Jacksonville Jewish News - Aug. 2015

FIELD TRIP TO ISRAEL Kids have pretend passports stamped on fantasy trip abroad Page 8

THE IMPACT OF THE DEAL Opinions about the controversial nuclear deal struck between Iran & the US Page 5

YOGA SHALOM

Combining Judaism with exercise

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Jewish News acksonville

August

2015

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Havana Themed River Garden Gala Set for Nov. 21

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Jacksonville Jewish Center’s Hazzan Holzer spearheads trip to Charleston

BY KATHY OSTERER

River Garden Chief Development Officer

University of North Florida President John Delaney, his wife Gena and the River Garden Gala Committee invite you to join them at the 23rd Annual River Garden Gala. The event, which benefits River Garden residents, will take place Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa. This year’s theme is ‘Meet Me in Havana’ UNF President John and will Delaney and wife Gena help revive the vintage days of old Havana as we all join in the Opening Night at the River Garden Tropicana Club. SunTrust Bank is very pleased to once again be this year’s Premier Gala Sponsor.

President Delaney’s initial introduction to River Garden came during his 1995 mayoral campaign, when he visited the campus and was enthusiastically received by all in attendance. As mayor of Jacksonville, his passion for the city and its citizens brought about the Better Jacksonville Plan, making possible new public facilities and a refreshed infrastructure. As president of UNF, Delaney continues to be responsible for the most robust growth in the history of the university.

River Garden and UNF enjoy a multi-faceted relationship, where dozens

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See 2015 GALA, p. 4

Hazzan Jesse Holzer was interviewed by local news outlets in Charleston during his trip to the city as a representative of ICARE, a local interfaith coalition

Holzer attends Rev. Pinkney funeral as representative of local interfaith coalition

BY MATT FRANZBLAU

Federation Communications Director

Following the tragic shooting at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. in June, there were many emotions funneling through the conscience of the Palmetto State, southeast region and the nation as a whole. The killings claimed nine innocent lives and sparked a rigorous political debate about a symbol from the past, but it also provided an opportunity for people of all faiths to come together and show solidarity for peace and acceptance.

One person particularly moved by the recent events was Hazzan Jesse Holzer of

Holzer was able to attend the funeral service for Rev. Edward Pinkney (pictured), on June 26

the Jacksonville Jewish Center, who belongs to a local organization called ICARE or the Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment. As an ICARE member, Holzer regularly attends meetings with other clergy members and religious leaders in the Jacksonville community ranging from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths.

“I mentioned the week prior about showing solidarity even before the atrocities in Charleston took place,” Holzer remembered. “I said, how can we come together as faith leaders during trying times in order to get to know each other and break down those barriers of race and religion?”

With these statements still fresh on his mind as he watched news coverage of the shootings and their aftermath, Holzer contacted other members of ICARE to see if they would join him on a journey to their sister city of the southeast.

“Charleston is only a four hour drive and I felt the need to do something because it’s a close neighbor and a very similar city, historically and demographically to Jacksonville,” he explained. “A few of the ministers actually seemed interested in joining me and so over time I became sort of the representative of them and some of the justice work that we all wanted to do.”

Members of ICARE’s clergy caucus were moved by Holzer’s proposal and asked that he represent them on his historic trip to South Carolina’s most prominent city.

“As a Jewish faith leader, I felt the need to make the journey in some form and I knew that in the summer my schedule is a little bit more flexible,’ He explained.

“When I found out Reverend Pinkney’s funeral was on a Friday morning, I thought that I should make that ‘the’ journey.”

See HOLZER TRIP, p. 3

Jacksonville hosts Israeli teen delegation for memorable two weeks

BY JILL ABEL Israel Partnership

The Israel Partnership was in full swing this summer as in late June and early July, the Jacksonville Jewish community was host to four teens and one chaperone from our partnership city of Hadera. It was an incredibly busy two weeks of learning and fun for the teens and included stops at local Jewish camps, trips to theme parks in Orlando as well as exploring the city where they were staying.

During their visit, the group worked with campers at the Jacksonville Jewish Center’s Camp Ki Tov, the Jewish Community Alliance’s Camp Sabra and Theater Camps as well as Etz Chaim’s Camp Sheves Achim. Together they shared music, dance, art and cooking from our homeland with all of the kids from Jacksonville.

“I really wanted to help make a small change for the kids here because Israel is thousands of miles away so that’s why I wanted to show them a little part of Israel,” said partnership participant Priscila Sennes.

“I answered their questions and gave them a different point of view of our country.”

The Israeli teens enjoyed their time working in the different camps and were happy to know that the kids in return enjoyed spending time with them.

“I wanted to leave something for the kids because they were both happy and sad,” fellow trip participant Ariel Reznik said. “Happy that we had been there but sad that we were leaving so I knew we had left a part of us with them.”

One evening during their stay, the teens and their American hosts visited with the residents at The Coves at River Garden.

Rabbi Matthew Cohen of Congregation Ahavath Chesed and Hazzan Jesse Holzer of the Jacksonville Jewish Center accompanied the teens in a wide variety of Jewish music both in Hebrew and in English. The residents sang along with the teens and especially enjoyed sharing good, quality conversation with them following the program.

In addition to working in the camps, attending services at three local synagogues for Shabbat and singing at River Garden, the American and Israeli teens explored Jacksonville with visits to MOSH,

For two magical and fun-filled weeks this summer, American teens hosted their Israeli counterparts in Jacksonville as part of the Israel Partnership’s relationship with sister city Hadera

See ISRAELI TEENS, p. 13

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

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education

Few spots still remain for fall at DuBow Preschool

BY SHEREEN CANADY DuBow Preschool Director

A few spots still remain for a few lucky preschool aged children (one year old – VPK) at DuBow Preschool for the coming year.

In our loving school, your child will benefit from exceptional programming led by committed and experienced staff, including preschool professionals, clergy, and specially trained teachers.

Our beautiful preschool, its playgrounds and gardens are just the beginning as we are blessed to be housed in the Jacksonville Jewish Center and to be part of the Galinsky Academy, which provides us with an excellent facility, rich in shared resources.

The mission of our preschool for 74 years has been to offer a supportive, creative, safe, enriching, and developmentally appropriate environment for the youngest members of the community. Our goal is to work with the preschool families, to provide an initial school experience which instills a joyful, solid foundation and most of all, a love of being Jewish.

School begins on Monday, Aug. 24 but most families will join us earlier for our annual meet and greet, Friday, Aug. 21 followed by a family picnic and play date on the DuBow Preschool playground. Sunday, Aug. 23, all will be invited back by our Galinsky Academy PTA for a fun pool party, marking the end of summer and welcoming in the new school year. Teachers will be returning in mid-August to work together to plan for the coming year.

“Our teachers and staff really care about each child and take seriously the trust that parents have placed in us, ” said preschool director Shereen Canady. “I am proud that our faculty of teachers are eager to learn, stay current, and embrace new and innovative programs. We are looking forward to another exciting and productive year of learning, sharing, and growing with friends.”

Those wishing to take a peek at what we are doing can do so by visiting our website at dubowpreschool.org. To schedule a personalized tour, simply contacting Shereen Canady at 904-268-4200, ext. 144 or email her at scanady@ dubowpreschool.org.

JCA’s Summer Camp brings in campers from across the community

BY MOLLY SWEET

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

For eight weeks in the summer, the Jewish Community Alliance becomes home to more than 700 young children who spend their weekdays engaged and stimulated in various camp programming. Of those 700, some are enrolled in the JCA’s preschool, but interestingly so, an extraordinary number of campers come from outside the immediate Jewish community.

JCA Summer Camp has built a presence so highly regarded in the greater Jacksonville area that campers come from as far as Fruit Cove and Fernandina Beach to take part in these camp activities.

“Whether for lack of camp programming in their own areas, the appeal and reputation of the JCA camp experience or a combination of both, we opened our doors to students from more

than 20 different preschools and elementary schools outside of the area this year,” said JCA Camp Coordinator, Shelly Hughes. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to welcome a diverse group of children into our community because we learn from them and we teach them a little bit about ourselves,” she added.

Throughout the summer, campers learn about Jewish traditions like Shabbat and singing daily blessings, but for campers who are year-round participants in JCA programming, the opportunity to meet and interact with new friends is very exciting. “It gives our students a little bit of perspective,” said Michele Block Gan Yeladim director Theresa Levy. During the year they build social skills with children in their class, but when we welcome new friends for the summer it becomes much more interesting and enriching for everyone.”

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

community news Holzer Trip Continued from p. 1

With a date and a specific event now in mind, Holzer left the First Coast for the city thrust in the national spotlight. The Center’s cantor headed out Thursday evening on a two-hour drive to Hardeeville, S.C., where he spent the night, only to wake up first thing Friday morning and finish off the trip, arriving in Charleston at about 5:30 a.m.

“I didn’t even know if I would be able to attend (the funeral), given that there would be so many people from the Charleston community who would want to be there and of course members from his own church would take precedence, as they should,” said Holzer of his 250 mile gamble. “So I went up there thinking, if I just stood in line, rallying, whatever it was, I would to try to be a part of that solidarity and showing of love.”

The gamble would eventually pay off for Holzer but not originally in the way he thought when he first hopped in his car the night before.

“Luckily, the stars aligned and I got there really early, thinking I would have enough time to walk around the area and visit the church and not be in line but the gift of all of this was that I actually had to run to get to the line as soon as I got there because there were already a couple hundred people waiting to go into the arena,” he recalled of his initial ordeal. “But those five hours were probably the most important moments of me being there.”

During his time waiting in line and battling the South Carolina summer heat, Holzer began striking up conversations with those around him, who at first glance looked nothing like the Jewish clergy member from Florida.

“The majority of people really didn’t talk about my kippah or why I was there as a Jewish person but we got to know each other,” he said. “We talked about the weather, how parking was impossible and how early we had to wake up, but then our conversations deepened.”

Soon the strangers around him began to take the shape of friends and acquaintances as people from all faiths were engaged in meaningful and thought provoking discourse.

“We talked about race and religion and how that plays a role but I also talked about how I was from Jacksonville and how we still have forms of segregation,” he said. “Parts of our city are still very segregated racially and I wanted to find ways both in action and in dialogue to break down those barriers.”

Not only was the Center’s Hazzan popular with his new found friends, but he also garnered quite a bit of attention from local media outlets as he fielded a number of interviews as a clergy member from out of state who made the trip to Charleston.

“I kind of stood out being the Jewish clergy member with the kippah among the masses,” he said. “But there was sort of a respect and understanding between myself and the people next to me because if I was there that early, then I felt something, something similar to what they felt.”

As the hours and the productive conversation passed, it soon became time to enter the arena where the funeral service was being held. Once the five thousand plus people filtered into the

facility, services started and so did an unexpectedly celebratory tone among the parishioners.

“I’ve rarely attended a nonJewish funeral to begin with let alone an African-American Methodist Episcopal funeral, but there was a certain ruach or spirit at that funeral,” the first time church congregant recounted about his experience. “I have never clapped my hands at a funeral before but I clapped my hands probably 40 to 50 times over the course of the morning.”

The service put Holzer on sensory overload as between the clapping and shouting there were quite a few prominent politicians, clergy members and community leaders just a stone’s throw from his seat in the arena’s upper deck.

“The pastor that was there kind of ran the whole five hour experience,” Holzer remembered.

“He introduced the dignitaries that were there, the state representatives, the former secretary of state, Hillary Clinton and Lindsey Graham, who was sitting next to her in addition to James Clyburn.”

Then it was Reverend Pinkney’s turn, and he proceeded to receive the largest ovation of them all, a standing one that lasted for two-minutes in which everyone, politicians, parishioners and plain people recognized a man who gave his life for what he believed in.

“It was very inspiring to hear some of the things he did, not only as a pastor but as a state representative,” Holzer said. “I had gone in part, knowing his role as pastor, fighting for all those who are in need, but as a member of the state congress he really in more recent years fought for LGBT rights.”

As the intermittent clapping subsided, it gave way to singing at the conclusion of the service that morning as President Obama took to the podium and serenaded the crowd in his rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ at the conclusion of his remarks.

“Within two seconds of him singing, everyone just joined in, so it was actually kind of powerful because, yes he was leading us in song but when you have more than five thousand people singing, it’s powerful,” the man who is used to singing in front of more modest crowds commented.

Holzer was not too surprised to hear the 44th President break into song as the overarching theme of his eulogy was grace, mentioning the four-letter word numerous times throughout his period at the podium.

“My original motivation for coming to Charleston was to honor Reverend Pinkney, but it was just icing on the cake to hear Obama so unfiltered,” Holzer said. “He’s not running for office anymore so he is able to finally say what he is able to say with a little more emotion. That kind of president in that kind of moment is important.”

Once the service concluded, Holzer walked back to his car, saying so long to the city in which he made so many memories in such a short period of time.

The nearly four-hour long car ride back to Jacksonville left the Hazzan with plenty of time to recount the moving morning he shared with perfect strangers who became fast friends.

“I want to be able to create areas for more conversations with people of different faiths and ethnicities,” Holzer explained of his newfound mission. “It’s not just a passing conversation, but is something that can be ongoing because hopefully through my experiences, I can be a voice for my community and in turn people here in Jacksonville will have those same conversations that I saw in Charleston.”

For more information about ICARE and its mission, visit the organization’s official website at icarejax.org or follow them on twitter @ICAREJax and like them on facebook.com/icarejax.

Holzer waited in line for nearly five hours, making friends and contacts before making his way into the arena where Rev. Pinkney’s funeral services were held

The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church at daybreak, Friday, Jun. 26, where just nine days before a total of nine lives were taken in a tragic shooting

Scan to watch Hazzan Holzer’s video of Obama singing on

President Obama addressing the crowd of more than 5,000 inside TD Arena, who came to honor S.C. State Senator and Rev. Clementa Pinckney during an emotional funeral service

Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

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community news Celebrating two successful years

Incoming Jewish Federation of Jacksonville president Sandy Zimmerman (L) and executive director Alan Margolies (R) present outgoing president Hal Resnick (center) with a plaque thanking him for his service during the past 24 months at the Federation’s June board meeting.

