NORTHEAST FLORIDA
Jewish Life A PU B LICATION O F JE WI S H FE DE RAT ION A N D FOU N DAT ION OF N ORT H E AST F LO R I DA
JULY 2020 - NISSAN 5780 VOL. 32 NO. 21 | jewishjacksonville.org photo credit: Torah Academy
8505 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32217
POSTMASTER PLEASE DELIVER BY JULY 6 Organization U.S. Postage PAID Jacksonville, FL Permit No. 146
Thank you for being there at this critical time. The Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida is grateful for the support of our donors to the Jewish Community Pandemic Emergency Relief Fund. Your donation has helped those in need of food, shelter, medicine, and utility assistance; provided Jewish funerals; funded scholarships for Jewish education; and made available sanitation and personal protective equipment to facilitate the reopening of Jewish institutions.
BY THE NUMBERS $110,145 RAISED AND GRANTED 107 9
TOTAL DONORS
ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVED GRANTS
OVER
4,000
LIVES TOUCHED
Funds Were Used For: Food, Housing, Medicine for Jewish Families $24,153
Financial Aid for Religious or Day School $24,400
Sanitization & Screening $26,736 . . Discretionary Reopening Expense $924
Technology $15,650 Personal Protective Equipmment $11,882
Jewish Religious Needs & Services $6,400 2
Thank you
for helping your Jewish communtiy Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abel Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Appelbaum Mrs. Isabel Balotin Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Bannon Mrs. Valerie Battini Dr. and Mrs. Guy Benrubi Mr. Robert Silverman and Ms. Barbara Berlin Dr. and Mrs. Adrian Blotner Mr. Wiatt Bowers Dr. and Mrs. Dennis Buchman Mr. and Mrs. Patrick M. Burke Mrs. Susan Cohen Mrs. Ellen Cottrill Mr. and Mrs. Josh Davis Mr. and Mrs. Moti Demri DuBow Family Foundation Mrs. Sue Eaglstein Mrs. Judy Farmer Mr. and Mrs. Edward Feldman Dr. Dina and Dr. Howard Fetner Mr. Rotem Gabay Mr. Darin Gardner and Mrs. Lisa Coplan-Gardner Mr. John Gilmore and Ms. Amy Grass-Gilmore Mr. Peter Levy and Ms. Kim Glasgal Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Goldman Dr. and Mrs. Roy Goldman Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Gottlieb Mr. and Mrs. Mark Green Mr. and Mrs. Edward Grenadier Ms. Rosalind Hecht Mr. and Mrs. Dan Hedrick Mr. and Mrs. Ira Herb Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Herman Mr. and Mrs. Christopher T. Hernandez Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Holzer Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Horn Mr. Jesse Isserow
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth B. Jacobs Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jaffa Mr. and Mrs. James Jaffa Ms. Anita Jarrett Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Karpman Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Kaufman Dr. and Mrs. Marc Kaye Dr. Garry Kitay and Ms. Debbie Banks Mrs. Pamela V. Korn Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kraemer Dr. John Moreland and Dr. Eileen Krimsky Dr. and Mrs. H. Ronald Levin Mr. and Mrs. Bert Livingston Ms. Rhoda London Ms. Joanne Lowell Mrs. Betty Lustig Ms. Maria Mamalui Mr. and Mrs. Alan Margolies Mr. and Mrs. Adam Marko Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey B. Marks Mr. Ben Marsh Mr. and Mrs. Paul Metlin Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Mizrahi Mr. Andrew Yellen and Ms. Ruthellen Mulberg Mrs. Sandie Olesker Mr. and Mrs. Lee Ostroff Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Pactor Mrs. Evelyn Peck Mr. Michael Platzer and Mrs. Roslina Ayala Platzer Ms. Laura Platzer Mr. and Mrs. Richard Plotkin Mr. and Mrs. Jay Plotkin Mr. Michael Price Ms. Emma Pulley Rein Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Matt Rickoff
Dr. and Mrs. Harris Rittenberg Mr. and Mrs. David Robbins Dr. and Mrs. Chaim Rogozinski Mr. Jeff Rood Ms. Stephanee Rose Dr. and Mrs. Elliott Rosenbaum Rabbi Shira Rosenblum Dr. Emily and Mr. Erik Rostholder Mr. and Mrs. Philip Rothberg Ms. Sophie Rothstein Mr. and Mrs. George Rubens Rabbi and Mrs. Martin Sandberg Dr. Rachel and Mr. Daniel Sandler Ms. Mitzi Saul Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Sekine Selevan Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Steven L Shapiro Mrs. Joy Shultz Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Silverman Mr. and Mrs. Richard L Sisisky Mr. Jason Smith and Mrs. Kellie Kelleher-Smith Dr. Michael L. Solloway Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Solomon Mr. and Mrs. David Solomon Mr. Daniel Miller and Ms. Lior Spring Dr. and Mrs. Mandell Stearman Mr. and Mrs. David Stein Mr. and Mrs. Martin Steinberg The Trager Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Blair Walker Ms. Randy Kammer and Mr. Jeffry Wollitz Mr. and Mrs. Evan Yegelwel Mr. and Mrs. Todd Zetlan Mr. Sandy Zimmerman
As a partner with the First Coast Relief Fund, we acknowledge support from members of the Jewish community: The DuBow Family Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Edelman , Dr. and Mrs. Larry Kanter, Dr. Ilene and Dr. Jeff Levenson, Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Sisisky, and the Zimmerman Family Foundation
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LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Once again, I hope that everyone reading our July magazine and their families are OK. It is exciting to be back in print and not communicating solely via the internet, Facebook or our website. Thank you for being patient with us during the past few months! In September, just before the Jewish New Year, new Board President, Iris Kraemer, hosted a Board Retreat. I am certain that Iris could never imagine how this initial year would evolve. Iris has been an incredible volunteer partner, providing leadership in what has become a most challenging time to lead a Federation. Iris and I have convened nearly each morning over the last three months on Zoom calls with leadership from the JCA, JFCS, River Garden, Congregation Ahavath Chesed, Jacksonville Jewish Center, Etz Chaim, Beth El, and First Congregation Sons of Israel. As positive as our relationships were prior to the months of the pandemic, they are even stronger now. Additionally, I am so proud of my colleagues, the professionals who guide our local agencies and synagogues! I am so moved by the work that has been accomplished by our clergy and by the staff at all of our Jewish organizations! The manner in which our Jewish community has continued to flourish during these months, while the buildings have been closed, is exceptional. The future is most likely to look different than we had envisioned even as recent as this past December. We may not have all of the answers to what our Jewish community will experience during the coming year, but I am confident that we will ask the right questions, and together, we will continue to grow and build this strong community.
Jewish Federation & Foundation Staff
Alan Margolies Federation Executive Director alanm@jewishjacksonville.org
Lauren Rickoff Director, Campaign & Women’s Philanthropy laurenr@jewishjacksonville.org Kellie Smith Director, Foundation kelliek@jewishjacksonville.org
Emma Pulley Associate Director, Administration & Planned Giving emmap@jewishjacksonville.org Faye Hedrick Director, Young Professionals & Families fayeh@jewishjacksonville.org
Pat Burke Director, Finance & Administration patrickb@jewishjacksonville.org Val Battini Finance Specialist valb@jewishjacksonville.org
Isabel Balotin Director, Shalom Y’all shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org Jill Abel Director, Israel Partnership jilla@jewishjacksonville.org
Rotem Gabay Israeli Shaliach jaxshlichut@jewishjacksonville.org Jennifer Rensch Campaign Coordinator jenniferr@jewishjacksonville.org Alan Margolies Federation Executive Director
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Your Strategists, LLC Communications & Editorial Team jjn@jewishjacksonville.org Ellen Cohen Wilcox Sales Representative es_cohen@yahoo.com
contents COMMUNITY WELCOME RABBI ADDRESS BE QUESTIONS WITH KELLIE SMITH MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER
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L’DOR V’DOR HEROES TAKE FLIGHT NEW HEAD AT TORAH ACADEMY DUBOW’S PK4 STUDENTS ZOOM UP!
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IT’S YOUR BUSINESS SUSAN THE SCRIBE, INC.
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OUR PAST, OUR COMMUNITY KOL YISRAEL AREIVIM ZEH BAZEH PRESERVING 100+ YEARS OF HISTORY
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YEAR IN REVIEW
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WORTH THE SCHLEP
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SCENE AND BE SEEN
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NOSH ON THIS MAKE RABBI SHIRA ROSENBLUM’S CHOCOLATE CAKE
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES
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THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS. YOU CAN FIND NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE AT THESE LOCATIONS.
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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
THE TEMPLE WELCOMES RABBI ADDRESS By Beth Turner, Congregation Ahavath Chesed-The Temple
Congregation Ahavath Chesed announced the appointment of Rabbi Richard Address as its visiting Rabbi, July 2020 through June 2021. Rabbi Address will engage Temple congregants in worship, education, and guidance through Zoom as well as monthly visits to Jacksonville. He will lead the Temple in worship for High
Holiday, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah services, and will be available for premarital counseling, pastoral care, and conversion conversations both in person and virtually. A major part of Rabbi Address’ work is devoted to issues related to spirituality and aging. He is Founder and Director of jewishsacredaging.com, a program responsible for creating awareness and resources for congregations on the implications of the aging baby boom generation.
Rabbi Address hosted radio talk shows and podcasts devoted to the issue of spirituality and aging. Rabbi Address served for more than 30 years on staff of the Union for Reform Judaism as a Regional Director and as Founder and Director of its Department of Jewish Family Concerns.
JFCS BOARD FOCUS: NED PRICE
By Donna O’Steen, Jewish Family and Community Services
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Ned Price was born and raised in Jacksonville,
Florida. He and his entire family have been involved in the Northeast Florida community for many years. They contribute both their time and their financial resources to help the community. He has been a practicing litigator and mediator for the past 41 years. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a BA and a MA in philosophy and then obtained a law degree from Stetson University. Price is currently a full-time civil circuit and family law mediator with a focus on
bringing perspective and peace to families in distress. He has also “plied his trade” as Assistant State Attorney for Ed Austin, staff counsel to United States Senator Paula Hawkins, and litigator concentrating in family law issues. He has also taught classes at Nova Southeastern University and Florida State College at Jacksonville and been a guest lecturer for Florida Coastal School of Law. Price’s community involvement includes being President of both the Sertoma Club and the Florida Family Law American Inn of Court. He
has also served on the Board of Directors for River Garden Hebrew Home for the Aged and is currently on the Board of Directors for Jewish Family & Community Services. Price has also had the honor of being cast in three different theatrical productions at Theater Jax. He and his wife Sue have four children and three beautiful grandchildren. Price enjoys reading, meditating, spending as much time as possible with his wife, and savoring his time with his children and grandchildren. Thank you, Ned, for making the community and JFCS a better place!
