- - - Group of Tampa Bay, Inc. - Jewish Press of Tampa PRESORTED 6416 Central Avenue STANDARD St. Petersburg, FL 33707 U.S. POSTAGE PAID The Jewish Press Group of Tampa Bay, Inc. JTA news service JTA WASHINGTON – The White House is throwing an in- – WASHINGTON The reception will be held Dec. 9 in the afternoon, has come under fire for Trump President Donald held semi-formal Hanukkah parties dur- Jewish staff After several challenges to pandemic-induced re- representing organization umbrella an , Agudath Agudath Last month, a federal judge ruled against Agudath Israel is appealing the case to the Supreme Agudath Israel claims that Cuomo did not provide “While we continue to emphasize safety in our com- Two Israeli agents on a motorcycle killed the second- Two Citing anonymous intelligence officials from an un Abu Muhammad al-Masri, Abdullah, also known as Israel reportedly maintains a robust intelligence pres- death Abdullah’s Al-Qaeda and Iran have not reported Just a nosh..Just

In-person Hanukkah party planned at White House Just a nosh..Just person Hanukkah party, one of a series of recent events person Hanukkah party, administration has held despite coronavirus Trump the concerns. first candle lighting, accord a day before the holiday’s Telegraphic ing to an invitation obtained by the Jewish Agency. holding a number of crowded events at the White House, including several that are believed to have spread the coronavirus. Bush was ing the Clinton administration, but George W. the first president to make them a formal event. Presi dent Barack Obama continued the tradition, increasing Trump the parties to two per year to meet demand. also has held two Hanukkah parties each year of his presidency.

Orthodox group asks Supreme Court to COVID restrictions on synagogues strictions on houses of worship citing religious liberty, an Orthodox Jewish advocacy group is taking its case to the U.S. Supreme Court in the hopes that the new conservative majority will rule in its favor. An- Gov. York haredi Orthodox Jews, is challenging New limitations on houses of worship in “red drew Cuomo’s zones,” areas with especially high COVID test positivity Agudath Israel claims that they were implemented rates. in a way that discriminated on the basis of religion. request for an injunction against the red zone re- Israel’s strictions, saying the restrictions did not violate religious liberties. Court, which gained a jurist sympathetic to religious Coney Barrett was ap- Amy liberty arguments when pointed. “Given the new make-up of the court, the think there are now enough justices interested plaintiffs in issuing emergency relief and providing broader con- stitutional guidance on what government is prohibited from doing even in the midst of a global pandemic,” Mi- chael Helfand, associate dean for faculty and research said School of Law, Caruso at Pepperdine University’s in an email. specific numbers related to the COVID rates in the af fected areas or scientific justification for the restrictions, and that some non-Jewish areas with higher positivity rates were not subject to the same restrictions. munities, government cannot, under the guise of health, be allowed to have one set of rules for religious activi- ties and another rulebook for secular activities,” said chief of staff. Agudath Israel’s Weinstock, Avrohom Israeli agents assassinated al-Qaeda’s Israeli agents assassinated al-Qaeda’s second-in-command, report says Times York the New Tehran, in-command of al-Qaeda in reported. identified country or countries, the report said the killing Abdullah three months ago was done Ahmed Abdullah of at the behest of the United States. is believed to have masterminded deadly attacks on in 1998 that Tanzania two U.S. embassies in Kenya and killed 224 and wounded hundreds. Israeli agents have ence in Iran, its deadliest enemy. been blamed for assassinations, sabotage and spiriting out of the country sensitive nuclear information. List. and he remains on the U.S. Most Wanted Photo Mike Pompeo Twitter Pompeo Mike Photo - - - - - But when Dolsten sions of the virus’ genetic material. took time to reflect on the development, he also saw it as a proud moment for ting case records by the week – but also Pfiz- the that fact the er product is part of a new groundbreaking type of cines made vac- quickly from synthetic ver FBI continued on PAGE 4 FBI continued on PAGE BIDEN continued on PAGE 3 BIDEN continued on PAGE lot of the great break- DOLSTEN continued on PAGE 11 DOLSTEN continued on PAGE In December, a shooting in “A one person exactly six months after the October 2018 gogue shooting in Pittsburgh in syna- Jews were murdered. which 11 Jersey NJ, City, that ended at a kosher supermarket killed two Jews and two others. Later that month, a stabbing at a Hanuk- killed NY, Monsey, in party kah Jewish immigrants like himself who have contributed to Ameri- can scientific innovation. throughs in America have come from people that immigrated,” he said, pointing out the exam others. and Einstein Albert of ple “There has been a strong Jewish tradition around contributing to humanity and a strong tradition within medicine.” Mikael Dolsten, ’s Pfizer’s Mikael Dolsten, is a Jew chief scientist, from Sweden. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo leads a delegation to the Secretary leads a delegation of State Mike Pompeo the site where tradition town Bank of Qasr al-Yahud, West holds that Jesus was baptized. WASHINGTON – WASHINGTON On Joe firstBiden’s day as president, one It’s of several ways Biden has vowed to reverse poli- But on many issues important to , change Here’s a look at what might happen after Biden becomes The Abraham Accords: Biden’s message since the elec By RON KAMPEAS news service JTA parents and children reunite to force task a launch to plans he southern border. separated at the country’s impor it’s and Trump, Donald President by place in put cies tant to many American Jews for whom immigration policy carries an emotional weight. may come or slower, not at all. When it comes to where the U.S. Embassy in Israel is located, for example, Biden indicated that has he has no intention to turn back the clock. On Biden a what exactly but likely is change issues, Israel other administration will try to do is not yet clear. president on Jan. 20, 2021. Repub- with comity achieve to wants He unity. been has tion to bipartisan licans. One obvious way that his commitment Abraham the in is policy East Middle his in out play will ship Trump Accords, the normalization agreements brokered by Last year saw a series of le- When Mikael “This may turn out to be one He was pointing to not only lar to the 938 in 2017. In 2019, hate crimes against Jews com- prised 62 percent of crimes all based hate on religion, from 58 percent up in both of the previous two years. thal anti-Semitic attacks among anxiety and fear sparked that American Jews. A synagogue shooting in Poway, CA, killed Immigrant helps make Immigrant helps history with Pfizer’s Dolsten, the scientist head at heard the Pfizer, news that the COVID-19 vac- cine that he has been helping to develop for the better part of a year was over 90 percent effective, he and his colleagues literally leapt with of- corporate a at joy fice in Connecticut. of the biggest medical advances of the past 100 years,” Dolsten said by Zoom from his home of- fice earlier this month, the - tion clear in his voice and on his face. the historic need to combat a medically virus that’s again rav- aging the world – the particularly United States, which is set- By GABE FRIEDMAN news service JTA 12 PAGES 2020 3, NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER

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POMPEO continued on PAGE 11 POMPEO continued on PAGE

www.jewishpresstampa.com Later in the day, he visited the Pompeo also said that the Trump ad- ministration will cut ties groups with that support any the rael boycott Is- movement, (commonly as known Boycott, Divestment, movement or Sanctions BDS) which the will officially consider anti-Semitic. U.S. Psagot winery in a settlement near continued on PAGE 8 ZAKS continued on PAGE Moderna Chief Medical Tal Zaks Officer Andrew Harnik by /POOL/AFP via Getty Images Getty /POOL/AFP via Harnik by Andrew But the Anti-Defamation The FBI recorded 953 hate In an interview last month “I hope that Israel will The previous month, Zaks murders overall more than dou- than more overall murders bled nationwide last year. FBI’s the that cautioned League just represent probably numbers a fraction of total hate crimes committed in the country. crimes against Jews in a 2019, 14 percent increase from the 835 recorded in 2018 and simi- Nov. 16. Nov. with the Jerusalem Post, Zaks said he moved to the United States because it offered him a greater chance to “fulfill my dream and translate into medicine.” science continue to develop its Wherever I tech can sector. be bio- most effective is where you’ll find me,”scientist said. the 54-year-old told the Post that his 80-year- old mother lives in Raanana, Israel, and derailed his plans to see her that the virus

VACCINE HErOES VACCINE

At a news conference Thursday, (JTA) (JTA) – Mike Pompeo became the “It’s “It’s one of the greatest That’s That’s because Zaks, As the American drug

Anti-Semitic incidents again The number of anti-Semitic

policy on BDS, ‘made in Israel’ BDS, ‘made in policy on Pompeo visits settlements; sets visits settlements; Pompeo for vaccine oversees push at Moderna Israeli scientist Prime Minister , Nov. Nov. 19, in Jerusalem with Israeli as part of Israel. Trump Trump administration has recognized on Israel’s border with Syria that the and the Golan Heights, a disputed area disputed a Heights, Golan the and an Israeli settlement in the West Bank an Israeli settlement in West the first U.S. secretary of state to visit both visit to state of secretary U.S. first clinical trial were announced the stunning results of the career,” career,” Zaks told CNN after for a coronavirus vaccine. moments of my life and my its unprecedentedly rapid push rapid unprecedentedly its been involved in overseeing officer at Moderna and has Beersheba, is the chief medical chief the is Beersheba, Ben-Gurion University in the good news to the media. who earned a doctorate at the company leaders touting scientist Tal Zaks was among 94.5 percent effective, Israeli COVID-19 vaccine that is that it had developed a company Moderna announced JTA news service and staff report JTA Wilmington, DE, on Nov. 7. Wilmington, DE, on Nov. US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris deliver remarks in US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice What to watch from Biden on issues Jews care about VOL.33, NO. 9 TAMPA, FLORIDA TAMPA, 9 NO. VOL.33, JTA news service news and staff report JTA

