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Special Double Issue Local family featured on national TV Page 5
Making Aliyah From Jacksonville to Jerusalem
New Kosher eatery opens up in Mandarin Page 6
One teen’s journey from
Bolles to Hebrew University Pages 8-9
2017 Yom Ha’atzmaut Celebration Page 7
Summer Reading What to read and why Page 19
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June/July 2017
Community News
Welcome to the Jacksonville Jewish News’ annual Summer Magazine! By Jacksonville Jewish News For the second straight year the JJN transitions to a magazine format for Summer (June/July). In the next 48 pages, readers will find more color, more content and more stories and photos from the Jacksonville Jewish community than in the regular newspaper format. It’s the JJN’s hope that the content in this special double issue brings readers enough fun, entertainment and imagination to last them until August when paper production resumes. Jacksonville Jewish News 2017 Summer Magazine
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:
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Advertising Representatives Barbara Nykerk • 904.733.4179 Eta Perras • 904.629.0466 Editor & Communications Director Matt Franzblau • mattf@jewishjacksonville.org Communications Committee Jon Israel, Chair Shirley Bielski Helen Hill Michele Katz Joan Levin Andrea Mail Rachel Morgenthal Andrew Ocean Marsha Pollock Federation President Ken Jacobs Federation Executive Director Alan Margolies
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JFCS 100th (p. 2) Reunion Resorts (p. 3) Margo’s Catering (p. 4) Diginity Memorial (p. 12) Beirut Restaurant (p. 13) The Tax Man (p. 17) Shalom Jax (p. 18) Watercrest San Jose (p. 20) First Coast Adoption Services (p. 21) Dupont Counseling Group (p. 21) JFNA General Assembly (p. 23) Jax Hadassah (p. 24)
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Selevan Young Leadership Award winner’s creation becomes the city’s via social media, so it is very fitting for us first official mobile app to solidify this partnership with intoGo and provide visitors comprehensive destination BY PATTY JIMINEZ Visit Jacksonville
2016 Ilene Sari Selevan Young Leadership Award winner Zachary Schwartz has created an app called ‘intoGo’, which focuses on places where people can go to enjoy life, create memories and share experiences. Recently, Visit Jacksonville announced that intoGo will serve as the city’s first official destination mobile app, offering users lists of events, attractions and business to discover in Jacksonville and bringing top picks and personalized recommendations based on the users’ preferences and likes in addition to the distance from their location. Jacksonville welcomes more than 20 million visitors each year looking to experience the city’s beaches, parks, cultural attractions, restaurants and overall destination. To ensure they have the most memorable experiences, intoGo also organizes attractions and business into itineraries or collections that group together suggestions for ‘a night out’, ‘hiking and biking trails’, ‘family fun’, ‘happy hour’ and
Schwartz shows off his app, which is now the city of Jacksonville’s first official one for use ‘cool date ideas’ to name a few. “More than ever, visitors are engaging with our destination via mobile,” said Katie Mitura, VP of Marketing and Communication at Visit Jacksonville, the city’s destination marketing organization. “They are using their phones to research our website and connect with us
information specifically formatted for their mobile devices.” For five years now, Schwartz has been creating and re-creating digital, mobile guides. In 2015, he won OneSpark’s Technology Category with TheCity.Guide and shortly after raised funding from the Frisch Family to build intoGo, which has been active since Nov. 2016 and has quickly grown to become the most downloaded and used mobile resource for Northeast Florida with more than 10,000 active users. “With mobile technology being necessary to today’s traveler, it’s a relief to work with Visit Jacksonville to ensure our city’s visitors are covered from every angle,” Schwartz said. “Together, we are going to move Jacksonville up on a travelers’ destinations list from a maybe to a must see!” The official app of Visit Jacksonville, intoGo, can be downloaded for free on apple and android devices. Visit Jacksonville will promote the new partnership to visitors at all visitor centers, on visitjacksonville.com, in the city’s visitor magazine and through a targeted marketing campaign.
Jewish Jacksonville family featured on TODAY Show for their social media antics Bradley Herbst came up with a creative way to spend time with his teenage daughter, and that is no texting or social media on the way to school or he’ll embarrass her by walking her into school wearing an outrageous costume. The father of two snaps photos every day in a new getup before taking her to school. The costumes have been a hit on social media and a way for him to get some much-needed father-daughter time. NBC’s Kerry Sanders traveled to Jacksonville to report on TODAY’s Feel Good Friday feature earlier this spring.
Join the Jax Jewish Singles in June
Reporter Kerry Sanders poses with the Herbst family on one of their famous Friday dress ups
JCA Family Fun Days are back for 2017
BY FRANCINE SMITH Jax Jewish Singles
BY IMAN BYFIELD
Jewish Community Alliance
This June come join the Jax Jewish Singles for brunch at South Kitchen + Spirits in Avondale, which has a varied menu where almost everyone can find something for their palate. Please call Francine for details at 904-221-8061 or email her at francine.smith@comcast.net. The singles will take a break in July and resume their tasty travels in August. Page
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When the weather starts to heat up, the JCA Aquatics Department offers Family Fun Days, a chance for JCA members and their families to beat the heat and have some fun. In May, the JCA marked the opening of the Howard and Joy Korman Pool with a Cardboard Boat Regatta. The event kicked off the summer season with a great day of poolside activities and a boat race for children. Members and their families enjoyed food and en-
tertainment, and regatta winners were presented with prizes. The day continued with swim time for the whole family. On July 4 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., the JCA will hold the next JCA Family Fun Day to celebrate Independence Day. These member events provide an opportunity to cool off from the hot summer days and enjoy quality time with other JCA families. Every event includes snack and refreshments, poolside games, DJ entertainment and more. Family Fun Days are free to JCA members and their families, so for information, contact JCA Aquatics Manager Josie Martin at 904-7302100, ext. 240.
June/July 2017
Community News
New Jewish cemetery opens on city’s southside By Chabad Lubavitch of Northeast Fla.
A new option for Jewish burials is now available to Jacksonville’s Jewish Community as Chabad, together with Hardage-Giddens, announces the opening of ‘Sha-rei Shamayim Gardens’ at the Greenlawn Cemetery. Conveniently located on Jacksonville’s Southside, Sha-arei Shamayim Gardens is surrounded by beauty. Nestled between two nature reserves and canopied by towering oak trees, the Garden is a place of true rest and tranquility. Away from the rush of traffic, the sounds of the wind rustling through the leaves above and the occasional chirp of a canary can be heard. In accordance with the highest religious standards, the new section is exclusively for members of the Jewish faith and strictly adheres to the many Halachik (Jewish Law) requirements that Jewish communities have
observed for millennia. Chabad Lubavitch was brought to the First Coast in 1992 by Rabbi Yoseph and Rivkie Kahanov and has since grown by leaps and bounds, now boasting six Centers in the greater Jacksonville area. From the Ganeinu preschool at Chabad of Southside, to the JLI Adult Education Services at the Beaches and Fleming Island and the Shabbat services and dinners offered across town, Chabad provides critical services to the Jacksonville Jewish community, to the affiliated as well as the unaffiliated, creating a need for Kosher burial opportunities. ‘Sha-arei Shamayim’ is Hebrew for ‘Gates of Heaven’, and this name was selected because it so aptly reflects the Jewish belief in an afterlife where souls bask in the light of G-d and it conveys the profound wish of each family that their loved ones indeed merit ‘a lichtige gan eden’ (Yiddish for a Bright Heaven). “We are very pleased
Jacksonville’s first fully Kosher restaurant is now open in Mandarin By Etz Chaim Synagogue
One more important piece to the puzzle that is the burgeoning Jewish community of Northeast Florida is set to drop into place in the Mandarin section of Jacksonville. Hero’s Eatery is an authentic eat-in and takeout kosher restaurant with both inside and outside seating available. Hero’s will be operated by Beth Beyer who has 15 years experience in catering and Sammi Morali who has another six managing the Jerusalem Grill in Ormond Beach. Hero’s will combine kosher deli with traditional Israeli fare as well as offering the favorites we have come to know and love. Sushi will be available and
beer and wine will round out the menu as well. Hero’s will be proud to offer kosher supervision by both Rabbi Yaakov Fisch of Etz Chaim Synagogue and Rabbi Kahanov of the Chabad Outreach Center, uniting the community in new ways. The restaurant is now open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and located at 12276 San Jose Blvd, just a short 2.5 miles drive south of I-295.
Planning now underway for JCA’s Jewish Book Festival and Cultural Arts Month BY IMAN BYFIELD
Jewish Community Alliance
The JCA is known for offering quality cultural arts programming to the Jacksonville community and through programs like the annual Jewish Book Festival, the Jacksonville Jewish Film Festival, the Young Concert Artists Series and annual programming, the agency offers countless opportunities for members and the community to enrich their lives through the arts. November is Cultural Arts Month at the JCA, and in celebration, the agency will host the 21st annual Jewish Book Festival, featuring supplemental cultural arts programming. The chair for this year’s festival is Sherrie Saag, who is an incoming JCA Board member and recently volunteered for the 2017 JCA annual fundraiser committee. Saag and the festival committee are currently making selections and planning for the event. For this event, people from across the Page 6
city have the opportunity to meet renowned authors and enjoy a diversity of programming highlighting a variety of compelling topics. Last year, Cultural Arts month included book signings, readings, film showings and director chats. Previous festivals have brought New York Times bestselling author Barbara Shapiro, U.S. Ambassador Dennis Ross, violinist Sergiu Schwartz, award winning director and Jacksonville native Leah Wolchok, among others. Sponsorship and additional festival information will be coming soon.
Sha-rei Shamayim Gardens at the Greenlawn Cemetery on Jacksonville’s Southside
with the positive response we have already received for this new development,” said Rabbi Kahanov. “The close proximity to the Jewish community and the pristinely kept grounds really appealed to the community,” he added. To inquire about purchasing a plot, please contact your local Chabad center.
Jax Jewish Business Network off to great start in 2017
BY ZACHARY COHEN Jewish Business Network
The Jewish Business Network is off to a great start in 2017, as it’s been very exciting to see the network’s growth. Each month JBN has welcomed new professionals from different industries and members are starting to rave about the potential for a truly valued networking experience. Not only is this a group for professionals to network and share about their respective business, it also serves as a resource for those who are looking to change careers or find new opportunities. Special thanks to Elliot Greenberg, Founder of Legacy Realty Group, for sponsoring April’s meeting, where he shared valuable information about the current real estate market and emphasized the benefits of working with a professional real estate broker. Jeff Cramer, attorney and founder of the Cramer Law Center, sponsored and hosted the meeting in May, which was another great turnout. Members were excited to see a packed room of professionals, as everyone seemed to be engaged and had an opportunity to ask personal questions without feeling like they were on the clock. Cramer was able to shed light on how expensive the statutory fee schedule for attorney probate fees can be in the state of Florida when you don’t plan ahead. The most recent JBN gathering was Friday, June 9th from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., at 10245 Centurion Parkway N., Suite 103. If you’re interested in attending a future meeting, please RSVP to Zachary Cohen at zach@ stjohnsasset.com.
jewishjacksonville.org
Jacksonville Jewish community celebrates Yom Ha’Atzmaut in style with great event at JCA
By Jewish Federation of Jacksonville & Jewish Community Alliance
On Sunday, April 30, after months of planning and hard work, the Jacksonville Jewish community got together to celebrate Israel’s 69th Independence Day. For the first time in many years, local agencies joined efforts and created a fun and educational event for the entire community. Thanks to the generous support of the Sisisky family, the celebrations were able to take place, offering the community a chance to experience Israeli culture first hand. “The first Jacksonville Israel Independence Day celebration was a heartwarming event which brought the core of Israel spirit into the community,” said one participant of the event. “This is the first time we celebrated Yom Ha’Atzmaut away from Israel, and a lot of strong emotions aroused from this celebration, many of happiness and longing,” added community member Yifat Winkler. “We are thankful to have this strong
Jewish-Israeli community around us who understand who we are.” Throughout the event, participants were exposed to unique technologies invented in Israel, while having a chance to learn about the IDF, and playing Israeli games, dancing, singing and creating Israeli art while seeing sights and landscapes of Israel. Through the Krav Maga demonstrations, videos of Jerusalem and a vibrant use of the Hebrew language, Israel was brought to the community in a rich way. “It is heartwarming to see our entire Jewish community come together to celebrate Israel Independence Day and
Community Shlicha Dana Marmari helps educate kids on important Israeli holidays
I want to thank Dana, Dave and the entire committee for their commitment in making this program such a wonderful success,” said JCA Executive Director, Myron Flagler. “We all stood tall as a Jewish community!” With more than 600 participants, 60 volunteers and the joint work of Congregation Ahavath Chesed, Etz Chaim Synagogue, the Jacksonville Jewish Center, Jewish Community Alliance, Jewish Family & Community Services, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, River Garden and other representatives from our Jewish community, this event was a huge success. “We are proud of this amazing event and thankful for the support and help we received from the community,” said Jacksonville’s Israeli Emissary Dana Marmari. We are all excited to start this new tradition in Jacksonville and look forward to celebrating Israel’s 70th Independence Day together as a community next year!”
St. Augustine Jewish historical society to hold commemorative event, June 19th
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rabbi Israel “Si” Dresner, AKA ‘the most arrested rabbi’
BY MERRILL SHAPIRO
St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society
By Torah Academy of Jacksonville
In honor of Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Torah Academy of Jacksonville was fortunate to benefit from one of the Jacksonville Jewish community’s most invaluable resources, our very own Shlicha, Dana Marmari. In early May, Marmari led the upper school in an interactive, multimedia assembly. She taught students about the history of the founding of the Israeli State and explained the sacrifice that so many of
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our brethren made to protect Jewish lives. The rest of the morning found the Kfar Saba native moving from class to class, teaching the younger students about the Israeli holidays through hands-on projects, stories and age-appropriate discussion. Finally, all students were presented with gold and white wristbands emblazoned with the words ‘Yerushalayim shel zahav’ engraved in Hebrew. Students found the experience informative and entertaining, but most importantly, engaging.
The fifth annual commemoration of the largest mass arrest of Rabbis in U.S. History, an event that took place in St. Augustine in June, 1964, will be held Monday, June 19, at 12:30 p.m. at the historic Columbia Restaurant (98 St. George St.) in St. Augustine. The 60-minute event planned by the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society will include the reading of the letter written by the Rabbis in the Flagler County Jail and a discussion of the role of the Jewish community in the Civil Rights Movement,then and now. This event is free, all are welcome to attend but an RSVP to 804-914-4460 is appreciated.
Cover Story
June/July 2017
Making Aliyah: From Jacksonville to Jerusalem
The Abels (Aaron, Mike, Hannah and Jill) first experienced Israel on a Federation family trip
Abel (center) with his adopted Israeli family, the Bellos from Hadera during a recent trip
Abel (right) with some Federation and JCA friends in Israel during the winter of 2016
BY MATT FRANZBLAU
With his mother’s urging, the Abels opened their doors and ultimately their hearts to this teen and the land he came from, turning an already busy summer into an even more meaningful one. “Overnight we became very fast friends and that really was the beginning of my defining connection to Israel,” Abel explained. Over the course of the next few years, that relationship would deepen thanks to return trips to Israel and a friendship forged with another instrumental Israeli from Jacksonville’s sister city of Hadera. “That connection grew when I went back to Israel a summer later with the P2G exchange program,” Abel explained. “Then I was hooked and decided to host someone that same summer,” he recalled. “We weren’t supposed to host the following year but ended up hosting a girl named Inbal Bello who stayed with us.” That unplanned hosting experience turned into a planned visit to the home of the Bellos in Hadera the very next year. “I went back December of my junior year and they showed me around, so they really ended up becoming my Israeli family,” Abel fondly remembered. All told, Inbal and Aaron traded trips back and forth to Israel and the United States a total of four times before Abel made another pivotal trip to his adopted home.
then going to graduate school and getting a job, in that order.” With a scholarship from the U.S. Navy sitting on the table that would enable the soon-to-be high school graduate to go to George Washington in D.C. for free and then guaranteed employment as a Naval officer for five years afterwards, Abel decided to go with his heart. “It was very hard to give that up, but as my dad told me, ‘If you’re not 100-percent sure that’s what you want to do, it’s not worth doing something in the long run that you may end up regretting,” he recalled of a pivotal conversation he and his father had at the kitchen table one day. “It’s a nine-year commitment all together, plus another three years of reserve duty after that, so 13 years total and as an 18-year old, I didn’t feel like I was at a point that I could make a decision that affected that much of my life and not be 100-percent sure about it.” What Abel was sure about was his love for Israel and his desire to explore the pull in his heart toward his homeland, a trajectory that was set in stone with one more trip overseas, this time for two-weeks during his senior year. “I came back and I pretty much decided that’s what I wanted to do because it gave me options,” he explained. “Going to Hebrew University for my gap year would enable me to apply to schools in the U.S. afterwards.” In the back of his mind there was still the lingering possibility of making Aliyah, becoming an Israeli citizen and serving in the IDF rather than the U.S. Navy, but that was another decision that he wouldn’t come to and fully communicate until midway through his first year abroad. “My parents were incredibly supportive and proud of me because they knew I’d be the happiest doing that,” Abel recalled of his mom and dad’s initial emotions. “because as far away as Israel is, it’s a lot closer to home anywhere in between here (Jacksonville) and there.” So with the support of his family, here in the States and his adopted family in Israel, the then 18-year old prepared to live on his own for the first time in his young life, albeit a half a world away.
