Connected to the People Who Have a Podcast, and This Is What He Said: Thank You
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SAVE THE DATE THE DATE SAVE Honoring Volunteers…that make a difference! SEE DETAILS INSIDE L’CHAYIM www.JewishFederationLCC.org Vol. 42, No. 8 n April 2020 / 5780 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Due to the potential challenges that the coronavirus poses to 6 Our Community our community, the Jewish Federation has postponed/cancelled 8 Jewish Interest all events and programs through April 30. 15 Israel & the Jewish World Israelfest scheduled for May 3, and the Annual Meeting 18 Commentary scheduled for May 13, will take place unless otherwise indicated. 19 Marketplace 22 From the Bimah 26 Focus on Youth Imagine the impact you can have 29 Organizations in the future By Brian Simon, Federation President 30 Temple News ife is a constant balancing act. foundation holds money that can be “Fundraising is easy. Asking for 30 Community Directory Balancing work and family. used for any number of purposes – do- money is easy as soon as you real- LBalancing our spiritual lives nor advised funds, scholarship funds, ize that you’re not asking for money. with our secular lives. Balancing to- building funds. The money in our foun- You’re asking someone to invest in day’s needs with future needs. dation may be used for other worthy changing someone’s life. The size of Part of the work of the Federation causes, not just our Federation. the gift is really the size of the impact board is thinking about the future of Our funds are professionally man- you are inviting that person to have.” our organization. aged through our new partner, the TOP At the Jewish Federation of Lee It’s a challenge Jewish Foundation. TOP began as a and Charlotte Counties, we are asking 2 to fundraise for regional partnership (Tampa-Orlando- for you to invest in feeding the hungry the future when Pinellas) but has expanded to help of Fort Myers – both Jewish and Gen- Appreciation lunch for there are so many more Jewish organizations throughout tile. We’re asking for you to invest in Senior Lunch Bunch volunteers things that need Florida. It has a strict anti-terror and creating programs for Jewish seniors in our attention to- anti-BDS investment policy. They are Lee and Charlotte counties. We’re ask- day. It’s also chal- helping us promote securing legacy ing for you to invest in creating Jewish lenging because gifts and commitments to ensure a cultural programming like Israelfest n Brian human beings are strong Jewish future. and the Jewish Film Festival. Simon not necessarily My friend Joe Cox is the CEO of We appreciate that you have al- hard-wired to think about the future. the Museum of Discovery and Science ready invested so much in making Psychologists tell us that we treat our in Ft. Lauderdale. He’s a great fund- those programs possible. Imagine the 5 future selves like strangers. We don’t raiser. Joe was recently interviewed on impact you can have in the future. Federation’s Senior Lunch feel connected to the people who have a podcast, and this is what he said: Thank you. Bunch update to deal with the consequences of our actions today – even when those peo- Like us on Facebook! ple are ourselves! At the same time, there’s an oppor- tunity. People also tend to be optimistic about the future and have lofty aspira- CONNECT tions for what our future selves will do. with your Jewish Community That’s why we set New Year’s resolu- 6 tions, right? So, here’s a mid-year resolution: www.facebook.com/ Holocaust Museum & Cohen consider helping us plan for the future facebook.com/jfedsrq Education Center update of your local Federation by support- JewishFederationLCC ing the Federation’s foundation. The The Board and Staff of the Jewish Federation 28 Lee & Charlotte Counties Fort Myers BBYO Happenings wishes you a See page 15 for “ Israel: The top 10 tech Chag Pesach trends for 2020” Sameach 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 APRIL 2020 2 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties OUR FEDERATION Program notes VE To donate to By Debbie Sanford, Program Director SA & am always the first person to say how valuable $ $ BUYING: INSTANT CASH CLIP our volunteers are – not just helping with pro- the Federation’s gramming but all of the different Federation de- $ $ I VE partments. It would be impossible to execute many of our programs and events with- $ $ SA HIGHEST PRICES PAID! & Annual Campaign, out them. As the season comes to an end, I am grateful to those CLIP who have stepped up to as- GIVE BRUCE KODNER GALLERIES