dition, the number of hate of number the dition, crimes based on religion. In ad- In religion. on based crimes against Jews. comprised the majority of hate that saw three lethal attacks according to the FBI, in a year increased significantly in 2019, hate crimes in the United States United the in crimes hate FBI: Anti-Semitic hate crimes rose 14 percent in 2019 PAGE 2 A JEWISH PRESS of TAMPA NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 3, 2020 Israeli teen goes to Washington Wizards with 9th pick of NBA Draft, making history By MARC BRODSKY second player from the Jewish Asked what message the so- Speaking to the media by Zoom JTA news service state to go in the first round. Omri called “Prince of Tel Aviv” would after being chosen, Avdija said he Deni Avdija, the 19-year-old Is- Casspi, also a standout forward for send to family, friends and fans at couldn’t imagine being a lottery raeli phenom, was taken Maccabi Tel Aviv, went 23rd to the home in Israel, he said, “I love them choice out of a small country like by the Washington Wizards with Sacramento Kings in the 2009 draft and I’m gonna make you proud.” Israel. Making history, he said, is the ninth overall pick of the NBA and played 10 years in the NBA for One ESPN broadcaster called “a blessing.” Draft on Wednesday night, Nov. several teams. Avdija, considered the top interna- “I had the whole nation behind 18, – the earliest an Israeli has been “Israel is a small country, to tional prospect, maybe the “ me,” he said. “I’m still thinking picked in league history. represent the country and be in the of the draft” while lauding his it’s a dream.” Photo courtesy of Seffi Magriso/ Basketball via Getty Images Avdija, a lanky 6-9 forward for highest spot is amazing,” Avdija basketball IQ. He and Casspi spoke about play- Deni Avdija, shown as a member of Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel’s top told ESPN. “I’m super excited to The draft was held virtually be- ing in the NBA. the Maccabi Tel Aviv team in 2019 professional league, becomes the take my game to the next level.” cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We talked a lot about the rookie year specifically, about the skills I would need, all the travel and the B”H schedule,” said Avdija, who turns 20 on Jan. 3. ESPN has described Avdija as a future “big playmaker” – tall enough to play power forward, CHABAD but also with the “ballhandling, and playmaking skill” of a point guard. Its scouting report adds that he brings “toughness, YOU’RE BUILDING A BRIGHTER TOMORROW - competitiveness and swagger.” Avdija, a native of northern Israel SHOW US THE MENORAH YOU CAN BUILD TODAY! who lives in the coastal town of Herzliya, near Tel Aviv, holds dual Israeli and Serbian citizenship. His father, Zufer, a Muslim Serbian- Israeli citizen, played for his native Yugoslavia’s national basketball team as well as several Israeli pro teams in the 1990s. His mother, Sharon Artzi, is a Jewish Israeli and former track and field athlete. Asked about his father’s role on CELEBRATE CHANUKAH his basketball journey, Avdija told the media, “It was great to have another competitive spirit in the house. He told me how to act on the court, some small tricks he used in his game that I could use, to work hard, how to be a professional, MENORAH BUILD always to be competitive and to play to win.” Though he’s just getting started in his NBA career, Avdija was asked about paving the way for future generations of Israelis. He COMPETITION also called that a blessing. “I’m glad that they will have somebody to look at and learn,” the teen pro said, “to show that even though we’re a small country we can do big things.” A second Israeli was picked Wednesday night – marking the CONTEST WINNERS first time that two Israelis were LAUNCH AGES 5-18 ANNOUNCED picked in the same draft. The Bos- ton Celtics took Yam Madar with NOVEMBER DECEMBER the 47th selection. The 19-year-old has played for Hapoel Tel Aviv, in AMAZING PRIZES the same Israeli league as Avdija, OCULUS QUEST 2 for the past two years. He’s a 6-2 point guard described as a solid 15 NINTENDO SWITCH 15 defender and passer. Madar, at least for the 2020-21 sea- 2020 DRONES & MORE! 2020 son, will likely play overseas as the Celtics have few roster spots avail- able. Boston will retain his rights. During the ESPN broadcast, VIEW ENTRY RULES & GUIDELINES AT WWW.ILLUMINATETAMPABAY.COM Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, who guided the U.S. team to the Mac- EMAIL QUESTIONS TO [email protected] cabiah Games gold medal in 2009, made an appearance to praise his PARTICIPATING CHABAD CENTERS player Isaac Okoro, who went fifth BRANDON - CLEARWATER - LAKEWOOD RANCH & BRADENTON - PINELLAS COUNTY - S PETERSBURG - SOUTH TAMPA to the . - TAMPA BAY - VENICE - W PASCO - WIREGRASS “Character counts,” Pearl said of Okoro. “He’s a winner.”

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deal, which was brokered by President Barack Obama, Decifering how Jewish Americans BIDEN and which Biden helped sell to Congress. • Continued from FRONT PAGE Trump’s withdrawal angered European partners to between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Sudan the deal and has pushed Iran’s economy to the brink voted has become muddled in 2020 and Bahrain. Biden has said he likes the accords. His of collapse – but it has done nothing to stem Iran’s By RON KAMPEAS tion Pool polling. aides have said he urged rapprochement between Israel nuclear development. In fact, since the U.S. pullout, and GABE FRIEDMAN Into the breach stepped the exit and the Gulf states during Obama’s second term when Iran has accelerated its nuclear development, blaming JTA news service polls commissioned by the partisan he was vice president. the United States for violating the deal. It’s a Jewish ritual: Every four RJC and , which each re- So should we expect more of the same? Perhaps: Biden wants back in, in part because he wants to years after a presidential election, vealed results that were favorable Other Arab countries that have long had unofficial repair ties with Europe, and also because he believes the question arises about how to the party that the commissioning ties with Israel, including Oman and Morocco, might the deal is the best means of keeping Iran from obtain- American Jews voted. groups side with. announce even before the inauguration. ing a nuclear weapon. He has said he wants to make it “Check the Jewish exit polls” is Jim Gerstein, the GBAO Strate- The big fish, however, may hold out. Saudi Arabia stricter, extending the “sunset clauses,” which allow the rallying cry. gies founder who ran the J Street will likely want the carrot that the UAE has secured, Iran to wind down some of the restrictions. Not so clear Those days may be over. poll, said recently that the AP a major arms deal; Trump has cajoled Israel into not is whether Biden would want restrictions on Iran’s Blame apples and oranges and analysis was not a reliable reader of objecting to the sale of stealth combat jets to the Emir- missile program and its regional adventurism rolled other assorted fruit: There is no Jewish attitudes because it did not ates. But Democrats are unhappy about the sale, and into a renewed deal. longer a single exit poll to compare seek to weight the Jewish subset. that unhappiness would grow exponentially with any Immigration: Immigration policy carries a special and contrast. That’s left the field “I would like to emphasize that proposed arms sale to Saudi Arabia. Democrats object emotional weight for many Jewish Americans who open to partisan Jewish groups to the AP Poll is a very sound and to the devastating war Saudi Arabia is conducting in are mindful of their own heritage of being refugees post polls claiming movement in helpful poll. They certainly know Yemen and have not forgotten the kingdom’s role in – and of the devastating toll that the world’s hesitation the direction they favor. what they are doing, particularly the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. to accept refugees caused for Jews during the Holo- For instance, a poll commis- when looking at the full electorate,” The Deal of the Century: In January, Trump finally caust. Trump pursued an aggressively anti-immigrant sioned by the Republican Jewish Gerstein told the Jewish Demo- rolled out the Israeli-Palestinian peace proposal he agenda, including by reducing refugee admissions and Coalition found that 30.5 percent cratic Council of America during a had touted for three years. One component of the deal separating children from their parents at the border, of Jewish voters voted for GOP conference call that allowed report- that would come off the table with a Biden presidency sometimes permanently. Biden has vowed to launch a incumbent nation- ers. “But unlike our poll, that poll is would be the eventual partial Israeli annexation of West task force to reunite those families and to dramatically ally compared to 60.6 percent for not a Jewish poll. They cannot have Bank territory. Even in that instance, there’s not much increase refugee admissions. Democratic challenger Joe Biden. the full body of demographic ques- practically different between the Trump and Biden Anti-Semitism: When Biden launched his campaign “It’s not just the embassy that tions that are necessary to acquire postures: The Trump team told Benjamin Netanyahu in April 2019, he said he had considered retirement moved. Jewish voters are moving, a representative Jewish sample.” he needed Palestinian buy-in to the peace plan before – but was appalled by Trump’s equivocations after too,” Ari Fleischer, George W. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency annexing territory, and that never was going to happen. the deadly neo-Nazi and white supremacist march in Bush’s former press secretary, said was unable to view the breakdown Biden will reinstitute the emphasis on the two-state 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Biden constantly on an RJC conference call Nov. 4, of Jewish voters in the Votecast outcome as an endgame, but don’t expect a major push cites combating bigotry and anti-Semitism specifi- the day after the election. poll without paying a steep licens- for peace from his White House. Biden will have on his cally in his appearances, including at the Democratic Meanwhile, a poll commis- ing fee. foreign policy team plenty of Obama veterans and they convention. sioned by the liberal group J Street The RJC and J Street polls did feel burned by their two failures (2010-2011 and 2013- Biden wants to develop a “comprehensive ap- found that 77 percent of Jewish release detailed information about 2014) to get to a deal. The sense on Biden’s foreign proach” to combat anti-Semitism, in consultation with Americans voted for Biden and the voters they surveyed, but both policy team is that peace has to be organic and must the Jewish community. Trump cut some programs only 21 percent for Trump. had a relatively small number of be initiated by the Israelis and Palestinians. tracking extreme right domestic terrorists; Biden said “Trump pushed the Jewish vote respondents. And other aspects of The Trump recognitions: Trump recognized Jeru- he will restart them. further to the Democrats,” the their survey design meant that they salem as Israel’s capital and moved the U.S. Embassy Trump last year signed an executive order recogniz- group’s pollster wrote in a memo cannot be cleanly compared. to the city. He also recognized Israel’s claim to the ing Jews as a protected class deserving of civil rights summarizing the results. Both the RJC and J Street polls Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria dur- protections. The order used as its definition of anti- The two polls align on the big were completed during the same ing the 1967 Six-Day War. Biden has said that Trump’s Semitism the International Holocaust Remembrance picture that the vast majority of time period, had similar margins of Jerusalem recognition was ill-timed, absent an Israeli- Alliance definition, which is controversial because it Jewish voters supported the Demo- error (3.5-4 percent) and included Palestinian deal, but has also said he would not reverse includes some forms of Israel criticism. The order has crat, as has long been the case in hundreds of Jewish voters – 600 it. He has not commented on the Golan, but with Syria already resulted in Education Department investiga- national elections. But is either for the RJC and 800 for J Street. still convulsed in violence and instability even as its tions of extreme anti-Israel activity on campus. Some group correct about the change But the RJC survey included more civil war dies down, don’t expect any dramatic Biden Democrats embrace the IHRA definition, but civil they say happened over the past Orthodox Jews, who tend to vote action in this area. Biden has suggested that Trump was liberties groups fear that its use as an enforcement tool four years? Republican, and fewer Reform too accommodating of the Assad regime, so he’s not inhibits speech freedoms. The Biden campaign has not We may never know, in part be- and unaffiliated Jews, who tend to about to hand the same regime a plum. said what its plans are for the executive order. cause the major media consortium be solidly Democratic, than the J Aid to Israel: During the primaries, some Demo- that traditionally cooperates in Street poll. cratic candidates spoke of conditioning defense to exit polls – the National Election The RJC’s executive director, Israel on its behavior; Biden repeatedly rejected that Pool, which includes the New York Matt Brooks, emphasized during proposal outright. He intervened to keep the word “oc- Times, and the post-election conference call cupation” out of the Democratic platform. CNN, among other outlets – did not that his group’s results mirrored The Palestinians: Biden has said he will reestablish post Jewish results this year. those in other polls, such as one the diplomatic ties with the Palestinians that Trump In 2016, the National Election taken in September and the AP ended because the Palestinians would not play along Pool found that 71 percent of Jew- analysis released last week. with his peace plan. Expect a return of the Palestine ish voters chose Hillary Clinton “Polling, like any other science, Liberation Organization envoy to Washington and a and 24 percent opted for Trump. depends on replicating results to reopening of the Jerusalem consulate that deals specifi- But there were no Jewish results provide proof,” the group’s com- cally with Palestinians – Trump wrapped its functions posted this year, the Washington munications director, Neil Boylan into the embassy. Post said, because there were “not Strauss, told JTA. “In this case, our Biden has also said he would resume the assistance enough respondents to break down results have been replicated.” to the Palestinians that Trump cut off while observing details.” Gerstein said that the J Street American laws that ban funding for the Palestinian The , which model was based on religious af- Authority as long as it pays salaries to the families once belonged to the consortium, filiation surveys by the Pew Re- of Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis or left in 2018 and set up Votecast, search Center, the leading company Americans. That leaves Biden some leeway; he could which this year did include a Jewish analyzing religious affiliation. direct funds to NGOs that operate separately from the breakdown. It found that 30 percent The Pew analysis is from 2013, Palestinian Authority, and to UNRWA, the United Na- of Jewish Americans were voting however, and the proportion of tion agency that administers relief to the Palestinians. for Trump and 68 percent for Biden. Orthodox Jews since then is likely Iran: Biden has faulted Trump for exiting the Iran That analysis included about 3,300 to have increased. nuclear deal. Trump said the deal, which exchanged Jewish voters (3 percent of the total “Our poll is specifically designed sanctions relief for a rollback of Iran’s nuclear capa- 110,000 people surveyed). to get a representative sample of bility, was too generous and not strict enough. Israel’s Votecast includes major shifts Jewish voters, and we follow the Netanyahu government was in agreement with Trump; in methodology from the National language and demographic in- Benjamin Netanyahu lobbied intensely against the Election Pool exit polling system, formation that’s used by the Pew including online panels and, in Research Center, which has set some cases, compensation for par- the gold standard for researching ticipating – departures substantive American Jews,” he said. enough to make it impossible to Laura E. Adkins contributed compare with past National Elec- reporting. PAGE 4 A JEWISH PRESS of TAMPA NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 3, 2020 Fixing Congregations what’s Rabbinically Shabbat Speaking Cong Schaarai Zedek papers and discuss his tenure at the Candle broken Boston Globe. Baron was the editor For more information on any of the heading the Pulitzer Prize-winning following programs including Zoom Lighting By MICHAEL WEISS Spotlight investigative team at the Congregation Schaarai Zedek well, forgetting that they once links, visit www.zedek.org. Globe in 2002 when the newspaper Editor’s view of 2020: Times As we approach Hanuk- fought for the rights of Jews to broke the scandal of systemic sexual Tampa native Marty Baron, who has kah, our festival of lights in their uniqueness and their sa- abuse by Catholic clergy. The story of Dec. 4 • 5:17 pm been editor the darkest time of the year, I cred practices. The Maccabees, that investigation was turned into the of the Wash- Dec. 11 • 5:18 pm would like to offer some wis- now the Hasmonean dynasty, award winning movie “Spotlight” in ington Post dom I have found in an unex- became ruthless conquerers, which Liev Schreiber played Baron. Dec. 18 • 5:21 pm since 2012, pected place, far across the sea. corrupt and self-indulgent. The Sisterhood Book Club: The Dec. 25 • 5:25 pm will be guest In traditional Japanese art hope that led them to fight for Sisterhood will hold a Zoom discus- speaker via there is a technique called the Temple in the first place sion of “The Book of Longings” by Z o o m o n kintsugi, in which one takes was lost. Sue Monk Kidd, on Monday, Nov. 30 T h u r s d a y Hanukkah broken ceramic ware and re- Our tradition offers another from noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 3 at pairs it model. The aron, the ark, in Lunch and Learn: Enjoy Happenings, Page 9 7:30 p.m. as using a the very same Temple that the a virtual Zoom lunch with Rabbi part of the Marty Baron lacquer Maccabees rededicated, was Richard Birnholz on Wednesday, Schaarai Ze- Members will receive information mixed said to contain the tablets of the Dec. 2 at 11:45 a.m. dek Alumni Series. In addition to about the meeting in the mail, includ- with Ten Commandments. However, talking about how Judaism and his ing a proxy for voting. Proxy’s should gold or it also held the broken pieces of time at Schaarai Zedek in his youth Cong. Beth Israel be mailed to the synagogue or hand silver the first set of tablets, shattered has impacted his work, Baron will Sun City Center delivered to executive board mem- dust. by Moses when he saw that the look at this unforgettable year from Annual meeting: The congrega- bers Rochelle Lafer, Joy Rosen, The Israelites had made the Golden the perspective of the editor of one tion will hold its annual meeting via Nina Malinak, Diane Posner and result is Calf. There was no attempt to of America’s most respected news- Zoom on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. Naomi Hauser. some- repair them. That was the point. thing new and beautiful, ac- The broken tablets were kept centuating the unique history in our people’s holiest place of the object. The cracks where as a reminder of our regret, of FBI The FBI recorded 7,314 total hate crimes last year, a • CONTINUED from FRONT PAGE the pottery was once broken the fear that led us to idolatry, slight increase over 2018 and 2017. As in previous years, of the brokenness that we feel one. The New York-area attacks came amid a spate of the majority were based on race. African-Americans are not hidden, like we might anti-Semitic harassment and assaults in Orthodox neigh- expect from a repair, but they profoundly in ourselves and the experienced the most hate crimes, 1,930. Hate crimes world. borhoods in Brooklyn. based on religion made up approximately 20 percent of glint gold in the light. “The surge of hate in the last few years is unmistak- It is appropriate to speak Even as we put everything total hate crimes. back together, we need to see able,” Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the ADL, told the Last year also saw a huge increase in hate crime of repair because, in the past Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “We’ve been talking about the cracks. Our mistakes and murders, to 51 from 24 in 2018. That includes the mass months, COVID-19 and other our anxiety about the normalization of anti-Semitism, the tragedy of our past are an shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, TX, that killed 23 and events have brought some of and sure enough in 2019 we saw a 14 percent increase in essential part of who we are, wounded the same number. The shooter wrote in a mani- our very human brokenness to anti-Jewish hate crimes.” reminding us of where we’ve festo that he was acting against a Hispanic “invasion.” light: mistrust, extremism, fear, The Conference of Presidents of Major American and the epidemic of loneliness. been and guiding us toward Anti-Hispanic hate crimes, according to the FBI, rose 9 Jewish Organizations issued its own statement on the percent in 2019, the fourth straight year they’ve risen. Our response to brokenness, helping others to heal their findings. “The fact that a people who represent a small The ADL said the FBI numbers are almost certainly a in the world and ourselves, is brokenness. Kintsugi is not the minority of the American population is subjected to such a significant undercount of the true number of hate crimes often to try to repair the harm. only answer, as some things degree of hate demonstrates that far more needs to be done in the United States because many municipalities do not We rebuild, fill in the gaps, cannot be made beautiful with to defend Jewish civil rights and to educate Americans submit hate crime data to the FBI. According to the ADL, plaster over our sadness. We gold and silver, but we need about the anti-Jewish sentiment present in our country,” 86 percent of participating agencies reported no hate want everything to look like to remember them, even as the the statement said. crimes to the FBI, including 71 cities with populations new, like nothing bad ever hap- trauma dulls. Let this season be With the Orthodox community the target of many of one of healing and rededication greater than 100,000 — though the largest cities tend to pened, but our tradition warns the anti-Semitic incidents, the urged report their hate crime data. The ADL also said that the us about this. to healing the wounds of oth- Congress to dramatically increase funding for security ers, but not forgetting the scars, number of agencies reporting hate crimes to the FBI has At this time of year, we of Jewish and other faith-based institutions. The OU declined each year. remember the story of Hanuk- lest we return to the ways that statement called for immediate passage of a proposal to caused our harm in the first “We have an incomplete picture,” the ADL’s Greenblatt kah and the Maccabees who quadruple the Nonprofit Security Grant program funding said. “That being said, I think the trends over two decades place. fought for religious freedom. to $360 million. are telling. Hate remains a reality for people from mar- “Hanukkah” means dedication, The string of attacks last year came amid what the ADL ginalized communities in this country, particularly Jews, Rabbinically Speaking is emphasizing how the Mac- has described as a years-long rise in anti-Semitic activ- who represent somewhere between 1.5 and 2 percent of published as a public service cabees rededicated the Temple ity. Just days after 2020 began, 25,000 people marched the population and [experience] a disproportionate num- by the Jewish Press in coopera- in Jerusalem, which had been across the Brooklyn Bridge to protest anti-Semitism in ber of the hate crimes.” tion with the Tampa Rabbinical desecrated by Antiochus’ army. and elsewhere. Greenblatt said the ADL hopes the incoming Biden ad- They relit the menorah and Association which assigns the Earlier this year, the ADL found, similarly to the FBI, ministration will support increased anti-bias education in rebuilt the altar as before, but column on a rotating basis. The that anti-Semitic incidents rose by 12 percent in 2019 schools and work on a plan to confront white nationalism. as the Maccabees became the views expressed in the column to their highest number in 40 years (though its criteria “Extremists feel emboldened, and anti-Jewish conspir- leaders of the kingdom of Ju- are those of the rabbi and do differ from the FBI and the Jewish anti-bigotry agency acy theories and anti-Jewish ideas generally are taking dea, they forgot their purpose. not necessarily reflect the views has recorded a higher number of anti-Semitic incidents root,” he said. “Jews feel less safe. Jews are extremely They remade the Temple too of the Jewish Press or the TRA. over the years). worried about this.” Religious Directory