Federation Communications Director mattf@jewishjacksonville.org
It’s early morning in Jerusalem, the sun hasn’t even risen yet, but a frequent predawn riser is Jacksonville native Aaron Abel, who laces up his sneakers for a jog through the student village on Mt. Scopus before a full day of classes at Hebrew U. This now normal routine once seemed unimaginable for this 19-year old Bolles School graduate, who relishes his new home and his new surroundings. “If you were to tell me this is what the start to my day would be like just a few years ago, I would say ‘what went wrong that got me to this point?” Abel jokingly said. “I went to Bolles, which is a college prep school, so all you hear about is kids getting into college, which makes what I did just not the norm.” But this deviation toward the road less traveled was set in motion nearly a half decade before the former high school football player decided to shift his sights from a more conventional American undergrad experience to his current life in the Middle East. “I had never been to Israel until I was in the sixth grade when I went on a Jewish Federation mission with my parents and sister,” he recalled. “Until then, Israel was just a place on the map that I had heard about in Sunday school.” But fast forward another two years and the now soon-to-be high schooler would develop another more intimate connection with his eventual home. “I was going into eighth grade and had Bolles football summer conditioning almost every day, when we had the opportunity to host an Israeli teenager for two weeks,” he remembered. The teen was named Nimrod Torati and he was in the states as part of Federation’s Tikkun Olam Summer Teen Exchange, run by the Israel Partnership, or P2G program, of which Abel’s mother Jill is now the director of. “I told my mom, ‘look, I think this is great and I know you want to do it, but I don’t think it’s the best thing for me this year,” he said. Page
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“As far away as Israel is, it’s a lot closer to home any where in between here (Jacksonville) and there.” “I went back my senior year, and I think that’s when I decided that I was going to accept the connection that is so obviously there and look into it more,” he said. “I’m not going to say I was fighting it, but I was very much still holding on to the American idea of graduating, going to a four-year college,
jewishjacksonville.org
Abel poses with his parents during their first visit with him since making the move to Israel
“When I first got there, I spent about a week with the Bellos, and it was very comfortable for me because it was kind of like being on vacation but with my whole life packed into two suitcases and a backpack,” he recalled of his first few days in his new home. “When I got to school, that’s when the culture shock hit me because no one on Mt. Scopus spoke English.” Abel started ulpan a month early, placing him with all foreign students including Russians, Arabs and Latin Americans among a spattering of ex-pats like himself. “I had the shock of being in college for the first time while being in a foreign country but one of the advantages I had over other people was that I knew how I was going to feel and I just had to handle it,” he explained of how he kept his emotions in check. “I just treated it as a mission more than anything else. “ With five hours of class in the morning, Abel had the afternoons free to explore and expand his Israeli horizons, becoming at ease in his new surroundings. “It was like summer school with more homework and harder classes but I made friends, toured the city with the RAs and quickly became more comfortable,” he said. “It was hard at first not being able to speak Hebrew because everyone is just moving at a faster pace in Israel, so even going to the grocery store is just at a more accelerated pace.” What also was at a higher rate of speed than he expected was his adaptation to his new way of life and how quickly it became his new sense of normalcy. “I had made a lot of good friends and many of them were not American but were making Aliyah, and I knew it was going to be hard for me to leave all of these people after just one year,” he explained. But it was right around the High Holy Days that everything began to click in the would-be college freshman’s mind, thanks to some inspirational leadership at the head of his class. “I had a couple of ulpan classes and the teachers were British and Canadian, who both made Aliyah, served in the army and always brought in stories from their service,” he remembered. “That’s when I kind of got the idea in my head that these are just normal people who left home when they were Page
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The first-year student at Hebrew University in his now natural surroundings on Mt. Scopus
The Bolles School graduate is seen hard at work during one of his many morning classes
18 or 19-years old, served in the army, went to college, are now professors, and I thought it was the most interesting thing.” With an improving use of the Hebrew language in his everyday life and some more research about making Israel his home, it was a simple slip of the tongue that sealed this teenager’s fate as a future olim. “I was talking to my mom on the phone one day and I was telling her about when I join the army, and she said, ‘wait a minute, is this like an official thing?’ and I said, ‘I guess so,” he rehashed of that fateful cross-continental conversation late last year. Soon after that 45-minute chat, Abel was connected with someone at Nefesh B’Nefesh and received an Aliyah adviser, making the process all but a formality in the weeks and months ahead. “Essentially in about six months I did the entire Aliyah process, going from not having anything started to the end of this very long, arduous process,” he explained. “I had to go to the American consulate for a new passport because mine was about to expire and then to the Jewish Agency for an interview.” With everything completed just in the nick of time, Abel boarded a plane bound for the U.S. for Passover break, where he would return on his free flight courtesy of Nefesh B’Nefesh with others making their official Aliyah. This interview was conducted during his time in Jacksonville just before heading back to Israel. “One of the first things I am going to do when I get back is write to the army and tell them I’m going to waive the year that they give new immigrants to get accustomed to life in Israel,” Abel explained of his intentions. “I will have two years and eight months of service which is the standard for men in Israel and it was important to me that if I did this, I carried out the full term that is required of a regular Israeli soldier.” That’s because if he had come back to the U.S. and returned to Israel a few years later, he wouldn’t have had to complete full service. “It was for me primarily, but also for the legitimacy of being Israeli and out of respect for the Amy and the others who serve,” he said. As for what role the soon-to-be soldier wants to play in the IDF, he sees a number of possibilities, but ultimately has one in mind.
“They may find that my English is useful and put me in a foreign relations or army spokesperson unit, but I’d like to join a combat unit because I feel like it’s the most fitting for my personality,” he explained. “I don’t have a combative personality but keeping calm under pressure is something I learned at Bolles with a giant crowd of people in the stands, while I’m holding the ball and making sure the quarterback doesn’t get mauled.” Following his two years and eight months, Abel could continue to serve and become a commander or officer, or even go to school in Israel which will be paid for by the government. Returning to the states to go to undergrad is also a possibility, but no matter what path his life takes post military, he is aware the path he is currently on was paved in large part because of his roots in Jacksonville. “The Jewish Federation got me there in the first place, but the connection with Israelis that I made in the beginning with the Partnership2Gether program is the reason that I went back so many times and was ultimately a huge part of my decision to make Aliyah,” he explained. But his decision to stay and serve is one he made with poise and purpose, based on his collective experiences in Israel and the U.S. “I feel like the need is greater in the IDF for soldiers and I can be of the greatest use to them as opposed to the Navy,” the eventual lone soldier described of his logic. “I love the U.S. armed forces, but I felt that serving in the IDF would allow me the opportunity to defend the same freedoms that Americans cherish, while also defending the Jewish people and the State of Israel.” What the future holds following the army for Abel is anybody’s guess, with multiple options in front of him he will try to keep an open mind and open heart, because that approach is what got him to his homeland in the first place. “In three years anything can happen, I mean look at me now, I ended up in Israel in just one year, so we’ll see.” What the 19-year old can clearly see is that right now, he is where he needs to be, and he is doing exactly what his heart is telling him to do, and of that he is 100-percent sure.
June/July 2017
Education
Martin J. Gottlieb Day Schoolers enter into competitive LEGO league
Day School grades four through eight will be competing locally in FIRST LEGO League robotics challenges, in which students will be designing and programming robots using LEGO Mindstorms (robotics building kits). Students working in teams will be required to engineer, code, and operate their own robot to perform certain tasks as defined by the League. For more information on Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, a Solomon Schechter K – 8, e-mail Nancy Davis at nancy.davis@mjgds.org.
By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School
The Martin J. Gottlieb Day School will be participating in North Florida’s ‘FIRST LEGO League’ during the upcoming 2017–18 school year. The League is a national organization that has been brought to the area by Renaissance Jax. This after-school program will be held on-site at the school, which will expose children in grades Kindergarten through third grade to tackle real-world problems, such as food safety, recycling, and clean energy using LEGOs.
Torah Academy of Jacksonville students watch an emotional doors on Jewish refugees from Europe. documentary in advance of Yom HaShoah their This documentary was produced the Zechor
Yemos Olam Program of Torah Umesorah. Teachers in the younger grades also discussed the significance of this day with their students.
By Torah Academy of Jacksonville
In late April, for the commemoration of Yom HaShoah, students in third through eighth grade at the Torah Academy of Jacksonville watched the riveting documentary ‘Rescue & Neglect’, recounting the efforts of a small group of dedicated Kahal workers in America who labored day and night to save lives, while Washington and the free world shut
The JCA and UNF collaborate for custom software BY IMAN BYFIELD Jewish Community Alliance
Martin J. Gottlieb Day Parent & me programs School gets STEAM grant Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kinder-
By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School
The Martin J. Gottlieb Day School is excited to announce that the school has been awarded a grant from the Florida Council of Independent Schools. The Day School’s STEAM Team (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) designed and submitted a proposal for an innovative new project, ‘Game Creation Station’, which will be presented at the FCIS Conference in Orlando in Nov. to educators from across Florida. The project includes creating educational games and collaborating with other FCIS schools to test them out online. Martin J. Gottlieb eighth grade geometry students are already hard at work designing games using Google Draw. For more information on Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, a Solomon Schechter K – 8, e-mail Nancy Davis at nancy.davis@mjgds.org.
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garten’s commitment to providing steady resources for young families extends beyond the classroom. The Jewish Community Alliance offers several Parent and Me programs aimed at helping new parents bond with their children. Parent and Me swim classes, for example, allows for young children to experience swimming for the first time with their caregiver in the water with them for support. Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s Parent and Me Shabbat kicked off this past spring, and after a break for the summer, the program will return in fall for the new school year. At Parent and Me Shabbat, parents, caregivers and babies join Judaics instructor Morah Karen in a free, interactive, participatory celebration filled with songs, music, stories and yummy challah. Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s commitment to helping young families begins even before childbirth, as the JCA began a prenatal yoga class this spring. Prenatal yoga is widely hailed as one of the best exercises for pregnant women. Poses allow mothers to prepare their bodies for childbirth while bonding with their growing baby. This class will also return in the fall. For more information about the Parent and Me offerings at Michele Block Gan Yeladim, please contact Rochelle Golomb at 904-730-2100, ext. 259.
BY NATHAN WOODS
Michele Block Gan Yeladim
Recently, the Jewish Community Alliance received a unique technology opportunity. A collaboration with UNF graduating seniors resulted in the creation of specialized technology to streamline the program planning process at the agency. The impetus for participation in thisprogram came from the implementation of Scrum methodology at the JCA which identified the need for such technology. This project was part of a UNF senior assignment and was made possible to the JCA through the its status as a United Way affiliated agency. Under the guidance of UNF School of Computing Associate Professor Karthikeyan Umapathy, graduating seniors at the school completed this service-learning community partnership, which ran from late 2016 to Apr. 2017. The JCA team also worked with volunteer mentor Jitesh Doshi of SpinSpire, a development company based in Jacksonville. The custom web application software created by the student programmers will allow JCA directors to more efficiently transmit program information to support staff in the various JCA departments. The UNF team worked closely with JCA staff to adapt the software to fit the needs of the agency and its members. The impact of this technology is that the JCA will be even better able to serve members by having accurate and up-to-date information at members’ fingertips. The JCA thanks the efforts of Prof. Umapathy, the students of the University of North Florida School of Computing, Mr. Doshi and the United Way for this amazing opportunity.
jewishjacksonville.org
A year of nature adventures ends at Michele Block Gan Yeladim BY NATHAN WOODS
Michele Block Gan Yeladim
Another enriching school year has ended at Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten, and this past year was full of adventures in nature. Children in each class experienced the wonders of the outdoors through observation of the lives of special creatures. Kindergarten classes experienced a fascinating owl encounter, while the Junior Kindergarten classes watched praying mantis eggs incubate and hatch. Meanwhile, the Teddy Bear classes observed ladybugs, and Grasshopper classes learned about caterpillars. Teddy Bears also planted pumpkin seeds which have grown throughout the year. All classes participated in the yearly hatching of chicken eggs and learned about and observed first-hand the lifecycle of nature. These amazing experiences were just the
on-campus activities, as many learning opportunities also took place at off-site locations. Michele Block Gan Yeladim Kindergarten classes went on a trip to Walter Jones Historic Park in Mandarin and participated in a cleanup with the help of the St. Johns Riverkeeper. The Junior Kindergarten classes also took a nature trip to Talbot Island.Through these experiences
they learned valuable lessons about preserving, protecting and respecting nature. Gan families and interested families in the community also attended fun, educator-led family days at local museums, including the Musuem of Science & History on the Southbank and Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Riverside. The theme of nature does not stop now that the school year is over. Michele Block GanYeladim’s summer camps, Camp Gan Yeladim and KinderCamp, also strive to feature the same enriching, nature-filled experiences. For more information about the role that nature plays in Michele Block GanYeladim’s curriculum, please contact Rochelle Golomb at 904-730-2100, ext. 259.
Undernight events return for Summer ‘17
Kids from across St. Johns County meet at local public school for Jewish enrichment
By Chabad of S. Johns
Children at the GROW After School Enrichment Program, run by Chabad of St. Johns, enjoyed the ‘Dream Building: Magic of Israel series’, where children had the opportunity to develop creative building skills, deepen their relationship with the Land of Israel, and foster a desire to create global change. Integrating STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), the class enabled students to actualize their creative ideas and bring joy to the lives of others. GROW is an after-school enrichment program brimming with carefully designed workshops that foster positive character development, social competence, and emotional
awareness. It’s not just about keeping your kids busy after school. It’s Jewish enrichment right in your backyard, conveniently located at Durbin Creek Elementary School. “The program was so thoughtfully arranged, as in the My Pallete Series, my child learned to read the nutrition facts and actually took a trip to the grocery store to experience choosing healthier foods for themselves,” said Andrea. “They couldn’t wait to come back every week.” At GROW your child will be immersed in engaging, interactive enrichment courses that feature drama, art, cooking and the unique Aleph Champ Hebrew reading workshop. Lovingly created with your child in mind, GROW inspires young hearts and minds for a lifetime of Jewish pride and purpose. This year at GROW, Jewish children joined from schools all over St. John’s County, including Cunningham Creek, Timberlin Creek, Julington Creek Elementary, Fruit Cove Middle, Florida Virtual and Durbin Creek Elementary School. “Our goal for GROW is that kids should be excited about being Jewish,” said director Dini Sharfstein. “They should be proud and they should love it.” Your kids have soccer, piano lessons and ballet, but are they ready for fun, meaningful Jewish Enrichment? GROW Registration is open for the 2017-18 school year, so for more information visit JewishSJohnsCounty.com/GROW or email dini@JewishSJohnsCounty.com.
Block Gan keeps top accreditation standards BY NATHAN WOODS
Michele Block Gan Yeladim
For more than 25 years, Michele Block Gan Yeladim and Preschool and Kindergarten has been accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which is a nonprofit association at the forefront of preschool education, having been founded with the goal of ensuring the quality of programs across the nation. The organization’s accreditation standards were developed in 1985 with modifications made as standards and practices changed over the years, but since then, NAEYC
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has been the most highly sought after accreditation for preschools in the United States. NAEYC’s accreditation is considered the most prestigious mark of excellence for preschools, and Michele Block GanYeladim is one of just ten programs across the entire Jacksonville area to achieve and maintain this prestigious accreditation. It should come as no surprise to those with knowledge of Michele Block Gan Yeladim that the program has been accredited for 25 consecutive years. Educators at Michele Block Gan Yeladim view children as constructivist learners and guide them in self-discovery and developing critical thinking skills. This focus is often left out of other early childhood education programs which tend to
BY NATHAN WOODS
Michele Block Gan Yeladim
Its summer time again and this means Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten’s renowned Camp Gan Yeladim is back to provide lifelong summer memories in a safe and structured environment. This also means the return of the camp’s popular UNDERnightevents. During summer sessions, Camp GanYeladim’s Tovim and KinderCamp campers are invited to take part in the UNDERnights program, which is open to campers enrolled in past, present or future occurring sessions. During these evening events, campers stay at camp or, if they are not participating in the current session or are only enrolled part-day, return to the JCA at 6 p.m. for a fun-filled, themed event. Each UNDERnight includes a craft, keepsake photo, evening swimming, dinner and many more fun activities. At the end of the evening, campers dress up in their pajamas and prepare to get picked up by their parents, promptly at 7:30 p.m. This year, two UNDERnights will occur during summer camp. The June 29 event will have a pirate party theme, and the July 19 event’s theme will be magic and mystery. Each UNDERnight event is $27 and $18 for JCA valued members. Camp Gan Yeladim UNDERnights are just one of many ways Michele Block Gan Yeladim provides a unique and enriching experience to campers over the summer break. For more information about the events or Camp Gan Yeladim, contact director Theresa Levy at 904730-2100, ext. 237 or assistant director Rochelle Golomb at ext. 259. focus on rote memorization and teaching to the schools’ readiness tests. Michele Block Gan Yeladim educators work hard each year to ensure that the school meets the list of more than 400 criteria that NAEYC requires.
