February Edition - Northeast Florida Jewish Life Magazine

NORTHEAST FLORIDA

Jewish Life A PUBLICATION OF THE JEWISH FEDE RATIO N & FO U N DATIO N O F N O RTH EAST FLO R I DA

FEBRUARY 2021 - TEVET/SH'VAT 5781 VOL. 35 NO. 28 | jewishjacksonville.org Copyright Loyd Sandgren/Vintage Jacksonville

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The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida Awards

Joe P. Safer Community Services Award Brent Trager Federation Board Member Immediate Past President of the Jewish Community Alliance Board Member of the Jacksonville Jewish Center

Thank you to our generous event sponsors*: Anonymous Baptist Health Borland Groover Community Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation Dr. Neal and Nina Roth Dr. Mitchell and Diane Rothstein ECR Capital, LLC Edward Jones

The Ilene Sari Selevan Young Leadership Award Erik Rostholder Federation Board Member Member of the Campaign Leadership Team Past rGenerosity Event Chair

Gray Robinson Attorneys At Law Morgan & Morgan The Jaffe Group at Morgan Stanley Setzer Family 369 Financial Wells Fargo The Private Bank Zisser Law Group *As of 01/04/21

The Ilene Sari Selevan Young Leadership Award Rachel Morgenthal Member of the Women’s Philanthropy Steering Committee Past Girlfriend Connection Chair Member of the Foundation Grants Committee

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LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Securing Our Future

Later this month at our A Night In virtual event on February 18, we will officially launch our Jewish community’s first ever Endowment and Planned Giving campaign. This is important and exciting as The Federation & Foundation, our partner agencies, synagogues, and schools have the opportunity to secure and ensure the future of our Jewish community.

We began to address planned giving in the Jewish community with the establishment of the Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida 25 years ago. This effort continues with the merger of the Foundation with Federation three years ago. Federation accepts the challenges that come with taking on the responsibility for securing and ensuring our future.

The generosity displayed each year by the members of this Jewish community is wonderful! Support of our annual campaign and all of the local and overseas Federation partners is great. Over the past ten years, when we take into account capital campaigns at JFCS and River Garden Senior Services and the annual campaign, our community has raised over $35 million! I believe this exemplary giving will translate to success in endowments for the Jewish community. The benefits for both philanthropies and donors from endowment giving are huge.

An endowment makes philanthropic organizations much more sustainable. This means that the invaluable services provided to the members of our Jewish community will be ensured for the future! The need to do this has never been more apparent than during the past year. All across North America many Jewish organizations have gone out-of-business.

Other emergencies will occur but having a healthy endowment will go a long way to ensure viability for our Jewish family of local and overseas agencies.

Endowment giving focuses on the donor’s objectives. Endowment fundraising demands a donor-centered focus because the donor is in control of the gift. The size, the timing, the recipients are all focused on meeting the intellectual, emotional and financial needs of the donor.

Every month in our magazine, our outstanding Foundation Director, Kellie Smith, shares about the advantages of planned giving – endowment giving. You’ll notice that this month’s issue will highlight donors who believe strongly in this type of giving to secure our Jewish future.

We have earned our reputation for being a Jewish community working together, building community together. Let’s take advantage of this opportunity to build on our relationships and together build a solid foundation for our shared future.

Alan Margolies

Jewish Federation & Foundation Staff

Alan Margolies Executive Director alanm@jewishjacksonville.org

Lauren Rickoff Director, Campaign & Women’s Philanthropy laurenr@jewishjacksonville.org Kellie Smith Director, Foundation kelliek@jewishjacksonville.org Faye Hedrick Director, Young Professionals & Families fayeh@jewishjacksonville.org

Pat Burke Director, Finance & Administration patrickb@jewishjacksonville.org

Courtney Snyder Stewardship & Finance Specialist courtneys@jewishjacksonville.org Mitzi Saul Marketing & Communications Manager mitzis@jewishjacksonville.org Jill Abel Director, Israel Partnership jilla@jewishjacksonville.org

Jennifer Rensch Campaign Coordinator jenniferr@jewishjacksonville.org

Stav Brener Community Shaliach jaxshlichut@jewishjacksonville.org Charlie DuBow Marketing & Communications Intern charlied@jewishjacksonville.org Ellen Cohen Wilcox Sales Representative ellenw@jewishjacksonville.org Lisa Jacobs Marketing Assistant lisaj@jewishjacksonville.org

Cover Photo: Morton R. Hirschberg (on left) in 1953 with some of his distant relatives in front of his home on Boulevard St. in Jacksonville. Recently, the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida became one of the beneficiaries of the Morton 3 R. Hirschberg Trust.

contents COMMUNITY 5 BRIDGES UPDATE: TWO FINAL CLASSES 5FOR FUTURE LEADERS 5 ANTISEMITISM IN OUR OWN BACKYARD 6 IN BLESSED MEMORY 8 GOLDIE LANSKY BECOMES HADASSAH JACKSONVILLE PRESIDENT 13 L’DOR V’DOR STAFF SPOTLIGHT: CAMEO MAAT MACCABEE OF THE MONTH: HANK ARNOLD JCA FACES OF FITNESS: SARAH PERFIDO

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NOSH ON THIS 24 DETOX CARROT-DAIKON SALAD WITH APPLES, DATES, & PECANS LEAVING A LEGACY

25 MORTON R. HIRSCHBERG, A LEGACY OF KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY 27 SOL AND HILDA GOLDMAN 28 THE SETZER FAMILY 29 NEIL PRESSER 30 B'NAI TZEDEK 32 MEL AND DEBBIE GOTTLIEB 33 ELLIOT AND ROSLYN HOROVITZ 33 2021 FOUNDATION FUNDS 34 FOREVER LIONS 36 FOUNDATION IMPACT REPORT 38 WORTH THE SCHLEP SEE AND BE SCENE

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

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PICK UP NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE AT THESE LOCATIONS.

"If we don't take care of our future, who will?"

When you create a Jewish legacy, you take an important step toward strengthening Jewish life for generations to come. Planning your gift now will help ensure your grandchildren can enjoy the same rich traditions and closeness of community that have given your life so much meaning and purpose.

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To learn more about making a legacy gift, contact Kellie Smith at 904.512.3796 or KellieK@jewishjacksonville.org.

COMMUNITY W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G I N N O R T H E A S T F L O R I D A

BRIDGES UPDATE: TWO ENGAGING CLASSES FOR FUTURE LEADERS

By Faye Hedrick understanding from where Jewish Federation & Foundation such hate stems and specific action that can be done in of Northeast Florida Over the past two months, BRIDGES, the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida’s Leadership Development Initiative, held two amazing classes to wrap up the program! This year’s graduating class is better equipped to move forward in our community’s dynamic roles as board chairs, volunteers, advocates, and ambassadors.

In December, the group met with Stacey Goldring, founder of the Searching for Identity Foundation, and Rebecca Jefferson, Ph.D., Curator at the UF Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica. Stacey and Rebecca presented an eye-opening program called "Through the Lens of History: Antisemitism & the Origins of Hate."

Shortly after the program, BRIDGES member, Brandon Sugg, asserted," I learned so much tonight. I didn’t grow up around other Jewish families in Michigan and never really learned a lot about Jewish history until I moved here.

This program opened my eyes to antisemitism and the history behind it. My biggest takeaway is to be aware and educated on the important topic, so I can be sure to call out hate when I recognize it.”

We are grateful to these experts for sharing crucial information critical to

response. All are encouraged to follow the Searching for Identity Foundation Facebook page and to check out the Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica.

When it is safe and comfortable to gather, this year’s graduating class believes a day trip is in order to see first hand some of the Judaica referenced by Rebecca during the program.

The final class in January was joined by Alan Margolies, executive director of the Jewish Federation & Foundation, Rabbi Shira Rosenblum, and Rabbi Yaakov Fisch. Together they defined what it looks like to be an active community leader while answering to a board, congregation, and Jewish law.

Examples were given from the Torah on ‘Why’ and ‘How’ we lead and what successful relationships with volunteers look like. Class members were grateful to get to know these important leaders in our Jewish community, and we thank them for their time and energy.

On February 18, preceding A Night In with Federation, the group will meet and have a virtual toast recognizing the time they spent learning together. “Ending the program virtually was not what we originally envisioned but we

can’t wait to see the graduates’ community involvement moving forward,” says Chair Nicole Brown. “I’m confident BRIDGES has provided the tools and exposure to what makes a great leader. We have grown in our personal and professional lives and know how to confidently move forward in our community roles."

Our hope is that together we grew our understanding of identity, leadership style, and community while meeting some amazing leaders along the way. This is not the end of our cohort’s Jewish journeys

Brandon Suggs

and we're excited to have been a small part of it. The next BRIDGES class will launch in the Fall of 2021. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact me at fayeh@ jewishjacksonville.org.

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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE

ANTISEMITISM IN OUR OWN BACKYARD

By Faye Hedrick, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

In December, our Jewish Federation & Foundation collaborated with the national activism and education organization Stand With Us for the virtual program, Antisemitism in Our Own Backyard. Stand With Us supports Israel and fights antisemitism through community education.

Panelists included Stand With Us representatives

Max Adelstein, the regional office’s Southeast associate director, Charlotte Korchak, the director of International Student Programs, and Ahron Levin, high school coordinator. These professionals shared their knowledge, background, and experience in fighting antisemitism. They noted several resources in response to social issues in Israel as well as the complicated Israel-US relationship. The materials they referenced can be found at www.standwithus. com/learn.

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educate their communities, and make it possible to have reasonable, informed conversations about Israel’s policies on campuses and in communities. Much like Tomorrow's Leader Jagger Leach, we can only hope for future young leaders to have a vision to choose love over hate.

Stand With Us encourages activists, especially those operating within the legal field, to continue going after movements like BDS (boycott, divest, and sanctions) of Israel and defending Jews who feel threatened by hatred.

On the program’s Zoom, several of our local community members agreed that the “proJudaism” movement needs to make more noise; we need to be ‘pro’ and not ‘anti’ when speaking about Judaism and Israel. This doesn’t mean only the act of promoting “Jewish pride,” but it also means showing and sharing knowledge and love for Judaism and its meaningful and deep traditions.

Antisemitism is the marginalization and/or oppression of people who are Jewish based on the belief in stereotypes and myths about Jewish people, Judaism, and Israel. To counter antisemitism, we need to continue nurturing Jewish identities based on ancient and miraculous stories in which Jews maintained their identity

while contributing so much to humanity. Jews are more than victims of hatred; we’re a diverse, resilient people that engage with the world and love to give back. We have a tradition that values meaning, wisdom, and ethics.

What can one do to help fight antisemitism? Your individual or group actions can help make a difference.

• Help to organize an educational forum in school to talk about antisemitism and other forms of bias, hate, and oppression. In the forum, explore and strategize what can be done about it in school, your community, or society at large.

• Write a letter to your school or community newspaper about your thoughts and feelings about antisemitism and other manifestations of bias and hate. In the letter, explain what you think should be done about it.

• Connect with local or national organizations that are fighting bias and hate.

• Check out our organization’s antisemitism learning resources at jewishjacksonville.org/ antisemitism and continue to educate yourself and your families. Antisemitism today looks both the same and different than in generations past, but we must continue to be merchants of joy and hope, not anger and fear.

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TOMORROW’S LEADER JAGGER LEACH CHOOSES LOVE OVER HATE

Jagger Leach, a 12th grade student at Stanton College Preparatory, won first place in the 2021 Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Tomorrow’s Leaders by the City of Jacksonville.

Tomorrow’s Leaders recognizes young students in our community who exemplify the philosophies of Dr. King through leadership, community volunteerism and civic responsibility. Students submitted essays sharing about times in their lives where they've chosen love over hate even when it seemed like they might not be able to. Jagger’s essay describes his personal story of antisemitism.

As an American Jew, I face hate all the time.

Whether it’s going to school and hearing students telling holocaust jokes or applying to a college that I later find out supports the antisemitic BDS movement. Whether it’s antisemitism, racism, bigotry, or prejudice, the easy reaction is to fight hate with hate, but as Martin Luther King once

said “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” I have taken this approach to dealing with antisemitism.

One instance of this was during my sophomore year. I was sitting in math class and we had some free time to catch up on work and chat with classmates. I noticed that there were two kids in front of me giggling and speaking in Arabic, including one classmate that I had been friendly with. During their conversation, I heard what sounded like the word “Yehudi,” which is the word for “Jew” in Hebrew.

