HIGH HOLIDAYS High Holy Day schedules, events and more. page 11
FAMILY MISSION More photos on pages 2, 4 and 30.
LIONS Jacksonville will help celebrate 40th year of Lions of Judah. page 5
page 2
JEWISH NEWS ONLINE Don’t have the JJN with you? Read us online. Find the link at: jewishjacksonville.org/news
Jacksonville
September 2012 • Elul 5772/Tishrei 5773 • Published by Jewish Federation of Jacksonville • www.jewishjacksonville.org • Volume 25, Number 3 • 32 pages
Hollywood comes to Jacksonville Girlfriend Connection to host six-time Emmy winner Bruce Vilanch
8505 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32217
Jewish Federation of Jacksonville
POSTMASTER PLEASE DELIVER BY SEPT. 1
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Jacksonville, FL Permit No. 146
The Women’s Division will get a genuine look inside Hollywood with its annual Girlfriend Connection on Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at the UNF University Center. This year Hollywood comedian/writer/actor Bruce Vilanch will share stories about his showbusiness career. Best known for Bruce Vilanch his four years as a celebrity contestant on “Hollywood Squares,” Vilanch was also head writer for the show. He is a six-time Emmy winner and has been the head writer for the Academy Awards for 12 years. He is also a featured writer for the Emmys, Tonys and Grammys. Vilanch is often referred to as the king of one-liners for some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. One of his longest collaborations is with Bette Midler. It was Vilanch who gave Midler some helpful career advice: “You’re pretty funny. You should talk more onstage.” He has written for such legends as Lily Tomlin, Billy Crystal, Richard Pryor, Joan Rivers, Roseanne, Rosie O’Donnell, Paul Reiser, Elizabeth Taylor and Robin Williams. He was the subject of the 1999 documentary “Get Bruce!” and has starred as Edna Turnblad in the touring productions of Hairspray. Co-chairs for the event are Susan DuBow, Cathy Klein and Debra Setzer. Join us as Bruce shares his Hollywood insight. For further information contact the Jewish Federeration office.
Family Mission 2012 More than 40 people from Jacksonville participated in Federation’s 2012 Family Mission. First timers learned how lovely it is in Israel and gained an understanding of the complex nature of life in our Jewish homeland. Returners renewed their feelings for such a unique and special place from the Golan Heights where we road on ATVs with members of the army to Masada and the Dead Sea – from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Here’s what some had to say about their journey: There are really no words to adequately describe the Family Mission. It was such an amazing journey through Israel and history, that it was unbelievable. Israel was different than we pictured in our mind, but at the same time, better than we could have ever imagined. From the moment we got off the plane and met Yossi, our tour guide, we knew we were in good The entire contigent on Masada. See more photos on pgs. 2 and 4. hands. Finding new connections with our friends from Jacksonville in Israel was so special. Alan Margolies really included the Yad V’shem Museum, riding treat. Another special memory for us was knows how to plan a great mission. We an ATV through the Golan Heights, floating to see the country through our children’s stayed at really nice hotels, ate fabulous down the Jordan River, climbing Masada, eyes. We know that they will both be back food, and saw all of the key sights in a and walking through the Old City of to Israel one day soon. We feel very blessed short amount of time. We wouldn’t have Jerusalem. Also, visiting with our partner to have had the opportunity to participate in changed a thing. Some of our highlights region and seeing some old friends was a
See MISSION, p. 30
Rafting on the Jordan
Joey Plotkin, Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner, Molly Lantinberg and Julia Plotkin shared their B’nai Mitzvah at the Western Wall.
Spotlight: Living 100 years of a kosher life This month’s feature of a Federation benefi ciary: River Garden Hebrew Home By DIANE RODGERS Communications Director
Mary Dumont raised two daughters in the rural South in the 1920s and 30s as a single parent – and kept kosher. It wasn’t easy, either of the tasks. But raising strong, healthy girls and abiding by her orthodox faith was important to her. Dumont turned 100 years old on June 27. She celebrated her birthday at River Garden, where she resides now. At first, she resisted moving to River Garden. She had lived independently in Memphis, Tenn., for many years. But once she ar-
rived and saw the chapel, she knew she was home – and could keep kosher. “I was comfortable from the minute I arrived,” Dumont said. “I thought it was beautiful. I love this.” Dumont came to Jacksonville in February for rehab. Her daughter Harriet Brodsky also happens to live here. In April, Dumont moved to River Garden. “We’ve had nothing but wonderful care,” Brodsky said. “We want the whole community to know that River Garden is a place to come to live.” Dumont was born in Norfolk, Ky. Her father had emigrated from Russia; her mother was born in America. Dumont spent her childhood, through the 1920s, in rural Mississippi. “We didn’t have a shul where we lived,” she said.
See KOSHER, p. 27
Harriet Brodsky, left, opens birthday cards with her mother Mary Dumont at River Garden.