www.JewishFederationLCC.org Vol. 38, No. 11 n July 2016 / 5776 Annual Meeting of the Jewish Federation meetings, we use an edu- the beautiful artwork produced by the many things we have accomplished. FROM cation, evaluation and American and Israeli artists at the joint We all know that the job is never fin- FEDERATION goal-setting model. We exhibition planned for March 2017. ished, but we can be proud of what we learn about a program or Herb Fried and Sylvia Simko have as- have done. We can all take satisfaction PAST CO-PRESIDENT service, evaluate the pro- sembled a committee to promote com- in knowing that the Jewish community Barbara Siegel gram or service in rela- munity relations, including advo- is stronger and more vibrant because of tion to our mission, and cacy, public school textbook scrutiny, the Federation. As our new fiscal year then set goals on how to and Holocaust education. And again begins, we will build on this founda- Editor’s note: The following are Bar- improve the program or service. For this year, Andi Horowitz and Sara tion. bara Siegel’s remarks at the Federa- example, after using this model, we Krivisky, headed the programming On a personal note, this commu- tion’s Annual Meeting on May 17. made changes to our senior outreach committee, providing us with a banner nity has touched my heart in a pro- ood evening. I am Barbara program to make it more accessible to year of speakers, films and community found way. I have had the opportunity Siegel, the outgoing co-presi- a larger Jewish population. We institut- events. These are just a few examples to represent the Federation at national Gdent of the Jewish Federation. ed a Bar/Bat Mitzvah travel voucher to of the impact our Federation commit- meetings, such as the General Assem- Rozzi Osterman and I, with the entire encourage young people to visit Israel. tees have had on our community. bly in Washington, D.C., and locally board, have worked together to move Our scholarship program now helps How has our Federation been able with representatives at the Stop the Si- our Federation forward. Tonight, at our Jewish students with financial need at- to fulfill its mission of strengthening rens rally. I have met with community Annual Meeting, I would like to share tend college or Israel programs. and enriching the Jewish community? business leaders and religious leaders with you some of our board’s accom- The increased use of the com- The answer is people and money. We to share with them the mission of the plishments. mittee structure has also helped us to have an amazing professional staff – Federation. I have attended as many As we started our co-presidency, solve problems and further our mis- Alan, Leni, Lori, Michaela and Paula, events as my calendar permitted and two years ago, it was our objective to sion. Many of our board members, who work tirelessly to provide pro- was continually impressed by the qual- make the Federation a more mission- along with members of the commu- grams, assistance and services to our ity of our programs. And I have made driven organization. We clarified our nity, have become actively involved community. We also have fabulous many new friends and strengthened my mission and vision at our annual board in strengthening our community. The volunteers who both lead events and friendships with old friends because retreat and have used it as a guide for senior outreach program, headed by provide the legwork that makes things we had the opportunity to share in the our decisions. The central idea of our Sherri Zucker, has a strong team of happen. And we have generous donors experience of doing something impor- mission is to provide and support phil- volunteers who have made meaningful who provide the resources to make this tant together. anthropic, educational and social ser- connections, providing friendship and all possible. Thank you to all of you Finally, I want to acknowledge vice programs that strengthen and en- fellowship to seniors in our communi- who contribute in so many important how much fun Rozzi and I had as co- rich the Jewish community. ty. The Partnership2Gether art project, ways. presidents. She has a love of Israel and At our board meetings, we set up a headed by Carolyn Gora, has brought Tonight, I would like to thank the the Jewish community that is the heart model to use in order to evaluate each together artists from our community board for allowing me to serve as a co- and soul of our Federation. I so respect of our programs, services and philan- with our partners in , Israel. The president of the Federation. Looking her commitment and talent, and trea- thropy in terms of the mission. At our entire community will be able to enjoy back, I have a good feeling about the sure her friendship.

The Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties held its annual meeting at Northern Trust Bank on Tuesday, May 17. In addition to the business meet- ing with the installation of the 2016-2017 Board of Directors and a review of the year in pictures and speeches, volunteer awards were presented. Pictured are the Volunteer of the Year award winners with Barbara Siegel: Lee & Evelyn Lush, Lubov Ruvinskaya and Ruth Lefberg. Below: The 2016-2017 Board of Directors (Photos courtesy Michael Shapiro)

9701 Commerce Center Court POSTMASTER: NONPROFIT ORG Fort Myers, Florida 33908 DATED RELIGIOUS U.S. POSTAGE NEWS ITEMS. PAID TIME SENSITIVE– FT. MYERS, FL PLEASE EXPEDITE! PERMIT NO. 175 DELIVER TO CURRENT RESIDENT OR L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 2 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties OUR FEDERATION

Program notes The Jewish Federation Annual Campaign provides the resources to In this issue: he Federation is taking on a new mitzvah proj- this project and making the connection to “A Pack- strengthen and enrich our Jewish community locally, in Israel and around the world. ect to benefit the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). age from Home,” the organization whose mission it YOUR SUPPORT 4 Our Community Israeli winters in the far north and the far south is to strengthen the spirit and resolve of each Israeli Strengthen &Sunday enrich 8 Jewish Interest regionsT are extremely cold, especially at night. The combat soldier and to show our appreciation for what Promote young soldiers wear protective helmets that are not they do – they are the ones providing the patterns. Honor/ Share your KINDNESS JEWISH COMMarchMUNITY 1st 13 Marketplace insulated, and they are in need of wool helmet liners And thank you to Evelyn Lush, who is soliciting do- Remember MITZVAH and caps. Wool is used for both warmth and its natu- nations of wool yarn from a variety of manufacturers. A LOVED ONE 14 Our Federation ral resistance to melting, which helps to keep soldiers This project can be the first of many for our “JFed 16 Israel & the Jewish World safe. Stitchers!” If you are interested in helping, please con- Our newly forming “JFed tact me at [email protected] or 239.481.4449 20 Commentary Stitchers” group is looking for x3. This year please consider making an additional campaign contribution in honor or in memory of a loved one. knitters and crocheters to help Food pantry Because kindness is contagious we would like to highlight your generosity in L’CHAYIM and notify personally those whom 22 From the Bimah with this project. We will sup- Don’t forget our food pantry over the summer. Fami- you honor. You may choose how your generosity is noted and how we share your mitzvah with our community. 23 Focus on Youth ply the patterns and wool for lies still need food during the slowest of months. Chil- the liners and caps. It’s a great dren, who get free breakfast and free lunch at school, 24 Organizations project, because it can be done do not have that option during the summer. Adults, TRIBUTES 26 Temple News at home or in a group. who work during season, face less work or no work Knitters and crocheters: If during the off-season. The number of seniors we are  Leni Sack 27 Community Directory you are a snowbird and would bringing food to continues to rise. like to be involved before you return to Fort Myers, if Our food pantry makes a difference to the Jew- you live here but are homebound or unable to drive, ish and non-Jewish residents of all ages it serves each and certainly, if you live here and can drive – this is a month. Our food pantry stocks canned and dry goods, project for you! as well as toiletries and paper goods. Cash contribu- We’ll also have monthly “coffee and cake” meet- tions are also welcome. Whatever you can do is very ings where those in town can bring what they’ve much appreciated. made and have a chance to schmooze with other knit- We continue to look for ways to strengthen and ters and crocheters. We’ll help to provide transporta- enrich our Jewish community locally, in Israel and tion for those unable to drive themselves. around the world. Thank you to all who help us ac- Many thanks to Sylvia Simko for suggesting complish our mission.

Jewish news published monthly by Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties 9701 Commerce Center Court, Fort Myers, FL 33908 (239) 481-4449 • Fax: (239) 481-0139 Performing a “mitzvah” for her Bat Mitzvah, Alexandra Polk asked Online at www.JewishFederationLCC.org Jewish Young Professionals group pose for a picture guests to bring adult and children’s toiletries to donate to the  after a dinner meeting at the Federation Federation’s food pantry. Alex and her sister, Emily, delivered the July 2016 • Volume 38, Number 11 to begin planning events for the coming year donations to the pantry and even stocked them on the shelves.  President: Rozzi Osterman Board: Paul Bartrop • Larry Eisenfeld • Herb Fried Carolyn Gora • Jerry Greenfield • Andi Horowitz Israel Fest Celebration Charles Idelson • Linda Idelson • Marsha Kistler Top right: Sandi Falk, Rozzi Osterman, Barbara Sie- Sara Krivisky • Michele Laboda • JoAnn Lewin gel, Larry Eisenfeld and Cantor Victor Geigner on the Barbara Siegel • Sylvia Simko • Brian Simon Jerry Snyderman • Sherri Zucker Hammond Stadium field. Federation co-presidents Executive Director: Alan Isaacs Rozzi and Barbara warmly welcomed the crowd to Program Director: Leni Sack th Executive Assistant: Lori Ramos the celebration of Israel’s 68 birthday. Cantor Victor Jewish Family Services: Micaela Solomon sang a very moving “Hatikvah” and Sandi led every-  one in a beautiful “Star Spangled Banner.” Larry, a Editor/Designer: Ted Epstein (239) 249-0699 Advertising: Jim Lewin (239) 634-6923 past president of the Federation, threw the first pitch  of the game. L’CHAYIM invites correspondence on subjects of interest to Bottom right: Orlando musicians Lynn and Joe Jewish people. Partisan political opinions will not be published, but opinions on subjects affecting the Jewish community are Goldovitz, accompanied by local musicians Jacob welcome. All inquiries regarding copy for L’CHAYIM should be Goldberger on clarinet and Ethan Thomas directed to the editor. All news material must be very clearly on drums, welcomed attendees to Hammond printed or typed (not in all-capital letters) and double-spaced. Electronic submissions encouraged. The editor reserves the Stadium with lively and entertaining klezmer right to edit for space and content. and Jewish music. Photographs should be clear, black-and-white or color prints. If you wish a photograph returned, include a stamped, Below: The Jewish War Veterans Victor Paul self-addressed envelope of appropriate size. Tuchman Post 400 presented an honor guard The Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties disclaims at the celebration. The honor guard included responsibility or endorsement of the views expressed by the writers and claims by advertisers. the following veterans: Harvey Charter, Bob Ruberto, Bernie Aaronson, Isaac Osin, Den- AUGUST ISSUE nis Simon, Ed Drucker and Herb Lutsky. EDITORIAL DEADLINE: (Photos courtesy Michael Shapiro) Tuesday, July 5 Grow you business with L’CHAYIM. Reach 5,000 local Jewish residents through this paper. For more information or to place an ad, call Jim at 239.634.6923 or send an email to [email protected]. L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 OUR FEDERATION Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties 3

The Jewish Federation Annual Campaign provides the resources to strengthen and enrich our Jewish community locally, in Israel and around the world. YOUR SUPPORT Sunday Promote Strengthen & enrich Honor/ Share your KINDNESS JEWISH COMMarchMUNITY 1st Remember MITZVAH A LOVED ONE

This year please consider making an additional campaign contribution in honor or in memory of a loved one. Because kindness is contagious we would like to highlight your generosity in L’CHAYIM and notify personally those whom you honor. You may choose how your generosity is noted and how we share your mitzvah with our community.

It was a pleasure and privilege serv- TRIBUTES ing as co-president with my dear friend In memory of Albert Joseph Newman, beloved father of Rozzi Osterman Barbara Siegel. Barbara enriches our from Brian & Sara Krivisky board with her insight, candor and governance skills. We are grateful that The leadership and staff of the Jewish Federation she will continue to guide and advise of Lee and Charlotte Counties extend condolences to Linda Idelson us. Together with our dedicated staff, on the death of her father, Sidney Freedman. we look forward to working with our newly elected board members. The Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte OBITUARY Counties is a dynamic organization that Albert Joseph Newman, beloved father of Rozzi Osterman, passed away in is committed to providing cultural pro- Los Angeles on April 5, 2016. He was born on Dec 17, 1924, and grew up grams, inspired Jewish Family Servic- in Weirton, West Virginia. Albert served in France during WWII, trained as a es, and meeting the needs of our Jewish flight cadet and was later transferred to the U.S. Army’s medical division. Af- community. Thank you for entrusting ter the war, he studied engineering at the Univ. of West Virginia. Albert will be me with the leadership of the Federa- greatly missed for his generous heart, unlimited patience, humility and strength tion, an organization that I have valued of character. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Shirley, and his de- deeply for over 20 years. voted daughters and their families in Florida, , Colorado and Israel. – Rozzi Osterman, Federation President Rozzi Osterman and Barbara Siegel Federation Book Club reads new authors recommended by the Jewish Book Council By Leni Sack he August and September read- clear that Harry has an urgent mes- cal position seems her ticket out of a day, August 24, and Lilac Girls on ing selections for the Jewish sage to convey. Unlocking the puzzle desolate life. Once hired though, she Wednesday, September 28. Meetings TFederation Book Club are debut will set Bess on a course back through finds herself trapped in a male-domi- are held on the fourth Wednesday of novels by two authors. Although the the pair’s extraordinary interfaith ro- nated realm of Nazi secrets and power. each month at the Federation office authors share the same last name, they mance, which swept the illusionist and The three very different women are at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to are not related. his bride from the beaches of Coney destined to meet. attend. RSVPs are requested. Please Victoria Kelly wrote Mrs. Houdini, Island to the palaces of Budapest and Mrs. Houdini will be discussed at contact me at [email protected] or the August book club selection. Ms. the backlots of Hollywood. the book group meeting on Wednes- 239.481.4449 x3. Kelly is a graduate of Harvard Uni- September’s reading selection, Li- versity, Trinity College in Dublin, and lac Girls, was written by Martha Hall the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She is the Kelly, a native New Englander now JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES author of a poetry collection, When the living in Atlanta, where she is currently of Lee & Charlotte Counties Men Go Off to War, the first original writing a second novel. poetry publication in the history of the Lilac Girls is the story of three Our Mission Naval Institute Press. women whose lives are set on a colli- To strengthen and enrich the Jewish Community by providing and supporting philanthropic, educational and social service programs locally, in Israel and Mrs. Houdini is a thrilling tale sion course during World War II. A New throughout the world. that goes to the heart of one of histo- York socialite working at the French ry’s greatest love stories, asking what consulate has her world changed for- Our Vision A Jewish Community that is based on Jewish values such as Tzedakah drives people to believe in something ever when Hitler’s army invades Po- (benevolence), Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and K’lal Yisrael (taking bigger than themselves. Before escape land in September 1939, with his sights responsibility for one another). artist Harry Houdini died, he vowed on France. An ocean away, a Polish he would find a way to speak to his teenager senses her carefree youth Our dedication to service comes beloved wife, Bess, from beyond the disappearing as she is drawn deeper from our commitment to ancient grave, using a coded message known into her role as a courier for the under- Jewish values: benevolence, only to the two of them. When his ground resistance movement. And for taking responsibility for one another widow begins seeing the code in seem- an ambitious young German doctor, an and repairing what we can in our world. ingly impossible places, it becomes advertisement for a government medi- Federation awards college scholarships he Jewish Community Founda- community under 30 years of age for tion of the Jewish Federation of college or graduate school study from Lee and Charlotte Counties has designated funds held by the Founda- We do this by developing and maintaining T community outreach programs such as made its college scholarship awards tion’s Morton Levine Youth Endow- for 2016. The application review com- ment Fund. Jewish Family Services, offering information mittee of JoAnn Lewin, Barbara Sie- The 2016 scholarship recipients and referrals to the elderly, the indigent gel, Andi Horowitz and Alan Isaacs is are Molly Rose Duignan, Rebecca and families with special needs. chaired by Sherri Zucker. Goldstein, Shawn Daniel Karson and Family services provides Four need-based scholarships were Hanna Katherine Lipsey. support groups for those awarded this year to Jewish students. On behalf of the Jewish commu- suffering separation, These annual scholarships are made nity, we wish the recipients success in bereavement and other available to Jewish applicants from our their education endeavors. challenges of life. On our children and adult members visit senior facilities and private Thanks to the following supporters of L’CHAYIM for The Food Pantry provides homes, bringing gift baskets, greetings and their contributions to help underwrite the cost of groceries and food cards cheer to our community’s aging members. to those in need. bringing news of the local, national and international Preparation classes for the SAT exam are Jewish community to your mailbox every month! provided at a reduced cost.

MEDIA MOGULS: SUBSCRIBERS: Needs-based scholarships are available The Jewish Federation of Joel & Renee Sugar for college attendance and educational Naomi Bloom & Lee and Charlotte Counties. Michele Komito & Abbe programs in Israel. Ron Wallace Foreman We are the thread that Lore Rosenstrauch runs through and unites our REPORTERS: Sandi Falk Jewish community. Jeffrey & Roberta Kushner Emmi Fischl Connect with us. Join us. Support us! L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 4 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties OUR COMMUNITY New exhibit at Holocaust Museum: Calypso – Wartime Through Song L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 OUR COMMUNITY Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties 5 New exhibit at Holocaust Museum: Calypso – Wartime Through Song By Amy Snyder, Executive Director, Holocaust Museum & Education Center of SWFL his summer, thanks to a grant summer youth programs. important source of news and political and its political undertones which would from the Naples Children’s Using the lyrics of popular Calypso commentary for people in the Caribbean emerge more fully during their 1938 TEducation Foundation (NCEF), songs of the day, students will discover and beyond. The talented musicians rematch. A little known fact about the Founders of the Naples Winter Wine important aspects of World War II his- and songwriters known as “Calypso- German fighter is that his long-time Festival, students will have the opportu- tory. They will learn why Trinidad, the nians” had an influence which spread manager was Jewish. Despite his fame, nity to learn about home of Calypso music, was strategi- far beyond their small island over the and at great personal risk, Schmeling World War II cally important to both the Allied and years. They adopted bold stage names protected and hid his manager’s sons history from an Axis powers during the war. They will such as “Roaring Lion,” “Attila the during Kristallnacht. unlikely source uncover the fact that World War II mili- Hun” and “Lord Invader.” They per- The Museum will again offer its – Calypso music! tary battles took place in the Caribbean formed on stages and under tents, and popular Holocaust Education Seminar The NCEF and off the coast of South America. A held lively head-to-head competitions for area educators currently teach- grant funded the variety of interactive experiences are known as “Calypso Wars.” Calypso- ing in public and private schools, and creation of this also planned. Budding “Calypsonians” nians developed a free style of verse home school programs. The three-day summer’s unique can even create and perform their own known as Extempo, a technique similar seminar will take place July 27-29  Amy education pro- songs, using actual Calypso instruments to today’s rap. Lord Invader created one from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Breakfast Snyder gramming, which like the “Tamboo Bamboo,” a tall bam- of the most famous songs of World War and lunch will be provided daily, and is based on the Museum’s new exhibit, boo wood instrument and, of course, a II – “Rum and Coca-Cola.” A version all participants will receive classroom- Calypso – Wartime Through Song. Our steel drum! It will be a lively summer of this song was illegally produced by ready materials to bring home at the second annual Summer Institute pro- in the Museum! the American singers, The Andrews conclusion of the seminar. For more gram in conjunction with Grace Place The exhibit is on display through Sisters. Lord Invader sued for copyright details and to register, please contact for Children and Families will also Sunday, October 2. Calypso highlights infringement and won his case in 1948. Education Special Sam Parish at Sam@ host young people from the Boys and how, during the early to mid-20th Songs covered everything from HolocaustMuseumSWFL.org. Girls Clubs of Collier County and other century, Calypso music became an daily life under colonial government Enjoy your summer, and we hope to sports to sharp international political to see you at the Museum! For more commentaries. The song “Joe Louis” information on our summer education by The Caresser captured the famous programming, the Calypso exhibit, 1936 Joe Louis/Max Schmeling fight and the 2016 Educator Seminar, please contact the Museum at 239.263.9200 or visit www.Holocaust MuseumSWFL.org. P.S. In mid- to late-August, we an- ticipate being closed to the public for sev- eral days to complete Record label with the song “Joe Louis” Record label with the song “The Invasion of our annual “house- (credit: Bear Family Records) Poland” (ceedit: Bear Family Records) cleaning chores.” Please call or visit our website in July GENEROUS DONORS: for the exact dates we will be closed to the Anonymous Angels Calypso musicians during a show public. Temple Beth El Temple Judea Mellow Mah Jongg Ladies Israeli Dancers Toni Goodman Jay & Cathy Rosman Judith Yevick Brian & Sara Krivisky Marty & Judy Freling Shalom Life Center

Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties Food Pantry Needs Following is a list of staples & Non-perishable items always in need at the food pantry.