I knew that Hebrew and Arabic were sister languages, and their use of the word and tone of language took me by surprise. After they used the word once more, one of the kids looked back at me and continued laughing. Once again, I felt uncomfortable, but I let it go. A couple minutes later, one of the kids turned around chuckling and asked me where my horns were. There is a popular antisemitic trope of Jews having horns, but I never thought that people, particularly my classmate from school, actually believed Jews had horns. This person was clearly just trying to get a laugh from his buddy.

Reading about people perpetuating antisemitic

tropes had previously filled me with anger, but now faced with it in person, for some reason I did not feel hatred. I knew that my classmate was a good person. We had talked previously and helped each other stay on top of the work in class.

Instead of responding angrily, I just simply told him that Jews did not have horns and that it comes from a translation error in the Latin bible.

We talked for a little bit and I brought up how Jews and Muslims are historically brothers and sisters and that we should show love for one another. Rather than replying angrily, I replied with love in my heart. He seemed to realize what he

had said was wrong and apologized. We went on throughout the year talking as we had before, and no hatred was perpetuated. After this encounter I chose to dedicate myself to doing what I could to stop antisemitism.

I spent some time to further research the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) and participated in a six-week study abroad trip in Israel studying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the hopes of understanding each perspective. Benjamin Franklin wisely said, “There never was a good war or a bad peace.” His words might never have rung truer than today.

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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE

By Kellie Smith, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

Deeply committed to his profession as a Jacksonville psychiatrist for Baptist Health, and to the community that inspired him, Dr. Michael L. Solloway leaves a legacy in our community and a special place in our hearts forever.

The first time we sat down to talk about our Foundation, Dr. Solloway asked how he could help me be successful. He followed with, “What can I do?” In the short time I spent getting to know him, I was inspired by his humble and comforting nature. Our conversation was about retirement and IRA giving so when I asked him when he would retire, he replied, “When people stop needing me to come to work. I suppose I’ll know then.” Reading reviews from his patients, one can understand why Dr. Mike hadn’t yet retired and why he was truly needed at work.

He expressed genuine interest and intrigue in the work of our Jewish Foundation, wanting to help but uncertain of where he could have the most impact.

Dr. Solloway was impressed with how many individuals in the

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OF BLESSED MEMORY Jacksonville that he will Jewish always be community grateful for were being at her invested in side when Jewish she passed. giving.

He Having expressed served on the local boards sincerest for some gratitude Dr. Michael L. Solloway 30 years, he and (1939-2021) was appreciation knowledgeable for Jewish when it came to the Family & Community missions and goals of so Services’ commitment to many organizations. He was caring for many of his genuinely impressed with patients who could not how accessible the most otherwise afford the care generous philanthropists are they needed. in our community and His father died exactly offered to support our work one year after he arrived in in any way he could. He Jacksonville and it was at was inspired by the time Etz Chaim where he went and money donated by every evening to say others, so he committed kaddish. He was warmly himself to serving the welcomed even though his membership was with The “Legacy is a way of Temple. Regarding the saying ‘thank you,’ to this Jewish Community Alliance, fine community. Knowing he said, “The JCA provides that my legacy will be there the glue by bringing our to add my small voice to community together in so the great work being done many ways both spiritually every day by our Jewish and physically.” His agencies and the support commitment and that will always be there for Israel leaves me with a appreciation for our feeling of contentment and community knew no bounds. joy.“— Dr. Michael L. Having traveled to Israel Solloway” on several Federation Jewish community, too. missions, Dr. Solloway Dr. Solloway’s mother became very close with spent her last moments in Alan Margolies, executive River Garden where the director of the Jewish level of care was Federation & Foundation. impeccable, and he shared “Alan has no mercy when it

comes to leisure time on mission trips but that, in the end, is how I learned so much about our Jewish homeland and why it is so important to ensure that it continues and thrives.”

Alan, a close personal friend, fondly remembers his time with him in board meetings, allocations, and overseas. “Mike’s passing last month leaves a deep void in our Jewish Community. The Endowment he established is a wonderful example as to how one person can leave a legacy to forever benefit our Jewish community. Many of us loved Mike and the legacy fund he created is one way he reflects his love for our Jewish community and for Israel."

In 2019 Dr. Solloway opened The Michael L. Solloway, M.D. Endowment Fund in appreciation of how each of the four organizations — JCA, JFCS, River Garden and Jewish Federation — have shaped and positively affected his life. If you would like to contribute in his memory, your tax-deductible contribution to The Michael L. Solloway, M.D. Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida will benefit the entire Jewish community. Gifts can be made via check or by credit card online at jewishjacksonville.org. Please indicate the name of the fund when making a gift.

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JELF PROVIDES FUNDS TO MORE STUDENTS THAN EVER BEFORE

By Donna O'Steen Jewish Family & Community Services

In 2020, JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund) provided 394 interest-free loans to Jewish college, graduate, and vocational students. This jump in loans came from an increase of 66% more applications over the previous year. In Jacksonville alone, JELF helped 12 local students with $44,072 in financial aid.

JELF serves students in the five-state region of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia (excluding metro DC) as they pursue

their higher education. In Jacksonville, JELF helped 12 local students with $44,072 in financial aid. The total student need for all the students in the JELF region was $2,352,906. Through student repayments, increased fundraising, and the generosity of the Marcus Foundation, JELF was able to allocate $1,553,739 in interest-free, last dollar loans to these students.

JELF’s mission is to help

reduce a student’s financial burden so that they can pursue their higher education full time. JELF’s interestfree loans of last resort help students pay for crucial living and medical expenses, books, supplies, transportation, and many other costs. By borrowing through JELF, this year’s 394 student loan recipients are estimated to save nearly $1 million in interest payments over the life of their loans.

Since JELF first started providing interest-free loans in 1961, the organization has loaned $16 million to 2,400+ Jewish students.

JELF is proud to consistently maintain a 99% student repayment rate, even during this difficult year. “What I love about JELF is that your contribution continuously pays it forward,” says JELF’s Board President, Jane Aronoff. “Dollars used for one student when paid back, are used for the next. Every dollar lives on and on…”

JELF is a recipient of Federation funds.

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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE

WORLD FAMOUS SCULPTURE BY ROBERT INDIANA UNVEILED

By Rabbi Shmuel Novack Chabad of Southside

It’s been a rough 2020 and Ospreys are not alone in eagerly ushering in a fresh start with 2021. At Chabad however, we closed out the year on a high note.

Prior to Covid, Miami Philanthropist and Art Collector Alvin Malnik gifted a spectacular piece of art to Chabad of Southside and the Towncenter as a tribute to his friends (and Chabad’s President) Drs. Lazar & Raissa Finker-Frenkel. The sculpture is called AHAVA: In 1977 Robert Indiana conceived a new version of his iconic LOVE sculpture, AHAVA, using the Hebrew word for “love” in the same distinctive quadripartite composition that he had

developed in the mid-1960s.

The work embodies Indiana’s unique approach to sculptural form, translating the twodimensional written word into a monumental sculpture with precisely rendered hard edges.

On Thursday Dec. 31, a small group of dignitaries from across the State (all testing

sculpture is formally presented to Chabad and dedicated in honor of the Finker-Frenkel’s.

“AHAVA means ‘love’ which is most appropriate to its new home at Chabad - a group whose 3500 centers around the world, and of course here in Jacksonville, is predicated entirely upon the mission of

negative prior to attending the social distanced event) participated in a unique unveiling ceremony) as the

care for another, loving all of mankind,” said Mrs. Chana Novack, Chabad’s co-director Also at the event a beautiful

new space that will exhibit the AHAVA sculpture as well as unique Jewish art from around the world was inaugurated: The Malnik Gallery. “The Malnik Gallery is a fitting tribute to the Malnik Family, whose name has become synonymous with philanthropy from Make-a-Wish to Mount Sinai Hospital” said Rabbi Novack.

This new Gallery will exhibit some of the most unique and sought-after Jewish art in the world, a destination for Jewish culture and inspiration.

“We are grateful to the Cummer Museum’s Chief Curator Holly Keris as well Curator Brian Shrum for their indispensable advice and technical support in the logistics and installation of AHAVA.”

WINTER WISDOM SERIES BEGINS FEBRUARY 7

By Etz Chaim Synagogue

Ken Spiro delivers "A Nation that Dwells Alone."

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Etz Chaim Synagogue is thrilled to add another exciting feature to its stellar and popular Winter Wisdom program. Winter Wisdom is specifically designed with COVID in mind and brings world-class virtual programming in conjunction with in-person socially distanced programs.

This month we will feature a fascinating series on Jewish History by a renowned lecturer on this topic, Ken Spiro.

Ken is known for his quick-paced, humorous style catches and keeps an audience’s interest; his ability to explain deep concepts clearly makes an impact that lasts long after the presentation. He will be delivering his presentation as a

four-part series on the topic A Nation that Dwells Alone. The series will explore the Jewish People and their rise and fall with four different superpowers of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome.

All presentations will be on Sunday mornings at 10:15 am on February 7, February 14, March 7, and March 14.

These presentations will be available on

Zoom and are open to the entire community.

Registration is required and can be done at etzchaim.org.

For more information, please contact rabbifeigenbaum@ etzchaim.org Ken and Allison Jacobs are generously sponsoring Winter Wisdom.

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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE

JOY AGGER EARNS MINNIE SCHREIBER AWARD

By Kari Bell River Garden Senior Services

On Wednesday, December 9, 2020, River Garden CEO Martin Goetz announced Joy Agger, RN, as the recipient of the 2021 Minnie Schreiber Staff Leadership Award. Agger is a 20-year member of our staff and currently works in River Garden’s nursing department as a Resource Nurse. The late Minnie

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Schreiber, for whom the award is named, was River Garden’s board president from 1974-76 and remained a board member until her death in 2010.

During her service on the board she was a passionate advocate for the welfare of staff and in her honor the board established this annual award in her name.

Agger started working at River Garden in 2000 when she was new to Jacksonville and looking for promising job opportunities. River Garden soon became her permanent home-away-from-home. “I love bridging communications and forming new bonds each day,” she says.

Through all the years, there have been many wonderful people and experiences, but Agger says her favorite

memory occurred during this last year when she and a small group of dedicated, outstanding staff members cared for patients on the River Garden’s COVID-19 Unit.

When commenting on Joy’s award, Carol Thomas, chief nursing officer said, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Joy throughout her 20 years at River Garden. For Joy, nursing is so much more than a career, it is truly a calling. Joy possesses the special skill set and personality that continues to earn her the admiration and praise of her residents, families and staff. It is a privilege to have Joy as a colleague and friend and we congratulate her on receiving this most prestigious River Garden award.”

Other colleagues describe

Agger as authentic, flexible, and efficient. “Her patients trust her completely,” says Bernadeth Palompo, Assistant Director of Nursing. “She embodies qualities that we all admire and she is my go-to when I need help with a family or resident. Joy has a wonderful way of helping everyone understand what needs to be done, and then she follows through.”

Agger is the mother of two adult girls, Katrina (FL) and Renee (SC). Her daily companion is her dog, Blue. In her free time, she enjoys shopping, hiking and sitting by the pool pondering life.

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GOLDIE LANSKY BECOMES THE NEW PRESIDENT

By Helen Hill Hadassah Jacksonville

Goldie Lansky became the Hadassah Jacksonville President effective January 1, 2021.

"I am honored to help lead this vibrant group of 900+ Jacksonville women and men who share my passion and commitment to Israel, the land, its people and its future. Since I was just a young child, my mother taught me that every Jewish woman must belong to a Zionist organization. And I always do what Mother said!"

Goldie's professional career began in the healthcare industry in Chicago. Trained as a social worker, she has

always believed that access to quality health care was a right, not a privilege. That perspective aligns directly with Hadassah Hospitals' operating principle that everyone in need of care receives the best the staff can provide. Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and non-Jews are served without regard to ability to pay. That commitment creates a $19 million annual commitment assumed by 380,000 Hadassah members all over the world.

In addition to the hospitals, Hadassah supports four youth villages where Israeli children who are unsafe living with their families are housed and loved, taught to appreciate

learning and to love themselves, and develop skills to make their way in life. And with Hadassah’s partnership with Young Judea, American teens and college students are encouraged to develop their love of Israel and Zionism through summer camps, Israel programs and volunteer experiences.

Goldie begins her term working with a volunteer board which includes: VP Education and Advocacy: Helen Hill; VP Communications: Mitzi Saul; Membership Team: Martha Backer, Barbara Hood, Gail Greenfield and Susan Sidle; Annual Giving Team: Sondra Resnikoff and Jodi Seitlin; Treasurer and Recording Secretary:

Cathy Winterfield; Historian: Shoshana Haas; and Immediate Past

President: Liat Walker.