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JCA WELCOMES NEW BOARD CHAIR
By Lior Spring, Jewish Community Alliance
The JCA welcomed Rochelle Stoddard as the new chair of its Board of Trustees. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Stoddard is the third generation President and owner of Berman Bros., Inc., her family’s metal recycling, distribution and fabrication business. She is also a third generation JCA Board member and secondgeneration treasurer. Stoddard joined the board in 2013, became treasurer in 2016 and vice chair in 2018. During her time on the JCA Board, Rochelle
served as chair of the 2019 fundraiser and liaison to the planning committee on behalf of honorary chairs, the Berman and Stoddard families. She also served as an active member of the JCA CEO search committee and is a long-time member of the budget and finance committee. In 2018, Stoddard was awarded the prestigious Esther Leah Ritz Emerging Young Leaders Award from JCC Association, and in 2019 she was awarded the JCA’s Howard Korman President’s Award. The Berman Family Foundation
LEADER SPOTLIGHT
By Sherill Herzfeld, Beth El—The Beaches Synagogue
Charlie Frohman serves as President at Beth El—The Beaches Synagogue. He previously served on the Education Committee, was Brotherhood President and was Vice President of the Board of Trustees before becoming President in 2019. Frohman and his family moved to Jacksonville in 2001 from the NY area and have been members of Beth El since 2012. He is Executive Vice President at Advantus Corp., which is a consumer products company with brands dating back to 1878. Married to Sharon, his wife of 29 years, the Frohmans have three children: Bari (24), Remy
(21), and Max (16). Bari will begin work on her master’s degree at Jacksonville University. Remy is a rising Senior at Boston University, where Charlie and Sharon are on the Parent Council of the university’s Hillel. And Max is a rising Junior at The Bolles School. Frohman is originally from Roslyn, NY and is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
also generously sponsors the annual JCA Young Concert Artists Series, which brings young musical talent to Jacksonville with three free concert events, annually. This tradition began with Stoddard’s grandparents, Edith and Milton Berman. Stoddard and her husband David love
food, music, travel, animals and working out at the JCA.
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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE
BEQUESTIONS WITH KELLIE SMITH TAX LAW CHANGES AND YOUR IRA
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Do you utilize your IRA for charitable giving or are you interested in doing so for the first time? If you answered “YES!” or if you think you may start doing this, continue reading. These changes may impact your decision whether to make distributions from your IRA this year. The CARES Act, which became law in March, waived RMDs in calendar year 2020. Ordinarily, you have until April 1 of the year following the year in which you reach the beginning age to take your first RMD. You would have an RMD for the year in which you reach the beginning age and another RMD for the following year. If, for example, you reached 70 ½ in 2019, you could have taken your 2019 RMD in 2019, or you could have waited until April 1, 2020. Either way, you would have been required to take your 2020 RMD by December 31, 2020. The CARES Act
waives both RMDs. While the SECURE Act changed the minimum age for RMDs, it did not change the minimum age for Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs). If you are age 70½ or older, you are still eligible to make QCDs. With a QCD, you may give as much as $100,000 per year from your IRA directly to the Federation or other charity. You will not be entitled to a federal charitable income tax deduction, but whereas withdrawals from a traditional IRA are taxable as ordinary income, QCDs are not taxable. QCDs may not be made for deposit into a donor advised fund, and they may not be made to supporting foundations or private non-operating foundations or to establish gifts from which you or another person will receive periodic payments, such as a gift annuity. QCDs can be applied against your annual RMD, when you have one. You may feel no urgency to withdraw funds from your IRA this year, when there is no RMD. Giving a QCD, however, may be a savvy move if you have large IRA balances. The next page gives you a brief overview of some strategies to consider for QCD’s for 2020.
RIVER GARDEN ANNOUNCES BOARD By Kari Bell, River Garden Senior Services
In late April, 2020, River Garden welcomed a few new faces to their Board of Directors and expressed thanks to those who continued their dedication and service. Here is the 2020-2021 slate of Officers and Trustees elected and/or installed at the Annual Meeting of River Garden:
River Garden Senior Services
Gloria Einstein, President Janis Fleet, Vice President Hon. Harvey Schlesinger, Vice President Marsha Pollock, Secretary Ed Grenadier, Treasurer
River Garden Hebrew Home
River Garden Foundation
Sandy Zimmerman, President Susan DuBow, Vice President Jeff Edwards, Vice President Adam Frisch, Vice President Debbie Parker, Vice President Andrea Mail, Secretary Michael Price, Treasurer
The Coves at River Garden
Dr. Dennis Lafer, President Michael Price, 1st Vice President Malcolm Bloom, 2nd Vice President Shirley Bielski, Secretary Susan Cohen, Treasurer
Dr. Larry Goldberg, President Randy Kammer, Vice President, Chair of Admissions Debby Kaye, Vice President, Co-Chair of Admissions Bruce Horovitz, Vice President, Co-Chair of Admissions Morrie Osterer, Vice President, Chair of House Rachelle Gottlieb, Secretary Cindy Demri, River Garden Hebrew Home Board of Directors Treasurer President Dr. ‘Larry’ Goldberg
QCD Strategies for 2020 (Qualified Charitable Distribution) 1. Lower future RMDs (Required Minimum Dirstrubutions). Recent volatility in the financial markets may have taken a toll on your IRA account balances, but if IRAs recover, as we hope they will do, higher balances will mean higher RMDs, and they, in turn, will mean higher taxes. QCDs that you make now will help you lower RMDs in the future. 2. For non-itemizers. The standardized deduction increased considerably in 2017. If you do not itemize, QCDs may be particularly valuable to you. QCDs are excluded from income, so they will not impact Medicare Part B or D premiums that are based on your adjusted gross income (AGI) or other itemized deductions with AGI-based limits. Note: State income tax considerations could impact your QCD decision, particularly if you pay tax in a state in which QCDs are included in taxable income. If you make a QCD, you can still elect to take advantage of a new $300 cash-only above-the-line charitable deduction created by the CARES Act for non-itemizers. Note: This deduction may not be claimed for gifts to donor advised funds or supporting foundations, and joint filers together may claim no more than $300. 3. Bunching QCDs in 2021. If you ordinarily make QCDs of less than $100,000 per year, you may choose to delay QCDs that you normally would have made in 2020 until January 2021, after the RMD waiver expires. Then you can make your normal 2021 QCDs later in the year. If you plan to “bunch” your QCDs and defer payment of your 2020 Campaign gift or other commitments to 2021, please let us know to help us in our cash flow planning. 4. Withdrawal and gift. You could make charitable gifts with amounts you withdraw from your IRA, using tax deductions to offset the taxable income that withdrawals will generate. These cash contributions could be used to fund donor-advised funds or supporting organizations up to the standard limit of 60 percent of AGI. In 2020, other cash contributions can take your charitable deductions to 100 percent of AGI. Contributions above the applicable AGI limit may be carried forward for five years. Note: This strategy may impact AGI-based Medicare premiums and other deduction limits and may not be favorable where state income taxes apply. Be sure to discuss this strategy in advance with your professional tax advisor. 5. Gift appreciated assets to heirs and leave IRA assets to charity. The SECURE Act eliminated the “Stretch” IRA for non-spouse inheritors (with limited exceptions) . Until passage of the SECURE Act, non-spouse inheritors of IRAs could take distributions over the course of their anticipated life expectancy. Now, most non-spouse inheritors are required to take full distribution within 10 years, which could expose them to a much higher tax bill. If you expect to have a taxable estate, QCDs that you make now can reduce future estate taxes and preserve non-IRA assets that will not be burdened with income taxes for your heirs. RMD Corrective Measure If you made a withdrawal this year before Congress waived the RMD requirement, your withdrawal may be eligible for a tax-free rollover to a plan that accepts rollover contributions, such as a new IRA. Under guidance issued by the IRs, withdrawals taken from February 1 to May 15 must be rolled over by July 15, 2020. Withdrawals that occurred prior to February 1 may not be rolled over under this guidance, because the 60-day tax-free rollover deadline expired prior to April 1. Note: Your professional tax advisor or IRA trustee can sort through the technical rules that apply to rollovers with you. For more information, contact Kellie Smith, Foundation Director, at 904-512-3796 or kelliek@jewishjacksonville.org This is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax or financial advice.
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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE
JFCS WELCOMES NEW BOARD PRESIDENT
By Donna O’Steen, Jewish Family and Community Services
David S. Loeb, M.D. was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. He graduated from Newman School and Brown University magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with an A.B. in Political Science. After receiving his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, and he completed
his Internal Medicine residency at Ochsner Foundation in New Orleans. David then completed a Gastroenterology fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and has been a Consultant in Gastroenterology at Mayo Clinic, with experience in Rochester, MN, Scottsdale, AZ, and Jacksonville, FL. David served as Chief of Gastroenterology at Mayo St. Luke’s Hospital and as Director of Endoscopy at Mayo Clinic Florida for many years and then served in several leadership capacities at Mayo Foundation, including Medical Director of Supply Chain Management, Chair of Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Risk Management, and Chair of the Foundation Clinical Equipment Committee. Dr. Loeb has published over 50 abstracts and articles in medical journals.
CALLING ALL BIRDERS
By Isabel Balotin, Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida
While quarantined, I became more aware of nature’s wonders, especially the variety and beauty of our local fine feathered friends. Wherever you in this hobby, whether you just have a bird feeder and enjoy watching the
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birds or if you want to learn more and share your knowledge, this is the group for you. We can Zoom meet periodically and/or create a Facebook page for support and information. Interested? Contact Isabel Balotin, shalomjax@ jewishjacksonville.org (preferred) or 904-224-1408.
Following in a family tradition, David has a long history of community involvement. He created the Animal Care and Conservation Committee at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and over a 20-year period additionally served as Chair of Finance, and President of the Board. David was a Trustee and Vice-Chair at The Bolles School, and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Brown University Sports Foundation. He is a founding member of the Beaches Community Fund of the Jacksonville Community Foundation and serves on both its Coordinating and Grants committees. Dr. Loeb has served on the Board of Directors of Jewish Family & Community Services since 2016. He brings much experience with him as he leads the organization through our next chapter. David is married to Katharine Lovett Loeb and is the proud father of Philip and Robert Loeb.
2020-21 JFCS Board of Directors Dr. David Loeb, President Mary Edwards, First Vice President Stephen Goldman, Immediate Past President Sheryl Johnson, Vice President, Governance Chair Dan Sandler, Vice President, Marketing Chair James Lawson, Treasurer Christen Luikart, Secretary Justin D’Arienzo* Rachael Tutwiler Fortune Charles Joseph Matthew Lufrano Steven Neihaus* Ned Price Matt Rickoff Erik Rostholder Mike Russell Josh Sachs Debra Setzer Steven Sherman Kimberly Sisisky Chase Zimmerman* *New Board Members
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FAITH AND INSPIRATION: MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER
By Iris Kraemer, Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida Throughout the trials and tribulations in our history, the Jewish people have never lost hope. Our Homeland, Israel, has as its anthem, “Hatikvah”, The Hope. It is hope paired with action that causes us to
prevail. We have paused and pivoted. We have introspected and felt gratitude, ever mindful of the multitude of lives lost and economic devastation for so many. We have raised funds to alleviate the most immediate local needs. During the last few months, we have been physically distant but have maintained our existence as a community. No longer bound by our respective buildings and offices, we became Am Yisrael - not in theory, but in practice. Technology has enabled us to see each other’s faces and hear
each other’s voices. The content of our communication comes from the values we share and our eternal task of caring for each other. We have convened, connected, and communicated as never before. Our partner agencies River Garden, JFCS, JCA, synagogues, and day schools have shared information and volunteers. From St. Augustine to Ponte Vedra to Mandarin, needs were met and plans were made. Our circumstances guarantee that there will be continued need in Northeast Florida and throughout the Jewish world, and we will
work together to address them. As we cautiously re-enter our communal spaces, we will adapt to practices that are in the best interest of us all, as we begin to rejoice in experiencing the things that we have missed together. The Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida is here now as it has been to continue to fulfill our purpose. Together with all of our partner agencies, we move forward with both hope and action to continue to build, connect, and support our Jewish community locally, in Israel and the world.