 Peanut butter and jelly Game Night at the home of  Pasta and Pasta sauce Jessica & Josh Hatch  Rice and beans Saturday, July 23 at 9:00 p.m.  Canned vegetables and fruits  Cereal  Canned meats OPEN TO ALL  Condiments YOUNG JEWISH  Toiletries for adults & children Happy Hour ADULTS AGES 2540 with the Naples For more Jewish Professionals Information at C Level Bistro & Bar and to RSVP

Bonita Springs Contact Leni Gift cards to Publix, Walmart, etc., as well as cash donations are also appreciated. Jewish Wednesday, July 27 [email protected] at 6:30 p.m. or Family Services helps seniors, individuals and 239.481.4449 x3 families with a variety of needs. L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 6 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties OUR COMMUNITY Jewish Family Services Senior Outreach By Nate Blyveis hat a delight it was to see Devora Buchen. The rabbi welcomed berg’s story of her father, who was an gentlemen played and won, and played all the people arrive at all the guests and led the hamotzi be- actor in Russia. (Can you imagine a nice and won, until about every bingo card WTemple Beth Shalom for the fore eating. Micaela and Helene had set Jewish boy being an actor back then?) was filled out. Prizes were handed out monthly “Super-Senior Luncheon.” I up a fabulous buffet with lots of Jew- Well, in order to marry the woman of until they had run out and everyone was invited by Helene Glocer to come ish food: several salads, baba ganoush his dreams (Muriel’s mother), he had had a good time. When you read the and take pictures. Helene explained and pitas, rice and lentils, dolmades, to change his profession. So he became bingo card below, you’ll see why it was that this luncheon for Jewish commu- falafel, fruit cups, tabbouleh, and for a rabbi! (Ah, much more acceptable.) so much fun to play. nity members who “don’t get out very desserts there were brownies, cookies Muriel, herself had a wonderful story often,” was really the idea of her Ar- and bear claws. What a feast for lunch! about her career in producing shows gentinian father-in-law. That was quite Everyone socialized as they ate, and I with her two sons. They produced a while ago. But when Helene began heard some of the great stories seniors shows with Tammy Wynette, and were explaining her ideas to Micaela Solo- have to share. the first producers to bring The Drifters, mon, Jewish Family Services Outreach My favorite was Muriel Fichtel- a black vocal group, to West Virginia. Coordinator at the Jewish Federation, Older people have everything coalesced into these month- some wonderful ly luncheons. tales to relate, if Stan Zell and Muriel Fichtelberg only we have the were greeters at the door and made time to listen. name tags for everyone. People walk, After lunch, some with walkers, and some in wheel Helene handed out chairs, but usually around 30 people Jewish bingo cards show up. Tuesday, May 17 was a slow made by Harvey day with only 20 guests, plus a daugh- and Jodi Cohen, ter, plus a granddaughter, plus Rabbi Playing bingo at the “Super-Senior Luncheon” at Temple Beth Shalom and the ladies and ICE CREAM SOCIAL & MOVIE Community JFED FreeSOCIAL Synagogue CLUB THURSDAY, JULY 28 at 2:00 P.M. “Brown Bag $6/person Movie Night” his is the story of the period As the horrors perpetrated by Hit-

“ between two world wars – ler’s regime became known, Chaplin THE MOVIE IS “LEMON TREE” an interim during deeply regretted making a T Ice cream includes sugar-free which insanity cut loose, comedy send-up, but this GROUP TRAVEL INCENTIVES! liberty took a nose dive,and lactose-free choicesfilm remains one of the and humanity was kicked best critiques of the moral RSVP to Leni at [email protected] around somewhat.”or With239.481.4449 x3 absurdities of fascism. this pithy opening title, Pack a dinner; the Charles 9701Chaplin Commerce begins his Center Ct., Fort Myerssynagogue provides com- first all-talking 1940 feature plimentary soft drinks and film, The Great Dictator, a snacks. Admission is free biting comedic assault on and open to all. The event Group Leader Program: Hitler and fascism which takes place at the South- Earn free or deeply discounted travel! was nominated for five Academy west Florida Masonic Center, 10868 Awards. Metro Parkway in South Fort Myers. Put some FUN in your FUNdraising: We can customize a fundraising vacation for your group or organization’s needs. From a three or more ICE CREAM SOCIAL & MOVIE day cruise, a custom motor coach trip, an all-inclusive resort or a fly and hotel package, the possibilites are JFED SOCIAL CLUB endless. Depending on your fundraising goals, we can THURSDAY, JULY 28 at 2:00 P.M. work with you in meeting or exceding your expectations! $6/person Give us a call today to find out more. Let’s plan an exciting adventure for your group or organization together! THE MOVIE IS “LEMON TREE” Ice cream includes sugar-free 866.235.7326 and lactose-free choices AllAboardTravel.com

12530 World Plaza Lane #1 | Ft. Myers, FL 33907 RSVP to Leni at [email protected] FL ST#37304 or 239.481.4449 x3 Like us on Facebook! 9701 Commerce Center Ct., Fort Myers ConneCt with your Jewish Community www.facebook.com/ facebook.com/jfedsrqJewishFederationLCC Bar / Bat Mitzvah Specialist Choosing the right photographer is an important decision. Michael Shapiro has more than 30 years experience in media and journalism. He is able to capture images that are unique, unexpected and spontaneous. Each Tuesday afternoon, an open session of Mah Jongg is held at the Jewish Federation.

Players must be at least advanced beginners, as no lessons are given.

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for more information call [email protected] Rona Strausberg at 239.949.9003 www.shapiro-photography.com L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 OUR COMMUNITY Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties 7 Jewish Family Services Senior Outreach The Israeli Olympians are coming to SWFL! By Marina Berkovich gentlemen played and won, and played hen Coach Tatiana Tsym and “But I was back in competition when my took their training very seriously, with please contact us at [email protected]. and won, until about every bingo card her family decided to relo- son was five months old. I felt I could Anat always just a little ahead. So at the Exhibition Schedule: was filled out. Prizes were handed outW cate to Israel after working still represent Israel through one more beginning of this year it seemed that she We have scheduled four events for the until they had run out and everyonewith the National Team of Greece over Olympic season,” says Anastasia. was in, and Evgenia would be the alter- community to watch the synchronized had a good time. When you read theseveral years, her daughter, Anastasia Anastasia’s forte is the Solo Pro- nate. A fluke accident during practice swimmers at the T2 Aquatics Pool at bingo card below, you’ll see why it wasGloushkov, was only six years old. Little grams, but to compete in the Olympics, brought Anat’s Olympic aspirations to 13275 Livingston Road (just north of so much fun to play. did these two women imagine that they she must be part of the Duet. Her three- an end – she broke her thumb, and had to Pine Ridge Road), in Naples. will be the faces of Israel’s Olympic time Olympic Duet partner, Ina Yoffe, sit this year out. “No worries,” she said XXSunday, July 17 at 11:30 a.m. Synchronized Swimming, and ever retired after London 2012, so Anastasia to Tsym, “I really should be focusing on (Welcome Reception) more unimaginable then was their 2016 trained with two new partners. It was my University studies.” XXThursday, July 21 at 7:00 p.m. pre-Olympic training in Naples, Florida. understood from the start that the best Anat was in Rio during the Olym- XXWednesday, July 27 at11:30 a.m. “Israel’s synchronized swimming of them would be going to the Games. pics qualifications in March 2016, XXSunday, July 31 at 6:30 p.m. was not a serious sport in those days,” Anat Lisman and Evgenia Tetelbaum but will not be returning there for the (Good Luck Reception) says Tatiana Tsym, Head Coach of Is- Games. It was Evgenia Tetelbaum and To register for an event, please call rael’s Synchronized Swimming. When Anastasia Gloushkov-Leventhal, who 239.566.1771. th Anastasia won in the 2000 Mediter- placed a respectable 12 during quali- Correction: In the June issue of ranean Games in , earning fications, and will be marching in the L’CHAYIM, a person was misiden- gold medals in both the solo and the opening ceremony on Friday, August 5. tified in the “Temple Beth Shalom duet events, she was only 15. That same “We are looking forward to train- Pesach Seder” article and accompa- year she qualified for the Olympics in ing in Naples,” says Tsym, who had nying photo. The person in the article Sydney, Australia, but Israel’s Swim- come scouting this location two years and the photo below is Michael R. ming Federation had no allocation for ago. “It is friendly, warm, and only a Scolnick. synchronized swimming. “Not yet!” one-hour time difference with Rio. I am adds Tsym, “Since then we worked hard hoping our new friends here will help ICE CREAM SOCIAL & MOVIE and Anastasia will be representing Israel set the Duet onto the steady path, both in her fourth Olympic Games: Athens physically and emotionally, to meet this Community JFED FreeSOCIAL Synagogue CLUB 2004, Bejing 2008, London 2012 and challenge.” THURSDAY, JULY 28 at 2:00 P.M. Rio de Janeiro now. We are all very ex- The Jewish Historical Society of cited – the country, our Jerusalem swim- Southwest Florida is proud to be the “Brown Bag $6/person Movie Night” As the horrors perpetrated by Hit-ming club and, of course, her family.” facilitator of the historic visit of Olym- ler’s regime became known, Chaplin Anastasia’s dad, Sergei, once upon a pics-bound Israelis to Naples. Four THE MOVIE IS “LEMON TREE” deeply regretted making atime a competitive swimmer for USSR, exhibitions are planned in partnership Ice cream includes sugar-freecomedy send-up, but thishad passed away in 2013, the same year with the Jewish Federation of Collier and lactose-free choices Anastasia Gloushkov-Leventhal, film remains one of Anastasia the decided to take a break in the Coach Tatiana Tsym and Evgenia Tetelbaum County. To become an event sponsor, best critiques of the moralsport and gave birth to her son, Tom. at the 2016 London Worlds volunteer or in-kind services provider, RSVP to Leni at [email protected] or 239.481.4449 x3 absurdities of fascism. Pack a dinner; theTemple Beth Shalom Shabbat 9701 Commerce Center Ct., Fort Myerssynagogue provides com- plimentary soft drinks andMemorial Day Service snacks. Admission is free n Friday night, May 27, the At the end of the service, everyone and open to all. The event Jewish War Veterans Victor gathered in the social hall for the Kid- takes place at the South- Paul Tuchman Post 400 held dush and a lovely Shabbat prepared by west Florida Masonic Center, 10868O its annual Shabbat Memorial Day the “Oneg Ladies” of the sisterhood. It Metro Parkway in South Fort Myers. Service at Temple Beth Shalom. As was pleasing to see the vets stay and everyone was seated, the TBS Choir enjoy themselves and meet with so marched into the sanctuary singing many Temple members. ICE CREAM SOCIAL & MOVIE “Over There,” the WWI doughboys My Private Gorgeous Home song. At the head of the choir line JFED SOCIAL CLUB was Gabriel Weinstein, Temple Beth THURSDAY, JULY 28 at 2:00 P.M. Shalom’s Bar Mitzvah of 2015 and $6/person R.O.T.C. precision drill team member. Gabriel performed a rifle drill for the FORI can’t be thereRENT! all the time. veterans. A warm greeting for the vet- THE MOVIE IS “LEMON TREE” erans was then given by Rabbi Devora RELAXING AND ADVENTUROUS Ice cream includes sugar-free Buchen, who led the congregants, the Enjoy the privacy and seclusion of five acres on pristine Lake Chatuge and lactose-free choices veterans, and the choir in a song-filled in western North Carolina. Surround yourself with the breathtaking service. RSVP to Leni at [email protected] Post Commander Harvey B. Char- beauty of the mountains and valleys of Natahala National Park. or 239.481.4449 x3 ter allowed each veteran to read the • 9701 Commerce Center Ct., Fort Myers names of the local men and women Activities onsite or nearby: Horseback Riding•White Water Rafting gave their lives for the defense of the Sandy Swimming Beach•Nearby Public Pool•Camping United States. This solemn ceremony Hiking and Waterfalls•Biking•Golf•Tennis•Boating•Fishing preceded the choir’s rendition of the Applachian Trail•Blue Ridge Parkway•Great Smokey Mountains National Park fight song for each of the five services: Cherokee Indian Reservation•Flea Markets•Auctions•Antique Shopping Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Local Festivals•Close to shopping and medical facilities Coast Guard. Gabriel Weinstein at the head of the choir line Call or email for a detailed flyer and more information [email protected] This month’s 239-823-5231 Bar / Bat Mitzvah Specialist advertisers Choosing the right photographer is an important decision. This publication is brought to you each month thanks to the support Center for Judaic, Holocaust, of our advertisers. Please be sure to use their products and services, Michael Shapiro has more than 30 years experience in media and mention that you found them in L’CHAYIM. and journalism. He is able to capture images that are unique, and Genocide Studies Advanced Pain Management...... 4 Dr. David Heligman...... 21 Dedicated to educating all sectors of society about unexpected and spontaneous. All Aboard Travel...... 6 Henderson Franklin...... 13 Alliance Financial Group...... 13 Holocaust Musuem & Ed. Ctr...16 Jewish civilization, , and genocide through: Art of Fashion and Moore...... 13 Jewish Museum of FL-FIU...... 11 • scholarship Dr. Daniel Bendetowicz...... 13 Kays Ponger & Uselton...... 16 • outreach ClearCaptions...... 22 Lee Lighting...... 13 • inquiry Cypress Cove...... 9,19 Living Happily Counseling...... 13 • sharing knowledge Discovery Village...... 28 Charles Massie, CPA, CFP®.....13 Harold Eskin, Attorney...... 13 Michael Shapiro Photography.....6 • preserving the record Joseph Faerber, Attorney...... 13 Paragon Pools...... 13 • helping teachers FineMark Natl. Bank & Trust...11 P.B.S. Photography Studio...... 23 • encouraging students Florida Gulf Coast University.....7 PCC Tile...... 13 Florida Specialists in Urology...13 Pepper Pet Sitting...... 13 Fort Myers Memorial Gardens.10 Alan J. Rubinstein, Attorney.....13 Other Services: Weddings / Family Portraits / Events Frantz Eye Care...... 13 Ryder Orthopaedics...... 13 Susan Glasser, Realtor®...... 17 Snyderman’s Shoes...... 13 239.770.6860 Claire Goldhagen...... 7 Douglas Spiegel, Attorney...... 13 Gordon’s Pool & Spa Service....13 Taschner Periodontics...... 8 Visit www.fgcu.edu/hc/ [email protected] Green Schoenfeld & Kyle, LLP..13 Bob Vinikoor...... 13 www.shapiro-photography.com Gulf Coast Orthodontics...... 21 Paul Weinstein, CFP®...... 13 Dr. Paul Bartrop, Director L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 8 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties JEWISH INTEREST A stunning immigrant tale of identity, inheritance and transformation Book review by Philip K. Jason, Special to L’CHAYIM Don’t Let My Baby Do Rodeo, cally meets breasts daily while taking came to the U.S. when she was many Though they come by Boris Fishman. Harper. mammography images. years older than Alex was upon from different color 336 pages. Hardcover $26.99. Maya’s insistent need to be a mother his arrival and thus is not as fully palettes, Maya and leads them, in their mid-thirties, to acclimated. Still, they have been Max have become his novel ties together an explora- adopt. Their steps in taking this action living inside of the older Rubins’ profoundly related. tion of the immigrant experience, seem flawed – or at least naïve. The Mon- immigrant family patterns and still Though the Ru- Tthe roots of personal identity, and tana couple, not yet out of their teens, seem like they have not yet grown up. bins, returning to New Jersey, are not the possible shapes of families. It is an needs to meet the adopters, and they The journey is an informal educa- fully transformed, they seem far more episodic quest narrative that attempts deliver the child to the Rubins rather than tion in American openness, as well as capable of transformation. They seem to answer the use professional intermediaries. They other qualities symbolized by the im- capable of self-creation – of forging question: “What give up all rights. It is the birth mother, mensity and variety of the landscapes (such a double-edged word) identities makes eight-year- Laurel, who utters the title phrase: they move through. Once again, it’s like more vital than the immigrant cloaks old Max Rubin so “Don’t let my baby do rodeo.” She has they have moved to a foreign country they have been wearing. As middle age strange?” This is seen how rodeo has torn up her husband. – but this time they are much faster approaches, they are finally growing up. the question that The point of attack is eight years learners. They are tested over and over I came to love this book more and has been growing later. Maya is approaching her 43rd again, with mixed success, but always more as I stayed in it. The expository larger and larger in birthday. The Rubins’ situation as a with personal growth. Again, Maya is matter that prefaces the trip to Montana he wine world is, if nothing the mind of Maya family is not what they hoped it would more dynamic than Alex in these travel can drag a bit, though it is necessary. else, full of choices and sur- Shulman Rubin, be. Moreover, there is some kind of chapters, just as she is throughout the Fishman’s wit is not so fully on display prises. So many countries make  Phil T the woman who wildness in Max. He enjoys sleeping in novel. Thus her eyes are opened more here as in A Replacement Life, but wine, and there are so many varietals Jason with her husband a tent behind the house, collecting and widely and she learns much more about you’ve got to like a guy who knows that and styles, that even if we dedicate our Alex adopted the infant Max. The quest perhaps consuming grass samples, and herself. the perfect car model name for this quest lives to trying is a journey to the Montana home of communing with animals. He doesn’t fit An affair assists her education, as is the Ford Escape. them all (which Max’s birth parents, where Maya feels in at school. He doesn’t make friends. does a comment made when she finally Philip K. Jason is Professor Emeritus I do), there’s no the answer must lie. One day, when he is supposed to board engages Max’s birth mother again. (This of English from the United States Na- way to discover For Alex, Max doesn’t seem quite the school bus for his return home, he scene has a dreamlike quality and might val Academy. He reviews regularly for everything. so strange; his reluctant agreement to be taken as a dream or reverie.) Laurel Florida Weekly, Jewish Book World, At the end take the journey grows out of his need suggests that Max’s wildness is not Southern Literary Review, and other of May, my wife to soothe a range of stresses in the mar- some eruption of genetic traits but rather publications. Please visit Phil’s website and I journeyed riage. That is, he wishes to satisfy his the restless vibes he has picked up from at www.philjason.wordpress.com. to Hong Kong wife – somehow. Maya – the true, if repressed, wild one. to attend Vin- Alex and Maya live in suburban Expo, which is New Jersey. The son of Russian im- the largest annual trade show for the migrants, Alex met Maya when she world wine industry. Two floors of the came to the U. S. from the Ukraine as BOOK CLUB convention center on Victoria Harbour an exchange student. They are both Boris Fishman (photo by Stephanie Kaltsas) were packed with booths and displays children of Jewish parents whose sense gets on a public bus and disappears. representing wines from not only the of Jewish identity, while strong, does After he is discovered and brought RESUMES IN AUGUST expected places, but from Switzerland, not include active involvement in Jew- home, and after professional help to- , Moldova, Romania, Finland ish ritual or community life. Alex, who ward understanding Max’s behavior and Georgia (the one near Russia, not had struggled for a defining career, has proves ineffective, the family begins the Bring your dinner & join us for book group our neighboring state to the north). ended up working for his father’s import journey to Montana. And, while all the traditional coun- business. Maya’s dreams of becoming a The 2,000-mile journey is a new discussions at the Jewish Federation building tries and regions put their best bottles chef gave way to a job as a medical tech- beginning (perhaps actually the first be- on display, there were some surprises  nician. Seemingly infertile (we learn late ginning) of their American lives, which August 24 6:00 p.m. in the novel that their childlessness had until now have been highly restricted. Mrs. Houdini by Victoria Kelly to do with Alex, not Maya), she ironi- This is especially true for Maya, who  Studying family history brings more than just historical knowledge, it builds relationships. September 28 6:00 p.m. Learning the stories behind names and dates teaches a personal history that explains Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly more than just how each person came to be.

EVERYONE WELCOME Jewish Genealogy SIG (Special Interest Group) RSVPs for all regular book club meetings a must to Next meeting: Thursday, July 14 [email protected] or 239.481.4449 x3 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

LEARN HOW TO BEGIN RESEARCH INTO YOUR FAMILY’S HISTORY OR GET HELP FINDING NEW STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE THE SEARCH 9701 Commerce Center Ct. YOU HAVE ALREADY STARTED. Fort Myers 33908 There is no cost to attend. RSVP to Leni at [email protected] or 239.481.4449 x3 Meetings are held at the Jewish Federation ● 9701 Commerce Center Ct. ● Fort Myers 33908

Ronny S Taschner DDS Active Member of the American Academy of Periodontology

Jennifer Taschner DDS MMSc SHARE the experience of Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology reading with your children as they grow with PJ Library books.

Funded in Lee & Charlotte Counties by the Roth Family Foundation and the Asher Family Foundation . SIGN UP TODAY! Enrollment is open to families raising Jewish children between the ages of six months to eight years living in Lee & Charlotte counties.