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Aug. 31, 2017
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Synagogue News
June/July 2017
Etz Chaim hosts an inspirational Spring Shabbaton with Ruchi Koval BY HENNY FISCH Etz Chaim Synagogue
In early May, Etz Chaim Synagogue hosted its Spring Shabbaton, featuring Ruchi Koval, who is a JWRP (Jewish Women’s Ressiance Project) trip leader, and the co-founder and director of the Jewish Family Experience, a congregation and Sunday school in Cleveland, Ohio. Koval is a certified parenting coach, motivational speaker, musician, and author of the book, ‘Conversations with G-d’, in addition to being a popular blogger at outoftheorthobox. com. During her weekend in Jacksonville, Koval spoke about the four ways to become the greatest version of yourself, dealing with life’s challenges, the secrets of marriage and relationships and how to live an inspired life, in addition to no judge, no grudge and how to quiet that judgy voice. The honored guest spoke in a style that was extremely relatable and applicable, as she often shares her very own very personal experiences.
The Temple will host talk on strong women in the bible By Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple)
Beth El’s spaghetti dinner and bingo night
BY BETH BRENNER
Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue
Beth El – The Beaches’ religious school held its annual spaghetti dinner and bingo night earlier this spring, where families came together to eat and play. That night, a delicious spaghetti dinner, which included spaghetti with tomato sauce, garlic
bread, a garden salad, and dessert was served. After dinner, it was time to get down to business, playing some bingo and winning some prizes. Rabbi Matuson served as the bingo master, calling out numbers with a delightful Jewish flare, with announcements like ‘B-9, that’s bagel- 9’. Nearly everyone left a winner, so be sure and plan on being there so you can be a winner in 2018.
Temple Bet Yam’s future is bright with its rising star Leah Black BY JACKIE WITTE Temple Bet Yam
An example for today’s youth, Leah Black, daughter of Lisa and Robert Black of St. Augustine, has been tirelessly involved in social justice and interfaith activities since her Bat Mitzvah at Temple Bet Yam this past Nov. Following her simcha, she continues to volunteer with Music and Memory, a non-profit organization, that, through use of contributions of money and gently-used iPods (collected by her), are used to aid memory and happiness in adults with dementia. Black was invited to discuss her project with The Interfaith League and the event project was sponsored by Compassionate St. Augustine’s Golden Way. She continues attending TBY services as a choir member and volunteers as an aide in the Temple’s Religious School. Page 14
Temple Bet Yam’s rising star Leah Black
Dr. Larry and Kathy Kanter are hosting an educational program at The Temple on Wednesday, June 21, at 7 p.m., as Dr. Mary Treyz, Adjunct Professor of Religion at University of North Florida, will discuss ‘Strong Dr. Mary Treyz Women of the Bible: Eve, Tamar and Vashti’. “Obedient, gentle and nurturing does not describe these women,” according to Dr. Treyz. Her presentation and discussion will focus on the qualities of these Biblical women and their relevance for modern women and men. “Her feminist perspective provides a new lens through which to consider famous Bible stories” explained Dr. Kanter, who was a student in her UNF class. Dr. Treyz was raised in a traditional Roman Catholic family but while at Mahattanville College, she studied the great thinkers and adherents to the world’s religions, developing a deep suspicion of the absurdities of supernaturalism embedded in religious beliefs. She earned her doctorate at Fordham University where she further developed her feminist view of the Bible as her studies focused on the role of women in the religious hierarchy. The Dr. Lawrence and Kathy Kanter Fund for Jewish Preservation is sponsoring this evening of learning, and the entire community is welcome to participate. Dr. Kanter and his wife promise that good food and drink will accompany the engaging and informative conversation.
jewishjacksonville.org
Etz Chaim’s NCSY wraps up busy year of fun and learning BY A.Y. COHEN
Etz Chaim Synagogue
NCSY is a world-recognized organization that has played a pivotal role in the lives of Jewish children across the globe. The Orthodox Union founded NCSY in 1954 to provide Jewish children with an opportunity to build a strong connection to their Jewish roots through inspiration and leadership skills. The organization is dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens to encourage passionate Judaism through tradition. Here in Jacksonville, we have our very own NCSY chapter which offers exciting year-round events and programs for children in grades 5-12. As you can see in the above pictures, this past year was very active with trips to Jax Giants games, the Fun Zone and ice cream social events. NCSY connects with Jewish children
through innovative, cutting-edge social and recreational programs to develop a positive Jewish identity. NCSY inspires Jewish teens and their connection to Israel through informal Jewish education, retreats and summer programs. It also empowers teens through leadership development and guidance to
become passionately committed leaders of the Jewish community and instruments for positive change and renewal. For more information on the local Jacksonville chapter and to get added to our email list please contact Rabbi A.Y. Cohen at 904-262-3565, ext 12.
Beth El – The Beaches’ religious school caps off another successful year BY BETH BRENNER
Education Director, Beth El - Beaches
It’s hard to believe, but the 2016-17 religious school year has come to an end at Beth El- The Beaches Synagogue. From family Shabbat and the Chanukah dinner and celebration to Mitzvah Day and everything in between, the students, teachers, and families at Beth El learned and celebrated together. Teachers and madrichim went above and beyond for the students as they rolled out a brand new curriculum, and Hebrew Wizards, for the youngest student was very well received. That program will be expanding to first grade next year and back again in 201718 will be the eighth and ninth grade classes which were started up in 2016-17. Beth Elplans on continuing to provide meaningful and engaging events throughout the next school year such as Family Education Day,
Family Shabbat, and schoolwide holiday celebrations. The first day of the 2017-18 school year is Aug. 20th and teachers are already looking forward to meeting their new students and coming up with new and exciting activities and projects. Those signing up for religious
Temple Bet Yam’s past year in review BY JACKIE WITTE Temple Bet Yam
Temple Bet Yam has enjoyed a wonderfully busy year as throughout, the synagogue’s social justice committee has worked closely with the St. Augustine Interfaith community in such activities as helping feed the needy and providing handmade mats for the homeless. TBY hosted a Klezmer concert that was so popular, it is scheduled to return next year, while Limelight productions sold out the house with presentations of ‘Oklahoma’ and ‘I Ought To Be In Pictures’. Temple members are known for their culinary expertise, so synagogue chefs provided the opportunity to celebrate Purim with a Hamantaschen tasting contest along with a Hard Lox Café. In addition to the Café, TBY’s annual Deli Nite drew the usual big crowd, because after all, who can pass up good kosher deli. Pizza and Bingo and Bunco and refreshments continue to provide fun and food for all Page 15
attendees, and the congregational Seder was the setting for a family-style Passover for all who attended. In April, playwright and actor Lee Weaver, presented ‘The Shooter’ to a sold-out audience, and the Temple was filled to listen to author Andrew Nagorski discuss his best-selling book, ‘The Nazi Hunters’. The Sisterhood and Men’s Club also enjoyed many activities as notably, this year’s Sisterhood fashion show was held at the Serenata Beach Club featuring clothing from Belk. Not to be outdone, Men’s Club’s Open Mic Nite showcased the many talents of their members. Religious School, though small, is mighty, as the children attended tefillah before classes, worked on their Hebrew, and learned about the holidays and Israel through projects, videos, and discussion. They also participated in building the sukkah and tested their skills at the Purim Carnival. The youngsters were fortunate to spend time learning with a sofer this year as he repaired the Temple’s Torahs.
school by June 30th will get $100 off their registration fee. For registration information or general info on the synagogue, contact Beth Brenner, Education Director at beth@ bethelbeaches.org or call 904-273-9100.
Synagogue News
June/July 2017
Beth El – The Beaches’ sisterhood fashion show will be held Sept. 14th BY BETH BRENNER
Education Director, Beth El - The Beaches
The Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue Sisterhood’s annual fashion show will be held on Thursday, Sept. 14th at 6:30 p.m. Leila’s Delicious Fashions will be presenting 10 different looks, modeled by beautiful Beth El ladies. This wonderful event is being coordinated with Hadassah and both wine and cheese will be served. The event is free for paid up Beth El Sisterhood members and only $15 for non-members. Be sure to mark your calendar for what is sure to be a great evening of fun and fashion.
All of the models line up following last year’s Sisterhood Fashion Show at Beth El
Etz Chaim Synagogue reflects on a busy Songs from the ‘Great American Songbook’ past 12 months
to be performed at the Temple
By Etz Chaim Synagogue
Etz Chaim Synagogue had a wide variety of outstanding programs for folks of varied backgrounds and levels of observance throughout the year. We recognize the diversity of the membership and the larger Jewish community and strive to have excellent classes and programs to meet this need. From the Read Hebrew classes offered by Education Director, Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum, to the advanced Talmud class taught by Rabbi Mayer Rabinowitz, there is ample opportunity to take advantage of intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking classes. During the High Holidays, we recognize that it is challenging for many to be sitting in the sanctuary for hours. That is why we started having these parallel classes in the social hall during sections of the services. Led by Rabbi Feigenbaum and Rena Schochet, these classes covered topics that reflected the core themes of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur which included New Year’s Resolutions and Seeking Forgiveness. This program was generously sponsored by Mike and Jill Abel. One of the highlights of the year are the Shabbatonim that we are privileged to host a couple times a year. For our winter shabbaton, we were fortunate to have Rabbi Yaakov Solomon as our scholar in residence. He delivered multiple presentations including the famous “Five Levels of Pleasure” with humor,
Young professionals at the Etz Chaim Gala Page 16
By The Temple
wit and a keen ability to connect with many people. For our spring shabbaton, we were privileged to host Ruchi Koval, Director of the JFX in Cleveland and trip leader for the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project. Koval was extremely engaging and articulate in all of her presentations. The program concluded with a Sunday morning brunch at the home of Sylvia Jaffa which was an incredible uplifting morning. This shabbaton was sponsored by the Kulchinsky family. Another great program was our annual Yom Limmud program this year which featured Rabbi Benjamin Blech. The main presentation was on the difficult topic of “Why Bad Things Happen to Good People”. Rabbi Blech did a really effective job in clarifying many aspects of this most vexing topic, while also speaking about his many years of research of the Sistine Chapel and Michael Angelo and some of the stunning revelations of his findings many of which are detailed in his book “The Sistine Secrets”. This program was generously sponsored by Larry and Kathy Kanter.
Families dress up for Purim
The WRJ Temple Sisterhood invites the community to enjoy lilting lyrics and memorable melodies by Jewish composers such as Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, George and Ira Gershwin, and Rodgers and Hammerstein on Sunday, June 25 at 4 p.m., inside The Temple. During the event, Deanna Barone and her award-winning Douglas Anderson students will perform music beloved through the decades, including ‘Blue Skies’, ‘Summertime’, and ‘It Had To Be You’, while Ed Mallow will accompany on the piano. “I have imagined what this program would be like for months,” said event chair Jill Metlin. “I’ve met so many fine musicians and vocalists, all of whom are so pleased to be part of this special afternoon.” The proceeds from this event will benefit the WRJ YES (Youth, Education, Special Projects) Fund, supporting PJ Library, Jewish summer camping, Rabbinic and Cantorial education and much more. The Temple Pre-sale tickets are available at a discounted price, $18 for adults, $9 for kids 13 and younger. Checks should be made out to The Temple Sisterhood, as tickets will be sold for $20 at the door and The Temple Sisterhood Judaica Treasures Shop will be open before and after the concert. The Temple is grateful to for the generous co-sponsorship provided by the Dr. Larry and Kathy Kanter Fund for Jewish Preservation.
jewishjacksonville.org
DuBow announces their new preschool director Visit Brunswick’s historic reform synagogue
By DuBow Preschool
The Galinsky Academy of the Jacksonville Jewish Center is pleased to announce that Dale Schemer has been named the Director of the DuBow Preschool. As some may remember, Schemer was the DuBow Preschool director previously for 10 years and everyone at DuBow is delighted to welcome her back in an interim role for the coming school year. Schemer has spent time with current Head of Schools, Rabbi Jim Rogozen, incoming Head Raquel Scharf-Anderson, and current DuBow Preschool faculty and staff to ensure that the transition will be a smooth one. Both Rabbi Rogozen and Scharf-Anderson are confident that Schemer will build a wonderful team atmosphere amongst the staff of the preschool and ensure that the preschool programming continues to be one of excellence for the school’s children. Schemer has an incredible background and vast experience, and some highlights include a B. Ed. from University of Florida in Exceptional Education, an M.Ed. from University of North Florida in Deaf Education and a teacher in Exceptional Education for local public schools for four years. As mentioned earlier, she was a teacher at the DuBow Preschool for 10 years, in addition to being an Early Childhood Director at DuBow for seven years. She is also a co-owner of the Baby Sign-A-Long program. Personally, Schemer has been married
BY MASON STEWART Temple Beth Tefilloh
to Judge Jack Schemer for 42 years. The couple has four sons and four grandchildren, two of whom are in the Preschool. The DuBow Preschool is currently enrolling for its summer program Camp Ki Tov and the 2017–18 academic year. The DuBow Preschool has more than 50 years of providing quality programs to Jewish children in the community, regardless of synagogue affiliation. It is proud to be a Guiding Stars of Duval 5-Star rated early childhood center and is accredited by the Florida Kindergarten Council. The preschool offers a safe, nurturing and stimulating first school experience for young children and its programming is distinguished by an outstanding staff and a creative curriculum, which provides many opportunities for self-expression and personal growth. Each child discovers that this is a place to play, create, make friends, explore and celebrate together. If you are interested in learning more about the DuBow Preschool please contact the school office at 904-286-4200, ext. 143 to schedule a tour.
Professor Stephen Berk to speak at the 2018 Marilyn and Louis Safer Shabbaton By Jacksonville Jewish Center
The Jacksonville Jewish Center is pleased to announce that the annual Marilyn and Louis Safer Shabbaton will be held Feb. 2224, 2018. The Scholar-in-Residence will be Stephen Berk, who will speak throughout the weekend on a wide variety of subjects. Dr. Berk is the Professor Stephen Berk
Henry and Sally Schaffer Professor of Holocaust and Jewish studies at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. He is the former Chair of the Department of History, in addition to being the director of the program in Russian and East European Studies and currently helps advise the Hillel organization at Union. Professor Berk is considered an absolutely superb lecturer and teacher, as he is in high demand as a guest speaker. Berk is always informative, interesting and entertaining, and is widely known for his expertise on the Holocaust, Russian, and the Middle East in addition to many other Jewish subjects. All speaking events are free of charge and open to the public. The menus and cost of optional meals provided throughout the weekend will be available in Jan. of next year.
Beth El – The Beaches synagogue will hold its annual membership meeting, June 4
American Jewish history did not begin on Ellis Island, instead it began much earlier in many cities and small towns across America. Unfortunately, many of the original religious structures have been lost to history. Brunswick Georgia’s Temple Beth Tefilloh nearly 130-year-old synagogue is a rare exception. Designed by famed American Jewish architect Alfred Eichberg and personally dedicated on Nov. 7, 1890 by the founder of American Reform Judaism, Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, Temple Beth Tefilloh is a true historic treasure. Constructed largely of (now) rare and expensive Georgia long leaf heart pine, the mellow tones and beautiful natural shading of the antique sanctuary’s gothic interior quietly invokes a warm feeling of spiritual connection to earlier generations. The building’s beautiful 19th century painted glass windows are all original and according to Saul Rubin, Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth Tefilloh, their carefully crafted symbolism “point to a keen awareness of the historical importance of symbolism in the Jewish ritual life and culture of the time.” Though not as ornate as some modern Temple windows, they are adorned with the graceful beauty and subtle imagery befitting Temple Beth Tefilloh’s name, ‘A House of Prayer’. This rare architectural jewel of American Jewish history quietly gracing the corner of Monck and Egmont streets in the historic district of old-town Brunswick has survived at least three major hurricanes and has weathered countless unnamed storms that pummeled the coastal town with savage fury. The Temple even managed to endure the constant settling, creaking, and cracking that comes with being built on the shifting alluvial sands of a river delta. Surviving all these ravages of time and history, Temple Beth Tefilloh is today listed as a National Historic Site by the U.S. Department of the Interior and stands proudly today as a lasting symbol of a formerly displaced peoples’ enduring presence in a new land of opportunity and freedom. With this in mind, Rabbi Rachael Bregman cordially invites you to visit Temple Beth Tefilloh and experience the spiritual warmth of this very special historic ‘House of Prayer’. For service times and more information look the synagogue up online at bethtefilloh.org, on Facebook or call 912-265-7575.