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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
THREE RIVER GARDEN HEROES WIN FLIGHTS By Kari Bell, River Garden Senior Services
On May 6, JetBlue announced a Healthcare Heroes sweepstakes promotion, to give a pair of free tickets to 100,000 healthcare workers as thanks for their work during the coronavirus pandemic. River Garden Dining Services Manager Dan Uhl jumped at the chance to nominate River Garden staff for the prize. As of June 1, three winners from River Garden have been named: Tsehay, Yvonne & Liz. Uhl submitted the following to JetBlue for this sweepstakes: “Tsehay works tirelessly caring for our residents even though her own husband is
compromised with respiratory health problems.” “Yvonne has worked for us for 20+ years. She herself is in her 60s and risks her own health to provide for others.” “Liz, a mother of four, is an immigrant who works hard every day to provide nourishing meals for our 165 residents that live full time at our facility. She never misses a day of work & always shows up with a smile ready to help our team & residents.” In a statement, JetBlue President/COO Joanna Geraghty said, “We applaud the healthcare workers who
Elizabete “Liz” Lacuku and Dan Uhl celebrate the win.
are helping us get through this challenging time and inspiring humanity along the way. This is an opportunity for us to fly it forward and show our appreciation for
the heroic efforts of medical professionals, first responders and public servants–not just in New York but around the country as well.”
SCHOOL IS IN FOR TEACHERS AT BLOCK GAN YELADIM By Brittney Hicks, Jewish Community Alliance
While Michele Block Gan Yeladim was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we teachers took the time to engage in professional development opportunities offered by the JCC Association, which had a powerful impact on me. These opportunities increased my understanding and appreciation for the
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Sheva Jewish Lenses, which guides our school’s learning. This in turn gave me a newfound admiration for the incredible staff at my school and a greater sense of confidence as a teacher. The professional development opportunities from the JCC Association covered a variety of topics from Jewish values, holidays, and rituals. Teachers participated virtually in Passover and Yom
Ha’atzmaut celebrations. We were also able to learn from and network with other North American JCC educators who spoke about their classrooms, students and practices. I took virtual tours of other schools and gained great insight on changes I could make to my own classroom, particularly how to add more aspects of K’dushah (Intentionality and Presence). I reflected
and realized the importance of natural beauty that could be added to my classroom as well furniture rearrangements, displays and maintaining an environment that is clutterfree. Professional Development allowed me the chance to see these schools and learn from other educators and add some of their knowledge to my own teaching toolkit.
L’DOR V’DOR
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TORAH ACADEMY WELCOMES NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL By Sara Smolensky, Torah Academy
Torah Academy of Jacksonville is very excited to announce Rabbi Shalom Horowitz as the new Head of School. Rabbi Horowitz will assume his role in summer 2020 and has been actively involved in transition activities with staff and board members. Outgoing Head of School is Rabbi Shaya Hauptman who held the position for the past five years. The Hauptmans are relocating to Chicago this summer and will be missed by the Torah Academy and Jacksonville Jewish community. Rabbi Horowitz comes to Jacksonville from Atlanta, GA, where he most recently served at Torah Day School as school counselor and has
been teaching for 14 years. Additionally, Rabbi Horowitz has led teen programming at Atlanta’s Congregation Beth Jacob in various capacities for the past 10 years, motivating and inspiring the next generation of upcoming Jewish leaders. Rabbi Horowitz holds a Bachelors in Talmudic Law from Beth Midrash Govoah, a Masters in Educational Administration from Pace University, and a Masters in Clinical Counseling from Bellevue University. His past work in creating both educational curriculum and student character development programs will be put to great use for the students at Torah Academy. In July, Rabbi Horowitz will be moving to Jacksonville with his wife
Shira and their five children. Both Torah Academy and the broader community are excited to have Rabbi Horowitz as incoming Head of School along with his family. He has already launched plans to build on the excellent success the school has seen in recent years in both enrollment and programming. The Torah Academy family looks forward to having Rabbi Horowitz take the helm and continue to deliver
on Torah Academy’s product of a quality secular education and dual Jewish studies curriculum.
TWO NEW BOOK PROJECTS AT RIVER GARDEN By Kari Bell, River Garden Senior Services
One of the greatest privileges of working with older adults is In My Happy Place, Sheldon Gendzier having the reminisces about his childhood visits to Willow opportunity to learn Branch Library. from their life experiences. In early 2020, members and residents met with Talia Zagagi, Masha Bezverkh and Talia Tesler, students at Martin J. Gottlieb In My First Job, Herb Plotkin tells of his Day School, to share experience at age 14, helping out on Saturday stories about My at his parent’s family shoe store.
Happy Place. Following the interview, each teen wrote details of the exchange. And now, as visitations are restricted on the River Garden campus, members have submitted their own narratives entitled My First Job. Ten seniors are featured in each collection. Each brief tale delivers a warm snapshot of personal history. “Life stories help bind generations together. In Fall 2019, FSU graduate Rachel Dranetz wrote the first mini-memoirs featuring
ladies from The Coves and we published a small book called My Best Year. I am thrilled to develop this idea, collecting more stories from our campus,” River Garden Communications and Marketing Director Kari Bell said. “These two new themes may sound simple, but they are rich with history and personality. I am so grateful to have had teacher Stephanie Teitelbaum and her students help.” Both books will be published in Fall of 2020.
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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE
MEET TORAH ACADEMY’S PRESIDENT By Sara Smolensky, Torah Academy
Deborah Shapiro has been leading Torah Academy as its president since October 2019. Mrs. Shapiro, prior to then, served as Torah Academy’s executive VP, is the mother of four TA students. When she is not devoting her time to her family and the school, she is a Principal Partner of Your Strategists, a data-driven business growth and branding marketing agency and consultancy firm. Mrs. Shapiro is also an adjunct Marketing professor at the University of North Florida. Shapiro and her family have been proud supporters and active parents at Torah Academy for over a decade. Assuming the role of president, Shapiro joins a special cadre of communal leaders who make Jewish education a priority for the next generation. “Torah Academy plays a vital role for our local Jewish community, not only to preserve the Jewish future but also to grow our community
as families seek to establish their home in Jacksonville and are in need of strong Jewish institutions,” Shapiro said. With Shapiro’s leadership, Torah Academy will continue to pursue excellence in both secular studies and Jewish education. Graduates from Torah Academy are prepared to attend the best high schools, universities and higher level education institutions. Recently, Shapiro fostered the process of merging Torah Academy, which operates as preschool through eighth grade, with Jacksonville Torah High School, making Torah Academy the first and only K-12 Jewish day school in the state outside of south Florida. Torah Academy acquired the former Jacksonville Torah High School and Shapiro helping lead a transition committee working to seamlessly integrate the high school with Torah Academy. To inquire about enrollment, or for more information please contact the school office at 904-2687719.
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Yours
Tucked away on 40 acres in Mandarin is a special place that many people call home, even if most of them have never lived there. Built for the community, by the community, River Garden has honored generations with its highly rated services for 74 years.
Visit RiverGarden.org or call (904) 260 .1818 Thanks For Your Understanding To o u r pr e cio u s f amilie s e age r ly aw aitin g a r e u nio n w ith yo u r lo ve d o ne s : w e f e e l yo ur pai n, w e appr e c iate yo u r patie nce , and w e wi ll c o ntinu e to c o nne ct yo u in e ve r y w ay po ssi ble. I f y ou wou l d l i ke t o ar r ange a Fac eTime or Zoom c al l wi t h y ou r l ov ed one i n ou r care, pl eas e c al l u s and we’l l hel p c onnec t you.
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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
JEWISH HOLIDAYS SHAPED BY SHEVA PRINCIPLES By Brooke Kovacs, Jewish Community Alliance
I graduated from the University of North Florida with a bachelor’s degree in History with a focus on Jewish Studies and Ancient World Religions and Cultures. I
chose this to get a greater sense of the Jewish culture and history I was denied growing up in an interfaith household. When planning lessons around Jewish holidays and celebrations in my ECE classroom where I teach Grasshoppers (2-3 year
SCHOOL’S OUT BUT THE LEARNING CONTINUES
By Liat Walker, Martin J. Gottlieb Day School
Just because it’s Summer Break doesn’t mean that your child has to stop learning. Martin J. Gottlieb Day School Jewish Studies Coordinator Liat Walker compiled a list of resources to assist your child with their Judaic Studies during the summer months. If you are looking for interactive, hands-on activities with a Jewish lens, go to Lev Children Museum Youtube channel or pjlibrary. org/familyactivities. Children ages six to twelve can sign up for LevKids, a Jewish virtual camp with sessions throughout the week with regionally and nationally renowned talents and educators from around the globe. Another great summer resource is BimBam.com. BimBam’s digital storytelling sparks connections to Judaism for learners of all ages from videos about
Jewish traditions, Jewish crafts, and Torah stories in a fun and contemporary way. For preschool and elementary school children, there is Shaboom! An animated series for Jewish kids. The day school children LOVE to watch the Shaboom videos, bimbam.com/kidsfamily/shaboom/ Ji Bytes is a taste of Jewish learning for kids for an hour a day! Kids watch, play, discover, and create in a safe, Jewish educational setting. Lastly, The Martin J. Gottlieb Day School has been an active partner of Ji Interactive. Jewish Interactive’s educational resources include over 11,000 educational games (some of which were created by our own students) and can be enjoyed by going to jitap.net/activities/. If you have any questions about online summer enrichment for your child, you can contact Morah Liat at lwalker@dubbowgottlieb. org
olds), I like to use my academic knowledge to make creative and unique experiences for my school family that are influenced by the JCC Association Sheva lenses. At Chanukkah, we focus on the Jewish lens of Hit’orerut (Awakening) and explore the concept of light and darkness, which is a common theme during the festival of lights. We explore with flashlights and colored tiles to create shadows. We watch as the candles drip down our chanukiah and the shadows on the wall disappear with the flame.
During Purim we explore the Jewish lens of B’rit (Covenant) instead of focusing on teaching the usual story of Esther through dramatic play and the history of the holiday. We focus on why we are coming together as a school family for a celebration, and I always pose a fundamental question: What is a celebration? Most children answer they feel a celebration is when you have fun with your friends and family. Nova A.’s definition was, “laugh until your tummy hurts!”
