Events Attended in Large Numbers 6 Our Community by Brian Simon, Federation President His Has Been a Very Good Sea- Our New Purim Party, Queen Esther’S Dog B’Omer
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L’CHAYIM www.JewishFederationLCC.org Vol. 41, No. 6 n February 2019 / 5779 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Events attended in large numbers 6 Our Community By Brian Simon, Federation President his has been a very good sea- Our new Purim party, Queen Esther’s Dog B’Omer. Bring your puppies 11 Jewish Interest son for programming. We filled Masquerade Ball, is Saturday, March to the park to celebrate the 33rd day 19 Israel & the Jewish World the room for our Community 16 at Miromar Outlets. The following of counting the Omer. T Breakfast in December. The Jewish day, Temple Beth El will host a spe- The Amazing Technicolor Dream 20 Marketplace Film Festival has grown even larger, cial presentation of the play Refugee, Sukkot, featuring the Shake Your 24 Commentary and our “Read the Book, Skype the thanks to Federation Lulav Dance Con- Author” events Friends of Florida test. DJ Joseph will be 24 From the Bimah have been a real Repertory Theatre. spinning your favorite 24 Community Directory breakthrough. Let These events hits, including “True me take the time are so much bet- Religion,” “Good Vi- 27 Focus on Youth to publicly thank ter than some of brations” and “Purple 28 Organizations Program Director the ideas my fellow Haze.” Debbie Sanford board member Keith All kidding aside, 30 Temple News for her terrific Grossman and I sug- I keep coming back work. She has gested. All of the fol- to these questions: n Brian picked up right lowing were (wisely) What is Federation for Simon from where Leni declined: in this community? Sack left off. Jewish cultural events Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Rosh Ha- Who would miss us if we were gone? are one of our three core services, and shanah, complete with a ball drop Are we doing what we need to be doing we’re very proud of our programming. and countdown to when the third to earn your support? I also want to thank you for attend- star appears in the evening sky. The board has identified three core 3 ing these events. Our staff can create Passover Under the Overpass. services that we provide: Jewish cul- great programs and get the word out, After four glasses of Manisch- tural events, Jewish Family Services Federation’s Senior Lunch but your attendance is what gives the ewitz, you’re sure to see Elijah and Israel advocacy. I hope that you Bunch update events energy. appear near the Daniels Parkway continue to enjoy the cultural program- Let me also take a moment to ask entrance to I-75. ming we’re providing. Family services you for your continued attendance for Tu B’Shvat or Not Tu B’Shvat. are the fastest growing part of our bud- the upcoming events. On Tuesday, Shakespeare in Yiddish. “Whether get. The need is growing, and we’re February 26, bestselling author Alyson ’tis nobler in the mind to spend a serving both Jews and non-Jews. We Richman will appear live to discuss her fortune on slings and arrows (out- are continuing to expand our work on new book, The Secret of Clouds. The rageous!) or just plant a tree.” advocacy for Israel. event will take place at Lakes Regional Iyyar. Medical drama that takes Thank you again for your sup- 5 Library in South Fort Myers. I’m also place between the months of Nisan port, and please feel welcome to let me Federation’s Community excited about two big events in March. and Sivan. know how we’re doing. Breakfast a musical delight 16 Chef Dalia Hemed’s personal culinary trip to Israel 19 Locals visit synagogue in Cuba Have an item you’d like to share? Need to reach the editor of L’CHAYIM? Send an email to LChayim36@ gmail.com. 9701 Commerce Center Court POSTMASTER: NONPROFIT ORG Fort Myers, Florida 33908 DATED RELIGIOUS U.S. POSTAGE VISIT THE FEDERATION ONLINE AT: NEWS ITEMS. PAID 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 2019 2 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties OUR FEDERATION Program notes To donate to By Debbie Sanford, Program Director By Jodi Cohen, Senior Outreach & Food Pantry Coordinator i everyone! Let me start by saying thank you with their DJ for some good old-fashion dance music. anuary’s senior lunch was held to all those who supported our 23rd Annual These ladies rock the house with custom, handmade on a chilly day, and the 70 people the Federation’s Jewish Film Festival. As I write this article, electric violins and cellos, dressed up in costume.J who attended warmed each other H up with friendship, laughter, delicious we have sold just over 2,300 tickets and are sold out Have you