THE VE call 239.481.4449 sist me with holiday gift bags, event registration, set-up and SA & clean-up, and especially for the OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS!! or visit Jewish Film Festival – a very CLIP large undertaking this year with GOLD & SILVER COINS PAPER CURRENCY 14kt • 18kt • 22kt GOLD n Debbie 17 films, different times of the “But young lady, do you not realize that there are rd VE IMMEDIATE PAYMENT SA JewishFederationLCC.org Sanford day and in multiple locations. many miles of beach and thousands of starfish? You 3 Generation Expertise • Call Today & That is why our Annual Meeting coming up next cannot possibly make a difference.” month is very meaningful and I invite you to attend. The young woman listened politely, then bent CLIP When we sat in the office talking about the down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the “theme” of the meeting or the “program,” it was sea. “It made a difference to that one.” VE OUR MISSION DIAMONDS • SAPPHIRES SA unanimous that this year we needed to recognize the ~ Adapted from the original by Loren Eiseley To strengthen and enrich the Jewish outstanding contributions of our many volunteers. A Our volunteers definitely make a difference, so, & Community by providing and supporting few years ago at an Annual Meeting in my prior posi- Jodi Cohen, Lori Ramos and I have chosen volun- CLIP philanthropic, educational and social tion, we recognized our volunteers. I think I found the teers we would like to recognize. They will be an- RUBYS • EMERALDS service programs locally, in Israel and perfect thing to read to our volunteers. It’s called the nounced in the next issue, so stay tuned. Please mark VE throughout the world. Starfish Story. your calendars and save the date for this wonderful SA The Starfish Story event and join us for a short meeting and celebration ALL DIAMOND JEWELRY • WATCHES & OUR VISION An old man was walking on the beach one morning with a dessert reception. We will present the honorees CLIP after a storm. In the distance, he could see someone with a small gift as a token of our appreciation and A Jewish Community that is based on ANTIQUES • ART OBJECTS • OIL PAINTINGS moving like a dancer. the Starfish Story. It would mean a lot to have you VE Jewish values such as Tzedakah As he came closer, he saw that it was a young there. SA (benevolence), Tikkun Olam (repairing & the world) and K’lal Yisrael (taking woman picking up starfish and gently throwing them Our Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, BUYING ALL HIGHWAYMEN OIL PAINTINGS: BEANIE responsibility for one another). into the ocean. “Young lady, why are you throwing May 13 at 6:30 p.m. at FineMark Bank. The invita- CLIP starfish into the ocean?” tion can be found on page 7. I hope to see you there! BACKUS • HAROLD NEWTON • ALFRED HAIR • ETC “The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if I My family and I wish you and your families a VE do not throw them in they will die,” she said. Happy Passover. 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 Appreciation lunch for 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 Senior Lunch Bunch volunteers & Jewish news published monthly by By Jodi Cohen, Senior Outreach & Food Pantry Coordinator Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties CLIP 9701 Commerce Center Court, Fort Myers, FL 33908 he Jewish Federation’s Senior (239) 481-4449 • Fax: (239) 481-0139 Lunch Bunch program contin- Online at www.JewishFederationLCC.org VE n ues to be successful for many SA T & April 2020 • Volume 42, Number 8 reasons, the most important one being n the dedication, generosity of spirit and President: Brian Simon CLIP Board: Paul Bartrop • Karen Fine • Carolyn Gora hard work of the amazing volunteers. Jerry Greenfield • Andi Horowitz The Federation hosted a volun- Linda Idelson • Marsha Kistler • Sara Krivisky teer appreciation lunch on Thursday, VE Michele Laboda • Rozzi Osterman • Barbara Siegel Diamonds ROLEX Estate Jewelry Gold Coins Oil Paintings Sterling Silver SA Sylvia Simko • Robert Thomas • Sherri Zucker March 5 as a way to say thank you. & Executive Director: Alan Isaacs Everyone involved in the pro- Program Director: Debbie Sanford CLIP Executive Assistant: Lori Ramos gram contributes by calling and invit- Jewish Family Services: Jodi Cohen ing people to the lunch, picking up n people who need rides, setting up and VE Editor/Designer: Ted Epstein (239) 249-0699 SA Advertising: Jim Lewin (239) 634-6923 cleaning up the lunch, greeting and & Aliza Katz (913) 244-7247 seating people, and bringing dessert.