Families can sign up for PJ Library at www.pjlibrary.org 1645 Medical Lane, Fort Myers, FL For more information, contact Leni Sack at [email protected] or 239.481.4449 x3 Phone 239-936-0635 Visit Our Website www.taschnerperio.com L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 JEWISH INTEREST Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties 9 Our mission at Beth T’Shuvah By Allan Hall, Member of Beth T’Shuvah halom from Beth T’Shuvah at lived too far away. There were no other started teaching GED mathematics and others to become better, whole people Charlotte Correctional Institu- Jews where I grew up and I was clue- doing all that I could to help others. through LifePath Group Project’s Self- Stion in Punta Gorda. My name is less on how to explore my Jewishness. Three years later I was the leader Betterment programs. I now help oth- Allan Hall and I would like to share my Then, in 1993, I went to prison for of the Jewish community at Marion ers learn how NOT to be a criminal. story with you. a crime I did not commit, with a life Correctional Institution, teaching To- When I came to prison I didn’t I am 58 years old and grew up in a without parole sentence. This seemed rah and Tanya to others. I did the same know that G-d had a plan for me to small town in Michigan. I was told my like anything but an opportunity to me. at Mayo Correctional Institution and become a teacher, but that picture is whole life that I was Jewish, but I did I did, however, have plenty of free time Martin Correctional Institution while clear to me now. I’ve learned what it not grow up in a Jewish home and had and began studying all the self-help ma- continuing to teach education. means to be “Jewish” too. Being Jew- no idea what being Jewish meant. My terials I could get my hands on. I wanted I then arrived at Charlotte Cor- ish is loving your fellow brothers and great-grandmother spoke a strange lan- to learn how to be a better person. rectional Institution in 2012 where sisters, setting a good example for oth- guage – I later learned it was Yiddish – In 1997, I finally found a Jewish there were others to run the commu- ers, and helping others to be the best and had some strange ways, but I never community inside of prison and started nity – Beth T’Shuvah. This allowed person they can be. This is our mission spent much time with her because she my Jewish studies. At this same time, I me to dedicate more time to teaching at Beth T’Shuvah. Rising stars By The Wine Whisperer he wine world is, if nothing from here at home and abroad. Borgianni Chianti – The entire else, full of choices and sur- During three days of dedicated 12th century village of Volpaia is one Tprises. So many countries make sampling, we discovered some up- big winery. This example from the wine, and there are so many varietals and-coming wines. Some were made Borgianni family has floral and red and styles, that even if we dedicate our in places you’d expect, and some were berry flavors with a nose of smoke, lives to trying not. pencil lead and cherry. them all (which Heron Hill Eclipse – This blend Writer’s Block Cabernet Franc I do), there’s no of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot – If you’ve ever been to Napa Valley, way to discover Gris is from the Finger Lakes region chances are excellent that you didn’t everything. of , specifically Keuka Lake. drive a bit farther north to Lake Coun- At the end The vineyards along the lakefront en- ty, which is the most rural and least of May, my wife joy a cold climate that’s perfect for populated county in the area. Take and I journeyed zippy, acidic whites to pair with hearty the trip, because the wineries located to Hong Kong fish dishes and cream sauces. Some of around Clear Lake, while not very well  Jerry to attend Vin- the varietals, such as Vidal Blanc and known, turn out some terrific wines at Greenfield Expo, which is Seyval Blanc, are not well known. But value prices. Here, legendary Zinfan- and is fermented in stainless steel, so the largest annual trade show for the this example, from more familiar vari- del winemaker Jed Steele does a sensa- the fruit flavors are very direct and world wine industry. Two floors of the etals, is a good choice, with its flavors tional job with Cabernet Franc, which pure. convention center on Victoria Harbour of melon, fruit cocktail and oak. is a great alternative to Cabernet Sau- Sample widely. Please email me were packed with booths and displays Spring Seed Wine Company 4 vignon, when you’re in the mood for with questions or suggestions at jerry representing wines from not only the O’clock Chardonnay – Australia’s something a bit different. @thewine-whisperer.com. expected places, but from Switzerland, McLaren Vale, just outside Adelaide, is Punto Final Malbec – As the en- Jerry Greenfield is The Wine Whisper- Taiwan, Moldova, Romania, Finland one of the country’s prime winegrow- tire world knows, the Mendoza region er. He is Creative Director of Green- and Georgia (the one near Russia, not ing regions. While it’s best known for of Argentina has made Malbec wine field Advertising Group, and his book, our neighboring state to the north). bold, hearty Shiraz, this Chardonnay something to be both respected and Secrets of the Wine Whisperer, is now And, while all the traditional coun- offers yummy flavors of stone fruit, enjoyed. This example, with flavors of available through his website or on tries and regions put their best bottles nectarine, peach, lime and pink grape- red and black berries, black pepper and Amazon. Read his other writings on his on display, there were some surprises fruit. vanilla, comes from 50-year-old vines, website at www.winewhisperer.com. L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 10 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties JEWISH INTEREST Moroccan Grilled Fish Kebabs Stars of David – recipe by Dalia Hemed can hardly believe it, but the 4th of in Middle Eastern Sephardic Jewish may substitute fresh parsley) July is already upon us. Time flies! cooking. Combined with lemon juice • 2 crushed garlic cloves IIndependence Day lands on a Mon- in a marinade, they bring lots of aro- • 1 tsp paprika day this year, giving us an opportunity matic flavor to the fish. Cooking them • 1 tsp salt to celebrate a long weekend. And I’m on a smoky grill adds even more de- • 1/2 tsp cumin On Your Favorite Viewing Platform guessing that most of our celebrations liciousness. Choose a firm white fish • 1/4 tsp turmeric The 8th season of Comedians in Cars will be start on the weekend, which that won’t flake or fall apart too eas- • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper Getting Coffee, hosted by JERRY means we’ll need lots of tasty sum- ily on the grill. Try not to marinate the • Sliced lemon wedges SEINFELD, 62, began on June 16 on mer recipes to keep everybody full and fish for longer than two hours, or the • Chopped cilantro for garnish (if the website Crackle (which can also be happy citrus in the lemon juice will start to desired) streamed to your TV by devices like Are you grilling up something break down the meat, which will make Preparation: Roku). A new episode is released each th X delicious for the 4 of July? I am! In it more delicate on the grill. X Cut the fish into 1½ inch chunks Thursday and can be viewed when our family, the 4th is all about outdoor This is a nice and simple way to for skewering. Personal Chef Dalia Hemed can you want for months thereafter. Guests grilling, salads and summer mezze. I prepare flavorful fish kebabs that are XX In a small bowl, whisk together be reached at 239.887.1986 scheduled to appear this season include love to grill. In sunny Florida, there’s loaded with flavor. Serve these by olive oil, lemon juice, cilantro, or [email protected]. SNL creator and producer LORNE nothing better than throwing a meal on themselves as appetizers or over rice crushed garlic, paprika, salt, cum- MICHAELS, 71, and producer/director the grill and sipping a cold cocktail as with grilled vegetables. These skewers in, turmeric and cayenne pepper. • 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juiceJUDD APATOW, 48. The weeks they the sun goes down. Sometimes I’m in are great with my Grilled Lemon But- Place fish chunks in a glass dish. • 2 tsp fresh lemon zest will appear have not yet been disclosed th a grilling mood, but I want something ter Zucchini. Recipe. Happy 4 of July! Pour marinade over the fish chunks • 1/2 tsp white pepper as I write this. light, especially on really hot summer Moroccan Grilled Fish Kebabs and stir to coat. • 1/4 tsp salt A new series with a Jewish con- X nights. Today, I’ll be featuring some Ingredients: X Cover with plastic wrap. Place • 1 garlic clove, crushed nection that will play into July is Maya th light grilled recipes for the 4 of July. • 1½ lbs firm white fish (sea bass, in the refrigerator and let the fish • Fresh lemon wedges and chopped & Marty. MAYA RUDOLPH, 43, and My Moroccan Marinated Fish Skewers halibut, snapper) marinate for 30 minutes. If using parsley for garnish (optional) Martin Short, 66, co-host a live variety fit the bill. • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil wood skewers, soak them in water Preparation: show (music and sketches). New shows X This marinade includes many of • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon while the fish is marinating. This X Preheat your grill. Score the fleshyair Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m. on NBC. my favorite spices, which are also juice will keep them from burning on cut side of the zucchini halves withRudolph, a former SNL star, made a some of the most common spices used • 3 tbsp fresh minced cilantro (you the grill. a few small shallow slits. This willmoving appearance earlier this year X X Preheat your grill. Skewer the fish help the butter sauce to penetrateon the PBS series Finding Your Roots. chunks, evenly divided between the veggies; it will also make themHer father, music producer DICK four wooden skewers. cook quicker and more evenly. RUDOLPH, 69, is Jewish. Her mother X X Generously grease the grill. Place Place the zucchini slices skin sidewas Minnie Riperton, the late African- the skewers on the grill and cook down, cut side up on a plate. American pop star. Maya said she knew X for about 10 minutes total, turning X Whisk together melted butter, almost nothing about her Jewish family once during cooking, till the edges parsley, lemon juice, lemon zest,roots because Dick’s father cut virtu- are browned and the fish is cooked white pepper, salt and garlic. ally all ties to his family, including his X through. A bit of the fish might X Baste the cut side of the zucchiniparents. You really have to check out stick to the grill. The less you turn generously with the melted butterthis delightful program full of top notch them, the less this will happen. sauce. stars. (The season ends July 12). X X X Garnish with chopped cilantro, if X Place the zucchini on a medium Also catch Murder in the First desired. Serve with sliced lemon hot grill, green sides down, basted (TNT, began June 19, new episodes air wedges and with grilled zucchini. sides up. Sundays at 10:00 p.m.). This show’s X Grilled Zucchini X Grill the zucchini for 6 minutes,“gimmick” is that each ten-episode Ingredients: then flip. Continue to grill for an-season covers one distinct murder inves- • 4 medium zucchinis, halved other 6-8 minutes till tender. tigation. Taye Diggs, 45, who was long X Independently owned, family oriented. lengthwise X Serve garnished with fresh lemonmarried to IDINA MENZEL, 45 (they • 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter wedges and chopped parsley, if de- Together we celebrate tradition. • 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley sired. Keeping Memories Alive. Candle lighting times: 1589 Colonial Blvd. July 1: 8:07 Fort Myers, FL 33907 July 8: 8:06 www.fortmyersmemorial.com July 15: 8:05 239-936-0555 ~ 877-936-0555 July 22: 8:02 July 29: 7:58

Are you interested in giving back to your community?

DO YOU want to experience the riches that our local seniors have to offer?

Join us for our monthly senior lunches! We have lots more room for new people! If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity that is fun and rewarding and will not require a lot of time, please call Micaela at the Federation. We need volunteer drivers to pick up the seniors. We need volunteers to call a senior once a week and pick up them up for the luncheon. Volunteers are also needed to greet people as they come in, help set up the food and tables and to help clean up afterwards. We will provide rides for those who need them. We guarantee that you will have as much fun as the people you are assisting.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Senior Outreach Program please contact Micaela Solomon at Jewish Family Services, (239) 4814449 ext. 6. L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 JEWISH INTEREST Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties 11 Stars of David Interested in Your By Nate Bloom, Contributing Columnist Editor’s note: Persons in BOLD CAPS are deemed by Nate Bloom to Family’s History? be Jewish for the purpose of the column. Persons identified as Jewish have at least one Jewish parent and were not raised in a faith other than Nate Bloom (see column at left) has become a family history expert in 10 Judaism – and don’t identify with a faith other than Judaism as an adult. Converts years of doing his celebrity column, and he has expert friends who can help to Judaism, of course, are also identified as Jewish. when called on. Most family history experts charge $1,000 or more to do a full family-tree search. However, Bloom knows that most people want to start On Your Favorite Viewing Platform split up in 2014), stars as a San Fran- with a limited search of one family line. The 8th season of Comedians in Cars cisco detective who leads the investiga- Getting Coffee, hosted by JERRY tion with his female partner (Kathleen So here’s the deal: SEINFELD, 62, began on June 16 on Robertson). This season begins with Write Bloom at [email protected] and enclose a phone number. the website Crackle (which can also be the murder of a star pro football player. streamed to your TV by devices like In season one, STEVEN WEBER, 55, Nate will then contact you about starting a limited search. If that Roku). A new episode is released each had a big recurring role as Wilkerson, goes well, additional and more extensive searches are possible. Thursday and can be viewed when the driver and confidant of a rich guy The first search fee is no more than $100. No upfront cost. Also, Personal Chef Dalia Hemed can you want for months thereafter. Guests suspected of murder. Weber returns several of this newspaper’s readers have asked Bloom to locate be reached at 239.887.1986 scheduled to appear this season include this season as Wilkerson. Exactly why or [email protected]. SNL creator and producer LORNE Wilkerson is involved in this new case friends and family members from their past, and that’s worked MICHAELS, 71, and producer/director is not yet clear. Weber works constantly, out great for them. So contact him about this as well. JUDD APATOW, 48. The weeks they but I suspect most veteran TV watchers will appear have not yet been disclosed know him best as the younger on will almost certainly recognize if you in the 1972 Olympics (either because as I write this. the hit TV series Wings. Google his name. The elder Macht has they were Jewish or simply because A new series with a Jewish con- Also on TNT is Animal Kingdom. become a pretty observant Jew in the the Soviets didn’t trust them to travel). nection that will play into July is Maya It began on June 14 and new episodes last decade. They gave up a good life to immigrate & Marty. MAYA RUDOLPH, 43, and air on Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m. This ten- At the Movies to America in 1989. The Los Angeles Martin Short, 66, co-host a live variety episode show stars ELLEN BARKIN, Friday, July 1 features the opening of Times interviewed them shortly after show (music and sketches). New shows 62, as the matriarch of the Codys, a BFG, a new STEVEN SPIELBERG- they arrived and they pointed to their air Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m. on NBC. crime family. Barkin’s character’s first directed film. The basic plot: a girl then-infant son (Anton) when asked Rudolph, a former SNL star, made a name is Janine, but everybody calls her named Sophie encounters the (mon- why they came to America. [Editor’s moving appearance earlier this year “Smurf.” And here’s a shout-out for strous looking) Big Friendly Giant. He note: Late breaking news: Yelchin was on the PBS series Finding Your Roots. Aquarius, a good, if not great series turns out to be a kindhearted soul who killed on June 19 in a tragic auto ac- Her father, music producer DICK starring DAVID DUCHOVNY, 55, as is not liked by the other giants because, cident.] RUDOLPH, 69, is Jewish. Her mother Hodiak, a 1960s Los Angeles police unlike them, he refuses to eat children. MILA KUNIS, 32, whose highly- was Minnie Riperton, the late African- detective. It began its second season on Friday, July 22 finds the next “re- educated parents also fled the former American pop star. Maya said she knew June 23 (new shows air Thursdays at booted” Star Trek film in theaters. Soviet Union, stars in the comedy almost nothing about her Jewish family 10:00 p.m. on NBC). ANTON YELCHIN, 27, returns as Bad Moms, which opens Friday, July roots because Dick’s father cut virtu- The sixth season of the hit USA Ensign Chekov. By the way, Yelchin 29. Kunis plays a “perfect mom” who ally all ties to his family, including his cable series begins on July 13 (new (like Chekov) was born in Russia. His overloads and looks for a way out with parents. You really have to check out episodes air Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m.). parents were stars of the Leningrad ice other moms. this delightful program full of top notch The previous five seasons focused on ballet, but weren’t permitted to skate stars. (The season ends July 12). law firm partner Harvey Spector and Also catch Murder in the First his shady associate Mike Ross. The last (TNT, began June 19, new episodes air season ended with Ross in jail and the For a continuously updated Sundays at 10:00 p.m.). This show’s firm falling apart. Can Spector pick up “gimmick” is that each ten-episode the pieces? Starring as Spector is the calendar of events, visit season covers one distinct murder inves- handsome GABRIEL MACHT, 44. tigation. Taye Diggs, 45, who was long His father is STEPHEN MACHT, 74, www.JewishFederationLCC.org. married to IDINA MENZEL, 45 (they a hard-working, mostly TV, actor you

Susan Miller: Testament in Stone On View Through September 11, 2016   Susan Miller “sees” through stone. She has the ability to perceive and FineMark National Bank & Trust is proud to consistently reveal, through the density of weighty earn a 5-Star Rating from the nation’s leading blocks of marble, a form that independent bank rating fi rm*. communicates human dignity and energy. Miller’s sculptures express However, the real reason for our success comes from her spirit and the beauty of the human the meaningful relationships we build with our clients. body. The subjects of the pieces are The better we know you, the better we can serve you. connected to names from history, mythology and the Old Testament. Biblical passages, poetry, and prose Susan Miller, Leah Rejected, 20 x 15 x14” accompany the works. Are you interested in giving back to your community? Cinema Judaica: The Epic Cycle DO YOU want to experience the riches that our local seniors have to offer? (1947-1971) On View Through October 23, 2016

Join us for our monthly senior lunches! Hollywood films in the three decades after WWII portrayed We have lots more room for new people! 4,000 years of Jewish historical If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity that is fun identity and, in some of the biggest box office hits of all times, and rewarding and will not require a lot of time, please transformed the image of the Jew call Micaela at the Federation. We need volunteer from embattled to triumphant. Flamboyant posters and bold drivers to pick up the seniors. We need volunteers to advertising materials for films are call a senior once a week and pick up them up for the featured in this blockbuster exhibition. luncheon. Volunteers are also needed to greet people Exhibition sponsored by the Robert Arthur Segall Foundation. On loan from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Sins of Jezebel (1953), 16 x 38” as they come in, help set up the food and tables and to Curated by Laura Kruger. help clean up afterwards. We will provide rides for those who need them. We guarantee that you will have 2-for-1 admission with this ad L’Chayim as much fun as the people you are assisting.

301 Washington Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139 305.672.5044 • jewishmuseum.com If you are interested in volunteering for the Senior Outreach [email protected] Fort Myers • Bonita Springs • Naples • Palm Beach • Scottsdale • www.fi nemarkbank.com • 239-461-5900 Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am - 5pm Except Holidays Member FDIC. An Equal Housing Lender . Trust and Investment Services are not FDIC insured, are not guaranteed by the bank and may lose value. Program please contact Micaela Solomon at Jewish Family The Museum is supported by individual contributions, foundations, memberships and grants from the State of Florida, Department *5-Star Financial Rating issued by Bauer Financial, a leading independent bank rating and research fi rm. Rating is 5 out of 5. of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Services, (239) 4814449 ext. 6. Council, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners and the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council. L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 12 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties JEWISH INTEREST Mikhail Gebelev, Jerusalem Post Crossword PuzzleFrom Kaifeng to the Kotel: Five women from ancient Different “It’s Showtime!” By Yoni Glatt Difficulty Level: Medium fortable Com ish Syl nd Moore hero of Minsk Chineseion a Jewish community arrive in Israel to make Art of Fash By Paul R. Bartrop, PhD The Art of Fashion and Moore (in the Arcade in historic n July 20, 1941, 75 years ago after one of his eyes had been put out. downtown Ft. Myers) this month, the Nazis estab- On May 7, 1942, Isay Kazinetz and 28 lished a ghetto in Minsk, the other underground fighters were pub- Teri Moore, Owner (239) 204-9759 O 2267 1st. St., Suite 12 [email protected] capital and largest city in what was then licly hanged in the center of Minsk. It is called the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist recorded that his last words were “Death Ft. Myers, FL 33901 www.artoffashionandmoore.com Republic – today’s Republic of Belarus. to the Nazis!” The ghetto was Despite this huge setback, the resis- to be managed by a tance movement in the ghetto remained Nazi-appointed Jew- largely intact owing to Gebelev’s leader- ish Council (Juden- ship and the support of the head of the Green Schoenfeld & Kyle LLP rat). It was one of , Moshe Yoffe. In the period the largest in Eastern that followed, Gebelev organized mass Lowell S. Schoenfeld Europe and was cer- escapes from the ghetto to the forests Attorney at Law tainly the largest in outside Minsk, where they formed Florida Board Certified in Wills, Trusts and Estates  Dr. Paul the territory of the (or joined) partisan units. The under- Bartrop Soviet Union at that ground’s main objective was to save time occupied by the Germans. It ulti- as many Jewish lives as possible, real- (239) 936-7200 mately accommodated nearly 100,000 izing that all were condemned to death 1380 ROYAL PALM SQUARE BLVD. FAX (239) 936-7997 FORT MYERS, FLORIDA 33919 [email protected] Jews, most of whom would perish in in any case. At night, under extremely the Holocaust. dangerous conditions, couriers led small One of those caught in the Nazi net groups of prisoners out of the ghetto. was Mikhail Gebelev, who became an There were as many as three hundred ac- anti-Nazi resistance leader in the Minsk tive members of Gebelev’s underground ghetto. Born on October 15, 1905 in the organization, and through their efforts Jewish shtetl (village) of Uzliany, he perhaps up to 10,000 Jews achieved later moved to Minsk and worked there their objective of escaping the Minsk Editor: YoniGlatt, [email protected] Solution on page 22 Brian Simon, ChFC®, CLU® Financial Advisor, Park Avenue Securities, LLC as a clerk and public servant. ghetto, with many joining the partisans. Across Down After invaded the Soviet It was said of Gebelev that on the 1. Show about an Israeli import of the 1. Ramah or Moshava supervisor-to- Union and occupied Minsk on June 28, numerous occasions he was encouraged 1930s? be, briefly 1941, Gebelev went into hiding. He to flee his reply was always that “I am 5. Locale of a last stand 2. Israeli brother had good reason. Within days of the here in the line of duty!” In August 11. “...and the bush ___ not 3. It comes at the end of Shavuot? occupation, two thousand Jewish lead- 1942, however, he was arrested by local consumed” (Ex. 3:2) 4. Like many athletes in Israel ers and intellectuals were massacred collaborators as he was preparing the 14. Slurpee alternative with many 5. See 52-Across by squads; additional escape of a group of Soviet prisoners of flavors certified by the OU 6. Ben Canaan and Gold murders of Jews henceforth became a war. He was handed over to the , 15. Gives a public d’var Torah 7. Casspi’s team, on the scoreboard daily occurrence. Within the first few and, like Kazinetz before him, brutally 16. Marx follower? 8. Shekels dispenser months of the German occupation, at tortured while at the same time refusing 17. Show about David when he 9. Bubbelehs least 20,000 Jews were slaughtered. to provide any names or information. On worked for Saul? 10. Comes ___ surprise (Like Billy At this time, the total population of August 15, 1942, he was hanged in the 19. Magen David Adom letters Joel selling out the Garden) the ghetto was about 80,000, of which Nazi prison in Minsk. 20. Natalie Portman’s role in “Goya’s 11. Show about Haman? some 50,000 were pre-war inhabitants; The ghetto itself was liquidated Ghosts” 12. Strive to play like Perlman those remaining were refugees forcibly on October 21, 1943. Those Jews still 21. Dolph Schays in 1948 13. Tests given in a Scientology scam resettled by the Germans from smaller remaining in the city at this time, includ- 23. Rare striped kosher animals 18. Verse opening for G-d? villages nearby. In August 1941, activ- ing Moshe Yoffe and Mikhail Gebelev’s 26. Hillel and Yirmiyahu (Abbr.) 22. Tref sound ists led by Isay Pavlovich Kazinetz, 80-year-old father Liev, were murdered, 28. Noun suffixes (or an anagram of 23. There are 6.5 million Jews in a Jewish engineer, established an un- with most being deported to the ex- 20-Across) Israel, ___ (approximately) derground group in which they forged termination camp at Sobibór. Several 29. Judean sound? 24. Three-time New York mayor documents, set up a radio receiver, and thousand were massacred at a camp that 30. Sacrificial sound? 25. Sounds while having a good shvitz aided Soviet resistance in the area. This had been established on the outskirts of 31. What many Nazis traded the Alps 26. ___ HaDerech was one of the earliest expressions of Minsk, Maly Trostenets. By the time in for 27. Rolled items Jewish resistance after the invasion of the Red Army retook the city on July 32. Show that teaches 5-Down when 30. Community or band the Soviet Union. 3, 1944, there were only a handful of to hit and when to speak? 31. When Tevye sings “Tradition” Having escaped the clutches of Jewish survivors left. 36. Title group in Elle King’s 2015 hit 33. Has the rights to (like Israel of the the Nazis, Gebelev made contact with Hersh Smolar did manage to escape 37. Anderson who often casts Jason Golan) Kazinetz, who appointed him as liaison just prior to the final liquidation of the Schwartzman 34. Give a heter officer between the communist resisters ghetto, and in 1946 produced a memoir 38. Work by Samuel Bak 35. Theodore Bikel’s rock metal? on the “Aryan” side of the ghetto and the of Minsk, Fun Minsker geto (published 39. “Prelude ___ Kiss” (Craig Lucas 39. “... and it is a rare thing ___ the ghetto fighters inside, whose leader was in English in New York as The Minsk play) king requireth” (Dan. 2:11) a Polish Yiddish writer from Białystok, Ghetto: Soviet-Jewish Partisans against 42. Yeshiva University based show? 40. Director Preminger Paul Weinstein, CFP® Hersh Smolar. the Nazis, 1989). In this, he described 45. C Lanzbom sometimes uses them 41. Part of the IFA Together with another resistance Gebelev’s role in the resistance move- Managing Partner, WWFG 48. Capp and Capone 42. Skye of “Say Anything” Branch Manager, RJFS leader, Matvey Pruslin, Gebelev quickly ment in some depth, highlighting both 49. What one often does after a blessing 43. High Priest with disappointing emerged as the unstated head of the his initiatives and his heroism in the 50. Newly nuclear country sons ® ghetto underground due to his charisma face of immense obstacles and constant 51. Israeli director 44. Police in “Casablanca” RAYMOND JAMES and ingenuity, and he played a key role danger. 52. He famously played 5-Down 45. One might ruin your Shabbat 13720 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy #1 • Fort Myers, FL 33912 in Kazinetz’s plans to stage large-scale There is much to recall in this story 54. Pet Einstein lovingly (in “Back to nap...every 17 years 239-768-1490 • 888-768-1490 Toll Free • 239-768-1935 Fax [email protected] simultaneous uprisings throughout of Mikhail Gebelev’s heroic acts in and the Future”) 46. Language on many Israeli signs Minsk to drive the Germans out and around Minsk during the Holocaust. 56. Dwelling for Abraham 47. Show about an annual Israeli Securities offered through hold the city until the Red Army arrived. Perhaps the most important of these 57. Org. for Dershowitz occurrence on 5th Avenue? Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC These uprisings would be conducted by is that he was more concerned with 58. Joseph’s show about his 51. Son of Zilpah communists, ghetto fighters, and Soviet the saving of Jewish lives than with relationship with Pharaoh? 52. 1991 Harrison Ford title role prisoners of war incarcerated in the city. the taking of German ones. The tens 64. Impersonated (Woody Allen) 53. Lang. on many Israeli signs The proposed rebellion did not take of thousands of descendants of those 65. Roth’s work, compared to 55. Mark from a Jerusalem Post editor place, however, owing to its plans be- he saved can testify to the truth of the Spielberg’s 56. Made like Samson with fox tails ing leaked to the Nazis. Kazinetz was maxim: Am Yisrael Chai! 66. Rabbi Akiva, for much of his life 59. Before, to Bialik among those ultimately hunted down. Dr. Paul Bartrop is Professor of History 67. Koufax was one, once 60. All Jews, in a sense Before he was taken, he shot two Ger- and the Director of the Center for Ju- 68. Spewing false information about 61. Minority in Israel, with “Jews” mans. Wounded and captured, under daic, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies Israel, on many college campuses 62. Paul Newman in “Cars” www.doctorben.net torture he then held out and refused to at Florida Gulf Coast University. He can 69. Show about how many times G-d 63. Esau feels it for Jacob reveal any names or information, even be reached at [email protected]. said he’d flood the Earth?