JJN Ad Directory - Aug. 2015 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:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

B&C Financial (p. 12) Beachview Rentals (p. 20) Beirut Restaurant (p. 8) Bob Ham Eyewear (p. 22) Borland Groover (p. 2) Brandon Pest Control (p.9) Davoli’s Catering (p. 11) DuBow Preschool (p. 2, 14) Erica Jolles - Magnolia Properties (p. 11) Galinsky Academy (p. 14) Heekin Clinic (P. 3) Impressions (p. 25) Innovative Financial Solutions (p. 15) Jewish Fed. of Jax ( p. 24) Jewish Museum of Florida (p. 21) JJC Sisterhood (p. 12) JJN High Holidays (p. 7) JCA - Discover Israel (p. 28)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Jerry Seebol (p. 25) Larry Tallis Photos (p. 25) Margo’s Catering (p. 10) Mazon (p. 23) Nancy Rubenstein Realtor (p. 20) PaigeWajsman-Creeks Realty Group (p. 11) Pediatric Dentistry (p. 25) River Garden (p. 19, 26) Selevan Religious School (p. 15) Society of Healers (p. 13) Spivak’s Institute (p. 21) Stein Mart (p. 10) The Tax Man (p. 25) The Temple Sunday School (p. 22) Tumbling Kids ( p. 22) Vandroff Insurance (p. 6) The Women’s Board (p. 27)

For your advertising needs, please contact advertising sales representative Barbara Nykerk at 904.733.4179 or Eta Perras at 904.629.0466.

what's inside Business Directory........... p. 25 Cartoons.............................. P. 5 Classified Ads................... p. 25 Community News...................... .... p. 3-4, 6, 10-11, 15, 20, 26 Education ......... p. 2, 8, 14, 27 Federation News.............. p. 13 Foundation ..................... p. 18

JCFS ..................................p. 17 JCA ...................................p. 16 Local & National News.... p. 23 Lifecycles.......................... p. 25 Opinion................................ P. 5 River Garden.................... p. 19 Statewide News.............. p . 22 Synagogue News......... p. 9, 21

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Last year’s gala theme was River Garden of Eden and drew a large crowd from the community.

This year Chez-zam returns to provide more outstanding entertainment for those in attendance.

2015 Gala Continued from p. 1

of the Hebrew home’s staff have graduated from the university as well as several River Garden board members, both past and present who come from various university departments. The agency continues its partnership with UNF today and serves as a learning laboratory for UNF students in nursing, therapy, nutrition, social services and administration.

“Gena and I appreciate the culture and values that River Garden embodies,” said President Delaney. “It is about caring for people and families, and we are delighted that Jacksonville has such an organization in our midst.”

The Gala’s success has had a direct impact on the residents of the home as it supports River Garden’s mission to serve the entire community with caring and excellence. River Garden serves residents from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds while

maintaining an environment supportive of Jewish identity and informed by Jewish values.

For those interested, sponsorships are available and individual ticket prices begin at $250 with a special Junior Patron price of $175 for those 40 and younger.

For information or reservations, call Kathy Osterer at 904-8868430 or e-mail her at kosterer@ rivergarden.org. You can also check out the event’s official website at rivergardengala.wordpress. com or like us on Facebook River Garden Gala.

Cummer Museum reunites art stolen during Holocaust with rightful owners

BY HOLLY KERIS

Chief curator, Cummer Museum

Since 2011, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has settled three claims regarding works in its permanent collection that were discovered to have been looted from Jewish families by the Nazis during World War II. For many, news of these cases happening at a mid-size regional art museum may be surprising. However, size and geography do not determine a museum’s likelihood to receive such a claim, nor should news of a claim be interpreted automatically by the public as a negative judgement against the museum. In fact, any museum anywhere in the world whose collection consists of objects made before 1945 and likely to have been in continental Europe during the second world war could face similar claims.

In addition to the horrors of the Holocaust, the Nazi regime orchestrated a program of theft, confiscation, coercive transfer, looting, pillage, and destruction of objects of art and other cultural property in Europe on a massive and unprecedented scale. The ripple effects from this terrible period are still being felt across the art world today, as many of these looted objects entered the art market during and after the war, and have yet to be returned to their rightful owners. In subsequent years, public institutions and private citizens have purchased these works in good faith, not knowing the true history of the objects.

The first claim, 2010-11, involved two pieces of Meissen porcelain given to the Cummer

by St. Augustine collector Ralph Wark and his sister, Constance Wark, between 1964 and 1984.

This collection, numbering nearly 750 objects, is considered to be the most significant collection of early manufacture Meissen porcelain (1710-60) in the United States and one of the top

three collections of its type in the world. Two pieces from the famed Von Klemperer collection, amassed at the turn of the previous century and widely regarded as the finest private collection of Meissen ever assembled, were among Wark’s gift to the Museum. Unbeknownst to Wark or the Cummer, the Von Klemperer collection had been deemed a national treasure and confiscated by the Nazis. The decision by the Cummer’s Board of Trustees to return the two works to the Von Klemperer family came after extensive research by Museum staff and the engaged participation and support from the Board’s Artistic Affairs committee.

The same process was repeated when the Cummer Museum received word from the heirs of noted Old Master dealer Jacques

Goudstikker in 2012, concerning a painting in the Permanent Collection. After extensive research by both the family of Goudstikker and Cummer staff, Vanitas (1677)

by Jacques de Claeuw (active 1642-1676) was determined to have been among the 1,400 works in his gallery confiscated by the Nazis. In this case, the Museum reached an agreement with the family to keep the painting in Jacksonville. “It is heartening to see museums like the Cummer do the right thing for Holocaust victims and their heirs,” said Marei von Saher, Goudstikker’s daughter-in-law. “We hope that the restitution of this work will lead other museums to act just as responsibly when faced with the discovery of Nazi-looted art in their collections.”

As an educational institution, it is vitally important to the Cummer Museum to share these stories. In addition to the extended label on Vanitas with the story of its history, the Museum will create a short video documentary with the assistance of Goudstikker’s family, which will be placed next to the painting in the gallery and made available online. And, in the Cummer’s Meissen installation, a similar video will be placed next to a recent gift of Meissen porcelain, from the personal collection of Gustav von Klemperer’s greatgrandson, in recognition of the Cummer Museum’s commitment to and respect for the families who lost so much during these terrible years.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

opinion

Rabbinically Speaking Who really directs our lives?

BY RABBI JOSEPH HIRSCH Retired clergy member

On the Aug. 15 Sabbath we will read a short yet moving portion of the Torah in which Moses concludes the great farewell address that he delivered before his death. We are deeply stirred by the spiritual quality displayed in these words as they represent a document which we can study with much profit. Imbedded in the words of farewell are not only sentiments of great moral character, but also theological and philosophical ideas that underlie Judaism and related religions. The doctrine of freedom of choice is repeatedly expressed, with its corollary, moral responsibility.

Even in modern times we are not quite clear about the implications.

“Behold, I have put before you today life and God, death and evil … choose life.” This point of view is specific to Jewish tradition. We part company with philosophies which deny free will and personal responsibility.

There are two opposing opinions on whether people are free

to make choices or if life makes choices for them. One is that people do not make any decisions; instead it is all in the cards and there is very little we can do about it. Those who hold this viewpoint to the fact that in certain areas we have no options. We did not decide whether we would be tall or short, strong or weak. We did not choose the country in which we were born. These are many important eventualities about which we have nothing to say.

Some extrapolate this fact to an extreme position, asserting that all of life is predetermined and that people are the objects of a process in which there are no subjective choices. It is interesting that this point of view is formed by how secularists see the world as a big machine in which people are little cogs. The machine operates, the wheels spin and the little cogs turn and humans are in turn helplessly caught in the mechanism.

Similarly, those who hold a religious view may assert that God ordained it all. It is all predestined and we are the victims or beneficiaries of events beyond our control. Against these varieties of

opinions stands the Jewish view expressed by Moses.

On the other hand, there are important aspects of life over which we exercise free will.

Those decisions are made flowing out of our ethical standards and are ultimately made in the secrecy of our own hearts.

People can make these decisions and wherever they turn, the Torah urges: “choose life and not death.”

Every choice, in a real sense, may determine one’s entire destiny.

I read a newspaper account of a high school student whose friends enticed him to play truant from school. It seemed a rather minor defection from responsibility but it led to a car ride and an eventual tragic accident which resulted in

RABBINICALLY

SPEAKING

death. A seemingly unimportant choice that ended in catastrophe.

All of us make choices every day. What seems to be a simple decision may be the most important in our own life. The decision to attend services may affect one’s entire career. A man once told me that he walked into the synagogue just by impulse and he heard something that enabled him to make a decision that changed his life. A simple choice of going or not going, of doing something right or not doing it may release a chain of consequences that result in life or death. Moses pleaded with his people to weigh their actions and to always incline toward the good and the right. We cannot know the final result, but the first step can turn us in the direction of life.

The Talmud states this in a striking manner. “If you abandon the study of Torah for one day, it will depart from you for two days.”

This is illustrated as follows: Two friends walk together until they come to a crossroad. One turns to the right and one turns to the left.

Each walks only one mile but they find themselves two miles apart.

In whatever we do and wherever we turn, we are free to make decisions but we must never think that a decision is a small matter. Every choice could be a major one, so we must discipline ourselves to weigh each one and direct every step toward life.

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, we should take to heart this ancient yet ever modern lesson of Moses. We are not mechanisms that operate by hidden strings.

We are not irresponsible pawns in a game over which we have no control; we are living and deciding people. Let us therefore choose life and pray for a new year of happiness for ourselves and for our loved ones.

Rabbi Joseph Hirsch is a retired clergy member, who now lives in the Jacksonville community. Hirsch is a former U.S. Air Force chaplain where he was stationed in Okinawa, and has served congregations in California and the Cleveland area. Prior to his retirement Hirsch assumed rabbinical duties in Palm Coast.

This deal gives Iran the bomb, tell lawmakers in Washington that it’s a bad deal

BY JOSH BLOCK

CEO & President, The Israel Project

Last month’s announcement of this nuclear agreement with Iran is a realization of the deepest fears and the most dire predictions of skeptics who have, for two years, been warning against exactly this outcome -- a bad deal that both enriches this tyrannical regime and fails to strip Iran of nuclear weapons capability. The deal will give Iran billions in cash and sanctions relief to fuel its terror and war machines, shred the hardwon sanctions regime beyond repair, and enable the Iranians to get away with hiding the full extent of their nuclear work, infrastructure, and know-how. It will not have an enforceable inspections regime or a workable way to re-impose pressure on Iran when it cheats.

And then, after just over a decade, most of this deal will expire, and Iran will be allowed to have a full-blown nuclear program -- a screw’s turn away from a nuclear weapon. It is important to ask: if a three-month nuclear breakout by Iran is a problem today, why are we giving the Mullah’s in Tehran

hundreds of billions of dollars, all so Iran will have a zero break out time, according to President Obama himself, in just over ten years?

Iran’s repressive regime needs economic relief far more than we need an agreement by these terms. Prior to this round of talks in September 2013, Iran was six-months from a balance of payments crisis and total economic calamity. Rather than leveraging that pressure to stop Iran and dismantle its program, President Obama relieved it prematurely in order to secure an agreement that will midwife an era of nuclear terror and tyranny, at the expense of freedom, human rights, and American national security.

At the beginning of these talks, President Obama promised Congress and the American people that he would secure a good deal or walk away. He couldn’t bring home a good deal and he couldn’t bring himself to walk away.

Instead, he walked away from every key position demanding the shuttering or dismantlement of Iran’s military nuclear infrastructure -- including their fortified

enrichment bunker, buried under a mountain, on a military base, where Iran will be permitted to continue enriching and developing its ability to spin faster and more advanced centrifuges.

To believe this is a good deal, you have to trust Iran. The American people, and their lawmakers, rightly, do not. Over the next 60 days, Congress will review this accord, acknowledge that the President has, unfortunately, not lived up to the promises that he made, and instead delivered a deal that will make America, our children, and the world less safe.

The American people deserve better. Our negotiators can do better. Congress must insist on it, and reject this bad deal. This deal doesn’t stop Iran’s path to a bomb: it paves it. That’s why The Israel Project (TIP) will continue its work, day and night, to inform press, policymakers, and the public about the dangers of this bad deal. Log onto nobombforiran.com for more information or to sign the petition, telling lawmakers this is in is ultimately a dangerous deal.

Graphic courtesy of The Israel Project

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community news

Osher Family Israel Partnership hosts The Osher Family is truly amazing!

Manya, Tal and Levana go out of their way to host Israeli visitors to Jacksonville in the most welcoming way.

For the last three summers, they have hosted teens from the Israel Partnership Summer Teen Exchange Program.

Levana has been an incredible host each summer and continues her efforts and commitment to the program as she hosted another teen this summer as well.

In addition to the teenage delegation, the Oshers have even hosted educators and members of the Israeli Scouts Caravan. We are so grateful to the Oshers for opening their home and sharing their hospitality with our Israeli guests because whenever we ask, they always say yes!

August

2015

Jax Jewish Singles explores St. Augustine’s Castle Otttis

Jax Jewish singles explored Castle Otttis in St. Augustine earlier this summer. The group’s tour guide Rusty is the second from the right.

BY FRANCINE SMITH Jax Jewish Singles

Earlier this summer, members of the Jax Jewish Singles group enjoyed early dinner and music at Kingfish Grill in St. Augustine followed by a tour of the historic Castle Otttis. Rusty, the owner, gave the group a comprehensive 90-minute tour describing the spiritual and historic symbolism of the Castle, both inside and out.

Castle Otttis (spelled with three T’s) is an original landscape architecture inspired by Irish castles.

Join the Jax Jewish Singles for its next outing, a Sunday dinner at P.F. Chang’s, which features a blend of high-quality, Asianinspired cuisine in a sophisticated, contemporary bistro. Contact Francine for the exact date and time of the event at 904-221-8061 or email her directly at francine. smith@comcast.net.

Jewish Moms playgroup looking for new members

By DuBow Preschool

Jewish Moms Playgroup is open to all Jewish families in the Jacksonville area -- affiliated or unaffiliated -- with children from

newborn to four years old.

We currently have 100 + moms participating. Would you like to host a playdate? We usually meet at the playground, but we love moms to post if they are headed to the park or to an event where we can all gather together! We’d love to have more ambassadors planning playdates. Join our Facebook group, or email: jewishmothers@ groups.facebook.com

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

Jewish meditation groups need leaders

BY GAIL GREENFIELD Jewish Meditation Groups

Last year, following a presentation on Jewish Meditation at the annual Community University, there was a high demand to learn more about meditation. After reaching out to the community to gauge interest levels, several groups formed in just a few short months. The intention of these groups, in addition to devoting time each week to the practice of mediation, is to use the practice as a foundation for one’s own spiritual path. There are many of us who are looking for ways to

connect more deeply and spiritually but through meditation we learn to quiet our minds, while finding a peaceful place inside and making space for that experience. Meditative practices have been an integral part of Judaism for centuries. Aryeh Kaplan, whose book, Jewish Meditation, is the basis for the syllabus we use, states, “… Jews by nature are spiritual people.”