Style for a Steal Roosevelt | Mandarin Lakewood | Beaches Harbour Village Baymeadows LET’S CONNECT & SHOP Ste i n M ar t . co m
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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE
DUBOW PRESCHOOL VPK STUDENTS MOVE UP! By Brian Pargman, DuBow Preschool & Martin J. Gottlieb Day School
Mazel Tov to DuBow Preschool students who celebrated their VPK journey with the annual Moving Up Ceremony on May 27th. Due to COVID-19, the ceremony was held via Zoom, but that did not hinder parents, students, Bubbes, and Zedes from celebrating all of our talented students. The event kicked off with new Head of School, Tina Silva, leading the over 100 participants in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Hativka and prayers led by Robin Morris and Michelle Margol. A video montage recapping the year was a treat and shown for all to see--and it was a very busy
year! From dress-up days, special classroom guests, JSO/JFRD safety days, the VPK-4th/5th grade Buddies Program, there were tons of memories to highlight throughout the school year. The event concluded with classes dividing into breakout rooms where each teacher spoke about the
individual student and shared a special memory. Even though the special ceremony was held online this year, there was no shortage of tears of joy shed by many of the participants. Preschool and Day School parent Tmima Neihaus said, “It was so great seeing all the children, teachers, and
administrators on the VPK Moving Up Ceremony Zoom. The video presentation was adorable and the goodbye poem read by all the VPK teachers was touching. It definitely gave the VPK graduates a sense of closure and moving on...to kindergarten!”
JEWISH HISTORY AND CONCEPTS: PRESCHOOL STYLE By Crystal Whitman, Jewish Community Alliance
Jewish history teaches us that we are created in the divine image of G-d (b’tzelem elohim) and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. This is an especially important message in today’s world. There are so many things going on around us, and books can help us communicate with younger people in our lives. One simple book that I
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enjoy for my young students is We are Jewish Faces by Debra B. Darvick (a PJ Library book). This book contains photos and names of many different people such as “Bubbe faces,” “Zayde faces,” “faces of all races and places,” and other “Jewish faces.” One of the pages my class enjoy is the, “missed and kissed” faces page. After our school was closed for a time, we were happy to see our missed family faces again. Empathy is a big part of
being able to treat people with dignity and respect. There are many good stories you can expose your children to for them to start learning about empathy right from the start. Here are a few that will do that as well as teach some Jewish History along with it: • A Little Girl Named Miriam by Dina Rosenfeld • Goldie’s Purim by Jane Breskin Zalben (PJ Library) • The Chameleon That Saved
Noah’s Ark by Yael Molchadsky (PJ Library) • King Solomon and the Bee adapted by Dalia Hardof Renberg One of the most important teachings of Judaism is that there is one G-d who wants people to do what is right and compassionate. Young children learn about Jewish history from child-friendly Torah tales and other books that expose them to the concepts that are valued by the Jewish faith.
IT’S YOUR BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT ON JEWISH-OWNED BUSINESSES
SUSAN THE SCRIBE, INC. Susan D. Brandenburg
Susan D. Brandenburg is an award-winning biographer and freelance journalist with more than thirty years’ experience writing newspaper columns, feature articles, press releases, personal and professional profiles, brochures and biographies. She is President of Susan the Scribe, Inc. Publishing, a member of the Florida Writers Association and the National League of American Pen Women. Brandenburg also teaches a class, “Remember Who You Are,” at the University of North Florida’s OLLI Program. A former columnist for the St. Augustine Record and Florida Times-Union newspapers, Brandenburg’s feature articles have appeared in Women’s World Weekly, Chicken Soup for the Golfer’s Soul, FolioWeekly, ARBUS, Jacksonville Luxury Living Magazine, Jacksonville Magazine, Women’s Digest, H Magazine, Waters Edge, Ponte Vedra Recorder, Resident Community News, San Marco & Beaches Magazines. Brandenburg’s biography of Jacksonville businessman, Doc Garland Granger, entitled Sharecropper’s Son, won the Florida Writers
Association 2010 Royal Palm Literary Award for Biographies. She is currently at work on her 42nd manuscript, having completed biographies/ memoirs of many local luminaries including Carlton Spence, Scott McLucas, Marilyn Peyton, Drs. Gaston & Maria Victoria AcostaRua, Jimmy Stockton, Richard Conway, Malcolm Stephens, Bessie Forbes Franklin Macdonald Turk, Major Joe Bracewell, Ray Ross, Marvin Edwards, Harry Frisch and others, as well as Historical Memoirs of Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, Smoak, Davis & Nixon, CPAs, and more. On the board of the Stetson Kennedy Foundation, READ USA and The Carpenter’s Shop Center, Brandenburg is a world
traveler who now lives in the Lakewood section of Jacksonville. She is mother of two, grandmother of four and great-grandmother of one. Her motto, The Power of One, refers to God, the One
whose guidance she seeks in using the gift of words He has given her. Contact information: susanscribe@comcast.net or 904-962-5131
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Our Past, Our Community JEWISH HISTORY IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND BEYOND Photos courtesy of the archives at Congregation Ahavath Chesed-The Temple
KOL YISRAEL AREIVIM ZEH BAZEH By Guy I. Benrubi, MD
of 1947. At the time, her father Mort Adell was the “man from Joint”—JDC, who was sent to Salonika in Greece to For the entirety of my life I have been imbued with the see if he could organize the remnants of the Jewish concept of Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh Bazeh. The reason is community. The prewar Jewish population of Salonika not hard to understand. My parents, who were Holocaust numbered 60,000, while the 1947 population was barely survivors were able to avoid starvation in post war Greece 2,000 survivors. Two of those were my parents Isidore and because of the intervention of the JDC. As a child of eight, I Mathilda Benrubi. remember being taken by my parents to a suburb of Athens From Jean’s letter to her father January 30, 1947: where they joined agents of JDC and JAFI to help process One of the questions that someone asked yesterday was how he Jewish refugees who had could get some optical been shipped there from instruments from the states. Nasser’s Egypt. As my This man, Mr. Benrubi by parents were fluent in name, has just returned to his Greek, English, French, and optical business after having Ladino, they were been in a displaced persons invaluable to the effort. A camp, after the war. When he year and a half later, it was returned he found his shop my family’s turn, as we taken over by Greeks, and the immigrated to the U.S. and equipment and stock all gone. landed on a Westside New He had a heck of a lot of York City pier on a very trouble in getting these back, cold January day of 1958. because the government talks Our apprehension and a lot about their concern for disorientation were the Jews and actually does assuaged by the presence of nothing for their welfare. a tall and confident man This Mr. Benrubi and his who had a badge on his wife are about Mort and my lapel that said “HIAS” ages, and have not one living Over the years with my relative out of the 35 or more Collection of letters written in 1947. multiple roles in the they previously had. They Jacksonville Federation, I have recounted many of these seem to be a very nice couple, and if he had these instruments he stories during missions, caucuses, and allocations meetings. would really be able to rehabilitate himself. He has borrowed Recently I received from a friend a packet of letters which some money set up by the Loan Kassa of AJDC (Joint) here to had been written by her parents during the first six months
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KOL YISRAEL, continued pg. 19
Our Past, Our Community JEWISH HISTORY IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND BEYOND Photo courtesy of River Garden Senior Services
PRESERVING 100+ YEARS OF HISTORY By Hazel Mack, Congregation Ahavath Chesed-The Temple
I first met Natalie Glickstein Haas, author/ historian, when I answered the call to work with her in the archives as archivist/ historian.. We became fast friends as we began putting order into the many documents, photographs and artifacts. Thus began the Temple Archives. Sifted from the ruins of two major fires, gathered from crumbling newspapers, precious scrapbooks, fading photographs and warm memories, Temple Archives began. Precious documents from the 19th century include property deeds, cemetery deeds, financial
papers, articles of incorporation. A cash book dating from January of 1911, gold cufflinks and sterling silver napkins rings belonging to Simon Benjamin are carefully stored as part of our artifacts collection. Women of the Bible created by Ruth Hope Leon are currently on display in our historical case. A walk through the climate controlled storage area will show Yearbooks dating back to 1935, Temple Messengers from 1922, Temple Board of Trustees Minutes from 1931, photographs, musical programs, sermons all recorded on CD and DVDs. Lifecycle events are continually happening and must be documented for future reference. These are
KOL YISRAEL, from pg. 18 immediately plunged post restart his shop. My father had been an optician before the war, and in 1947 he was desperately trying to reopen his optical store. The indispensable instrument for that endeavor was an instrument called a lensometer. There was none to be found in Greece. The Germans has devastated the country, and even though they had departed in mid 1944, Greece was
occupation into a vicious civil war, which continued to rage in 1947, and did not end till after massive infusion of aid by the Truman administration in 1948. The letters describe how Mort and his wife Jean, among their other duties and concerns were tireless in trying to find this instrument for my father. They were unable to obtain it in the US as American Optical and other
but a few of thousands of files that are kept in our Archives. I will always be forever grateful to Natalie Glickstein Haas for her foresight, and dedication to our Temple and for giving me such inspiration to follow in her footsteps and continue to maintain the Temple Archives.
Ketubah from marriage of Gertrude Israel and Israel Brown of Ocala in 1889. Rabbi J. Kahn of Congregation Ahavath Chesed officiated.
manufacturers were not exporting equipment. In desperation they recruited Jean’s father, a man in his late sixties, who then went on a tireless hunt to find a second hand instrument, and then ship it to Greece. What was more astounding, he hit his meager savings (he was retired at the time) and he was told by the Adell’s to use some of their savings, in order to purchase the lensometer. It finally arrived in Salonika in
August of 1947, almost eight months after the process was started. This man did not know my father, but he readily hit his savings to help a fellow Jew. Truly demonstrating the concept of our responsibility to one another. By December of 1947 my father was able to repay Mort, Jean, and Jean’s father for the money that they had outlaid in order to make the purchase.