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PATTERSON, ESKIN & BALL Wills, Estates and Trusts Rubinstein, Holz & King P.A. Family Law Attorneys Eric Gurgold, Esq. HAROLD S. ESKIN, P.A. Florida Bar Board Certifi ed Wills, Trust and Estate Attorney ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW CERTIFIED FAMILY LAW MEDIATOR CERTIFIED CIVIL LAW MEDIATOR Business and Tax Planning Alan J. Rubinstein Guy E. Whitesman, Esq. Board Certified - Marital & Family Law Florida Bar Board Certifi ed Tax Attorney 1420 S.E. 47TH STREET, CAPE CORAL Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (239) 549-5551 • FAX (239) 549-4834 E-mail: [email protected] 1375 Jackson St., Ste. 304 (239) 332-3400 E-mail: [email protected] Fort Myers, FL 33901 Fax (239) 332-5078 henlaw.com • 239. 344.1100 L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 14 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties OUR FEDERATION “Art Beyond Boundaries” – our community’s P2G project with the Hadera-Eiron region in Israel We are delighted to share experiences opportunity to visit Israel and to meet The highlight of this event (you might Sharansky address our group in the and reminiscences from our recent my havruta in person. I was able to have thought it was Shimon Peres), closing ceremony. visit to Israel and participation in “Art have a memorable personal experi- was a presentation by the parents of the P2G is the truest sense of Partner- Beyond Boundaries” – our commu- ence. In fact, my havruta and are still three Israeli teenagers kidnapped and ship...people-to-people. nity’s person-to-person involvement Skyping. I am looking forward to next then murdered in 2014. They spoke of I feel so fortunate to have shared in with the Hadera-Eiron region in Israel. March when our Federation will spon- the support they received during this this experience. sor our “Art Beyond Boundaries” show terrible time from Jews all over the To the “Start-Up Nation” and our Carolyn Gora at the Alliance for the Arts. I hope our world, and this helped them to real- amazing little travel group: L’Chayim! pril 5, 2016, is a day that I will Jewish community will take the oppor- ize this fundamental fact – no matter remember forever. I, along tunity to visit the gallery then and see how different we are, “We are all Jew- Lana & Steve Royal Awith over 100 P2G delegates, what I am so excited about. ish.” In recognition of this ideal, they s first time travelers to Israel, were able to preview the “Art Beyond created a Unity Prize, to honor those we were thrilled to be given Boundaries” art show in Hadera, Is- Naomi Thomson who promote the message of unity in Athe opportunity to join the rael, where I was a participating artist. or the past few years in our their work. For 2016, they honored the Jewish Federation of Lee and Char- This show was conceived at our Jewish home and in discussions with Partnership Together program with the lotte Counties’ April 4-11 trip to Israel. Federation more than a year before it Fmy friends, I have heard the ac- Unity Prize. I felt thrilled to even be on While now residing in Birmingham, was a reality. ronyms P2K and P2G bandied about the edge of contributing to something Alabama, our having lived and worked April 5 not only was the opening of and associated with teleconferences, so admirably recognized. in Fort Myers from 2003-2007 pro- the show, but it was also the first time meetings and, most recently, Facebook The second of the two highlight vided some familiarity with our trav- I met my havruta (art partner). Ilana postings involving art, but I really did events was in the Hadera region, where eling companions. We understood that Aviv and I were paired, in September, not understand this program until I we all attended the opening of the art for the first 3½ days we would join to study Psalms and collaborate art joined a unique group of Jewish Fed- exhibit. Elise, Shirley and Carolyn met approximately 150 individuals repre- works based on Psalms. eration travelers to Israel. While I an- their partners. We saw all of their art, senting Partnership communities from Ilana and I Skyped almost every ticipated that the trip would include all as well as the art of other members of the United States and Australia. At the week until I met her that April day. I of the beauty, spirit and complications our community who were not able to conclusion of the P2G event, the group can’t even describe how exciting it was of the State of Israel, I was astonished attend. We snacked. We chatted. We from Lee and Charlotte counties, led to finally meet her. During our Skype to learn how our community and oth- mingled with our partnership com- by Federation Executive Director Alan ers like ours contribute munity and together absorbed the har- Isaacs, would participate in a very spe- to Israel’s unique suc- vest of our collaboration. It was truly cialized and personal tour. cess. Our group was memorable, but I will not provide too Family and friends who have previ- small, and smaller than many details here. I know the exhibit ously traveled to Israel on one or mul- intended due to last- will travel to Fort Myers next year for tiple occasions, provided extraordinary minute health and fam- all to enjoy. guidance on what we could expect to ily emergencies, but we When I joined our community experience, but nothing measured up to all gelled into an iden- on this journey, I did so reluctantly. I the sites, sounds and people we were tity bound to our expe- knew I would miss significant family exposed to. riences at home and to and friends’ events. I started a new job Upon our arrival on Monday, April our love of Israel. with all of its associated pressures, and 4 at 6:00 a.m., we were “greeted” by Our first days were our dog Clover needed special care. I a group of singing and dancing ye- scheduled around the had all of the usual excuses that one shiva students who had just returned Partnership Together has for not getting out of routine. To- home from the to Ilana Aviv and Carolyn Gora (P2G) program, one in day, I am so glad that I overcame those Prague and Poland. What a wonderful sessions we realized that our random which our community has participated obstacles. I have grown from this trip way to be introduced to the State of pairing evolved into, what will be, a for many years. For instance, this is in a way that skiing or cruising could Israel. Even as we stood around wait- lifelong friendship. the program that brought the Israeli never do. On this trip I not only experi- ing in baggage claim and then navigat- We hugged, we smiled huge grins, firefighters to Lee and Charlotte coun- enced Israel as a country, but also as a ing through customs, we were over- we just couldn’t contain our excite- ties and vice versa. With our group partner with a unique relationship with whelmed with the diversity of people ment. It was such a rush seeing the gal- were Carolyn Gora, Elise Sewall and our Federation community. around us. lery filled with 51 art works, finding Shirley Litman, who, over the past We were welcomed by our guide, my art work in the beautiful show cata- year and with other Southeast regional Sara Krivisky Noam Savion, who would stay with log, and seeing my creation and Ilana’s communities, collaborated with artists was excited to join our small Fed- us all day on Monday and then, after hanging next to each other in the gal- in Israel’s Hadera-Eiron region. Once eration delegation to Israel this the P2G programs, would rejoin us on lery. It was exciting for us to explain, in Israel, we met communities from I April in celebration of 20 years of Friday thru when we boarded our plane to the people in the gallery, the journey New Orleans, who collaborated on, our P2G Partnership. home at midnight on April 12. we made together and the meaning of of course, food and music, and from It has always been a fun experi- Immediately following our arrival, our art works. Australia, who have a partnership with ence housing Israelis who are here to we boarded our van and went directly I was very lucky. I got to spend the Negev, where they grow amazing share and enrich our over 24 hours with my havruta. Not produce. Each place we visited I be- community culturally only did she provide me with home came aware of a new relationship with and artistically. hospitality, but we were together for Israel. These communities were not Our family has met the evening’s official opening for the “adopted.” We were not “sponsoring” musicians, nurses, fire- Hadera community. I also was able to them. The relationships are true part- fighters and program visit Ilana’s sculpture studio. nerships in which both parties benefit leadership. With each visit our Israeli ‘family’ has grown. What I had no idea of was the extent and reach of P2G – 46 part- nerships, 450 Jewish communities overseas, 350,000 participants... WOW! Sara Krivisky, Carolyn Gora, Shirley Litman We met other partnerships, visited to (Yitzhak) Rabin Square, a large pub- their regions, shared and witnessed lic city square in the center of . the amazing programming that is sup- Noam provided a thorough overview ported – a dance company in of the history of the square and the Ga’aton, a music center with a focus assassination of the Prime Minister. on violin in Kibbutz Eilon, the From there, we were back on the Medical Center with the first under- bus, and traveled to the Mann Audito- ground emergency department, a local rium on Rothschild Street. We disem- school in , a community gar- barked and began a walking tour for den working with Ethiopian families the better part of six hours. Of course and high-risk youth. there was time to look in some shops, Ilana Aviv’s studio visit We visited the Gaza border and people watch, a break for coffee and I was so impressed with the open- equally, while building ties between us participated in “A Path to Peace” proj- pastry, and a side trip to Independence ing. A local chorus sang, the mayor in the Diaspora, and the Israelis, who ect. Hall where the first Prime Minister, spoke, and the local organizers of the keep the home fires burning. Our partnership with Hadera gave David Ben-Gurion, on Friday May show were honored in a packed room. The visit peaked in two culminat- birth to “Art Beyond Boundaries,” an 14, 1948, announced Israel’s indepen- The official opening’s highlight was ing events. The first was hosted by Shi- Israel Southeast region collaboration dence. We worked our way thru Neve the presence of the Israeli artists who mon Peres and included an amusingly of artists creating a gallery exhibit Tzedek, now a vibrant and fashionable participated in the show. I was touched one-sided dialogue between the former based on Psalms...simply breathtaking! area to live in. Our walking tour came when our own Mike and Randi Kashi, head of state and Nathan Sharansky. I loved watching the artists meet to an end in Old Jaffa, with a stop at an who were in Israel for a family wed- Mr. Peres spoke of Israel as a land for the first time – emotional, -over outdoor restaurant where we enjoyed ding, took the time to attend the open- rich in human resources and science, whelming, a family reuniting. our first official falafel sandwich. ing. guided by a moral compass in which And what an honor to have former Monday evening we traveled to I am so fortunate to have had the the Ten Commandments define north. President Shimon Peres and Nathan continued on next page L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 OUR FEDERATION Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties 15 continued from previous page Rosh HaAyin and the opening event day with lunch at the home of Dan and have two connections: hosted by the New Orleans Partner- Yael Harkabi. While currently serv- Our faith and the State ship. The keynote speaker was Natan ing on the P2G International Steering of Israel.” Sharansky, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Dan has served as a co- Alan Isaacs was as- Committee of the Jewish Agency, who chair of the Chicago partnership. In ad- tute enough to encour- spoke about the value of the partner- dition to his community work, he led age our small group of ship relationship across all communi- the team that developed the USB flash travelers to delay our ties. drive. travel to Jerusalem and Alan Isaacs told our group that Upon leaving the Harkabi’s home, return to Hadera to at- we needed to be prepared for active we traveled less than 30 minutes to tend the grand opening and full days, and he was not kidding! Netiv Ha’asarah. This com- of the exhibit. We es- Tuesday morning started early with a munity of 250 families is located less timated that over 300 wonderful Israeli breakfast, plenty of than a quarter mile from Gaza. We had members of the Hadera hot coffee and boarding our bus at 6:50 the pleasure of hearing from a resident community attended the a.m.! who uses her expertise in design and opening and we were We joined half of the participants ceramics in a community activity and able to celebrate the for a full day in the Western Galilee- social business project – The Path of extraordinary works of Central Area Consortium/Dallas Part- Peace. As visitors, we were all asked to Carolyn Gora, Elise place a colorful mosaic on the border Sewall, Shirley Litman wall between Israel and the Gaza Strip. and five other artists As we moved to the moshav’s moadon from Lee and Charlotte (club/recreation room), we were ad- counties among a total vised that throughout the community, of 50 artists whose art besides safe rooms in each residence, works were on display. there are shelters that can be accessed While our travel within 15 seconds of hearing an alert. from Hadera to Jerusa- At Sde Boker, David Ben-Gurion’s memorial In the moadon, we were treated to lem was delayed, our drive was cer- experience. While there were only six wonderful and fresh products that are tainly eventful. Besides reflecting on of us, we were sharing Shabbat with Elise Sewall and her havruta grown in the Arava Region, located the P2G experience, as we approached dozens and dozens of families. At the nership. We began with a visit to Kib- between the Dead Sea and , af- the hills and lights of Jerusalem, we various tables, we heard prayers being butz Eilon Music Center and were firming Israel’s extraordinary efforts in spontaneously said the Shema fol- said, songs being sung, and a general treated to a concert by students who “turning the Negev green.” lowed by a Shehecheyanu. sense of community. Even after dinner, are attending the Violin Master Course. As expected, we gathered early Friday was going to be spent en- every corner of the lobby area was oc- We then traveled to Kibbutz Ga’aton to on Thursday morning and under the tirely in Jerusalem. We started our day cupied. It was as if we were multiple meet with dancers from the Kibbutz auspices of the Southeast Consor- at the Machane Yehuda Market, where homes all under one roof. Contemporary Dance Company and tium Partnership – Lee and Charlotte we were able to take in the viewed a rehearsal. The value learned counties – headed to the community sights and sounds of Israe- at each location is the significant role of Hadera. Through the partnership, lis getting ready for Shab- the P2G relationship has within these artists from Israel and the Southeast bat. Intermixed with the communities and programs from spon- Consortium collaborated on works of people were members of soring Performance Arts Series (Kib- art based on the Book of Psalms. All of the IDF strolling thru the butz Eilon) and Artist in Residency the participants had a brief opportunity market, some in uniform Exchange programs. We learned that to tour the exhibit before heading out and others not, but all car- both of these programs have an inter- to an educational session to debrief the rying a weapon. We then national reputation and are true cultur- P2G experience. went on a walking tour of al treasures. The P2G concluding event was the and became We then drove a short distance to held at the Peres Center for Peace in acclimated to the diversity the Israel/Lebanon border, where we Jaffa. Prior to Shimon Peres, past Pres- of the people we saw. Fol- Natan Sharansky addresses the P2G gathering in Rosh HaAyin observed the security fence lines and ident of Israel, and Natan Sharansky, lowing a robust lunch and conversation Our travels on Saturday took us to the roads being patrolled by the IDF, Chairman of the Jewish Agency For Is- with the Palestinian manager of the the Negev and Sde Boker and the near- and then onto the Bedouin village of rael, speaking to the P2G participants, restaurant, we went on a guided under- by memorial for David and Paula Ben- Arab el-Aramsheh where we had lunch the parents of the three Israeli yeshiva ground tour of the Western Wall. Wow, Gurion. We then ventured to a Bedouin prepared by a local restaurateur. students who were abducted and killed what an extraordinary experience. We community where, after a brief orienta- Our travels then took us to the in June 2014, were introduced. They passed a number of women praying at tion to the community, we saddled up Galilee Medical Center, and a brief spoke for a few minutes and then rec- the wall and took the time to add our and rode camels around the property. introduction to the hospital CEO, who prayers to those already Saturday evening culminated in is an Arab Christian. With our having embedded in the crevices. our attending the light and sound show experience with hospitals and health At the conclusion of the at the , and then a care systems, we were acutely aware tour, we ventured outside “shopping” tour of the Mall. of the diversity of the patient popula- and then we all split up Sunday was focused on education. tion being served by this 700-bed ter- so that we could have our We traveled to Tel Aviv University and tiary medical center. Due to the hospi- own special time at the received a detailed tabletop briefing tal’s proximity to Lebanon and Syria, Western Wall (The Kotel). by an expert from the Moshe Dayan the hospital, with the financial support Natan Sharansky and Shimon Peres Built into our sched- Center for Middle Eastern and African of the Partnership communities, con- ognized the Jewish Agency and P2G ule, was a reasonable break that would Studies. We then went to the Weizmann structed and added 400 beds under- for their collective efforts to build the allow us to prepare for Shabbat and a Institute, a public research institute lo- ground to assure patients who need future of Israel together. They then return trip to The Kotel. When we ar- cated in . We received an ex- hospitalization can be cared for during announced that on Unity Day, June 1, rived back at the hotel, we quickly no- tensive overview of the research being a time when the area is under attack. P2G would be a recipient of the Jerusa- ticed that families of observant Jews conducted and its clinical applications. We finished our day with home lem Unity Prize named in memory of were checking in. They would be able Our final day in Jerusalem started hospitality and had the pleasure of their sons. to walk to the synagogue, there was a with a drive to Yad Vashem. It is next having dinner in a private home in the President Peres spoke about the Shabbos elevator, and a chapel. to impossible to describe our experi- town of Nesher. It was a true honor and strength of the Jewish people who have Prior to leaving for the Western ence and the feelings the memorial pleasure to meet a family with four very always been guided by the Ten Com- Wall, all of the ladies joined other engendered. We left Yad Vashem and accomplished children. It was so mem- mandments, by not changing a single women at the hotel and lit Shabbos can- boarded an armored van for our drive to orable, that we are still in touch with word and keeping the principles alive. dles. The energy level at the Western an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. them, thanks to email and Facebook. He said that we are “all united by a Wall was palpable as were the multiple When we arrived at the Itamar commu- On Wednesday, Alan allowed us to great moral past and united by a great sounds of prayer. Upon our return to nity, where the rabbi and his wife im- sleep in, so we boarded our bus at 7:00 scientific future. Our time is an eterni- the hotel, we shared a moment together mediately greeted us. We were given a.m. Thank goodness for having strong ty.” Natan Sharansky said that Jews are for prayer and blessings and then head- an orientation to the community, in- coffee available. Our travels took us “dependent on one another and that we ed to the dining room. Now that was an cluding its history. The couple, in their south of Tel Aviv to a number of com- mid-50s, made Aliyah 30 years ago and munities. The focus of our travels was settled in Itamar. We learned that this is children – Investing in the Future - the settlement in which a family of five The Israel Children’s Zone Project in the spring of 2011 were murdered - Chicago Partnership. Our visit to an in their home. A tour of the settlement elementary school in Kiryat Gat was included an overlook where we were a highlight. Not only did we have a able to see Jordan in the distance and a chance to dance with the kids during number of Palestinian communities in- their recess, but also each of us indi- termixed with settlements like Itamar. vidually interacted with an 11-year-old The settlement is rather self-sufficient, boy and girl. We learned about their with a robust farm, winery and mul- families, personal interests and fabu- tiple educational buildings along with lous grasp of English. The Chicago a number of synagogues. Throughout Partnership’s investment is in educa- the tour, we observed the significant tion as well as specialized programs presence of their private security and serving children and adults with physi- regular IDF patrols. cal, emotional or cognitive disabilities Our trip concluded fittingly with by empowering them through sports. a journey from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, We concluded the first half of our Outside Independence Hall in Tel Aviv where we enjoyed our closing dinner. L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 16 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD 800 Jewish mothers from 10 countries U.S. liberators, Holocaust survivors and Israeli celebrate Israel journey at Mega Event soldiers unite at Auschwitz, possibly for last time EL AVIV, Israel, May 17 – More people, and current issues facing Israel. the JWRP’s specialized “Momentum” Jewish values to contemporary Israeli ifty Friends of the Israel Defense than 800 Jewish mothers from 10 The Mega Event took place at the Wohl trips for hundreds of Jewish mothers, society. Forces (FIDF) supporters from countries around the world cel- Centre, Bar Ilan University. while culminating the journey for hun- JWRP Founding Director Lori Facross the U.S. returned from an T unprecedented delegation to Poland and ebrated a life-changing journey to Israel “Being a Jew has a meaning – we dreds of others. The entire experience Palatnik, referring to the Momentum this month, at a Jewish Women’s Re- have a mission – to fix the world,” he empowers the women, inspiring them to participants, said: “We always say theIsrael with Holocaust survivors, G.I. naissance Project (JWRP) Mega Event told the gathering. And “Israel is an engage with Israel and Israelis, connect last day of the trip is the first day ofliberators, and Israel Defense Forces on Monday, May 16, in partnership with exemplar to the world.” to their Jewish identities, develop new their journey. For the very first time,(IDF) soldiers. the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. The Jewish mothers journeyed leadership skills and, ultimately, to build we will be saying “l’hitraot” to 400 Led by FIDF National President Headlining the Mega Event was to Israel from Australia, Argentina, their communities back home. Jewish mothers finishing their trip,Peter Weintraub and FIDF National Di- Minister of Diaspora Affairs Naftali Canada, Chile, Cuba, Germany, Mexico, The Momentum trips stretch from while welcoming hundreds more who rector and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Bennett, who discussed the future of Panama, South Africa and the U.S. the mystical Galilee city of to literally just landed. There are no words Klifi-Amir, the mission spanned Jewish the Diaspora-Israel relationship, the Some Israelis also participated. the ancient desert mountaintop for- to describe the power of 800 Jewish history, from the darkest moments to role of women in strengthening ties Featuring the theme “Beginnings,” tress Masada, and feature extensive mothers under the same roof, with allthe most inspiring. The American and between the Jewish state and the Jewish the “Momentum Mega Event” launched itineraries and curated curricula from of the energy, emotions and inspiration.Israeli soldiers and survivors accom- They return to their families ready to liftpanied the FIDF supporters on a trip them into a new commitment to Israel,across Poland, beginning at Tarnow, their Jewish values and their home com-once home to thousands of Jews, and munities.” traced their steps, from Krakow’s Jew- The JWRP and Ministry of Dias-ish ghetto to the Auschwitz-Birkenau pora Affairs recently announced an his-concentration and extermination camps. toric partnership to dramatically expandThe delegation then flew on an Israeli the JWRP’s life-changing trips for overAir Force transport jet from Poland to 5,600 Jewish mothers from 26 coun-Israel, where they commemorated Yom tries around the world. The landmarkHaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for partnership for 2016 and 2017 will alsofallen soldiers and victims of terror, allow JWRP and the Ministry to involve and celebrated Israel’s 68th Indepen- Some of the 800 women at the Mega Event JWRP Founding Director Lori Palatnik (2nd from left) dence Day. with city leaders and guides at the Mega Event women from Jewish communities fac- ing increased threats of anti-Semitism “This one-of-a-kind delegation and economic hardship, especially inspanned the modern history of the Argentina, Cuba, the former SovietJewish people by uniting Holocaust Union, France, the U.S. and Canada. survivors, American liberators of con- Since 2009, more than 7,300 Jewish mothers from 150 partner organiza- tions in 26 countries spanning several continents including Australia, Africa, Europe, North America and South America have experienced the Momen- tum trips. Participants commit to getting involved in activities when they return home, including community events, Israel engagement programs, Jewish education, global learning, leadership development, and Momentum Israel missions for husbands. The group of 10 Cuban-Jewish women in Jerusalem before joining Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Naftali Bennett the Mega Event (photos by Aviram Valdman) with JWRP Founding Director Lori Palatnik Also speaking at the Mega Event was Sivan Yaari, the founder and CEO of Innovation Africa, and Zohar Raviv, Have an item you’d the international vice president of edu- cation for Taglit Birthright Israel. 13th Annual Holocaust like to share? About JWRP The Jewish Women’s Renaissance Education Seminar Need to reach the Project (www.jwrp.org) was founded in 2008, with the mission of empowering The Holocaust Museum & Education women to change the world through Center of Southwest Florida editor of L’CHAYIM? Jewish values. Its major project is “Mo- mentum,” a nine-day, highly subsidized July 27-29, 2016 Send an email to life-changing journey to Israel, experi- 8:30am - 4:00pm enced by over 7,300 women from 150 LChayim36 partner organizations in 26 countries worldwide. Since 2014, the JWRP has @gmail.com. partnered with Israel’s Ministry of Di- aspora Affairs. In life, faith gives you strength. In times of loss, it will give your family the strength to live on. Open to: 4th - 12th grade educators in public, private and home school settings. Kays Ponger & Uselton Funeral Theme: "Teaching WWII and the Holocaust Through Music" Homes is committed to Receive: Classroom ready materials, in service points serving the Jewish community. and daily refreshments! Through the knowledge of Cost: $45 Registration Fee due by July 18th your most sacred beliefs, the service you receive will Explore the Museum's summer exhibit, Calypso: Wartime Through Song, be truly reflective of the use the Echoes and Ref lections resource guide, and hear from local life it represents. For more Holocaust Survivors and WWII veterans. information on our services For more information and to register, please contact and your options, call us today. Amy Snyder, Executive Director, at 239-263-9200 or [email protected].