There are currently four ongoing groups which put this practice into use; two in Ponte Vedra, one in Nocatee, and one in Mandarin. These groups have been thriving and there is a waiting list for future groups. Before the

need can be met for more groups, additional facilitators are needed.

Because of that fact a facilitator training session will be held on Sunday, Aug. 30, from 2–4 p.m. at the home of Mrs. Marilyn Wolfson. There is no cost for the training, but advance registration is necessary. Prior meditation experience may be helpful but is not required. If you possess any experience in group leadership or teaching and have an interest in meditation, mindfulness and spirituality, please consider becoming a facilitator. Contact Gail Greenfield at gailsgreenfield@hotmail. com or call her at 904-534-7381 for more information.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

EDUCATION

Back to school is just right PJ Library takes a trip to Israel around the corner at without even leaving Jacksonville Michele Block Gan Yeladim

Kids explored Israel recently with the help of PJ Library who provided pretend passports and fantasy flights to and from the homeland, complete with stops at the Dead Sea, the Western Wall and the Negev Desert

By Jewish Family & Community Services

Students at Michele Block Gan Yeladim will soon be bringing backpacks into their classrooms as the school years starts Monday, Aug. 24th

BY MOLLY SWEET

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

The 2015-16 school year is quickly approaching and in just a few weeks, Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten’s hallways will be once again stirring with the thrills which come with a new crop of students. For some, this year will mark a first encounter with the school, while others will start their final year with Block Gan. No matter where students are in their preschool journey, there are plenty of events planned for throughout the year to stimulate growth, learning and development in addition to helping prepare them for their academic successes in elementary school and beyond.

Preschool Family Orientation scheduled for Friday, Aug. 21 and the Welcome Back Brunch will be held Sunday, Aug. 23. During these two events, students and parents will have the unique opportunity to meet teachers and classmates and see the classrooms they will be calling home for the coming year.

“This is a great way to get acclimated and ease any nerves and apprehensions your child might have about starting school,” says Theresa Levy, director of Block Gan. After students get settled into the routine of school, Michele Block Gan Yeladim faculty members will help their pupils tackle everything from literacy and language development to science and technology. Golomb notes that faculty eagerly awaits the arrival of new iPads for classroom use as well. In addition to learning core skills like language, fine and large motor abilities, social studies, art, music, drama, Judaics and physical education, Michele Block Gan Yeladim has many extra-curricular offerings, including Spanish, cooking, yoga and music. Enrollment is still open for the 2015-16 school year, so visit the Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool page on the JCA’s website at jcajax.org/ ECE or contact Rochelle Golomb at 904-730-2100 ext. 259. You can also call director Levy at 904730-2100 ext. 237. School starts Monday, Aug. 24, see you then!

PJ Library took a trip to Israel this summer via the playground at the Jacksonville Jewish Center.

Accompanied by their parents, the children boarded ELAL Flight 904 to Tel Aviv. With passports in hand, they listened to stories and learned about the places they

would visit. During their journey, they had many sites to go to including the Dead Sea for a float, the Western Wall where they left notes, as well as Jerusalem and the Knesset. They also went to the Negev Desert for a Dig and climbed Masada. At each location they received a visa sticker which

they placed in their passport.

After all of that travel in the hot summer weather, it was time for picnic lunches and sno-cones. PJ Jax Adventures will be taking off again this fall for more fun and exploration, so be sure to be on the lookout for our next trip so you can join us.

Michele Block Gan Yeladim offers wide range of enrichment classes for kids

Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten offers various enrichments classes for students such as Spanish, music, yoga and cooking which enables them to have hands on learning experiences

BY MOLLY SWEET

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten curriculum is based on a unique variety of approaches drawn from the best practices of educational organizations like the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Reggio Emilia, Montessori and more. Though it is influenced by many philosophies, one of the intrinsic elements of Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s curriculum is play-based and hands-on learning; that children reach their fullest potential in learning and discovery by doing.

Hands on experiences greet students daily in the classroom, but are especially present within enrichment classes. These courses, offered to Block Gan preschool and kindergarten students as well as children in the community, provide an opportunity for pupils to engage in activities outside their conventional curriculum.

In Spanish class, children learn the foundation for fluency in the

language as research shows that children who study a foreign language display higher cognitive performance in overall basic skills in elementary school and beyond.

Learning a second language at a young age is cognitively as easy as learning a primary language, so now would be the perfect time for an introduction into Spanish.

Magnificent Musicians offers an introduction to the elements of music: rhythm, melody and harmony as well as music history. With hands-on activities like drumming, singing and hand bells, students are encouraged to experiment and create musical ideas. As with learning a foreign language, research on the cognitive impact of studying and playing music shows that neural activity is significantly increased in children who participate in these activities. Children also experiment with movement and body awareness in Yoga classes. Recent studies have shown that students exposed to yoga tend to be less reactive, more optimistic and more

able to focus, concentrate and interact with their peers. Yoga and other similar contemplative activities help children learn to regulate their emotions and behavior in healthy ways. Research by Sat Bir Khalsa, Ph.D., of Harvard Medical School, shows that long-term yoga and meditation practice changes the part of the brain that regulates resilience to stress and emotional reactivity.

Students can also stimulate their senses and explore global flavors in a unique class called Cooking around the World. The kitchen is a perfect setting to teach and reinforce basic math skills when measuring ingredients, demonstrate chemistry, refine motor skills and teach different cultures through a culinary lens. Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s enrichment classes begin in the fall and are open to the entire community. For more information on these hands-on classes contact Rochelle Golomb at 904730-2100 ext. 259 or Rochelle. golomb@jcajax.org.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

synagogue news

Jacksonville Jewish Center installs new board of directors for 2015-17

Beth El – The Beaches to hold screening of The Green Prince at next mixer

BY GAIL GREENFIELD

Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue

New Jacksonville Jewish Center president Alyse Nathans

Outgoing president & Chairman of the board Fred Pozin

Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue will hold its next member and guest mixer, Sunday, Aug. 23, at 5 p.m., where there will be a wine and cheese social followed by the showing of the documentary ‘The Green Prince.’ Set against the chaotic backdrop of events in the Middle East, Nadav Schirman’s ‘The Green Prince’ retraces the details of a highly unprecedented partnership that developed between sworn enemies.

This film recounts the true story of the son of a Hamas leader who emerged as one of Israel’s prized informants and the Shin Bet agent who risked his career to protect him.

As a defiant teenager growing up in Palestine, Mosab Hassan Yousef’s fervor against Israel was unquestionable, ultimately landing him in prison. Shaken

by Hamas’s brutality within the prison’s walls, in addition to a growing disgust for their methods, particularly suicide bombing, he had an unexpected change of heart and began to see Hamas as more of a problem than a solution. Recruited by the Shin Bet (Israel’s internal security agency) and given the code name ‘Green Prince’, he spied on the Hamas elite for more than a decade, constantly risking exposure and certain death while grappling with the perception that he had betrayed his own family and people.

Along the way, what started as a cautious alliance between Mosab and his Shin Bet handler, Gonen Ben Yitzhak, grew into an enduring loyalty which no one could have ever predicted.

For more information about the screening, contact Gail Greenfield at gailsgreenfield@hotmail. com or at 904-534-7381.

Blue Jeans ‘n BBQ means back to school Shabbat at The Temple

The new board of directors for the Jacksonville Jewish center who will serve the synagogue for the next 24 months

By Jacksonville Jewish Center

The Congregation’s Annual meeting was an exceptional evening highlighted by a beautiful ritual installation, committee reports, in addition to talks by Shari Shuman Financial V.P., Men’s President Harry Peltz, Sisterhood Representative Etta Fialkow and highlights from the Co-United Synagogue Youth Presidents Jack Gare and Levana Osher.

Mazel Tov to outgoing President Fred Pozin as he becomes the Center’s new Chairman of the Board and to incoming President, Alyse Nathans who takes over as the second female president in the history of the Jacksonville Jewish

Center, preceded by community volunteer extraordinaire Marsha Pollock.

The new Jacksonville Jewish Center Board of Directors is as follows: Joette Anderson, Allan Andrew, Eve Aptheker, Ellen Balotin, Etta Fialkow, Risa Datz, Bob Fischer, Debbie Goldstein, Rhoda Goldstein, Alan Harrison, Joanie Levin, Faye Hedrick, Amy Levinson, Marla Lewis, Lenny Maiman, Harvey Matoren, Mauri

Mizrahi, Rachel Morgenthal, Penny Powell, Jen Plotkin, Meryl Rittenberg, Randi Rogozinski, Scott Schwartz, Rebekah Selevan, Shari Shuman, Michael Setzer, Sheri Weiss, Sara Werner, Elyse Whitman and Carole Wolpin.

The new Jacksonville Jewish Center Executive Committee includes members: Dave Bielski, Gaby Bubis, Tyler Curl, Michael DuBow, Mel Gottlieb, Bruce Horovitz, Debby Kaye, Steve Mizrahi, Alyse Nathans, Rick Plotkin, Fred Pozin, Mike Schneider, Russell Selevan, Ben Setzer, Leonard Setzer, Maura Silverstein, Sheree Spriggs and Morrie Zimmerman.

The Friday Night Live band will perform at the Blue Jeans ‘n BBQ Shabbat scheduled to take place Aug. 14 to help celebrate kids going back to school

By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

Every child in America is preparing to return to school this month, and as Wiatt Bowers, the Temple’s programming vicepresident put it, “Temple families are preparing their own children and providing for those who cannot provide for themselves.”

It is because of this that Temple families are collecting school supplies to be given to Jewish Family & Community Services for the children in the foster care system.

“That is just one way we work to make the world a better place,” Bowers added.

On Aug. 14, The Temple will welcome its friends from JFCS to share in a special Blue Jeans ‘n BBQ Shabbat. “It’s a neat tradition we have created,” explained JFCS executive director Colleen Rodriguez. “This is the fourth year The Temple has helped the children in our care and it’s so important because foster care

children are often embarrassed by their situation, even though they did nothing to create it,” she added. “Arriving at school with all their supplies helps them feel like every other child in their classroom and that is an important first step in creating a successful school year.”

The Friday Night Live Band will participate in Shabbat worship that evening which begins at 7 p.m. and everyone is invited to attend. “The Band members have such fun creating the experience as the congregation embraces the spirit of Shabbat,” said Temple President and keyboard player Brian Bialik. “Together, it is a Shabbat filled with ruach, so don your denim and y’all come now!”

For those planning to come, Shabbat dinner, catered by Bono’s, will be served at 6 p.m. Dinner reservations are appreciated as there is a small fee. To RSVP, send an e-mail to rsvp@TheTempleJacksonville.org.

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community news

8 Notes Musical Series stars at River Garden

Soccer, Basketball and more offered for children and adults at the JCA

Pianist and composer Lynne Arriale performs ‘The American Songbook’ recently at River Garden Senior Services as part of the 8 Notes Musical Series

By Jewish Community & Family Services

Jewish Family & Community Services was pleased to have Lynne Arriale recently perform ‘The American Songbook’ for the seniors at River Garden, The Coves, Camellia at Deerwood, and Brookdale Southside as part of our 8 Notes Musical Series.

Arriale is a pianist/composer whose career is graced by a love of melody and a joy of musical discovery. At the core of Arriale’s appeal is her warmth, humor and

ability to communicate with her listeners. She is currently the Associate Professor of Jazz Studies and Director of Small Ensembles at The University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Sponsored by the family of Sylvia and Ben Gottlieb, the ‘8 Notes Musical Series’ is part of JFCS’ Jewish Healing Network. Twice a year we bring musical performances to our senior community as we did this past July.

Make a difference in the life of a blind person by creating Braille materials

By The Temple Braille Group

The Temple’s Braille group is asking for volunteers who would be interested in transcribing printed materials into Braille using a computer. Help is also required to reproduce maps and diagrams using raised line and collage methods. Training is available for those wanting to help get these valuable materials to the readers who use them. Free classes are offered weekly, on Thursday morn-

ings and are open to men and women 18 years of age or older.

The non-sectarian Braille group has been sponsored by the Temple Sisterhood of Congregation Ahavath Chesed since 1957. The next orientation meeting is scheduled for Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. and classes begin Sept. 3 at 10 a.m. For more information call Thelma Lebowitz at 904-292-1160 or Pat Gray at 904-955-8832. You can also text Candace Richardson at 904-6077619.

The JCA offers many athletic programs for kids and adults including soccer leagues and select basketball clinics

BY IMAN BYFIELD

Jewish Community Alliance

The Jewish Community Alliance’s Sports and Recreation Department offers many programs for children and adults looking to hone their skills in a variety of different sports. Beginning in September, the JCA is offering youth and adult soccer leagues in addition to a select basketball team and youth tennis clinics for the entire Jacksonville community. The JCA Youth Soccer League will hold a mandatory skills evaluation on Sunday, Aug. 9, from 1-4 p.m. at Bolles High School (7400 San Jose Blvd.).

The JCA Youth Soccer League seeks to develop young athletes into fundamentally sound

players, while having fun in an organized, competitive and social atmosphere. Age groups will be determined once the evaluations are complete. For more information, or to obtain specific try-out times for your child’s age group, call 904-730-2100 ext. 254.

Adults 18 and older can also form teams of six to eight players for five-on-five soccer or if they prefer, register individu-

ally to be placed on a team. This league meets on Sundays from September 13 to November 1 and all rosters must be submitted by Monday, September 7. On Monday, Sept. 21, tryouts will be held at the JCA for its Select Basketball Team. JCA Select Basketball is for players who want to compete at the highest level and those who make the team will benefit from quality coaching and the opportunity to play in a structured training camp prior to joining a competitive league. Tryouts begin at 6 p.m. for girls and 7 p.m. for boys, and registration is not required prior to tryouts. For more information on these programs, contact Rio Robinson at 904-7302100 ext. 250 or rio.robinson@ jcajax.org.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

Community NEWS

Sisterhood Strong

August Jewish Java to feature Jewish history lesson of northeast Florida

BY ISABEL BALOTIN

Shalom Jacksonville Director

Join us for Shalom Jacksonville’s monthly Jewish Java on Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Village Bread Café (11050 San Jose Blvd.)

Purchase a delicious breakfast, danish or bagel and you will get a free cup of coffee. After the announcement of upcoming events in our community, Allan Silberman, a member of the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society, will share

Recently 15 members of Temple Bet Yam’s Sisterhood participated in Women Build for Habitat for Humanity of St. Augustine and St. John’s County. Together the women along with other volunteers from the community helped construct two homes in the area.