For membership information and to learn more about Hadassah, contact jacksonvillehadassah@ gmail.com.

FAITH & INSPIRATION

By Rabbi Yaakov Fisch Etz Chaim Synagogue

As we near the one-year mark of COVID becoming a central part of our lives, many people have responded differently as to how to manage their daily activities.

Everyone has a different approach as to how much risk they will expose themselves to during the pandemic. One thing that

seems to be universal is that people will still engage in what is considered essential activities while non-essential activities may be delayed or even canceled. A question that can be asked is what defines an essential activity that cannot be postponed until the pandemic is over?

Some things are apparent in being deemed essential, such as purchasing groceries and medication from a local supermarket or pharmacy.

Other things are less obvious, and their essential

role in our life can be essential nature of marijuana somewhat ambiguous. in society but would like to Last March, as the address a different activity in pandemic was sweeping our lives. This activity has across the country and taken a massive blow during society was going into COVID, and it remains to be lockdown, Governor seen if it will resume in a Newsom of California had significant way after the an interesting list of essential pandemic ends. I am activities to remain open referring to attending despite a raging pandemic.

Minyan or Services at shul.

Governor Newsom declared For many, especially those in it would be permitted to a high-risk category, it makes keep producing, selling, and sense to take a break from buying marijuana as this all shul attendance, considering qualifies as essential. I am the health risks involved not one to opine on the Faith & Inspiration

Cont. on pg 14

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Faith & Inspiration Cont. from pg 13

Judaism advocates that public health is vital to our society, and one should not be jeopardizing their lives to perform a good deed. I am merely questioning the notion of lumping synagogue attendance into the nonessential category of life that can be somehow effortlessly resumed after the pandemic's conclusion.

This is a complicated issue, and this question has vexed many different minds, including those on the United States Supreme Court. In a landmark ruling on the eve of Thanksgiving, the nation's highest court in the land responded to a suit brought by Agudath Israel of America and the Roman Catholic Diocese of

NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE

Brooklyn against the State of New York. The plaintiffs contended that they faced stricter limits than businesses in New York classified as essential, such as grocery stores, laundromats, and auto mechanics. At issue is whether the occupancy caps on religious congregations were more severe than those of comparable activities.

Justice Gorsuch writing for the majority wrote this. "It is time—past time—to make plain that, while the pandemic poses many grave challenges, there is no world in which the Constitution tolerates color-coded executive edicts that reopen liquor stores and bike shops but shutter churches, synagogues, and mosques."

A fair question can be asked, though, is why is it

REGISTER: JEWISHJACKSONVILLE.ORG/EVENTS 14

necessary to have in-person services? Can't we just have all of our prayer services via ZOOM? After all, we do so many other important things on virtual platforms now? I will answer that question with a story. There is an acquaintance of mine who frequently travels for business. Whenever he travels, he never misses a Minyan. He schedules his meetings around Minyan, and everything else is secondary to Minyan. He once explained to me that there is no substitute to the connection that we as finite and mortal beings can have with an infinite and Almighty G-d, and he can't imagine a day without communal prayer in his life.

Once in his travels, his plane arrived too late for him to reach the shul in time for services. He called the synagogue and asked if they would be willing to postpone the Minyan until his arrival.

When they expressed their reservations to this odd request, he inquired about how many individuals were present. When he was told that there were already ten individuals present, he proceeded to make a most unusual offer. He offered to compensate each individual $100 if they waited for 15 minutes until his arrival.

Fifteen minutes later, he arrived and joined the attendees waiting as they connected as a community in prayer. Following the Minyan's conclusion, he went on to pay out $1000 collectively to all the people waiting. The individual was not saying Kaddish for a

deceased family relative. He simply considered the act of praying in Minyan so essential that he couldn't imagine his day without it and was willing to pay $1000 for the privilege of connecting to an Eternal and Almighty G-d in a communal form. To be sure, this is not what Halacha or Jewish Law would require but to this individual praying in a communal arena and connecting to G-d was absolutely essential.

I am of course, not suggesting that praying in a communal arena be done at all costs. Our shul closed down for two long months at the beginning of the pandemic. Ever since we started our phased reopening in May, we have been deliberate and thoughtful about being vigilant to the value of public health. We have developed protocols that include mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing, and other practices as well. I have learned many things during this process. One important lesson is that a commitment to public health and the value of praying as a community in person are not mutually exclusive. To paraphrase Justice Gorsuch, I would put it this way. Even if Jewish Communal and Congregational life have taken a holiday during this pandemic, it cannot become a sabbatical.

COMMUNITY

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W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G I N N O R T H E A S T F LO R I DA

DECONSTRUCTING BLESSINGS: A REFLECTION ON PURIM

By Rabbi Dr. Nadia Siritsky, Temple Bet Yam of St. Augustine

Traditional rabbinic commentary teaches “Yom Kippurim, Yom K’Purim” which literally means that Yom Kippur is a day like Purim. How is this possible?

These two days could not be more seemingly different, and yet, our rabbis teach us

that beneath such obvious and glaring differences, there is much that these two holidays have in common.

Both holidays serve as a reminder that things are not what they seem… that all of us wear masks at different points in our lives… that we must look beyond appearances and seek to find holiness in those moments when it is most difficult.

This reflection is especially profound for us as we begin 2021, a nation seemingly divided, uncertain of who or what to believe or trust… searching for redemption and miracles, hope and healing. The story of Esther

illustrates the ways in which evil can masquerade as goodness and vice-versa.

The King was manipulated by his advisor to do evil, and only by hiding her true self, could Esther cause the King to fall in love with her. And yet, ultimately, it was her revelation of her identity as Jew that caused him to see clearly and to do the right thing. So too, do we learn that while much is hidden and confusing in this world, when we let Love guide us, we will find the courage to become a beacon for blessings.

This year, Purim will fall on the

evening of Thursday, February 25th. May we use this time to look beyond the masks and labels that seem to divide us and remind ourselves that miracles have always emerged in those moments that seemed the darkest. May we let Love guide us past the illusions of this world, and may we find the courage to be true to our truest selves…

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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE

INTERVIEW WITH DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR ALIYAH AND KLIATA

they are entitled to as new citizens. We work with tens of thousands of new immigrants each year, while also handling their acclimation into the country through Jewish Agency absorption centers - which include Ethiopian olim as well.

What personal connection

By Stav Brener do you have to Aliyah?

Community Shaliach First of all, my parents Israeli Community Shaliach were olim to Israel from Stav Brener interviewed Shay France, so I grew up in a

Felber, Deputy Director General for Aliyah and Kliata, Jewish Agency for Israel.

What is the purpose of the Aliyah department in the Jewish Agency for Israel?

The Department of Aliyah and Absorption operates overseas with the purpose of encouraging and preparing Jews who want to move to Israel. The department is especially helpful in aiding potential olim (immigrants) with the information needed before

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their move, their actual flight, helping them plan for a life in Israel, and ensuring they receive all the rights

house of new immigrants to Israel. But beyond that, the story of aliyah is the story of Israel. This is a country founded by immigrants who arrived generations ago. And to this day, the new immigrants that come here contribute greatly to the development of Israel How many people made Aliyah in 2020?

More than 21,000 olim made aliyah in 2020 and of those over 3000 were from North America. This was a very difficult year to make aliyah because of Covid-19, and yet, we saw an amazing number of olim who overcame these obstacles and came here anyway.

Please tell us about the

special Aliyah efforts to bring Jews from Ethiopia this year.

In October, the Israeli government passed a resolution to bring 2000 additional Ethiopian olim to

Israel. This is a very important decision, and we hope to be able to bring more of the over 8000 people waiting in Ethiopia to make Aliyah. The Jewish Agency is the body responsible for implementing decisions made by the Government of Israel regarding Aliyah from Ethiopia and is responsible for bringing new immigrants home and helping their absorption into life in Israel.

Covid and the Tigray War in Ethiopia has made this process very difficult, however, the Jewish Agency has not stopped its mission to bring Ethiopian olim to

Israel for one minute, working tirelessly with our team to make this dream a reality.

Why do you think people decided to make Aliyah during these difficult times of a pandemic?

This is certainly an unusual period. Despite COVID, in 2020 we opened up 90% more aliyah cases than in the year prior, and we’ve identified many reasons behind the strong desire to make aliyah now.

The biggest reason is that these Jews feel a strong, Zionistic connection to Israel and COVID made them realize that they now have the opportunity to make aliyah.

Another main reason is because of the Israeli health system, which treats everyone equally no matter their physical or financial

situation - which we can clearly see now with the successful COVID vaccine campaign. Additionally, many communities abroad have witnessed economic hardship because of COVID and olim believe now is the time to open up a new chapter in their lives. And lastly, there were many Jews hesitant to move to Israel because of work, but thanks to technology and what we’ve endured over the past

COMMUNITY year, many realize they are now able to continue their work from Israel remotely.

How do you support new Olim (immigrants)?

Once the new olim arrive in Israel, we assist them in a myriad of ways including: initial housing

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W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G I N N O R T H E A S T F LO R I DA

arrangements, including at Jewish Agency absorption centers; help navigating entry into the education system; assistance with securing employment; intensive Hebrew language programs (ulpan) and more. During COVID we’ve provided olim who have been deeply impacted by the pandemic with some financial assistance and food care packages. We do everything we can to help new immigrants have as smooth an integration into

Israeli life as possible.

Any personal words to our community?

I’ve known your community for many years and have visited it in the past when I was the manager of partnerships with Hadera-Eiron. The ties between the Jacksonville community and Israel is unique and very strong and I really appreciate the

work the community invests in connecting with Israel.

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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE

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COMMUNITY

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W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G I N N O R T H E A S T F LO R I DA

The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida supports our partner agencies to make a difference throughout our community. Your gift today to the 2021 BEFORE Annual Campaign will help make that happen.

AFTER

Visit jewishjacksonville.org today!

United in caring for our community.

Our diverse medical team at Baptist Health represents many specialties and shares a single passion: providing the very best care to our community.

baptistjax.com

© Baptist Health 2020

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L’DOR V’DOR F A M I LY, E D U C A T I O N A N D S E N I O R L I V I N G

By Donna O'Steen Jewish Family & Community Services

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: CAMEO MAAT

Cameo Maat, JFCS Food Pantry and Financial Assisance Coordinator Philistines.

Have you ever wondered who the person behind the success of the Max Block Food Pantry is? Her name is Cameo Maat (My-yacht) and

Jewish Family & Community Services would like to acknowledge her for her hard work and commitment to the entire Jacksonville community.

Cameo began her career at JFCS in 2016 as a case manager for the Child Safety department. Although she loved the position and the children she worked with, she decided to pursue other opportunities within the company and was quickly hired as a family advocate in our Acheivers for Life in-school assistance program where she thrived.

In November 2018, Cameo applied to transition into another position more in line

with her career path – Coordinator of Financial Assistance and the Max Block Food Pantry. The job entailed not only managing the Food Pantry, but also handling financial assistance claims for Brooks Rehabilitation and Baptist Health’s employee assistance programs.

So how does one person handle everything Cameo does? She handles it with a sincere heart, incredible passion, and true commitment. She gives every ounce of herself to the betterment of humankind.

In her spare time, Cameo spends time with her husband, Nyjah, and is very involved

with her church and our local community. She is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management.

When asked why she does what she does, Cameo responded, “In order to be an effective leader, you must first learn what it means to serve others. I’ve always had a passion for helping people in need. During my time at JFCS, I have learned that some people are not given the same advantages in life as others, but I feel that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.”

We love and appreciate you, Cameo, for all you do!

MACCABEE OF THE MONTH: HANK ARNOLD

By Sarah Perfido Jewish Community Alliance

Hank Arnold at the JCA Indoor Track

Members for 30 years, Hank Arnold and his family joined the JCA to find community.

His wife, Hollie, has been the JCA’s Communications Director, Membership

Director, and now Membership Specialist. His daughter, Raquel, grew up at the JCA and became a preschool teacher.

His grandchildren Mara and Max participated in JCA afterschool, J-cation days, camp, theatre, and sports. But while they were very involved at the JCA, Hank never had any fitness routine or regimen.

A former volunteer firefighter and substitute teacher, Hank retired after developing an essential tremor.

At age 58, Hank suffered a “widow maker” heart attack and developed pre-diabetes.

Hank knew he had to use this opportunity to focus on his health. “Something started to click. Maybe I survived for a greater purpose.” Hank and

Hollie started walking 3 miles daily. Walking improved Hank’s ejection fraction from 33% to over 60%, and his A1C is now excellent. His blood pressure medicine was cut in half. “My cardiologist said it looks like I didn't even have a heart attack.”

