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L’CHAYIM www.JewishFederationLCC.org Vol. 42, No. 6 n February 2020 / 5780 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Teammates and enemies 7 Our Community By Brian Simon, Federation President hen I was growing up in about the pick-up basketball games I with someone, if we’re tied together, 12 Jewish Interest Kansas City, we used to used to play here in Southwest Florida we might fight and argue, but there’s a 19 Israel & the Jewish World Wplay football in the fall al- (shout out to Jason Moon and Scott lot of pressure to keep it within bounds most every day after school. There was Lewin and Jeff Kleiman and Brian because we’re going to be together for 20 Jewish Film Festival a regular group of 6-8 boys who would Fox, et al). The teams were different a long time. That’s normal human re- 26 Commentary play. We knew each other’s strengths every time. The goal was to create fair lationships. On social media, it’s lots and weaknesses. For example, I was games with competitive balance. of interactions with people you may 28 From the Bimah short and slow I’ve been thinking about this in the never see again. Some of them don’t 32 Focus on Youth but pretty good at context of identification and our seem- even exist. A lot of them are using fake 34 Organizations catching passes, ingly fractured society. Social media names. There is no future. There are no and threw the ball seeks to make us take sides. It’s like bounds. And most dangerously, it’s not 36 Community Directory well enough to we’re constantly being asked to choose real communication.” play quarterback, a team. But with darker consequences. Haidt’s observations remind me 36 Temple News too. Each time we Jonathan Haidt is a social psy- of psychologist Robert Cialdini’s came out to play, chologist and author of The Righteous great insight from his book Influence. we made new Mind and, more recently, The Coddling Cialdini coined the term “social proof” n Brian teams. of the American Mind. He is sounding to describe the principle that we tend to Simon I played with alarm bells about the damage of social copy what others are doing, especially Michael Sullivan and Jeff Riffe as media to our democracy. when we are unsure. teammates one day. I got Paul Hem- “We’re really good at conflicting We are constantly bombarded with bree and my brother Danny the next and competing,” Haidt says, “but also information about complex issues – day. Your opponent today would be making up, forgiving and coming back international relations, trade, domes- 2 your teammate next time. together. We do this in our families tic policy. One could not possibly be PJ Library Family I could just as easily tell this story all the time. If you have a long future continued on next page Hanukkah Bash Jewish Family Services update By Jodi Cohen, Senior Outreach & Food Pantry Coordinator s you may know, the Federa- support the Federation know what we tion and ask, “Can you help me?” The tion provides food and emer- do and the impact that it has on the food that you bring in, the gift cards Agency assistance to people people in our community. People who that you donate, and your contribu- living in Lee and Charlotte counties, are hungry, who lack family or any tions to the Marcia Can Help Fund all 5 whether or not they are Jewish. (This kind of support, or who don’t have the make it possible for the Federation to Federation’s Senior Lunch will be on the quiz.) first clue about how to access available say “Yes.” Every single thing that you Bunch update I asked my father what he thought resources, walk in or call the Federa- continued on next page about my January L’CHAYIM article and he said it was long. When I asked about the actual quality of the article, Your Federation team forecasts he replied, “How come there’s always someone crying?” It was the same tone A PERFECT SEASON of voice that lawyer Reuben Warschof- of programming sky from the movie Norma Rae uses 18 when Norma Rae signs up to join the URJ Biennial hosts union. He looks at her signature and For more information 525 congregations says, “How come everyone down here visit Jewishfederationlcc.org has three names?” My knee-jerk response was to say, “What are you talking about? There Monthly Programming Forecast isn’t always someone crying!” Ongoing activities at the Federation: Mah Jongg * Jewish War Veterans * BBYO But then I thought more about his comment and the stories I share each month. What’s true is that when people February March April May 32 2020 2020 2020 2020 reach out to Jewish Family Services, Fort Myers BBYO update they often feel desperate, confused, despairing and are in crisis. I talk with people when they are vulnerable, and 02 01 05 03 more often than not, many feelings sur- Opening Day Closing Day Film PJ Library IsraelFest face as they share the story of their cir- Film Fes�val Fes�val Passover Party 2020 Have an item you’d cumstances or ask for assistance. 