Swing Batter!

The 2015 Synagogue Softball season is in full swing, with games on select Sunday mornings at the Jacksonville Jewish Center’s softball field. Anyone who wants to play, regardless of congregation affiliation or level of ability can contact league commissioner Dan Wohl at dwohl@bellsouth.net.

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If you want to reach a demographic with a higher than average household income and education, the Jewish News is your connection. To advertise, contact Barbara Nykerk at (904) 923-3205 and bnykerk@comoacst.net or Eta Perras at (904) 629-0466 and perraseta@bellsouth.net

some very surprising facts and fiction surrounding the earliest Jewish settlers in northeast Florida.

Jewish Java meets the first Wednesday of every month and it doesn’t matter how long you have lived in the area, you are always welcome to join us.

Federation’s Shalom Jacksonville is the official Jewish welcome wagon of Northeast Florida. If you are new to the area or would like to learn more about the Jewish com-

munity, please contact Isabel Balotin, 904-448-5000 x 206 or e-mail her at shalomjax@ jewishjacksonville.org.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

federation news

Israeli & American teens bonded over frames of bowling at Latitude 30 Teens also tried their hand at painting at Yes You Canvas

Israeli Teens Continued from p. 1

Yes You Canvas, the Ponte Vedra Inn, Sweet Pete’s, the Avenues Mall, Latitude 30 and even made a special day trip to Universal Studios in Orlando. Through their interactions, the Israeli teens were able to learn about what life is like as an American teenager.

As a group, both the Americans and the Israelis learned about the real meaning of our Israeli Partnership with Hadera-Eiron and they uncovered the special connection that we all share as Jewish people. “This program makes the connection between Israeli and diaspora Jews stronger,” explained Israeli teen Hadar Matana. “We

live our lives in different ways and I find it so interesting to learn about those differences because the Temples are so different - even the way people dress is different, so it’s great to learn about.”

Logan Sims, a first-time Jacksonville host teen said, “I learned that even though we were a world apart, nothing cut us off from being friends because being Jewish connected us in a special way to the point of where we could sing together and speak without having awkward moments. I think that connection is going to continue for the years to come,” he added.

“You should go to Israel as an American Jew so you can see how Jews live there and make connections with the people over there,” said Levana Osher, another Jacksonville host teen. Osher traveled to Israel through the

Israel Partnership’s Tikkun Olam program two summers ago and feels that the connections she has made with Israeli teens through this program are deep and long lasting.

Iris and Mark Kraemer hosted the final gathering of the friendly bunch at their home. While there, the teens, both American and Israeli shared insights into life in America and the similarities and differences between our two countries.

One of those differences was discovered by Sennes, who said, “I’ve noticed at synagogues that women are more treated like men.

That was a bit of a culture shock as I was able to read in front of the Torah,” she explained. Sennes’ friend Hadar Matana could not get over how polite the people in Jacksonville were as she said, “You

Visiting Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando

don’t just smile at people in Israel - there is no reason to do that.”

While many of the teens noted differences, Sims shed light on the similarities. “I liked seeing how alike we were in our personalities and humor,” he said. “It was very easy to get along with Ariel, but it was astounding to know that there was another Jewish teenager across the planet who looks more closely related to my family than I do,” he added.

Nili Trabelsi, the Israeli chaperone for the delegation was so touched by the warmth of the people in the local community because she couldn’t believe that people would open their homes and share themselves so freely.

“We have something so strong in common. It doesn’t matter that we don’t speak the same language because we are all brothers

and sisters which is why it is so strong,” she explained. “We might not have felt it before but we feel it so much now.”

When Israeli Hadar Matana was asked when it was that she first loved America, she said, “I think it is hard to love a place that you have never been to but I can now say that after I have been here, I do love America.”

And that love was shared with American teens alike as Jacksonville’s Aaron Abel noted that, “It was the people of Israel which I met through this program that made me truly love Israel.”

A special thanks goes out to the Block, Canady, Osher, Kight, and Sims families for hosting the members of our Partnership 2Gether 2015 Summer Teen Delegation.

Family found at Welcome to Kutsher’s screening

Is honored to present

A GERMAN LIFE:

Marcy Appelbaum Reindl (R) after meeting her long lost cousin, Irene (L)

BY ISABEL BALOTIN

Shalom Jacksonville Director

The screening of ‘Welcome to Kutsher’s became a catalyst for friends, relatives and former hotel co-workers to meet again. Marcy Appelbaum Reindl met cousins and other friends from Monticello and her story is below: Two very exciting things happened when I went to see the awesome “Welcome to Kutshers” movie with a Catskills group.

Before the movie, it was announced that I was connected to Dubin’s Bungalows. A couple sitting beside me became so excited and said they knew of Dubin’s since they were from Monticello.

They were Dave and Kit Wagner from Monticello, NY. (who are newcomers residing at The Coves and I went to school with their children).

After the movie a woman came up to me and asked if I was related to Aaron Dubin and I said, that he was in fact my grandfather. She said her grandfather was Itzik Dubin, Aaron’s Dubin’s first cousin. With this being said, I have had cousins in Jacksonville for the past 12 years and did not even know it. The photo is of my newly acquainted cousin Irene and me with a photo of the Dubin’s Bungalow pool.

Everyone enjoyed the movie and I got to travel down memory lane at Kutsher’s ice rink where I had taken lessons with Celia Duffy.

Wanting to share her excitement and experience, Marcy

posted the story and photo on Facebook. This is what happened.

I posted the photo and meeting by chance on Facebook. My uncle Larry Dubin upon reading the post commented with some memories of his own. He said, “What an incredible meeting.

Dave Wagner and I were buddies in our teen years. His Dad was the plumber who installed the plumbing in many of the bungalows at Dubin’s. Dave also looked after the chickens on the farm.

Their place adjoined Heller’s Farm. Itzik had a rooming house across from the big hotel on Sackett Lake. All their family spent many summers there.”

Then my uncle Larry started a conversation with Dave Wagner’s son, Neil.

“Nice hearing from you. I am 82 living in Florida. Your Dad and I had some wonderful experiences. Parties in the barn going to Camp Mahogee nearby on Silver Lake to meet some girls, hunting in the woods behind the house, feeding the chickens ,etc., then off to college and gone. I remember your aunt Grace. Is she still as attractive as I remember?

I hope they are still around and thriving.”

Experiences like these are very common at our Catskills events and I’m looking forward to our second screening of “Welcome to Kutsher’s” on Sunday, August 2 at 1:30 p.m. at River Garden.

Surely, some more Catskills connections will be made.

AGAINST ALL ODDS, CHANGE IS POSSIBLE

The personal, spiritual and professional journey of

DR. BERND WOLLSCHLAEGER 2012 FAFP Family Physician of the Year, Former IDF Medical Officer & Book Author

Sunday, August 3O, 2O15 1O:3O a.m.

at the home of Holly and Mark Emas This Federation event is open to ALL Jewish healthcare professionals and their significant others in our community and will support the 2016 Annual Campaign. Kindly RSVP

RSVP by August 21 to events@jewishjacksonville.org

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

EDUCATION Socialize, play and learn with your little one at DuBow Preschool

Parents can interact and learn with their little one through classes like these two above offered by DuBow Preschool throughout the year

BY SHEREEN CANADY DuBow Preschool Director

DuBow Preschool offers a wonderful variety of classes open to the entire community for parents as well as their babies and toddlers. Families are given the opportunity to meet other families in the community, learn parenting tips and bond with their little ones while participating in our fun and creative classes. A full list of course offerings are listed below, we hope to see you soon!

Shalom Baby Come join in our bi-weekly free playgroup as we have a great crop of parents, babies and toddlers who enjoy playing, singing and making treasured keepsakes.

Class participants also talk about current parenting issues and even celebrating Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Learn more by contacting Shereen Canady at 904-2684200 ext. 143.

Family Music & Movement Family Music & Movement classes incorporate songs with movement and various hand held

instruments. Sprinkled into that instruction will be some wonderful stories, along with American Sign Language, and cooperation practice. This is also one of the rare classes where siblings are encouraged to attend. Find out more by going to facebook.com/ familymusicandmovement.

Color Splash This is a parent and me sensory class designed for parents and children to have hands-on exposure to varying textures, smells, and tastes in an environment that encourages learning through experience. Find information regarding the class at facebook. com/colorsplashclass or send an e-mail to colorsplashclass@ gmail.com.

Stroller Workout in Sept.

A brand new class for the stroller crowd starts this September. Get fit and stay fit while enjoying an hour with other moms.

Look for this new Parent & Me class offered by DuBow Preschool and keep in the loop about upcoming workouts at facebook. com/strollerworkout.

Kids have fun under the stars at JCA Camp Gan Yeladim’s UNDERnights

Kids at Camp Gan Yeladim and KinderCamp had the chance to have fun after hours at the JCA during its UNDERnight program this summer

BY MOLLY SWEET

Michele Block Gan Yeladim

During this past summer, the JCA Summer Camp had engaging activities for children all day long, but on two special occasions, the excitement extended into the evening for Camp Gan Yeladim and KinderCamp’s UNDERnight programs. Those special evenings brought Gan Yeladim‘s Tovim campers and KinderCampers back to the J after hours for crafts, dinner and swimming. “For the campers, it’s a really exciting night because they are a little too young for overnight camp so UNDERnights are a great opportunity

for young campers to get a taste of the excitement of a typical overnight camp,” said explained Rochelle Golomb, Assistant Director of Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten. “They even bring their pajamas and leave with a special souvenir,” She added.

The themes for this summer’s Camp Gan Yeladim UNDERnights were a Pirate Party and Rainforest Adventure. Campers either stayed or returned to the JCA for a fun-filled evening, and by the time their parents came to pick them up, they were all dressed in pajamas and ready for bedtime.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

community news

JCA to present a pair of free summer cultural arts events

The Boathouse Cello Choir will be performing at the JCA, Sunday, Aug. 2

By Jewish Community Alliance

In August, the Jewish Community Alliance’s Cultural Arts Department will be holding two entertaining programs free of charge to the entire Jacksonville community. On Sunday, Aug. 2, at 3 p.m., a fun afternoon of music featuring the Boathouse Cello Choir will be performing at the JCA. This eclectic group of cellists, whose skills range from beginner to advanced, got their name from the boathouse of the local yacht club which served as their first practice space. Aside from the cello, the various members bring numerous talents as several of them write original music.

The group’s standard repertoire includes everything from classical to rock music and they also include songs with fun vocals and audience participation. To keep a festive atmosphere, the JCA asks that attendees bring blankets or lawn chairs to sit on

but there will be chairs provided for those who forget. There is no dress code for this informal concert and dairy snacks can be brought if desired. Additionally, the JCA will be serving lemonade and cookies.

On Sunday, Aug. 23, at 2 p.m., the JCA will present a showing of the film Brighton Beach Memoirs. This heartwarming story, based on Neil Simon’s award-winning play, recounts 15-year-old Eugene Jerome’s desperate attempts to uncover life’s mysteries while his family actively obscures the clues. Even so, he manages to keep his priorities (baseball and girls), firmly in order throughout this hilarious adaptation of the Broadway hit about growing up in Brooklyn during the late 1930’s. Advance registration is requested for both of these programs. For more information or to register, visit jcajax.org or contact the registrar at 904-7302100 ext. 228.

Yoga Shalom is alive and well at Beth El- The Beaches Synagogue

Mind, body & spirit come together in peaceful harmony at Yoga Shalom

BY MARLA DAHLENBERG Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue

Yoga Shalom is a DVD which presents a unique worship experience that brings together mind, body and spirit and combines the two powerful spiritual disciplines of Jewish worship and yoga practice. This activity puts Jewish worship into sharp focus by clearly explaining each of the prayers, their connections to yoga and context of the service as well as kavannot, or interpretive writings which add

depth and creativity to each chapter. Yoga Shalom will help those who take part in it relax their body and calm their mind, while nurturing their spirit by using advanced, gentle, and chair modifications for each posture sequence. The class meets every Wednesday for an hour starting at 10:30 a.m. and anyone is welcome to take part but they are asked to bring their own mat. Any questions can be directed to program organizer Gail Greenfield at gailsgreenfield@hotmail.com.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

JCA Family Fun Days makes a splash JCA Summer Camp for members and their families season in review

By IMAN BYFIELD

BY IMAN BYFIELD

Jewish Community Alliance

Last month the Jewish Community Alliance held a Family Fun Day event at the JCA’s Howard and Joy Korman Outdoor Pool. JCA members and their families enjoyed the won-

derful weather, pool activities, hot dogs and DJ entertainment.

Family Fun Days are a great opportunity for JCA members to experience the wonderful facilities the JCA has to offer as well as meet other members and enjoy quality time with families in the community. The next JCA

Family Fun Day will take place Monday, Sept. 7, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and will feature games, entertainment and food. These free events are open to JCA members and their families, for more information, contact Rio Robinson at 904-730-2100 ext. 250 or rio. robinson@jcajax.org.

Jewish Community Alliance

The JCA 2015 Summer Camp season was a great success. Camp Gan Yeladim, Kinder Camp, Sabra, Habonim and Primetime Teen campers have enjoyed a fun filled and adventurous summer experience.

Littlest campers participated in

events like Under Nights and the International Mud Day and the older campers had the opportunity to engage in specialty art and sports choices like ice skating, pottery, and horseback riding, theatre productions and adventure days. Each day, JCA summer camp participants were engaged in a variety of fun, stimulating activities.

jca happenings For more information or to register for programs at the JCA, call 904-730-2100 or visit our official website at www.jcajax.org.

Vandroff Art Gallery

The Art of Annelies Dykgraaf will be shown from July 31 – Sept.

2. Annelies was born in Nigeria, West Africa and spent her first 18 years in rural areas where her parents lived and worked as missionaries and teachers. She holds a B.F.A. degree with a minor in French from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. Meet Annelies at the opening on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 6-8 p.m. This is free and open to the entire community.

Free Summer Concert

Join us for a free concert with the Boathouse Cello Choir on Sunday, Aug. 2 at 3 p.m. Bring blankets and lawn chairs or a dairy snack.

We will provide extra seating, lemonade and cookies. All ages welcome but advance reservations are requested.

JCA Film Series

‘Brighton Beach Memoirs’, based on Neil Simon’s award-winning play, is a wonderful, semi-autobiographical comedy with heart, wit and hysterical insights into family life and growing up just a little off

center. This film is showing on Sunday, Aug. 16, at 2 p.m.