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Our Past, Our Community JEWISH HISTORY IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND BEYOND Photo courtesy of River Garden Senior Services
RIVER GARDEN ENTERS ITS 75TH YEAR By Kari Bell, River Garden Senior Services
From the beginning purchase of a home on Stockton Street in 1945 to its present 40-acre campus in Mandarin, River Garden touches many lives. It is a part of the rich Jewish history in Jacksonville. Let’s take a walk down memory lane. The history of the Jewish people in Jacksonville begins some time back in the mid-to-late 1800s. The bustling trade, rail and port community attracted many, and the town soon became home to the largest Jewish population in Florida. Over the course of five decades, Jewish families grew and congregations developed. LaVilla, Springfield, Riverside and Avondale were prime centers of life. Orthodox, reform and conservative practices were represented throughout. Despite sickness (1888) and fire (1901), the downtown landscape began to flourish and Jacksonville Jews became more affluent in the 1910s and 1920s. In 1922, the Ladies’ Hebrew Sheltering Aid Society was organized. The founders were Mrs. Moshe
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Lasky and Mrs. Moses Stein; its first president was Mrs. Louis Shevitz, grandmother of Bernie Datz, a past president of River Garden Hebrew Home. These women recognized a need for the elderly and never wavered in their commitment to establish a Home. Throughout the 1930s and into the early 1940s, these ladies campaigned for their cause. Finally in 1945, with the purchase of land and a stately mansion in Jacksonville’s Riverside area, River Garden Hebrew Home became a reality. In 1946 the Home opened with four residents. By 1969 its capacity had grown to 192 residents. Many families have grown up with River Garden as a part of their story. The Sloat family have a layered and loving account. Irene Sloat, a current member at The Coves became involved with River Garden when she moved to Jacksonville as a young bride. “Mom knew she wanted to volunteer with a Jewish organization so that she could become more familiar with and become a part of the community,” daughter
Lauren said. “Having grown up in New York and spending many weekends visiting her elderly immigrant grandparents in Brooklyn as a child, she was drawn to volunteering at River Garden where the residents, many with the same accented English and The Coves resident Irene Sloat speaking in Parker Chapel at River Yiddish, reminded her of Garden. grandparents.” “Our Dad became the “So much Sloat family unofficial photographer for history is linked with River River Garden events and my Garden. Both our young Judea group danced grandmothers became there. I still have the residents; Mom was on the silhouette portrait of me at Board of the Home and about age five that was done President of the Auxiliary. by an artist on Anniversary Back in those days, Mom Day at the Riverside and her friend Lois location,” Sloat said. “In the Schneider bought linens for mid 1960s, Grandmother the Home with funds raised Sloat, and other residents by the Auxiliary,” Lisa Sloat and friends performed in said. “The word ‘Tombola’ River Garden plays. And in comes to mind as soon as I 1977, Mom was even a part think of River Garden.” of the committee that Irene’s picture is featured directly outside the current RIVER GARDEN, cont pg. 47
Our Past, Our Community JEWISH HISTORY IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND BEYOND Photos courtesy of the archives at Congregation Ahavath Chesed-The Temple
REPAIRING THE WORLD FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS By Donna O’Steen, Jewish Family and Community Services
The Jacksonville Jewish community has a rich history of “repairing the world” when a need presents itself. In 1987, when Rabbi Michael Matuson expressed a growing concern about the hunger problem facing some of the congregants at Congregation Ahavath Chesed – The Temple as well as the greater Jacksonville area, two women Sandy Miller, z”l, and Judi Greenhut, z”l.
joined him in the fight against hunger. In collaboration with Jewish Family & Community Services’ Executive Director at the time, Iris Young, z”l, and Rabbi Matuson, Judi and Sandy started the FANN (Feed a Needy Neighbor) program which was designed to collect canned and non-perishable food items for the JFCS Food Pantry. More than 30 years later, the food pantry continues to serve as an important resource for individuals and families experiencing food
insecurity in Northeast Florida. Each year, more than 80,000 nutritious meals are provided to those who have nowhere else to turn. Inadequate access to quality food hinders families from living selfsufficient lives. However, by meeting this basic need, families are able to focus on life-improving activities such as goal setting, financial planning, parenting, and personal development. Having access to a food pantry is also an essential resource for many seniors who many times are
forced to choose between paying for prescriptions or purchasing food. We are proud to say that today, the Max Block Food Pantry, formerly called FANN, is still serving thousands of individuals and families each year. If you would like to donate food to the Max Block Food Pantry, contact Donna O’Steen at 904394-5714; dosteen@jfcsjax. org. To make a monetary donation, visit jfcsjax.org/ donate or contact Susie Menaged at 904-394-5727; smenaged@jfcsjax.org.
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YEAR IN REVIEW
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2019 2020
YEAR IN REVIEW • 2019-2020
JEWISH FOUNDATION AND FEDERATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA
It has been a busy year for the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida. We changed our name to the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida to reflect the wider area that we serve. We strive to connect and support all the Jewish people in Northeast Florida through our programming, communications, and financing. We included the Foundation in our new name because we celebrated the two-year anniversary of the merger of the Jewish Foundation with the Jewish Federation. Through the Foundation, we are working to provide sustainable financial support to our partner organizations for years to come. The Foundation is an important part of who we are, and our new name celebrates that collaborative partnership. We held numerous events, interacted with many of our donors and made an impact in the Northeast Florida Jewish Community. One highlight was the Major Gifts event, held at the beautiful home of Sue Eaglstein, where donors who generously contribute $5,000 or more to the annual campaign heard from the treasurer of the Jewish
Federations of North America, Harold Gernsbacher. This year’s A Night Out with Federation hosted another sell-out crowd and celebrated the sound of Billy Joel. Thank you to co-chairs, Sarah Fraden, Marcy Sandler and Sandy Zimmerman for putting together a fantastic night. The evening also recognized three volunteers for their service to the community and the Federation, mazel tov to Mary Edwards, Stefanie Levine and Jeff Rood. While our community was under a stay at home order for most of March and all of April and May, the Federation still provided opportunities for the community to gather. There were numerous events that connected Northeast Florida with Israel through P2G programming, Women’s Philanthropy held two virtual events, Young Professionals & Families hosted a quarterly cocktails as well as trivia night, Shalom Jacksonville welcomed participants to two Jewish Javas, and there were numerous partnerships with our local agencies. We look forward to connecting in new and innovative ways throughout the 2020-2021 year.
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YEAR IN REVIEW • 2019-2020
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YEAR IN REVIEW • 2019-2020
WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY Women’s Philanthropy has had a busy year, even during the pandemic. The Women’s Philanthropy Steering Committee began the year with an inspiring speaker at their first meeting. Simone Knego, immediate past National Young Leadership Cabinet Co-chair gave a presentation on what motivates her to be so involved with the Jewish community and the difference that each woman could make. One of the highlights of the year was the Champagne Brunch, co-chaired by Danielle Leder and Joan Rosenberg. The record number of attendees enjoyed hearing from bestselling author, Kristin Harmel, who discussed the inspiration and process behind writing her best-selling novels. Leading up to the event, women gathered for an engaging discussion on her book, the Winemaker’s Wife. Throughout the year, WP collected feminine hygiene products as part of the Dignity Project. All items will be donated to the Max Block Food Pantry at Jewish Family and Community Services. In addition, WP refurbished two family visitation rooms at JFCS, a fun and rewarding project. During the lockdown, WP hosted two successful virtual events. In May, the annual Girlfriend Connection, co-chaired by Kiley Efron and Debbie Parker, was held with over 50 attendees. Guest speaker, Linda Janasz, shared ways to be mindful during these anxious times. In addition, a Lion Event was held with the co-founder of the Lion of Judah and
Jacksonville native, Norma Kipnis-Wilson. She shared the inspiring story of how the Lion of Judah, the most successful philanthropic recognition tool began. Plans are now underway for the 2020-2021 campaign year and WP is looking forward to getting creative and innovative in this time of social distancing. Thank you to our amazing leadership: Debbie Banks, Chair; Jeanine Rogozinski, Campaign Chair; Haley Trager, Lion of Judah Chair; and the WP Steering Committee for their time and effort in making it a successful year.
FOUNDATION Our 25th year as your Jewish Community Foundation has been one for the record books! At the end of 2018 few could have imagined the S&P 500 delivering a gain of more than 28% in 2019. It was a performance that flirted with the 31% gain of 1997, and one that came very close to topping the 29.6% return of 2013. Racial strife, a global pandemic and a rising stock market are common to the years 2020 and 1968. We will learn from this experience and better prepare for the next. The start of 2020 has cemented the tried and true that what goes up must come down. In my best effort at optimism in a year that has not shown us a rainbow, I believe we as a Jewish Community must continue to work towards securing Jewish tomorrows for all future generations. In 2019, we envisioned a community wide endowment campaign and in the first half of 2020 we have learned our community needs to secure the funds now for the promise of Jewish tomorrows more than ever.
Your Jewish Foundation awarded grants and helped individuals give nearly one million dollars to nonprofit organizations this past fiscal year. With a generous community looking at securing our future we grew to over $30 million in assets under management with over $3.5 million in new contributions we are confident our eyes will see the rainbow by years’ end.
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YEAR IN REVIEW • 2019-2020
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS & FAMILIES The Young Professionals & Families Division of your Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida (formally known as rGEN) had a great year, albeit a year that ended unlike anything ever seen before. There was a wide range of programming both meaningful and fun, both in person and virtual, which all in various ways brought together new and familiar faces from around the community to celebrate, to learn and grow, to network, volunteer, and even help raise a great number of donations on Super Sunday. There were both new and returning programs, including Quarterly Cocktails, always a favorite, giving everyone a chance to unwind and relax while catching up with friends old and new. There was the annual Break-the-Fast gathering in October, and a wonderful Guys Day Out partnership, between YPF and PJ Library, fast becoming an annual tradition. This year YPF also organized a Jewish Community Day at the Cummer Museum, where more than 350 Jacksonville Jewish community members came together to learn more about the many things our dynamic Jacksonville Jewish community has to offer. The YPF calendar this past year also included leading Super Sunday, the great kick-off event for the upcoming year’s fundraising campaign, and did a magnificent job as well, bringing in a record-setting number of donations! Some other events included a Community Hamentashen Bake, a Community-Wide Havdalah Service, and a virtual 2nd Night Seder, certainly a first for many! Finally, it was the first year for our new leadership development initiative, BRIDGES, a
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program designed to foster emerging leaders both in their personal and professional lives, preparing the participants to take on greater leadership within the community in the future and learn about the many different organizations their leadership and talent would be needed. There are many wonderful events currently in the works for the year to come, and many of your favorites will be back as well. If you haven’t been receiving information on upcoming events and would like to be added to our communications list please reach out to Faye Hedrick at fayeh@jewishjacksonville. org and be sure to also follow the YPF Instagram Account @YPF_Jax and Facebook Account rGEN Jax. The past few months have been difficult and uncertain, challenging all of us to adapt to new ways of life, both personally and professionally, and for YPF that has certainly been true as well. It was wonderful seeing so many come together in creative ways to find opportunities to spend time together building stronger friendships, offering each other hope, and being there for each other in an unprecedented time. YPF will continue to provide a wide variety of programming in the coming year and would love to hear from you if you have any suggestions or feedback.
YEAR IN REVIEW • 2019-2020
ISRAEL PARTNERSHIP
Israel Partnership in Northeast Florida had an absolutely amazing and busy year. The program seeks to create living bridges between members of the Northeast Florida Jewish community with members of the Hadera-Eiron Region in Israel. This year, the Northeast Florida Jewish community sent teens to Israel for an incredible two-week experience where they lived with Israeli families and traveled the country with both American and Israeli teens. The community was host to a delegation of four teens and one chaperone during the month of July. Local host families showed these teens what it is like to be Jewish in the Southeast United States—an amazing experience for the host families and for the Israeli delegation, as well. In early November, Israel Partnership in Northeast Florida was host to the 3rd annual Leadership2Gether Retreat. Thirty-five young adults from the 11 Southeast communities and from Israel came together for a weekend of fellowship and learning over the course of a long weekend. In December, three local educators traveled to Israel on the Educator Delegation where they interacted with other Southeast US educators and shared the week with Israeli educators in their respective fields. The Partnership Annual Joint Steering Committee Meeting was held in Pinellas in late February where many decisions were made about programming for the upcoming 2020-2021 year. And, in March of 2020, we all faced the craziness known as COVID-19. The virus essentially changed everything about how Israel Partnership programming is delivered. In-person
delegations were cancelled including medical, culinary, teen and young leadership groups. Instead, the professionals hopped on Zoom and began to deliver programming to help the Southeast communities and Israel join together for the holiday season which included a Virtual Passover Seder and Online Concert by Yonina, speakers for Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, Yom Ha’Atzmaut, and Yom Yerushalayim. Food In Bidud (Cooking in Quarantine) became a popular weekly hit with both Israeli and American chefs sharing dishes to make for the holidays, for children and for families. Café Hafooch brought together older members of the Jacksonville community with Israeli high school students for weekly facilitated discussions about different topics facing our world today. Teens were invited to learn together from a well-known American-Israeil educator; children were invited to participate in Hebrew-English programs on Sundays and educators were invited to learn more about the availability of Online Digital Tools for their students. The Summer 2020 Israel Partnership schedule is full: Teen Programs led by Stand With Us, Learning Hebrew: Kids in the Kitchen, Young Adult courses on Israel Advocacy, speakers on Anti-Semitism, English Lessons for Israel students and more. While the delegations have paused for now, there is hope that they will restart in early 2021. Israel Partnership will continue to work to bring together our communities and create living bridges between our communities. For now, these connections will continue virtually.