03 ‐ 28 16 19 13 People also become emotional Jewish Film Lion of Judah Holocaust Annual like to share? Memorial Mee�ng when they learn that the Federation Fes�val Program is indeed able to help them. The feel- 25 Need to reach the 23 Skype the Author ing of relief is monumental for clients JFF at Bat Yam Out & About Films editor of L’CHAYIM? when they learn that their lights will be Witness Theater FSW, Punta Gorda turned back on, their water will start Send an email to Israeli Folk Dancing running again, or they will be able to Monthly Sundays (Sept-Apr) buy their medication. Senior LChayim36@ The requests for emergency assis- LUNCH tance are increasing and the calls come BUNCH Jewishfedera�onlcc�org gmail.com. in daily. It’s important that those who 9701 Commerce Center Court POSTMASTER: NONPROFIT ORG Fort Myers, Florida 33908 DATED RELIGIOUS U.S. POSTAGE NEWS ITEMS. PAID VISIT THE FEDERATION ONLINE AT: TIME SENSITIVE– FT. MYERS, FL PLEASE EXPEDITE! PERMIT NO. 175 DELIVER TO CURRENT RESIDENT OR www. JewishFederationLCC.org social service philanthropy culture L'CHAYIM FEBRUARY 2020 2 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties OUR FEDERATION Program notes VE To donate to By Debbie Sanford, Program Director SA & don’t have to tell you what a great time everyone or email me if you are interested in attending. The $ $ BUYING: INSTANT CASH CLIP had at the PJ Library Family Hanukkah Bash… response to sponsorships and ticket sales was over- the Federation’s you can see it in their faces in the photos accom- whelming. I’m so pleased and look forward to more $ $ I VE panying this article. Thanks to our host, Temple Ju- growth year after year! Please frequent the businesses dea, and the wonderful volunteers, the social hall was and enjoy the services of those corporations that have $ $ SA HIGHEST PRICES PAID! & Annual Campaign, filled with crafts, cookies to decorate, games and, of supported the Jewish Federation’s film festival. I hope course, latkes. Thank you to all you enjoy it and I will see you at the movies. CLIP who came out. Keep an eye out GIVE BRUCE KODNER GALLERIES THE VE call 239.481.4449 for our next PJ event in April. PJ Library sends free, SA & award-winning books that cel- OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS!! or visit ebrate Jewish values and cul- CLIP ture to families with children GOLD & SILVER COINS PAPER CURRENCY 14kt • 18kt • 22kt GOLD 6 months through 8 years old. rd VE JewishFederationLCC.org To get more information or to IMMEDIATE PAYMENT 3 Generation Expertise • Call Today SA & n Debbie sign-up to receive PJ books, Sanford please visit www.pjlibrary.org. CLIP As you read this article we are getting ready for th the Opening Day event of our 24 Annual Jewish VE OUR MISSION DIAMONDS • SAPPHIRES SA Film Festival. Unfortunately, the event is sold out, To strengthen and enrich the Jewish but there are a few tickets available for the screening & Community by providing and supporting of Golda’s Balcony, The Film. There are just a few CLIP philanthropic, educational and social tickets left for our closing event on Sunday, March 1 RUBYS • EMERALDS service programs locally, in Israel and VE and the filmFiddler: Miracle of Miracles. Please call Photos by Debbie Sanford throughout the world. SA ALL DIAMOND JEWELRY • WATCHES & OUR VISION CLIP A Jewish Community that is based on ANTIQUES • ART OBJECTS • OIL PAINTINGS Jewish values such as Tzedakah VE SA (benevolence), Tikkun Olam (repairing & the world) and K’lal Yisrael (taking BUYING ALL HIGHWAYMEN OIL PAINTINGS: BEANIE responsibility for one another). BACKUS • HAROLD NEWTON • ALFRED HAIR • ETC CLIP VE SA Rolex • Cartier • Patek Philippe • Tiffany • Bvlgari & all Wrist and Pocket Watches & Buccellati • Chimento • David Webb • David Yurman • Cartier • Tiffany • Harry Winston • John Hardy • Chopard Mid Century Furniture, Oil Paintings & Accessories: Andy Warhol • Calder • Miro • George Nelson • Lepho • Paul Evans CLIP • Phillip Laverne • Nakashima • Dunbar • Frank Lloyd Wright • Vladimir Kagan • Dunbar • Charles Eams • Knoll VE L’CHAYIM SA & Jewish news published monthly by Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties CLIP 9701 Commerce Center Court, Fort Myers, FL 33908 (239) 481-4449 • Fax: (239) 481-0139 Online at www.JewishFederationLCC.org VE n SA February 2020 • Volume 42, Number 6 & n President: Brian Simon CLIP Board: Paul Bartrop • Karen Fine • Carolyn Gora Jerry Greenfield • Andi Horowitz Linda Idelson • Marsha Kistler • Sara Krivisky VE Michele Laboda • Rozzi Osterman • Barbara Siegel Diamonds ROLEX Estate Jewelry Gold Coins Oil Paintings Sterling Silver SA Sylvia Simko • Robert Thomas • Sherri Zucker & Executive Director: Alan Isaacs Program Director: Debbie Sanford CLIP Executive Assistant: Lori Ramos Jewish Family Services: Jodi Cohen Brian Simon...continued from previous page n informed enough to understand the nuances of each The way I see it, the world is a better place when VE Editor/Designer: Ted Epstein (239) 249-0699 situation – nor could the journalists providing the in- you recognize that your opponent today may be your SA Advertising: Jim Lewin (239) 634-6923 & Aliza Katz (913) 244-7247 formation.
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