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November 2020 / 5781 L’CHAYIM www.JewishFederationLCC.org Vol. 43, No. 3 n November 2020 / 5781 FEBRUARY 7 - FEBRUARY 28, 2021 See back page for more details. STREAMING 100% ONLINE Your Federation team presents a FUN season of VIRTUAL at -home programming. Sunday, February 7— Sunday, February 28 VIRTUAL EVENTS CALENDAR November December January February 11/2 -11/3 1/13 Sunday 2/7 Witness Theater 12/13 Gu peaker, Tuesdays Out & About (48 cess d pe PJ Library ve-T wit Punta Gorda) Hanukka ty Rab er 2/9, 2/16, 2/26 Films Thursda 11/5 - 11/9 Sunday 2/28 TBA 1/21 of nt Festival ewish ooks & Virtual anu oncert Out out lms Conversations wit 8 access. 11/19 12/17 Out out lms Out About ms Visit www.jewishfederationlcc/virtual-events to register & for more information. 9701 Commerce Center Court POSTMASTER: DAT- NONPROFIT ORG Fort Myers, Florida 33908 ED RELIGIOUS NEWS U.S. POSTAGE ITEMS. PAID VISIT THE FEDERATION ONLINE AT: TIME SENSITIVE– FT MYERS FL PLEASE EXPEDITE! PERMIT 521 DELIVER TO CURRENT RESIDENT OR www. JewishFederationLCC.org social service philanthropy culture L'CHAYIM NOVEMBER 2020 2 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties OUR FEDERATION It’s great to meet you the Jewish community, and our community as an im- L’CHAYIM FROM THE portant constituency for his election. Well, last year, a good friend of our community, Dr. Sandy Cohen, Jewish news published monthly by EXECUTIVE Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties introduced me to David Klein, knowing how much I 9701 Commerce Center Court, Fort Myers, FL 33908 DIRECTOR wanted to meet newcomers. While David was not a (239) 481-4449 • Fax: (239) 481-0139 newcomer to Southwest Florida, he was certainly a Online at www.JewishFederationLCC.org n Alan Isaacs n new acquaintance for me. That initial meeting with November 2020 • Volume 43, Number 3 David led to numerous chats about our communi- n ne of the challenges that our Jewish Feder- ty, his former home community of Rochester, New Co-Presidents: Barbara Siegel & Sherri Zucker Board: Karen Fine • Helene Glocer ation faces is to identify new and/or unin- York, and his involvement with the Jewish commu- Carolyn Gora • Jerry Greenfield • Elisa Grossman volved members of our community. Very nity there. Amongst his philanthropic activities, he Andi Horowitz • Linda Idelson • Marsha Kistler • Sara Krivisky O Michele Laboda • Rozzi Osterman • William Reynolds often, the newcomers have vacationed in our area on focused his attention and generosity on the Jewish Sylvia Simko • Brian Simon • Robert Thomas occasion prior to the move, have followed friends or Federation of Greater Rochester along with the Unit- Executive Director: Alan Isaacs relatives to the area or, in a few cases, “thrown a dart ed Way and American Cancer Society. This confirms Program Director: Debbie Sanford Executive Assistant: Lori Ramos at a map.” again my long-held belief that generous folks tend to Jewish Family Services: Jodi Cohen Those who have moved to our community recent- spread their generosity around. n Editor/Designer: Ted Epstein (239) 249-0699 ly are acclimatizing themselves to Southwest Florida, While David has spent most of his time recently Advertising: Lori Ramos (239) 481-4449 x5 finding their way around and beginning to put down on his campaign, he and his wife Dawn have found n roots. And it is surprising how often they have not the time to respond positively to the Federation’s pro- L’CHAYIM invites correspondence on subjects of interest to been involved in the Jewish community in their for- posal to dedicate the Community Room at the Jewish Jewish people. Partisan political opinions will not be published, but opinions on subjects affecting the Jewish community are mer hometowns “up north.” In any case, only some Federation building in the Klein family name – an welcome. All inquiries regarding copy for L’CHAYIM should be of them reach out to the Jewish Federation to let us expression of their commitment and generosity for directed to the editor. All news material must be very clearly printed or typed (not in all-capital letters) and double-spaced. know they are