Pottery

This eight week course teaches hand building and wheel throwing. Students learn how to glaze and finish pieces using high-fire glazing techniques. The fee for this program is $216 and $144 for JCA valued members. Classes are on Thursdays, Aug. 27 through Oct. 22 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Great Escape

Adults age 50+ can board Carnival Fascination for a fabulous trip to the Bahamas with stops in Freeport and Nassau. Tour the islands, dine on fine food and enjoy nightly entertainment. For more information, including double, single and triple rates, contact Sandy Oasis at 904-730-2100 ext.

322. Reservations are required by Thursday, Aug. 20.

Marvelous Movies

The Sound of Music is celebrating its 50th anniversary. See this mega hit on Monday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. inside the JCA and enjoy hotdogs at the pool during intermission.

Reservations are appreciated by Saturday, Aug. 29, and the fee for this program is $7 but free for JCA valued members.

Jerusalem at the IMAX Youth Tennis On Wednesday, Aug. 26, meet at 9 a.m. in the JCA lobby to experience one of the world’s most beloved cities in this spectacular documentary filmed in 3D for the IMAX screen. Lunch will be a Dutch treat and reservations required by Thursday, Aug. 20. The fee for this program is $30 but just $20 for JCA valued members.

Quick start programs provide an overview of tennis and teach the fundamentals of the sport. Classes focus on learning proper swinging motions and the most effective way to handle a tennis racquet.

The JCA offers several ongoing clinics for all ages. For more information contact Reggie Exum at 904-730-2100, ext. 317.

Youth Soccer

JCA Select Basketball Tryouts

JCA Youth Soccer mandatory skills evaluation will take place on Sunday, Aug. 9, at Bolles High School. League practice will be held Sept. 13 through Nov. 1. For more information and age-specific evaluation times, contact Coach Rio Robinson at 904-730-2100 ext.

250 or rio.robinson@jcajax.org.

The fee for this program is $150 and only $100 for JCA valued members.

Adult Soccer

Form your own teams of six to eight players for five-on-five soccer. You can also register individually or with a friend to be placed on a team. League play begins Sept. 13 at Bolles High School Stadium.

Select Basketball team tryouts will be held Monday, Sept. 21 at the JCA for players who want to compete at the highest level.

Those who make the team will benefit from quality coaching and the opportunity to play in a structured training camp prior to joining a local competitive league.

Tryouts will begin at 6 p.m. for girls and 7 p.m. for boys. For more information, contact Coach Rio at 904-730-2100, ext. 250.

School Year Makos Swim Team

This team introduces competitive swimming and helps prepare children for the upcoming competitive summer league. Register for one day, two days or four days a week. Clinics start Sunday, Aug. 2 and for more information contact Jessica Novotny at 904-730-2100, ext. 240.

JV Makos Swim Team

This team is for children interested in being a part of a swim team and who are able to put their faces in the water as well as swim half the pool length unassisted.

Practice days are Monday and Wednesday, 1:30-2:15 p.m. and sessions are held monthly. The fee for this program is $82, but only $55 for JCA valued members.

JCA Fencing for Adults (14 and older) Session I will be held on Wednesdays, Aug. 5 – Sept. 30 from 6-7:30 p.m. The fee for this program is $210 and just $140 for JCA valued members.

JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $208,000

904.730.2100 wwwjcajax.org

www.jewishjacksonville.org

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Briefs

PJ Library

PJ Library, the award winning free program for books and music is open to all families with Jewish children in Jacksonville. If your children are between the ages of 6 months and 8 years, they are eligible. Please sign up now by going to www. pjlibrary.org/communities/jacksonville, or by calling Ilene Schinasi at 904-394-5724.

JEWISH FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES JFCS helps to create JFCS Strengthens ties and bonds of forever families empowers parents through vital outreach program

BY LAURA EVANS but JFCS adoption coordinators Jewish Family & Community Services

On any given day, JFCS is the parent to nearly 250 children in the Duval county foster care system. These children have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect and even abandonment. JFCS strives to work with parents by teaching them life and parenting skills so that they may reunite with their children in a stable and safe home environment. Unfortunately, not all children can be reunited with their parents

JFCS in partnership with River Garden is pleased to bring you our meal program, Meals4You, ‘From our Kitchen to Yours.’ Meals are delicious, nutritious, convenient and delivered right to your door. Jewish dietary laws are observed.

Call Ilene Schinasi for more information at 904224-6287.

Call2Go

Call2Go is the transportation program at JFCS. We work with Checker Cab and we are happy to schedule rides for Shabbat and Holidays at no charge. We also provide rides for medical appointments and quality of life events. Call Ilene Schinasi for more information 904-224-6287.

Jewish Healing Network

Become a Jewish Healing Network Volunteer at JFCS and help us fulfill the Mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim. If you are interested in helping, you can make a weekly visit or phone call to a senior and even help us deliver food to those who cannot get out and get it themselves.

Please call Ilene Schinasi at 904-394-5724.

Victoria Hester and Rebecca Marguiles work very hard to complete those adoptions in a timely manner so they children will have a permanent and loving home. The Department of Children & Families/Family Support Services set a goal for JFCS to finalize 45 adoptions between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. Always one to try and surpass its goals, JFCS has finalized 78 adoptions by the targeted deadline, meaning 78 children now have forever families.

Dupont Counseling to expand efforts in schools

BY RACHEL WEINSTEIN

Meals4You

Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

Jewish Family & Community Services

JFCS was recently awarded a $200,000 grant through the Jacksonville Children’s Commission, United Way and Duval County Public Schools to partner with the Arlington Family Resource Center, one of the community’s Full-Service schools. The goal of this pro-

gram is to provide behavioral health services to improve the overall emotional functioning of children and their families.

Therapists, support staff and a clinical supervisor will provide school-based therapeutic services (individual and family counseling) within the surrounding zip codes of the Arlington area. For any questions, contact Rachel Weinstein, Clinical Manager at rweinstein@jfcsjax.org.

A request for school supplies

By Jewish Family & Community Services

School is just around the corner and stores are stocked with school supplies but parents know all too well how expensive these supplies are. Regardless, these caring mom’s and dad’s want their children wellprepared for their first day of school. JFCS’s foster care children in Duval County are provided life’s necessities of food and shelter but unfortunately none of the extras we all take

for granted, including school supplies. Please help JFCS give these children a positive start to their school year as a donation of just $18 helps cover the cost of basic supply needs. A donation of $36 will cover all basic supplies, plus lab costs, sports equipment and clothing, which many children in middle and high school require. Your donation is an investment in our community’s children. These kids need JFCS’ support but can they count on yours too?

BY LAURA EVANS Jewish Family & Community Services

Many of today’s families experience difficulty in maintaining a stable home environment, so to help with this, JFCS prevention specialists go to such homes in Duval and Nassau counties to provide support and services which help keep children in their homes and out of the dependency of the court system. The services that JFCS helps provide include education on nurturing parenting and active teen parenting, behavior

Navigating the large maze of housing options for seniors

By Jewish Family & Community Services

Have you heard the following words before? “Mom shouldn’t be driving and we are concerned that she isn’t eating well.” If you have and when there are changes in the quality of life in older adults who need additional support, turn to Jewish Family & Community Services for a thorough review of their options. JFCS offers experts in aging services who can explain all choices for senior living. From

As reported in the June issue of the Jacksonville Jewish News, the Feed a Needy Neighbor or FANN food drive began in May and runs through July. The goal is to raise at least $10,000 to support the JFCS Food Pantry, which will generously be matched by the Block Family Foundation.

At the time of submission for the August edition of the JJN, we can

independent living at home to senior apartment communities, even assisted living, continuing care, and skilled nursing, each choice will offer different levels of care and different costs to meets the needs of your loved one. As with any move, make sure to consider all of your options and ask all the right questions. If you would like more information for help with your loved one’s long term care, call us at 904-394-5728 to meet with the JFCS Care Managers.

Frannie Sheridan to perform at The Temple

By Jewish Family & Community Services

Holocaust Family Gatherings presents, Frannie Sheridan who will share, ‘Voice of Gen 2 - The Power of Truth Telling’.

Feed a Needy Neighbor (FANN) challenge update

By Jewish Family & Community Services

modification, family treasures (a communication curriculum), case management and emergency financial assistance. 80-percent of the referrals to STEPS come from the Florida Department of Children & Families, while 15-percent are from the community (schools and community agencies, including JFCS). Consequently, just five-percent are the individual families requesting help that need it. Last fiscal year, JFCS helped strengthen and empower 654 families with 2,518 children through the STEPS program.

only report on the donations as of July 15th but it is exciting to announce that we have received $10,022.14 and we still have yet another half of a month to tally up our donations. Thank you for all of your support and for making the difference in the lives of so many who need our help, especially the children who have been unable to receive their free meals from school during summer vacation.

Jewish Family & Community Services has exceeded its lofty $10,000 goal for the Feed a Needy Neighbor (FANN) Block Family Challenge as it has received donations from throughout the community totaling $10,022.14 since the drive first began in May. Donations were accepted through the end of July and there is still another half of a month left of tallying to complete before the final totals will be announced to the community.

JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $294,500

Sheridan is a popular Gen 2 Entertainer and Lecturer. This program is scheduled for Sunday, Oct 18, 2015 from 1-3 p.m. at Congregation Ahavath Chesed – The Temple. Please call Naomi Mirensky at 904-394-5777 for more details.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA

Education Strategic Plan for the JCF: – Charting our Course costs: Up

BY KEVIN ROGERS Household incomes: Flat Stock Market: Turbulent Jewish Community Foundation

This above challenging combination of factors makes for ‘the perfect storm’ for families who are trying to invest in their child’s education.

Many parents in our community are grappling with how to pay for increased costs of college tuition as well as the tuition for their children to attend Jewish day schools or for those young

By JEFF adults who are KLEIN, participating at Executive one of the many outstanding Director Jewish educational experiences offered by our local synagogues and temples.

Here at the JCF, planning for the future is what we do best as individuals and families can start scholarship funds for their educational needs. JCF scholarship funds can be established with an outright gift of cash, appreciated assets like stock or even real estate.

Leaving a percentage of your estate earmarked for a JCF scholarship fund will ensure that your fund will last in perpetuity. Scholarship funds that are a part of the JCF can be named in honor of a loved one or in your family’s own name. They can also be earmarked for a specific college or university, a synagogue or temple or any other non-profit or Jewish day school.

Suppose you wanted to establish a $10,000 scholarship, we normally advise that a fund should be valued at 20 times the amount you want to generate, so an annual $10,000 scholarship would need to have a fund of $200,000. Often, a JCF donor will establish a fund and add to it during his or her lifetime. Others may take out a life insurance policy owned by the JCF, which will then receive the proceeds at some future point in time.

College tuition, day school tuition and the cost for religious school education continues to increase. The JCF is your resource for insuring the future of our community. By establishing a JCF scholarship fund today, you will make sure that children who represent the future of our community will have the opportunities to attend college, Jewish Day schools or religious schools, so our community remains vital and strong for generations to come.

If you would like to explore ideas on how you may establish your own scholarship fund please feel to contact me at 904-265-6855 or send me an e-mail at jeff.klein@ jewishfoundationnefl.org

MONEY MATTERS

In January of this year, the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida’s Board of Trustees embarked on a strategic planning process. The JCF is fortunate to have Dr. Hal Resnick, Dr. Sue Nussbaum (JCF President), Mark Green (outgoing JCF President) and Jeff Klein (Executive Director), guiding the board through this process.

In addition, we are privileged to have a group of trustees who care deeply about the process and who in addition are actively engaged in building and developing this new plan for the future of the Foundation.

So why is this process important to you? The primary reason is that the success of the JCF cannot be achieved apart from the

success of the partner organizations in which it works with. In other words, the JCF will only be successful in fulfilling its mission when it helps other partner organizations put in place the financial resources necessary for them to achieve long term financial viability and vibrancy.

One very effective method of building a foundation for long term financial stability is through the JCF endowment program.

Establishing and growing an

endowment fund is a powerful strategy for sustaining the programs and activities at the core of an organization’s mission. Uncertainty about the flow of future revenue is a concern for every organization and any number of events beyond the organization’s control, from natural disasters to declining economic conditions, can have a devastating impact on future receipts and/or expenses.

When these events occur, some nonprofits try to compensate for financial shortfalls by increasing revenues but in a depressed or strained economy, this strategy can undercut the organization’s mission. Having an endowment in place gives the organization the means for increasing revenue without cutting programs, reducing staff or being forced to increase their fees.

Establishing an endowment

provides more for an organization than simply a means for building long-term financial viability. It also functions as a concrete symbol of an organization’s long term commitment to their mission and vision. It says that who they are and what they do is important, not only for the current generation but for future generations as well.

As the board of trustees continues its work on the new strategic plan, we hope you will consider the impact an endowment through the JCF can have on the future financial sustainability of an organization or program in the Jewish community which you care so deeply about. For more information about how you can establish an endowment, please contact Jeff Klein, JCF Executive Director, at 904-265-6855 or jeff. klein@jewishfoundationnefl.org.

Foundation to hold special board of trustees meeting, slated for Aug. 26

Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida board of trustee members Susan Levine, Adam Marmelstein and Gary Wilkinson will be on hand for a meet and greet at the Aug. 26 board meeting

BY KEVIN ROGERS

Jewish Community Foundation

Special thanks to Mel and Debbie Gottlieb for opening their home to host a special meeting of the JCF Board of

Trustees on August 26, at 6 p.m. This meeting will serve two purposes: The first is to create an informal, social atmosphere which will enable everyone to get to know our new

trustees better (Susan Levine, Gary Wilkinson and Adam Marmelstein); The second part of the meeting will be dedicated to work on the new JCF Strategic Plan.

of Northeast Florida 4932 Sunbeam Rd., Ste 200 Jacksonville, FL 32257 904.394.0720 jeff.klein@ jewishfoundationnefl.org

Foundation happenings • Investment Oversight Committee (IOC) - August is a critical month for chair Barbara Jaffe and the entire IOC as they continue their work through the request for proposal (RFP) process. The purpose of an RFP is to ensure the JCF is employing the best possible investment management advisor for our donors and partners. Some of the criteria used by the IOC to rank the competing firms include fee structure, asset allocation models institutional experience in the non-profit sector. On August 24, the IOC is scheduled to conduct interviews with representative from four different firms.