BY BETH BRENNER
Tax Planning
Education Director, Beth -El
On Sunday, June 4th at 11 a.m., members of Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue attended its annual membership meeting. There was an election of officers and members to the Board of Trustees for a two year term beginning on July 1, 2017. This included a passing of the torch from current President, Neal Goldman to incoming President, Abby Steele. Decisions on bylaw amendPage 17
Tax Return Preparation
Representation before the IRS Bookkeeping & Accounting ments in order to keep the synagogue’s bylaws in line with current best practices were also made. In addition, congregants were given an update on Beth El’s financial condition.
904-389-0000 www.thetaxmanirs.com 6260-C Dupont Station Ct. Jacksonville, FL 32217
Gary Rothman Andrew Ocean Joan Palmer Saul Schmelzer
Adult Education & Summer Reading
JJN Adult Education REGULAR EVENTS
Mondays
Jewish Community Alliance (12 – 1 p.m.) SUPPORTING YOUR BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT AFTER CANCER – This three part wellness series will be held from June 12th – 26th and empowers survivors to thrive through and beyond cancer. This is free and open to the community. Jacksonville Jewish Center (7:15 p.m.) TALMUD CLASS - Rabbi Lubliner explores communal responses to crisis in tractate Ta’anit. This class is open to all and resume July 17.
Tuesdays
Jewish Community Alliance (7 – 8 p.m.) AN EXPERT GUIDE TO MEN’S HEALTH – Drs. Aristides Sastre and Seth Strope discuss men’s health and common issues men face. This is free to the community, and the next session is June 20.
Wednesdays
Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue (10:30 a.m.) YOGA SHALOM - Using a DVD with Cantor Lisa Levine and Carol Kurgoff, you will learn to relax your body, calm your mind, and nurture your spirit. We learn to use advanced, gentle chair modifications for each posture sequence, so bring your mat and we will see you at the next session. Immediately following Yoga Shalom is an hour of Jewish Meditation and Spirituality for you to study and grow spiritually within a Jewish framework. Jacksonville Jewish Center (10 a.m.) YOGA SHALOM - Join the Jacksonville Jewish Center Sisterhood for some low impact yoga. No fee or prior experience is necessary, so just bring a positive attitude and a towel or exercise mat. For more information contact Sandy Selwitz at selwitzs@gmail.com or Naomi Lazar at naomilazar2014@gmail.com. Sessions to be held on the following dates: June 14, 21, 28 and July 12, 19, 26.
Fridays
Jacksonville Jewish Center (7:15 p.m.) HEBREW CLASSES - Beginning Hebrew Reading Class, meeting at the Jacksonville Jewish Center starting June 2. Please call Lois Tompkins if you would like to join the group as one or two online student spots may still be available. Online students will meet at the same time each week as the in-class students. Classes will meet weekly through Aug. 25.
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SPECIAL EVENTS June 4th
Jacksonville Jewish Center (12:30 p.m.) YIDDISH CLUB - Meetings are held in the Henry & Miriam Kramer Library at the Center as this is an informal group of all ages with varying levels of ability, where you’ll meet other local speakers to practice the language, or to just shmooze a bisl. We’ll listen to Klezmer music, watch videos and films, read and speak in Yiddish, so please join the fun!
June 6th
Jewish Community Alliance (5:30 – 9:30 p.m.) THE ART OF FILMAKING WORKSHOP – Join Andrew Fallon of Tigerlily Media for this three-part off-site workshop. The fee is $60 and $40 for JCA valued members, and registration required by May 31.
June 10th
Jacksonville Jewish Center (9:15 – 9:30 a.m.) SHALom MEDITATION - Please join us for 25 minutes of meditation in a Jewish environment, where we will offer some basic instruction of meditation technique and approach. We will start our actual practice at 9:30 a.m., and go until 9:55, just in time for the Torah service.
June 13th
Jacksonville Jewish Center (7:30 p.m.) CENTER BOOK CLUB – The group meets in the Starbuck’s section at Barnes & Noble on San Jose Blvd., and is open to all interested adults. The book for June is Lab Girl, by Hope Jahren.
June 20th
Jewish Community Alliance (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) MAKE AND TAKE – Come to Glo Studios to make safe and effective all-natural organic sunscreen, bug repellant and bite balms. The fee is $36 and $24 for JCA valued members. Transportation is included and registration required by June 16.
July 8th
Jacksonville Jewish Center (9:15 – 9:30 a.m.) SHALom MEDITATION - Please join us for 25 minutes of meditation in a Jewish environment, where we will offer some
June/July 2017
basic instruction of meditation technique and approach. We will start our actual practice at 9:30 a.m., and go until 9:55, just in time for the Torah service. wJuly 15th Jacksonville Jewish Center (8 – 9 a.m.) COFFEE & TORAH - 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.
July 20th
Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue (7 p.m.) BELLES BOOK CLUB - The BELLES (Beth El Literary Ladies Enjoying Sisterhood) Book Club will meet again to discuss the novel ‘Suite Française’ by Irène Némirovsky.
JLI Course Survival of a Nation
Rabbi Nochum Kurinsky of Chabad at the Beaches lectures as part of his six-part series from the Jewish Learning Institute on the 50th anniversary of the six-day war.
jewishjacksonville.org
JJN Summer Reading From the Bookshelves of the Second Gen
PJ Library Selections
Jacksonville Hadassah to hold its annual summer book reviews BY HELEN HILL
Jax Hadassah
Good Night, Laila Tov by Laurel Snyder
Call it Sleep by Henry Roth A story of a young, Jewish immigrant boy, David and his mother come to New York to be united with their husband/father, but experience his brutal rejection. Roth vividly portrays early 20th century immigrant life with humor and heart rending narrative. A story you won’t forget. Recommended by Sam Boren (462 pages - $18.00)
A family trip turns into an adventure of discovery for a curious and carefree sister and brother. While the two explore the natural wonders of the seashore, woods, and fields, their parents plant trees as an offering of thanks for all they have received. In Jewish tradition, this is called tikkun olam, or repairing the world. As the children settle down to sleep, they are lulled by the soothing sounds around them that become the refrain: “good night, laila tov”—the same comforting words in English and Hebrew that their parents recite to them every night at bedtime.
(32 Pages - for two-year olds) $5.44 hardcover on Amazon.com, or by signing up for PJ Library at pjlibrary.org.
The Jacksonville Hadassah will once again sponsor its summer book reviews as this always popular series will be held Tuesdays, July 11, 18 and 25 at the Jacksonville Jewish Center (3662 Crown Point Rd.) The reviews will begin One of the three novels the Jax Hadassah will review at 11 a.m., but be sure and come early for coffee and conversation, which begins at 10:30 a.m. The three books that will be reviewed are ‘The Devil in Jerusalem’, by Naomi Ragen and reviewed by Michelle McCormick (July 11), ‘Doomed to Succeed’, by Dennis Ross and reviewed by Evelyn Peck (July 18), in addition to ‘The Women in the Castle’, by Jessica Shattuck and reviewed by Tricia Bettman (July 25). The schedule is set, so come and join other avid readers for some exceptional book reviews, while getting some ideas to go on your own summer reading list. These book reviews are free and open to the community although donations are always appreciated and accepted. Hadassah cards will also be on hand for sale. For more information call Helen Hill at 904-998-2187.
Temple’s Wurn Family Library boasts impressive collection for summer readers By The Temple
Leaves Swift by a Cruel Wind by Ilona Elephant Schwarcz As concentration camp prisoners, one sister pledges protection of another, at all costs. This is a book about courage, as ‘Leaves Swept by a Cruel Wind’ is wonderfully written and teaches universal lessons, in that if you do something good, it will come back to you. And, you must have goals. Recommended by Shoshana Haas (300 pages - $19.95)
Titles available at San Marco Books and More 1971 San Marco Blvd, in the Square 904-396-7597 novel@sanmarcobookstore.com sanmarcobookstore.com For more information about the Second Generation Holocaust Survivors Writers Workshop and Programming, contact Stacey Goldring at info@gen2search.com or 904-5098538. Page
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OyMG
By Amy Fellner Dominy Ellie Taylor loves nothing better than a good argument. So when she gets accepted to the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp, she’s sure that if she wins the final tournament, it’ll be her ticket to a scholarship to the best speech school in the country. Unfortunately, the competition at CSSPA is hot-literally. His name is Devon and, whether she likes it or not, being near him makes her sizzle. Luckily she’s confident enough to take on the challenge-until she begins to suspect that the private scholarship’s benefactor has negative feelings toward Jews. Will hiding her true identity and heritage be worth a shot at her dream? (256 pages - for nine to 11 year olds) $11.25 on Amazon.com or by signing up for PJ OurWay at pjourway.org.
The Wurn Family Library at Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) is an accredited Jewish library with an extensive adult collection of more than 6,000 books for your reading pleasure. “The library is open to everyone, anytime the Temple office is open and everyone is welcome to borrow books,” explained Virginia Singer, volunteer Head Librarian. “All we ask is you give us your name and phone number so we can keep track of our books.” Hilda’s Garden, named for Hilda Gelfman who opened the library, is the children’s collection stocked with more than 4,000 volumes, perfect for bedtime reading books and for school-aged children and teens seeking quiet entertainment while at the pool, the beach or in their favorite quiet cool corner. The full collection totals over 18,000 books making it the largest synagogue library in the Southeast United States. The Samuel Friedlander Book Exchange was started more than 30 years ago by Gelfman, Rabbi Harold Gelfman and Mr. Samuel Friedlander. This project makes scholarly books available, for the simple cost of shipping, to clergy and Jewish libraries throughout the United States. When Mr. Friedlander moved to Texas, it would have been cost prohibitive to move his large collection, so the Book Exchange was founded.
jewishjacksonville.org
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Partner Agency Board of Directors
Jewish Community Alliance Executive Committee
Allison Korman Shelton - President Brent Trager - Vice President * Michael Miller - Vice President Debbie Parker - Secretary Rochelle Stoddard - Treasurer *Sunny Gettinger - Assistant Secretary & Assistant Treasurer
Positions Expiring in 2018 Andy Cantor Mary Edwards *Ken Babby Jason Plaien Chase Zimmerman
Positions Expiring in 2019 Sid Ansbacher David Wolf Nancy Rothstein Rebekah Selevan Sam Stromberg
Positions Expiring in 2020 *Benjamin Becker *Nicole Brown *Sherrie Saag *Michael Solloway
Past Presidents Adam Frisch Jan Lipsky
Nominating Committee *Michael Miller - Chair Jan Lipsky Alison Korman Shelton *Sam Stromberg Rochelle Stoddard Brent Trager Myron Flagler - Staff
Jewish Community Foundation on NE Florida Office Holders
Sue Nussbaum, M.D., MBA - President Ron Elinoff, DDS – Vice President (The Temple) Michael Korn, Esq. – Vice President Gary Perlman, DDS – Vice President (Etz Chaim Synagogue) Larry Appel - Secretary Jeff Edwards – Asst. Secretary Shari Shuman - Treasurer (River Garden) Mel Gottlieb – Assistant Treasurer
Board of Trustees
Andy Cantor, CFA Leonard Elikan Melvin Fruit, Esq. Kim Glasgal Mark Green, Esq. Barbara Jaffe, CIMA Mark Kraus, CLU, ChFC, CASL Sue Levine Andrea Mail Adam Marmelstein Elliott Rosenbaum, Psy.D. Ellen Rosner – (JFCS) Judy Silverman Richard Sisisky David Vandroff The Honorable Gary Wilkinson Sandy Zimmerman
In 2015, Sue Nussbaum, MD, MBA was elected President of the JCF Board of Trustees during her fourth year as a JCF board member. Sue understands the significant work done by the JCF and the importance of raising awareness of the need for leaving * = Newly serving in position bequests and estate gifts to the JCF for the benefit of the Allison ‘Ali’ Korman Jacksonville Jewish Shelton continues her community. During term as President of the the 2015-16 fiscal JCA Board of Directors. year, Nussbaum, Ali is the Director of in partnership with Intergovernmental Affairs JCF Executive Director Jeff Klein, for Mayor Lenny Curry successfully created and leads the team which a Finance Comrepresents the Administramittee to ensure tion before the Jacksonville future sustainability City Council, state and of the JCF, served Korman Shelton Sue Nussbaum federal elected officials and on the Nominating governmental agencies. A graduate of Florida Committee, created a Professional Advisory Committee for financial and estate State University, she is an active member of planning professionals, and designed a the Northeast Florida civic and philanthropic Grants Committee aimed at providing community. She has also served on numermuch-needed funds to new and innovative ous boards including Community Hospice programs in the Jewish community. Under of Northeast Florida, the Cultural Council of the direction of the Investment Oversight Greater Jacksonville (Past President), Cultural Committee, chaired by Barbara Jaffe, the Council Services Grant Panel (Past Chair), JCF changed investment managers (SEI Investments Management) and back office Community Connections (Past President), providers (Renaissance). Currently, she Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Nonprofit Center, JCCI, Epping Forest Yacht Club is working on a Campaign for Jewish Sustainability (CJS) that will guarantee the and Leadership Jacksonville and has received survival of JCF partners and synagogues numerous honors including being named one now and in the future. of the top ‘40 under 40’ and ‘Woman of InNussbaum earned her MBA from the fluence’ by the Jacksonville Business Journal, Wharton Graduate School of the UniverGirl Scouts of Gateway Council ‘Women sity of Pennsylvania, and she received her MD from the University of Cincinnati. She of Distinction Award’, the Esther Leah Ritz has spent much of her career combining Emerging Young Leaders Award from JCC her work in health prevention, quality imAssociation and the JCA’s Howard Korman provement and access to healthcare for all President’s Award. Ali Korman Shelton is that need it. Sue is currently the Executive married to Jamie Shelton and is the mother Director of We Care Jacksonville, and is of Camp (5), Ellie (4) and three step children, married to Michael S. Nussbaum, MD. Grant, Mia and Juliette. The two have two daughters, Jackie and Rachel.