Despite such amazing improvement in his health, Hank developed stage 3 chronic kidney disease. But Hank continues to walk daily, knowing that research shows regular walking helps kidney disease patients live longer and cut the odds they'd need dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Walking truly changed Hank’s life, and to pay it forward, he started the free JCA Walking Club in

September 2019. Fifty-one members strong, the club stays connected through email tips and challenges. Club members strive to exercise 30 minutes a day, 30 days a month. At the end of each month, members submit their mileage or steps and win JCA prizes if they achieve a personal goal. Hank hopes his journey will inspire others to improve their health, literally one step at a time.

The Maccabees were Jewish rebel warriors and heroes of the Chanukah story. Maccabee means “hammer” and has become a symbol of physical might, spiritual strength, and mental resilience in the face of adversity.

L’DOR V’DOR

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F A M I LY, E D U C A T I O N A N D S E N I O R L I V I N G

RIVER GARDEN CELEBRATES 75 YEARS On March 21, 2021, River Garden will be celebrating its 75th Anniversary. Regrettably, we won't be able to host the beloved BBQ party on our campus, but we still welcome you to save the date and join us virtually for the annual meeting. Plus, the Auxiliary is still offering Tombola, an ever-favorite game with all proceeds benefiting the residents of the Hebrew Home. Please watch the River Garden website and Facebook page for details

ALLIE BIELSKI NAMED KADIMA VP OF USY

By Michelle Penson

Jacksonville Jewish Center

The Jacksonville Jewish Center and Setzer Youth Education are pleased to announce Allie Bielski, daughter of David and Carrie Bielski, has been named HaNegev Regional Membership/Kadima VP for the remainder of the 2020-2021 USY year.

Allie Bielski on her recent semester trip to Israel

LOOK WHO’S CHANGING THE WORLD

ALUMNI

S P O T L I G H T

Emily Rostholder, M.D. Gastroenterologist Borland Groover

“A love of learning, Jewish tradition, and educational excellence”.

From generation to generation, DuBow Preschool and Martin J. Gottlieb Day School students discover their purpose in life. Emily Rostholder believes her strong work ethic was learned early at these two schools. Through innovative education and living Jewish tradition, we inspire our students to make this world a better place.

Building mensches for over 75 years Call 268-4200 to tour our preschool or K-8.

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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE

A NATION’S TREASURES IS ITS SCHOLARS

By Erik Rostholder, Jacksonville Jewish Center

POSITIVELY

Yours

Safely tucked away on 40 acres in Mandarin is a special place that many people call home, including Betty & Ernest Barnes. The couple have not been apart since their first grade class nearly 82 years ago. The latest chapter in their life story is set at The Coves on River Garden’s highly-rated campus.

Here, they can access a continuum of care befitting their lifetime of love.

Call (904) 292.2683 to schedule your tour of The Coves.

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Education, steeped in Jewish tradition, is the cornerstone of our children’s success. Our annual L’Dor V’Dor campaign exists to ensure that regardless of economic circumstance, from generation to generation, our children receive Jewish education and programming which guides their life and furthers their love of learning, Torah and Israel.

This campaign occurs annually at the Jacksonville Jewish Center and is currently ongoing.

Planned giving is different.

It sounds fancy and complicated, sometimes scary. However, it is really simple to understand.

Planned giving is leaving an organization a gift from your estate when you pass.

An “estate” is simply adding up everything you own – and this can be a large number as it includes your house, life insurance policies, investments, etc.

Some families simply update their will to leave a dollar amount, a specific account, a life insurance policy or “10% of the estate” to the Jacksonville Jewish Center or to one of our schools discussed below. Some families have more complex planning including a variety

of trusts, but the thought is the same – a plan to leave a gift.

The concept of planned giving is so incredibly important. Without your generosity, it is difficult to sustain our schools.

Further, as our loved ones pass, the gifts they provided annually are often irreplaceable. Close your eyes and imagine that the DuBow Preschool, Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, Bernard & Alice Selevan Religious School or Setzer Youth Education suddenly vanished. The fabric of the Jacksonville Jewish community would be tremendously different.

Without leaving our schools a gift, this very well may happen – and that’s a future I don’t want to imagine.

Our schools have been building mensches for over 75 years and with your support, we will do so for another 75 years!

Please contact Erik Rostholder, V.P. of Education at 904-254-4276 or erostholde@aol.com, or Kellie Smith with our Jewish Foundation to discuss how you can help secure our future. If we don’t support our own schools, no one else will.

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L’DOR V’DOR

F A M I LY, E D U C A T I O N A N D S E N I O R L I V I N G

JCA FACES OF FITNESS: SARAH PERFIDO

By Sarah Perfido Jewish Community Alliance

Sarah Perfido is the Assistant Fitness and Wellness Director at the JCA. She is a certified personal trainer, performance enhancement specialist, corrective exercise specialist, and group fitness instructor with a degree in exercise science.

A former collegiate track athlete, Sarah has since

competed in national-level NPC bodybuilding shows and USA Powerlifting meets.

In her own training and with her clients, Sarah is passionate about building a strong and functional physique that can take on any of life’s challenges.

Sarah’s greatest joy is transforming new lifters to confident gym regulars using barbells and classic strength and conditioning methods.

What do you enjoy about working in the Jewish community?

I genuinely love being Jewish, and I am so proud of my heritage. I also really enjoy the feeling of a hard training session, learning new skills, achieving goals, and helping others do the same. Being at the JCA

allows me to do what I love while working in the community I love. It is a perfect melding of my two greatest passions – Judaism and fitness.

What is your best trainer tip?

Proficiency. Consistency.

Intensity. In that order. It is easy to become inspired by online fitness influencers, celebrities, and athletes, and try to copy their workouts.

But if you are achieving lack luster results or getting injured, the answer is not always to simply work harder. Often, the problem is poor exercise technique.

There is no greater investment than to work with a trainer to learn proper form. Build a foundation of optimum

movement mechanics and you will be amazed with what your body can achieve."

Join Sarah at www. facebook.com/groups/ JCAFitness live stream each Friday at 9:30am for a free virtual Strength Circuit class.

The Jewish Community Alliance has a vision to provide the place in the tradition of our heritage where all people come together throughout their lives, to enhance body, mind, and spirit, in an environment of fun, harmony and friendship.

Each month Faces of Fitness will share how the JCA Fitness Team is committed to the Jewish value of “Shmirat Haguf” to care for your body.

LOOK WHO’S CHANGING THE WORLD

ALUMNI

S P O T L I G H T

“Teaching you not just to achieve but to achieve for something greater than yourself”

Alan Mizrahi Director of the Homicide Division State Attorney’s Office

From generation to generation, DuBow Preschool and Martin J. Gottlieb Day School students discover their purpose in life. Alan Mizrahi was fortunate to learn this important life lesson at an early age.

Through innovative education and living Jewish tradition, we inspire our students to make this world a better place.

Building mensches for over 75 years Call 268-4200 to tour our preschool or K-8.

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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE

NOSH ON THIS SHARING

RECIPES

DETOX CARROT-DAIKON SALAD WITH APPLES, DATES, & PECANS

By Stacy Seslowsky, RD, LDN, MSN, Jewish Community Alliance

Stacy Seslowsky is a Functional Nutrition Dietitian at the JCA. A life-long New Yorker who recently moved to Florida, she has been a Registered Dietitian for over 20 years. When her husband was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called Graves disease, Stacy sought a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition and Functional medicine to discover the underlying cause for imbalance. She uses individualized food and lifestyle modifications to help people achieve optimal health and improved quality of life. Stacy’s mission is to help people who suffer from immune, metabolic, hormonal, gastrointestinal, cardiac, or neurological imbalance experience the true healing power of food. Stacy spends her free time in the kitchen developing healthy and delicious recipes. She especially enjoys putting a modern twist on classic Jewish cuisine

Tu Bishvat and Purim are my favorite holidays since Iwas a child. I have vivid memories of scenic picnics and attending Purim carnivals dressed like a queen. On Tu Bishvat we eat fruits associated with Eretz Yisrael, and Queen Esther is well-known for being vegetarian to avoid eating non-kosher, making this easy to prepare, sweet, refreshing, and delicious salad your new favorite Tu Bishvat or Purim recipe. In addition, its whole unprocessed ingredients are packed with nutrition and have distinct health-promoting properties.

I can hear my mother’s voice telling me to eat my carrots for better vision. Moms are always right! Carrots contain carotenoids which are anti-carcinogenic and promote proper immune function, heart health, and good eyesight.

Daikons are white radishes. They are antimicrobial, anti-cancer, immune-promoting, and great for digestion. They can prevent constipation and help your body’s detoxification processes.

Dates might possibly be one of my very favorite foods and I use dates in place of raisins in every recipe. Dates can help balance hormones, build bone density, and improve digestion. Surprisingly, research has shown that eating dates at the end of pregnancy (when baby is full-term) can speed time to delivery.

Enjoy this mouth-watering and nutritious recipe!

INGREDIENTS 1 lb carrots grated, spiraled, or ribboned 1 1/2 lb daikon grated, spiraled, or ribboned 1 medium-sized apple sliced 4-5 dates chopped 1/2 cup pecans whole or halved 3 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar 2 tsp maple syrup or honey 1/2 lemon juiced Salt and Pepper to taste

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DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, combine grated carrots, grated daikons, chopped dates, and pecans.

2. In a small bowl, combine apple cider vinegar, maple syrup OR honey, lemon juice, salt & pepper.

3. Whisk olive oil into vinegar mixture until dressing thickens.

4. Mix dressing into carrot mixture 5. Layer apple slices as a topping over the salad

Leaving a

Legacy

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Securing tomorrow for Jewish Northeast Florida

By Kellie Smith, MS/MA, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

H

Letter from Foundation Director

ave you ever thought “What will they say about me when I’m gone?” Being remembered is something we all want when we are no longer here. As Jews I believe we give with intention. It is taught throughout our lives and is a reflection of our values.

It’s something we sit down and think about.

Throughout this month’s issue we will look back at inspired giving in our Foundation’s infancy and to today as it tells a story of each individual and their family’s legacy in our Jewish community.

Everyone who has ever partnered with the Jewish Federation & Foundation is part of a larger legacy of giving, for which we should all be proud. Every gift of time, talent and treasure is a gift that ensures the betterment of our Jewish community. These efforts are what legacies are built upon, they spark hope and

set tzedakah in motion.

We are embarking upon a multi-phase endowment campaign to create permanent financial stability for the greater Northeast Florida Jewish community with short, mid and longterm measurable goals. This community-wide project will engage every Jewish organization and every Jewish community member.

The time is now to secure our Jewish future.

Philanthropy is critically important to Jewish communities everywhere.

The first lesson I’d like to share is that philanthropy comes in all shapes and sizes. But there’s another lesson that’s just as important – and it speaks to the stark reality facing many of our organizations today. There are those organizations that have done careful financial projections and planning, and therefore have the wherewithal to ride out the current COVID storm; and then there are those who have not.

The biggest difference comes down to a single word: Endowment. The pandemic has ripped the thin financial veneer from Jewish groups all over America and across the globe – and revealed who was ready, and who was living, too often, from one dues or donation to the next. Organizations that

have subsisted from one donation to the next are now struggling with an existential crisis. Those that have developed endowments and cash reserves, those with visionary boards and professional expertise, will keep themselves afloat in the present maelstrom, and will continue to provide

“Since our merger in 2018, the Jewish Foundation has grown to over $34 million in assets under management and has disbursed over $4.3 million to nonprofits through family Legacy Funds, Donor Advised Funds, B’nai Tzedek programming and Jewish Grant Making.”

their vital services to the Jewish community.

Long-term, sustainable and permanent funding is a critical part of the need.

With a community-wide endowment, we can ensure funds are available to preserve Jewish life in Northeast Florida.

Led by our Jewish values, our philanthropy inspires action, change, and a greater sense of community. We remain committed to helping perpetuate a living legacy of caring that will last long beyond one’s lifetime and continue to inspire from generation to generation. It is because of your extraordinary generosity and long-term

commitment that we can make Jewish Northeast Florida stronger and more sustainable. We have an impressive capacity to grow, to care, to teach and to serve. I am in awe of each of our inspiring nonprofit agencies, first-rate schools and a warm family of synagogues that are doing this valuable work.

People want to leave a legacy because they want to feel that their life mattered.

Once you know what you want your legacy to be, you can start building it. You can start living in the way you want to be remembered. It will allow you to start doing what matters, now. Philanthropy much like creating legacy isn’t just for the rich. Even if you can’t write a check with lots of zeroes, you can still be a philanthropist and create a legacy that tells your story.