SHALOM JAX
While our live programs came to a halt after March, our outreach to our friends continued with phone calls, notes and virtual programs. As the official Jewish welcome wagon of Northeast Florida, our mission is to welcome newcomers and anyone newly-interested in Judaism and help them to navigate the community. Now in its fourteenth year, Shalom Jax has many ambassadors befriending the newest among and making them “feel at home in their new surroundings.” The group facilitates holiday hospitality as well as social gatherings in different areas of the community with its reach extending from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine. Jewish Java, our well-attended signature monthly program, features local speakers on a wide range of topics to entertain, inform and offer advice for living healthy and contented lifestyles. Our Federation partner, River Garden, provides a conducive meeting place, a plentiful brunch and warm and friendly
atmosphere for our many newcomers and locals. Shout out to Leslie Held, Dir. Of Jewish Life and Volunteer Services at River Garden, for her partnership with us. In the coming year we plan to continue our “reach to the beaches” with programs at Beth El-at the Beaches synagogue and at Story & Song in Fernandina Beach. Shalom Jacksonville partners with the Jewish Genealogical Society of Northeast Florida and River Garden to provide guidance and encouragement for anyone seeking their Jewish roots. Adding to the mix, we waxed nostalgic with a musical tribute to Woodstock and brought the Bronx of the ‘50’s & ‘60’s back to life. You can help us build our community by sharing the names of any new Jewish neighbors or co-workers so we can show them our Southern-Jewish hospitality. Please contact Isabel Balotin, shalomjax@jewishjacksonville.org or 904-224-1408.
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YEAR IN REVIEW • 2019-2020
TEMPLE BET YAM Temple Bet Yam, a Reform Congregation, prides itself in being one family, a family who welcomes all peoples. We have enjoyed a wonderful year under the leadership of Rabbi Dr. Nadia Siritsy. She has instituted some great activities, both in person at the Temple, and now with Covid-19, via Zoom. Though the building is closed and we are not able to be together in person, we were able to hold our Passover Seder and Religious School Awards Day. and we continue adult B’nai training classes, bar mitzvah preparation, Torah studies, meditation classes, board and congregational meetings, book club and healing services in addition to our regular Shabbat services. New members have joined us and we have added to our Religious School. Emma Bates and Ari Love, two of our religious school graduates, celebrated their bat mitzvahs this past year. Temple leadership provides many interfaith and fun activities for our Temple family and for the St. Augustine community at large. Members participate in interfaith gatherings, helping feed those most needy through the Dining with Dignity program, donating foods to St Paul’s AME Church in addition to providing masks to protect the health of their clients. Both Temple members and the St Augustine community have participated in Deli Nite, mahjong and bingo tournaments, the annual card party, and joined in our complimentary gift wrapping at Barnes & Noble during the winter holidays. Our members enjoy stimulating programs in our Life Long Learning, Sisterhood, and Men’s Club. We do miss having Temple picnics and hearing our wonderful choir’s melodies during Shabbat services and the delicious
Shabbat onegs for which we, at “Temple Bet Yummy,” are famous. However, through Zoom, our Temple family remains close and we look forward to the day that all of us are once more physically together.
BETH EL THE BEACHES SYNAGOGUE We have had a phenomenal year at Beth El. We bid a heartfelt goodbye to our President, Abby Steele, and welcomed our new President, Charlie Frohman. Rabbi Matuson, along with the Beth El Board, created The Rabbi’s Legacy Initiative, a fund dedicated solely to paying down the Beth El building mortgage. At the direction of a large donation by Rabbi, the entire Beth El Board, along with a majority of synagogue members, have pledged participation. Our participation to date is such that we are very close to achieving the goal of paying off the mortgage by 2022. Our Celebrate the Seasons event in the fall was a huge success. The Night of Giving Gala, our largest unrestricted fundraiser for the year, took on a successful change from the normal format. We unveiled our “Giving Tree”, a moveable tree adorned with various donation levels. The Beth El religious school, under the direction of Vickie
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Kennedy, brought fun educational and exciting activities. Eva Grayzel, a motivational speaker, came and spoke to entire families about putting “Quality back into Quality Time.” With the COVID-19 virus hitting the area in March, we made changes to ensure the safety and health of the Rabbi, staff, and families. We halted all activities at Beth El and began Zoom Shabbat services for Friday nights and Saturday mornings. Rabbi Matuson began using Zoom for Thursday discussion group and Friday Torah study. Our Vice President, Sherill Herzfeld, and religious school Director, Vickie Kennedy, began participating in daily Zoom calls with the local Jewish leaders. These have been extremely successful and a beneficial way to work through situations and “how-to” scenarios. We, at Beth El, remain concerned about our community’s safety and health and look forward to reopening Beth El for in-person services and synagogue activities.
YEAR IN REVIEW • 2019-2020
JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE
As we end this program year, we find ourselves in an unexpected moment in time. The current health crisis has meant we have not been engaging in the same ways and have had to find new ways to stay connected within our community and maintain a sense of normalcy in our lives. However, looking back over the past year, we are still able to celebrate the JCA’s highlights and program success. Our annual Jewish Cultural Arts Festival brought renowned authors, films and cultural arts to Jacksonville. The events explored a variety of Jewish-themed topics and were free to the community thanks to the support of our generous sponsors. The festival opened to a sold out crowd with a performance by YidLife Crisis presents YidLive!, the creation of comedy duo Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman. YidLive! was presented in partnership with the Jacksonville Jewish Center and the Hannah Setzer Dora Levitt Family Education Fund. The festival continued with author Susan Lewis Solomont, who presented her memoir, Lost and Found in Spain. Michael David Lukas shared his captivating history of Cairo’s Ibn Ezra Synagogue in The Last Watchman of Old Cairo. In D-Day Girls, author Sarah Rose detailed the heroic actions of the women in Winston Churchill’s Special
Operations Executive. Matthew Goodman told the thrilling yet heartbreaking story of the 1950 City College of New York Beavers in The City Game, and U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum staff Michael
The excellence of the JCA was recognized by two Folio Weekly Best of Jax awards for Best Health Club and Best Preschool. The Myron Flagler Israel Learning Seminar’s first cohort began their year-long
Dobbs, author of The Unwanted, and Rebecca Erbelding, author of Rescue Board, shared a Jewish historical perspective of immigration in a joint presentation. The festival also included three films, Shoelaces, 93Queen and The Last Resort, and a special children’s reading of The Mitzvah Magician and a magic show. Over 1,000 guests joined us for these exciting, community events. The annual JCA Fundraiser, A Night in New Orleans, brought the flare of The Big Easy to guests for a night of support of the JCA. This year’s event set a new fundraising record as well as record attendance for a non-milestone year.
study ahead of a trip to Israel at the end of the year. Through in-person then virtual lessons, participants have studied a range of topics to gain a better understanding of Israeli culture and Israel’s impact in the world. The JCA was also chosen to pilot an inaugural JCCs of North America Women inPower Fellowship program. The yearlong fellowship has provided a select group of women with the training, mentorship and support to advance to new leadership roles in their careers in the Jewish communal world and beyond. The agency hosted the Northeast Florida Jewish Community Security TableTop Exercise along with the
Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida, all partner agencies and synagogues and local law enforcement to enhance preparedness and awareness of procedure and emergency response. Holidays at the JCA were a time for togetherness and celebration. Pizza in the Hut taught the history of Sukkot with a fun, pizza celebration. Our annual Chanukkah celebration brought out members and families for the lighting of our giant, outdoor chanukiyah, a family-style dinner, songs and crafts. Our community-wide celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut took a different format this year with virtual comedy by Joel Chasnoff. Passover and Yom HaShoah were also held as virtual services in which families joined us for live observations. Our Jewish Education continued with a variety of programming, including virtual Lunch and Learn from Israel programs with Leah Garber and Zoom programs on a range of topics. The J Institute continued to offer adult programs for every age and interest through enrichment and wellness classes, social groups and cultural arts programming. The Vandroff Art Gallery, Sunday Film Series and Travelling Diner Dinner Club remained popular amongst our members and guests. The annual Young Concert Artists
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YEAR IN REVIEW • 2019-2020 Series brought violinist Randall Goosby to Jacksonville for a stirring performance. A Discover Culture Extension event featured Dr. Michael Roizen, author of What to Eat When, and J Institute participants enjoyed trips to Cumberland Island, Manifest Distillery, the FAA Jacksonville Air Traffic Control Center, Mayo Clinic and Amazon. Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten continued to help our youngest members learn through play and the framework of the Sheva lenses. The annual Professional Development Conference invited expert Nicole Mercer to discuss Conscious Discipline and creating the school family with local educators. Participants in the Educator Support Network continued their education of Conscious Discipline with monthly learning sessions following the conference. The conference and Educator Support Network was made possible by grants from The Chartrand Family Fund, The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida and CSX. Following the agency’s temporary closure due to the COVID crisis, Michele Block Gan Yeladin staff swiftly moved to a virtual format to keep consistency in their students’ learning. JCA Theatre continued to bring outstanding educational entertainment to children of Jacksonville with The Magic Wardrobe. They also held a production of Suessical, Jr. and virtual rehearsals of Moana. Director Shelly Hughes’s live virtual Mrs. Sneecher’s reading-alongs and Zoey Zone adventures were an instant hit among children who
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participated from their homes. Youth Services kept school age children engaged after school with interactive programming such as B3: Bricks, Bots and Beakers classes, sewing classes, cooking classes, and holiday JCAtion Days. Virtual offerings included Zoom Power Hours, live STEM demonstrations and
while at home. Aquatics kept participants of all ages safe in the water and brought us together for fun events like Dive-In Movie nights, where families enjoyed a film in the indoor pool, and the annual Youth Mini Triathlon. The JCA Tennis Ladies USTA Combo League won their division, and
more. People of all ages enjoyed their favorite sports with JCA Sports and Recreation. Youth and adult leagues had amazing attendance, and exciting new classes were added. Our first, two E-Sports Tournaments were a success and allowed players to stay competitive
the JCA Men’s Team won the Metro League Championships. Fitness and Wellness encouraged wellness throughout the community through personal training, group exercise and upgrades to our Fitness Center and the addition of a nutritionist to the team to facilitate nutritional
programming. The Wellness Connexion partnership with Baptist Health brought wellness education to the community with programs on Aneurysm Awareness, Stroke Awareness, hearing screenings and Heart Health. During the temporary closure of the agency due to the COVID-19 crisis, JCA departments quickly moved to a virtual format with JCA Virtual. Through this platform, members continued to enjoy live and virtual versions of their favorite JCA activities, including group fitness classes and personal training, theatre activities, youth programs, Jewish holiday celebrations and adult programming. JCA staff was also assigned to other areas of the community where help was needed. We grocery shopped every Monday-Friday for the residents of The Coves to allow them to stay in place and remain safe, we helped box food at the JFCS Max Block Food Pantry every week so people would not have to leave the safety of their vehicles to come inside, and for 12 hours/ day, seven days/week we helped security staff at the River Garden guard house screen visitors to the campus. These are just some of the accomplishments from this year of triumphs and unexpected change. As we continue to care for each other and our community, we look forward to remaining the place where people come together throughout their lives to enhance their bodies, minds and spirits in an environment of fun, harmony and friendship. Thank you for your continued support of the JCA!