4760 Tamiami Trail North Suite 7 Naples, FL 34103 239.263.9200 Englewood (941) 474-5575 www.holocaustmuseumswfl.org Port Charlotte Punta Gorda LemonBayFH.com (941) 625-4113 (941) 639-1133 Venice This program is supported by the Jewish Federation of Collier County, (941) 493-4900 Englewood (941) 474-2413 the Merrill Kuller Educator Fund and the Florida Department of Education Glenn Pomerantz Kays-Ponger.com GulfPinesMP.com Commissioner's Task Force on Holocaust Education Jewish Funeral Director “every life has a story” L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties 17 U.S. liberators, Holocaust survivors and Israeli soldiers unite at Auschwitz, possibly for last time Jewish values to contemporary Israeli ifty Friends of the Israel Defense centration camps, and IDF officers,” who liberated Mauthausen-Gusen with society. Forces (FIDF) supporters from said Gen. Klifi-Amir. “It told the story the 11th Armored Division and retired as JWRP Founding Director Lori Facross the U.S. returned from an of our near-extinction in Europe, the a lieutenant colonel. Palatnik, referring to the Momentum unprecedented delegation to Poland and creation of a Jewish homeland, and the One of the most unforgettable mo- participants, said: “We always say theIsrael with Holocaust survivors, G.I. new generation of a Jewish army that ments was an emotional reunion on an last day of the trip is the first day ofliberators, and Israel Defense Forces watches over our legacy today, making Israeli Air Force base between Shafner their journey. For the very first time,(IDF) soldiers. sure that ‘never again’ and ‘never forget’ and Dachau survivor Marcel Levy, who we will be saying “l’hitraot” to 400 Led by FIDF National President are not just phrases, but rather prom- now lives in Israel. After Levy escaped Jewish mothers finishing their trip,Peter Weintraub and FIDF National Di- ises. By marching with our brave IDF Dachau, he traveled with Shafner’s unit while welcoming hundreds more who rector and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir soldiers into the dreadful Auschwitz- as a cook. Shafner and Levy became literally just landed. There are no words Klifi-Amir, the mission spanned Jewish Birkenau camps we sent a message to good friends and have stayed in touch to describe the power of 800 Jewish history, from the darkest moments to the world that we remember, and that since 1945, and, before this week, last not forgotten.” mothers under the same roof, with allthe most inspiring. The American and the Holocaust cannot, and will not, ever saw each other 21 years ago at Shaf- About Friends of the Israel Defense of the energy, emotions and inspiration.Israeli soldiers and survivors accom- happen again.” ner’s granddaughter’s bat mitzvah in Forces (FIDF): They return to their families ready to liftpanied the FIDF supporters on a trip Joining the delegation were Ho- Jerusalem. FIDF was established in 1981 by a them into a new commitment to Israel,across Poland, beginning at Tarnow, locaust survivors from Israel: Martha In Israel, the delegation met with group of Holocaust survivors as a 501(c) their Jewish values and their home com-once home to thousands of Jews, and Weiss, who was interned at Auschwitz Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Ne- (3) not-for-profit organization with the munities.” traced their steps, from Krakow’s Jew- shortly after her tenth birthday; and tanyahu and Israeli President Reuven mission of offering educational, cultural, The JWRP and Ministry of Dias-ish ghetto to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Giselle Cycowicz, who survived five Rivlin. Also joining the delegation to recreational and social programs and pora Affairs recently announced an his-concentration and extermination camps. months in Birkenau. Alongside them Poland and Israel was former Ambas- facilities that provide hope, purpose, and toric partnership to dramatically expandThe delegation then flew on an Israeli were three former American soldiers sador of Israel to the U.S. and current life-changing support for the soldiers the JWRP’s life-changing trips for overAir Force transport jet from Poland to who liberated concentration camps dur- Member of the Knesset Michael Oren. who protect Israel and Jews worldwide. 5,600 Jewish mothers from 26 coun-Israel, where they commemorated Yom ing WWII: Sid Shafner, 94, of Colorado, “This mission was one of the last Today, FIDF has more than 150,000 tries around the world. The landmarkHaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for who was one of the first U.S. soldiers opportunities for survivors and libera- loyal supporters, and 16 regional of- partnership for 2016 and 2017 will alsofallen soldiers and victims of terror, to enter Dachau with the 42nd Infantry tors to share their stories together,” said fices throughout the U.S. and Panama. allow JWRP and the Ministry to involve and celebrated Israel’s 68th Indepen- Division and was awarded two bronze Weintraub. “It was a very emotional FIDF proudly supports IDF soldiers, women from Jewish communities fac-dence Day. stars for heroism; Cranston Rogers, 91, experience for everyone involved. I families of fallen soldiers, and wounded ing increased threats of anti-Semitism “This one-of-a-kind delegation of Massachusetts, who liberated Dachau can’t imagine a more bittersweet mo- veterans through a variety of innovative and economic hardship, especially inspanned the modern history of the with the 45th Infantry Division on April ment than walking through the gates of programs that reinforce the vital bond Argentina, Cuba, the former SovietJewish people by uniting Holocaust 29, 1945, and retired as a colonel; and Poland’s most notorious death camp sur- between the communities in the United Union, France, the U.S. and Canada. survivors, American liberators of con- William Bryant Phelps, 90, of Texas, rounded by those who suffered within its States, the soldiers of the IDF, and the Since 2009, more than 7,300 Jewish walls, those who helped set them free, State of Israel. For more information, mothers from 150 partner organiza- and those who must make sure they are please visit www.fidf.org. tions in 26 countries spanning several continents including Australia, Africa, Europe, North America and South America have experienced the Momen- tum trips. Participants commit to getting involved in activities when they return home, including community events, Israel engagement programs, Jewish education, global learning, leadership development, and Momentum Israel missions for husbands. Also speaking at the Mega Event was Sivan Yaari, the founder and CEO of Innovation Africa, and Zohar Raviv, the international vice president of edu- cation for Taglit Birthright Israel.

About JWRP (Back row) An FIDF supporter bearing the American flag; FIDF National Director and CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) The Jewish Women’s Renaissance Meir Klifi-Amir; American liberator Col. (ret.) Cranston Rogers; Head of Israel’s Helicopters Air Division Project (www.jwrp.org) was founded in Brig. Gen. Yaron Rozen; Lt. Col. (ret.) William Bryant Phelps; an IDF officer bearing the Israeli flag; Members of the FIDF delegation celebrate Yom Ha’Aztmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, in Israel (middle row) Auschwitz survivors Giselle Cycowicz and Martha Weiss; (front) Sid Shafner (Photo Credits: Shahar Azran) 2008, with the mission of empowering women to change the world through Jewish values. Its major project is “Mo- Israeli Folk mentum,” a nine-day, highly subsidized BRIEFS life-changing journey to Israel, experi- Dancing will expected to go up to 50,000 by year enced by over 7,300 women from 150NASA HOPES TO REACH end. “Since Israelis also travel to India partner organizations in 26 countries MARS IN 2030s WITH resume in in droves, the special bond is always worldwide. Since 2014, the JWRP hasISRAEL’S HELP there,” says Sharon Pelleg, a seasoned October. partnered with Israel’s Ministry of Di-NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, tour guide. (Bappa Majumdar, Times of aspora Affairs. in Israel recently to receive an honor- India) ary doctorate from Bar-Ilan University, said that NASA hopes to reach Mars 30,000 JEWS IMMIGRATED in the 2030s and looks forward to For All Your Southwest Florida working with Israel, whose “incredibly TO ISRAEL IN THE PAST Israeli Folk Dancing innovative people on the cutting edge YEAR Real Estate Needs of technology” can help with the mis- Since last Independence Day, 29,715 sion. immigrants from more than 90 coun- will resume® in “We are excited about ongoing tries have arrived in Israel, according Susan Glasser, Realtor relations with the Israel Space Agen- to the Immigrant Absorption Ministry. cy and what we can do together on 7,054 came from France, 6,880 John R. Wood Properties the International Space Station,” said from Russia and 6,306 from Ukraine. Immigration from English-speak- 15065 McGregorOctober Blvd. #105 2016 Bolden, who himself made four trips Fort Myers, FL 33908 into space as an astronaut. (Menachem ing countries was 4,627: U.S. - 3,072, Rephun, JP Updates) Britain - 692, Canada - 466, South Af- In front of Gulf Harbour rica - 236, Australia - 153, and Ireland ISRAEL: A GROWING - 8. [email protected] DESTINATION FOR Two immigrants came from Indo- INDIAN TRAVELERS nesia, and one each from Cambodia, Mobile: (239) 281-3105 New Caledonia and Mauritius. (Judy When Samuel Reddy was planning a Office: (239) 472-2411 Lee County resident Maltz, Ha’aretz) business trip to Israel, hoping to learn for more than 20 years about the famous drip irrigation tech- PUTIN HAILS TALKS WITH nology used there so as to adopt it on his dry farms in Rayalaseema, his wife ISRAELI PM, WANTS TO insisted on accompanying him; spa STRENGTHEN TIES tourism was on her mind. His mother, Russian President Vladimir Putin held too, wanted to come along; her wish: a talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ben- religious tour of Jerusalem. Reddy and jamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, June 7, his family are among many Telugus in Moscow, saying, “We spoke about [numbering 74 million people in India] the necessity to pool efforts to counter who have found an ideal travel destina- international terrorism. Israel knows tion in Israel. only too well what it means and it is Israel saw the number of Indian fighting against terrorism. In this sense, travelers rise from 20,300 in 2006 to we are unconditional allies.” 40,000 last year and the number is continued on next page L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 18 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

gas violates Palestinian rights, and that The Jewish Historical Society Israel’s misdeeds are so exceptional BRIEFS that they justify singling it out for of Southwest Florida censure. continued from previous page Israeli startups raised $3.76 bil- in collaboration with the Putin also said Russia and Israel lion last year from non-Israeli inves- will pool efforts to counter attempts tors, the highest annual amount in a Jewish Federation of Collier County to revise the history of World War II. decade. Foreigners spent an additional “Our peoples fought together against $5.89 billion acquiring them. A survey is hosting: and paid a huge price for the of nine Israeli companies with ties to victory. That is why we must and will settlements showed major non-Israeli Olympic-Bound Synchronized Swimming keep the memory of the heroes and holdings have increased or remained victims of that war, we will counter at- largely unchanged over the past three Israel Team tempts to revise its results, to forget the years. The increase easily made up for tragedy of Holocaust.” (Tass - Russia) a handful of divestments such as Bar- clays Plc’s sale of its 50,000 shares in 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro METHODISTS VOTE TO CUT Elbit Systems in 2014, worth about $3 TIES WITH ANTI-ISRAEL million. GROUP One fund manager said that while United Methodists, voting at their Gen- state pension funds in northern Europe eral Conference, have called on their have opposed investing in companies church’s mission agency to withdraw linked to Israeli activities in the West from the U.S. Campaign to End the Bank, many others in and else- Israeli Occupation in a 478-318 vote. where simply want assets with good Critics see the group as more anti-Isra- management, high dividend yields el than pro-peace. “Blaming only one and healthy balance sheets. (Sangwon side while ignoring the wrongdoing Yoon, Bloomberg) of , Hizbullah and Iran will not advance the cause of peace,” a petition NETANYAHU THANKS asking for the agency’s withdrawal CUOMO FOR FIGHTING said, naming groups that have stated ANTI-ISRAEL BOYCOTTS their aim to destroy the Jewish state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Ne- (Emily McFarlan Miller and Lauren tanyahu has sent a letter to Gov. An- Markoe, Religion News Service - Na- drew Cuomo to express “my deep per- tional Catholic Reporter) sonal appreciation” for his executive order barring state agencies from doing ISRAEL BOYCOTT business with companies that support a IS FAILING WHEN boycott of Israel. “An executive order MEASURED BY MAIN by the governor of one of America’s Let’s give a big warm welcome to the two swimmers, Evgenia Tetelbaum most important and influential states and Anastasia Gloushkov-Leventhal (pictured above), along with their head ECONOMIC GAUGE demonstrates to the world and to Is- coach, Tatiana Tsym. They arrive in Naples on July 9 and depart August 3. Foreign investments in Israeli assets hit a record high last year of $285.12 rael that we do not stand alone and that We have scheduled four events for the community to watch the synchronized billion, a near-tripling from 2005 when our American friends are behind us.” swimmers at the T2 Aquatics Pool at 13275 Livingston Road (just north of the boycott, divestment and sanctions He praised Cuomo and New York for Pine Ridge Road). Please join us. (BDS) movement was started by a showing “exceptional moral leader- X Welcome Reception on Sunday, July 17 at 11:30 a.m. group of Palestinians. Money manag- ship” against BDS and bolstering the “strong American front against this X Thursday, July 21 at 7:00 p.m. ers, economists and government of- ficials say Israeli assets are an attrac- hateful campaign.” (Carl Campanile, X Wednesday, July 27 at 11:30 a.m. tive alternative to weak performers New York Post) X Good Luck Reception on Sunday, July 31 at 6:30 p.m. elsewhere. The country’s economy is slowing but growing faster than those JEWISH FERTILITY For more information, please contact of the U.S. and Europe and its interest SURPASSES ARAB Marina Berkovich at [email protected] rate is higher. Plus, many reject the no- FERTILITY IN JERUSALEM tions driving the boycott – that invest- The fertility rate for Jewish women in or Renee’ Bialek at [email protected]. ing in Israeli innovation and natural Jerusalem is now 4.3 children, com- pared with a fertility rate among the city’s Arab women of 3.3 children, ac- cording to the Statistical Yearbook of KNITTERS & CROCHETERS Jerusalem, published by the Jerusalem We’ve got a group for you. Institute for Israel Studies. Send an email to At the same time, the city’s overall Arab population has continued to grow while the Jewish majority has shrunk. [email protected] JFed Stitchers This is due to Jewish migration from the city stemming from a lack of Knit or crochet helmet liners for Israeli soldiers during the winter months in available housing, as construction has fallen off due to international politi- northern and southern Israel. It’s a project that can be done at home or together cal pressure. (Nadav Shragai and Efrat in a group. We provide the pattern and yarn. Forsher, Israel Hayom) First group meeting at the Federation: 20,000 PEOPLE WALK WITH ISRAEL IN TORONTO Tuesday, August 23 at 11:00 a.m. A record 20,000 people participated in Refreshments provided. SPONSOR: UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s 46th annual Walk with Israel event on If you would like to participate, contact Leni at [email protected] or 239.481.4449 x3. May 29 in Toronto. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement noting, “Canada has been a friend of Israel for almost seven decades, through triumph

SAT PREP CLASS and tragedy. We will continue to stand with Israel, one of our closest friends Beginning and partners, thanks to our shared values and the presence of a dynamic Monday, August 15 and thriving Jewish Canadian commu- to prepare for the nity.” (Daniel Koren, Canadian Jewish News) October 1 SAT Test ISRAEL’S SPECTACULAR The Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties offers one of the best SAT Prep Courses in the area and at CHAMPIONS a great value. We charge $375 per student for the 13-class session. This includes study materials and snacks. Hapoel recently clinched A minimum of 8 students is required. Each session includes 6 math classes and 7 verbal classes. the championship of Israel’s premier Our teachers have vast experience in teaching the SAT Prep Course. soccer league, its first championship since 1976. Team owner Alona Barkat Classes take place 6:30 9:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays: August 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31 took over an unsuccessful, second-di- September 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28 (no class on Labor Day) vision team and built it into a champi-

on, demonstrating that there is no glass To register or for more information contact Leni at [email protected] or 239.481.4449 x3. ceiling for women in Israel, neither in A registration form can also be found on the Federation website at www.jewishfederationlcc.org. the business world nor in the sports Classes are held at the Federation building: 9701 Commerce Center Ct., Fort Myers 33908. continued on next page L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties 19 continued from previous page world. Seeing a female owner being to Israel and seeing a place where in- celebrated by all the male coaches, digenous people have managed to gain managers and players demonstrates a self-determination is massive for me.” beautiful side of Israel. “I feel compelled to fight the idea OPENING SUMMER 2016 Next we look to the players. The that Israel is a colonialist state, that team’s roster includes Jews, Muslims the Jews are colonizers from Europe, Now accepting reservations and Christians, from different races. and the entire invalid and false Arab All came together with respect and narrative that has been spread since friendship to win this championship. the 1960s. This ridiculous inversion All stood side-by-side as the national of history has been accepted... Com- anthem was sung before games. What ing from an Indian from Canada... I better example demonstrates what we have a unique perspective. I have lived are as a Jewish state, where minori- through colonization, and Israel is not ties and members of different faiths even remotely colonialist.” are given equal opportunity and equal “You are Jews from Judea. Your rights? (Dov Lipman, Jerusalem Post) entire history is in the earth you walk on. Some of you were displaced and CANADIAN INDIAN you fought for 2,000 years to return to ACTIVIST ADVOCATES the land of your forefathers. You do not FOR ISRAEL’S “NATIVE” need to be apologetic for doing some- RIGHTS thing that is the goal of every indig- Indigenous rights activist Ryan Bel- enous people.” lerose, a Metis from northern Alberta, “You are a great example to my Canada, recently returned from his people and to all indigenous people of second trip to Israel. “Indigenous sta- what indigenous peoples are capable tus means that your people had a co- of. You were a damaged, fractured peo- alescence and a genesis on the land,” ple who had the entire world against The Cottage says Bellerose, co-founder of Calgary you, yet you not only regained your United with Israel. “Everything that ancestral lands, you rebuilt them and at Cypress Cove: makes Jews Jewish – their spiritual- you built a thriving, powerful nation ity, their traditions, their culture, their without losing touch with your ances- language, everything – it stems from tral roots. Tell me that’s not a powerful The newest address in Israel.” “I write about the commonali- story and example.” (Lisa Klug, Times ties of indigenous struggles, so going of Israel) Fort Myers for the best in visionary memory care.