This is an exciting time for our Jewish community.

Join us to create a lasting legacy. I look forward to working with you as we continue to build upon our commitment to ensure excellence for future generations. With our collective power, what we envision for our Jewish community is within reach.

Start the conversation today by contacting me at KellieK@JewishJacksonville.org or 904.513.3796.

R

Morton Robert Hirschberg, a legacy of kindness and generosity

people even know about no ecently when the Jewish Federation & less support. They included, Foundation became one of the beneficiaries of of course, his congregation, the Morton R. Hirschberg Trust, we wanted to learn more about Morton who had passed away every conceivable local need of the Jewish community, in 1978 with no living heirs. With little knowledge of his and, in many cases, life, his engagement in our Jewish community and his substantial assistance to legacy, we turned to the archives of Congregation Ahavath individuals whose names Chesed - The Temple to discover his family history and only Morton will ever know. what he wanted for the future of our Jewish community.

Morton was, in many What we found was quite remarkable! Morton was the ways, the embodiment of direct descendant of the Dzialynski family, one of the first stability and rootedness in a very Helena Dzialynski Jewish families in Florida. Morton’s great-uncle, Philip WIlliams Dzialynski, was the first permanent Jewish resident to settle unstable and uprooted world. His family was native to Jacksonville for in Jacksonville. In 1881, Philip’s more than 70 years. Morton was one of the first brother Morris was elected the first, presidents of the Jewish Community Council, and still only, Jewish mayor of (predecessor organization to Jewish Federation) Jacksonville, and in 1882, Morris and the Jewish Family and Children’s Service. He helped organize Florida’s second was a life-long member of Elks Lodge, and congregation--Ahavath Chesed--and perhaps his most special affection he reserved for was elected its first president.

B’nai Brith. The finest accolade we can direct to Morton’s grandmother, Helena Morton is that their respect and admiration for Dzialynski lived in Tallahassee and him were no less than his were for them. He family legend is that when Union found it difficult to talk much about himself, and troops came to their home during the when he did, it was almost always to impress his Civil War, Helena said, “Take listener, not with himself, but with the high anything you want, just don’t take my premium he placed on community, traditional schmaltz!” Helena’s daughter values, and a (Morton’s mother), Wilhamena reverence for the Morton Robert HirschBerg "Mena" Williams, already a thirdlasting contributions generation Floridian Jew, was the first of the past. He helped us to Miss Florida in 1885. keep one foot in yesterday Knowing a little bit about Morton’s family lineage, we before we rushed too quickly wanted to learn more about the full life he led and why he into tomorrow. was so generous to his Jewish community. From his eulogy Creating a legacy is about found in the archives, Morton was a generous, kind man your values and passions in who led an exceptional life. Following are some excerpts. life, reflecting back into the Anyone who knew Morton Hirshberg will agree that he was truly one of the most unforgettable personalities they have ever known. As quiet and modest as he appeared, he was often the host and companion of world-famous people.

He provided hospitality for the late Charlie Chaplin, he was a dinner guest of Queen Elizabeth and even the late Winston Churchill. And even when Morton told you these things himself, you found it difficult to believe, because he was such a living contrast to all the glamour and spectacle of the celebrity world.

Morton was a man of many interests and many endowments, and he was exceedingly proud of them all. He contributed to more charitable causes than most ordinary

community forever. Morton Hirschberg’s passion and commitment to supporting the Jewish community lives on through his legacy fund, which supports Federation Annual Campaigns, Temple and JFCS. May we celebrate and honor him, as he would have honored and remembered those that came before him.

Mena Hirschberg

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A Love for Children Led to Transformational Legacy Gift

S

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When I look back upon my childhood, I sincerely believe that some of us need that one helping hand to assist us. Hilda and I feel that the greatest contributions we can make to Judaism and to mankind is offering educational opportunities to children and young adults and caring about and providing for the sick and the needy. We are pleased and thankful to be able to help those in need.”

The Sol and Hilda Goldman Early Childhood and Summer Camp Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to children in need regardless of race or religion who seek access to the highly recognized preschool and summer camp programs of the Jewish Community Alliance. We are grateful for Sol’s generosity and commitment to our community and are honored he trusted us with his bequest.

Legacy

English. They worked hard Jewish Center where we to provide for our family, were members. my brothers Maurice and I spent some time in the Joseph and me. My mother Navy and Joe was in the was my greatest inspiration.

Army Air Corp and flew 25 She was an Orthodox Jew missions over Germany. often overheard speaking When we returned from Yiddish at home. We didn’t service, Joe and I started a have other local Jewish small slaughterhouse that relatives except for our later became Gold Merit uncle, our mother’s brother.

Packing Company. Later as In spite of the challenges volume grew, Winn-Dixie facing a Jewish immigrant became one of our best and Sol and Hilda Goldman family in Jacksonville, most helpful customers. ol Goldman was a Florida, in the early 1900s, Therefore, I will always have Jacksonville native mother kept a kosher Jewish a warm spot in my heart for and the son of home and insisted that all of the Winn-Dixie Company. I immigrant parents. us receive a Jewish education learned early in life how He and his brother grew up including a Bar Mitzvah, and important it is to try and get “poor as dirt” on the city’s that we all graduate from along with everyone.

Westside — their father a high Although we “The Sol and Hilda Goldman butcher and their mother a school. have no Scholarship fund ensures support is homemaker. After serving in Born in children, Hilda, available to every child that relies World War II, Sol worked 1920 and a nurse by on the JCA for services. We’re and saved to establish the raised training from proud to be able to help unite our Gold Merit Meat Packing during the Florida State community during difficult times Plant, which would become depression, nursing school, and are grateful for those who one of only three meat I recall had a very busy continue to donate to our distributors in Florida. Sol’s how so life. She was scholarship fund to help make this company was a blue-ribbon many lived always active at possible.”—Rochelle Stoddard, JCA vendor for Winn-Dixie. in severe the Center in board president." poverty. many volunteer Upon Sol’s death in 2016 Although positions. She at age 96, the Jewish bread was only a nickel, no has volunteered with many Foundation established its one had the nickel. My Jewish organizations and largest single endowment brother Joe and I got our was President of the gift to date with the “Sol experience in the meat National Council of Jewish and Hilda Goldman Early business early in life from Women from 1963 to 1965.

Childhood Education and our father who worked a Because of our love for Summer Camp Scholarship kosher butcher shop. While children and young adults Fund.” we were in Robert E. Lee and our belief in helping In 2003, Sol recorded his High School, we worked for those in need, Hilda and I reasons for giving in the local meat packers. Even have established many funds Foundation’s Book of Life: after graduation and until to benefit Jewish and When my parents Louis World War II we still stayed non-Jewish causes. and Gertie Goldman, of in the meat product area.

I I believe in respecting blessed memory, immigrated celebrated my Bar Mitzvah everyone’s personal situation to the United States from at the Third and Silver Street and in treating them as I Russia, they couldn’t speak, location of the Jacksonville would like to be treated. read or write a word of

The Setzer Family Endowment to support the entire Jewish community

I

t was nearly a year ago that we had the opportunity to meet with the Setzer family — Leonard and Debra, Benjamin and Melanie, Michael and Lauren, and Faye and Ari — to begin the conversation around endowed annual giving and the importance of supporting the whole Jewish community.

With a legacy of giving and volunteer leadership throughout their community, the Setzer family has seen firsthand the impact of federated giving. They believe the

Jewish Federation & Foundation has a critical mission in fostering Jewish giving and strongly advocates for the local Jewish agencies.

We are grateful to the Setzers for their commitment and generosity to the work of our Jewish Federation & Foundation. The Setzer Family Endowment will support the entire Jewish community and ensure that our organization remains vital trusted, and most important, permanent.

Legacy 29

Neil Presser, of blessed memory, created a legacy that inspired his daughters

B

By Jeri and Pam Presser Neil Presser’s daughters

orn in New York City to Mac & Lillian Presser, Dad and his older brother, Edwin, moved to Jacksonville when he was three years old. He was a graduate of the Bolles School, attended the University of Florida where he completed a degree in accounting, and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy.

Raised in a conservative Jewish home, the importance of family, Judaism, and giving back to the community were instilled at a very early age.

Those values were evidenced throughout his life.

Dad didn’t need to tell us about the importance of giving, he led by example. He practiced the mitzvah of tzedakah in all aspects of his life. He was always available to help family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, the Jewish community, and anyone who was in need.

He intertwined the entities he so fervently supported by making them part of our daily lives - most of the time without us ever realizing it. We spent weekends with our grandparents, visited family and friends at River Garden, attended 30Shabbat service,

High Holidays, and Hebrew school at the Jewish Center, and enjoyed camp, tennis and social events at the JCA, where he was a founding member.

He left an indelible mark professionally as well. He co-founded the accounting firm Davis, Presser and LaFaye in1963. Twenty years later, he and two partners founded Presser, Lahnen and Edelman. After more than 40 years as a public accountant, he retired in 2007.

He volunteered, served on boards, and was an active committee member of numerous professional, civic, and nonprofit organizations.

He was a founding member of the Jewish Community Federation, serving as the treasurer, a board member and a member of the Finance Audit Committee. He was also a founding member of the JCA, serving its board and committees; a lifetime member of the Jacksonville Jewish Center; and an active

board & committee member at River Garden. Dad derived immense joy and personal satisfaction serving his community and helping others. He knew it was the right thing to do. It was in his DNA and steeped in our family tradition.

It wasn't just what he did that made such a big impact on us, but how he did it - discreetly, never looking for acknowledgement. It was something he did for himself “Dad inspired us to be more aware, to be more involved, to find ways to give back,

and for others selflessly. He wanted to give back to the community; he cared about people, and he knew how important it was to provide support by giving of his time, insight, and heart. And it wasn’t until the end of his life that we truly understood the depth by which he gave of himself.

Dad established the Neil Presser Endowment Fund driven by family tradition to leave something impactful behind. It represents much more than a monetary gift. It is his legacy. It is his personal commitment to making the Jacksonville Jewish community stronger now and for the future.

And it is yet another vital lesson he wanted to impart to us without ever uttering a word. Dad is our role model.

He has inspired us to be more aware, to be more involved, to find ways to give back, big or small. Whether it’s our time, resources, or compassion, he taught us to always help others, be a mentor, and do these things with passion and enthusiasm.

He has strengthened our commitment to support the community where we were raised and carry on the family tradition instilled in us. Dad has built the foundation, and we aspire to nurture his lifelong work.

Although we no longer live in Jacksonville, we’ve always felt a strong desire to stay connected and be involved with the Jewish community where we grew up.

To carry on his legacy and honor him is the best gift he could have left us.

Couple Creates Endowment Fund for JFCS

By Donna O’Steen Jewish Family & Community Servicess

H

oward and Muriel Rose have been supporters of Jewish Family & Community Services for over 30 years.

Recently, they met virtually with Executive Director Colleen Rodriguez to discuss their intent to make a large gift to the agency.

With the advice of JFCS Development Director, Susie Menaged, the Rose’s created the Dr. Howard and Muriel Rose Endowment Fund to sustain the important programming and services provided by the organization.

The Roses first got involved with JFCS in 1990. They immediately fell in love with the mission. “JFCS is an all-encompassing agency that provides services that help the entire community, including children, adults, and people of all faiths, Holocaust survivors, children in foster care, and adoption and placement. And the organization does it regardless of race, ethnic background, religion, or gender. Muriel and I wanted

to be a part of making the world a better place. The JFCS mission was right in line with what we believed in,” said Howard. “We wanted to – and still want to – help the community; to sustain the community. This endowment will allow us to do just that.”

Howard and Muriel first met in their youth in Miami Beach. Miami was Howard’s childhood home. Muriel’s family lived in Chicago but enjoyed family vacations in Miami Beach each summer.

Howard was 13 and Muriel was 10. He was taken with her beauty immediately but Muriel was not interested.

She simply thought Howard was a tease. Fast forward 10 years and the two crossed paths again. When Muriel enrolled at the University of Miami, Howard was already there, several years into his bachelor’s degree. He was planning to continue his education with a masters when Muriel walked back into his life. Howard recalled, “I was pursuing a master’s degree in Parasitology at the time and working on disproving a long thought theory that a baby’s immunity to a specific parasite was passed on from the mother when the baby was born. After extensive research, I found that the theory was wrong, that babies could be infected starting on week one. At that same time, Muriel was taking an entomology class.

Muriel hated bugs but went out dressed from head toe in

a net-type outfit and caught bugs for an assignment. She mounted the bugs she caught in a display box and brought them to me in the lab where I was doing my research.