ever heard a Queen song, or the “Hora” for of five films. When you read this, we should be just that matter, on an electric violin? No? Great! You have food from the Federation’s community Annual Campaign, through half the films, and I a perfect reason to attend our Queen Esther Masquer-partner, Jason’s Deli, and a spirited hope you are enjoying them ade Ball. It will be held on Saturday, March 16 from welcome from Rabbi Bruce Diamond all. Our film committee worked 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in a decked-out suite at the Miromar and members of call 239.481.4449 hard and I thank them. Outlets. In addition to the music and dancing, there the Community I would also like to thank will be cocktails, food, a costume contest with a great Free Synagogue. our generous sponsors. Please prize, a photo booth, and just a really great reason to After lunch, Rab- or visit take a look at the back page of get into a costume (optional) and come have some bi Diamond led this newspaper to see the list of fun! the group in his sponsors. And please frequent The next day, the Federation is proud to partner version of Jeop- ardy called “Jew- JewishFederationLCC.org n Debbie their establishments if you can, with “Friends of the Florida Rep” to bring you a per- Sanford and support their businesses. formance of Refugee, a play based on the New York pardy,” and prizes On to our next lineup of great programming and Times bestselling novel by Alan Gratz. Directed by were awarded for what you can look forward to this month and next: Kody C. Jones of the Florida Rep, this interfaith per-all correct answers. There were 11 On Tuesday, February 26, the Jewish Federation, formance will be held at Temple Beth El in Fort My-newcomers at the lunch, which is a re- OUR MISSION in conjunction with Lakes Regional Library, wel- ers on Sunday, March 17 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are only cord! Due to our dedicated and amaz- To strengthen and enrich the Jewish comes bestselling author Alyson Richman to our first $5 and are available online at www.jewishfederation ing volunteers, we were able to arrange Community by providing and supporting Traveling Authors Event of 2019. Alyson will discuss lcc.org/travelingauthors. for the newbies to have “lunch bud- philanthropic, educational and social her new book, The Secret of Clouds. We invite every- If you are a Lion of Judah, you’re invited to a dies” so they had people there to greet service programs locally, in Israel and one to the library at 2:00 p.m. to listen to and meet special event on Tuesday, March 5. Keep an eye out them and sit with them. throughout the world. Alyson. Books do not go on sale until February 19, for your invitation to an entertaining and tasty event! The free monthly senior luncheon but don’t worry. We will have plenty available for Rounding out the fun-filled month of March ishas blossomed into a regular event for OUR VISION sale at the library (at a discounted rate), and Alyson another Traveling Author Event. The Federation and all Jewish seniors to get together for will be happy to autograph them at the conclusion the Alliance for the Arts welcomes B.A. Shapiro tofood, friendship and frolic, whether A Jewish Community that is based on of the event. The event is free and open to the entire Fort Myers. Her book, The Collector’s Apprentice, is they live on their own, in a senior liv- Jewish values such as Tzedakah community. I encourage you to attend, as Alyson is a an exhilarating tale of shifting identities, desire anding facility, are new in town or have (benevolence), Tikkun Olam (repairing great speaker. Registration is required. intrigue set between 1920s Paris and Philadelphia.lived here for years. There is such gen- the world) and K’lal Yisrael (taking erosity of spirit from the moment you responsibility for one another). Now you may have heard a rumor. The Federa- Tickets are just $10 and are available through the Al- tion is hosting an ADULTS ONLY Purim Party! liance’s website at www.artinlee.org/authorshapiro. The rumor is true! And you don’t want to miss it. Refreshments will be served and books will be avail- I promise you it will be amazing. If you have never able (at a discounted rate) for purchase and auto- heard of the group, Fretless Rock, please check them graphs. out. That is the entertainment for the evening, along I look forward to seeing you at our next event! L’CHAYIM Jewish Family Services update Jewish news published monthly by By Jodi Cohen, Senior Outreach & Food Pantry Coordinator Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties 9701 Commerce Center Court, Fort Myers, FL 33908 ears ago, I remember talking to a close friend for their families.