• Calling all Professional Advisors - The JCF is in the initial stages of establishing a professional advisory committee (PAC). The purpose of the PAC is to provide guidance and professional support to the community on endowment opportunities within the Jewish community and beyond by

engaging attorneys, CPA’s, financial planners, trust officers and business professionals across the Jacksonville and St. Augustine areas. Benefits of being a member of the JCF PAC include: Staying up to date on trends in charitable giving and estate planning, being afforded the opportunity to attend seminars designed specifically for professional advisors and receiving invitations to attend and/or host JCF sponsored networking events with your peers and colleagues. In addition you will also be given recognition for playing a significant role in ensuring our community’s future and being listed as a JCF PAC member on the new JCF web site. Finally, plans are in the works for a JCF PAC trip to Israel. The cost of the trip will be heavily subsidized through the generosity of a JCF donor.

Our hope is that this special trip will be affordable for everyone who wants to participate. We look forward to sharing more about this group in the coming

months, so if you are interested in becoming a member of the JCF PAC, or would simply like more information, please contact Jeff Klein – Executive Director, at 904-265-6855 or jeff.klein@ jewishfoundationnefl.org.

• “JCF-n-JAX” - The JCF has begun publishing a bi-monthly e-Newsletter entitled JCF-nJAX to keep everyone up to date on all that is happening at the Foundation. If you are not already receiving the JCF-n-JAX, we encourage you to become a subscriber simply be sending an email request to Kevin Rogers – Project Coordinator, at kevin. rogers@jewishcommunityfoundationnefl.org and ask to have your name added to our subscription list.

• Stay Tuned - Part II of Create a Jewish Legacy (CJL) is beginning to take shape. Arlene Schiff, National Executive Director for CJL, will be in Jacksonville three times during 2016 to

provide training and consultation to our partners and synagogues as we move toward completion of the CJL program. The Create a Jewish Legacy is a partnership program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF), which assists communities through partnerships with Jewish Foundations and other Federations.

Together they promote afterlifetime giving to benefit Jewish day schools, synagogues, social service organizations and other Jewish entities. Through training, support and incentives, CJL motivates Jewish organizations to secure legacy gifts, steward donors and integrate legacy giving into the philanthropic culture of the Jewish community.

• We Are Growing – JCF’s current and future expectations of planned gifts from your vibrant Jewish community, including individuals and our partners now totals $41.7 Million.

JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $88,422

page 19

www.jewishjacksonville.org

Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

RIVER GARDEN SENIOR SERVICES Summer Teen Volunteers Arrive

BY LESLIE HELD

Jewish Life & Volunteer Coordinator

904-260-1818

www.rivergarden.org 11401 Old St. Augustine Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32258

This summer’s program included twenty awesome teens who brought their youthful exuberance to entertain residents and assist staff. There is no question that their presence lifts the spirits of everyone they meet.

Something marvelous happens as we watch young and old connect and engage in meaningful ways… Our teens come to appreciate and understand the relevance of bringing joy and friendship to others. There is no doubt that such personal interaction with residents many decades older than they are, will likely influence ethical or spiritual

decisions they are bound to encounter and grapple with, perhaps regarding their own family members and friends, in future years.

It’s wonderful to think they might just be developing such necessary skills right here at River Garden.

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

Come And Volunteer At River Garden - It Feels Good… It Does Good

Treat yourself to the River Garden experience. The River Garden Campus is home to our dedicated and caring volunteers.

From teens to golden-agers, we invite you to become a part of our volunteer team.

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

Interested in volunteer opportunities at River Garden?

Please contact Leslie Held at 904-886-8429 or email lheld@rivergarden.org

Caregivers, friends and family - monthly support group reminder

Dealing with family issues of aging and illness? Our support group meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month, 3:30-4:30 PM in the Adult Day Care Center in the Frisch Family Pavilion.

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

Remember River Garden when honoring or memorializing your loved ones

Donating to River Garden is an uncomplicated, feel-good activity. Here are several ways we’ve made it easy for you…  Simply mail to: Development Department River Garden Hebrew Home 11401 Old St. Augustine Rd. Jacksonville, Florida 32258  Or call: 904-886-8432  Or go online: www.rivergarden.org/donation From Generation to Generation…

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

Clockwise from Top Left: Teen volunteers sort beads for creative crafts; Armando and Mrs. Banker enjoy working on jigsaw puzzles; Sahaj admires Ms. Dee’s painting; Reese gets a crafts lesson from Ms. Atlanta

The Coves at River Garden: More Affordable Than You Think Give it a try. Look at some of the average living expenses in Northeast Most everyone knows that moving into an Florida. Mortgage rates average about $1000 per Independent Living Retirement Community can relieve some of the burdens of remaining month; property taxes of in your own home – from lawn maintenance $1500 per year or $125 per month; “standard” utilities, and appliance repairs to roof leaks and including water, power, exterior painting. But did you know that it sewage, cable TV, internet, can also save you money? The Coves, an independent living community located on the and others are estimated at L to R: Libbie & Manfred Katz, Renee Haire, Nancy Dean over $250 per month. Add 37 acre River Garden Senior Services campus, offers access to many amenities and to this routine home maintenance – more offers comfort, security and maintenance-free services to facilitate a lifestyle that promotes than $250 per month over the course of a living. Located minutes from luxury year; groceries for dinner (delicious, elegant wellness. And, living there could save you shopping, historic St. Augustine and dinners are included at The Coves), and it money each month. beautiful downtown Jacksonville, and with a The Coves offers four different spacious really adds up. Looking to cut costs even variety of activities and services, fine dining apartment sizes in either one or two bedroom further? The Coves provides transportation and friendly staff, The Coves provides for medical runs, trips to the grocery store layouts ranging between $2800 and $3750 elegant, yet affordable retirement living for per month, with a nominal additional fee for and area shopping, as well as trips to the active seniors. movies, group restaurant excursions and to a second person in the apartment, if For further information, please call 904community shows and attractions, saving you applicable. And once you begin calculating 886-8935, email mdavis@rivergarden.org or the typical monthly expenses of remaining at transportation and vehicle maintenance costs. visit rivergarden.org/coves.

In addition to cost savings, Coves home, you realize that it is more expensive members enjoy a lovely environment that than you think to stay in your own home.

BY SKIP WILLBACH

Director of Communications and Marketing

River Garden Senior Services

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

RIVER GARDEN 2015 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $195,000

page 20

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

community news

Jacksonville area woman receives gift of life from fellow Jewish donor

BY MATT FRANZBLAU

Federation Communications Director

When Atlantic Beach resident Leya Parker received her Leukemia diagnosis in October 2013, she was actually quite relieved instead of being in shock or dismay. That’s because Parker had been suffering from bizarre and unusual symptoms leading up to an emergency room visit at Baptist Beaches Hospital, where she would receive a life-altering diagnosis.

“My husband, Chip and I have four daughters and they are all college aged. During the summer previous to my diagnosis, I think we had like six moves between getting the girls in and out of sorority houses, apartments and we were closing on our dream home out in Atlantic Beach,” Parker described of her situation leading up to her symptoms. “I was really, really tired but I just thought it was from everything that was going on” Once the whirlwind of packing and unpacking finally settled down, the then 46-year old was still not quite able to catch her breath as she continued losing energy and was in need of rest more frequently.

“I had a party in August and I was extremely tired and people were starting to notice that my eyes were swollen,” she said.

“Then we went up to New York in September to help celebrate my parents’ 70th birthdays. I remember having a really hard time with my jogs and runs and I was unable to stay awake during Broadway shows, so I thought age was really starting to work against me.”

Finally, tired of being tired and not knowing what exactly was wrong, she took matters into her own hands and went to the doctor when she returned home to the Sunshine State. After some preliminary tests, Leya’s doctors said that they thought she had mono, but with persisting and often intense symptoms, Parker knew it wasn’t that which was plaguing her.

“I was waking up sweating, my bed was drenched so I thought perhaps it was because of a female change,” she explained of one of her symptoms.

In order to rule hormonal changes out, she made a trip to her GYN and after a simple blood test, her search for answers continued. The one-time very active middle-aged woman was becoming more sedentary and in the process desperate to find out what was exactly wrong.

“I was so miserable and scared and by this point I cancelled a trip that we had planned to California because I didn’t know what was wrong with me,” she said.

After an MRI of her shoulder, it was revealed that Parker had signs of either Multiple Myeloma, Lymphoma or Leukemia.

“I woke up one Tuesday morning not too long after that and I felt like I had lost a fight. I could not get out of bed,” she remem-

Leya Parker received a new lease on life thanks to a bone marrow transplant through an organization known as Gift of Life.

bered of her terrible ordeal. “My husband and I usually rode to work together but I told him to just go without me and I would have Vikki, one of my neighbors take me to the hospital.”

That decision was one which ultimately in hindsight ended up saving her life as she arrived in the Baptist Beaches’ emergency room.

“I just wanted someone to tell me either you are a hypochondriac and to just drop it or that I was really sick, because at that point I just needed answers.”

Unfortunately for Parker, it was the latter as opposed to the former.

“I waited and waited at the hospital and was eventually told that they didn’t want to admit me,” she explained. “So I sent a text to my friend Rocky who is an oncology nurse and she immediately texted me back and told me not to leave the hospital until running a specific blood test which had not been administered to me at that point.”

Sure enough once the final tests were run, Parker was able to confirm what she had suspected for quite some time. Her diagnosis was Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and following a bone marrow biopsy it was discovered that she was also PH+, which is a mutation of ALL. “The results came back and it said that I had a 98 percent blast of Leukemia in my blood, meaning I was covered head to toe,” she said. “My husband asked my brother, who is a surgeon, what would have happened if I would have kept going and he said that I would have up and died probably within in 10 days.”

Now that the mother of four was officially diagnosed, there was no time to contemplate treatment as she was transported via ambulance to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville. There she began taking her first few rough steps in hopes of a full recovery and that meant frequent chemotherapy treatments and stays in the hospital.

“I had so much leukemia that the doctors didn’t think they were going to be able to put me in remission during the first round of chemotherapy,” she recalled. “As expected, I didn’t go into remission so a week and a half later I received a mack daddy dose of

chemo, to which this day I don’t think I have fully recovered from.”

At the very beginning of her rigorous treatment, Parker was told that in order to legitimately beat this heinous disease, she would need to have a stem cell transplant, because she had ALL and was PH+.

“My brother, Aaron flew down immediately from Blacksburg, Va., to see if he could be my donor because he knew I would need a bone marrow transplant,” she said. “He’s my brother so that’s who they would test first, but unfortunately he was only half of a match.”

After her brother’s test, a preliminary sweep through the donor database produced an initial 13 matches which were found through an organization called Gift of Life. Gift of Life is a Bone Marrow Foundation formed in 1991 following a successful registration drive to save the life of Jay Feinberg, a then 23-year-old analyst with the Federal Reserve.

“Jay started it when he needed a transplant 20-years ago. Back then he was told there would not be match for him because he was Jewish and there were not enough Ashkenazi Jews to donate because of the Holocaust,” Parker explained. “Here we are 20-years later and I had more than a dozen potential donors because they were probably all from some sort of Jewish background.”

Although Parker had more than a dozen prospective donors, she only needed one match to save her life. That donor was Jonathan Struhl, now 26-years old and a New York City venture capitalist and entrepreneur, who’se one day of good deeds turned into a lifetime of fulfillment and friendship.

That particular day was back in 2010 during a recruitment drive at a charity event for an Israeli orphanage, which Jonathan helped organize. The kosher city dweller was contacted by the Gift of Life organization and asked if they could set up shop at his event and conduct swabs to add to their mounting database.

“At that event is when he was swabbed,” Parker explained. “So three years before he was contacted to be my match is when that initially happened.”

Fast forward a few dozen months and Jonathan had no idea that his simple act on a fall day in New York would turn into a life saving action for a woman more than a thousand miles away.

Jonathan Struhl, a 26-year old Jewish man living in Manhattan was Parker’s perfect match for a bone marrow transplant.

With a specific match now in sight, Leya was told that she in fact had someone who could be her donor and that he would be ready for the procedure in late February.

“I was not allowed to know anything about my donor except their sex and approximate age, so for a long time we thought he was from Germany and nicknamed him Hans, she recalled. “Later I thought he was from the south and called him Bubba.”

The only definitive information Parker was able to find out about her donor was that they gave their stem cells on Feb. 24 and she would receive them a day later.

Once the procedure was successfully completed, Leya had a new lease on life and in all reality a new identity when it came to her genetic make-up.

“The day I received my stem cells, my girls brought a cake that said ‘happy birthday’ and had a zero on it because I am considered to be a new born,” she explained of her unique circumstances.”

As a result of the transplant, Parker and Struhl assumed a near perfect identity, essentially making their DNA the same. The numbers reflect this as she is 100 percent Jonathan when it comes to her ‘B’ Cell count and 98 percent him as far as it pertains to her ‘T’ Cell count.

“My doctors basically told me that this was it and that they were confident that if I took the transplant, this would cure me,” the one time cancer patient said.

“They don’t think I will ever get Leukemia again because Jonathan is such a strong donor.”

This made Leya’s and Jonathan’s first meeting all the more special when the pair attended the 15th annual Partners for Life Gala in Struhl’s backyard of the Big Apple this past June, just a year and a few months removed from Leya’s life saving transplant.

Until that point, the two were only permitted to exchange very basic letters and were required to reveal minimal information about themselves as the content of them were screened before being sent out.

“Jon walked up with a bouquet of flowers and gave me a huge hug,” Parker recalled of their emotional meeting. “I just cried and could not stop hugging him.”

The two then took turns read-

ing their short speeches they had prepared for the event, with Jonathan going first and then Leya to follow. The donor first shared his message with the crowd and his recipient, from a letter he wrote to her many months before.

A portion of it read, “I believe in the power of prayer so every morning and every night I will pray for you. I pray that you will be able to live life to the fullest.

You inspire me, you motivate me and for that I thank you.”

After all the other donors and recipients being honored that evening had their time in the spotlight, Jonathan and Leya took some time to get better acquainted with one another, as both families lingered, talking at length for nearly two hours.

“It was just so fantastic and we had so much in common,” Parker said. “Both of Jonathan’s parents graduated from the University of Florida. He is also of Polish and Russian descent and I am Polish, Russian and German, which are just a couple of the commonalities.”

But it was learning about the donor’s experience which had a profound impact on Leya and her family.

“You always think of the recipient in these situations, because it’s like ‘oh my god this person is dying’, Parker said. “But after meeting Jon and the other families at the gala, we realized that being a donor is as equally as important to them as it was for me and the other recipients.”

The bond that the unique pair now shares is more than just a psychological connection, it’s an emotional one as both Leya and Jonathan are now for all intents and purposes, family.

“I don’t know whether or not to call him a son or a brother, because I am the same age as his mom,” Parker describes of her now unique relationship with Jonathan. “I’ve never had a son but we are technically related now because of blood.”