Most congregations have canceled in-person Mabry Hwy., Tampa, 33618 • Hazzan Jodi Sered- MERKOS CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF CENTRAL FLORIDA — 0995 • Website: www.kolemetcitrus.org services. Many are offering live-streaming Lever, Spiritual Leader • Telephone: (813) 963-1818 • 613 S. Melville Ave. Tampa, 33606 • Director: Rabbi PASCO COUNTY of services and some other programs are Website: www.mekorshalom.org. • Unaffiliated Lazer Rivkin • Telepone: (813) 966-8770 • Website: being offered via the internet. For more Congregation RODEPH SHOLOM — 2713 Bayshore www.ChabadOfCentralFlorida.com Orthodox CHABAD JEWISH CENTRE at WIREGRASS information, contact the synagogue or go to Blvd., Tampa 33629 • Rabbi Andres Kornworcel • — 2124 Shabbat eve drive in services, 6:30 p.m. • Telephone: Campus Ashley Oaks Circle, Wesley Chapel, 33544 • Rabbi the synagogue’s website. (813) 837-1911 • Website: www.rsholom.org. • CHABAD HOUSE JEWISH STUDENT CENTER at USF — Mendy Yarmush • Telephone: (813) 642-3244 • Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative 13287 Arbor Point Circle unit 102, Tampa, 33617, Website: www.ChabadatWiregrass.com HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY Judaism Mailing address: USF Marshall CTR. Box 310, Tampa, Reform 33620. • Rabbi Levi Rivkin • Telephone: (813) 504- Unaffiliated BETH ISRAEL/ JEWISH CONGREGATION OF SUN CITY Orthodox 4432 • Website: www.chabadhouseusf.org • Email: Congregation BETH CHAVARIM – Telephone: (813) 957- CENTER — 1115 E. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City Center BAIS (TEMPLE) DAVID CHABAD — 2001 W. Swann Ave., [email protected] 1269 • Email [email protected] • Mailing Address: P. O. Box 5203, Sun City Center, Tampa, 33606 • Rabbi Lazer Rivkin • Telephone: (813) CHABAD JEWISH STUDENT CENTER at UT – 401 W. 33571 • Rabbi Carla Freedman • Telephone: (813) 966-8770 • Website: www.chabadofcentralflorida. NORTH PINELLAS COUNTY Kennedy Blvd. Box P., Tampa, 33606 • Rabbi Levi 634-2590 • Web address: www.jcscc.org. • Affiliated com. • Email: [email protected] Reform Rivkin • Telephone: (813) 504-4432 • Website: www. Temple AHAVAT SHALOM with Union for CHABAD LUBAVITCH of TAMPA BAY — 14908 — 1575 Curlew Rd., Palm chabadut.org Harbor, 34683 • Rabbi Matthew Berger • Cantorial Congregation BETH AM — 2030 W. Fletcher Ave, Tam- Peninngton Road, Tampa, 33624 • Rabbi Yossie HILLELS OF THE FLORIDA SUNCOAST— 13101 Sycamore soloist, Allison Rosoff • Telephone: (727) 785-8811 • pa, 33612 • Rabbi Jason Rosenberg • Cantor Tanya Dubrowski, executive director • Telephone: (813) 963- Drive, Tampa, 33620 • Rabbi Ed Rosenthal • Telephone: Website: www. ahavatshalom.org. • Affiliated with Greenblatt • Telephone (813) 968-8511 • Website: 2317 • Website: www.chabadoftampabay.com www.bethamtampa.org. • Livestreaming services • (813) 899-2788 • Website: www.suncoasthillels.org CHABAD of BRANDON / JEWISH DISCOVERY CENTER Affiliated with Union for Reform Judaism USF CHABAD on CAMPUS — 1578 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, 33596 • Rabbi — 4506 Sweetwater Lake Congregation BETH SHALOM — 706 Bryan Road, Drive, Tampa, 33620 • Rabbi Pinny Backman • POLK COUNTY Mendel Rubashkin • Telephone: (813) 571-8100 • Reform Brandon, 33511 • Rabbi Paul Schreiber • Telephone: Website: jewishbrandon.org Website: www.USFChabad.com • Telephone: (813) (813) 681-6547 • Website: http://bethshalom-brandon. Temple BETH SHALOM — 1029 Bradbury Road, CHABAD CHAI of SOUTH TAMPA 978-8723 org. • Affiliated with Union for Reform Judaism — 2511 W. Swann • P.O.B. 313 Winter Haven, 33882-0313 • Rabbi Ave. #201, Tampa, FL 33606 • Rabbi Mendy Dubrowski Jewish Renewal Congregation SCHAARAI ZEDEK — 3303 W. Swann Garson Herzfeld • Telephone: (863) 292-0722. • Telephone: (813) 922-1723 • Website: www. Congregation OR AHAVAH — Rabbi Debrah Shenefelt, Ave., Tampa 33609 • Rabbi Joel Simon, Rabbi Michael • Website: www.templebethshalompolk.org. • ChabadSouthTampa.com spiritual leader • Telephone: 813-968-7850; email: Affiliated with Union for Reform Judaism Weiss • Cantor Deborrah Can,nizzaro • Shabbat eve [email protected]. • Website: www.Orahavah.org BAIS MENACHEM CHABAD — 1319 North B. St., service live on Tampa Bay Community Network • Affiliated with Aleph Conservative TV, 7 p.m. (check cable provider) • Telephone: (813) Tampa, 33606 • Rabbi Levi Rivkin • Telephone: Temple EMANUEL — 600 Lake Hollingsworth 876-2377 • Website: www.zedek.org. • Livestreaming (813) 375-9799, (813) 504-4432 • Website: www. CITRUS COUNTY Drive, Lakeland, 33803 • Rabbi David services • Affiliated with Union for Reform Judaism bmchabad.com Conservative Goldstein • Telephone: (863) 682-8616. • Congregation BAIS TEFILLAH — 14908 Pennington Congregation BETH SHOLOM — 102 Civic Circle, Website: TempleEmanuelLakeland.com. • Affiliated Conservative Road, Tampa, 33624 • Rabbi Yossie Dubrowski Beverly Hills • Mailing address: Beverly Hills Jewish with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Congregation KOL AMI — 3919 Moran Road, Tampa • Telephone: (813) 963-2317 • Website: www. Center, P. O. Box 640024, Beverly Hills, 34464- 33618 • Rabbi Rachel Blatt • Telephone: (813) 962- chabadoftampaybay.com 0024 • Telephone (352) 746-6258 • Website: www. Orthodox 6338 • website: www. kolami. org. • Livestreaming YOUNG ISRAEL of TAMPA - 13207 N. 52nd St., Tampa, bethsholomcitrus.org CHABAD JEWISH CENTER — 2270 Griffin Road, services • Affiliated with United Synagogue of 33617 • Rabbi Uriel Rivkin • (813) 832-3018 • Website: Congregation KOL EMET — Cantor Mordecai Kamlot • Lakeland, 33810 • Rabbi Moshe Lazaros • Telephone: Conservative Judaism www. youngisraeloftampa.org 39 Roosevel Blvd., Beverly Hills • Mailing address: P. (863) 937-5565 • Website: www.chabadlakeland.org Congregation MEKOR SHALOM — 14005A N. Dale O. Box 38, Hernando, 34441 • Telephone (352) 643- NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 3, 2020 JEWISH PRESS of TAMPA A PAGE 5 Counselor in the making Vinik’s turn to be a Vivienne Edinger, a fourth grade community hero student, dressed as a Club J counselor Jeff Vinik needed no in- for the program’s “Dress for Success” troduction at the Tampa JCCs Day. She is a student at Club J School & Federation’s J’la virtual Day (a supervised e-learning pro- gala and an adjective-packed gram.) “I chose to be a Club J coun- opening video – ambitious, selor because they are fun, we do a lot energetic, generous, humble, Amy DIARY of fun activities, and when we aren’t passionate, smart, strategic working on school we do something and transformative, they called Scherzer’s cool,” she said. Vivienne Edinger him – guaranteed to make the Tampa Bay Lightning owner and Water Street developer S blush. Faster than a speeding puck, before you could say Stanley Cup 2020, Vinik was celebrated for his uncanny Doug Cohn interviewed ability to “see around cor- Jeff Vinik ners,” “inspire confidence and optimism” and “change Tampa Penny and Jeff a Vinik forever.” Likened to a Community Hero, the exemplary person honored by his own Lightning Tampa JCCs Foundation at every home & Federation President game, the financial maven Joe Probasco received the second annual greeted gala Maureen and Douglas Cohn guests as they Builders Award from the signed onto the Tampa JCCs & Federation on Zoom platform. Comedian Rabbi Bob Is it A master Nov. 12 Alper Even as Covid-19 forces in- Jewelry of design. person event cancellations, the or is it A truly J’la gathered 400 online guests, welcomed by comedian Rabbi Art? artful gift! Bob Alper with a funny riff that did not need the “designat- ed laughers” standing by just in case his humor didn’t translate over Zoom. Doug Cohn followed with a Q & A, touching on philan- (L-R) Tampa JCCs & Federation’s Heidi Shimberg and Alissa Fischel tag- thropy, (“It’s in Penny’s and teamed to pitch live auction travel packages. my DNA,” said Vinik); and my life.” $15,500 from the live auction, a recent trip to Israel. Vinik As for how to turn around a will help continue commu- said it was, “without a doubt, team into a Stanley Cup winner nity programming and global the most educational week of after a 16-year drought, Vinik outreach, said chief develop- my life” and called learning has these tips: Don’t be afraid ment director Alissa Fischel. about his heritage unforget- to take chances and hire great She and Tampa JCC execu- table. As for swimming in the people and get out of their way. tive director Heidi Shimberg 727.725.1808 Dead Sea, he said it was “the Annual Campaign Funds ignited bidding with four travel 247 Main Street Safety Harbor, FL www.sydentelgalleries.com coldest I have ever been in raised that night, including packages. I I Join us for Holiday Sip & Shop December 4th 5 - 9pm Facing federal complaint, University of Illinois pledges to protect Jewish, pro-Israel students (JTA) – Weeks after publication “Our shared and common goal of a federal complaint alleged an must be to support a safe and anti-Semitic climate at the Uni- welcoming environment for Jew- versity of Illinois, the university ish and pro-Israel students at the announced it would work with Jew- University of Illinois that is free of ish groups to improve conditions and harassment,” for Jews and pro-Israel students the statement says, also condemn- on campus. ing acts that “demonize or dele- The campus in Champaign- gitimize” Jewish and pro-Israel Urbana, home to 34,000 under- students. graduates including some 3,000 “For many Jewish students, Jewish students, was recently the Zionism is an integral part of their subject of a legal complaint asking identity and their ethnic and ances- the U.S. Education Department to tral heritage,” the statement says. investigate a “hostile environment “The university will safeguard the of anti-Semitism.” The complaint abilities of these students, as well cited multiple instances of swas- as all students, to participate in uni- tika graffiti, vandalism at Jewish versity-sponsored activities free centers and harassment of Jewish from discrimination and harass- and pro-Israel students. The Trump ment.” The statement pledges to set administration has directed the up an advisory council made up of Education Department to include students, faculty and members of Jewish students in its anti-discrimi- the broader Jewish community, to nation protections, facilitating such ensure an inclusive atmosphere on complaints. campus. It also pledges to institute The school’s student government educational programing on campus recently passed a resolution that against anti-Semitism and to re- included a call to divest from com- view its policies to make sure they panies that do business with Israel. adequately combat anti-Semitism. Jewish organizations including the “Many Jewish students have felt Chicago , which marginalized and excluded from controls the school’s Hillel center, participating equally in campus protested the resolution. activities that are aimed at fight- Now, the school’s administration ing racism and achieving racial has signed a joint statement along justice,” said Mark Rotenberg of- with the federation, the school’s , which signed Hillel and Chabad and other groups the joint statement. “This is the 13005 Community Campus Drive • Tampa, FL 33625 promising to do more to address first time a university has made all On the Maureen and Douglas Cohn Campus anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism at of these statements and commit- AHCA LIC. # 08679 the school. ments.” Kosher Facility - Diversity Welcome PAGE 6 A JEWISH PRESS of TAMPA NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 3, 2020 On this unique Jewish dating site, moms get to play the yenta By SARA IVRY Gainesville, thinking to myself: match. The site is meant for Jews JTA news service When you see a person go to absurd of any stripe. On a visit home to Fort Lauder- lengths to solve a problem that Kaplan, 34, and co-founder Mike dale back in 2013, Jeffrey Kaplan should be easily solvable, there’s Ovies launched the site earlier this and his then-girlfriend watched opportunity there,” he recalled. “It year after winning $150,000 at an as Kaplan’s mother pulled out her clicked for me: We need to make investment capital pitch contest in computer to show them the fake a website where Jewish mothers 2019. Both employees at a software JDate profile she’d put together can be the yentas they were meant development company, they spent a in a stealth effort to help Kaplan’s to be.” lot of their spare time over the last brother find love. That was the germ of the idea for two and a half years doing market “She was worried about him not JustKibbitz.com, a unique dating research into dating apps, millen- finding a Jewish girl to marry,” site where fathers, grandparents, nial dating behavior, Jewish dating Kaplan said. At the time, he was a friends and – yes – Jewish moms trends and more. graduate student in entrepreneur- can channel their inner yentas by On JustKibbitz.com, the yentas ship at the University of Florida. setting up profiles for their loved do all the legwork – setting up Photo courtesy of JustKibbitz.com “I remember the drive back to ones to try to find them a potential profiles, scrolling through potential On Just Kibbitz, parents play the role of matchmaker. matches – and can even pay for the date in advance and determine Jacksonville, Florida. Eager to Jacobs married someone whom where it will take place. (Of course, help her daughter find a partner, she met on a dating site, and they Levy recently started sussing out had two sons before getting di- the target of their matchmaking must agree.) potential matches. She knows that vorced. “We put all the responsibility on some parents on the site may over- “He looked great on paper,” she the parents to know their kid and praise their kids and be blind to said of her ex-husband. “Had my know what they want,” Kaplan their shortcomings. Nevertheless, mom been involved, I don’t think I said. she says she sees great merit in the would’ve married him. There were Pandemic-era social-distancing approach JustKibbitz takes. too many red flags.” limitations notwithstanding, Ka- “It’s not going to be a booty Jacobs praised the buy-in from plan thinks now is a great time to call thing,” she said. “If you want would-be daters like Marie-Claire launch a dating app of this kind. that, go on Tinder. This is more of: Levy that JustKibbitz requires. “Single millennials are spend- ‘Hey, let’s meet and get to know “You’re not crossing boundaries. ing 10 hours a week on dating each other and our parents know If your son or daughter says, ‘No CHASE THE DREIDEL - 5K YOUR WAY! apps. They’re online increasing about it.’ There’s a little bit more mom,’ you’re not going to do it. their isolation in coronavirus,” accountability because parents are But if your son or daughter says, ‘I WALK – SKATE – STROLLER – RUN – TRICYCLE – BIKE – BOARD  Kaplan said. “So this app feels like involved, and I like that for people want your help,’ it paves the way like my daughter.” for potential romantic dates, and it Design your own 5K from December 10 – 18  a breath of fresh air, an alternative, letting someone who knows you A child’s willingness for their paves the way for potential between best to set you up. The pressure is parents to set them up speaks mothers and sons or fathers and taken out.” volumes about the quality of their sons or daughters or whatever – it ƒ ‡ƒ–›‘—”‘™’ƒ ‡–†‘‹–ƒŽŽ‹‘‡†ƒ›‘”–ƒ‡–Š‡‡–‹”‡™‡‡‘ˆ Noting the prepaid feature of the relationship, Levy said. “It’s a re- creates a platform for a more au- Šƒ—ƒŠ–‘ ‘’Ž‡–‡›‘—”‘™’‡”•‘ƒŽͷǤ‘•–’Š‘–‘•Ƭ‰‡–‘Ž‹‡ dating app, Kaplan said that sur- ally strong vote of confidence,” thentic dialogue.” ”‡ ‘‰‹–‹‘ˆ‘”‘˜‹‰‡˜‡”›†ƒ›ǡ™”‹–‹‰ƒ’‘‡ǡ ‘”Šƒ˜‹‰–Š‡‘•– veys show that 92 percent of single she said. “If you have a strong It’s “a nice hybrid of tradition ’ƒ”–‹ ‹’ƒ–•Registrants– Ǩ receive our famous spinning dreidel race shirt, millennials would go on a date set relationship with your family, that’s and culture,” Jacobs added, “and SoleVenture fabric tote bag, bib, coupons & a tasty box of treats up by their parents if it was pre- got to spill over into other areas of simultaneously modernizing the paid. So far, hundreds of people their life.” dating experience, especially in our $28 REGISTRATION INCLUDES ALL FEES Her daughter, Marie-Claire pandemic world.”  have signed themselves and their REGISTER AT TINYURL.COM/CHASETHEDREIDEL2020 children up, according to Kaplan, Levy, 26, is game for her mother’s One of the things that makes proving that the concept works. involvement. JustKibbitz unique is its implicit TO BE A SPONSOR CALL VALERIE AT (727)866-3232 Among them is Theresa Levy, “I’m kind of lazy,” said the recognition that the parents of a Jewish preschool director in younger Levy, who works at a those in a relationship will them- Jewish nonprofit in New York. She selves forge a unique bond that learned of the site from a friend, may last a lifetime, Kaplan said. We are open to serve all your automotive needs thought it was funny (including the With JustKibbitz, they may cre- over-the-top promotional video), ate those bonds even before the and told her own mother about it. couple does. “I don’t care if my mom signs up. It “No other culture has a word for gives her something fun to do, and ‘macheteniste’” – the Yiddish term I’m not the best at putting myself for the relationship between two out there.” sets of in-laws, Kaplan observed. TUNE UPS • AIR CONDITIONING • BRAKES & MORE What JustKibbitz understands “Even when you’re dating, there’s is that when you’re dating some- this anxiety of ‘Are your parents 16133 N. 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NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 3, 2020 JEWISH PRESS of TAMPA A PAGE 7 Retired fighter pilot will pay own way to become second Israeli in space (JTA) – A former ace fighter create the world’s first commer- pilot turned big-time investor will cial space station, is initiating become only the second Israeli in the trip. space – and he’ll be paying for the Stibbe will be following in the trip himself. footsteps of Ilan Ramon, another Eytan Stibbe, 62, is expected to former Israeli pilot. Ramon died in depart for the International Space 2003 along with six others aboard Station next year, President Reuven the Space Shuttle Columbia, which Rivlin announced Nov. 16, accord- exploded upon re-entry into the ing to Haaretz.Support Our Earth’sAdvertisers! atmosphere. TheThey mission, help which make is the pending Jewish As a combatPress pilot possible. for the Israel Carin Zwiebel and Maureen Cohn JCC Preschool office newly remodeled approval by NASA, will be the Defense Forces, Stibbe once held first entirely manned by private as- the distinction of having the most JCCs Cohn Campus preschool gets makeover tronauts. The Israeli Space Agency enemy kills of any Israeli pilot. said Support Stibbe would be footing Our the Advertisers!In his post-military career, he has The JCC Preschool on the Cohn are extremely inviting, thanks in Matching Challenge will begin in bill alone.They help make the Jewishbeen involved Press in investingpossible. in Af- Campus is getting a refresher. large part to Cohn’s exceptional January, but those who would like [Axiom Space, a private Hous- rica as the founding director of the] So far, the makeover has includ- support.” to make a contribution now toward ton-based company that aims to Vital Capital Fund. ed fresh interior and exterior paint For more information about that match can do so by contacting as well as new flooring and cabinets the Tampa JCCs Preschool, visit Alissa Fischel at alissa.fischel@ installed throughout the office and JCCCohnCampus.com/Preschool. jewishtampa.com or (813) 769- Support Our Advertisers! They help make the possible. teachers’ lounge. The preschool A JCC Preschool Fundraising 4726. Jewish Press improvements were a team effort through the generosity of Maureen and Doug Cohn, Carin Zwiebel, Michael Brodsky and others. Support Our Advertisers! The project was spearheaded by They help make the Jewish Press possible. Maureen Cohn. “Our ultimate goal is to make sure that the preschool CHABAD AT WIREGRASS is a warm and inviting place for They help make the everyone; students, parents and Support Jewish Press teachers. We’ve started with an <<>> possible. improved work space for the staff so they feel inspired and appreci- ated,” said Cohn. She explained that there are still more renovations for the preschool. Personnel are in the process of updating the playgrounds and pur- chasing some new furniture. Zwiebel, owner of CZ Designs, was instrumental in creating the designs and selecting all the fin- ishes, cabinetry, flooring and colors for the remodeling project. When asked why she chose to help with the project, Zwiebel explained, “I SUNDAY have a strong commitment to Juda- ism. We have been connected to the JCC for many years, including DEC 13 our children attending camp when 5:00pm they were younger, and I appreciate what the JCC does for the com- OUTDOORS munity.” Zweibel is also working THE GROVE AT on another project at Congregation WESLEY CHAPEL Rodeph Sholom. Cohn spoke of her collaboration SOCIAL DISTANCED NEAR THEATER with Zweibel: “Carin and I are so SEATING OPTION excited about the changes to beau- DRIVE IN OPTION tify and improve the JCC Preschool MASKS RECOMMENDED on the Cohn Campus. Carin has been a delight to work with. She is very talented and has been most generous with her time, which she provided pro-bono.” Cohn also thanked Michael Brodsky, owner of House of Floors, who provided generous price reductions for the flooring and installation. She noted that the facilities team at the JCC, led by Orlando Garcia and Maria Manuli, was instrumental in completing the project. “The staff worked tire- lessly installing cabinets, painting throughout the preschool and much more,” Cohn said. LeeAnn Lewkowiez, director of the JCC Preschool, spoke on behalf of the teachers and staff and expressed her personal gratitude for the recent makeover. “You feel great when you walk into the preschool and see the fresh paint and beautiful floors and cabinets. It feels like a home away from home. The teachers and I are so apprecia- tive of the improvements thanks to the dedication and generosity of Maureen Cohn and her team.” Heidi Shimberg, executive di- rector of the JCCs, added, “Mau- SPONSORED BY reen and Doug Cohn have been so generous to Tampa JCCs & Fed- THE GROVE & ALEX SHNAIDER eration throughout the years. We are so grateful for the time, energy and financial support of the Cohns >>>813.642.3244 as well as Maureen’s incredible >>>WWW.CHABADATWIREGRASS.COM sense of design and eye for beauty. The preschool and Cohn Campus PAGE 8 A JEWISH PRESS of TAMPA NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 3, 2020