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Opinions and letters printed in L’CHAYIM do not necessarily reflect the views of the Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties, its Board of Directors or staff, or its advertisers. Why history matters: The 1967 Six-Day War By David Harris, CEO, AJC, June 1, 2016 ention history and it can trig- Fourth, the 1967 boundary at the or two percent, the size of Egypt – and state and Israel. There was only an ger a roll of the eyes. Add the time of the war, so much in the news just nine miles wide at its narrowest armistice line between Israel and the MMiddle East to the equation these days, was nothing more than an point. Jordanian-controlled West Bank and and folks might start running for the armistice line dating back to 1949 – Eighth, Egypt blocked Israeli ship- eastern Jerusalem. hills, unwilling to get caught up in the familiarly known as the Green Line. ping lanes in the Red Sea, Israel’s only They want the world to believe the seemingly bottomless pit of details and That’s after five Arab armies attacked maritime access to trading routes with 1967 war was a bellicose act by Israel. disputes. Israel in 1948 with the aim of destroying and Africa. This step was under- It was an act of self-defense in the face But without an understanding of the embryonic Jewish state. They failed. standably regarded as an act of war by of blood-curdling threats to vanquish what happened in the past, it’s impos- Armistice lines were drawn, but they Jerusalem. The United States spoke the Jewish state, not to mention the sible to grasp where we are today – and weren’t formal borders. They couldn’t about joining with other countries to maritime blockade of the Straits of where we are has profound relevance be. The Arab world, even in defeat, break the blockade, but, in the end, Tiran, the abrupt withdrawal of UN for the region and the world. refused to recognize Israel’s very right regrettably, did not act. peacekeeping forces, and the redeploy- Forty-nine years ago this month, the to exist. Ninth, France, which had been ment of Egyptian and Syrian troops. All Six-Day War broke out. While some wars Fifth, the PLO, which supported Israel’s principal arms supplier, an- wars have consequences. This one was fade into obscurity, this one remains as the war effort, was established in 1964, nounced a ban on the sale of weapons on no exception. But the aggressors have relevant today as in 1967. Many of its three years before the conflict erupted. the eve of the June war. That left Israel failed to take responsibility for the ac- core issues remain unresolved. That’s important because it was cre- in potentially grave danger if a war were tions they instigated. Politicians, diplomats and journal- ated with the goal of obliterating Israel. to drag on and require the resupply of They want the world to believe ists continue to grapple with the conse- Remember that in 1964 the only “settle- arms. It was not until the next year that post-1967 Israeli settlement-building quences of that war, but rarely consider, ments” were Israel itself. the U.S. stepped into the breach and sold is the key obstacle to peacemaking. or perhaps are even unaware of, context. Sixth, in the weeks leading up to vital weapons systems to Israel. The Six-Day War is proof positive that Yet without context, some critically the Six-Day War, Egyptian and Syrian And finally, after winning the war the core issue is, and always has been, important things may not make sense. leaders repeatedly declared that war of self-defense, Israel hoped that its whether the Palestinians and larger Arab First, in June 1967, there was no was coming and their objective was to newly-acquired territories, seized from world accept the Jewish people’s right state of Palestine. It didn’t exist and wipe Israel off the map. There was no Egypt, Jordan and Syria, would be the to a state of their own. If so, all other never had. Its creation, proposed by the ambiguity. Twenty-two years after the basis for a land-for-peace accord. Feel- contentious issues, however difficult, UN in 1947, was rejected by the Arab Holocaust, another enemy spoke about ers were sent out. The formal response have possible solutions. But, alas, if not, world because it also meant the estab- the extermination of Jews. The record came on September 1, 1967, when the all bets are off. lishment of a Jewish state alongside. is well-documented. Arab Summit Conference famously And they want the world to believe Second, the West Bank and eastern The record is equally clear that declared in Khartoum: “No peace, no rec- the Arab world had nothing against Jews Jerusalem were in Jordanian hands. Israel, in the days leading up to the war, ognition, no negotiations” with Israel. per se, only Israel, yet trampled with Violating solemn agreements, Jordan passed word to Jordan, via the UN and More “no’s” were to follow. Un- abandon on sites of sacred meaning to denied Jews access to their holiest United States, urging Amman to stay derscoring the point, in 2003, the Saudi the Jewish people. places in eastern Jerusalem. To make out of any pending conflict. Jordan’s Ambassador to the U.S. was quoted in In other words, when it comes to matters still worse, they desecrated and King Hussein ignored the Israeli plea The New Yorker as saying: “It broke the Arab-Israeli conflict, dismissing the destroyed many of those sites. and tied his fate to Egypt and Syria. His my heart that [PLO Chair] Arafat did past as if it were a minor irritant at best, Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip was un- forces were defeated by Israel, and he not take the offer (of a two-state deal irrelevant at worst, won’t work. der Egyptian control, with harsh military lost control of the West Bank and eastern presented by Israel, with American sup- Can history move forward? Abso- rule imposed on local residents. Jerusalem. He later acknowledged that port, in 2001). Since 1948, every time lutely. Israel’s peace treaties with Egypt And the Golan Heights, which were he had made a terrible error in entering we’ve had something on the table, we in 1979 and Jordan in 1994 power- regularly used to shell Israeli communi- the war. say no. Then we say yes. When we say fully prove the point. At the same time, ties far below, belonged to Syria. Seventh, Egypt’s President Ga- yes, it’s not on the table anymore. Then though, the lessons of the Six-Day War Third, the Arab world could have mal Abdel Nasser demanded that UN we have to deal with something less. illustrate just how tough and tortuous the created a Palestinian state in the West peacekeeping forces in the area, in Isn’t it about time to say yes?” path can be – and are sobering reminders Bank, eastern Jerusalem, and the Gaza place for the previous decade to pre- Today, there are those who wish to that, yes, history does matter. Strip any day of the week. They didn’t. vent conflict, be removed. Shamefully, rewrite history. For more information, visit www.ajc.org. There wasn’t even discussion about it. without even the courtesy of consult- They want the world to believe And Arab leaders, who today profess ing Israel, the UN complied. That there was once a Palestinian state. There The AJC West Coast Florida such attachment to eastern Jerusalem, left no buffer between Arab armies was not. office, located in Sarasota, can rarely, if ever, visited. It was viewed being mobilized and deployed and They want the world to believe be reached at 941.365.4955. as an Arab backwater. Israeli forces in a country one-fiftieth, there were fixed borders between that Pursuing a meaningful peace By Gene Sipe, VP SWFL Chapter ZOA eace in the Middle East” has western understanding person would and regional powers, and restructured residency in the White House, to use all “ become one of the most highly tend to think that the outcome of the alliances with the neighboring states of of its influence to counteract the United Psought after and politically Arab Spring would result in people Egypt and Jordan as their leadership and Nations in its debilitating Arab-Israeli convoluted objectives that have ex- having resolved their conflicts, whereas power bases shift. Peace Process. What you can do for isted since long before the founding of the result has only deepened the chasm. Israel will resolve her internal issues Israel is support candidates who will the State of Israel. There was conflict The Shiites can’t live with the Sunnis, herself, without the United Nations’ do just that and encourage them to al- prior to the state, the Turks can’t live with Kurds, and the misguided edicts. For the UN to contin- low Israel to find its own solutions with there has been tur- Islamic State seems to be at war with ue to have any relevance in the region, partners who actually have an interest in moil through the everyone. Where is the Jewish element it must address the needs of the Arab pursuing a meaningful peace. 68 years of her to this problem? And, what insanity al- citizens calling themselves Palestinians The Southwest Florida Chapter of existence, and the lows the UN to perpetuate that by Israel in Israel’s neighboring countries. Their the ZOA encourages you to stay in- United Nations giving their Arab population a state, it starvation in Syria, their exclusion from formed by subscribing to the ZOA news- continues to insist will make all of this go away? certain jobs and businesses in Jordan, feeds at http://zoaswfl.org/?feed=rss2 that Israel is the Iran’s direct involvement in the and rape and torture in Lebanon are not and at our local chapter site at www. cause. For more Syrian conflict, Iraq, Yemen and Leba- presented in the western media nor are zoaswfl.org. If you have questions or than seventy years, non appears to be the most prominent they admonished by the UN. would like to be involved in our chapter, Gene Sipe that organization destabilizing factor in the region. The Israel needs the next U.S. admin- email us at [email protected]. and its predecessor have failed miser- UN seems to be willing to overlook istration, regardless of who acquires ably at maintaining stability in the re- these “skirmishes” to prevent a nuclear gion, and continue the same ineffective arms race, all because Iran’s aspiration approach of imposing pressure on Israel toward nuclear armament is terrifying in the name of resolving the matter. to the Sunni states and the major world Historically, the British Mandate powers. delineated a Jewish homeland and an Iran is blatant in its intent to destroy Arab homeland. This sounds to our Israel, and Israel’s continued survival is western sensibility like an ideal solution. in its ability to defend its borders and It didn’t work then and it is not working protect its people. The Israeli govern- now. In 1946, the Arabs formed what is ment and a growing percentage of its currently known as Jordan, and in 1948 population are coming to the under- the Jews formed their state, Israel. The standing that the solution will come Arab League immediately attacked the from within rather than reliance on the fledgling country. U.S. and the UN’s dictating continua- What this is about is tolerance. tion of its failed policies. As such, we The western outlook has come to terms are seeing a shift and a restructuring of with compromise, whereas the Middle the Israeli coalition government. We Eastern position refuses conciliation. A are seeing new alliances with world For daily news stories related to Israel & the Jewish world, visit www.JewishFederationLCC.org. L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 COMMENTARY Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties 21

Opinions and letters printed in L’CHAYIM do not necessarily reflect the views of the Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties, its Board of Directors or staff, or its advertisers. Opinions and letters printed in L’CHAYIM do not necessarily reflect the views of the Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties, its Board of Directors or staff, or its advertisers. More publicity needed for non-Jewish Holocaust victims By George Rosinger he community recently held quently, most of the public is not aware mary targets, non-Jews who perished me that it would be in the interest of its annual Holocaust Memorial of the millions of non-Jews who were during the Holocaust have mostly been Jews if the Holocaust was viewed as a TService. The service brought also victims. Silverstrim estimated that forgotten. The Nazis killed those who shared human tragedy. As such, if per- to mind the pervasive anti-Semitism somewhere between 16 and 20 million didn’t fit with their perception of an ceptions changed, perhaps both Holo- throughout much of the world and the non-Jews were murdered because they Aryan state – Jew or non-Jew. caust denial and anti-Semitism would increasing numbers of Holocaust de- did not fit the “homogeneous mold the While none of what is written be lessened. niers. Nazi regime had selected for the Ger- above is new or original information, While much time has passed since While six million Jews are com- man nation.” for years I have been troubled by the the Shoah, perhaps it is not too late for monly cited as the victims of the Holo- According to the Jewish Virtual lack of attention given to the millions of Jewish organizations, writers and his- caust, millions of non-Jews were also Library, the non-Jews who perished in non- Jewish Holocaust victims. It may torians to educate the public on all of murdered. Estimates of non-Jewish the Holocaust included be wishful thinking but it has occurred the actual victims of the Nazis. Such victims range from 5-20 million. As Jehovah’s Witnesses, Roma gyp- to me that if more publicity had been publicity might be best done on each noted below, this discrepancy may be sies, priests and pastors, homosexuals, given to the millions of Christians and anniversary of the Holocaust. It is a due to the individual groups not includ- the mentally and physically disabled. other non-Jews who were murdered, it longshot that shedding more light on ed in the five million estimate. Accord- Other sources have indicated that is possible there would be fewer Holo- the non-Jewish victims will have the ing to an article by Karen Silverstrim Russian prisoners of war as well as caust deniers, and the Holocaust would desired effect, but it is worth trying. If (“Overlooked millions of non-Jewish Poles, Ukrainians and communists be remembered and memorialized by nothing else, perhaps it will gain Jews victims of the Holocaust,” University were also murdered. non-Jews as well as Jews. It seems to some goodwill. of Central Arkansas, www.ukemonde. According to the Jewish Virtual com/holocaust/victims.html), the Ho- Library, in Poland alone, three million locaust has been perceived to be a Christians and Catholics were mur- Jewish event. Silverstrim states: “The dered. And in Dachau a special camp media have shaped the American pub- was set up for clergymen. Hitler want- lic’s view of the Holocaust” in that ed to “replace Jesus Christ as a person non-Jews who were murdered in the to be worshipped.” Holocaust received less attention and As pointed out by the Jewish Virtu- little information in the press. Conse- al Library, although Jews were the pri- COMMENTARY BRIEFS THE ARABS’ REAL ‹‹ Israel’s right to exist is not to be GRIEVANCE AGAINST sanctioned by the peoples of the THE JEWS Middle East or by the leaders of the Western world. It is to be de- As Arabs, how many of us have the termined only by the Jewish peo- courage to admit that waging war after ple who, down the millennia, have war against the Jews in order to deny fought, suffered and died for that them the right to exist, and refusing inalienable right. every reasonable solution to the con- ‹‹ It means that Israel is not to have flict, has led to the current situation? its borders imposed by internation- Our message to Jews, throughout his- al bodies or by foreign states, no tory and particularly when they had matter how powerful they might the temerity to want to govern them- be. It means that Israelis are not to selves, has been clear: we cannot toler- be dictated to about where they can ate your very existence. Yet the Jews and cannot settle in their land. demand the right to exist as equals on ‹‹ It means that Israel is not to be told the land where they have existed and how it may or may not defend the belonged continuously for more than lives of its people under the sov- 3,000 years. ereign independence of the law. We Arabs pretend that our lack It means that Israel is not to be of respect for the right of Jews to ex- lectured or scolded about human ist is not the cause of the conflict. We rights by those that have no glim- would rather claim that the conflict is mer of understanding of what hu- about “occupation” and “settlements.” man rights truly are. The Jews see what radical Islamists ‹‹ The civilized world has an obliga- Specializing in are now doing to Christians and other tion to respect this independence outpatient hip and minorities who were also in the Mid- just as it respects the independence knee replacement dle East for thousands of years before of other free, democratic nations. the Muslim Prophet Mohammed was ‹‹ Israel has shown mankind how a even born: Yazidis, Kurds, Christians, besieged nation – against all odds Copts, Assyrians, Arameans and many – can survive and flourish, decide others. Where are these indigenous its own destiny, and unwaveringly people of Iraq, Syria and Egypt now? retain its honor, its decency, its Persecuted, run out of their own histor- dignity, its integrity and its com- ical land, and slaughtered by Islamists. passion. (Col. Richard Kemp, for- Jews know that this is what would have mer commander of British Forces happened to them if they did not have in Afghanistan, Israel Hayom) their own state. The real Arab grievance against THE PALESTINIANS the Jews is that they exist. We want the Jews either to disappear or be subservi- COULD HAVE HAD A STATE ent to our whims, but the Jews refuse to IF THEY WANTED ONE bend to our bigotry, and they refuse to When Bill Clinton says, “I killed my- be swayed by our threats and our slan- self to give the Palestinians a state,” der. Who in his right mind can blame he’s right. If they had wanted one, they them? (Fred Maroun, Gatestone Insti- could have had it. But they didn’t. Nor tute) was Arafat’s successor Mahmoud Ab- bas willing to accept a state in 2008 THE MEANING OF TRUE when Ehud Olmert offered even more INDEPENDENCE generous peace terms at the prodding ‹‹ For 68 years Israelis have fought of George W. Bush. Since then Abbas again and again to defend their in- has refused to negotiate seriously. The dependence against enemies who problem was that the Palestinians were would subjugate their country. No not prepared to recognize the legitima- other nation has struggled so long cy of a Jewish state no matter where and so hard, surrounded by such its borders were drawn. (Jonathan S. unyielding hostility. Tobin, Commentary) What do you think? Send your letters and comments to [email protected]. L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 22 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties FROM THE BIMAH

Opinions and letters printed in L’CHAYIM do not necessarily reflect the views of the Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties, its Board of Directors or staff, or its advertisers. Living with uncertainty Transliteration ne of those lines that I’ll never God brings them together into one co- hose of you who have studied L’ῌAYIM (with a dot under the “H” forget was spoken to me when hesive whole. Hebrew with me know that I if possible) instead of with the present I was teaching a complicated But there is one more factor that Tam a real stickler for precision, “cha-cha CH.” As an aside, the apos- O which includes precise transliteration trophe in the name should be removed, question of Jewish thought. A congre- makes certainty of belief difficult for gant (in another congregation) said to us Jews, and that is the value we put on using the contemporary universal con- since that formerly indicates the pres- me, “Rabbi, we don’t want intellectual humility. We cannot know everything vention. ence of a silent Aleph, which is not the honesty. Just tell us what to believe!” about God or even what God wants of Transliteration is when you con- case here. I’m sure I told this person that Judaism us. Neither can anyone else. Judaism is vert the sounds made A better, more accurate modern made it much easier the Jewish interpretation of God’s will. by one language’s al- spelling would be LEῌAYIM, since for me to tell him Christianity is the Christian response phabet phonetic sys- today’s American English reader is not how to behave than to God. Neither of them – nor any other tem into another lan- thinking in German or Yiddish. how to believe. But faith – is perfect. They’re all approxi- guage’s lettering. As Since we are on the subject of He- this man wanted cer- mations of God’s will. Jews we are very fa- brew “growly” letters, the Hebrew let- tainty of belief and I am currently at a conference on miliar with this when ter Khaf (looks like a reverse C or in its he wasn’t satisfied interfaith relations in Aspen, Colorado people using a “cheat final form a Dalet with a long tail) is with my answer. – one with Jewish, Christian and Mus-  Rabbi sheet” are called to often misrepresented also by a “CH.”  Rabbi I would never ad- lim thinkers. The focus of the discus- Bruce the Torah and are Thus we find the infamous “Baruch” Marc vocate turning back sion is not on saying that we’re really Diamond unable to read the when it really should be “Barukh,” Sack the clock seventy- all the same. Everyone here celebrates Hebrew itself. So they sound out the since the transliteration convention five or one hundred years. The world their own respective tradition. Instead, Hebrew words using English letters. into English for that letter is always was far more restricted for us Jews and we’re talking about breaking down Unfortunately, very often I find KH. others. In Hartford, Connecticut, where walls, removing those barriers that inaccurate transliterations that really I could go on with other frequently I grew up, there were neighborhoods make true dialogue and cooperation need to be brought up to date. mistaken transliterations from Hebrew where Jews could not buy a house; possible. Let me give an example, using this into English, but I’m sure you’ve had country clubs Jews could not join; pri- I believe that humility – that value newspaper’s name. The “CH” in the more than enough for now! vate schools that Jews could not attend. that is so out of sync with contempo- name L’CHAYIM stands I realize that in the face of But religion was easier back then. We rary culture – is essential for interfaith for the Hebrew letter Het the craziness around us, how had limited access to ideas and expe- discussion, really for all relationships. (properly displayed with we represent a Hebrew letter riences that challenged our system of Acknowledgement that as individuals, a dot under the “H” in the isn’t all that important. Yet I beliefs. We could have more of the or even as groups, that we are incom- universal transliteration find that the way to deal with certainty that my former congregant plete is the basis of connecting with convention). In proper Hebrew pro- the powerlessness we feel regarding so wanted. Now, for the betterment of an other. Dialogue is an opportunity to nunciation it is very close to the “H” much of this “mishigas” is to focus on us and everyone else, the world of the learn and grow within ourselves and sound with a light guttural “growl.” the little things that we might be able ghetto, including those dense Jewish our understanding of God and God’s Using a “CH” to represent that to do something about and maybe even neighborhoods we created ourselves, is will. If there are barriers in our world, sound in English is just plain wrong. fix. gone. We have access to an unlimited it’s because so many believe that they Think of “CH” in choose, cheese, Hence the Zen of LEῌAYIM. range of ideas. Belief is now a matter have all the answers, that they have cheap, chair and cha-cha, and you can Rabbi Bruce Diamond serves at The of choice, not something imposed on cornered the market on truth. I don’t immediately see the problem. (As an Community Free Synagogue in Fort us by our community or any other out- believe that this is an honest religious aside, Hebrew simply does not have a Myers. side authority. response. “CH-as-in-cheese” sound.) But Judaism is not a religion of I believe that “being religious” This accounts for the famous mis- theological certainties. It’s never been means living with uncertainty. We’ll pronunciation of “Chanukah” by peo- black and white. From our beginnings never know exactly what God wants ple unfamiliar with the actual sound of Jerusalem Post we have celebrated putting competing of us. But being religious also means the holiday’s name. The use of “CH” for the letter Het Crossword Puzzle ideas side by side and saying, “They’re being on a search, constantly asking Solution to puzzle on page 12 both right.” That’s why the Torah the question, “What does God want of is a throwback to its Germanic translit- opens with two different stories of me today?” And then doing our best to eration used 150 years ago by German- Creation with different understandings live according to the answer we receive and Yiddish-speaking Jewish immi- of God and human beings, and makes from our tradition and our hearts. This grants to the States. In fact, the “CH” little attempt to harmonize the two. uncertainty is uncomfortable for some. pronunciation in German is closer to The Talmud is a record of rabbis voic- But it’s also the basis for engaging with the growly “H” we use in Hanukah. ing competing interpretations of Jew- an other. There is always something Think of the German expression “ach ish law. One of my favorite teachings is more we can learn. du lieber.” from Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav, who Rabbi Marc Sack serves at Temple This use of “CH” for HET sur- said that this back-and-forth discussion Judea in Fort Myers. vived to the present day since the old goes on throughout the ages and only transliterations were copied and recop- ied without much thought. Stay connected all month long at All this suggests is that the name www.JewishFederationLCC.org of this paper should be rendered as