That’s when I really knew she was ‘the one’.”

During their engagement, and to help pay for their educations, they started a printing business together.“We focused on our business every weekend and our studies during the week.

The extra money helped us to be self-sufficient,” Howard said. “It allowed us to continue pursuing our education while at the same time enabling us to survive.”

During his residency at the School of Aviation, Howard participated in a research study in Ophthalmology. He recalled, “I did the original research on contact lenses, specifically on pilots. This study of the eyes literally opened my eyes to what my true passion was – Ophthalmology.”

After his residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, the Roses wanted to move back to Miami, but by that time, things had changed in his hometown and an ophthalmology job was not easy to find. He found a job with an established ophthalmologist in Jacksonville before opening his own practice. After “semi-retiring” in 1978, Howard remained involved in medicine, volunteering for Volunteers in Medicine. He spent 15 more years doing what he loved before retiring

for good. However, before his tenure was complete, Howard received a special notification that he had received the Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama.

Muriel was always involved in the community, volunteering her time and talents at various agencies in Jacksonville, including the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens where she was a docent for 15 years. But her true passion was supporting JFCS. “Helping people is what we always wanted to do. JFCS provided us with that opportunity.”

When asked about their lives during the pandemic, Muriel says, “We have been isolated for close to a year.

We are thankful that we have a good support system and family willing to help. We are ready to get back to doing the things we love – going to concerts, out to dinner, and traveling.”

Howard added, “COVID has changed every aspect of the world, the economy, our society, everything. So, we wait and hope that life returns to normal so we can resume our lives.”

The Roses have three adult children and recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Muriel just celebrated her 88th birthday in December.

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B'NAI TZEDEK Next Gen Fund holders As of Jan 1, 2021

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Jacob Abraham Ben Finck Madison Abraham Joshua Fleet Rachael Abram Ariella Fleet Ariela Allen Talia Fleet Jordan Allerding Adam Friedman Harrison Andrew Remy Frohman Nicole Ansbacher Dante Gaviglio Michael Appel Austin Gartner Michael Appelbaum Jennifer Gartner Eliza Aretz Delta Gatewood Benjamin Arnold Hannah Gendzier Richard Bailys Alyson Giambalvo Nicole Bailys Gabriella Glassman Shylie Bannon Jacob Glassman Avigail Barak Jacob Glassman Geoffrey Berlin Julian Glassman Samuel Bernard Mathew Glassman Susan Bernhardt Sienna Glassman Arielle Bernhardt Jennifer Goetz Grace Beyer Andrew Goldman Jamie Bielski Elizabeth Goldman Allie Bielski Brad Goldring Elizabeth Bistrong Jeffrey Goldring Alexandra Block Aliza Goldstein Noah Borrousch-Rosin Max Goldstein Zach Borrousch-Rosin Ilan Goldstein Cory Brenenson Scott Goldstein Louisa Brinn Barbie Goldstein Ashton Brodsky Amanda Gomer Rebecca Brown Jerry Gomer Rachel Buff Edyn Gottlieb Jacob Campbell Alyse Granat Alex Caplan Brooke Gridley Benjamin Chafetz Eva Gridley Danielle Cheiken Sydney Gross Gabrielle Cohen Madison Grosse Martin Cohen Matthew Harris Benjamin Davis Benjamin Hecht Lily Davis Jacob Hecht Julia DeBardeleben Stephanie Hecht Joshua DeBardeleben Faye Hedrick Alyssa DeCrispino Lily Hernandez Rachel Dranetz Craig Herring Dalia Dryden Sophia Hilbert Sophie DuBow Max Horovitz Charlie DuBow Sarah Hunter Shira DuBow Ayden Israel Allison Duncan Brett Jackrel Rebecca Duncan Emily Jackson Zachary Edelman Sarah Jacobs Jonathan Edelman Joshua Jacobs Lauren Edwards Maiah Jaffa David Edwards Ava Jaffa Haley Falick Kyra Jaffa Joshua Feig Garrett Jaffe Shira Ferman Joshua Jolles Talia Fetner Sarah Joseph

Jack Joseph Eli Mizrahi Caroline Joseph Ryan Mizrahi Maggie Joseph Max Mizrahi Seth Karstaedt Evelyn Mizrahi Shaina Katz Zach Mizrahi Rebecca Katz Jacob Morgenthal Erica Katzin Vivien Moritz David Kaunitz Zachary Morris Gabriel Kaye Maci Morse Sage Kaye Trudy Morse Jillian Kight Rebecca Nathans Lindsey Kight Arin Nathans Matthew Kingson Sarah Neadle Sarah Kirkwood Erin Nicholson Jonah Kitay Eddie Norton Shira Kitay Britney Norton Jessica Kopp Jacob Orender Elissa Kraemer Zachary Orender Jason Krantz Danielle Palombo Shelby Krantz Amy Perlman Benjamin Lantinberg Ariella Phillips Hannah Leach Harrison Phillips Shimrit Lee Jacqueline Phillips Tal Lee Montgomery Phillips Annie Levenson Max Pittman Eric Levenson Laura Platzer Brian Levenson Sara Plotkin Noah Levin Shaina Plotkin Victoria Levine Jereme Pozin Ellis Levine Zachary Pozin Shoshana Levy Noah Pozin Rachel Levy Charlie Raitt Evan Levy Ashley Reiter Micah Lewis Aaron Resnick Danielle Lewis Louis Richman Itamar Lubliner Sara Richman Elior Lubliner Jennifer Richter Gabrielle Magid Lawrence Richter Sabrina Mail Matthew Rickoff Jasmine Mail Luria Rittenberg Faye Maiman Shira Rittenberg Neil Maiman David Rivera-Clapp Elana Maiman Leah Robbins Lauren Margol Laura Rogovin Ali Margolies Jessica Rogozinski Carolyn Margulies Laura Rogozinski Benjamin Mamelstein Dana Rogozinski Daniel Marmelstein Jonathan Rogozinski Ben Marsh Zachary Rogozinski Charles Milian Max Rogozinski Sophia Milian Danielle Rogozinski Sarah Miller Abigail Rotenberg Joshua Miller Jillian Rosenberg Madelyn Millrood Gabe Rosner Jonathan Mizrahi Adam Rothstein Debra Mizrahi Nina Rothstein Hannah Mizrahi Sophie Rothstein

Jacob Rubens Rachel Stark Avi Rubin Talor Stayer Micah Rubin Robert Stern Brandon Ruckh Logan Stern Molly Rudowitz Joshua Stevens Sydni Rudowitz Carly Stevens Elizabeth Rutansky Hannah Stone Jake Rutansky Lauren Tavar Josie Sagasser Sydney Teitelbaum Jonathan Sandler Emily Teitelbaum Paul Sandler Mason Teitelbaum Ethan Sandler Ariella Tesler Laura Sandler Elliana Tesler Ari Sandler Alec Tompkins Zach Sandler Brandon Trager Sarit Sandler Eden Trager Elan Sandler Elli Trager Dustin Sandler Brooke Trager Brooke Saye Jacob Unger Rachel Schemer Andrew Vining Zachary Schemer Kyle Vining Leslie Schemer Noah Wasserman Sarah Schemer Sara Wasserman Eva Schildhause Arielle Wajsman Matthew Schimmel Alexander Wajsman Jodi Beth Schneider David Walker Samuel Schwartz Rachael Warfield Harris Lee Schwartz Erin Weintraub David Selber Rachael Weston Jackie Selevan Zach Whiteley Alexandra Selevan Sam Whitman George Setzer Sarah Wilde Joshua Shapiro Parker Wilf Jessica Shapiro David Wilf Rachel Shapiro Jonah Willens Zev Shapiro Gabriel Willens Jennifer Shorstein Shea Beth Williams Mathew Shorstein David Williams Benjamin Shorstein Michael Wohl Benay Shorstein Mitchell Wohl Arnie Silverberg Rachel Wolf Alexandra Silverberg Jacob Wolfson Joel Silverstein Alex Wolfson Matthew Silverstein Jared Wolfson Zach Silverstein Allison Wolfson Hannah Silverstein Andrew Wolpoff Justin Simmons Evan Wolpoff Connor Simmons Joseph Yarish Lawrence Sims Samuel Yarish Logan Sims Tania Yegelwel Caroline Snowden Scott Youker Kyle Solloway Steven Youker Rachel Solomon Reesa Zaifert Samuel Sommers Jeremy Zaifert Cameron Spiritas Brooke Zimmerman Jason Smith Leah Zimmerman Aaron Stark Samantha Zimmerman

Creating a Legacy by Investing in the Next Generation

Mel & Debbie Gottlieb, December 2018

As Jews, we value our heritage as people committed to making the world a better place. One of the principles we pass from generation to generation (L’dor V’dor) is the value of charitable giving.

The Jewish Federation & Foundation B’nai Tzedek

program was created to grow the next generation of Jewish philanthropists by developing young leaders and empowering our next generation to view themselves, even in their youth, as strategic donors.

Through Mel and Debbie Gottlieb’s leadership and generosity, the B’nai Tzedek program started in 1999.

B’nai Tzedek redefines Jewish philanthropy by showing young adults that they, too, can change the world through a personal and engaged relationship to lifelong giving.

Participants learn about modern philanthropy and apply their knowledge by making heartfelt grants to the

organizations and causes they care about within the Jewish community. The Next Gen Philanthropy Program helps young people learn about leadership, service, financial literacy, and long-term investing to use their tzedakah for good—now and in the future. Every three years, B’nai Tzedek fundholders vote on local Jewish programs that need funding. Together, fundholders make a significant impact on the community and become part of the strong Jewish tradition of giving back.

Mel and Debbie addressed fundholders in 2018 as they embarked upon the Next Gen

Laying the Foundation...

Elliot and Roslyn Horovitz Elliot was the first executive director of the Jewish Foundation in 1995 One of Elliott Horovitz’s favorite nuggets of advice was to say, “The toughest thing for a business to overcome is inertia.” Over the course of his life, Elliott overcame a lot of inertia, starting businesses from scratch and constantly thinking outside of the box.

Those attributes were on full display when Elliott was named the first executive

director of the Jacksonville Jewish Foundation 25 years ago. Along with community leaders like Michael Donziger, Richard Sisisky, Mel Gottlieb, Alan Margolies and others, Elliott played a key role in the Foundation’s formation. During his brief tenure as executive director, Elliott helped to grow the Foundation to nearly $20 million in assets and promises for the future. His work helped secure endowment gifts that will benefit our Jewish community for years to come.

He quickly established his own Donor Advised Fund with the Foundation as well as a Charitable Remainder Trust, which converted to an endowment fund following his death and that of his wife, Roslyn Platock

Horovitz. The Roslyn and Elliot Horovitz Fund will forever provide for the community the Horovitzs' were so committed to.

His work in helping establish the Jacksonville Jewish Foundation was nothing new for Elliott. In addition to his many entrepreneurial successes, Elliott spent a lifetime supporting Jewish causes.

He always attributed his love for Judaism and his involvement in the Jewish community to his grandparents and parents who impressed upon him the importance of living a Jewish life and remembering that to be charitable is part of being Jewish.

As a member of the “greatest generation” Elliott was a highly decorated bombardier in World WAR

Grantmaking initiative to award $45,000 in grants to three local partner agencies.

During the event Mel said, “Today’s young people stand to inherit an incredible history of success and tzedakah. This program was created to give young people an opportunity to build on that success and put their passion into action. Our Jewish community’s future is bright but the need for strong leaders and engaged donors will remain. Being philanthropic means that you leave the world somehow better and this is what B’nai Tzedek is about.”

II, where he flew 19 missions over Germany on the B17 flying fortress. During Israel’s War of Independence, Elliott assisted the Haganah in recruiting fighter pilots.

While president and chairperson of the California Orange County Jewish Foundation he participated in a Prime Minister’s Mission to Israel and created a UJA golf day that continues to provide funding every year.

Elliott considered his greatest legacy to be his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all of whom he encouraged to live an active Jewish life. As a result, his family now includes four generations of fundholders at the Foundation. L’Dor V’Dor from generation to generation.

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2021 Foundation Funds

The Jewish Foundation continues the great work of nurturing relationships with our fundholders, donors and our Northeast Florida area synagogues and Jewish agencies. It exists to provide charitable gift planning services to our partners and interested members of our community. Above all, it protects the financial interests of our partners and strives to ensure that the intent of all donors who wish to support Jewish organizations is always honored. Helping to craft each family’s vision for a Jewish tomorrow is a joy, and we remain committed to helping you perpetuate a living legacy of caring that will last long beyond your lifetime and continue to inspire from generation to generation. Thank you to our partners and our fundholders for their continued investment in our nonprofit community.