YEAR IN REVIEW • 2019-2020
RIVER GARDEN SENIOR SERVICES It seems nearly impossible to think of the past 12 months in totality, as there is clearly a separator known as COVID-19. For River Garden, March 5, 2020 was that separating day. May this time of limitations pass soon, so that we can enjoy again our friends and bustling activity on our campus. Honoring those who fought for our Independence.
Visiting with friends in the cafĂŠ. Finding ways to enjoy our days.
Celebrating birthdays in a new style. Receiving measures of kindness.
Stocking up on supplies.
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YEAR IN REVIEW • 2019-2020
Honoring Passover traditions in a most unusual way.
Instituting screening at the gate. Supporting the Mission.
Learning to Zoom and FaceTime. Recognizing Jim Richman’s retirement.
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Making music for the holidays.
YEAR IN REVIEW • 2019-2020
JEWISH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
TOP LEFT: JFCS Executive Director, Colleen Rodriguez, named Ultimate CEO! She also received the Chuck Young Above and Beyond award. Way to go, Colleen!
TOP RIGHT: JFCS welcomed a new employee! Meet Patch Weavin’, a retired greyhound racer and JFCS’ new animal-assisted Therapy Dog!
LEFT: JFCS celebrates our first six Foster Teen Birthdays at Outback Steakhouse in September. Pictured with the teens: Debra Setzer, Sheri Weiss, Sheryl Johnson, Jodie Leach, Mary Edwards and Fran Selevan, along with several case managers and staff.
BOTTOM LEFT: JFCS films six PSAs to communicate to the community that we are #HereForJax. BOTTOM RIGHT: The Holidays were a success! JFCS provided over 1,700 children and seniors with gifts for the Holidays, thanks to over 275 volunteers and donors.
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YEAR IN REVIEW • 2019-2020 LEFT: 11 JFCS foster children adopted into forever families at Judge David Gooding’s Annual Home for the Holidays event. MIDDLE LEFT: A single mother of three who has been laid-off due to the pandemic picks up a box of food to feed her family for the week.
MIDDLE RIGHT: Spots of Light – To Be a Woman in the Holocaust opened in the Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery in February. The exhibit gives expression to the unique voice of Jewish women in the Holocaust. It features nine aspects of the Jewish woman’s daily life: Love, Motherhood, Caring for Others, Womanhood, Resistance and Rescue, Friendship, Faith, Food, and the Arts. BOTTOM LEFT: Four Holocaust survivors met with Colleen Rodriguez and Hilary Rotenberg for a Folio Weekly article. Pictured: Nellie Malamud, Semen Malamud, Magda Schweitzer, Eleanora Poberezhskaya, and Valeriy Kupershteyn.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Holiday volunteers assist in success! Pictured Amy Bradfield, Jenn Neuman, Sheri Weiss, Drew Peters, Robbie Smith, Donna O’Steen, Lonnie Steinberg, Lori Bruman and Gayle Bailys.
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YEAR IN REVIEW • 2019-2020
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YEAR IN REVIEW • 2019-2020
COMMUNITY SHALIACH SAYS FAREWELL “Goodbye? Oh no, please. Can’t we just go back to page one and start all over again?” — Winnie the Pooh
To my dear community, family, and friends,
It is difficult to find the words to say goodbye, after two years full of educational programs, events and activities with a variety of Jewish organizations, and different age groups from “kindergarten to River Garden,” in order to strengthen the connection with Israel and its culture. Thank you, for letting me be part of a vibrant Jewish community in the Diaspora, for me, living outside of Israel completely by myself for the very first time was a life-changing experience. Thank you for your big smile, generosity, partnership, and friendship. I learned so much about myself during these two years of Shlichut. My love for my country, where I was born and raised, was strengthened, and now I want to work even harder to make it better in all kinds of different ways. I had incredible an opportunity of learning about your life as Jews in America, from those so many involved and connected leaders and community members within Jacksonville’s diverse community.Don’t forget, you always have a friend in Israel! I’m here for you! Please stay in touch: Rotemga043@gmail.com. B’ahava Rotem
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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
Evening Services (In Person and Virtual) Sun-Thurs in July 6:45 - 7:15 pm Jacksonville Jewish Center Zoom link at jaxjewishcenter.org/ engage/full-calendar/ Morning Services Virtual Weekdays in July 7:10 – 8:10 am Jacksonville Jewish Center Zoom link at jaxjewishcenter.org/ engage/full-calendar/ From the Rabbi’s Kitchen to Yours (Virtual)
July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Jacksonville Jewish Center, with Rabbi Shira Rosenblum Zoom link at jaxjewishcenter.org/ engage/full-calendar/ Your Coffee, Our Torah (Virtual) July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 11:00 am Jacksonville Jewish Center, with Rabbi Lubliner Zoom link at jaxjewishcenter.org/ engage/full-calendar/ Mishnah Munchies
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(Virtual) July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 3:30 - 4:30 pm Jacksonville Jewish Center, hosted by Justin Sakofs Zoom link at jaxjewishcenter.org/ engage/full-calendar/
Tannen; Book Review, Week 4: Giovanna: Angels in Hell, by Sylvia Skrmetta. Reviewed by Kelly Ann Kelleher-Smith. RSVP to JacksonvilleHadassah@ gmail.com to receive Zoom link and password.
Shoobee Doobee Shabbat (Virtual) July 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 10:00 – 11:00 am Jacksonville Jewish Center with Hazzan Jesse Holzer Zoom link at jaxjewishcenter.org/ engage/full-calendar/
Virtual Healing Service July 7, 14, 21 & 28 5:00 - 6:00 pm Jacksonville Jewish Center Zoom link at jaxjewishcenter.org/ engage/full-calendar/
Voices of Freedom July 4th virtual concert July 5 7:30-8:30 pm Hear songs of freedom performed by members of the greater Jacksonville Jewish community. Zoom link at jaxjewishcenter.org/ engage/full-calendar/ Hadassah Summer Book Reviews (Virtual) July 7, 14, 21 & 28 11:00 am Book Review, Week 1: Peony: A Novel of China, by Pearl S. Buck. Reviewed by Yvonne Cohen; Book Review, Week 2: Here All Along, by Sarah Hurwitz. Reviewed by Sue Ann Blumenthal; Book Review, Week 3: The Third Daughter, by Talia Carner. Reviewed by Millie
Coping with Loss (Virtual) July 8 & 22 3:30 - 4:30 pm Portnoy Bridal Lounge Zoom link at jaxjewishcenter.org/ engage/full-calendar/ Youth Services (Virtual) July 11, 12 & 25 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Jacksonville Jewish Center For youth in 3rd - 5th grades. Zoom link at jaxjewishcenter.org/ engage/full-calendar/ Youth T’fila Prep (Virtual) July 13 & 27 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Jacksonville Jewish Center For youth in grades 3rd-5th, with Justin Sakofs. Zoom link at jaxjewishcenter.org/ engage/full-calendar/
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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE
The Temple TIR Virtual Parlor Meeting July 13 & 22 at 7:30 pm July 16 at 2:00 pm To RSVP, contact Michelle Penson, Director of TIR & Family Engagement, at mpenson@thetemplejax. org for more information. The Temple New Madrichim Workshop (Virtual) July 15, 20 & 27 7:00 - 8:30 pm To RSVP, contact Michelle Penson, Director of TIR & Family Engagement, at mpenson@thetemplejax. org for more information.
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Singin in the Summer Rain (Virtual) July 20 1:00 pm Jacksonville Jewish Center Join Hazzan Holzer for a monthly virtual sing-along with some of your favorite Jewish and secular melodies. Requests taken! Zoom link at jaxjewishcenter. org/engage/full-calendar/ The Temple Board Meeting July 21 6:30 - 8:30pm Congregation Ahavath Chesed
The Board of Trustees of Congregation Ahavath Chesed-The Temple meets on the third Tuesday of every month. Some Good Nus (Virtual) July 22 7:30 pm Jacksonville Jewish Center Hear the amazing things going on throughout the Jacksonville Jewish community to better our world during these difficult times. Zoom link at jaxjewishcenter.org/ engage/full-calendar/
2020 Annual Meeting August 18 7:00 pm Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida Election and installation of the new Federation executive committee and board members. Guest Speaker Eric D. Fingerhut in attendence. RSVP jenniferr@ jewishjacksonville.org
SEE AND BE SCENE THROUGH THE LENS IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA
On May 12, members of the Jacksonville Jewish Center gathered virtually to celebrate Lag b’Omer with a campfire concert. One of the highlights was a group of 16 Center members singing Debbie Friedman’s Mi Shebeirakh Prayer for Healing.
Camp Ki*Tov Kicks! The first week of summer care at DuBow Preschool kicked off on June 1. After 10 weeks of online connections, it was so good to welcome the children back. Our new safety and health protocol did not hamper the preschool fun! From the youngest to the oldest, everyone enjoyed engaging in summer-themed learning activities and just reconnecting with friends and teachers in the classroom and playground. Summer care is offered for rising Kindergarten through 5th graders at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. To learn more about Summer Care at Camp Ki*Tov contact Dina Kirshbaum at dkirshbaum@dubowgottlieb.org
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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE Everyone on the River Garden campus has come to realize that it takes great effort to surround ourselves with messages of hope, compassion, and calm during this time. Well-being is a combination of feeling good and functioning well, and, we are doing everything we can to ensure residents, members and staff stay healthy. Here are some examples of how effort and attitude, combined with a little creativity, have been helping us through this time of adversity.
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TOP LEFT: Thanks to coordination by the Life Enrichment team, Helene Coleman enjoys a tasty ‘to-go’ lunch from St. Johns Seafood. TOP RIGHT: Grandparents have viewed Bar Mitzvahs, a Bris, grandchildren have given tours of their new homes, and children have celebrated their parents’ birthdays. MIDDLE LEFT: Even while socially distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic, (L-R) Debby Katz, Sharon Higgins, Lois Chepenik and Ruth Seebol still make walking a fun social hour. MIDDLE RIGHT: Jeanette Tabak enjoys an afternoon with nature. BOTTOM LEFT: Although physically distant, friends are finding creative ways to celebrate birthdays (L-R) Marilyn Stein, Kennedy Haggerty, Pat Rosenthal, Cheryl Fisch, Anne Baur, Margaret Davis and Cecile Goetz.