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Opinions and letters printed in L’CHAYIM do not necessarily reflect the views of the Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties, its Board of Directors or staff, or its advertisers. pizza party was held for Seder led by Rabbi Buchen. The stu- school. Rabbi Buchen led the Seder. TEMPLE BETH SHALOM students and their fami- dents and some family members sam- On May 5, the students participat- RELIGIOUS SCHOOL lies on August 30 prior pled fruits with an inedible shell, fruits ed in a beautiful Yom HaShoah candle Cape Coral to the start of religious with an inedible pit or seed, and fruits lighting memorial program. Transliteration school on September 3. that were edible inside and out. During the last session of school Barby Barlow, Principal It was a fun way to end the summer The students had a special project on May 12, the students had a Yom At Temple Beth Shalom in Cape Coral and get the new and “old” students, as on March 17 when they painted ce- Ha’Atzmaut, Israeli Independence we recognize that our children are the well as their families, acquainted. Dur- ramic Kiddish cups to use at the model Day, commemoration as well as an future of Judaism. We therefore include ing the High Holidays, youth services Passover Seder held on April 21 during end-of-school party. religious school as part of temple mem- were held for both Rosh Hashanah and bership – that is, there is no additional Yom Kippur. The services were led by charge for a congregant’s child(ren) to four post-B’nai Mitzvah young people. attend religious school. They did an outstanding job! A special Aliza Bental, our excellent Hebrew thank you to Marty Burnette for blow- teacher, continues to focus on Hebrew ing the shofar during those services. with holidays, prayers, history, etc., Both services were very well attended! branching off the Hebrew content. We On October 1, in addition to class begin each session with the students time, the students decorated the suk- doing the blessings over wine (grape kah. Parents and siblings helped too. juice) and challah followed by a small All present had pizza. As was appar- snack. ent to everyone who attended the Suk- Following are some highlights kot and Shabbat dinner and service on from this busy school year. The last October 2, the sukkah was beautiful. session of class was held on May 12. During school on January 21, the A back-to-school bowling and students participated in a Tu B’Shevat TBS Class of 2016

of all ages. We discussed Judea is also examining ways to inte- Temple Judea Preschool TEMPLE JUDEA SCHOOLS various options of fam- grate the educational opportunities of- Begins August 8 Fort Myers ily programming and as- fered throughout the organization. We We have a wonderful year planned sessed what has worked are honored to have been selected as with exciting activities. Temple Judea Liz Singer, and what would enhance the already one of a handful of congregations na- Preschool values active exploration, Director of Congregational Learning existing programming. There will be tionwide to be part of a cohort of edu- discovery and play. We carefully plan Temple Judea ended the religious a family service held on select Friday cational leaders. This includes profes- the environment and activities to sup- school year with an Israeli-themed nights which will incorporate music sional staff and lay leaders, so if you port your child’s learning. If you would lunch cooked by our very own stu- and a service that is accessible for all are interested in influencing adult edu- like to learn more about Temple Judea dents. Students eagerly tried the new participants. There will also be fami- cation, religious school education, He- Preschool and the various programs we cuisine and all were surprised to find ly-centered workshops held monthly brew education or informal education offer, please call 239.482.1121. out how much they love falafel and on Sunday mornings, which will cen- in any way, please join us on this com- We offer full-time, part-time and hummus. Students were excited to try ter around a holiday theme or themes mittee. To participate in this initiative, half-day programs for children ages Bamba, a popular peanut-flavored Is- connected to parenting. These sessions please email me. 18 months to 5 years. Our Parent and raeli snack food and they were pleas- will be free and open to the public. Child programs are a great introduction antly surprised at how much they loved The idea that garnered the most Temple Judea Camp Program to our preschool program. We have two it. They created bookmarks, and repli- excitement among the meeting’s at- Joann Goldman, Temple Judea classes for ages 12-20 months and 21 cated the Israeli flag using various art tendees was a multi-media “book” club Preschool Director months to 2 years, 6 months. Join us supplies. called, Between the Covers: A Cultural Our campers are having a great time for Toddler Time or Toddler and Me. The 7th grade girls represented Discussion Featuring Contemporary this summer. The children are enjoying Join in the fun as the parents and Mighty Judea (the chapter name) when Topics Affecting the Modern Jewish our fun themes and the various guests children cook, dance, sing, paint and they attended a sub-regional event at Family and Professional. The inau- who have visited us. We are having a socialize within this special group. the Islands of Adventure water park gural selection will be the book The blast. in Tampa. Temple Judea had a very Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Using strong presence at the local Fort Myers Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration. Children by Dr. Wendy Mogel. A dis- This summer will be primarily cussion will be held on Wednesday, used to get ready for the upcoming July 13 at 7:30 p.m. Please contact me year. There will be a number of tools at [email protected] if you are in- that will be used to engage students of terested in participating and to receive all ages. This process began with a fo- the location details. cus group that was held on June 1. This In addition to exploring a new di- meeting included parents with children rection for family education, Temple Camp Gan Israel This year Camp Gan Israel of Charlotte County opens its doors for the 7th spec- tacular summer! It’s a camp where kids are actively involved in Jewish fun! Give your child an experience of a lifetime and send them to Camp Gan Israel – the only Jewish day camp in Charlotte County. Camp is geared for children ages 3-12 (with an amazing individualized program for boys ages 9-13), and will be held right here in Punta Gorda, at the Jewish Center. The counselors and staff are eager to greet your child with many new and exciting activities. There is one session of two weeks, July 12-22. To register your child or for more information, please visit www. chabadofcharlottecounty.com or call Sheina at 941.258.0188.

Earn CAS Credits Good news for Bubbes, Zaydes, Savtas, Sabas, Nanas, The Jewish Federation of Lee Grandpas and Grandparents… and Charlotte Counties is interested in hearing from Now you can receive the gift of PJ Library, too! teenagers in high school who might like to earn CAS credits though various work in the Jewish community. If you are interested, please send the following information For a limited time, PJ Library grandparents in the U.S. can to [email protected]: receive four free PJ Library books so they can bring joy and Name Jewish into story time when their grandchildren visit.

Address Phone # The first set of two books will arrive in In July, a mailing will be sent October, with the second set arriving Age to subscriber families inviting just in time for Hanukkah. Grade them to sign up the grand- parents in their lives via a To be eligible, grandparents must live School mail-in card and/or online at in the United States and have Preferred volunteer hours pjlibrary.org/grandparents. grandchildren who are active (e.g. 2 - 5P.M. Sundays) PJ Library subscribers. L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 24 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties ORGANIZATIONS

lumbus starring Richard at 239.437.1566 for more information. in the organization is open to the com- HAZAK 55+ CHAPTER Benjamin, Jack Klugman Temple Judea’s HAZAK 55+ munity. For additional information, at Temple Judea and Ali McGraw. The Chapter is for singles or couples. It is please call George or Joyce Rosinger (239) 433-0201 cost for movie, snacks an organization formed by the United at 239.437.1566, Harvey Cohen at and soft drinks is $3 for Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 239.768.3677, or Bunny or Matt Law- Joyce Rosinger HAZAK members and $5 for nonmem- to enable members to meet and social- rence at 239.245.7708. Eryka Aptaker Join us on Sunday, July 10 at 3:30 p.m. bers. This program is open to the com- ize with each other. Dues are a modest The Jewish War Veterans Victor Paul at Temple Judea to see Goodbye Co- munity. Call Joyce or George Rosinger $5 per year per person. Membership Tuchman Post 400 has been quite ac- tive. It had foregone its usual monthly meeting in April and arranged a trip to tell a Holocaust-related for your friends. All that is required is teresting and highly accomplished the Sarasota National Cemetery. For GENERATIONS OF THE SHOAH story of which they were to purchase the DVD. GenShoah has indivi-duals who have donated their those in attendance, it was a very mov- SOUTHWEST FLORIDA unaware or those that are purchased some DVDs that will be time and expertise to speak for Gen-ing experience. The site has a large, (239) 963-9347 inspirational. available for home viewing only. Shoah, and we have already scheduled superb exhibit of photos and, pres- If the film fits all of Steve and the steering committee some excellent presenters for the 2016-ently, there are approximately 12,000 How GenShoah selects films the categories, Steve will then contact have selected films that we hope people 2017 season. veterans interned there. The proposed for public programs and why the distributer to find out the cost of will find informative and a stimulus for The GenShoah program schedule plan is to be able to accept veterans and they are expensive showing the film in public. Even though discussion, and Steve is in the process of for 2016-2017 will be announced soonspouses until the year 2060. Ida Margolis, President the films are shown for small groups securing the public performance rights. in the Federation Star and the Gen- Teresa Frank Fahrner, Program I am very pleased that so many people without an admission charge, a public Shoah e-newsletter. If you would likeCoordinator of Lee Memorial’s in our community attend the programs performance fee must be paid. How to receive the newsletter or get more SHARE Club (50+) Membership Pro- and the films that GenShoah SWFL much is the fee? It depends upon the information about GenShoah, email gram, came to speak at our monthly presents as part of its public programs. distributer of the film. The cost usually [email protected]. meeting in May. She was quite infor- Included in the mission statement of this ranges from $200-$500. Some distribut- GenShoah SWFL is a group as-mative. For more than 20 years, Lee group is the promotion of Holocaust ers charge even more. Why pay this fee sociated with the Holocaust MuseumMemorial Health System’s SHARE education and human rights. since the film is for educational purposes & Education Center of SouthwestClub has been dedicated to empower- GenShoah Program Chair Steve and no admission is charged? Because Florida, and in addition to promotion ofing and educating health conscious Brazina researches major Jewish film unless the distributors have granted Holocaust education and human rights,adults of Lee County. SHARE Club festivals and related websites to read free public performance rights to an the mission of GenShoah SWFL alsoprovides lectures on health and well- about new releases that are consistent educational group or the movie is out includes: preservation of the history ness, exercise classes, social activities with our mission. Steve then reads the of copyright, there is a law that requires and memories of the Holocaust, connec- reviews, watches the trailers, and does payment. The Motion Picture Licens- tion of the Second Generation with one extensive research to contact the distrib- ing Corporation, a real agency, has the another, and support of the Holocaust uter of the film for a preview copy. If power to impose fines up to $150,000 How do we pay for the films? A Museum & Education Center of South- after viewing the preview, Steve thinks for a copyright violation. In addition, it number of individuals have made do- west Florida. that the film is worthy of showing, I will is the “right thing to do.” nations to GenShoah and this is greatly Donations to help GenShoah con- watch the preview, summarize the film People worked and invested to appreciated. These tax-deductible dona- tinue to present public programs may and contact members of the steering make films. If we choose to show tions enable us to continue to include be made to GenShoah, in care of the committee for their input. films in public, we will pay for them films in our annual programming. Holocaust Museum & Education Center The steering committee has sur- the same way we pay for any product. GenShoah programming also includes of SWFL, 4760 Tamiami Trail North, veyed GenShoah members and found However, rights do not need to be paid speakers and book discussions. For- Naples, FL 34103. Members of the Post attended services at Temple Beth Shalom that they generally prefer films that in order to show a film in your home tunately, we have had extremely in-

words written for the In- have minds of their own. They do not in turmoil. Judaism has evolved over HUMANISTIC JEWISH HAVURAH troduction to his Guide to easily fit into formulas that we may many centuries and provides us with of Southwest Florida Humanistic Judaism, ob- choose to create. Most people who join roots and with a distinctive place in (239) 495-8484 tainable from the Society want to find a way to live their lives human culture. for Humanistic Judaism Jewishly with integrity. Others who en- Most cultures and religions ac- Jewish humanism at www.shj.org, and received when one ter our movement enjoy Jewish culture commodated different philosophies of Paula Creed, President becomes a member of the Humanistic but the message of humanism is what life. Christianity, even though it did not Last month’s column cited Corliss Jewish Havurah of Southwest Florida. motivates them to stay. Both groups are begin as a nation, has roots in the Greco- Members of Jewish War Veterans Victor Paul Tuchman Post 400 at Memorial Day tributes Lamont’s book, The Philosophy of Hu- “Are we Humanistic Jews or Jewish legitimate parts of our movement. Roman world, which embraced and manism. This book was used by Rabbi humanists? That question appeared very Frequently, people who are mem- molded its teachings. In many ways it Sherwin Wine, the founder of Human- early in our development and remains bers of humanist groups will challenge has its own culture, independent of any istic Judaism, while teaching a class I persistent. We have two powerful con- me. They want to know why our com- specific ideology. In modern times, the attended as a new congregant of Rabbi nections – one Jewish and the other munities have this parochial interest battle over the Enlightenment has splin- Wine’s Birmingham Temple. humanistic. Which is primary? Or are in Jewish culture when they should be tered the church into many ideological This month I propose to explain they both of equal significance? promoting a universal humanism. They factions. Like Judaism, it has become a Jewish Humanism in Rabbi Wine’s People who join our movement claim that our Jewish loyalty diminishes culture with great ideological diversity. or is incompatible with humanism. The main divide in religion today is From the beginning we have been between the humanists, who explicitly Humanistic Jews, rooted in the history embrace the Enlightenment, and the and culture of the Jewish people. Our fundamentalists, who reject it. In the humanism has always been enhanced middle lie the overwhelming majority by our Jewish connection, because the of adherents who linger in the limbo of message of Jewish experience is that confusion and ambivalence, paying lip we cannot rely on the kindness of the service to old creeds they have ceased fates. Most of us are humanists because to believe in and feeling apprehensive the memories of Jewish history are ‘in about change. Humanistic Christians our bones.’ The rabbinic establishment find it easier to talk to Humanistic Jews told us that we are the Chosen People. than to fundamentalist Christians. Hu- But our memories tell us that we are the manistic Jews find it easier to talk to victims of a cruel destiny. If the Jewish Humanistic Christians than to converse people survived, it was only because with Orthodox Jews. of human self-reliance, courage and Most humanists who choose [re- cooperation. Our survival is a tribute to ligious] affiliation will be Humanistic people power. Jews or Humanistic Christians or Hu- We are part of the Jewish world. manistic Buddhists. Some will choose Even when other Jews do not share our groups with strong ideologies but shal- philosophy of life, they share our culture low cultural roots. Jewish humanists – and we share the social fate to which may be comfortable there. But we have all Jews are subjected when society is chosen to be Humanistic Jews.” L’CHAYIM delivers! Introduce your business to a POWERFUL demographic and reach 5,000 readers each month for pennies per reader! For ad rates and deadlines, contact Jim Lewin at 239.634.6923 or [email protected].

L’CHAYIM is a monthly nonprofit newspaper supported by generous readers, committed advertisers and the Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties. L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 ORGANIZATIONS Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties 25 in the organization is open to the com- and travel opportunities. Stadium. members are buried at this cemetery, munity. For additional information, JEWISH WAR VETERANS As a reminder: The On Friday night of Memorial Day including Myer Tisherman, the Post’s please call George or Joyce Rosinger Victor Paul Tuchman Post 400 Post is pleased to an- weekend, members of the Post attend- first Commander, as well as Herb at 239.437.1566, Harvey Cohen at (239) 590-6774 nounce the fourth annual ed services at Temple Beth Shalom in Schwartz, a longtime Post Commander. 239.768.3677, or Bunny or Matt Law- Herb Schwartz Memorial Cape Coral. At this annual ceremony, This is a very dedicated yet wel- rence at 239.245.7708. Eryka Aptaker Scholarship Award. The scholarship, in the names of all American Jewish ca- coming group. We are currently seek- The Jewish War Veterans Victor Paul the amount of $500, will be awarded sualties of Operation Iraqi Freedom, ing new members. Please join us for Tuchman Post 400 has been quite ac- to one deserving High School senior Operation Enduring Freedom and Op- one of our breakfast meetings and tive. It had foregone its usual monthly or a student presently attending col- eration New Dawn were read. “Taps” enjoy the bagels and new friendships meeting in April and arranged a trip to lege/university. The criteria to qualify: was played to honor the memory of all formed. The next meeting is Sunday, teresting and highly accomplished the Sarasota National Cemetery. For the student must be a Jewish student veterans who are no longer with us. July 31 at 9:30 a.m. at the Federation indivi-duals who have donated their those in attendance, it was a very mov- from either Lee or Charlotte counties; The temple choir, under the direction office. time and expertise to speak for Gen-ing experience. The site has a large, the student must have good grades, of Rabbi Devora Buchen, entertained Shoah, and we have already scheduled superb exhibit of photos and, pres- achievements AND a financial need. In those in attendance by singing the some excellent presenters for the 2016-ently, there are approximately 12,000 order to be considered, a letter express- “Military Medley” (songs from each 2017 season. veterans interned there. The proposed ing achievements and financial need, branch of the military). The GenShoah program schedule plan is to be able to accept veterans and along with a copy of grades, must be This was not where the Post’s for 2016-2017 will be announced soon spouses until the year 2060. submitted by Friday, July 1. One schol- weekend of observance ended. A ser- in the Federation Star and the Gen- Teresa Frank Fahrner, Program arship recipient will be selected by the vice was held at the Temple Beth El Shoah e-newsletter. If you would likeCoordinator of Lee Memorial’s end of July by the Post Scholarship Cemetery. It was a very moving trib- to receive the newsletter or get more SHARE Club (50+) Membership Pro- Committee. Please send the required ute. The VPT Post’s Honor Guard fired information about GenShoah, email gram, came to speak at our monthly information to: a rifle salute and, once again, the names [email protected]. meeting in May. She was quite infor- JWV Victor Paul Tuchman Post 400 of all Jewish American casualties from GenShoah SWFL is a group as-mative. For more than 20 years, Lee c/o Commander Harvey Charter the aforementioned operations were sociated with the Holocaust MuseumMemorial Health System’s SHARE 11024 Lakeland Cir. read. The service ended with “Taps” to & Education Center of SouthwestClub has been dedicated to empower- Fort Myers, FL 33913 honor the veterans buried there. Florida, and in addition to promotion ofing and educating health conscious The JWV VPT Post 400 Honor After this tribute, the Honor Guard Holocaust education and human rights,adults of Lee County. SHARE Club Guard attended the celebration of Is- visited Coral Ridge Cemetery in Cape the mission of GenShoah SWFL also provides lectures on health and well- rael Independence Day, sponsored by Coral where a service included a rifle The JWV VPT Post 400 Honor Guard at the includes: preservation of the history ness, exercise classes, social activities the Jewish Federation, at Hammond salute and “Taps.” Many of the Post’s Israel Independence Day celebration and memories of the Holocaust, connec- tion of the Second Generation with one another, and support of the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of South- west Florida. Donations to help GenShoah con- tinue to present public programs may be made to GenShoah, in care of the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of SWFL, 4760 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL 34103. Members of the Post attended services at Temple Beth Shalom

Members of Jewish War Veterans Victor Paul Tuchman Post 400 at Memorial Day tributes

and research. remains to-date the only foreign recipi- lem’s Israel Museum. One page, con- ORT AMERICA The planetarium seats ent of the United States Congressional tains Ramon’s notes, and the other is a Gulf Beaches Chapter 80 people in recliners Space Medal of Honor, which was copy of the Kiddush prayer. “The diary (239) 649-4000 around the perimeter and awarded posthumously. survived extreme heat in the explosion, on floor cushions. Chil- His father and his family fled Nazi then atmospheric cold, and then was ORT to eternity dren can gaze up onto the stunning im- persecution from Germany in 1935. attacked by microorganisms. It’s almost Marina Berkovich, President ages projected across the domed ceiling His mother and grandmother were from a miracle that it survived – it’s incred- ORT has influenced the Jews and the using NASA technology. Poland, and survived Auschwitz. ible. There is ‘no rational explanation’ World since 1880 in many unheralded A memorial to Israeli astronaut Seven pages from the diary Ramon for how it was recovered when most ways. (continued from the June issue – Ilan Ramon was unveiled at the open- was keeping while in orbit survived the of the shuttle was not,” the Museum’s last in a series) ing ceremony to coincide with the Ilan crash and were returned to his widow, Director said. Part X. 21st century ORT Ramon Science and Space Memorial Rona, who has shared two pages with Inscribed in black ink and pencil, The Alex and Betty Schoenbaum Sci- Seminar, staged annually by ORT on the the Israeli public in a display at Jerusa- the pages cover the first six days of the ence, Educational, Cultural and Sports anniversary of his death in the Columbia mission. The papers remained white Campus in , Israel, recently shuttle disaster on February 1, 2003. even though, exposed at high speeds premiered its new planetarium, one of Ilan Ramon wrote that the future of 37 miles (60 km) above the Earth, they only three in Israel. Alex was educated space exploration is solely in the hands should have burned. Yet they live on, by ORT. of today’s young people. as does Ramon’s legacy in ORT and The planetarium offers an oppor- Onboard the Columbia space shut- beyond. tunity for the people of Kiryat Yam tle, seven astronaut crewmembers were * * * and the surrounding communities to able to complete 80 experiments during ORT provides scholarships to explore space travel, to stimulate school their 16-day mission, working in shifts 300,000 students annually in over 60 children’s imaginations, and to spark continuously. As part of the Israel Space countries. GulfBeaches ORT Chapter an interest in the pursuit of science Agency’s agreement with NASA, a few 2016 fundraising efforts benefit ORT experiments created by Israeli research- in Israel. ers were also conducted, including an Please help us with our financial Guidelines experiment planned and prepared by challenge by mailing your renewal or for publication students from ORT Kiryat Motzkin donation check, payable to ORT Amer- Middle School. In this experiment, ica, to Hella Amelkin, 3200 Gulf Shore DEADLINES: called the Chemical Garden, the stu- Ilan Ramon, NASA Blvd. N., #307, Naples, FL 34103. 5 p.m. on the 5th of each month for all th dents studied, by way of the mission’s articles and photos. If the 5 falls on crewmembers, the difference between a weekend or holiday, the deadline is ORT America (Organization for Rehabilitation through Training) the following business day. growing crystals in space as compared to growing them on Earth. Did you know: WORD LIMITS: Some of the results and conclusions ‹‹ ORT supports 325,000 students annually in 59 countries by providing 600 words for temples and organiza- of the Israeli experiments were lost with technical education that emphasizes employable skills? tions providing materials for their the shuttle, but some were broadcast ‹‹ ORT’s most famous (and least publicized) mission was to educate Holo- respective sections. Those exceeding and transmitted in real time to Earth, caust victims in DP camps so they were able to move on with their lives? these limits will be edited to fit. and they continue to serve scientists to ‹‹ ORT America has four college campuses in the U.S., including two in New SUBMISSIONS: this day. York and one each in Chicago and Los Angeles, that serve the most vulner- Ilan Ramon, born Ilan Wolferman able communities? Email: [email protected] ‹ Articles should be sent as text files, on June 20, 1954, was a Colonel (Aluf ‹ ORT America is active in Southwest Florida? Please attend Gulf Beaches Word files, or Rich Text Format files. Mishne) and a fighter pilot in the Israeli Chapter events and support ORT’s educational mission. Receipt will be acknowledged if Air Force. He was the first Israeli astro- Help ORT raise funds to save lives through education. To join/renew/trans- requested. Photos may be submitted naut for NASA, the space shuttle’s pay- fer, contact ORT America Gulf Beaches Chapter President Marina Berkov- electronically; high-resolution JPG or load specialist, and the oldest member ich at 239.566.1771, or Membership Chair Marebe Crouse at 239.263.4959. TIF formats preferred. of the crew at 48 years of age. Ramon Please visit www.ortamerica.org for a virtual ORT experience. L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 26 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties ORGANIZATIONS / TEMPLE NEWS