completed his clinical training in internal ZAKS medicine at Temple University Hospital Book Festival to continue through June • CONTINUED from FRONT PAGE followed by a fellowship in medical on- during Passover earlier this year. cology at the University of Pennsylvania. with award-winning lineup of authors “I want her to get vaccinated and the rest “He’s a very personable guy, a very fine The Festival of Books & Conversations the Roof) daughters flees a and meets of us to get vaccinated so life can return to clinician and very astute oncologist,” said will continue through mid-2021 with monthly a man who promises her father that he will normal,” he said. “I take this responsibility Dr. Elliott Sigal, a biotechnology advisor Zoom book discussions with award-winning take her to freedom, but it is far from that. The deeply and personally.” on several boards, including a cancer re- authors of their highly recognized books. novel breaks the silence on a shameful chapter Moderna’s vaccine will likely not be search firm, Adaptimmune, whose board The festival, hosted by the Tampa JCCs and of the legal Jewish sex-trafficking union, Zwi ready for mass distribution until the also includes Zaks. Federation, opened Oct. 22 and featured con- Migdal, which operated with impunity for 70 spring, but reports claim that it can sur- “He’s very passionate about his work versations with authors whose books spanned years in South America. vive in less extreme temperatures than and helping people. He’s always thinking a wide variety of topics. Some of the authors On Sunday, March 21 at 6:30 p.m., Meg the one by Pfizer, which requires special of the patient,” Sigal said. “He’s a mensch. have been local, some internationally famous. Waite Clayton, author of “The Last Train refrigeration. I’m very proud of him.” To date dozens of author presentations have to London” will discuss her historical fiction A recent story about Zaks in The For- Zaks was drawn to Moderna in 2015 by been made, and the festival is now entering its based on a true story about a Dutchwoman, ward notes that in a podcast interview its mission to build a new class of medi- Book Club phase where once a month, authors Zofie-Helene, who faces down Adolf- Eich with the digital news group Axios, he cine, infusing RNA with a set of instruc- will be featured from December through June. mann to rescue thousands of children from said, “Our first two started back tions that directs cells in the body to make A Book Club series ticket costs $20 and en- Nazi-occupied Vienna. in 2015 were against pandemic strains antibodies that prevent or fight disease. titles purchasers to conversations with award- On Sunday, April 18 at noon, Sara Gelbard, of influenza. So, we always saw this as a That represented a change in drug de- winning authors about their books. Individual talks about her autobiography, “The Sound of potential.” velopment. Book Club event tickets are $5 each session. Her Voice.” Gelbard was born into one of the Here is the Book Club schedule: As the first cases of COVID-19 were “It was no longer about how do I take this first kibbutzim in Israel at a time when the kib- reported late last year, Moderna was well drug and make it into a cancer medicine,” butz philosophy was strict, only letting children see their parents intermittently. along in research aimed at a potential but he told Milken. “It was suddenly, if I could still theoretical global threat. get this to work, what kind of medicines When the coronavirus migrated from and vaccines could we make? For some- China to the U.S. and other countries, Zaks body who’s come to define their passion said, the company realized: “This is not a as translating science into medicine, this drill. This is live action here.” was a completely new and much more story includes comments profound way of taking on that challenge. he gave in interviews with other sources, If we would be successful, it would have painting this picture of the scientist: implications and impacts far beyond what Debbie Cenziper Zaks, 54, was born to a mathematician I could envision at the time.” and a mother who was “your typical do If expectations are met by Moderna and On Sunday, Dec. 6, at 6:30 p.m., Pulitzer Darin Strauss everything for the kids, very socially other drug companies, the global benefits Prize winning investigative reporter Debbie outgoing, empathetic person,” as he told would be enormous. The virus has infected Cenziper will talk about “Citizen 865: The On Sunday, May 16 Michael Milken of the Milken Institute in more than 54 million people worldwide Hunt for Hitler’s Hidden Soldiers in America.” at 6:30 p.m. Darin Strauss talks about “The a wide-ranging interview last spring. and killed 1.3 million, according to the This is a true story of Nazis fleeing after World Queen of Tuesday: A Lucille Ball Story.” It “That home life – of such a depth, but World Health Organization. With winter War II and secretly living in the U.S. mixes fact and fiction, memoir and novel, to two very different worlds between mom approaching, both numbers are increasing On Sunday, Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m., Rachel tell the story of a celebrity America loved and and dad – in a way set me up for how I at a rapid pace. Barenbaum will talk about “A Bend in the we thought we knew. think today and how I act in this translation Moderna is part of the Trump admin- Stars.” This historical fiction tells of a Russian On Sunday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m., author Iris of science to medicine,” he told Milken. istration’s , using Jew on the verge of solving Einstein’s mystery Krasnow will discuss “Camp Girls: Fireside Zaks received his medical degree and nearly $1 billion from the U.S. govern- of the universe, but first he must escape the grip Lessons in Friendship, Courage and Loyalty.” This is a nostalgic memoir on the importance doctorate from Ben Gurion University ment’s Biomedical Advanced Research of World War II. It’s a heart-stopping account of long-term friendships, many beginning at and served in the Israel Defense Forces and Development Authority and working of science’s greatest race amidst the chaos of summer camp. as a medic. with the National Institute of Allergy and war as well as an epic love story. On Sunday, Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m., Talia For more information on the Book Club He conducted post-doctoral research Infectious Diseases, led by Dr. Anthony Carner will discuss “The Third Daughter,” a visit the Tampa JCCs & Federation website: at the National Institutes of Health, then Fauci. historical fiction. One of Tevye’s (Fiddler on JewishTampa.com/BookFestival.