The lifelong bond fostered between Parker and Struhl is one that repeats itself numerous times through any given year as prospective donors are matched with recipients through the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation by way of its donor database. All it takes is a swab of the check and $60 and the organization will put you on its list. Gift of life is always looking for young adults who are able and willing to be tested to see if they are indeed a match. Funds are also available for those still wanting to be swabbed but who cannot afford the start-up costs.

To obtain a swab kit from the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation, or for more information on the organization and its mission, log on to giftoflife.org. To view a blog documenting Leya’s courageous journey on the road to recovery visit lparkerblog.com or go to http://bit.ly/1HNUR3w for a special article on her and Jonathan’s meeting which was published in the New York Daily News.

Scan QR code to watch Leya and Jonathan’s emotional first ever meeting at the Gift of Life gala on

Nancy Rubenstein, REALTOR

®

C: 973.722.5648 | O: 904.285.1800 Nancy.Rubenstein@FloridaNetworkRealty.com Visit my website www.NRubenstein.FloridaNetworkRealty.com © 2015 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

SYNAGOGUE NEWS

Childrens’ inquisitive nature makes for the ideal Torah studying climate

BY NAOMI CHASE

Temple’s Religious School Director

Recently, Rabbi Cohen, Associate Rabbi at The Temple, shared a conversation he had with his five-year old son. “Dad, what’s an Israelite?” he asked. “Well, sometimes you can put the sound, ‘ite’ on the end of the name of a place to describe someone who comes from there. Someone from Israel could be called an Israelite,” the Rabbi explained. “Oh because in the Passover story, I heard that word and I thought it was a special kind of light,” the young boy replied. Later, the Rabbi used this anecdote in a worship benediction, wishing us many opportunities to be a light, to model Jewish values and behaviors, and to always consider the possibility that at any given moment, someone, or someone’s child, might be listening and learning from us.

I was reminded of an experience I had had with my own

five-year old many years ago when he had been listening to his older brother translate his Bar Mitzvah Torah portion. When he heard the words, “And God spoke to Balak”, my younger son, asked, “What does God’s voice sound like?”, so I asked him, “What do you think it sounds like?” Instantly, he responded, “I think God sounds like me!” His older brother smiled and said, “Maybe he’s right, and God has millions and millions of voices so God can sound like everyone.”

This is the way Torah will be studied every Sunday at every grade level at The Temple’s religious school this year. This summer, I will be training our Torah teachers in a methodology known as philosophical inquiry. They’ll learn a variety of strategies which encourage questioning and critical thinking as it is predicated on the belief that children naturally wonder about the world around them. It also supports the organic processes in which kids inquire

Lifelong learning stressed through The Temple’s intro to Judiasm class

By Congregation Ahavath Chesed

The following questions may be perplexing to some: How do Jews define the God concept? How does the rabbinic period of Jewish history connect to modernity?

Does population make Israel a Jewish state? How do Jews select names for their children? Why do some Jews celebrate two-day holidays while others celebrate just one day? Those of us who attended religious school may have answers to these questions, or vaguely remember the issues being addressed, but there’s a good chance that most of us probably have not have considered these issues since our school days.

Introduction to Judaism at The Temple is not just for those who may be considering conversion, or those who are interested in learning about our faith.

“The curriculum is designed for those seeking a richer understanding of their own Jewish heritage, or a connection to our community, as well as for those beginning a personal discovery of faith,” explained the Temple’s senior Rabbi Joshua Lief. “Each year when I teach this class, I am inspired by the commitment of the students to clarify their understandings and to grapple with their spiritual questions.

The interplay between the Jews and the non-Jews always provides intellectual challenge and I encourage members of the Jewish

community, synagogue-affiliated or not to join the conversation.”

This 16 session weekly program provides a more in-depth understanding of the history, traditions, rituals, and practices of the Jewish people. Sondra and Ed Mallow enrolled in the program to learn and to meet more people at Temple and as Ed explained, “I wasn’t sure that I would learn anything because I had been a practicing Jew for more than 50 years. I have led services for years and had served as a synagogue president but as I came to find out I could not have been more wrong,” he said. “Now I finally understand our history and the ‘why’s’ of our traditions,” he added. “My Judaism means so much more to me now because I learned who we are as a people, where we came from, why we celebrate what we do, and how a religious service is organized and why.”

At The Temple, there is always room to learn because learning is of course a lifelong commitment.

Introduction to Judaism is open to the entire community as Jews, in addition to those who love Jews and those who are loved by Jews are welcome to enroll. The class will be held on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. beginning Aug. 6. There is a small fee to cover books and materials, so call The Temple office with your questions at 904-733-7078. To enroll on-line simply send an e-mail to rsvp@ TheTempleJacksonville.org.

and engage daily to make sense of their environment, their relationships and their feelings. Music, art, film and literature support these conversations. The technique teaches and promotes open discourse in a community that respects diversity and imagination.

It also teaches self-control and self-advocacy and balances deep listening with the skills needed to probe one’s own thoughts with others’ thoughts and perceptions.

Children’s philosophical inquisitiveness prime them perfectly for Torah study and for extrapolating meaning from often vague or perplexing texts. Our sages teach, “Hanoch et hana-ar l’fi darko, lead the child according to his or her path.” Torah provides the geography and its study through this methodology provides a map of multiple routes by which we hope our students will become independent thinkers, ready to add their voices to a rich tradition which is full of them.

Enrollment numbers are soaring at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

BY NANCY DAVIS

By Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

The Martin J. Gottlieb Day School is excited to announce a dramatic increase in enrollment for the 2015-16 school year. As a Solomon Schechter school serving grades kindergarten through eighth, it is home to students from different types of Jewish living and levels of observance. “We are seeing an increase in enrollment, about six percent overall and its coming primarily from two types of families,” said Nancy Davis who oversees admissions for the day school. “Those are families who are new to the area as well as others who have been dissatisfied with the level of service they’ve been receiving in public schools,

particularly relating to standardized testing,” she added. While enrollment numbers are up, a few spots still remain open in each grade level. To schedule a tour, call 904-268-4200 ext. 147.

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statewide news More than a dozen Florida natives move to Israel on chartered Aliyah flight

A new Israeli immigrant or Olim kisses the soil of her homeland after arriving on the tarmac at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv this past July

BY RYAN GRIESS

Pruder Public Relations

A Boeing 777 chartered by Nefesh B’Nefesh departed New York’s JFK International Airport last month carrying 221 new immigrants (or Olim) from 14 states, the District of Columbia, and four Canadian provinces. The flight featured a total of 16 people from the Sunshine State and was facilitated in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah & Immigrant Absorption, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and JNF-USA. On board were 32 families, including 95 children, and 53 singles – 12 of whom will be joining the Israel Defense Forces. Also of note were the 46 Olim moving to Israel’s periphery as part of the Nefesh B’Nefesh and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael’s Go North and Go South programs. Among the Olim who have decided to make Aliyah (move to Israel) today are Shmulik Ben Yosef, 40, his wife, Ilana, 35, and their children, Yael, 8, Amit and Idan, both 4, from Boca Raton; Guy Ben Yehuda, 37, his wife, Hela-Rose, 36, and their children, Eliyah, 10, Oriya, 6, and Odeya, 2, from Fort Lauderdale; Rose Gold, 55, from Tamarac; Elliott Diaz, 29, from Deerfield Beach; Rotem Bronfam, 18, from Weston; Eric Burie, 32, from Hollywood; Allan Stern Wigoda, 19, from Aventura; and Gainya St. Clair, 22, from Vero Beach.

“I’m making Aliyah to fulfill my dream of joining the Israeli Air Force to become a pilot,” said Allan Stern Wigoda, who is moving to Kibbutz Ma’agan Michael, just outside of Haifa. “I’m excited to meet new people and make amazing memories and I’m ready to do my part defending my new home.” July’s planeload of Olim is the first of two charters, which, along with six group Aliyah

flights and Olim arriving independently on a daily basis, will bring over 2,000 Olim making Aliyah through Nefesh B’Nefesh this summer. An estimated 4,000 newcomers from North America are expected in 2015. Since 2002, Nefesh B’Nefesh, together with its partners, has brought 45,000 Olim to Israel from the U.S., Canada and England.

“The hundreds of new Olim on today’s flight, and the thousands who will be joining them over the course of this year, are the modern-day pioneers helping to build and secure the future of the State of Israel,” said Nefesh B’Nefesh Co-Founder and Executive Director Rabbi Yehoshua Fass. “Over the past 13 years, it has been an incredible privilege assisting over 45,000 Olim who are fulfilling their dreams, and the hopes of our nation, by returning to the Jewish homeland.”

Friends and family saw the Olim off at a departure ceremony at JFK Airport. Notable guests included Israel’s Minister for Senior Citizens MK Gila Gamliel; Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ron Prosor; The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Director of Absorption Programs Orly Zuckerman; KKL-JNF Vice Chairman Menachem Leibovic; and Nefesh B’Nefesh Co-Founders Rabbi Yehoshua Fass and Tony Gelbart.

Founded in 2002, Nefesh B’Nefesh in cooperation with the Israeli government and The Jewish Agency for Israel, is dedicated to revitalizing Aliyah from North America and the UK by removing or minimizing the financial, professional, logistical and social obstacles of Aliyah. The support and comprehensive social services provided by Nefesh B’Nefesh to its almost 45,000 newcomers has ensured that over 90 percent of its Olim have remained in Israel.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

local and national news

Op Ed: Iran nuclear pact is the tale of the scorpion and the frog

BY CHAIM SHACHAM

Israel consul general to Fla & P.R.

Few residents of the Middle East are unfamiliar with the story of the scorpion and the frog. It was first referred to in the Talmud (Nedarim 41a), the seminal ancient Jewish legal text compiled in the fourth century.

In it, a scorpion desiring to cross a river meets a hungry frog.

Unable to swim, the scorpion asks the frog to carry him across the river on his back. In return the scorpion promised the frog that he would provide him with the food he needs from the plentiful hunting ground on the other side.

The frog, however, is wary. “If you sting me during the crossing, I will surely drown.” The scorpion then answers the frog with perfect logic: “But if you drown, my dear frog, I will also drown.”

The reassured frog then agrees to allow the scorpion onto his back and he begins the swim.

Halfway through the crossing, the scorpion stings the frog, paralyzing him, and the two begin to sink. With his last breaths the stunned frog cried out to the scorpion “Why did you sting me!?”

The scorpion angrily retorted “We are both dying because of you! Although you thought I was logical, you should have seen that I was still a scorpion!!”

This parable comes to mind when Israelis assess the nuclear deal just reached with Iran. The Iranian regime is the foremost sponsor of terrorism in the world, is on a march of conquest in the Middle East, officially denies the Holocaust, flagrantly violates the

(AP) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif

human rights of its own citizens, is directly involved in the murder of tens of thousands of Syrian civilians, and vows to annihilate the one and only Jewish state. When Iran tries to build nuclear weapons, it must be stopped.

From Israel’s perspective, the negotiations between the world powers and Iran, meant to prevent a Tehran from gaining nuclear weapons have not achieved their vital objective. Quite the opposite, they appear to have paved the path to Iranian nuclear proliferation. Close examination of the agreement with Iran reveals just how dangerous it is: Iran can now choose between two paths to the bomb, one

through violating the agreement and the second, through respecting it. Violating the terms would require overcoming the limited inspection mechanism, which is plausible, since Iran has done this in the past. While respecting the terms would allow Iran to have an unlimited ability to enrich uranium with full international legitimacy after about 10 years.

For Iran, waiting a decade to effortlessly achieve its long-standing nuclear goals is not very long at all.

The agreement’s inspection mechanism must provide Iran up to 24 days warning before inspectors can visit newly identified suspicious sites. This is like giving

Jacksonville religious leaders split on subject of same-sex marriages

BY BRITTANY DIONNE First Coast News - Ch. 12/25

In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, some Jacksonville religious leaders are calling on one another to stand up and speak out against same-sex marriages.

Supreme Court Justice John Roberts noted that religious institutions that refuse to comply could be violating the law, which could cause them to lose their tax exemptions.

Jacksonville Conservative Rabbi Howard Tilman said he is only doing what the Torah instructs him to do.

“Jewish tradition reminds us that we are all created equally, b’tzelem elohim, in the image of God,” Rabbi Tilman explained.

Northside Baptist pastor John Lonix said he is also doing what the Bible instructs him to do.

“The lifestyle is an abomination. It is against God,” Pastor Lonix said.

The hot button issue over same-sex marriage spans from the courthouse to the sanctuary.

After a 5-4 decision by the Supreme Court to legalize same-sex

Jacksonville Jewish Center Rabbi Howard Tilman says the Torah and the Bible preach tolerance. He plans to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies.

marriage, several religious leaders have had to decide whether to perform same-sex ceremonies or not.

Rabbi Tilman said he will perform same-sex marriage ceremonies. “The Torah or the Bible teaches many things and many values. The foremost is human dignity of wanting to treat everyone with respect and the equal

treatment that they deserve,” Tilman said.

Pastor Lonix of New Haven Baptist Church has refused to perform a same-sex ceremony.

“The Bible calls the lifestyle of sodomites an abomination. According to the scriptures, if God would judge Sodom and Gomorrah, America certainly has the judgment coming its way,” Lonix said.

More than a dozen county courts in Florida, including in Duval County, have ceased all wedding ceremonies, including those for heterosexual couples. Some have admitted same-sex marriage was a deciding factor.

A representative from the Duval County Clerk of Court’s office said performing weddings at the courthouse was costing them money and it was solely a financially-motivated decision.

But some churches still insist that they won’t perform the ceremonies for religious reasons.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the government will not punish religious leaders who refuse to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies.

a drug dealer several weeks’ notice before searching his house. The agreement also requires divulging to the Iranians the intelligence information on the basis of which the inspection is requested.

The agreement fails to condition the lifting of the economic sanctions and the other restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program upon any actual change in Iran’s belligerent behavior. The deal does not have a “stick” requiring Iran to cease its regional aggression or its worldwide campaign of terrorism before offering its many economic and nuclear “carrots”.

The agreement provides Iran with hundreds of billions of dollars in sanctions relief, direct

investment, oil sales and unfrozen assets. This cash windfall will naturally fund unrepentant Iran’s terrorism and aggression that continue to undermine regional and global stability.

The agreement allows Iran to continue developing advanced centrifuges, which will enable Iran to enrich much more uranium much faster once the deal expires.

Israel is not alone in recognizing the dangers posed by the deal.

Iran’s Arab neighbors are no less concerned. When Arab states and Israel agree, it’s worth paying attention.