diagnosis, treatment and even though heart disease is the num- Hadassah offers several missions HADASSAH outcome.” ber one killer of women. And doctors, Did you know there are several mis- TEMPLE JUDEA Collier/Lee Chapter Leading women’s they said, are more likely to attribute a sions that you can go on? Do you love Fort Myers (239) 370-6220 health care experts and woman’s pain to stress or psychological to travel? Ruth Stockinger is going on (239) 433-0201 advocates came together conditions, but attribute a man’s pain a mission to Cuba. Ask her about it. In Hadassah convenes a new in Washington, D.C., on May 12 for to physical or neurologic causes, often Hadassah magazine, there are descrip- www.tjswfl.org Coalition for Women’s Health Equity a panel presentation at the inaugural resulting in under treatment of women. tions of these missions. Visit hadassah. Gayle Dorio, Co-President event of a new Coalition for Women’s Officials at Hadassah, which focus- org/missions to learn more. Connect with Jewish life in , Let’s talk about health and well-being! Health Equity, convened by Hadassah, es on domestic policy issues as well as Here is a description of the next one:Prague and Munich – there are just a Do you wake up and “take inventory?” the Women’s Zionist Organization of supporting Hadassah’s two hospitals in “Modern-day Israel is a vibrantfew spaces left on this fabulous trip How do you feel? What hurts? Are you America. Israel, said they convened the coalition cosmopolitan hub with the best in inter-from September 5-15, sponsored by in tip-top shape? Hadassah is VERY The coalition, which launched last in response to pervasive gender dispari- national fashion, art, wine and cuisine.Temple Judea. Call Rabbi Sack for involved in health, and especially in month to address pervasive disparities ties throughout the health care system in This mission will be a treat for all yourmore information. It’s a trip not to be women’s health. I enjoy reading the in women’s health care and treatment, order to create a well-coordinated and senses: private showings with cutting-missed! Hadassah magazine each month. This currently has 16 members, including unified force to advocate for women’s edge fashion designers, a behind-the- Mazel Tov to new Temple Judea is from last month’s issue: the American Heart Association, the health equity – from prevention and scenes tour of the Israel Opera House, Board President Jennifer Manekin, * * * Society for Women’s Health Research, diagnosis to treatment and cure. cuisine featured in an upcoming PBS Ellen Hershkin, our National Presi- the Black Women’s Health Impera- * * * documentary, a luscious workshop dent, recently said: “Most diseases affect tive and the National Organization for Hopefully, you feel well! Hopefully, with one of Israel’s finest chocolatiers, men and women, but clinical studies Women. you are feeling on top of the world. and visits to delightful wineries. Come TEMPLE OF THE ISLANDS have always focused disproportionately Panel participants noted that wom- Hopefully, you are a Hadassah woman experience contemporary, sophisti- Sanibel on men – impeding our understand- en, for example, make up only one with get-up-and-go – someone who cated Israel. August 30 - September 11, (239) 395-2544 ing of how gender affects prevention, third of cardiac research participants, DOES MORE! 2016. www.batyam.org Temple News as the Sedarim, Hanukah est sympathies to the families of Bea- ing comedic assault on Hitler and fas-The Israel Independence Day celebra- COMMUNITY FREE SYNAGOGUE celebrations and High trice Caputo and Sarah Goldwasser at cism. Pak your dinner; the synagoguetion on May 12, sponsored by the Jew- Fort Myers Holiday preparations that their passings. provides free soft drinks and snacks.ish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties, provided a wonderful op- (239) 274-7485 provide important com- The Community Free Synagogue Admission is free and open to all. munal leadership skills. is very pleased that retired senior State Each Friday evening at 6:30 p.m.,portunity for Temple Bat Yam to staff www.fortmyerssynagogue.com At the end of a three-year Department official Arthur Green has The Community Free Synagoguea table, be seen and meet members of program, participants are agreed to be its visiting scholar this serves a traditional Sabbath dinner. Itthe other Fort Myers area Jewish con- “Yiyasher Kohakhem” to second-year awarded a “Certificate of Competency coming December. Green was appoint- is free and reservations are never re-gregations. rabbinical students Terri Goldberg and in Rabbinic Skills,” a Reshut Hora’ah ed by the White House to head up the quired. At 7:30 p.m., the Sabbath is Friday night Shabbat services con- Tom Meiss for conducting the CFS entitling them to perform the full range United States Information Agency’s welcomed with prayer and song. A cof-tinue for the summer and begin at 7:00 Shavu’ot Yizkor Memorial Service in of rabbinic duties within a congrega- desk on the Middle East and North Af- fee hour follows worship. p.m. The volunteer leaders for July are: the chapel of the Fort Myers Memo- tion as a “Community Rabbi” without rica, and has served as a strategic com- Every Saturday morning at 9:30 July 1 – Jay and Barry Solomon rial Gardens. The congregation also further rabbinical supervision. munications consultant on the Middle a.m., C.F.S. offers a light breakfast July 8 – Miriam Bailey extended a welcome to members of “True preparation for the Rabbin- East to the Department of Defense’s followed by a lively discussion of the July 15 – Barry Litofsky Cantorial Soloist Lawrence Dermer’s ate is not like buying a piece of paper Special Operations Command at Mac- week’s Torah portion until 11:30 a.m. July 22 – TBD new group who were invited to recite from an online driving school after Dill Air Force Base in Tampa. The purpose of The Community July 29 – TBD Yizkor with us. getting a speeding ticket,” explained A member of the National Press Free Synagogue, led by Rabbi Bruce There are no Saturday morn- Rabbi Bruce Diamond trains high- Rabbi Diamond. “While it may not be Club and extensive speaker, writer and Diamond, is “Study, Worship and Be-ing classes until November 5. Esther ly qualified synagogue participants to practical for everyone wishing to serve educator, in Green’s own words, he nevolent Acts” practiced tradition-Pokedoff has graciously agreed to assume Jewish clergy duties as Com- as rabbi to go to a five-year seminary will help us understand “the geo-po- ally but with progressive values. Thecontinue her role as organizer extraor- munity Rabbis. The three-year Rab- after college, it is possible to prepare litical modeling the State Department synagogue does not sell memberships binical Studies program includes rig- people in place over a number of years, employs to formulate American Mid- or solicit funds. All of its events and orous Classical Hebrew preparation, endowing them with the everyday dle East foreign policy objectives with programs, including youth and adult extensive study of the Shulhan Arukh skills expected of a full-fledged rabbi.” an emphasis on the ramifications of the Jewish education, are open to all and (Code of Jewish Law), Torah reading “Raising up truly competent new Nov. 8 Presidential and Congressional always free. The synagogue meets at and translating skills, preaching, and rabbis is just about the most important ballot returns.” Watch future additions the Southwest Florida Masonic Center, performing Jewish weddings, funerals duty of a senior rabbi, the real culmi- of this newspaper for further details. 10868 Metro Parkway in South Fort and Shiva’ home minyanim. nation of a lifetime’s work. It takes a C.F.S.’s July Brown Bag Movie Myers. These rabbinical students are also rabbi to make a rabbi,” Rabbi Diamond Night takes place on Thursday, July 14 For more information on events tasked with helping organize important added. at 6:30 p.m. and features Charlie Chap- and activities, please visit www.fort congregational religious events such The congregation extends its deep- lin’s classic The Great Dictator, his bit- myerssynagogue.com.

Cantor Victor Geigner the Beth El, and Luisa’s journey was con- ing your time to one of our commit- TEMPLE BETH EL best of luck and good for- ducted by Rabbi Lief in Jacksonville tees or activities is another. In future Fort Myers tune in his new cantorial before Luisa moved to Fort Myers two months we will have committee meet- (239) 433-0018 position in Seattle, Wash- months ago. Mazel Tov to them both ings to plan our upcoming programs, ington. We thank Vic- and to Temple Beth El. fundraisers, outreach activities and the www.templebethel.com tor wholeheartedly for Sisterhood nominations for Sisterhood board posi- his years of service, “Wherever you turn, you can find some- tions. Your input is needed. You do not Gratitude and appreciation knowledge of Torah and liturgy, and one who needs you. Even if it is a little have to be a member of the board to The Board of Trustees of Temple Beth inspirational music at Temple Beth El. thing, do something for which there is be on a committee. When you receive El extends its gratitude and apprecia- Victor’s lovely and wonderful wife, no pay but the privilege of doing it. Re- information regarding the dates and tion to Rabbi Robert Ourach for his Shirley, provided an artistic, imagina- member, you don’t live in a world all times, please contact the board mem- service to Temple Beth El over the past tive and creative atmosphere for our of your own.” – Albert Schweitzer ber in charge and add your thoughts year in his position as interim rabbi. school and temple. Our children and The above quote reflects the mis- and expertise. His forty years of experience as a rabbi the congregation will miss them, his sion of our Sisterhood and the WRJ. Sisterhood would like to welcome were beneficial to our synagogue dur- melodious voice, and his smile. Good Women of Reform Judaism strength- Rabbi Luna. We look forward to shar- ing this year of transition. Along with luck and safe travels Victor and Shirley. ens the voice of women worldwide and ing her thoughts and ideas with us and thanks to Rabbi Ourach, we are grate- Ritual committee empowers them to create caring com- the relationship we will create. ful to Linda Ourach for the music and May was a very exciting month for munities, nurture congregations, culti- In my last article I thanked the Judaic spirit she introduced to our kids. Temple Beth El. Lora Vatalaro and Lu- vate personal and spiritual growth, and board. However, one important name We wish Rabbi Ourach good health isa Burgos became consecrated as Jews advocate for and promote progressive was omitted – Andi Elkes, our Sergeant and the best of times with his family in by Choice. Most of Lora’s journey to Jewish values. at Arms. She makes certain the board his retirement. conversion was conducted by Rabbi How can you help in our mission? stays focused and helps our meetings The Board of Trustees also wishes Jeremy Barras before he left Temple Belonging to Sisterhood is a start. Giv- run smoothly. Thank you, Andi.

nerals and counseling. If son. Secretary is Nancy Swanson. the Center for Spiritual Living. TEMPLE BETH SHALOM you haven’t run across The directors are Alan Weissman, During June they collected food Cape Coral her visiting people in the fundraising, Stu Berman, social ac- and financial donations to benefit the (239) 772-4555 hospital it is probably be- tivities, Robin Razowsky, publica- Cape Coral Caring Center. This was a cause you haven’t been tions and publicity, Georgette Bothner, contest including organizations such as www.templebethshalomcc.org in the hospital. membership, and Tobi Gold, assistant Rotary Clubs of the Cape, Cape Con- Temple Beth Shalom secretary. The Sisterhood officers are struction Industry Assn., Chamber of Temple Beth Shalom is the oldest (53 is a warm and caring congregation, and Suzie Hershfield, president, Georgette Commerce of Cape Coral, LCEC, S years) and only Reform Jewish syna- Rabbi Buchen is the reason. Visit any Bothner, vice president, Emily Low- Cape Hospitality Entertainment Assn., gogue in Cape Coral. Congregants Friday night and you will be welcomed ensten, secretary, and Merna Stein, Cape Kiwanis, and the Cape & Greater come from Pine Island, the Cape, by the membership and the rabbi. treasurer. The Brotherhood officers are Ft. Myers & Beach Realty Assn. The North Fort Myers and the greater Fort On May 22, the congregation held Barry Belkin, president, Larry Epstein, organizations then met at the Dixie Myers area. its annual meeting and election of of- vice president, Stu Berman, secretary, Roadhouse in the Cape on June 23 to Rabbi Devora Buchen has led the ficers. Half of the officers and board and Joel Barlow, treasurer. announce total donations, greatest do- congregation since 2005, and she per- members are elected every two years. Temple Beth Shalom’s social ac- nors, and celebrated the fourth annual forms rabbinate and cantorial duties. This year’s slate was unanimously ap- tivities chairwoman, Marcia Strumwa- “Feed the Cape Summer Smackdown.” She also performs weddings, b’nai proved by membership: ter, along with Emily Lowenstein, part- Charity and lots of fun, all mixed to- mitzvah, conversions, as well as fu- Vice President is Harvey Wolf- nered TBS with its neighbor church, gether. L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 TEMPLE NEWS Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties 27

who assumes her new are interested in attending. For more information about Tem- TEMPLE JUDEA role on July 1, and to the There will be no monthly To- ple Judea, upcoming programs or to Fort Myers entire newly installed rah study session in July or August. make reservations, call 239.433.0201 (239) 433-0201 Board of Directors. Join Rabbi Sack when he resumes his or email [email protected]. Thank you to outgoing monthly Torah study session on Thurs- Regular scheduled events: www.tjswfl.org president Robert Thomas day, September 1 at noon at the offices • Friday evening Shabbat services for all his hard work over of Myers and Brettholtz and Company. at 6:30 p.m. Connect with Jewish life in Berlin, the past two years. Robert will contin- It is an hour of open discussion of To- • Saturday morning Shabbat Prague and Munich – there are just a ue to serve on the board as Immediate rah and Judaism where all levels of services at 9:30 a.m. few spaces left on this fabulous trip Past President. background and all questions are en- • Lunchtime Torah study with from September 5-15, sponsored by HAZAK, the 55+ group of the couraged. Rabbi Sack the first Thursday Temple Judea. Call Rabbi Sack for synagogue, will host a monthly meet- Congregants continue to volunteer of each month (resumes in more information. It’s a trip not to be ing and movie on Sunday, July 10 at each month at Sally’s Café, a Salvation September) missed! 2:00 p.m. at the shul. The group is open Army-sponsored program to feed the • Morning minyan every Monday at Mazel Tov to new Temple Judea to both members and nonmembers. homeless and those in need. To volun- 9:00 a.m. Board President Jennifer Manekin, Please call the synagogue office if you teer, call the synagogue office.

dinaire of the Saturday adjustment to the Hebrew calendar. In fundraiser. Temple Bat Yam members BAT YAM TEMPLE OF THE ISLANDS morning Adult Education addition to celebrating the grain and will receive an order form in the mail. Sanibel classes that are available fruit harvest in Israel, Shavuot com- For nonmembers, if you wish to par- (239) 395-2544 from November through memorates when God gave the Torah ticipate, please contact Ann at annof- April. Plans for study to the Israelites. One interesting custom [email protected]. www.batyam.org have crystallized for is a meal of dairy products. For Ashke- Rabbi Myra Soifer will return to scheduling and content nazi Jews, the dairy products of choice Sanibel from her summer travels to The Israel Independence Day celebra- for the upcoming season. Presenta- are cheese blintzes, cheese kreplach conduct High Holy Days services for tion on May 12, sponsored by the Jew- tion topics from members will focus and cheesecake. According to Wikipe- Temple Bat Yam that will begin on ish Federation of Lee and Charlotte on Jews in Persia and Asia or their dia, Syrian Jews eat cheese ravioli (like Sunday evening, October 2. Assisting Counties, provided a wonderful op- area of professional expertise. For her kreplach) and cheese-filled pancakes. Rabbi Soifer will be Douglas Renfroe, portunity for Temple Bat Yam to staff Saturday morning study group, Rabbi North African Jews from Tunisia and Cantorial Soloist and Music Director. a table, be seen and meet members of Myra Soifer has decided to select from Morocco favor a special seven-layer Pianist Abbey Allison and cellist Susie the other Fort Myers area Jewish con- the 613 mitzvot and explain the ethi- cake. In contrast, do Kelly will add musical harmony to the gregations. cal or ritual purpose and application of not eat dairy foods on Shavuot. We all religious service. Friday night Shabbat services con- her choices. The series is titled “It’s a always welcome the occasion to cel- For the year 5777, the schedule of tinue for the summer and begin at 7:00 Mitzvah!” and should commence on ebrate with special foods. services will be: p.m. The volunteer leaders for July are: November 5. As the seasons quickly turn, Ann Rosh Hashanah – 7:30 p.m. on July 1 – Jay and Barry Solomon The Jewish holiday of Shavuot fell Arnoff will once again organize the Sunday, October 2, and 10:00 a.m. on July 8 – Miriam Bailey in June this year due to the leap month Rosh Hashanah honey jar project as a Monday, October 3 July 15 – Barry Litofsky Yom Kippur – 7:30 p.m. for Kol July 22 – TBD Nidre on Tuesday, October 11, and July 29 – TBD Send updates and changes 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 12 There are no Saturday morn- We wish everyone a pleasant and ing classes until November 5. Esther to the Jewish Directory below to healthy summer wherever they may be Pokedoff has graciously agreed to staying. continue her role as organizer extraor- [email protected].

TEMPLE BETH EL CHABAD OF CHARLOTTE COUNTY REFORM ORTHODOX 16225 Winkler Road, Fort Myers, FL 33908 204 E Mckenzie St Unit B, Punta Gorda, FL 33950 Rabbi Robert Ourach Rabbi Simon Jacobson Email: [email protected] Phone: (941) 8333381 Temple educator: Dale Cohen, Ma.Ed., R.J.E Email: [email protected] Preschool director: Jesyca Virnig IN LEE & CHARLOTTE COUNTIES Web site: www.chabadofcharlottecounty.com Cantor: Victor Geigner Services: Saturday at 10 a.m. followed by President: Russ Bogen a kiddush Phone: 4330018 • Fax: 4333235 Torah study: Wednesday at 8 p.m. Web site: www.templebethel.com Shabbat services: 7:30 p.m. Friday; Torah study COMMUNITY FREE SYNAGOGUE CHABAD LUBAVITCH 9:00 a.m. Saturday; B’nai Mitzah 10:30 a.m. Saturday REFORM OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Religious School: 9:30 a.m.noon Sunday 10868 Metro Parkway, South Fort Myers ORTHODOX Confirmation class: 6 p.m. Wednesday (The Southwest Florida Masonic Center) 5620 Winkler Road Hebrew School: Wednesday 5:30 p.m. P.O. Box 07144, Fort Myers, FL 33919 Fort Myers, FL 33919 Judaica Gift Gallery Rabbi Bruce Diamond Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz Affiliated: Union for Reform Judaism ([email protected]) Phone: 4337708 • Fax: 4819109

Coordinator: Natalie Fulton Email: [email protected] TEMPLE BETH SHALOM ([email protected]) Web site: www.chabadswf.org REFORM Music director: David Pincus Services: Friday 5:15 p.m.; Saturday Kabbalah 702 S.E. 24th Ave., Cape Coral, FL 33990 Phone: (239) 2747485 class 9 a.m.; Shacharit 10 a.m.; Kiddush at noon Rabbi Devora Buchen Email: [email protected] Minyan: Monday & Thursday 7:00 a.m. President: Arnie Schwartz Web site: www.fortmyerssynagogue.com Phone: 7724555 • Fax: 7724625 Community Sabbath eve dinner each Friday CHABAD OF CAPE CORAL Email: [email protected] at 6:30 p.m. ORTHODOX Web site: www.templebethshalomcc.org Sabbath eve worship every Friday at 7:30 p.m. 1716 Cape Coral Pkwy. W., Cape Coral, FL 33914 Services: 7:30 p.m. Friday Light breakfast and Torah study with the rabbi Rabbi Yossi Labkowski Religious School: Thursday 4:00 6:30 p.m. every Saturday morning from 9:30 11:30 a.m. Phone: 5411777 • Fax: 4654942 Torah study with Rabbi Buchen: Shabbat 10:30 a.m. Email: [email protected] Organizations: Brotherhood, Sisterhood, TEMPLE JUDEA Web site: www.chabadcape.com Family Service (1st Friday of the month at 7:30 p.m.) CONSERVATIVE Services: Friday at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday at 9:30 am 14486 A&W Bulb Road, Fort Myers, FL 33908 followed by Kiddush luncheon; Sunday at 8 a.m.; BAT YAM TEMPLE OF THE ISLANDS Rabbi Marc Sack Monday Friday at 7:00 a.m. REFORM Email: [email protected] Weekly Torah study: Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Meets at Sanibel Congregational Church CoPresidents: Brian Simon and Robert Chassidic Farbrengen: Thursday at 7:30 p.m. 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island Thomas Hebrew school: Sunday 10:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Rabbi Myra Soifer Director of Congregational Learning: Mini Chefs: Wednesday 4:30 5:30 p.m. President: Alan Lessack Elizabeth Singer CTeens: Wednesday 6:00 7:00 p.m.

Phone: (239) 5790296 (OctMay) Preschool Director: Joann Goldman Email: [email protected] [email protected] COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS Music Director: Douglas Renfroe Phone: 4330201 • Fax: 4333371 • AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee): Web site: www.batyam.org Jacki Waksman — (954) 6539053 Email: [email protected] • AJC (American Jewish Committee): Services: 7:00 p.m. Friday Web site: www.tjswfl.org Adult Education: Saturday, 9:00 11:15 a.m. Brian Lipton — (941) 3654955 Services: 6:15 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. • AntiDefamation League: (561) 9882900 Jewish Current Events: Saturday, 11:30 a.m. Saturday Minyan: 9:00 a.m. Monday • B’Nai B’rith International: (941) 3024500 to 12:15 p.m. (NovApr) Religious School: Sun. 9:30 a.m.noon; • Chevra Kadisha: Write: P.O. Box 84, Sanibel, FL 33957 Wed. 4:306 p.m. Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz — 4337708 Affiliated: Union for Reform Judaism Early childhood education: • Generations of the Shoah SWFL: 9639347 (formerly UAHC) Preschool, MF, ages 18 months5 years; • Hadassah Collier/Lee Chapter: “Mommy & Me,” 12 months2 years Lynn Weiner — 5981009 TEMPLE SHALOM CHARLOTTE Affiliated: United Synagogue of Conservative • Hadassah Sharon Chapter (Charlotte County): HARBOR AND THE GULF ISLANDS Judaism Odette Port — (941) 5051409 REFORM • Hazak 55+ Chapter: 23190 Utica Ave., P.O. Box 494675 CHABAD OF BONITA SPRINGS/ESTERO Joyce Rosinger — 4371566 • Humanistic Jewish Havurah: Port Charlotte, FL 339494675 ORTHODOX Paula Creed — 4958484 Rabbi Solomon Agin 24850 Old 41 Road, Suite 20 (in the Bernwood • Israel Bonds: Regional Headquarters: (800) 622 President: Carol Roark Centre) 8017 Phone: (941) 6252116 Bonita Springs, FL 341357024 • Jewish Community Services: 4814449 Email: [email protected] Rabbi Mendy Greenberg • : (727) 5365263 Web site: templeshalomfl.com Phone: 9496900 Memorial Tree Planting in Israel — 18005428733 Services: 7:30 p.m. Friday Web site: www.JewishBonita.com • Jewish War Veterans: Religious school: Sunday 10 a.m. Services: Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by Post 400: Commander Harvey Charter — 5616535 Beginning Hebrew: Tuesday 4:15 5:15 p.m. a kiddush • Mikvah Bashka of Southwest Florida: Advanced Hebrew: Thursday 4:15 5:15 p.m. Nechamie Minkowicz — 8222784 Organizations: Sisterhood • • ORT Gulf Beaches Chapter Affiliated: Union for Reform Judaism Marina Berkovich — 5661771 L'CHAYIM JULY 2016 28 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties

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