jeSavwiannah sh news A Publication of Savannah Jewish Federation Find out more at www.savj.org May 2008 | Nisan-Iyar, 5768 Vol. LXII, No. 8 SAVANNAH CELEBRATES ISRAEL 60 Years of Statehood Community-Wide Celebration Planned For May 18th In Forsyth Park On May 18, 2008, the entire city of different fields — culture, agriculture, Savannah is invited to help celebrate medicine, science and technology. 60 years of independence for the State The event celebrating this impor- of Israel. The Savannah Jewish Feder- tant milestone for this little country ation and the Jewish Educational Al- that could will take place on Sunday, In This Issue liance are proud to be sponsoring the May 18th in Forsyth Park from 12-4 biggest festival celebrating Israel ever pm. All activities are free and the en- Shaliach’s message, p2 held in Savannah. tire community is invited to come and Letters, p2 The history of modern Israel is one enjoy the many fun things planned for Pharaoh’s Daughter Federation President’s message, p3 of a country faced with many challeng- kids and adults. Executive Director’s message, p3 es. But in its short history, Israel has Amos Timna, chair of the Israel with a group of dedicated staff and Myths and Facts, p5 flourished in every way and in many at 60 Festival, has been hard at work volunteers since planning for the event JEA CenterPiece began last August. He said: “Forsyth Savannah Jewish Archives, p11 Park will be filled with booths, dis- Community Calendar, p13 plays, activities and the best of Israeli Vital Statistics, p14 products, culture and food. It will be a On the Personal Side, p15 grand opportunity to learn, celebrate, Condolences, p15 socialize and hear a great concert. But most of all, it is a chance for us to show Featured Stories all of Savannah what Israel has come We hope you enjoy our special coverage of to mean to us and to the world.” Israel at 60, including: In addition to all of the activities, Details on the Festival in Forsyth Park, there will be performances on the Isra- pp4-5 el at 60 Festival Stage throughout the Israel at 60: A Remarkable Story, p6 afternoon, including the main event on Reflections on Israel from Savannahians the stage, the annual Jerusalem Con- living there, pp7-8 cert for Peace sponsored by the City of Reflections on Israel from Israelis living Savannah Cultural Arts Commission, in Savannah, p9 this year featuring the internationally Sylvia Slotin is helping her great-grand- renowned Pharaoh’s Daughter. Pha- daughter in Israel learn English; read raoh’s Daughter has toured all around about their special friendship, p10 America, Europe and Israel performing Special Yom HaZikaron program is their unique blend of Israeli rhythms ________________________________________________ planned for May 7, p13 The Palestine Post (precursor to The Jerusalem Post) -- May 16, 1948 Continued on Page 4 NON-PROFIT ORG. JEA Annual Meeting US POSTAGE A Publication of Savannah Jewish Federation PAID PO Box 23527 PERMIT NO. 207 Thursday, May 29, 2008 Savannah, Georgia 31403 SAVANNAH, GA www.savj.org 7:00 pm Address Service Requested 5111 Abercorn St. The officers and Board of Directors of the Jewish Educational Alliance invite you to join us for our annual membership meeting, installation of new Board members and presentation of awards. Desserts will be served. SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE Savannah Page 2 | May 2008 jewish news www.savj.org I wish that when I am sixty... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR I will see eight of my children win personal comput- the Nobel Prize. ers per capita in the To the Editor: relations between our own USA and I will achieve gold medals in dif- world. Israel. Both are powerful democracies ferent sports. Outside of the On May 1, we will observe Yom which will assure the safe future for I will contribute to the fields of United States and HaShoah, this sad anniversary, as our children and grandchildren. medicine, hi-tech and agriculture. Canada, I will have we are doing each year. We read the Just a few words about my family’s names of some, or all, of the six million recent great achievement: I will have more lawyers than I re- the largest number Eyal Blank, ally need. of companies listed people who perished in the Holocaust, In November 2007, we secured a Community but it is also a time to learn: to learn positive outcome in the Dresden court I will be the biggest polished dia- on NASDAQ. Shaliach mond exporter in the world. I will lead the that the Holocaust happened because for our claim against the German Gov- I will have four children among the world