ADVISED FUNDS

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The Block Family Donor Advised Fund The Laverne & Andrew Cantor Donor Advised Fund The Helen & Michael DuBow Donor Advised Fund The Eaglstein Donor Advised Fund The Matthew & Susan Edelman Donor Advised Fund The Helene S Edwards Donor Advised Fund The Jeff & Mary Edwards Donor Advised Fund The Len & Judy Elikan Donor Advised Fund The Melvyn & Beverly Fruit Donor Advised Fund The Jeff & Doris Goldstein Donor Advised Fund The Gottlieb Family Donor Advised Fund The Mark & Nancy Green Donor Advised Fund The Nancy R Rushing Donor Advised Fund The Bruce & Edith Horovitz Donor Advised Fund The Sylvia & Andrew Jaffa Donor Advised Fund The Pepi Kahn Donor Advised Fund The Lawrence & Kathy Kanter Philanthropic Fund of the JCF The Morton & Delores Kesler Donor Advised Fund The Kitay Family Fund The Iris and Mark Kraemer Family Donor Advised Fund The Levine Family Donor Advised Fund The Peter Ben Levy & Kim Glasgal Donor Advised Fund The Marc & Sheri Litt Donor Advised Fund The Harry & Sylvia Livingston Donor Advised Fund The Leonardo & Lynn Maiman Donor Advised Fund The Dr. Ed & Judy Mizrahi Donor Advised Fund The Nussbaum Family Donor Advised Fund The Rein Family Donor Advised Fund The Rickoff Family Donor Advised Fund The Alan & Ellen Rosner Donor Advised Fund The Rostholder Family Donor Advised Fund The Selevan Family Donor Advised Fund The Sherman Family Donor Advised Fund The Silverman Family Donor Advised Fund The Mark & Beth Shorstein Donor Advised Fund The Kimberly & Richard Sisisky Family Foundation The Dr. Roy & Irene Sloat Donor Advised Fund The Kelleher Smith Family Donor Advised Fund The David A. Stein Family Foundation Donor Advised Fund The Seeman Zimmerman Donor Advised Fund The Barry & Eunice Zisser Donor Advised Fund

ENDOWED FUNDS

The Isabel Balotin Endowment Fund The Berman Family JCA Concerf Series Fund The Ronald Cohen Endowment Fund The Coplan & Goldman Families JCA Camp Scholarship Endowment Fund The Matthew Edelman Endowment Fund The Walter Field Endowment Fund The Myron Flagler Israel Learning Seminar Endowment Fund The Sol & Hilda Goldman Early Childhood Scholarship End Fund The Heroes Among Us Endowment Fund The Horovitz Family Endowment Fund The Roslyn and Elliott Horovitz Endowment Fund The Jaffa Family Endowment Fund The Meta Grace Keebler Memorial Endowment Fund The David A. Kossak & R. Courtney Gullet Endowment Fund The Lessons of the Holocaust Endowment Fund The Susan and Mitchell Levine Endowment Fund for Jewish Education The Levine Family Endowment Fund The Michael & Deanna Lissner Endowment Fund The Beverly Marcuse & Loris Katten Levy Memorial Endowment Fund The Joseph Mizrahi Memorial Endowment Fund The Drs. Michael & Sue Weinstein-Nussbaum JCF Endowment Fund The Neil Presser Endowment Fund The Leon and Lois Robins Endowment Fund The Rostholder Family Endowment Fund The Joe P. Safer Endowment Fund The Leonard Setzer Endowment Fund The Setzer Family Endowment Fund The Stephen & Judith Silverman Endowment Fund The Slutsk Jewish Community Reclamation Endowment Fund The Michael L. Solloway, M.D. Endowment Fund The National Council of Jewish Women Endowment Fund.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST

The Abramson Charitable Remainder Trust

2021 Foundation Funds POINT OF INTEREST FUNDS The Michael Donziger Legacy Leader Award Fund The DuBow Preschool Education Fund The Martin J. Gottlieb School Education Fund The Jewish Grantmaking Fund

Legacy PARTNER AGENCY FUNDS

The Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue Endowment Fund The Etz Chaim Endowment Fund The Hirschberg Trust Fund for Temple The Jacksonville Jewish Center Endowment Fund The Jewish Community Alliance Endowment Fund The Jewish Federation of Jacksonville Investment Endowment Fund The JFCS Charities Endowment Fund The River Garden Hebrew Home Endowment Fund The Temple Endowment Fund The Temple Capital Campaign Endowment Fund The Temple Cemetery Endowment Fund The Temple Galinsky Endowment Fund The Temple Korman Youth Endowment Fund The Temple Life Membership Endowment Fun The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Endowment Fund

FOREVER LIONS Sue Eaglstein Debbie Gottlieb Allison Jacobs Irene Jaffa Barbara G. Jaffe Iris Kraemer Ilene Levenson Joan Levin Susan Levine Lion of Judah Debbie Parker Jennifer Plotkin Barbara Resnick Kim Robbins Emily Rostholder Diane Rothstein Debra Setzer Judy Silverman Kimberly Sisisky Kellie Smith Haley Trager Phyllis Vandroff Stacie Wilf Brenda Wolchok Eunice Zisser

g e L

y c a 35

Forever

Compassion. Strength. Leadership. A deep commitment to the Jewish community. You are a woman who embodies all of these values. You are a Lion of Judah. Your work helps support, sustain and build Jewish life — across the street and around the world.

Debbie Gottlieb “This picture says it all. It is very simple; I want our grandchildren to know our Jewish heritage.”

Allison Jacobs “In 2019, my husband Ken, gave me a wonderful gift for our 25th wedding anniversary he endowed my gift making me a Forever Lion. We wanted to help make sure our Jewish Community would be strong and proud in the future for our children and for generations to come!”

Barbara Jaffe “When I was in elementary school, we visited the Bok Tower in Lake Wales where I read the words of Edward Bok. His words were life inspiring and they have always stayed with me.

‘Wherever your lives may be cast, make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it." Hopefully, I have helped the world be a bit better because of my presence in it."

Iris Kraemer “The Forever Lion flame reflects my commitment to shaping the future of Jewish life here and around the world. I am intentionally ensuring that my gift provides ongoing support to all who are in need well into the future. As Golda Meir said, ‘Nothing in life just happens. It is not enough to believe in something…’ It is up to us to act now to secure our Jewish future.”

Dr. Ilene Levenson “I became a Forever Lion to support the work of Federation, locally, nationally, and internationally.”

Joan Levin "One of the most important aspects of Jewish identity is the connection to the people and the State of Israel. With The Joan Levin Gift of Israel, every local Bar and Bar Mitzvah will have assistance from the Federation to spend time on a trip to Israel. I'm happy to help provide the opportunity for young people to experience the land, people, history and rich culture of Israel."

Sue Levine “It was important for me to become a Forever Lion to make sure our incredible Jewish community in Jacksonville, overseas, and in Israel continues to have my everlasting support.

It is my way to continue giving back long after I am gone.”

Debbie Parker “I care deeply for our local agencies and Israel. I am grateful there is a program that will continue to provide resources to support these agencies and Israel well into the future for generations to come. My desire is that my children and my children’s children will also follow with service to the community and tzedakah and keep the flame of giving alive.”

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Brenda Wolchok “I am grateful that I have had the opportunity and privilege, through my gifts to Federation, to help meet the needs of our entire Jewish community locally as well as in Israel and all over the world. More importantly, as a Forever Lion, I am ensuring that not only future needs will be met, but also that my children and grandchildren will know how important such giving is to me.”

Lions

Jennifer Plotkin “I became a Forever Lion because I wanted to contribute to our community in a way that will sustain its viability even after I am gone. I strongly agree with the Nelson Henderson quote, ‘The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not plan to sit.’

Endowing my Lion allows me to do just that.”

Dr. Emily Rostholder “Our Jewish community is a special place. For me, it is not only important to support our entire Jewish community today, but also to ensure that our support continues after I’m gone.”

Diane Rothstein “By endowing my Lion, I ensure that my life’s purpose will be fulfilled beyond my life here on earth. I want my children and my Jewish community to know I cared about them and made the world better for them and for any Jewish person or community in need. My Lion gift ensures I will continue to do so after I'm gone.”

Debra Setzer “I am fortunate that my parents taught me the value of giving. The Forever Lion allows me to secure my gift to both the present and the future. With my commitment, I hope to inspire others and enable our wonderful Jewish way of life to flourish.”

Judy Silverman “I am very fortunate that both of my daughters-in-law are Lions in the cities they reside.

But my death would still create a financial hardship to Jacksonville where I was born and have lived all my life. My endowment will ensure that the organizations I treasure will not be harmed and can continue their invaluable work.”

Kimberly Sisisky “Giving was instilled in me by my parents and grandparents and it makes me feel good to know that I have helped someone. I hope that my endowed Lion gift will continue to keep the flame burning in the hearts of my children and grandchildren so that they will create their own legacy…L’Dor V’ Dor.”

Kellie Smith “Our entire Jewish community depends on the support of the annual funds it receives from Federation. By endowing my Lion I am ensuring Jewish tomorrows and leaving a legacy that will remind my heirs of the importance of preserving Jewish life.”

Haley Trager “Through my involvement in Jacksonville, as well as with National Young Leadership Cabinet, I’ve had the opportunity to see so much of the good work of the Federation.

Because of this, as well as a desire to honor my daughter’s birth and do my part to help secure a Jewish future for generations, becoming a Forever Lion was an easy decision for me. I believe in the power of the collective and know my gift will help ensure the impact we make now will continue for years to come.”

Eunice Zisser “The knowledge that those who preceded me enabled my generation to have sufficient resources to continue to benefit those in need in the Jewish community was my inspiration to carry on this endeavor and become a Forever Lion L’Dor V’Dor.”

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Jewish Foundation Impact Report $33.4 Million in Assets Under Management 104 Managed Funds

$11.3 Million in fund contributions since merger*

339 Next Gen Funds

$4.3 Million in grants distributed since merger*

Total Grants Awarded by Type since Merger*

$1.5 Million in grants distributed during 2020

Assets Under Management

$1,890,173

$964,092 $279,997

Grow with us...

$1,172,473 Partner Agencies 44% Synagogues 27%

Other Charities 22% National & Global Jewish 7%

AUM

Goal

*Represents 36 months: 1/1/2018-12/31/2020

Dollars Granted

Number of Grants 28%

22% 78%

Jewish: $3,342,641 Non-Jewish: $964,092

Distributions by Fund Type 39%

72%

61%

Jewish: 624

DAF Grants: $2,619,288

Non-Jewish: 246

Endowment Funds: $1,687,445

Thank you to our fundholders

Helping to craft your vision for a Jewish tomorrow is a joy and we remain committed to helping you realize a living legacy of caring that will last long beyond your lifetime and continue to inspire from generation to generation.

Thank you to our partners

We continue the great work of nurturing partnerships between our Northeast Florida area synagogues and Jewish agencies. We exist to provide charitable gift planning services to our partners and interested members of our community. Above all, we protect the financial interests of our partners and ensure that the intent of all donors is always honored.

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WORTH THE SCHLEP N O R T H E A S T F LO R I DA’ S E V E N T C A L E N DA R

Healing Service Hosted by Hazzan Holzer (Virtual) February 2, 9, 16, 23 6:00-7:00 pm Jacksonville Jewish Center Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) Introduction to Judaism (Virtual) February 1, 8, 15, 22 6:30-8:00 pm Mondays for 12 weeks.

Register: https://forms.gle/ B94SqvWZ8ZGZTBxv5.

Once enrolled, we will send additional information and materials, including the Zoom link.

How Chess Can Help Your Life Strategically (Virtual) Tuesday Feb 2 7:00 pm Community shaliach Stav Brener has loved playing chess since he was 5.

Find out how it can help kids develop and make calculated life choices, and how to approach difficult situations in life. RSVP to jaxshlichut@ jewishjacksonville.com to register Free to the community Jacksonville Jewish Center Coping with Loss (Virtual) February 3 3:00-4:00 pm Coping with Loss with Beth Shorstein Join with google meet google.com/ago-crdn-ysn Join by phone (US) +1 901-373-9480 PIN: 603 890 611

Men's Mishmar Program Young Professional's Group w/ Joey Hamaoui February 4, 11, 18, 25 7:45 pm - 8:45 pm Jacksonville Community Kollel 3651 Crown Point Rd. Jacksonville, JoeyHamaoui@ JacksonvilleKollel.com http://JacksonvilleKollel. comArt Fund and Florida Blue. RSVP to info@jfcsjax.org.