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NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 3, 2020 JEWISH PRESS of TAMPA A PAGE 9 Holocaust survivor restitution Hanukkah Happenings Information received as of press time: rules more inclusive now Chabad Chai of South Tampa the Chanukah Street Festival would be bigger and better Wheelchair bound and paying Services at Gulf Coast JFCS. A drive-in Hanukkah celebration and movie is than ever,” said Chanie Yarmush, co-director of Chabad for homecare out of pocket, the The Conference on Jewish Mate- planned on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 7:30-9 p.m. at 808 at Wiregrass “We knew that after the uncertainty and prospect of running out of funds rial Claims Against Germany has N. Armenia Ave. in Tampa – the future new home for stress of the last few months we need an opportunity to was always one of Betty’s worries. been providing restitution opportu- Chabad Chai. come together publicly to celebrate Hanukkah unified, There will be a giant menorah lighting ceremony, hot in a safe and memorable way” Now, for Holocaust survivor nities to survivors since 1951. latkes, popcorn, doughnuts and chocolate gelt, as well For more information, contact Rabbi Mendy Yarmush Betty and others who may not have The most recent changes include: as a feature movie presentation at Chabad Chai’s outdoor at (813) 731-2977 or visit ChabadatWiregrass.com previously qualified, a change in • The liberalization of the in- Hanukkah Theater. rules means they could receive come/asset criteria – this increased Enjoy it all from the comfort of your car for a cost of Chabad Centers of Tampa Bay assistance from a fund aiding sur- level can provide a survivor with $15 per car. There will be showings of “A Rugrats Cha- Youths ages 5 through 18 are invited to participate in vivors. Even spouses of living or a certain type of pension called nukah Adventure,” “Chanukah Around the Globe” and a menorah making competition sponsored by Chabad deceased survivors, and some oth- Article 2, if their history quali- “LIGHTS – The Animated Story of Chanukah.” Centers in the Tampa Bay region. Entries will be judged ers who may not have considered fies, and they are also eligible for based on size, creativity, idea, uniqueness, imagination, themselves a survivor, may qualify. services such as homecare. Even if Congregation Schaarai Zedek originality, etc. All entries must be submitted by Dec. 7 Betty, 88, is a Holocaust survivor they don’t qualify for Article 2, they Kicking off the Hanukkah events is a lunch and learn and prizes will be awarded in three age groups. session on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 11:30 a.m. Zoom in A grand prize and runner-up will be selected for who was displaced from her own may still qualify for services as that and take a look at how Hanukkah has made it to televi- kids 5-8, 9-12 and 13-18, with the grand prize winners family to live with a non-Jewish income/asset level is still applied. sion over the years, from Hanukkah Harry on “Saturday award a choice of a Nintendo Switch, VR Oculus Qwest family as a child. Her mother lived • Supplemental payments in Night Live” to the Holiday Armadillo on “Friends.” While 2, Razer Motor Bike, Ipad of $250 Amazon gift card. under a false identity. Her father 2021 and 2022 to Hardship Fund Hanukkah is technically an anti-assimilation holiday, Those named runner up can choose from a telescope, was sent to a concentration camp recipients – this is part of a recent folks will learn how the holiday’s assimilation into pop karaoke machine, art set, drone, Kodak instant camera or and after his liberation, he was un- $662 million agreement with the culture has impacted our Jewish identities and those of $100 Amazon gift card. There will also be a community recognizable to his wife and Betty German government. our children. favorite prize of a PlayStation 5 awarded to the menorah until they heard his voice and real- • Surviving-spouse payment for Throughout the holiday, community members are receiving the most votes. ized who he was. survivors that had received Article invited to light menorahs via Zoom. Share a blessing For full rules and guidelines, go to www.illumina- Now living in the Tampa Bay 2 pensions – a surviving spouse and songs while casting lights all over town nightly Dec. tetampabay.com. Winners will be announced on Dec. 10-17 from 6-6:30 p.m. 15. area, Betty has worked with Gulf – who does not need to be a sur- After the first communal lighting ceremony on Tues- Participating Chabad centers in Hillsborough County Coast Jewish Family and Com- vivor themself – can receive three day, Dec. 10, beginning at 6:15 p.m. there will be a are: Brandon, South Tampa and Tampa Bay; in Pasco munity Services over the years to quarterly payments. concert for families and young children to celebrate County: Wiregrass and West Pasco. determine her eligibility for res- survivor could be deceased as long Hanukkah with Silly Sam the Music Man on Zoom. titution payments as a Holocaust ago as 1996. For those who want an in-person experience, every- Kesher: The Connection survivor. Because of new rules that • A Child Survivor Fund is now one is invited to a drive-through Hanukkah event on A pre-Haunkkah virtual concert by Jewish rock went into effect in January 2020, available for children forced to Saturday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon. Say hello and musician Rick Recht will be held on Sunday, Dec. 6 at Betty now qualifies for restitution leave their parents and taken to the chag sameach while still in your car at the synagogue 5:45 p.m. via Zoom. Prior to the pandemic, Recht was payments that she was previously United States. parking lot. Connect and celebrate as a community while preforming more than 150 dates per year in the United ineligible for. That means Betty The term “survivor” has a very you enjoy festive holiday treat giveaways and connect States and abroad and had worked to revolutionize the with the clergy and staff members you may not have genre of Jewish as a tool for developing will soon be receiving quarterly specific definition based on where gotten to see in a while. Come any time between 10 Jewish identity in youth and adults across the nation. payments and homecare service they were, and when. a.m. and noon. Recht is the national celebrity spokesman for PJ Library support through Gulf Coast JFCS The Nazis either occupied their For more information on any of the Hanukkah pro- and executive producer of Jewish Rock Radio, a 24/7 with less worry. country or invaded (as was the grams, including Zoom links, visit www.zedek.org. international Jewish rock online radio station. He also Betty is just one of approximate- case of the former Soviet Union leads a national song leader training program. This event ly 250 survivors in the Tampa Bay territories). The new criteria also Congregation Rodeph Sholom is open to all. Get details for watching at www.jewish- area that Gulf Coast JFCS provides identifies as survivors those who Folks are invited to a concert via Zoom on Thursday gulfcoast.org/kesher. help to, mostly in Pinellas, Sarasota lived in certain open ghettos in Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. for a showing of “Lights! Celebrate The Dec. 6 concert is part of the “Kesher: The Con- and Hillsborough counties. The Bulgaria and Romania. Hanukkah Live in Concert.” nection” program presented by the Jewish Federation of in-home care offered ranges from The individual’s persecution his- Then, on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. congregants Florida’s Gulf Coast. In addition, the concert is brought to are invited to gather outside the synagogue, in the area the local Jewish community by PJ Library and the Tribe in running errands and providing tory then comes into play – whether of the Sukkah, for an outdoors Hanukkah party including partnership with Reform and Conservative synagogues in companionship to supporting the they were in a concentration camp, a menorah lighting service and a showing of the Adam Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, as well as Menorah activities of daily living like bath- ghetto, in hiding, living under false Sandler film “Eight Crazy Nights.” Hotdogs, popcorn Manor in St. Petersburg. ing, dressing, and cooking. In fact, identity or a flight case. and cookies will be served and the cost is $5 per person. in addition to the homecare services “Many of the youngest survivors An in-person Hanukkah Religious School families Congregation Beth Israel provided through the program, think of themselves as refugees and celebration will be held at Picnic Island Park on Sunday, On Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m., the Sisterhood and Gulf Coast JFCS has identified their parents were the survivors, but Dec. 13 at 9:30 a.m. CDC guidelines for COVID safety Men’s Club of Congregation Beth Israel in Sun City Center over $1 million in unmet homecare with the definition, they are also will be followed, including mandatory mask wearing and will hold their annual Hauukkah party, via Zoom. There needs in the area. survivors.” said Minetti. keeping social distance. Events will include a hanukki- will be a Hanukkah sing-along led by Cantor Glenn In addition to homecare, other Currently, the survivors served yah lighting ceremony, live music, Hanukkah arts and Groper, as well as special entertainment provided by crafts, Train with Judah the Maccabee, and a Hanukkah Rabbi Carla Freedman, Dalia Behr, Judy Rodman and services that Gulf Coast JFCS of- by Gulf Coast JFCS fall into the story time for kids ages 7 and younger. Kids are asked to Paul Spiegal. Participants can light their menorah at home fers through the program include following age groups: 16 percent create their own family hanukkiyah and bring it to the in a virtual communal ceremony and are encouraged to emergency financial assistance, are 75-79, 68 percent are 80-89 and event as part of a contest. Prizes will be awarded for best enjoy latkes and doughnuts during the party. For addi- case management services, pre- 16 percent or 90 or older. use of recycled material, most unique materials used, etc. tional information or to join on Zoom, contact Rochelle scription drug and medical assis- Gulf Coast JFCS is working with On Monday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. congregants can test Lafer at [email protected] tance funds, transportation, social many other clients who previously their knowledge and memory during a Zoom Hanukkah events, and other essential services were not eligible for Article 2, or trivia contest. For for more information on Hanukkah Gulf Coast JFCS to prevent out-of-home placement. any services, to apply for restitu- events, including Zoom ones, go to www.rsholom.org. Joy Katzen-Guthrie, host of the local radio show Gulf Coast JFCS is currently tion. To find out if you qualify and “Sunday Simcha” on WMNF-FM, will put on a virtual Chadad Jewish Centre at Wiregrass concert for Tampa Bay Holocaust survivors in celebra- looking to reach out to more Holo- for a complete list of the changes th caust survivors such as Betty. to criteria, call the GCJFCS Ho- The 13 annual Chanukah Street Festival with a grand tion of Hanukkah on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. The menorah lighting on Sunday, Dec. 13 from 5-7 p.m. will survivors would normally be celebrating Hanukkah with “Many survivors have received locaust Survivor program at (727) be held at the Grove shopping mall in Wesley Chapel. a luncheon provided by Gulf Coast Jewish Family and restitution in the past, but criteria 479-1811 or email holocaustgcjf- The in-person, COVID-safe outdoor event has been Community Services (Gulf Coast JFCS), but the pan- have changed and new funds are [email protected]. moved there to accommodate large crowds with social demic has canceled that live event. Katzen-Guthrie is a available,” said Cindy Minetti, Learn more about Gulf Coast distanced seating, as well as a stay-in-your-car, drive-in professional composer/lyricist and vocalist and served senior director of Jewish Family JFCS at www.gcjfcs.org. option. The celebration will take place near the movie as a cantorial soloist since 1990. The performance is theater. The event will include the lighting of a 12-foot- sponsored by Gulf Coast JFCS, the Florida Holocaust tall menorah. Entertainment will feature a BMX bike Museum, and two Jewish organizations in Sarasota, with 750 scholars protest politician stunt show, live music by the Fraylekh , funding provided by the Jewish Material Claims Against comedy, stilt walkers and more. Prepackaged holiday Germany, and private funds. Survivors who want to par- food also will be distributed. All are welcome and there ticipate in the concert should RSVP Barbara Gitomer at tapped to lead is no charge to participate. (727) 601-8185 or email [email protected] by (JTA) – A broad coalition of Jew- the West Bank to be expelled and “Even though this year is different, we wanted to ensure Dec. 14. A link will be sent via email prior to the event. ish studies scholars and directors for Arab Israelis to be excluded of Jewish and Holocaust museums from the country’s political system. around the world has signed a Eitam also was reprimanded by the petition opposing the proposed ap- IDF’s chief of staff because soldiers pointment of Effi Eitam, a far-right under his command beat a Palestin- Israeli politician, to chair Israel’s ian to death. Holocaust museum. The petition, Israeli politicians, Holocaust which has 750 signers, is the latest survivors and the Anti-Defamation protest against Eitam. Prime Min- League have called for his name to ister Benjamin Netanyahu and his be withdrawn. Now they have been allies advanced Eitam’s candidacy joined by the hundreds of scholars, earlier this year to be the next chair- including Susannah Heschel and man of Yad Vashem, which serves Deborah Lipstadt. The list also in- as a Holocaust museum, memorial cludes the current or former direc- and research center. tors of the Buchenwald memorial Eitam is a former decorated gen- and Jewish museums in Budapest, eral in the Israel Defense Forces Warsaw, Munich and elsewhere. and was a government minister “Eitam’s hateful rhetoric to- who led a right-wing religious wards Israeli Arabs and Palestin- Zionist party. His critics say he is ians stands in opposition to the unfit to lead Yad Vashem because stated mission of Yad Vashem,” the he called for most Palestinians in petition reads. PAGE 10 A JEWISH PRESS of TAMPA NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 3, 2020