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June/July 2017
Jewish Federation of Jacksonville Executive Committee
*Ken Jacobs - President *Iris Kraemer - VP & Campaign Chair *Andrew Jaffa - Vice President *Daniel Miller - Vice President *Sue Nussbaum - VP & JCF President *Allison Jacobs - VP, Women’s Div. Pres. *Debbie Banks Kitay - Women’s Division Campaign Chair *Jen Plotkin - Treasurer *Kim Glasgal - Secretary *Shylie Bannon - rGEN Chair *Sandy Zimmerman - Immediate Past Pres. *Mitchell Levine - Pres. Appointtee
Board Members
*Susan Cohen (River Garden), Allison Korman Shelton (JCA), Jodie Leach (JFCS), Claudia Baker, Susan DuBow, *Jeff Edwards, Dina Fetner, Mark Green, *Risa Herman, *Jon Israel, Michael Korn, Mark Kraemer, *Sue Levine, Ben Marsh, Judy Silverman, *Jeanine Rogozinski, Emily Rosenbaum, Diane Rothstein, Zachary Schwartz, *Nicole Sena Brown, Mike Solloway, *Haley Trager, Eugene Wolchok, Susan Wolchok, Barry Zisser
Past Pres./Honorary Life Members
Scot Ackerman, Larry Appel, Guy Benrubi, Jack Coleman, Ronald Elinoff, Leslie Held, Joan Levin, Mitchell Levine, Gary Perlman, David Robbins, Kenneth Sekine, Leonard Setzer, Steve Silverman, Richard Sisisky, Arnold Vandroff, Elliot Zisser
Rabbis
Yaakov Fisch (Etz Chaim), Matt Cohen (The Temple), Jonathan Lubliner (Jacksonville Jewish Center), Michael Matuson (Beth El The Beaches)
* = Newly serving in position
Ken Jacobs assumes the presidency of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville July 1, beginning a two-year term, following a prior 24-month period as first vice president and campaign chair. He has been active with Jewish life in Jacksonville since moving to Northeast Florida in 1992, rising up the Federation ranks Ken Jacobs as board member, and executive committee member in addition to being awarded the Ilene Sari Seleven Young leadership Award in 2011. Aside from his Federation work, Jacobs has also been President of the Jewish Community Alliance and on the board of directors for the JCC Association of North America. Together with his wife Allison, he has a daughter Sarah and a son Josh. Professionally, Jacobs is managing shareholder of Gray Robinson’s Jacksonville office and is a commercial litigator with substantial experience representing debtors and creditors in bankruptcy cases and debt workouts. He is rated AV, the highest professional rating available from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, and he was named a ‘Jacksonville Top Lawyer’ by 904 Magazine in addition to ‘Ultimate Attorney’ in 2017 by the Jacksonville Business Journal in the business and litigation category. His written work has appeared in various publications, including the Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar’s The Advocate and Emory University School of Law’s Bankruptcy Developments Journal. He has also been a guest columnist on bankruptcy and employment issues for the Jacksonville Business Journal, in addition to acting as an instructor for various courses at the University of Florida’s College of Law.
jewishjacksonville.org
Jewish Family & Community Services
River Garden Senior Services
Board of Directors Jodie Leach, President Stephen Goldman, First VP, Treasurer, Chair of Finance Committee Ellen Rosner, Chairman Caren Appel, VP and Chair of Programs and Services Mary Edwards, VP and Chair of the Development Committee Michael Katz, Secretary Keon Falkner Barbara Hunter Stuart Klein *Sierra Frisch Dr. David Loeb Matthew Lufrano Robert Morgan Sheryl Johnson Barbara Resnick *Josh Sachs Rabbi Avi Schochet Debra Setzer, Chair of Nominating Committee Kimberly Sisisky Billy Steeghs Glenn Ullmann
Officers *Susan Cohen, President Larry Goldberg, VP, Chair of Admissions Randy Kammer, VP, Co-Chair of Admissions Debby Kaye, VP, Co- Chair of Admissions Morrie Osterer, VP, Chair of the House Judy Paul, Secretary Cindy Demri, Treasurer Trustees *Gayle Bailys, Sharon Cohen, Susan Cohen, Cindy Demri, Susan Edelman, Jeff Edwards, Gloria Einstein, Ron Elinoff, Janis Fleet, Sheldon Gendzier, Larry Goldberg, Rachelle Gottlieb, Michael Greenburg, Ed Grenadier, Bruce Horovitz, Michael Howard, Charlie Joseph, Randy Kammer, Debby Kaye, Michael Lissner, Mark Lodinger, Morrie Osterer, Herman Paul, Judy Paul, Michael Paul, Marsha Pollock, Michael Price, Jerry Rothstein, Nan Rothstein, Harvey Schlesinger, Barbara Schneider, Shari Shuman, Fred Stromberg, Sandy Zimmerman, Naomi Lazar, Auxiliary President Honorary Trustees Jack Coleman, Bernie Datz, Allen Gray, Bernie Nachman, Lew Meisel, Rubye Safer Volunteer Lifetime Hours Awards 6,000 Hours May Grann (of blessed memory), Sondra Resnikoff, Ed Schroeder 4,500 Hours / 3,500 Hours Marcia Rector / Alois Gendzier 3,000 Hours / 2,500 Hours Frank Baltes / Maxine Romo 2,000 Hours Deinya Mautz, Barbara Nykerk 1,000 Hours Leslie Goldstein, Nelson Harbin, Flora Horne * = Newly serving in position
JFCS Charities Inc. Board of Directors Jodie Leach, President Stephen Goldman, First VP, Treasurer Ellen Rosner, Chairman Caren Appel Mary Edwards Michael Katz JFCS Realty, Inc. Board of Directors Jodie Leach, President Stephen Goldman, First VP and Treasurer Ellen Rosner, Chairman Caren Appel Mary Edwards Michael Katz * = Newly serving in position
Jodie Leach is a
Jacksonville native and a fourth generation member of the Jewish community. She continues a long family tradition of community service following in the footsteps of her parents. After a professional career in sales, Leach served on Jodie Leach several non-profit boards including the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, The Temple, and Hadassah. She joined the board of Jewish Family & Community Services in 2013, becoming President in 2016. In 2009 Leach began providing professional consulting services in the nonprofit community and successfully completed capital campaigns for several local organizations. Leach has been married to her husband Eric for nearly 30-years and together they have raised their children, Hannah and Sam, who both reside in Atlanta.
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Susan Cohen assumes
the role of River Garden President July 1. Although Cohen was born and raised in Gainesville, her roots are in Jacksonville where her mother was brought up. While in Gainesville, she joined the Preschool Board at B’nai Israel Synagogue and helped begin a Moms, Dads, and Tots group. She Susan Cohen and her husband Norman moved to Jacksonville with their three children in 1996, joining the Jacksonville Jewish Center where she served as the chair of the Religious School Committee. Cohen has been practicing law since 1985 in various capacities, and has practiced criminal and appellate law at Epstein & Robbins since 2000. She has served on the River Garden Board since 2005 and had the opportunity to chair River Garden’s Anniversary Day, and the Resident Care and Outreach Committee. In addition to the River Garden Board, Cohen serves on the Coves Board and is the incoming President of the Northeast Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. The incoming River Garden president also speaks at state-wide seminars, and serves on the Florida Bar Juvenile Rules committee, having served on a Florida Bar Grievance committee, successfully arguing cases of statewide importance in the Florida Supreme Court. Cohen and her husband have three children and five grandchildren.
Federation News
June/July 2017
Jewish Federation of Jacksonville Year in Review
Campaign kick-off concert with Dan Nichols
BY ALAN MARGOLIES
Federation Executive Director alanm@jewishjacksonville.org Any article reviewing a year for Federation must include an acknowledgement of the incredible amount of time and resources put forth by all of our volunteers, as the leadership of our Jewish family of organizations are our most precious resource. With that being said, it is my privilege to continue to work with our Federation’s many volunteers. It is also my special honor to work in close partnership with the executive directors of the organizations we share our annual meeting with each year. Colleen Rodriguez (JFCS), Marty Goetz (River Garden), Myron Flagler (JCA) and Laura Thompson (JCF), all perform their leadership roles at a level of excellence that rivals any Jewish community in North America. This year there has been both sadness and success in our community as in September, we lost our immediate past president and then president of JFCS, Hal Resnick. This loss has been felt by all of us, and yet, JFCS moved forward with a heavy heart and celebrated its 100th anniversary, while looking to breaking ground for their new facility next fall. At Federation, our annual campaign led by incoming president, Ken Jacobs, will raise less money than in 2016, and there are reasons related to donors moving away, passing away, and making significant gifts to other local agencies that contributed. Because of this, we will work even harder next year to turn things around, but
Israel Partnership BY JILL ABEL
Partnership Director jilla@jewishjacksonville.org
Israel Partnership had an incredibly busy year filled with visits from Israelis to Jacksonville in addition to members from our community spending special time in our partnership region of Hadera-Eiron. In July, four teens and a chaperone from Hadera came to Northeast Florida to work at local summer camps and spend time spreading the excitement of Israel throughout the community. In the fall, Jacksonville was represented at the first ever Leadership2Gether Retreat in Page 26
Second annual Cocktails and Clergy event
Jewish Community Fun with the Suns day
at the same time, we have seen much improvement with the participation in the campaign by our young professionals who are involved with rGEN. In August, Dana Marmari, our first community Shlicha in more than 25 years, will return to Israel. She has done an excellent job connecting many more of us to Israel on a more significant level. Perhaps Dana’s crowning achievement was the celebration of Yom Ha’Atzmaut at the JCA, Apr. 30th. A special thank you to Dave Flager, who with Dana, provided the professional staffing that made that day so memorable. With the support of Iris and Mark Kraemer, we will have another special Shlichot join us later
to explore a process that we believe will lead to the planned giving and endowment work for our Jewish community to fall under Federation’s responsibility. This is one of the most important processes Federation can engage in, and we hope to have everything in place by the end of the year. Those who have dedicated themselves to the first chapter in endowment giving for Jewish Jacksonville deserve sincere appreciation from all of us, and it is our intention to build on this chapter and to carve out even more success in the years to come. The Federation and its staff would like to thank its board of directors, women’s division steering committee, leadership of our Society of Healers Division, and rGEN’s steering committee for all of their support. Much appreciation is expressed to board president Sandy Zimmerman, Campaign Chair, Ken Jacobs, Women’s Division President and Campaign Chairs, Jen Plotkin and Allison Jacobs, Major Gifts Chair, Mike Nussbaum, Lion of Judah Chair, Debbie Banks Kitay, Society of Healers Co-Chairs, Dina and Howard Fetner, and rGEN Chair Daniel Miller. The Federation would also like to extend its sincerest appreciation for staff members Erin Cohen, Pat Burke, Dana Marmari, Ariel Frechtman, Matt Franzblau, Jill Abel, Isabel Balotin, Alarie Gibbs, Emma Pulley and Valerie Battini whose accomplishments and contributions were evident every day of the year. Finally, a big thank you is given to all of the Federation’s donors as well as the community’s clergy, agency, day school and synagogue presidents, in addition to other agency executive directors for all of their tireless work during the past 365 days.
this summer. Richard and Kimberly Sisisky and their family sponsored three programs this year, including our campaign opening event, Yom Ha’Atzmaut and June’s Annual Five Agency Meeting and Celebration. Gary and Nancy Perlman sponsored Super Sunday, while Jen Plotkin made a grant possible from TD Bank for the Girlfriend Connection. We could not have these types of consistent quality programs without this kind of support. Looking ahead, our Federation board and our Jewish Foundation have agreed that we are
Chattanooga, Tenn., where participants from southeastern U.S. communities and Israel spent time together learning about Federation. During that special weekend, those men and women helped to design new projects for Partnership, while learning about each others’ respective communities. In December, two women from Jacksonville went to Israel as part of the Educator Delegation, as the pair joined up with 11 of their peers in addition to many from Israel to learn about different educational communities and their respective challenges. During their stay, they toured the country together and attended a joint seminar in Jerusalem. This spring, Federation board member Iris Kraemer was honored for completing her term as Israel Partnership U.S. Volunteer Chair at the annual steering committee meeting in Richmond, Va., and this summer
Leadership 2Gether participants from Jax and Israel met up for a weekend in Chattanooga Jacksonville is excited about sending four local teens on the Tikkun Olam Summer Teen Exchange to Israel for two weeks, as well as hosting five teens and their chaperone from Israel for an additional two weeks later on in the summer.
jewishjacksonville.org
Shalom Jacksonville BY ISABEL BALOTIN Shalom Jax Director
shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org
For years, Shalom Jacksonville’s signature program, Jewish Java, was held at a variety of restaurants off of San Jose Blvd. It began as a coffee and schmoozing opportunity for newcomers and locals to forge friendships and learn about the community. To create additional interest, speakers were invited and as the attendance grew, a small side room at a local café could simply not accommodate the increased numbers. As luck would have it, River Garden offered to co-host the program and not only did the Hebrew Home make the
spacious Cohen Auditorium available, a complimentary bagel breakfast was added. With this simple change, Jewish Java morphed into an even more popular first Wednesday morning program for newcomers, as many regulars and newly interested community members, upwards of 75 or more a month came through River Garden’s doors. A wide variety of talented speakers came and talked about subjects such as ‘The Joys of Yiddish’, ‘Jewish Genealogy’, ‘Cuban Adventures’, ‘Israel’, ‘Love Languages’, ‘Nutrition’, book reviews and more. Movies of Jewish interest such as ‘Welcome to Kutshers’, ‘Sophie Tucker’ and ‘The First Basket’ have also attracted hundreds to the Federation-sponsored program. In addition to welcoming newcomers and helping them navigate the community, Shalom Jacksonville, now in its 11th year, has created ambassadors who are out in the community welcoming, telephoning and guiding the
River Garden and Federation staff pose for a photo before a Shalom Jacksonville program newest among us and making them feel at home in their new surroundings. A big thank you goes out to Marty Goetz and Leslie Held at River Garden for making this past year such a success as well as all those who attend and assist Shalom Jax’s many programs.
Women’s Division BY ERIN COHEN
Women’s Division Director erinc@jewishjacksonville.org
The 2016-17 campaign year for the Women’s Division was exceptional on many levels. Some highlights included last Sept., when several Jacksonville Lions attended the International Lion of Judah Conference in Washington D.C. In addition to a tremendous three days of speakers and discussions, Jacksonville honored Kimberly Sisisky with the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland leadership award. The local LOJ event, hosted by Debbie Banks Kitay featured Bryan Schwartz speaking about his travel and photography documentation of tiny, remote Jewish populations in all corners of the world with his organization, Scattered Among the Nations. In Jan. Debra Pataky and Ilene Schinasi co-chaired the most well-attended Champagne Brunch to-date. The event was hosted at
MOSH, where guests had the opportunity to view the Anne Frank Holocaust exhibition, along with the remarkable Holocaust artwork from the private collection of Cindy and Dan Edelman. In May, the annual Girlfriend Connection was hosted by Risa Herman and Jenn Neuman, where women were treated to a talk and a lesson from Erin Zaikis, founder of Sundara. Guests learned how to make homemade soap and then Zaikis spoke about her non-profit which teaches women and children in remote, underprivileged countries how to recycle soap, teaching them good hygiene to save lives from serious illness. A big thank you goes
Jacksonville Lions of Judah at their annual event, hosted by Debbie Banks Kitay out to Jen Plotkin for serving as the Women’s Division president for the past two years as her dedication to Federation and the local Jewish community is evident in every decision she makes for this organization. Looking ahead, we are excited to have Allison Jacobs lead the way as Division’s next president, along with Debbie Banks Kitay, campaign chair and Sue Levine, Lion of Judah chair.
Society of Healers BY ERIN COHEN
Society of Healers Director erinc@jewishjacksonville.org
The Federation’s healthcare professionals’ division, Society of Healers, continued another fantastic year of programming for Jacksonville’s Jewish medical community, as last fall, SOH welcomed Amy Hirshberg Lederman to Jacksonville. She spoke about ‘Compassionate Medicine, Compassionate Judaism: How Jewish values inspire best practices and enhance patient relationships’. In January, the society partnered with the Duval County Medical Society for a fascinating panel
discussion hosted at MOSH, entitled ‘Medical Ethics Today: Lessons Learned from Anne Frank and the Holocaust’. The panel included Federation’s own Dr. Guy Benrubi, along with several other leading experts in their fields and doctors even received CMEs for participating in this program. Many thanks to Drs. Dina and Howard Fetner for investing their time, energy and commitment to making this division worthwhile and meaningful to the healthcare
community. Federation is also excited to announce that Drs. Suzanne and Robert Bryskin will be taking the reigns as co-chairs for the 2017-19 campaign years.
readers learned about Mandarin’s complex and important pedestrian highway for observant Jews as well as a weekly tradition observed by three brothers and their father. The one story that remained in the headlines from the fall to the spring was Hurricane Matthew and its effects on the local Jewish community in addition to the community at large. The Florida
First Coast Relief Fund was established by local fundraising organizations including Federation and helped places like First Congregation Sons of Israel in St. Augustine get back on its feet and back in working order following damage from the storm. A special video series entitled ‘Yada Yada Yada’, debuted in the fall and continued through the spring, featuring local clergy in advance of major and minor holidays, explaining the intricacies of each. Every video was posted on YouTube via JaxJewishTV and a large majority of them were featured in the newspaper as well.