Arab nations threatened by Tehran’s growing power in the Middle East are likely to seek nuclear parity with Iran, sparking a nuclear arms race in the world’s most volatile region.

While Israel truly appreciates the global efforts made to confront the Iranian threat, and has encouraged them, it now has no choice but to raise its voice in warning. The recent agreement has fallen far short of its goals.

Tragically, the savage Iranian scorpion has skillfully convinced the logic-loving Western frog that it’s safe to carry him on its back.

It is Israel’s hope that its global allies in the search for peace and stability in the Middle East will urgently realize and address the shortcomings in the Iran nuclear deal before it stings us all.

The preceeding article was originally ran in the Miami Herald and republished with permission.

Chaim Shacham is the Consul General of Israel to both Florida and Puerto Rico.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

LIFECYCLES Births

Mazel tov to Dafna and Douglas Rand, who along with big sister Maya Rose and big brother Jonah Lev announce the birth of son/brother Elijah Matan, on June 17, in Washington, D.C. The proud grandparents are Robin and Marco Rand of Jacksonville, and Esther Rosenman-Hochman & Richard Hochman of Lexington, Mass.

Mazel Tov to Kyle and Sejung Steinfeld and big brother Miru of Oakland, Calif. on the birth of their son and brother Sonah Meinen, March 12th.

Proud grandparSonah Meinen ents are Michele and David Steinfeld of Jacksonville as well as Joanne and Paul Park of Hamburg, N.J.

B’nai Mitzvah

Ethan Mitchell Plotkin, son of Jennifer and Rick Plotkin, will be called to the Torah on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah, on Oct. 24, 2015 at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Sharing in the Simcha will be his brother Jared, sister Julia, Grandparents Herb and Rose Lynn Plotkin and Tom and Barbara Grant along with his aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Ethan Plotkin Ethan is Photo by Larry Tallis an eighth grade honors student at Switzerland Point Middle school. Ethan plays alto saxophone in both the school’s advanced Jazz Band and Wind Symphony Orchestra. Ethan also plays soccer for Florida Elite Soccer Academy and in his spare time enjoys reading, participating in Kadima and spending his summers at Camp Ramah Darom.

For his Mitzvah project, he will be performing concerts on his saxophone for the residents of River Garden.

Camille Perrin, daughter of Andi Hackel, will be called to the Torah on the occasion of her Bat Mitzvah on August 29 at Congregation Ahavath Chesed – The Temple. Sharing in the simcha will be her brother, Jonah Hackel Perrin, Sky Figur in Mandarin; and many other friends and family.

Camille is in eighth grade at Julia Landon College Prep, where she takes part in leadership Camille Perrin and social studies courses. In her spare time, she enjoys dance, gymnastics and writing. For her mitzvah project, Camille will be asking for donations for the Love for Ethiopia Foundation in order to help start a lunch program for children at the Sitota Learning Center, who are living in extreme poverty. Donations can be made at loveforethopia.org.

Accomplishments

Dr. and Mrs. A. L. Green are happy to announce the graduation of granddaughter Jaclyn A. Shapiro from University of Denver with a Master’s Degree

in Psychology this past June and grandson David B. Gross from Bucknell University Magna Cum Laude in May with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. Jaclyn is the daughter of Fred and Linda Shapiro of Scottsdale, Ariz. David is the son of Barry and Joanne Gross of Media, Penn. The proud grandparents attended both events.

Cassi Imrie, daughter of Leya Parker, was named an ambassador for the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation at the University of Florida.

In her position, she will be in Cassi Imrie charge of recruiting donors for the organization at her school. Imrie is a junior nursing major at UF and took an interest in the foundation following her mother’s successful stem cell transplant while battling Leukemia.

Weddings

Daniel and Jessica Shorstein Photo by Dana Goodson

Mazel tov to Daniel Shorstein and Jessica Jacobs (now Shorstein) who were married Sunday, June 28th at the Jacksonville Jewish Center.

Sympathies

... To the family of long-time Jacksonville Jewish Center member Pearl Brooks, who passed away June 17, at the age of 101.

She is survived by her daughters Nancy (Gerald) Schultz and Marsha (Kenneth) Tucker; grandchildren David (Barbara) Sadowsky, Greg (Susie) Sadowsky and Mark (Donagh) Schatz; and her six great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held June 19, at the New Center Cemetery in Jacksonville. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center or to a charity of your choosing. ... To the family of Stephen Myron Hackel, who passed away July 2. He is survived by his siblings Sharon Sherman and Donna Walker; children Andi Perrin and Paul (Jana) Hackel; and grandchildren Camille Perrin, Jonah Perrin, Adam Hackel, and Kathryn Hackel. Funeral services were held July 6, at the New Center Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. ... To the family of long-time member Jacksonville Jewish Center member Maurice ‘Maury’ Wagner Goldstein, who passed away July 4, at the age of 103.

His is survived by his wife Hilda K. Goldstein; daughters Evelyn (Charles) Moskovitz and Martha (Jack) Killeen; grandchildren Todd (Melissa) Wahnish, Tillie (Sam) Venus, David Moskovitz and Elizabeth (Mark) Brite; greatgrandchildren Shaman and Maurice Venus, and Ben and Roxanne Brite; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held July 6, at the New Center Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center or the Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. ... To the family of long-time Jacksonville Jewish Center member Sylvia Wernow, who passed away July 6. She is survived by her sons Sheldon (Shari) Wernow and Bruce (Jane) Wernow; grandchildren Howard (Katie) Wernow, Marisa Wernow, Seth Wernow, and Shana Wernow; two great-grandchildren, Yaelle and Tyler; niece Gaye (Neil,) Sager, niece Jennifer (Andy) Zunic, and nephew Todd Sager. Funeral services were held at Beth Moses Cemetery in Farmingdale, N.Y. Contributions in her memory can be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center. ... To the family of longtime Jacksonville Jewish Center member Marie Flauman Kowitz, who passed away July 12 in Minneapolis, Minn. at the age of 89. A graveside service was held Friday, July 17 at the New Center Cemetery. She is survived by heer children Pat (Alex) Orban and Cantor Mitchell Kowitz, as well as her grandchildren Litsa (Josh) Rivers, Joshua, Michael, and Shelly Kowitz. Contributions in her memory may be directed to the Sholom Home, 3620 Phillips Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55426 by going to sholom.com. ... To the family of Jerry Pentel, who passed away July 19 at the age of 82. Pentel is survived by his wife Sophia Pentel, daughters Karen Duncan, Eileen (Kraig) Torres and son David (Mary) Pentel as well as his six grandchildren, Allison, Rebecca, Alexandra, Jessica, Caleb and Maya. Funeral services were held July 21 at King David Gardens at Greenlawn Cemetery in Jacksonville. The family requests that contributions in his memory be made to Hadassah.

business card directory

Classifieds

Private Preschool in Mandarin looking for talented, caring, experienced part-time preschool teachers. Must be willing to obtain or already have 45 DCF training hours, First Aid & CPR certification, as well as undergo background screening, fingerprints, and drug test. Please, submit resumes to scanady@ dubowpreschool.org.

Jewish Family & Community Services is seeking a full-time school counselor who will provide a comprehensive counseling program to help students achieve academic, personal, and social success. Requires a Master Degree in Guidance and/or School Counseling from an accredited college or university. A minimum of two years of teaching, counseling, or other similar experience is required. Knowledge of Jewish practices, customs, values and traditions. If you are interested in being considered, please complete the employment application form on our website at www.jfcsjax. org. EOE/AA:females/minorities/ disabled/vets DFWP.

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

For guidelines of how to write Bar/Bat Mitzvah, wedding or obituary announcements, go to jewishjacksonville.org/news under “Share your news.”

Larry Tallis, Photographer 904.373.0173

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

community news

Jax’s Jacob Mendelson earns spot as coxswain for Team USA Rowing

Youth tennis clinics now offered at the JCA

Jacksonville’s Jacob Mendelson will be representing the United States at the upcoming World Championships (Aug. 29 - Sept. 6) in France. He is also a senior on the University of Pennsylvania’s rowing team

By Congregation Ahavath Chesed & Univ. of Pennsylvania Athletics

Jacob Mendelson, son of Robin and Brian Mendelson, is a rising senior at University of Pennsylvania and on his way to Aiguebelette, France after earning a spot on the men’s 2+ boat for United States Rowing at the upcoming World Championships, Aug. 29 - Sept. 6. Mendelson secured the position of coxswain on the national team after coming out on top in the senior national team trials. His crew consisted of two Philadelphia-based rowers

in Frederick Winstead and Taylor Brown, who shared the waters with their future stars and stripes teammate.

Mendelson, who served as the coxswain for Penn’s second varsity boat in 2015 will be making his second appearance for the red, white and blue as three years ago, he was a member of the junior national team. Additionally, he is a Jacksonville native and a 2012 graduate of the Bolles School.

“This is an incredible opportunity for me to compete at a level higher than I ever dreamed possible during my collegiate

RIVER GARDEN IS

career,” Mendelson said of his accomplishment. “I am looking forward to gaining even more experience at the elite level with two extremely talented rowers and while I am ecstatic about making Team USA, I am hungry for more,” he added. “My mentors in rowing have always urged me to set high goals. This summer, my goal wasn’t just to make the national team, it was to bring home a medal from Worlds.

My teammates and I will train hard these next two months to do everything we can to bring home some hardware from France.”

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Adult Day Care

Home Health Care

A beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville / Jewish Dietary Laws Observed

Seniors are able to remain in their home and receive supportive care for as long as possible Licensed by the State of Florida Certified for Medicare

rivergarden.org/homehealth 904-288-7851

A safe, secure and gracious state-of-the-art environment to help clients socialize and thrive Open Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 6:00 pm to meet the scheduling needs of caregivers

rivergarden.org/adultday 904-288-7858

11401 Old St. Augustine Rd. •Jacksonville, FL 32258 • 904.260.1818 • rivergarden.org

The JCA tennis department has several programs designed specifically for kids, so they can learn how to play and compete in a way that is fun

BY IMAN BYFIELD

Jewish Community Alliance

The Jewish Community Alliance has tennis clinics for players of all ages and proficiencies but the JCA Tennis Department has several programs designed specifically for the youth tennis player, so kids can learn, rally, play and compete in a way that is fun and keeps them coming back for more. Quick Start Tennis, for the beginning and junior player, teaches tennis fundamentals with classes that focus on learning proper swinging mo-

tions and the most effective way to handle a racquet. Instruction is paced for younger players and supplemented by fun games and drills. For intermediate to advanced players, JCA Junior Varsity and Varsity Tennis focuses on stroke production, consistency and match play to help older players feel more comfortable during point play and matches. All tennis clinics are ongoing, so for more information, please contact Reggie Exum at 904-730-2100 ext. 317 or visit www.jcajax.org.

River Garden Auxiliary book sale is a novel idea

By River Garden Auxiliary

Now’s your chance to buy a new or slightly used book and help the River Garden Auxiliary in the process. Hardback and paperback books for all ages will be available and all proceeds go to benefit programming for River Garden residents. The sale will take place in the lobby

of the home, 11401 Old St. Augustine Road, Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 11 a.m. - 3:30p.m. Those wishing to donate books for the sale can do so by dropping them off at River Garden on Thursday, Sept. 3rd and Friday, Sept.

4th. For further information, please call Michele Steinfeld 636-7580 and as always your support is greatly appreciated.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015

EDUCATION

Camp Ki Tov’s 2015 summer in review

Camp Ki Tov’s summer was filled with fun activities such as swimming (left), playing in a bounce house (center) and special events such as wacky wear day and spirit competitions (right)

By Camp Ki Tov Staff

Camp Ki Tov’s 2015 summer was full of fun as it had lots of new faces on the staff who were eager to meet their campers. On the first day, the children arrived excited and ready for a memorable summer. This year, campers enjoyed some old favorites such as fishing, archery, sports, and more and on select weeks special visits were made by a petting zoo, a magical pirate, and

bounce houses. Other weeks, campers ventured out to go to Bowl America, the beach, as well as the Jacksonville Zoo and Fire Station 51. The camp’s new L.I.T. program, headed by Setzer Youth Director Steven Resnick, proved to be a huge success as participants had lots of fun learning leadership skills and making friendships while working with campers and other counselors.

Throughout the summer there were varying themes such as Vis-

itor Day, Wacky Wear Day, and Field Trip Day. Additionally, each cabin competed with spirit and pride to win the beloved ‘spirit stick.’ The camp was also very fortunate to have Rabbi Tilman, Hazzan Holzer, and Morah Liat lead it’s Friday Shabbat lunches with lot’s of ruach (spirit) and passion! The Jacksonville Jewish Center’s clergy also joined each cabin for Judaic-related activities and the camp had the privilege of hosting counselors from Israel

Rabbi Jim Rogozen completes successful first year at Galinsky Academy

By Galinsky Academy

The end of the 2014-15 school year marked Rabbi Jim Rogozen’s completion of his first year as the Head of Schools at The Galinsky Academy. Comprised of Setzer Youth Education, the Bernard & Alice Selevan Religious School, Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, and DuBow Preschool, Galinsky Academy administrators have enjoyed getting to know and work with Rabbi Rogozen during the past 12 months.

“Rabbi Rogozen is a very experienced head of schools and is also a great listener,” said DuBow Presechool director Shereen Canady. “He cares about not just the success of our schools and programs, but the emotional health of our teachers and staff as well. He is a great blend of an administrator and a rabbi.”

Rabbi Rogozen also serves as Principal of the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School. In that role, he has met with his contemporaries in the Florida Council of Independent Schools and made a positive impression there as well. One of his colleagues was quoted as

Rabbi Jim Rogozen is the Galinsky Academy’s Head of Schools and also serves as principal of the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

saying that, “Rabbi Rogozen is warm and friendly, and has made a very positive impression on all constituents, faculty, staff, parents, and the leadership of the Synagogue.” It’s because of this positive first impression that the Galinsky Academy looks forward to many more years of success with Rabbi Rogozen as its Head of Schools.

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who shared their love and passion for our homeland. As usual, a great time was had planning the annual Camp Ki Tov undernight/overnight and because it was so much fun, a pair of them were held this year. During the special event campers took part in nighttime swimming, flashlight games, and making kosher s’mores.

As always, it is the overarching goal of Camp Ki Tov to build long lasting memories for the

children and this year we were more than successful. Thank you to the combined efforts of the administration, the clergy, and to the loving parents of all the campers who attended.

A big shout also goes to the camp’s amazing staff comprised of young men and women who dedicated their summer to helping make lasting memories for the kids.

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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2015