Community Will Hear First-Hand How JDC Is the '911 of the Jewish World'
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Jewish Community Federation | No One Builds Community Like Federation the OF RICHMOND in this issue RVolume 62 | Issue 7eflectorTammuz/Av 5774 | July 2014 FEDERATION JDC CEO Alan Gill at Grand Event Oct. 1 Community will hear first-hand how JDC is the ‘911 of the Jewish World’ he American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, supported by the Jewish Community TFederation of Richmond, is the “911 of the Jewish World.” The JDC saves the world’s poorest Jews, revitalizes Jewish life, empowers Israel’s future, develops tomorrow’s Jewish leaders and rescues victims of global emergencies. All critically important tasks in today’s unsettled world. New JCFR website In support of JDC, the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond is honored to host PAGE 4 JDC CEO Alan Gill at our Grand Event on Wednesday, Oct. 1. In preparation for his visit to our community, The Reflector will print a three-part series chronicling the trip of 10 local young Jewish professionals on a program to the Republic of Georgia through the Mark AGENCIES and Susan Sisisky Global Jewish Enrichment Fund of the Richmond Jewish Foundation. This issue contains the first-person short commentaries of Adam Beifield and Grace Zell who relate their heart-warming accounts about the Jewish people they met and the amazing work undertaken by JDC. The August issue will carry the stories by Zach Sisisky and Michal Zivan Coffey. The third part of this series, in the September issue, will highlight accounts from others and a Impoverished, at-risk children and families like this infant personal interview with Gill. We look forward to seeing you at the Grand Event in October. and his 24-year-old mom in Baku, Azerbaijan, get critical support from the JDC Partnership for Children, support- Young Richmonders Visit Republic of Georgia More on page 18 ed by the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond. Photo courtesy of Sarah Levin Tai Chi at BSLC 3 Israeli teenagers Be part of the Weinstein JCC PAGE 7 abducted June 12 COMMUNITY Transformational Capital and he search for three Israeli teens who were kid- Tnapped on June 12 by Hamas terrorists on the way Endowment Campaign back to school in the West Bank continues according hildren’s laughter, seniors united to Israeli news accounts at press time. in song, campers exploring nature, “This attack should surprise no one because Hamas C invigorating workout sessions, audiences makes no secret of its agenda,” said Prime Minister of all ages celebrating arts, culture and Benjamin Netanyahu. “Hamas is committed to the education - these are but a sampling of the destruction of Israel and to carrying out terrorist at- sights and sounds of the Weinstein JCC. tacks against Israeli civilians – including children.” Members of the Center and the com- IDF and Israeli security forces have been conduct- munity experience these things every time ing a widespread operation since their abduction in Renovation at Chabad they come to the Weinstein JCC, where an effort to find the three Israelis teens – Eyal Yifrah, PAGE 15 they see and hear, first-hand, the high 19; Gilad Shaar, 16; and Naftali Frenkel, 16 – and quality programs and services in state- Joey Huberman enjoys the water slide at the capture their Hamas kidnappers. new Camp Hilbert pool. S of-the-art facilities that the members, and T “Israel holds the Palestinian Authority and Presi- FEDERATION 2 the community have come to expect. The N dent Abbas responsible for any attacks against Israel but exceed all expectations, that makes value of what the Center provides hasn’t TE FOUNDATION 5 that emanate from Palestinian-controlled territory,” this 58-year-old institution the center of gone unnoticed externally either. In fact, continued Netanyahu. so many lives. HADASSAH 5 the Weinstein JCC has been recognized as CON “I believe that the dangers of [the Hamas-Fatah The current Capital and Endowment AGENCIES 6 one of the top Jewish Community Centers of unity] pact now should be abundantly clear to all. We Campaign – chaired by Lynn and Jay in the country for three years in a row. SYNAGOGUES 12 have seen since the signing of that pact an increase in Schwartz, Rhona and Ric Arenstein, and COMMUNITY 14 It’s the Weinstein JCC’s commitment Allison Weinstein and Ivan Jecklin – to TABLE to nonstop improvement, to not just meet Teens More on page 17 Capital More on page 16 Federation happenings COMMUNITY CALENDAR • July 20 | 6 p.m. • August 10 | 5 p.m. Or Ami Reel Theology KBI Steakhouse Night Richmond Teens taking part Congregation Or Ami Keneseth Beth Israel in Tikun Olam Exchange • July 28 | 11:30 a.m. • August 18 | 8 a.m. Hadassah “Toast to RVA Night” Temple Beth El Golf Tournament Toast at Village Shopping Center Crossings Golf Club • July 29 | 12:20 