NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE
28TH RIVER GARDEN FOUNDATION GALA "OH NO...IT’S A...NO-GO GALA" By Kathy Osterer, River Garden Foundation
Over the past 27 incredible years, we have celebrated many memorable moments through the River Garden Foundation Galas and have made many friends. We have welcomed the Phantom to the stage, seen the bright lights of Havana, and most recently visited Shanghai together. The 2020
Gala committee lead by chairs Allison and Ken Jacobs had already begun planning a fabulous Gala celebration. Then COVID-19 happened and everything changed. For all the obvious reasons River Garden decided to not hold the event this year. We are heartbroken—we love the Gala! So now our energies are focused on raising the funds that the Gala would have generated. While we will miss seeing
each of you in person for our celebration, we know what truly unites us is our shared commitment to our beloved River Garden. Our first call was to our past Premier Gala Sponsor ‘SunTrust Now Truist’ who agreed to continue as our major sponsor. This led the way to phone call after phone call, and yes, after yes. The response was astounding. Everyone at River Garden, staff, families
and residents salute our heroes that give so freely and generously to support our mission especially during this very difficult time. To date more than $315,000 net has been raised. For more information on how you can participate in our "No-Go Gala" please visit our website at rivergarden. org/river-garden-foundation/ river-garden-gala/ or call Kathy Osterer at 904.886.8430
TEACHING CHILDREN THE GIFT OF GIVING
By Zamira Moran, Jewish Community Alliance
As the leaves begin to change colors and the Florida air starts to cool over comes a renewed sense of community. It is not only important during these times to create community but to also give back to it as well. Research has shown that giving whether it be through charity, donating, or even giving a gift, the act of giving can relieve stress. Within our Busy Bee classroom, we demonstrate the concept of giving to the children by being grateful and appreciative when they hand us toys or when handing something adult to adult. Showing our emotions and reactions in turn makes the children more willing to give and share with one another,
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leaving them to experience happiness when giving to others. Being the children’s models illustrates for the children how rewarding it can be to give no matter if it is a physical item or not. During the holiday months there are an abundance of opportunities in which we can give back to the community that gives so much to each one of us. And while doing this, have your child do it with you. Allow them to watch as you give to food banks, charity, or even your nextdoor neighbor. Giving can also mean reaching out to those you have not spoken, just
because we are distancing ourselves physically does not mean we have to socially. Giving a call to family and friends, starting a chain reaction of Zoom, Facetime, emails, or even just a friendly text saying hello.
And let your child say hello too, introducing them to the gift of giving. Zamira Moran is an assistant Busy Bee teacher (1-2 years old) at Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool & Kindergarten.