Jacksonville Jewish News BY MATT FRANZBLAU
Federation Communications Director mattf@jewishjacksonville.org
The Jacksonville Jewish News had a busy 12 months, continuing its vital coverage of stories of concern to the Jewish community here in Northeast Florida. From such features as ‘Inside the Eruv’, and ‘Dining with Dad’,
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SOH members met for an event at MOSH which coincided with the Anne Frank exhibit
Federation News
rGEN Jax
BY ARIEL FRECHTMAN rGEN Director arielf@jewishjacksonville.org
It’s been an incredibly meaningful year for young adults in the Jacksonville Jewish community with a broad array of programming that’s piqued their respective interests. This past year, rGEN Steering Committee members aimed to educate and engage with programs like ‘Supper with Survivors’ (in partnership with JFCS) and ‘rGEN and Anne’ (a partnership with MOSH and the Anne Frank Voices of Hope exhibit). With rGEN’s ‘mini mission’ and ‘Networking behind the Net’, a spotlight was put on the important work being done at the JCA, River Garden, JFCS, the Jewish Community Foundation, Martin J. Gottlieb Day School and Torah
Jax Shlicha
BY DANA MARMARI
Community Shlicha jaxshlicha@jewishjacksonville. org
This year, for the first time in 25 years, the Shlichut program has been up and running in Jacksonville, and throughout the year, the Shlicha has worked with the different Jewish agencies in our community in order to educate and connect to Israel. The programs varied according to the Jewish-Israeli calendar, different age groups and interests of the local agencies. Some of the main programs that were held include cooking projects such as the ‘shakshuka club’ and ‘Chanukah family cooking” in which participants learned about, prepared and tasted famous traditional Israeli
June/July 2017
Academy thanks to Federation’s support. Social events ranged from holiday-based programming made possible by members of the community who opened their homes for events and happy hours all over the greater Jacksonville area, providing opportunities to see old friends and meet new ones. Additionally, multiple generations were engaged at the ‘rGEN Hanukkah Extravaganza’. In addition to these programming milestones, Jacksonville is excited to have had rGEN participation at Federation’s General Assembly, Lion of Judah Conference, and as of this summer, Birthright, Campaigners’ Mission to Israel, National Young Leadership Mission to Israel, and National Young Leadership Cabinet. Campaign contributions among those under the age of 45 increased by 62-percent this year, efforts which were celebrated at ‘rGENerosity’, and thanks to donors and friends of Federation, rGEN attendance increased at many of the major fundraisers hosted by partner agencies.
A full room listens intently as rGENerosity event co-host Richard Sisisky speak at his home During the last 12 months, 35-percent more households were engaged through programming and 21-percent more were reached through the Federation’s Annual Campaign, which could not have been made possible without the hard work and dedication of our rGEN Steering Committee and volunteers.
dishes. A special creativity workshop with famous Israeli artist Hanoch Piven was also held, where the world-renowned Israeli arrived in Jacksonville and met with students and community members. During his workshops, Piven shed light upon Israeli culture, creative thinking and self reflection while working with the participants to create self-portraits. Lectures and ongoing educational programs regarding Israeli history, culture, society and current events were also held in varying synagogues, schools and social groups in the community, while the Jewish calendar through an Israeli lens was also brought into focus with events like the ‘TuB’Shvat’ hike that took place in Mandarin Park, and learning about Israel’s miraculous inventions during Chanukah. The capstone event of the year took place Apr. 30th when a community-wide Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration was held at the JCA with the cooperation of the different local
Torah Academy of Jacksonville was just one of the many stops that community Shlicha Dana Marmari made in the community this year agencies. The celebration was an event which was full of exciting learning experiences about Israeli culture for the whole family, bringing together approximately 600 members of the local community.
Jacksonville Jewish News to celebrate 30th anniversary in August
BY MATT FRANZBLAU
Federation Communications Director mattf@jewishjacksonville.org
Since the late summer of 1988, a publication called the Jacksonville Jewish News has been bringing important stories and perspectives to members of the Jewish community here in Northeast Florida. Now as the JJN as it is commonly referred to, begins to embark on its third decade of circulation, a nod to its storied past will be given in the August issue. In preparation of this celebration, a special 30th anniversary logo has been created to help those in the community reconnect with the publication’s rich history. Components of all four logos and associated colors have been incorporated, including its first purple incarnation from 1988-1992. The compact blue Jewish News look was its most Page 28
Jacksonville Jewish News editions throughout the years including the very first one (far left) in August 1988 and the first Summer Magazine issue (far right) in June/July 2016 tenured appearance as is it held that look from 1992-2008, until a larger more bold and dark blue Jewish News logo took flight later that year. The current brush script beach logo took shape in 2015 and can be seen in the anniversary logo with the aqua streak below and the type face inside of it. The JJN has interviewed an array of prominent foreign and national dignitaries of significance including former Israeli Prime Ministers Shimon Peres (1997) and Ehud Barak (2015) as well as former Middle East Ambassador Dennis Ross also in 2015. These encounters, as well as some of the other bigger stories the paper has presided over will be covered in addition to
earlier attempts at an official Jacksonville Jewish publication will be explored. Some major milestones of JJN include its first color edition in August of 2008, the first online issue in June 2011 and the first time the publication went to a magazine format during the summer of 2016. A lot has happened during the last 30-years in the Jacksonville Jewish community and the Jacksonville Jewish News has been there to cover it, so come along for the ride down memory lane, while keeping a keen eye on the road ahead for what’s in store for the JJN in the future.
jewishjacksonville.org
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Federation News
June/July 2017
Girlfriend Connection features unique hands on fun with inspirational BY ERIN COHEN
Women’s Division Director erinc@jewishjacksonville.org
In mid-May, the Federation held its annual Women’s Division Girlfriend Connection at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, featuring Sundara founder Erin Zaikis. This fundraiser, now in its 12th year, was chaired by Risa Herman and Jenn Neuman, along with an incredible event committee. More than 100 women came to participate in a soap-making community service project, followed by dinner and a moving and inspirational talk by the 27 year-old founder of
the non-profit, which focuses on getting soap and hygiene education to communities who need it the most in a sustainable, community-led way.
The Federation would like to recognize the generosity of TD Bank for helping make this event possible. Additionally, a big thanks is given to benefactor sponsors, Joan Levin and Jeanine Rogozinski; patron sponsors, Debbie Banks-Kitay, Suzanne Bryskin, Susan DuBow, Debbie Goldstein, Risa Herman, Katie Kight, Susan Levine, Jan Margolies, Christy Rosen, Beth Shorstein and Carole Wolpin; and table sponsor, Haley Trager. For more information about the Federation women’s division, contact Erin Cohen at erinc@jewishjacksonville.org or 904-448-5000, ext. 1209. Photos by Larry Tallis on next page
Jacksonville still remains the best kept secret for Jewish retirees BY YONA AND WARREN BRATTNER Jacksonville Retirees
When my wife and I began to prepare for retirement, we searched for the ten best cities in America for retirees. To our surprise, Jacksonville was one of them because the circle of people we travel in, all suggested the southeast area of Florida such as Boca Raton, Aventura, Hallendale and Hollywood. We frequently heard comments like “Are there any Jewish people in Jacksonville ?” and “What about synagogues and Jewish culture/kosher food ?” My wife is Israeli, so she also wondered if there were any in Jacksonville. A friend of our son lives in Saint Augustine, so we called him for information and he told us about the Jewish Community Alliance. Sandy Oasis, the Director of Senior Programs there gave us a referral to a very special person named Dottie Wilson, who is a realtor familiar with the area. We came to take a look and Dottie immediately made us a part of the Jacksonville family. She introduced us to
The Brattners at this year’s Etz Chaim Gala people at the Jewish Community Alliance, Jacksonville Jewish Center, Etz Chaim Synagogue, Chabad and The Temple. All the folks we met were willing to share their knowledge and experience with us, telling us about the weather, healthcare, standard of
living, entertainment, and employment opportunities for retirees. The most important takeaway for us was the attitude of the people, which was friendly overall with a willingness to share their time, and welcome us into the community. What is especially heart-warming to see is the sharing of holidays between the various groups. We ultimately sold our home in Staten Island, rented an apartment while searching for a home, and bought a house in Mandarin. Since our arrival, we have celebrated a new month with Chabad and Etz Chaim, baked hamentashen for Purim at the JCA and even attended Cocktails and Clergy at The Temple, which reinforced the notion for us that Jacksonville is a very special place to live. Isabel Balotin of the Jewish Federation’s Shalom Jax Division has become our latest friend, introducing us at the Wednesday morning monthly Java meetings. We are very happy. Jacksonville is still the best kept secret in Florida and we look forward to developing more friendships in the near future.
The Shlicha Corner: Spending summertime in the land of milk and honey BY DANA MARMARI Community Shlicha
The lyrics, “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy. Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high,” taken from Ella Fitzgerald’s legendary song ‘Summertime’ conveys the message of a relaxed feeling when summer comes around. The hot and radiant sun, the beaches and blue sky all paint a picture of a utopian atmosphere. In Israel, not very different from Jacksonville, this specific time of the year brings about the same emotions. Although the average temperatures can reach the high 90s and the humidity isn’t far behind, summer seems like the most fun and festive time of year. In Israel, all pre and elementary school students finish school on June 30th, while older students start their summer vacation on June 20th. Many children join local day camps taking place around the state. Whether their camp is run by their youth movements, local municipalities or private organizations, most of the Israeli children spend weeks with their friends learning, experiencing and having a chocolate pita with Page 30
chocolate milk in a plastic bag as their brunch. Meanwhile, all around the country, festivals of many sorts take place to entertain the older crowds. Wine festivals, music, movie festivals and many more create a festive atmosphere, allowing citizens and tourists to enjoy themselves. The beaches fill up with popsicle (‘artik’ in Hebrew) sellers who yell their famous saying “Artik Mastik, Artik Chocolate, Artik Banana”, while beachgoers relax in the sun, bathe in the sea and play the Israeli game ‘Matkot’, a paddle ball game resembling beach tennis. The wellknown summer watermelon with feta cheese dish can be spotted along the crowded shores. Although Israel has lots of activities to offer throughout the summer, many people take this time of year to travel abroad and experience other cultures. Each summer, approximately 1.5 million Israeli citizens fly in and out of the state for vacation. At the same time, the summer season draws many tourists to the state, with
2.75 million tourists coming to visit and enjoy the beautiful state last summer. As I sit back and reminisce about the beaches of Tel Aviv and summer festivals, I truly understand that there is no time as relaxing as summer. In Israel, like in many countries, the living is easier during the summertime and I highly recommend you all visit there during this special time of year. Happy Summer- Kayitz Sameach!
jewishjacksonville.org
entrepreneur and Sundara founder Erin Zaikis
Kimberly Sisisky and daughters Kendall Sisisky Valliere and Blair Sisisky Sherman
Natalie Dayan, Susan Wolchok, Henny Fisch
Guest speaker Erin Zaikis talks about the non-profit she founded, Sundara
Jacksonville’s teen delegation heads to Israel for the P2G summer exchange program BY JILL ABEL
Partnership Director jilla@jewishjacksonville.org
A group of four teens from Jacksonville will have the experience of a lifetime this summer as they are all participating in the Israel Partnership’s Summer Teen Exchange Program. The local Jewish community is excited to have these young women representing Northeast Florida in Israel in late June. The foursome consists of Rose Blumenfeld, daughter of Cathy and Leslie Blumenfeld, Barbie Goldstein, daughter of Debbie and Kenneth Goldstein, Zoe Mail, daughter of Andrea and Steven Mail and Sydney Teitelbaum, daughter of Stephanie and Howard Teitelbaum. They will be joined by three other teens from throughout the southeast, including Richmond and Charlotte. For two weeks, this delegation will be hosted in our sister city of Hadera and spend time with their host teens and families, traveling through Israel and learning more about the country, its people and our common heritage. This summer, the delegation will be chaperoned by Jill Abel, Israel Partnership Director here in Jacksonville and U.S. Consortium Coordinator for the Southeast cities in the Partnership. While in Israel, the delegation will hit the hot spots like the Western Wall, the Old City, Yad Vashem, Masada, the Dead Sea and sites in Haifa, but they will also
Rose Blumenfeld
rGEN’s Supper with Survivors In mid-May, Jewish young professionals came to the Jacksonville Jewish Center to share in a meal and meaningful conversation with Holocaust survivors in the area. The event was put on by rGEN and Jewish Family & Community Services and chaired by Erin Weintraub and Nicole Sena Brown. It even featured an appearance by a national representative from the Claims Conference. Page
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Barbie Goldstein
learn what it is like to be a real Israeli. These teens will celebrate Shabbat with their host families and participate in meaningful discussions around the dinner table. They will also meet some of their hosts’ friends and immerse themselves in the culture of real Israeli day-to-day life in places like shopping malls and grocery stores. Together with their host teens, they will perform community service acts in different locations across our Partnership region and they will learn how to come back to the United States and share the real story about life in Israel and its incredible people,
Zoe Mail
Sydney Teitelbaum
along with the amazing places and the difficult struggles of this wonderful country. Upon their return to Jacksonville, some of the traveling teens and a few other local families will host their Israeli counterparts later on in the summer.
Jewish Community Alliance
June/July 2017
JCA board welcomes new members for 2017-18 By Jewish Community Alliance
JCA leaders honored
The Jewish Community Alliance is welcoming four new members, Sherrie Saag, Michael Solloway, Nicole Brown and Ben Becker, to its board of directors. Saag moved to Jacksonville in 2016 from Omaha, Neb. with her family. For nine years, she worked as the Communications Manager for the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Since coming to the JCA, Saag has become involved in several aspects of the agency. She recently volunteered for the 2017 JCA annual fundraiser committee and will chair the upcoming 21st Annual Jewish Book Festival. In her new role as a JCA board member, she looks forward to sharing her experiences. Michael Solloway has lived in Jacksonville for more than 20 years and is a charter member of the JCA. He is currently a psychiatrist with Baptist Health and has previously served as the Medical Director of Daniel Memorial. He has long been an active member of the Jewish
community, and the JCA welcomes him to his new role at the agency. Ben Becker is a weekend anchor and reporter for Action News Jax. He is a devoted father of two, and also lends his time to various charitable causes, including Chai Lifeline which helps families cope with pediatric illness and loss. From his new position on the board, Becker hopes to contribute to the work the JCA does in uniting the Jacksonville Jewish community. Nicole Brown has been involved with the Jacksonville Jewish community since she moved to Jacksonville 10 years ago. With twin sons in Michele Block Gan Yeladim, she has been involved in many program at the school and the agency. She as volunteered for the annual fundraiser and the JCA book festival. She currently serves as an ambassador for the JCA membership department and leads content for JCA Mature Adults. As a board member, Brown continues this dedication to the agency and the community.
BY IMAN BYFIELD
Jewish Community Alliance
Every year the JCA bestows special awards to members of the community at the June board meeting. This year, Sunny Gettinger is being presented the Howard Korman President’s Award, and Michele Steinfeld and Sid Ansbacher are being awarded the JCA Special Service Award. The Howard Korman President’s Award recognizes a JCA board member who embodies the qualities of leadership, vision and courage during the program year. Gettinger is being recognized for her work as chair of the 2016 Film Festival. She led a dedicated committee and together as they brought a compelling roundup of films and speakers to Jacksonville. “Sunny was an awesome chair and she was very committed to the project, flexible, creative and decisive,” said Nancy Green, JCA assistant executive director. “She demonstrated strong leadership skills and managed the committee extremely well.” The Special Service Award is given to those who demonstrate outstanding service to the
Sid Ansbacher
Sunny Gettinger
JCA. Michele Steinfeld is being honored for her work as a JCA ambassador. Steinfeld’s efforts were invaluable in helping new and potential JCA members familiarize themselves with the agency and our services. “Michele’s opening line is always, ‘Let me tell you about the JCA.’ Whether she is standing in line in the grocery store, having blood drawn at the hospital or having the plumber fix a leaky faucet, these acquaintances become referrals for membership tours,” explained Hollie Arnold, JCA Membership Director. “It’s amazing how many then become members and part of the JCA family because Michele has a unique way
Michele Steinfeld of sharing her love of the JCA that is greatly appreciated.” Sid Ansbacher is being acknowledged for his role in helping the agency establish the JCA Foundation. For more than a year, he handled all legal aspects of starting the foundation. “Sid demonstrated great leadership in the formation of the JCA Foundation, and we are grateful for his tireless efforts,” said JCA Executive Director Myron Flagler. Ansbacher currently serves on the JCA board and will also serve on the JCA Foundation Board. Gettinger, Steinfeld and Ansbacher will receive their awards at the JCA’s annual June Board meeting.
JCA Summer Happenings (June/July ‘17) Vandroff Art Gallery
The work of Marlene Scheer will be featured from June 1 – 28. Scheer’s work combines her passion for color and experimentation to from a unique style. The reception is on June 4 from 4 – 6 p.m. Elbert Shubert’s ‘Persons, Places and Things’ will be shown from June 30 – July 28. This exhibit features wonderful Florida landscapes created in Plein Air and portraits using a variety of mediums.
Sunday Film Series
See two classic films, ‘The Mortal Storm’ (1940) on June 4 at 2 p.m. and ‘Paris After Dark’ (1943) on July 16 at 2 p.m. These events are free and open to the community.
Sit and Get Fit at the Temple
Beginning June 5, join us at the Temple Monday – Friday from 10:45 – 11:30 a.m. to get in shape and make new friends in this Page 32
chair exercise class. This is free to JCA valued members.
MOCA and Lunch
Enjoy a morning of culture, a curated tour and lunch on Wednesday, July 26 from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The fee is $15 and $10 for JCA valued members. Registration is required by July 20.