Shoobee Doobee Shabbat (Virtual) February 5, 12, 19, 26 10:00 – 11:00 am Jacksonville Jewish Center with Hazzan Holzer Kabbalat Shabbat Under Ground (Virtual) February 5, 12, 19, 26 6:00-7:00 pm Jacksonville Jewish Center Attend any morning or evening service to observe a loved ones Yarzheit and participate in a virtual minyan to say Kaddish.

The Temple Zoom Erev Shabbat (Virtual) February 5, 12, 19, 26 7:00-8:00 pm Congregation Ahavath Chesed Call (904) 733-7078 for Zoom link.

Congregation Ahavath Chesed (Virtual) (The Temple)-Shabbat Worship February 6, 13, 20, 27 10:30 am - 12:00 pm To join Zoom, please call (904) 733-7078 or email mehathawaythetemplejax. org for link.

Understand the Spanish Inquisition (Virtual) February 10 7:00 pm St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society Flagler College Professor John Young will address the Jewish History of both central Europe and Iberia and link well-poisoning to the blood libel. Learn what drove Jews in hiding from the Inquisition to far off 16th century St. Augustine.

RSVP to sajhs1565@gmail. com for Zoom link.

What You Do Matters: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum 2021 Southeast Virtual Event February 11 7:00 pm Join the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and supporters across the Southeast for a meaningful virtual event.

This experience is accessed with a donation of $118 per household and registration is required. Register online: ushmm.org/events/2021SE-Event.

A Conversation about Breast Cancer, Genetics & Research (Virtual) February 16 5:00-6:00 pm Hadassah Jacksonville invites you to join a panel of experts from the Mayo Clinic RSVP to jacksonvillehadassah@ gmail.com

Congregation Ahavath Chesed - This is My Family February 17 7:00-8:30 pm Issues that affect Temple families and how Jewish texts and traditions can be a guide. "How to Make a Jewish Sacred Decision as Life Ebbs" RSVP@ thetemplejacksonville.org or (904) 733.7078 A NIGHT IN WITH FEDERATION (Virtual) February 18 7:00 pm Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida A community-wide event to raise funds to support the 2021 Annual Campaign.

Register at events.idonate. com/anightin2021 Autism and the IDF (Virtual) February 21 2:00 pm Our community shaliach, Stav Brener worked in the IDF with people with autism. Come find out about Roim Rachok, a program designed to train young adults with high-functioning autism in professions by the IDF. RSVP to Stav at jaxshlichut@ jewishjacksonville.com Get Away with The JCA (Virtual) February 27 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm Jewish Community Alliance Interactive JCA fundraiser.

For more info, contact Lior Spring, Lior.Spring@jcajax. org.

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SEE AND BE SCENE THROUGH THE LENS IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA

Thanks to technology & friends, Evelyn Peck and the River Garden Auxiliary were still able to offer holiday shopping for River Garden residents, staff and members of The Coves.

Evelyn Pecks connects with resident shopper, Judy Reiz via ZOOM.

Nurse Pam LaMontagne enjoys a virtual visit with Evelyn.

Etz Chaim, JCA, Jewish Federation, & PJ Library invite you to the

Monday, February 15 We are excited to offer 2 options: Socially distanced, in-person event 10:30 AM at the JCA (space is limited) Virtual event 10:30 AM via Zoom Both options will be fun and interactive for your family!

Please visit events.idonate.com/hamentashenbake2021 to reserve your physical or virtual seat.

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THROUGH THE LENS IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA

The COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at River Garden was a huge success for residents & staff.

CEO Marty Goetz records his immunization.

Doug Robey, a member of the River Garden staff, encourages others to become vaccinated.

Coves' member Estelle Cohen is grateful to have had the vaccine.

Iris Solomon, resident, is proud of her 'badge of courage'. She says the vaccine will help get us back to normal

The team of pharmacists from Walgreen's come prepared to inoculate hundreds

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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE

Champagne Brunch Highlighted Roman Jewish Cooking while Raising Funds for Annual Campaign

By Marcy Sandler, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

The first ever virtual Champagne Brunch was held last month. Over 100 women Zoomed in to hear cookbook author and food writer, Leah Koenig. She shared details on the Roman Jewish community and demonstrated how to make Pizza Ebriaca, which is not actually pizza, but a pastry shared by Jews in Rome for years. Co-chairs, Shylie Bannon and Erica Jolles, along with their fantastic committee, put together a fun, educational, and engaging event.

Each year, this event raises significant dollars for the Annual Campaign and this year was no exception; the women who attended represented over $600,000 in donations to the campaign.

Shylie and Erica should be commended for thinking creatively and coming up with a fabulous virtual Champagne Brunch! In the

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months leading up to the big day, they rolled up their sleeves and tried some of Leah Koenig's recipes, which were shared on social media and the Federation's website. These women had natural chemistry and introduced some delicious dishes in the casual comfort of their own kitchens.

Although they could take their show on the road, I hope they don't because they are wonderful assets to our Women's Philanthropy Committee and to our Jewish community!

The favor bags gave the participants a special preview of the event and were thoughtfully arranged, complete with individual bottles of Prosecco, recipe cards featuring some of Leah Koenig's brunch dishes, and small jars of spices for Chicken Schwarma and Coffee Hawaij. My brunch box featured smoked salmon, vegetarian mock "chopped liver,� and other Ashkenazi delicacies. I am now motivated to try some new recipes

from Leah Koenig's cookbook, Modern Jewish Cooking! Hmmm...

Butternut Squash Kugel with Crispy Shallots? Chicken Schnitzel with Caper Vinaigrette? Steak and Za'atar Fajitas?

Although I sincerely hope that we will soon be able to safely attend events in-person, rather than via Zoom, I'm proud of our innovative co-chairs, the hard-working planning committee, and our awesome Federation and Foundation staff for making it possible for us to connect and learn in some creative ways this year. Stay safe and be well, and I hope we can all be together soon!

Marcy Sandler is a Women’s Philanthropy Steering Committee Member and Federation & Foundation Board Member. A limited number of signed copies of Leah Koenig's books are still available at the Jacksonville Federation & Foundation office, call Jennifer at 904.224.1401 to purchase.

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THROUGH THE LENS IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA

The Jacksonville Jewish Center and Congregation Ahavath Chesed - The Temple communities came together on December 25th for Mitzvah Day to clean up parks. A small group was also able to help with food preparation at Five Star Veteran’s Center Jonathan Richmond, Ed Mallow, Wiatt Bowers of the Brotherhood, and Gene Meyers, executive director of The Temple held a food drive to benefit the Max Block Food Pantry at JFCS. With the congregation and their friends modeling the Temple motto, “We do things better when we do them together!,” the Brotherhood gathered 100 bags of non-perishable groceries and over $1900 in generous cash contributions.

Etz Chaim Socially Distanced Chanukkah Party

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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE

Residents of the Coves at River Garden and teens from the Jacksonville Jewish Center's USY Youth Group and JTLI program celebrated Hanukkah 2020 style with a Zoom Ugly Hanukkah Sweater Party.

All participants decorated delicious sweater shaped cookies, made with love and care by Margo's Catering. We hope to be together next year to celebrate our 5th year of this event.

Participants from the Center, Zoom 2020 style

Thank you to the Federation and The Jacksonville Jewish Center for delivering Hanukkah gifts for us to share with residents at River Garden.

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Sandi Driben shows her cookie creations.

Sydney and Jagge each L sharing Hanukkah traditions

Coves resident creating sweater cookies

Thank you to the Federation and The Jacksonville Jewish Center for delivering Hanukkah gifts for us to share with residents at River Garden.

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THROUGH THE LENS IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA

In partnership with Holiday Committee Chair Gayle Bailys, and volunteers Sheri Weiss, Dara Baer, Vickie Kennedy, Susan Zyserman, Drew Peters, Jennifer Neuman and the Neu Spaces team, Karen Robertson, Nancy Lantinberg, Shari Shuman, Ellen Rosner and countless others, JFCS was able to provide over 2,000 children, seniors and Holocaust survivors with gifts for the Holidays.

The Jacksonville Jewish Center’s Bernard & Alice Selevan Religious School families celebrated Hanukkah with a virtual program! We provided an optional take-out dinner from Margo’s Catering with mac & cheese, potato latkes, salad and donuts for dessert. After lighting the Hanukkah candles, everyone broke into teams to participate in an Escape Room Game from Bagels & Locks Studio

The St. Johns Jewish Women's Circle celebrated Chanukah with art at a virtual paint night.

Bob Ham Eyewear

904-268-5949

9965-24 San Jose Blvd.

by Carrabba’s

• • Jordan Sandler chosen to be on the 2021 PJ Our Way Design Team.

Jordan will be creating video trailers, polls, reviews, and blog posts for the books on the PJ Our Way website.

Contacts • Exams Prescription eyeware • Sunglasses We provide service after the sale!

Our reputation has been built on serving you since 1969.

Visit us today in our new location!

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Super Week 2021 February 21-28 You can call from a car, you can call from a chair, you can make calls from ANYWHERE!

It is quite CLEAR, please VOLUNTEER!

RAFFLE PRIZES will be awarded to our top 3 closers!

To make calls during Super Week, contact Faye Hedrick at fayeh@jewishjacksonville.org or 904.448.5000 extension 1214.

The Federation will provide virtual training in advance to complete at your own convenience, a call script, and everything else needed to set you up for success!

Sponsors: Gary and Nancy Perlman Orchestrated by the Young Professionals & Families Steering Committee 46

COMMUNITY RESOURCES HELP ACROSS NORTHEAST FLORIDA Admissions 904-886-8420 Adult Day 904-288-7858 Home Health Care 904-288-7851 Outpatient Rehab 904-886-8454 The Coves 904-292-2683 Volunteers 904-886-8429 Foundation 904-886-8430 MAIN 904-260-1818

River Garden is the go-to resource for high-quality adult care in Jacksonville.

Honoring our Jewish traditions, the dedicated staff, leadership and volunteers are all committed to a best-in-class experience.

Whether it is for you, your spouse, parents or friend, be sure to request River Garden.

Love to shop?

We need grocery shoppers. Sign up today to volunteer grocery shop for our community's Coves residents at River Garden.

Easy sign up: signupgenius.com/ go/8050A4FA9AA2BABF49-coves Where: Publix, 11250 Old St Augustine Rd. When: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 am If you have any questions, please email Faye Hedrick at fayeh@jewishjacksonville.org.

T ORAH A CADEMY OF JACKSONVILLE

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 six months and eight years, they are eligible. Please sign up now by going to pjlibrary.org/communities/ jacksonville or calling Melissa Willams at 904-394-5724.

JFCS, in partnership with Margos Catering, is pleased to bring you our meal program Meals4You. Meals are delicious, nutritious, convenient and delivered right to your door. Jewish dietary laws are observed. Call Nicole Andrews at 904-394-5810 for more information.

Every Tuesday from 3:15 to 4:15, Torah Academy hosts a free kosher food program sponsored by the USDA for any children under 18. The program helps farmers keep their businesses going, and provides food for all children during these trying times. Register while waiting in the pick up line.

Become a Jewish Healing Network volunteer at JFCS and help us fulfill the mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim. We need volunteers to make weekly visits or phone calls to a senior or deliver food to those who cannot get out. For more information, call Hilary Rotenberg at 904-394-5722 Are you a friend of Bill? If so, email Jodi Seitlin at jodiseitlin@gmail.com.

Through a partnership with GO GO Grandparent and a grant from the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, JFCS is now offering immediate rides through our Call2Go program. Riders will no longer have to call to book transportation. They will now be able to use an "on demand" service available at their fingertips! GO GO Grandparent will have booking agents available 24/7. When a client calls, the agent will book, monitor and stay available to the client until the ride is complete. Riders MUST preregister with Nicole Brown at (904) 394-5724 and have a cell phone (texting is not necessary) to use this service.

Call2Go is available to those in need of transportation to attend synagogue, medical appointments and other important outings. A sliding fee scale is available. Don't be deceived by the name...you don't have to be a grandparent to use the program. Call Nicole today!

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"If we don't take care of our future, who will?"

When you create a Jewish legacy, you take an important step toward strengthening Jewish life for generations to come. Planning your gift now will help ensure your grandchildren can enjoy the same rich traditions and closeness of community that have given your life so much meaning and purpose.

To learn more about making a legacy gift, contact Kellie Smith at 904.512.3796 or KellieK@jewishjacksonville.org.

Create a Jewish Legacy. jewishjacksonville.org/foundation