the latest trends and practical tips that will Israel has COVID vaccine Organizations keep their career moving forward in 2021. Registration is $10 through Dec. 8 and $15 deals with Pfizer, Moderna Active Adults business meeting at 2 p.m. Then members afterward. Advance registration is required. (JTA) – Israel’s government signed an The Tampa JCCs and Federation offers the will share success stories and lessons learned Enrollment is limited. To register or for more agreement Nov. 13 with the Pfizer pharma- following programs for active adults. Unless in 2020. RSVP by sending an email request information, call TampaBay Job-Links at ceutical company to acquire 8 million doses otherwise specified, all programs listed take in advance to [email protected] to (813) 344-0200 or email, [email protected]. of its vaccine. For more information, visit TBJL.org. place on Zoom. To RSVP or for more informa- receive sign-in instructions. In June, Israel announced it had signed a TampaBay Job-Links is a member of the Net- tion on programs, contact Pnina Levermore Those who wish to tell about a personal deal with the Moderna for its potential CO- work of Jewish Human Service Agencies. at (813) 291-2253 or pnina.levermore@ success story or a lesson learned should VID-19 vaccine, although no details were jewishtampa.com. All registrations should be contact Bruce Hadburg to be added to the Connect reported. At the time, Netanyahu said secur- completed before events begin. agenda. Contact him at bhadburg@tam- ing the agreement “puts us in a very good Puzzle it out: Brunch time: Meet your Tampa Jew- New York Times Puzzle pabay.rr.com or call (727) 796-7981. place in the world.” Wizard Steve Manin reveals the keys to fill- ish community at a Connect virtual bagel brunch, an online experience created by the The Pfizer announcement came days after ing in the blanks. Ever wish you could do the Job-Links Netanyahu said in a video address that Israel crossword puzzle? Now’s your chance. You Tampa JCCs & Federation, to bring together Job help: Tampa Bay Job-Links is offer- would be able to sign a deal with Pfizer in know most of the words. What you may not new community members to the Tampa area, ing virtual programs to help those in search part because the company’s CEO, Albert know are little tricks and the ability to train or those new to the Jewish community. The of a job or career change, including a vari- Bourla, told Netanyahu he is proud to be your brain to think like an expert crossword last brunch of 2020 is scheduled for Sunday, ety of workshops. Job-search fundamentals Jewish. “Albert Bourla is very proud of his puzzle solver. Join in the fun, interactive Dec. 13 from 11a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Partici- workshops will be held from noon to 1:15 Greek heritage and of his Jewish heritage, show on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. This is a pants will have a chance to share latke recipes p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from ,” Netanyahu said. After free virtual event. and favorite Hanukkah traditions with each Dec. 1-3. The Dec. 1 workshop topic is other. BYOB (bring your own bagel). This this conversation, which was very productive Learning express: Learn about the “Develop a Résumé with Impact.” The Dec. Florida-Israel Business Accelerator (FIBA) event, sponsored by the Tampa JCCs and and very practical, I’m convinced we will 2 workshop topic is “Unlock the Potential Federation, is for adults of all ages. Visit complete the contract with Pfizer.” in a free virtual program on Thursday, Dec. of Linked-In” and the Dec. 3 topic is “The 3 at noon. Launched in 2016 by the Tampa JewishTampa.com/welcome to register. Israel expects the vaccine to arrive by Power of Networking and Informational For more information, contact Lisa Rob- January. Jewish Community Centers & Federation, Meetings.” A wellness workshop will be held FIBA is a technology accelerator designed to bins at (813) 769-4723 or lisa.robbins@ Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine on Tuesday, Dec. 8 from noon to 2:15 p.m. on jewishtampa.com. candidates have been found to be nearly 95 establish and grow successful, high-growth staying positive during the holiday season. A percent effective in Phase 3 trials and emer- tech ventures in the Tampa Bay area. job-search readiness workshop will be held Young Adults gency use authorization is expected from the Ongoing programs: There are a vari- on Thursday, Dec. 10 from 1-2:15 p.m. on Icebreakers: The Tampa JCCs & Fed- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. ety of other Active Adults activities, included, steps to negotiating a job offer. eration’s #Gather group is planning a virtual but not limited to Yiddish Nostalgia, a Men’s On Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to social icebreaker and group games for young Club, News Talk, Plugged-In (computer and 2:30 p.m. there will be a special compre- adults on Tuesday, Dec. 8. To register, go to Advertise in the other technical aid), and Tuesday Traditions hensive program for individuals starting www.bryanglazerfamlyjcc. com/gather. (examination of issues of faith and spiritual- their career, returning to the workforce, or For more information, contact Lisa Rob- Business & Professional Directory ity), that are offered on a regular basis through considering a career change – and looking to bins, director of young adult engagement for for as little as $40 per issue. Zoom. For more information on schedule, go kick their job search into high gear. During the Tampa JCCs & Federation, at lisa.rob- Call 871-2332 to jewishtampa.com and search for virtual this virtual workshop, participants will learn [email protected] or (813) 769-4723. programming for either the JCC on the Cohn Campus or the Bryan Glazer Family JCC.. Parkinson’s Program The Tampa JCCs and Federation’s Philip Shayman Parkinson’s program offers the fol- Business & Professional Directory lowing programs. Unless otherwise specified, all programs listed take place on Zoom. To RSVP or for more information on programs, contact Pnina Levermore at (813) 291-2253 or [email protected]. All registrations should be completed before events begin. Movie special event: The Tampa JCCs & Federation’s Philip Shayman Par- kinson’s Program is offering a free special showing of “Boys of Summer: Short Stop,” and a conversation with director, writer and producer Robert Cochrane on Wednesday, Dec. 9 from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. The program opens with a welcome by Active Adults Program Manager Pnina Levermore, who will provide the context for showing the film. The film is the third in an award-winning series starring Dan, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and his son Robert. The series began in 2004 after Robert re-watched “Field of Dreams” and told his dad they had to pursue their lifelong dream of seeing all the ballparks together. Cochrane decided to turn the “gut punch” experience of his father’s Parkinson’s diagnosis into a chance to grow their relationship. His acclaimed documen- tary series records their journey with the condition, while traveling to all the baseball parks in America. After the showing, Cochrane will answer attendees’ questions. Classes and support groups: Tampa JCCs & Federation’s Philip Shayman Parkinson’s Program holds a variety of events by Zoom. These include: Nia night, rock steady boxing, Tremble Clefs, line dancing, game play, stretching, work on fine motor skills, tai chi and counseling sessions for those with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. For more information on schedule, go to jewishtampa.com and search for virtual programming for either the JCC on the Cohn Campus or the Bryan Glazer Family JCC. Genealogical Society Annual meeting: Because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the Jew- ish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay’s traditional Annual Lunch & Learn Social will have to forgo the luncheon this year, but we will proceed with as much social and educational content as possible at a meeting via Zoom on Sunday, Dec. 13. Sign-in begins at 1:30 p.m. The program starts with a brief NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 3, 2020 JEWISH PRESS of TAMPA A PAGE 11