Guys’ Day at World Golf Village
Enjoy a putting clinic and Dutch treat lunch on Sunday, June 11 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Transportation is included and registration is required by June 7.
NAS Jax Aircraft Tour
Tour the Navy’s P-3 and P-8 aircrafts on Monday, June 5 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Transportation is included and registration required by May 22.
Blueberry Fun for Everyone
On Tuesday, June 13 at 8:45 a.m., join a morning adventure to Dowless Blueberry Farm and a blueberry lunch. Transportation is included and the fee is $36 and $24 for JCA valued members. Registration is required by June 9.
St. Augustine Eco Boat Tour
Explore the rivers and creeks of St. Augustine on Wednesday, July 12 from 9:45 a.m. – 3 p.m. The fee is $60 and $40 for JCA valued members. Registration is required by July 6.
jewishjacksonville.org
JCA’s Year in Review
By Jewish Community Alliance
The past year has been amazing at the Jewish Community Alliance, full of new, innovative programming and impressive upgrades to our regular offerings. Jewish and Family Programs welcomed new community shlicha Dana Marmari, as her expertise led to increased Israel cultural programming and education at the agency and beyond. Chanukah Movie and Dinner featured film showings enhanced by the JCA’s newly upgraded auditorium sound system. Families and friends ventured out to appreciate nature for JAway Tu B’Shevat Hike and Seder. Our Yom Ha’Atzmaut Community Celebration was a great success, bringing sister organizations and more than 600 members of the community for a collaborative, interactive exploration of Israeli culture, food, music and recent Israeli technological innovations. Holidays encouraged communion and kinship, and for Sukkot, we erected our outdoor sukkah for Pizza in the Hut. Purim was a delightful occasion for the entire agency. Preschool and kindergarten students dressed in their favorite costumes to deliver mishloach manot (Purim baskets) to JCA staff, and Passover Chocolate Seder and ECE Model Seders were fun, community events. JAway programs, Passover Matzah Factory, Yom Hazikaron, Family Night at the Jacksonville Armada and Family Mitzvah Project brought meaningful events beyond the walls of the J. Adult programming, cultural arts and mature adults combined for a renewed and expanded J Institute. Education, socialization and exploration were key with programs like Heal Yourself with Feldenkrais and Discover Israel. The biennial Jacksonville Jewish Film Festival presented a compelling selection of films highPage 33
lighting Jewish-themed topics and stories. Film screenings included chats with directors and a special opening night event. The JCA Jewish Book Festival once again captivated book lovers with authors Chanan Tigay, Jonathan Rabb, Claudia Kalb, Josh Aronson, Jennifer Brown and Ina Pinkney. Cultural Arts added make and take workshops, off-site creative sessions and art talks for adults of all ages and interests. Painting, drawing and pottery also expanded, and the Young Concert Artists, Inc. collaboration resulted in another successful season featuring pianist Tomer Gewirtzman, Zorá String Quartet and violinist Aleksy Semenenko. Mature adult members enjoyed a place to socialize, exercise and explore with regular Sit and Get Fit, Rummy Q and other unique, engaging programs. The Jacksonville community showed support of the JCA and its mission with a successful annual fundraiser. Bright Lights, Big City honored the Block Family and brought supporters out for a swank, stylish evening of food, dancing and fun. The annual Michele Block Gan Yeladim Early Childhood Symposium drew hundreds of educators from across the First Coast for an engaging keynote with Tamara Kaldor, assistant director of the Technology in Early Childhood (TEC) Center at the Erikson Institute in Chicago. Kaldor spoke about the creative use of technology in the classroom and held a Parent Morning where she discussed parenting in the digital age. In Youth Services, Jacksonville Teens Volunteer helped teenage members give back to the community. The new Student Art Gallery featured the work of the Artventure Club for middle school students as well as art by afterschool and youth members. Youth members had more opportunities at the JCA, as more than 40 teens were trained
and employed to work in various capacities including babysitting, lifeguards and sports assistance roles such as junior referees and score keepers. JCA youth athletes shined at the 2016 Maccabi Games, as sports and recreation took a great team to St. Louis for competition with other young, Jewish teens from across the world. Sports and Rec also offered new programs like Gracie Bara Jiu Jitsu and an Advanced Basketball Clinic. Aquatics kept us safe in the water with Red Cross Learn-to-Swim classes, private swim lessons and youth swim teams. Tennis offerings at the agency saw members of all ages having fun on the courts. Theatre produced a very special show, ‘Just Like Me’, to tell the stories of child victims of the Holocaust, and Magic Wardrobe partnered with Duval Country Public School STEAM Passport program to invite 5,600 kindergarten students to the JCA for Welcome to America, an educational history production. Other Theatre of Youth productions included Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and Fiddler on the Roof. Fitness and Wellness offered expert training, fitness education and a newly networked fitness center. Members reached their fitness goals with new Teen Power Yoga and PiYo classes as well as new Preva fitness tracking technology. JCA Baptist Wellness Connexion helped JCA members and the community reach and keep their wellness goals with the guidance of Baptist Wellness Coaches and free community events. These accomplishments have resulted in a successful year at the JCA as we always strive to our mission to enhance the quality of life for the entire community, and we look forward to the coming year and providing more great programs and events.
Photo Credit (Top Left) Marcia Hodgson, Resident Community News
Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida
June/July 2017
Recipes for financial success and sustainability future. By setting up an endowment with the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, Inc., you allow our partner agencies and other nonprofit organizations to plan for the future. Consider the legacy YOU want to leave for your family, our Jacksonville Jewish community, and the world, then contact the JCF to help you achieve your philanthropic goals. The Board of Trustees and the staff at the JCF wish you a fun, happy, and memorable summer. Enjoy these kosher summer recipes, and call us at 904-394-0720 to help you to stir up your nonprofit giving.
By Jewish Community Foundation of NE Fla.
It’s finally summer, the season we both love and dread as Floridians, so while you are busy soaking up the sun, firing up the grill, and catching up on your summer reading, take a moment to think of all of the nonprofit organizations you support and would like to sustain in the future. While any gift to a nonprofit is much appreciated, sustained giving through an endowment helps nonprofit organizations secure funding that will support them in the
Easy, healthy and delicious gazpacho soup Pasta Pesto with fresh
- Fill your blender half way with V-8 or tomato juice (Recommended to mix low sodium V-8 and Spicy V-8) - Add a medium or large cucumber, a few stalks of celery, one red or orange pepper (cut in medium size pieces) - Add a splash or two of lemon juice - Put in tomato paste (half of a small can) - Dash of Olive Oil (optional) - Then Liquefy - Chill in the fridge for a few hours (or freezer if you are in a hurry!) - Usually served with croutons, a
IMPORTANT TERMS
There are many ways to donate to your favorite cause. The JCF is here to help you determine what type of donation best suits the needs of you and your family.
Bequest
A bequest is a sum of money or other property (such as stocks or bonds) left to an individual or organization through the provisions of a will or estate plan. Charitable bequests made by you are managed by the JCF which ensures that the funds support the designated nonprofit, educational institution, or religious organization of your choice.
Donor-Advised Fund
A donor-advised fund, or DAF, is a philanthropic vehicle established at a public charity. It allows donors to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax benefit and then recommend grants from the fund over time. An easy way to think about a donor-advised fund is like a charitable Page 34
mozzeralla and avacado
dollop of plain yogurt/sour cream, chopped spring onions and chopped cucumber.
JCF FYI
savings account: a donor contributes to the fund as frequently as they like and then recommends grants to their favorite charity when they are ready. The JCF manages the fund and ensures that the assigned charity receives the your funding.
Endowment Fund
An endowment fund is an investment fund established at a foundation that makes consistent withdrawals from invested capital. Endowments are designed to keep the principal amount intact while using the investment income from dividends for charitable efforts. The JCF manages and invests the capital to ensure the fund continues to grow. Endowment funds are typically funded entirely by donations that are deductible for the donors. Restricted endowment funds allow donors to specify a specific purpose for the revenue generated by the fund. Sources: Investopedia; the National Philanthropic Trust
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Jewish Family & Community Services
June/July 2017
PJ Library successfully launches new jewel society
Faye Hedrick eyes a membership bracelet By Jewish Family & Community Services
Champagne, chocolate, jewelry and PJ Library supporters came together at Rachel and Dr.
Craig Morgenthal’s home to successfully launch the ‘Jewel Society’ and celebrate the women of PJ Library. Jewel, is an acronym for ‘Jewish Women Emerging Leaders’, with annual gifts of $118 or more to the PJ Library of Jacksonville. This gift makes an individual a member of the Jewel Society and is symbolized with a beautiful charm bracelet, with all proceeds going directly into PJ Library. Every year that Jewel Society members renew their support of PJ LIbrary, a new special charm will be added. Every contribution provides monthly family engagement programming in Jacksonville, deepening connections among young Jewish families. The PJ Library currently reaches more than 600 children ages six months to eight years with Jewish books and CDs in the Jacksonville area.
The Jewel Society Membership bracelet It is still possible to be a founding member of the Jewel Society, so to join, contact Whitney Kuvin at 904-394-5724.
JFCS’ Alexis James receives award of excellence from local club By Jewish Family & Community Services
Congratulations to High Risk Newborn Therapist, Alexis James, for receiving the Award of Excellence from the Exchange Club at their Annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference held in late April. James is a member of JFCS’ Dupont Counseling Group, which is a full service mental health clinic, serving both the child welfare system and private clients. She is a prime example of a ‘Child Welfare Therapist’, given that being a ‘High Risk Newborn Therapist’ is unique within itself, requiring thorough clinical understanding and knowledge particularly in the infant mental health field. High Risk Newborn, or HRN, serves the most vulnerable population, children 0-5 years of age, with the primary focus of improving bonding and attachment relationships with children and their caregivers at an early and critical time in their lives. Within the Child
Alexis James
Exchange Club award
Welfare System, which can be as difficult as they come, there is generally not a single factor that results in abuse or neglect of a child. It’s usually a combination of various factors contributing to
the vulnerability of relationships within a family system increasing risk factors of possible child abuse and neglectful situations. James carries such wisdom and is as clinically savvy as any seasoned clinician and infant mental health specialist when it comes to providing the necessary therapeutic interventions to intervene with such families that pose these risks. She not only demonstrates an understanding of how these complex factors can impact a family’s way of seeing the world, but puts forward a level of passion, dedication and commitment when it comes to helping families see change in behavioral patterns that they themselves find it hard to overcome. There is no issue too scary or complex for her to jump into, as James has been able to find ways to combine therapy and case management through the uniqueness of the HRN program and to help families resolve circumstantial and even psychological problems that impair their day-to-day functioning.
The Max Block Food Pantry match challenge is on By Jewish Family & Community Services
Sadly one in five children in Duval County receive their only meal while in school, and school ended June 2nd. With this in mind the Max Block Food Pantry at JFCS meets the needs of many families that struggle throughout the summer months, often closing the food gap that is created by school being out. In 2016 alone,
the Max Block Food Pantry served more than 80,000 meals. Your donation to the Max Block Food Pantry will be generously matched by the Block Family Foundation through July 31, so please give now and make twice the difference in the lives of the many that come to JFCS for assistance. This initiative was once known as FANN or Feed a Needy Neighbor, but has since been renamed to reflect the new matching program that has been launched to support hungry.
JFCS Fla Blue Sapphire Award runner up By Jewish Family & Community Services
JFCS was honored to have been awarded runner-up at the Florida Blue Sapphire Awards in the Organization Category. This award recognizes organizational excellence in innovation in the delivery of community health services. Florida Blue received nearly 100 nomination applications from across Florida.
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Save these dates Allen J. Taffet Building Ribbon Cutting: September 14, 2017 Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery Dedication: October 29, 2017 Allison Stein Robbins Building Ribbon Cutting & Max Block Food Pantry Dedication: January 21, 2018
jewishjacksonville.org
JFCS’ Year in Review
Signing and receiving keys for the new JFCS Building on Baycenter Rd. Pictured: Sid Ansbacher, Jodie Leach, and Colleen Rodriguez Centennial Celebration: Colleen Rodriguez, Faatimah & Danielle Darby, Jodie Leach, Caren Appel, Mary Edwards and Kimberly Sisisky AFL Family, receives museum membership from generous JFCS donor. Pictured: Laniya White and her family visiting the museum
JFCS and Federation meets JAFI’s Natan Sharansky at the GA. Pictured: Steve Silverman, Dana Marmari, Sandy Zimmerman, Natan Sharansky, Judy Silverman, executive director Colleen Rodriguez, Haley Trager along with Federation executive director Alan Margolies
Centennial Celebration Event Committee
JFCS’ Whitney Kuvin with Harold Grinspoon Thank you to Francine Kempner for her many years of dedication as a past president, board member, supporter, and friend of JFCS Executive Director Colleen Rodriguez accepts Florida Blue Sapphire Award on behalf of JFCS
JFCS attracts a large crowd for its Capital Campaign Kickoff Event in October 2016
JFCS volunteers at the Gate River Run, AFL’s Mayte Diaz, Larri Jo Vretis and Amy Smith
The sixth Annual JFCS Scotch & Poker Men’s event was held at bestbet, and the event was chaired by both Matt Lufrano and Ben Marsh Page 37
JFCS serves more than 1,100 children and seniors through the Holiday Giving program
River Garden Senior Services
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June/July 2017
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Chabad News & Lifecycles
June/July 2017
Chabad Lubavich of Cantorial Shabbat to be held at the Beaches of Chabad at the Beaches. “We with Shmuli Hurwitz Co-director NE Florida News look forward to a wonderful Shabbat, one that By Chabad at the Beaches
Cantor Shmuli Hurwitz
A unique Shabbat featuring Cantor Shmuli Hurwitz will be hosted on the weekend of June 23-24 at the Aaron and Blanche Scharf Center, home of Chabad at the Beaches. Cantor Hurwitz will be at services followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m., and Shabbat will conclude Saturday evening, at 9:15 pm, with a special musical Havdalah service and kumzitz geared toward young professionals. Cantor Hurwitz has conducted Shabbat services in Synagogues and at Jewish events throughout the world. At a very young age he was already renowned for his beautiful voice and his ability to inspire crowds to sing along. He has inspired crowds large and small in every corner of the world from Australia to France, from Cambodia to California. “Cantor Hurwitz’s cheerful and pleasant demeanor yet powerful voice make his listeners feel the urge to sing along, says Rabbi Nochum Kurinsky,
is somewhat different than anything we have ever done”. Cantor Hurwitz will lead the Kabbalat Shabbat service with traditional songs and his own unique cantorial pieces. A delicious catered full course meal will follow the service and Cantor Hurwitz will lead the dinner with special songs he learned from his mentor, Cantor Naftali Herstik. Cantor Herstik is the cantor at the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem, and is universally recognized as one of the greatest cantors alive today. Hurwitz will spend time during the Shabbat meal focusing on special melodies composed by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the leader of the worldwide Chabad Lubavitch movement. The Rebbe (as Rabbi Schneerson is fondly known) was known for his great scholarship and leadership. He was also a notable teacher of Jewish music. In honor of the anniversary of his passing time will be spent learning some of his compositions.