in the number of scientists and virtually not a single country was able ernment for goods taken to Germany 500 richest people in the world. technicians in the workforce. with or willing to help us and only a very from my father’s warehouse in Poland. I will be one of eight other people 145 per 10,000, as opposed to 85 in the few offered asylum to our people. This At this time, the case is on the way is the sad truth! Israel existed only in from the court to the Restitution Of- in the world able to send a satellite U.S., a little over 70 in Japan, and less dreams at that time. fice in Berlin for a practical resolution. into space. than 60 in Germany. We learned that we must have our We hope to have the final stage of our One of my businesses will be the I will be responsible for the world’s old country reborn again. The Holo- many years of effort very soon. largest company in the world in the first civilian aircraft equipped with caust would never have happened if Best regards to our friends in Sa- field of voice mail technology. technology designed to protect airlin- Israel, as we know today, would have vannah, Both Microsoft and Cisco will ers from a missile attack. existed at that time. It is our moral ob- build their only foreign-based re- One of my universities will be ligation to promote the best possible George & Marlene Dynin search and development facilities in leading the development of a robotic my building. arm that can respond to the brain I will have the highest number of commands of a paralyzed person. To the Editor: This Issue,” telling me where to find My children will have the high- particular contents. The use of color, est ratio of university degrees to the I have lived in Savannah for thirty- while used sparingly, added greatly to Identification Statement population in the world. nine years and have read with interest the pleasing look of the paper. Savannah Jewish News I will be even more attractive than every Savannah Jewish News. The Maybe I had new glasses, maybe in my youth. April 2008 edition was, in my opinion, I read more carefully, but even the May 2008 Issue the best edition by far. weight of the paper felt good! Please This paper was eye-catching. The know that the community does read Published Ten Times Each Year I probably will not be able to claim all of that when I turn 60, but Israel, layout was intriguing and informa- this paper and I, for one, was ex- by the the 100th smallest country in the tive and even the print seemed clearer. tremely pleased with the quality and Savannah Jewish Federation world, with less than 1/1000th of the The articles were captivating; stories contents of the April Savannah Jewish world’s population, can. by individuals and families were won- News. Thank you so much. P.O. Box 23527 derful! I found myself reading every Savannah, Georgia 31403 I look forward to celebrating Is- page eagerly. I really liked the “In Sherry Dolgoff 912.355.8111 rael’s 60th birthday with all of you at www.savj.org the Festival in Forsyth Park on May 18th! Dear Friends, ————————— It took 2,000 years to dream it, 60 to plan it, and 60 President more to bring it to life. This Yom Ha’atzmaut, the mod- Dr. Joel Greenberg ern state of Israel will celebrate its 60th anniversary with great pride in its achievements and with the knowledge President-Elect that many more are still to come. Linda Zoller In those short 60 years we’ve accomplished more than anyone present at Israel’s founding could have ever Vice President expected. In 60 years we’ve made Israel a shining example of freedom, democ- Michael Kooden racy, and equality. Today Israel ranks among the word’s 25 most advanced and freest countries. In 60 years Israel has become a beacon of hope to the Secretary-Treasurer world’s needy. Israelis are in the Amazon working on water purification. Is- raelis are in sub-Saharan Africa delivering food. In 60 years Israel has even Jeffrey Lasky changed it very landscape. Israel has made the desert bloom. Today Israel is at the forefront of modern invention and innovation. Is- Chair, raeli technology is found everywhere you look. It is inside your computers, Newspaper Advisory Committee Shaliach Eyal Blank’s parents your cell phones, in your flash drives, and in countless other marvels of human Fran Kaminsky in Tel Aviv, Israel ingenuity. Israeli advancements are literally saving the world. Israel is the global leader in water desalination and conservation technology. Solar panels ——— Staff ——— are found on almost every Israeli roof. Israeli scientists are around the world, working with their colleagues to harness the power of the sun.