DOLSTEN He went on to work for Sweden’s two largest drug Engagements • CONTINUED from FRONT PAGE companies at the time – Pharmacia, where he was Dolsten, who moved to the New York area from asked to build a new institute to develop medicines, Sweden in 2004, is far from the only Jewish immigrant and then Astra AB (which would later become part in his field. In fact, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla is a Jew of the British company AstraZeneca, which is in the Kushner/McNamara from Thessaloniki, . The chief medical officer process of developing its own COVID-19 vaccine). Alyce and David Kushner of for Moderna, a competing drugmaker that announced He developed a top reputation in the industry and Tampa, announce the engage- that its COVID-19 vaccine was nearly 95 percent ef- was approached by Boehringer Ingelheim, the world’s ment of their son, Brett Dane fective, is an Israeli immigrant named Tal Zaks (see largest private pharmaceutical company, to run global Kushner, to Hannah Grace Mc- story, front page) research. He worked at their Frankfurt headquarters Namara, daughter of Rhonda and The German biotech company that Pfizer teamed for a short period, then agreed to work for them in the up with to create the vaccine, BioNTech, was founded U.S. His wife, also Jewish and also a physician, was Jimmy McNamara of Tampa. and is still led by Turkish immigrants Ugur Şahin and enthusiastic about the idea. The prospective bridegroom Ozlem Tureci. Sahin told that he “She was keen to experience a bit of the American is a graduate of the University and Bourla bonded over “their shared backgrounds as melting pot, particularly the New York area,” he said. of South Florida with his under- scientists and immigrants.” Dolsten eventually led research and development at graduate in political science and The new Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, like the Mod- , an American company known for manufactur- two master’s degrees, in Educa- erna one, is made from mRNA, a relatively new ing ubiquitous drugs such as Advil. Wyeth was bought tion and Educational Leadership. technology that Dolsten says will allow companies to by Pfizer in 2009 and Dolsten stayed on, working He is currently the principal of SLAM Middle School/High School in combat pandemics in the future with greater speed and on research and development of Pfizer’s biological Citrus Park. effectiveness. The vaccine success rates so far have divisions, then for the entire company. Today, he oc- The bride-to-be is a graduate of Ohio State University with her BA in impressed Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious casionally gets time to “roll up the sleeves” on research Human Ecology and her master’s degree in Business Administration. She disease expert, who has said he was hoping for a 75 projects, but more often oversees other scientists and is currently employed with Raymond James Financial. percent success rate. takes the “wide angle perspective” to help form the A January 2021 wedding is planned. The couple will reside in Tampa. The scientist responsible for the pioneering break- company’s goals. throughs that allowed for the development of an “I take part and discuss what the big problems we Benstock/Kehati mRNA vaccine is Jewish professor at the University are addressing in cancer, in genetic disease, inflam- Tracy Norris Benstock, of Or- of Pennsylvania Drew Weissman, who once worked mation, vaccines, and in diseases like diabetes and lando and formerly of the Tampa under Fauci at the National Institutes of Health. obesity, and make sure we crisply focus on a few Bay area, daughter of the late Dr. Dolsten is wary of taking that kind of multicultural- things that translate into medical breakthroughs,” Gary Norris and Saundra Norris of ism for granted. He says he grew up in a very different he said. Forest Hills, NY, and Rabbi Ron- era, post-World War II, when opportunity and security Growing up in Sweden, Dolsten said he never personally felt any explicit anti-Semitism, but that nie Kehati of Woodmere, NY, son was guaranteed to all in Sweden and the U.S. was a of Rabbi Samuel and Geula Kehati has become an issue in Sweden in recent years, along beacon to immigrants looking to make world-chang- of Woodmere, NY, announce their with several other European countries, amid an influx ing innovations. Both countries now face political and engagement. of largely Middle Eastern refugees and a surge of social tensions that threaten those traditions. The bride-to-be is an RN/Case far-right nationalism. He said he sees how his three “I do hope we can heal as a nation and again be a Manager for Cigna at Walt Dis- children – one of them former JTA reporter Josefin shining sun, and bring people together rather than ney World. She has two daughters, Alexis Benstock (Melissa Buckner- move back from the world,” he said. Dolsten – could have had a very different experience Benstock) and Dana Benstock-Gluck (Jordan Gluck). Both daughters and Dolsten took a winding path to end up as a leader in from him growing up in Sweden. their families reside in Tampa. pharmaceutical development. Born in 1958, he grew So, Dolsten looked forward to his move to the U.S., The prospective bridegroom is an associate rabbi at Temple Emanuel up in the small Halmstad Municipality on Sweden’s which he also saw as the world’s scientific and entre- of Great Neck, NY. He has two sons, Justin Kehati and Spencer Kehati. western coast.His father had prewar roots in the preneurial “frontier.” The couple hopes to reside in the Tampa Bay area. country and his mother had escaped to Sweden from “I do think there is something historically unique Austria in the early days of World War II – a “mix,” in New York and some other places where the melt- he said, of second-generation Swedish heritage and ing pot has led to this tremendous success,” he said. direct trauma from the Holocaust. “Like the success of biotech and pharma … so many His home wasn’t very religiously observant, but he of the big discoveries have come from here, from this visited Israel several times growing up, something diversity of people coming here all feeling a chance that helped inspire him to spend nearly a year of his to contribute.” doctoral studies at the renowned Weizmann Institute He and his family live in Westchester County, north just south of Tel Aviv. He trained as a physician and of Manhattan,Tampa Bay’swhere hisfirst Swedish accent gets noticed – but not in the way he ever expected. began his career on the medical faculty at Conservationthe UniWhere- your Cemetery final resting and Natureplace helps Preserve. to versity of Lund, but his experience in Israel learningprotect “In an theendangered U.S., people natural tell me, habitat.‘Wow, you have such a Tampa Bay’s about cutting-edge immunology helped inspire his nice accent,’” he said. “And they make [jokes] – ‘Are turn to pharmaceutical science. Check or youwebsite from forBrooklyn?’” upcoming calendar events 4100 Starkey Blvd. Trinity, FL 34655 • 727.376.5111 • www.heartwoodpreserve.com Wherefirst Conservationyour final resting Cemeteryplace helps to POMPEO protectand an endangeredNature Preserve. natural habitat. • CONTINUED from FRONT PAGE that we have it right. That we, the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Ramallah, the Palestinian Author- United States has it right. That conflict. ity’s capital, and his office an- Israel has it right,” he said. On BDS, Pompeo added that 4100 Starkey Blvd., Trinity, FL 34655 nounced that the State Department Netanyahu applauded the series “we will immediately take steps to 727.376.5111 will enforce that goods produced of historic moves as “wonderful,” identify organizations that engage Check our website for upcoming calendar events. in places in the West Bank “where while the Palestinians condemned in hateful BDS conduct, and with- www.heartwoodpreserve.com Israel exercises full control” will them. draw US government support for be labeled “Made in Israel” when “The State Department took the such groups.” sold in the U.S. The international wrong view of settlements. It took The BDS movement “urges requirement since 1995 has been a view that didn’t recognize the his- action to pressure Israel to comply A Community Neighbor to label such goods as made in the tory of this special place,” Pompeo with international law” in regards West Bank. said. “And instead, now, today the to its occupation of land in the On the Golan, which most of the United States Department of State West Bank, but critics say it is built international community sees as stands strongly to the recognition on anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic occupied territory, Pompeo spoke that settlements can be done in a concepts. from a hilltop. The State Depart- way that are lawful and appropriate While at the winery, which has ment recognized the territory as and proper.” named a vintage after him, Pompeo part of Israel last year. Prior U.S. administrations have wrote in the visitor’s book he hopes “I very much wanted to come seen settlement expansion as an im- he will not be “the last secretary of here on this trip to tell the world pediment to peace and a two-state state to visit this beautiful land.”