Rabbi speaks to Law Chabad at the Beaches Young Jewish Pros faculty about topic to host special cocktails and kumzitz event of Anti-Semitism By Chabad at the Beaches
On Saturday evening, June 24th at 9:15 p.m., Chabad at the Beaches will host a young professionals event. The event will begin with a special musical Havdalah ceremony. Following Havdalah young professionals are invited to stay for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres with special guest, Cantor Shmuli Hurwitz. “Honestly, I never heard of a kumzitz before, but after some research I realized this would be an awesome event for young people” said Rabbi Shmuli Novak of the Southside Chabad Max Lesser, president of YJP in Ponte Vedra “We’re really looking forward to this fun and speaks to faculty members at the Florida super chilled event”. Coastal School of Law about Anti-Semitism For those not familiar, a Kumzits is usually an evening gathering, where everyone sits By Chabad of the Southside together and sings spiritually moving songs. Florida Coastal School of Law hosted Rabbi In order to establish a certain ambiance Shmuli Novack of Southside Chabad to address the lighting is often low and candles are anti-semitism at the height of the bomb threats primarily used, or if taking place outdoors it being called in to Jewish institutions around is usually around a campfire. If it is not the
the world. Rabbi Shmuli presented a very brief overview of anti-semitism, historically as well as modern day. While the recent threats brought the subject of anti-semitism to the forefront, this is of course nothing new. According to FBI statistics for 2014, of religiously motivated hate crimes, Jews were targeted 57 percent of the time. Muslims were the victims 16 percent of the time, followed by Catholics, Protestants and atheists/agnostics. On college campuses in particular, recent years have proven very difficult for Jewish students around the world. In fact a recent study claims that anti-Semitic activity skyrocketed by 40-percent in 2016 at the college and university campuses with the largest number of Jewish students. “Dwelling on anti-semitism can be disheartening to many, as people say ‘my goodness it’s 2017, where is this world heading?’, but by focusing on the miracle of Jewish survival and always having a positive call to action, we can effectively address this major concern while leaving a positive impact on our youth,” Novack explained. 42 Page
Chabad’s Lag B’Omer More than 250 people, including men women and children gathered for a fun and exciting Lag B’omer afternoon at Chabad in Mandarin
Jewish Sabbath then there will usually be musical instruments, such as guitar or violin. An orator will usually tell short inspirational folk-stories between songs. All are welcome to attend this event, however reservations are required which can be made through ChabadBeaches.com. An $18 suggested donation is asked per person and sponsorships are available. For sponsorship opportunities or to RSVP please contact Dafne at Chabad at the Beaches via email at Dafne@ChabadBeaches.com or by phone at 904-770-0502 or visit www.ChabadBeaches.com.
jewishjacksonville.org
BIRTHS
Yaakov Mordechai Wilansky was born Sunday Apr. 30, 2017 to parents of Rabbi Eli and Esther Wilansky at Baptist Beaches hospital, weighing six pounds and 13.8 ounces. He is the new baby brother of Shmulik and Nechama Wilansky and his proud grandparents are Rabbi Yosie and Malke Wilansky of Montreal, Canada Yaakov Wilansky in addition to Mr. Pinchos and Chana Kurinsky from Ponte Vedra Beach. Tobias Jacob Davis-Wallace was born to parents Eric Wallace and Dana Davis, Tuesday, May 9th at St. Vincent’s Hospital Riverside, weighing 7 lbs. 5 oz. Proud grandparents are Stephen and Judy Davis and Leonard and Renee Wallace, both members of Tobias Davis-Wallace the Jacksonville Jewish Center.
B’NAI MITZVAH
Jesse Nicholas Winter (Shlomo Nissan), was called to the Bimah to read from the Torah to celebrate his bar mitzvah, Saturday, May 20th at Chabad of the Southside in Jacksonville. Sharing in his simchat were his parents Nathan and Susie (Weiss) Winter and brother, Ethan. Proud grandparents are Nettie Weiss, Howard and Jesse Winter Sherry Weiss, Cyndee Winter, and Wayne and Xinia Winter. Jesse attends Kernan Middle School, where he is a member of the soccer team and participates in the scholar bowl. Austin Philip Gardner, son of Darin and Lisa Gardner, was called to the Torah, Saturday, June 10th on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Also celebrating in the simcha was Austin’s sister, Harper, in addition to grandparents, Alvin and Meade Coplan and Marcia Jawitz. Austin is a seventh-grade stuAustin Gardner dent at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School and enjoys playing soccer, video games and playing with his French bulldog, Baylee. For his mitzvah project he collected donations for the Coplan and Goldman Families JCA Camp Scholarship Endowment Fund. This fund helps send a kid to summer camp at the Jewish Community Alliance. This fund was started in the name of his grandfather, Alvin Coplan and his
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cousins, Stephen and Jackie Goldman.
ENGAGEMENTS
Mazel tov to Jacklyn Kallman and Peter Hammer on their recent engagement. Kallman is the daughter of Diane and Mark Kallman of Port Orange, Fla., and Hammer is the son of Ann and Richard Howell of Rochester, N.Y., and Allan Hammer (of blessed memory). A Kallman & Hammer February 2018 wedding is planned at the Jacksonville Jewish Center.
MARRIAGES
Sophie DuBow and Aaron van Schaik were married Saturday, April 8th in Palm Springs, Calif. The bride is the daughter of Helen and Michael DuBow of Jacksonville, and earned a degree in Fashion Merchandising from LIM College in New York. She currently works as a Fashion Stylist, while the groom is the son of Debra and Anthony van Schaik of Melbourne, Australia. He earned DuBow & van Schaik a Construction Management degree from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (Australia) and is a Real Estate developer. The couple lives in New York City.
MILESTONES
When you look up mensch in a Yiddish dictionary you might find a picture of Marty Kaufman, who is celebrating his 85th birthday in June. Kaufman has led a life of integrity and honor, as over the years he was active in the Jewish War Veterans as Post Commander, in synagogue as President on more than one occasion, and serving as his son’s AZA chapter’s advisor. Kaufman has spent many years as a community volunteer on stamp projects, Yom Hashoah events, food donation projects Marty Kaufman and more. He is the proud father of three and grandfather of seven (plus a few additions). He and his loving wife, Mimi, are celebrating 66-years of marriage and the couple takes classes together at UNF, continuing to learn and to contribute to the community in which they live. Yom Huledet Sameach Marty!
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD, FACOG, NCMP received a University of Florida Term Professorship award from the UF Provost’s Office. Awardees have displayed a distinguished career that places them among the leaders in their discipline. UF President Kent Fuchs announced the new awards in May 2016 to further recognize and reward faculty achievements. The awards
are based on assessment of academic accomplishment. Dr. Kaunitz is UF Research Foundation Professor and Associate Chairman in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UF College of Medicine-Jacksonville. He serves as Medical Director, and Director of Andrew M. Kaunitz Menopause and GYN Ultrasound Services at UF Health Women’s Specialists-Emerson.
SYMPATHIES
… To the family of Leopold ‘Leo’ Koppel, who passed away Monday, Apr. 24th at the age of 95. He is survived by his children Karen Rose Koppel Kaunitz (Andrew), Barbara Sue Koppel Pedley (Timothy), Anita Baer Koppel Blackman (Ralph) and Paul Ira Koppel (Sheila), grandchildren Lauren Elizabeth and Nathaniel Mark Pedley (Sarah), Kate Baer and David Koppel Kaunitz (Heather), Max Baer and Mia Lillian Cicilia Blackman, Alexander Jacob Koppel and great-granddaughter Kinleigh Rose Kaunitz. Donations can be made in Leo Koppel’s memory to Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple), the Jacksonville Humane Society, the Jacksonville Zoo, or the charity of your choice. … To the family of Beatrice Wallace, who passed away Tuesday, Apr. 25 at the age of 88. She is survived by her sons Leonard (Renee), Arthur (Maureen) and Robert (Roberta) Wallace, as well as grandchildren Eric (Dana) and Danielle. Funeral services took place in Schenectady, N.Y. Contributions in Beatrice Wallace’s memory can be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center. … To the family of Eleanore Dorman, who passed away Thursday, Apr. 27th at the age of 91. She is survived by her children Michelle Frisch and Dr. Todd (Lisa) Dorman, grandchildren Daniel and Erin Frisch and Will and Libby Dorman. A graveside funeral service was held Apr. 28th at King David Gardens (Greenlawn Cemetery) in Jacksonville. The family requests that contributions in memory of Eleanore Dorman be made to Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) or River Garden. … To the family of Jacksonville Jewish Center member Peter Lesnik, who passed away Monday, May 1st at the age of 93. He is survived by his wife Phyllis; children Beth (Mitchell) Trager, Judy Katz, Paula Garrard, Richard (Tammy) Lesnik, and Susan Levine; grandchildren Erica, Shaun, Megan, Michelle (Paul), Mychal (Johanna), Erik; two step-grandchildren Brent (Alison) Trager, Sheri (Jeff) Weiss; and a pair of great-grandchildren. Funeral services took place May 2nd at the New Center Cemetery in Jacksonville. Contributions in Peter Lesnick’s memory may be directed to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. … To the family of Steve Korman, who passed away Tuesday, May 9th at the age of 75. He is survived by his wife Gail, sons Jay (Beth), Mark (Lauren) and David (Heather), brother Howard (Joy) Korman, sister Reyna Horner, nieces Ali Korman Shelton (Jamie), Rachel (Gary) Gridley, nephew Josh (Katie) Korman, in addition to five grandchildren. Funeral services were held May 12th in Connecticut. The family requests that contributions in memory of Steve Korman be made to the JCA’s Korman Family Endowment Fund for Single Parent Families. … To the family of Karen Knoverek (nee Kammer) of Darien, Ill., who passed away Sunday, May 7th at the age of 61. She is survived by her husband
See LIFECYCLES, p. 44
Lifecycles & Florida Jewish News
LIFECYCLES Continued from pg. 44 of 16 years, Richard Knoverek; father Karl Kammer of Beachwood, Ohio; sisters, Randy Kammer (Jeff Wollitz) of Jacksonville, Bobbie Kammer of Solon, Ohio, and great-nephew, Milo Phillips, also of Jacksonville. Funeral services were held in Chicago. Contributions in Karen Knoverek’s memory can be made to the Marilyn Kammer Bestseller Collection at Shaker Heights Public Library. … To the family of Marilyn Annette Blank, who passed away Tuesday, May 16th. She is survived by her children Dorri (Mark) Kraus, Tammi (Robert) Ecker and grandson Jason. A graveside funeral service was held May 19, at the New Montefiore Cemetery in Pinelawn, N.Y. Contributions in Marilyn Blank’s memory may be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center, to the Jewish National Fund, or to the ASPCA. … To the family of Sylvia Saroff, who passed away Wednesday, May 17th at the age of 88. She is survived by her children Dina (Arie) Mirsky, Melanie Colley, Rebecca (Michael) Bruce, Mark (Kimberley) Saroff, and Simmy (Phillip) Barrocas, her grandchildren Michael (Ashira) Mirsky, Avital (Zvi) Friedman, Rachel (Alex) William, Chaskin, Hahnah, Sanderson and Lyle and her great grandchildren Dovid Mirsky and Avraham Leib Friedman. Funeral services were held May 19th in Knoxville, Tenn., with Rabbi Yossi Wilhelm officiating. … To the family of Jacksonville Jewish Center member Arlene Faracchio, who passed away Wednesday, May 17th at the age of 81. She is survived by her children Dean (Nancy) Faracchio, Karen Dossonback and Craig Faracchio; her brother Jerry (Arlene) Jay; her sister Bobbi Alpert; and her four grandchildren, Brittany Faracchio and Joshua, Alyssa and Jacob Dossonback. A graveside service took place May 22nd at the Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in
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Jacksonville. Contributions in Arlene Farac chio’s memory may be directed to the Setzer Youth Education branch of the Jacksonville Jewish Center’s Galinsky Academy. … To the family of Charles Hand, who passed away Saturday, May 13th. He is survived by his long-time partner Karen Ginsberg Southall, in addition to her family and their many close friends. A memorial service was held May 24th at the home of Kari Ginsberg-Ducali in Jacksonville. Contributions in Charles Hand’s memory may be directed to the American Cancer Society or to the Jacksonville Jewish Center. … To the family of long-time Jacksonville Jewish center member Dr. Neil Abramson, who passed away Thursday, May 18th. Dr. Abramson leaves behind a devoted family, including his cherished wife of 57 years, Ellen Abramson. He was father and father-in-law to Laura and Keith Abramson-Pritchard of Denver, Judith and Ted Isaacs of St. Louis and Drs. Simeon and Natalie Abramson of Denver. He was an incredibly devoted grandfather to Golda and Emanuel Abramson-Pritchard, Emily, Ariel and Sophie Isaacs, and Noah, Lev and Tess Abramson. He was dear to his brothers and brothers-in-law Richard Cassese, Crosby Ross and Edward Goldner, as well as sister-in-law Margaret Rose Cassese and late sister Sandra Edelstein and late brother Neil Cassese. A private funeral service was held May 19th in St. Louis. Contributions in Neil Abramson’s memory may be made to the Agudah Israel Synagogue or St. Louis Kollel. … To the family of Myra Shapiro, who passed away Friday, May 19th at the age of 82. She is survived by her children, Marcy (Eric), Bruce, (Marcie), and grandchildren Jenna, Alyssa (Brandon), Ethan, Justin, Noah, and Zoe. A memorial service was held June 11th in Maryland. The family requests that contributions in Myra Shapiro’s memory be made to Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger, P.O. Box 96119, Washington, D.C. 20090.
June/July 2017 … To the family of Esther Sauer, who passed away Sunday, May 21st at the age of 83. She is survived by her son Dr. Andy (Shiree) Sauer along with his entire family. Sauer was one of the few remaining residents of Jacksonville who had escaped the Holocaust, as at the age of six after witnessing the German invasion of Poland, she escaped with her family to Russia and eventually settled in Kibbutz Merhavia, Israel’s oldest kibbutz. Funeral services for the former Israeli army general took place May 23rd at Shaarei Shomayim Gardens at Greenlawn Cemetery with Rabbi Shmueli Novak officiating. Contributions in Esther Sauer’s memory may be made to American Friends of Magen David Adom. … To the family of Mary Lourie Rittenberg, who passed away Tuesday, May 25th, in White Plains, N.Y., at the age of 89. She is survived by her children, Harris (Meryl) Rittenberg, Sam (Evelyn) Rittenberg, Sadye Beth (Alan) Waldenberg, William Rittenberg, and Michael Rittenberg, in addition to nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews. A private funeral service was held May 28th in Charleston, S.C. Contributions in Mary Rittenberg’s memory may be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center, or to the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville. … To the family of Jacksonville Jewish center member Marvin Sherman, who passed away Friday, May 26th at the age of 89. He is survived by his children June (Bobby) Shenkman; Karen Turkat; and Brad Sherman; grandchildren Drew (Patty) Shenkman, Jeffrey (Deborah) Shenkman, and Phillip Turkat; and great-grandson Brody Shenkman. Funeral services were held May 29th at the Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home’s Hendricks Chapel in Jacksonville and interment immediately followed at the New Center Cemetery. Contributions in Marvin Sherman’s memory may be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center or to the River Garden Hebrew Home.
jewishjacksonville.org
FIU’s Jewish Museum of Florida hosts exhibition through October on and distinct, forever asking the viewer what he evil and inhumanity or she would do if placed in similar situations depicted in these works of art. Mark Podwal By Jewish Museum of Florida at FIU
Evil: A Matter of Intent features the work of more than 35 contemporary and modern artists addressing the many faces of inhumanity. This pertinent group show can be seen exclusively at FIU’s Jewish Museum of Florida in Miami Beach, and features artists hailing from around the world with diverse backgrounds, including Helene Aylon, Judith Glickman Lauder, Grace Graupe-Pillard, William Sharp, Tamar Hirschl, John Lawson, Paul Margolis, Mark Podwal, Trix Rosen, and Arthur Szyk. On loan from the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in New York, this exhibition was curated by Laura Kruger and features more than 70 artworks that span from 1940 to the present, including mixed media paintings, works on paper, photography and sculptural works. The exhibition opened to the public, Apr. 20 and is on view through Oct. at the museum, which is located at 301 Washington Ave. in the heart of South Beach’s Art Deco District. As the title reminds us during these precarious times, acts of evil are premeditated and intentional, motivated by selfishness and the desire to gain at the expense of others. “Evil is not a cosmic accident, it does not
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just happen,” said Kruger, the New York-based curator of the original version of this traveling exhibition. “Evil is a deliberate action or inaction and evil is the violation of our common humanity.” The work of these artists shows how evil manifests in many forms including genocide, torture, slavery and fear of ‘the other’. The on-site design of the Miami version of this exhibition was created by Jacqueline Goldstein, the Curator at the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. The artists in Evil: A Matter of Intent demonstrate how evil is reinforced by indifference, bullying, cruelty and denial. Terrorist acts, murder, rape, destruction of culture and knowledge, pogroms, obliteration of cultural heritage, child abuse, poisoning of the earth and water, and murder are rampant and unceasing. These are artists who refuse to remain silent despite forces of intimidation or popular beliefs. Their voices and visions are direct
is well known for his drawings in the New York Time’s op-ed page. His work has been engraved on a Congressional Gold Medal, and is also featured in a series of decorative plates at the Metropolitan Museum. Helene Aylon’s career includes her Process Art in the 1970’s, anti-nuclear Art in the 80’s and her later G-D Project that spanned two decades. Her work can be found in collections around the world including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and Whitney Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. In the mid-sixties, she painted her iconic 16-foot mural for the synagogue library at JFK airport. “This exhibition is timely and powerful,” says Susan Gladstone, the Acting Executive Director of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. “These artists tackle issues we are all confronting right now, at this juncture in history, and they bring evil to light from a multitude of shadowy angles, capturing historical events and expressing outrage,” she added. “They leave us, the viewers, to our own responses - and possibly to our own personal calls to action.” The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and is closed on Mondays and holidays. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $12 for families. Members and children younger than six-years –old are always free as are Saturdays. For more information call 305-672-5044 or visit jewishmuseum.com.