SEE AND BE SCENE
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THROUGH THE LENS IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA
Since mid-March, Rabbi Shira Rosenblum of the Jacksonville Jewish Center has held a weekly cooking class on Zoom called “From the Rabbi’s Kitchen to Yours.” Some of the recipes have included rugelach, lemon bars, blintz soufflé, chocolate chip peanut butter bars, bourekas, chocolate meltaway cake and, of course, challah. Please consider tuning in for some of her upcoming sessions or watch them on Facebook, either live or at a later time. And be sure to check out her chocolate cake recipe on pg. 45. Happy baking!
As the school year came to a close, parents and students collected and dropped off their belongings a little differently this year. Families came to the DuBow Preschool and Martin J. Gottlieb Day School to pick up any remaining items left behind due to COVID-19. In true Mitzvah Progam fashion, which is a staple of our school, families were asked to donate canned goods to support the JFCS Block Food Pantry. It was the final and very important act of Tikkun Olam of our school year.
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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE
TOP RIGHT: Susan Board wearing her birthday gift. Her mask was made from her artist cousin’s, Alan Friedlander, art work, Water Lillies. TOP LEFT: Family and friends participated in a drive by birthday party for Zoey and Sandy Miller.
BOTTOM LEFT: Felice Caliestro fashionably practices social distancing while shopping at Publix.
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SEE AND BE SCENE
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THROUGH THE LENS IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA
As Seen on TV! Offers of viewing podcasts, watching YouTube videos, and support for joining ZOOM meetings have become commonplace at River Garden. We’ve even created a few D-I-Y videos for broadcast on our internal TV channel.
Former CEO Elliott Palevsky and Coves member Lois Chepenik host ‘The EL-LO Show’, a conversational program addressing topics of current news and interest.
The Donnangelos share an organ performance from their apartment.
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NORTHEAST FLORIDA JEWISH LIFE
LEFT: Cathy Winterfield and Ann Stone accepted their leadership roles as Temple Sisterhood’s co-presidents on June 12. RIGHT: Edwinna Green Harris is director of her own home health care company. Here she is accepting the masks Susan Board had made for her.
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NOSH ON THIS NOSH ON THIS
S H A R I N G
•
SHARING READER RECIPES
R E A D E R
R E C I P E S
TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CAKE Rabbi Shira Rosenblum, Jacksonville Jewish Center
For as long as I can remember, my family’s Shabbat and Yom Tov meals always included our favorite dessert, Triple Chocolate Cake. Originally a Passover recipe that was shared with my family when I was a baby, my mom ultimately decided it was silly to only enjoy this treat one week out of every year and she adjusted it for all year-round. Throughout college and rabbinical school, whenever I was invited to a potluck meal I would sign up to bring dessert just so I could make this cake for my friends. Since moving to Jacksonville, it is still one of the desserts I make most often when hosting Shabbat dinner. I can’t wait until we can get together again in person so I can enjoy this cake with all of you! INGREDIENTS
PREPARATION
Cooking spray and a bit of flour (for preparing the bundt pan) 1 box pareve chocolate cake mix (preferably Duncan Hines) 1 package pareve chocolate pudding mix 1 /3 cup canola oil (or unsweetened applesauce) 1 to 11/4 cup water (if using applesauce, use 3/4 to 1 cup water) 3 large eggs 1 bag pareve chocolate chips Powdered sugar (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and lightly flour a bundt pan and set aside. 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine chocolate cake mix, chocolate pudding mix, oil (or applesauce), water and eggs. 3. Add chocolate chips once the batter is fully combined. 4. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the cake is set. 5. Cool cake completely. Go around all of the outer and inner edges of the cake with a plastic knife after the cake is cool. Place a plate on top of the bundt pan and flip both the pan and the plate over so the cake is left on the plate after you remove the pan. 6. Sprinkle cake with powdered sugar or simply slice and enjoy it plain!
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RIVER GARDEN, from pg. 19
when he came to apply for his first job at River Garden.” River Garden has been the stage for many highlight events over the years. Sheldon Gendzier, past President, recalls a Jack Benny performance on River Garden’s 25th Anniversary. Plus, there have been two weddings—first, the union of two residents, and later the marriage of a resident’s granddaughter. In a 2018 interview, Board Member Michael Paul said, “You can’t resist feeling the love at River Garden. Coming to Anniversary Day has always been fun. River Garden has just become a part of my life.” “I have a lot of great memories of River Garden,” current Board Member Marsha Pollock said. “I will always remember Belle Gendzier at the receptionist desk, and the Auxiliary ‘dairy’ lunches that were held in the upstairs room. Back in those days, young volunteers were called ‘Gardenettes’ and dressed like candy-stripers. And for those of us who really know
River Garden, you will remember the resident skits, like the Washboard Band.” By the 1970s, many of the Jewish families had relocated to San Marco, San Jose and other points on the south side of the river. Beauclerc Country Club was a social center. Each synagogue had moved, and River Garden was soon to join the migration south. The Home relocated in December 1989 to its present location on what is now a beautifully landscaped 40-acre campus in Jacksonville’s Mandarin area, where it currently serves 180 residents. In 1995 The Coves at River Garden opened with 58 independent living apartments, which in 1998 expanded to 80 apartment homes. At the 30-year celebration of the move, Janet Goldstein shared, “My grandfather, Ira Stein was River Garden’s first President, my dad William (Billy) Goldstein a former President also and on the Board for his lifetime. Dad was very involved with Marty and Elliott Palevsky as this new [Mandarin] property was secured. I remember how exciting it was when the
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Mandarin campus opened. I am so happy to be involved and watch River Garden prosper!” “River Garden has been the foundation of security for our aging families and friends,” Jeanine Rogozinski said at the River Garden celebration in December. And, in words quoted from beloved Lille Rae Levy, “River Garden encompasses the most positive aspects of Tikkun Olam and tradition by bringing together people not only from our synagogues, but also by including those of us who are not particularly observant and those of other faiths. When I think of River Garden, I think of family, of traditions and of community.” Now in 2020, River Garden is state and nationally-recognized care
center, with top-ratings from health agencies and consumers, alike. The Home is a nine-time recipient of Florida’s prestigious “Governor’s Gold Seal Award for Excellence in Long-Term Care,” fully accredited by JCAHO (The Joint Commission) and is 5-Star rated by Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Thank you to all who are a part of our history. River Garden will always be an arena of Jewish communal life—your place —a place where multiple generations will always share tradition, values and sweet memories.
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-inclass experience. Whether it is for you, your spouse, parents or friend, be sure to request River Garden.
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 Whitney Kuvin at 904-3945724.
JFCS is now using a Lyft product called Concierge, which allows JFCS to arrange rides on behalf of its clients, including the ability to schedule rides up to a week in advance. Lyft has also partnered with GreatCall, a senior focused cell phone company, which will help seniors use Lyft without having to navigate the smart phone app. Anyone using a Jitterbug phone can now simply press ‘0’ and arrange a ride with the company. To learn more or schedule rides, contact Nicole Brown at 904-394-5724
JFCS in partnership with River Garden is pleased to bring you our meal program, Meals4You, from our kitchen to yours. Meals are delicious, nutritious, convenient and delivered right to your door. Jewish dietary laws are observed. Call Nicole Andrews at 904-394 -5810 for more information.
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
FEDERATION 2019 ALLOCATIONS: Jewish Community Alliance: $189,250 Jewish Family & Community Services: $272,000 River Garden Hebrew Home: $177,700 Martin J Gottlieb Day School: $112,000 Torah Academy of Jacksonville: $46,000 Overseas Allocation - JFNA: $684,130 Other Organizations: $56,160
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Jewish Family & Community Services would like to thank the many sponsors who supported the Annual Fundraiser! The event was cancelled due to COVID-19, but our supporters remained committed. THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH JFCS!! With Great Appreciation, The Board and Staff of JFCS HERO VISIONARY
INNOVATOR
SUPPORTER
PACESETTER
FRIENDS
Linda and David Stein
DuBow Family Foundation
The Block Families Ronald S. Cohen Jaguars Foundation
The Setzer Family Stein Mart
Trager Family Foundation Wells Fargo
Gary and Nancy Chartrand Advised Fund Mary and Jeff Edwards
The Frisch Family Glori and Michael Katz Francine and Jim Kempner
The Lufrano Family Ronnie and Jerrold Rosenbaum Family Foundation Swisher International, Inc.
Atlantic Corporate Offices, LLC/ Michael Price, Ned Price and Sue Price Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Stephen Goldman, SVP Baptist Health Foundation Enterprise Integration Family Support Services of North Florida Laurie and Benjamin Hirsch The Korman and Shelton Families
Jodie and Eric Leach Dr. Ron and Joan Levin Lift Power Dr. David and Katharine Loeb Meinrod & Leeper Wealth Management Monique and David Miller Mizrahi & Morgenthal Families PGA Tour Shepherd/Mike and Rebecca Russell
Rachel and Dan Sandler The Selevan Family Foundation Steve Sherman of Current Sherman Group of Merrill Lynch-Bank of America Kimberly and Richard Sisisky UF Proton Therapy Institute The Wilf and Parker Families Zimmerman Family Foundation/Charles, Elli, Morrie, Chase, Seeman and Nancy
Ameris Bank Harriet and Ernest Brodsky Crucial Care/ Tammy and Michael Shumer Sue Eaglstein Firehouse Subs Restaurant Group Kim Glasgal and Peter B. Levy The John Geer Company Dr. Lawrence and Phyllis Goldberg Nancy and Mark Green Miriam and David Honig
Dr. Kenneth and Paula Horn Hylant Sheryl and Todd Johnson Anne and Charles Joseph Dr. Larry and Kathy Kanter Dr. Andrew and Karen Kaunitz Cathy and Stuart Klein Iris and Mark Kraemer Joanne and James Lawson Barbara Resnick Ringel/Porter Families
Dr. Chaim and Jeanine Rogozinski Ellen and Alan Rosner Dr. Mitchell and Diane Rothstein Jennifer and Josh Sachs Dr. Ken and Sheryl Sekine Judith and Stephen Silverman Dr. Bruce and Lonnie Steinberg Tracey and David Vandroff Karen Wekstein and Larry Frank Charles Young
Karin and Donald Andreatta
Merle and Ron Cherry
Kim and David Robbins
Isabel Balotin
Allison and Joseph Dennis
Lauren and Matt Rickoff
Leon Baxton
Rhoda and Arthur Goldstein
Howard Roey
Suzie and Ben Becker
E. Rawson and Clark Griffin
Dr. Howard and Muriel Rose
Elizabeth Bobo
Arthur Hurwitz
Ilene Schinasi
Wiatt Bowers
Randy Kammer and Jeffrey Wollitz
Dr. Jerome and Dianne Weitzen
Dr. Andy and Nicole Brown
Jill and Paul Metlin
Dr. Bruce and Sharon Witten
Transforming Tomorrows
Eunice and Barry Zisser
IMPACTING TODAY