IRWIN PISETZKY, 87, of Tampa, died Nov. 3. A pharmacist Obituaries for over 50 years, he had varied interests including oil paint- ing, playing cards, reading and he had an affinity for history. SAM ABRAHAM MARCADIS, 93, of Tampa, died Nov. Survivors include his wife Nancy Siegel; son Randy Pisetzky 5. A native of Tampa, he lived here his entire life. He worked (Karen Haag); daughter Lorna Knowles (Robin); stepdaughter as a bail bondsman, and an owner of Abe’s Bailbonds for six Carla Goldstein (Nathaniel Charny); five grandchildren and decades. He was a lifelong member of Congregation Rodeph two step-granddaughters. The family suggests memorials to Sholom. Survivors include his children Abe (Betsy), Ralph Lifepath Hospice. (Segal Funeral Home) Charles “Chuck” Segal is a dedicated man. Dedicated to his (Margot), Annette, Sharon (Brian); his siblings Chella Bobo and Nathan Marcadis; and 10 grandchildren. The family sug- community and profession. He brings these attributes to his position GAIL ADELE ROSENBLUM, 65, of Tampa, died Nov. 12. as funeral director and owner of Segal Funeral Home. gests memorials to Congregation Rodeph Sholom. (Segal Born in Middletown, NY, she was a lifelong resident of Tampa. Funeral Home) Employed by the Hillsborough County Parks Department, she For over 37 years, he has provided genuine care and concern to worked in several capacities including accounting. Survivors thousands of families who have called on him at their time of need. ROSALIND “ROZ” G. MILLAR, 79, of Tampa, died Nov. include her mother Sandra Szold Rosenblum, Cocoa Beach; Along with his wife Shelly, Chuck transcends the demands of 12. Born in Fayetteville, NC, she attended the University of sisters and brother-in-law Alice Rosenblum Harper and Wil- Alabama. She moved to Tampa in the late 1980s and worked his chosen profession and is counted on as an active member of liam Harper, Cocoa Beach, and Helene Miller, Pinellas Park. for many years as an advertising specialist in marketing. Cre- Tampa Bay’s Jewish Community. ative with a flair for decorating she had a gift for organizing and The family suggests memorials to Tampa Jewish Family Services) Segal Funeral Home) You can count on the Segals as friends before, during or after a green thumb in gardening. She enjoyed the movies, lunch your time of need. with the ladies and participating in activities at Congregation Schaarai Zedek. Survivors include her daughter Holly Millar Ball, Austin, TX; sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Joel Obituaries are published as a public service at no SEGAL FUNERAL HOME, THE WAY IT SHOULD BE. charge in the Jewish Press of Pinellas County based on Harris, Asheville, NC; and three grandchildren. The family • suggests memorials to Congregation Schaarai Zedek, Tampa information supplied by the family to the funeral home. 3909 Henderson Blvd., Tampa 813.874.3330 Jewish Family Services, or the charity of your choice. (Segal However, the information contained in the free obituary www.segalfuneralhome.com Funeral Home) is at the discretion of the Jewish Press. PAGE 12 A JEWISH PRESS of TAMPA NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 3, 2020 Florida-Israel Business Accelerator makes leadership changes The Florida-Israel Business Ac- partnerships, and Pam Miniati, pro- ships in Israel and Florida and celerator (FIBA) is changing its gram director, have been promoted Miniati will oversee FIBA’s op- leadership team. to co-executive directors. Both erations, programming and the Based at the Bryan Glazer Fam- women have been with FIBA since organization’s portfolio of more ily JCC and launched by the Tampa its inception in 2016. than 40 companies and network of JCCs & Federation in 2016, FIBA They will take the place of Ra- advisors. offers a networking and investment chel Feinman, FIBA’s executive Bachur-Phillips and Miniati platform for Israeli tech companies director for the past three years, will be joined by Jack Ross, who Pam Miniati Rakefet Bachur-Phillips Jack Ross that are ready to expand into the who is moving to a new role with is returning to the organization as Impact Investing Director US market. Tampa General Hospital. director of impact investing. In this Co-Executive Director Co-Executive Director Rakefet Bachur-Phillips, FIBA’s Bachur-Phillips will oversee capacity he will be responsible for “I think the new organizational concluded in March, just before director of marketing and strategic planning, marketing and partner- connecting FIBA companies with structure is going to position FIBA the lockdown caused by the pan- investors, as well as developing a to make many important gains this demic. FIBA venture fund. coming year. Rakefet, Pam and FIBA also significantly ex- Ross was FIBA’s executive di- Jack are all stars in every sense of panded its activities in Sarasota, rector in 2016-2017 before he tran- the word,” said Sue Schoenbaum, Naples, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, sitioned to one of FIBA’s inaugural who serves as FIBA co-chair with Palm Beach and Orlando. portfolio companies, StemRad. Gary Gould, CEO of the Tampa FIBA continued with a successful For three years Ross led the opera- JCCs and Federation. project with industry partner Jabil tions of StemRad, as its vice presi- The re-united team is eager to and made a strong effort to keep dent of North America and then as make 2021, FIBA’s fifth year of the Israeli and Florida communi- chief operating officer. In addition operation, a year focused on in- ties engaged by providing content to establishing and managing dustry partnerships and expansion through seven virtual events that StemRad’s U.S. subsidiary, Ross to south, west and east Florida. The attracted more than 1000 guests, led a national awareness campaign organization will also be emphasiz- including FIBA’s annual event, In- regarding the company’s propri ing finding investment dollars for novation Fusion. etary radiation protection technol- FIBA’s portfolio companies. The last big project for the year ogy among key industry and pub- was a virtual summit on Thursday, lic sector constituents. Ross also Progress in 2020 Nov. 19, in collaboration with the played an integral role in raising a During 2020 the FIBA team Florida Department of Agriculture, $6 million dollar investment round brought in nine Israeli start-ups showcasing 15 Israeli ag-tech led by Tampa Bay Lightning Chair- to its launch program which companies and leaders from the man and Governor, Jeff Vinik. agricultural industry. Following the conclusion of the summit, Feinman, is assum- ing the position of vice president of innovation at Tampa General Hospital, overseeing all the inno- vation programs associated with the hospital/ “We’re excited about Rachel’s new opportunity with one of our key industry partners, Tampa General Hospital, and fully an- ticipate continuing to collaborate with her in her new role. Under Rachel’s leadership, FIBA brought over 30 Israeli companies into the FIBA program and expanded its network of partners, advisors and investors. We’re extremely grate- ful for the energy, ideas and talent she brought to the position,” said Gould.

New co-executive directors Bachur-Phillips has two decades of creative and strategic marketing experience in Israel, Europe and the U.S. Prior to FIBA she worked at BayCare Health System, where she led marketing campaigns and two hospital openings. Prior to her cor- porate experience, Bachur-Phillips worked with start-ups in the medi- cal device, design and non-profits industries. She relocated from Israel to Tampa in 2004 with an Israeli start-up. Miniati has 20 years of experi- ence directing complex organiza- tions and programs in the tech- nology, healthcare and non-profit industries. Prior to her work at FIBA, she worked at California- based Neoforma, Inc., a leading provider of supply chain manage- ment solutions for hospitals and their suppliers. There, she man- aged all aspects of the alliance relationship with their largest cus- tomer and shareholder. Prior to her technology start-up experience, Miniati was a manager at Ernst & Young Health Care Consulting. She started her professional career on Capitol Hill, serving as a staffer for both a U.S. congressman and U.S. senator. For more information on FIBA, go to www..io