed it for myself. I was honestly breathless when I saw the gardens for American and Israeli teens visit the Cardo in Jerusalem. the first time, and walking desert I wasn’t excited because I didn’t through made see what could be so great about it. Then me realize what everyone was saying I got there and rode the camels and just about how gorgeous they are. looked around and saw how great it was. 3. Jerusalem. Everything in Jerusalem 1. The people. My most favorite part was so special to me that I couldn’t find of this trip was just getting to meet the a way to separate any of the spots I went Israelis and live how they live. I wasn’t to. From the Western Wall to Ben Yehuda expecting it to be as similar as it is in Street, all of it was simply amazing and America. Getting to know everyone was made me fall in love with the city. 2. The Negev. Before I experienced the an experience I’ll never forget.
Shalom Dorit: Educator host shares her experience By SHEREEN CANADY Israel Partnership
I had the pleasure of being chosen to host Dorit Levy, one of the Israeli educators brought to Jacksonville by the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville. I have been a fond supporter of the Southeast Consortium project that brings educators and teens to Jacksonville from the Hadera-Eiron region in Israel and that helps to send educators and teens from Jacksonville to Israel. This has been a special exchange program that has benefited both our communities over the years. Over the last few years, I have been thrilled to welcome the teens to Camp KiTov at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. This past summer was especially great. The teacher and teens who came to work in our camp were talented, enthusiastic and left a very positive impression on me. I told Jill Abel, the Federation’s Israel Partnership director, that I would like to be considered in the future to host. She called me a month later to ask if I would like to host Dorit. After saying yes, Jill sent me Dorit’s bio. I shared the details with my daughters Cayla and Julia, and we all prepared for Dorit’s visit with much anticipation. I learned that Dorit is a social worker and director of a special home for children who are at risk. She works with
children from ages 5 to 18 who come to her facility either at a parent’s request or by court order. She and her staff help these children with their problems and help give them a stable environment in which to grow. Her stories made me marvel at the work they are doing, the methods they use. Some of her stories made me cry and thank G-d for the blessings in my life. I learned about Dorit’s family and her life, and shared mine with her. Dorit also came at a difficult time. She came the Monday after Yom Kippur. She came into my life at the time I could use someone like Dorit most. We had just lost Esther Ohayon on Friday, and I needed someone to talk with each evening, after spending the days talking with teachers, parents and children. Dorit was there. Sometimes we talked about Esther and Orly, and other times we talked about her family and mine. Another blessing that came with Dorit’s visit was the opportunity to make new friends right here in Jacksonville. We ended her visit with a trip to St. Augustine. Federation’s Diane Rodgers led the Osher family, my family, Dorit and our other visiting educator Orna, on an afternoon adventure in St. Augustine. We had a wonderful day together. I thank the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville for
The Osher family, Canady family, Dorit Levy and Orna Binder visit Flagler College in St. Augustine. this special program and for bringing Dorit, Orna and these other families together. I hope that one day, my daughters and I will visit with them in Israel. Should anyone ask whether I feel hosting was a worthwhile endeavor, I will say yes, without a doubt. I look forward
to and hope to host again in the future. If you didn’t read Levana Osher’s article in last month’s Jacksonville Jewish News, I encourage you to read it. She tells of her experience in Israel through this partnership program. What a fabulous experience we have all had!