p.m. • August 18-22 Richmond Jewish Foundation Camp Sababa Market & Economy Update/Glenmede Sponsored by RCJE Weinstein JCC Temple Beth-El, N. Parham Road Visit jewishrichmond.org for a complete calendar of Jewish community events. Advertise in The Reflector! The Reflector is the most cost-effective way to reach Richmond’s most affluent, quality conscious families.the We deliver directly to approximately 3,500 households - reaching about 10,000 people in the Richmond-Metro area. Call forR rateseflector and publication dates: Jewish Community Federation theRod BrinksOF RICHMOND (804) 545-8655 [email protected] In 2008, Richmond teens welcome their Israeli friends to the U.S. Reflector Jewish Community Federation hree Richmond teens traveled to exchange between local teens and Israeli the OF RICHMOND TIsrael June 24 as part of the new teens, allowing them to explore their con- Jewish Community Federation P2G Tik- nection to each other while providing Reflector kun Olam Teen Exchange program for community service. Jewish Community Federation OF RICHMOND incoming 10th and 11th graders. This includes spending a night in a the THE The local teens are Hannah Auerbach, Bedouin Tent, a sunrise climb up Masada, issuein this Reflector Mollie Maistelman and Mali Ben-Meir. a swim in the Dead Sea, visits to muse- Reflector This is a summer exchange program ums, a Camel ride, kayaking in the Jordan designed to promote a connection be- River, a cave experience and much more. tween Jewish youth living outside of Israel During the two-week “Reverse ex- How good & pleasant it is and Israeli youth. The Richmond teens change” in Richmond, the three teens will Network JCFR for brethren to dwell in unity. are being home-hosted in the Hadera- join with 4 Israeli teens to participate in Eiron region by their Israeli peers un- local community service projects, sight- The Reflector is published monthly by the set for July Jewish Community Federation of Richmond. til July 7, and the Richmond families seeing and fun social activities. Copy must be received two and a half weeks will host Israeli teens from Aug. 11-25. This is similar to Teen Exchange Network JCFR plans the following pro- prior to the date of publication. The Reflector Six other teens from Charlotte, N.C., programs the Federation sponsored in grams in August. reserves the right to edit or refuse any copy or and Jacksonville, Fla., also part of the the past with P2G. For details, contact advertisement submitted. Views expressed Flying Squirrels Game, Wednesday July by guest writers and reader’s letters do not P2Gether Program, will be part of the Shoshana Schechter-Shaffin at (804) 545- 9, 7 p.m. At the Diamond, 3001 N. Blvd. Network necessarily reflect the opinion of the Jewish group in Israel. 8626 or email [email protected]. JCFR has 20 free tickets to the Richmond Fly- Community Federation of Richmond. The purpose is to provide a cultural ing Squirrels game on July 9. RSVP to Mela- Call for information about advertising in The nie Phillips if you would like a ticket. Wednes- Reflector at 545-8655. Acceptance of advertis- day is also Happy Hour night at the ballpark, ing does not endorse or guarantee kashruth. so there will be some great drink specials. Be Lock in great rates on your term Richard Samet, President one of the first 20 to RSVP, and you will get Guarantee or permanent life insurance today. Samuel H. Asher, Chief Executive Officer a confirmation email with information about Matt Langsam, Assistant Executive Director Health issue(s) such as diabetes? how to pick up your ticket. Insurance A few pounds overweight? We have Raymond (Skip) Kozakewicz, Editor a long history of helping folks with Happy Hour, Thursday, July 24, 6 p.m. Sara Rosenbaum, Director of Operations Services, Inc. less than perfect health histories Bistro 27, 27 W. Broad St. Come and enjoy great Providing our clients ultra obtain excellent coverage at attrac- competitive rates on tive rates. drink specials and free hors d’oeuvres. Net- personal and business: working and appetizers on us, drinks on you. Life Offering Medicare Supplement, Health See you there. Disability Medicare Advantage and Part D Insurance plans from Virginia’s top insurers. For details and to RSVP, call Melanie Phil- since 1993 Call us today to customize a lips, Federation Young Leadership director at [email protected] program of protection for you, your (804) 545-8623 or email mphillips@jewishrich- Jewish Community Federation family members and your business. mond.org. OF RICHMOND 804.740.4211 5403 Monument Avenue • Richmond, VA 23226 (804) 545-8620 Guarantee Insurance Services, Inc. Richmond, Virginia 804.741.4009f Email: [email protected] 2 | the Reflector | July 2014 . Tammuz/Av 5774 www.JewishRichmond.org Director of ICA addresses The World is Becoming a Much Enterprise Circle More Dangerous Place (From left) Guest speaker Lisa Frei- man, Linda Held Wren, Va.