here. That’s why it is especially wel- which we are very grateful. Needless to say, the in- Electronic submissions encouraged. The editor reserves the come when I have the opportunity to meet someone troduction that Dr. Sandy so smartly undertook, has right to edit for space and content. new to town, or new to me, who is interested in be- forcefully advanced our Jewish Federation’s mission: Photographs should be clear, black-and-white or color prints. If you wish a photograph returned, include a stamped, coming an active part of our community. And it is par- “…To strengthen and enrich the Jewish community self-addressed envelope of appropriate size. ticularly refreshing when an established member of by providing and supporting philanthropic, educa- The Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties disclaims our community takes it upon himself to introduce us. tional and social service programs locally, in Israel responsibility or endorsement of the views expressed by the writers and claims by advertisers. You may have noticed a paid, full-page adver- and throughout the world.” tisement in the last several issues of L’CHAYIM pro- If you encounter folks who are new to you, or moting David Klein for Lee Health Hospital Board whom you already know, who are Jewish, and you DECEMBER ISSUE IN STANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • N • in the upcoming elections. Clearly, David Klein sees feel could become part of and benefit from our Feder- S T H A S N EDITORIAL DEADLINE: L’CHAYIM as a valuable means to communicate with ation’s mission, please send them my way. A C T T C A N S Thursday, November 5 A H T S • N I Jewish Family Services update I N • BUYING! HIGHEST PRICES PAID! By Jodi Cohen, Senior Outreach & Food Pantry Coordinator S T H A S ALL DIAMOND JEWELRY • WATCHES • ANTIQUES • ART OBJECTS • OIL PAINTINGS N lmost 40 years ago I was saying a final good- it is ongoing. Every single gift that you make enables A To donate to the Federation’s C T T C A bye to my best friend in Eugene, Oregon, the Federation to practice tzedakah (benevolence), N GIVE BRUCE KODNER GALLERIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS!! S A H Annual Campaign, T S before leaving for Israel and parts unknown. tikkun olam (repairing the world) and k’lal Yisrael • N I I A My friend was in an elevator, I was in the lobby and (taking responsibility for one another). N • GOLD & SILVER COINS PAPER CURRENCY 14kt • 18kt • 22kt GOLD call 239.481.4449 S T as the doors closed, our farewells became louder and The food pantry volunteers demonstrate a resil- H A S N A C more dramatic. She turned to the man in the eleva- ience and willingness to do whatever it takes to keep 3rd Generation Expertise • Call Today T IMMEDIATE PAYMENT — HIGHEST PRICES PAID or visit T C A tor and said, “I just lost my best friend,” to which our small but mighty food pantry humming. We are N S A H T S JewishFederationLCC.org he replied, “And I just lost my still getting several new clients every month, and • N I I hearing.” have to remind everyone to “lift the bags from the N • DIAMONDS • SAPPHIRES • RUBIES • EMERALDS S T I was reminded of this after bottom” because they are so full. A heartfelt thank H A S N A C T I told a client that the Federation you to volunteers Arnie Flakowitz, Barbara Gribin, T OUR MISSION C BUYING ALL HIGHWAYMEN OIL PAINTINGS: A N would pay her electric bill so Debi Greenfield, Debbie Feinberg, Doreen Kostel, S A H T S To strengthen and enrich the Jewish that her power would be restored Elise Sewall, Karen Whitman, Laurie McConville, • N I BEANIE BACKUS I Community by providing and supporting N by evening. She just started Laurie Morris, Linda Silver, Mary Beth Mandelkorn, • S T philanthropic, educational and social H A screaming. Sometimes sound is Rachel Mandelkorn, Robert Thomas, Ron Reed, Ruth S HAROLD NEWTON • ALFRED HAIR N A C T service programs locally, in Israel and all one has; the pain or the relief Lefberg and Tracey Siegel. T C A throughout the world. n N Rolex • Cartier • Patek Philippe • Tiffany • Bvlgari & all Wrist and Pocket Watches Jodi Cohen S is that visceral. This mom woke Thank you for all that you do and the spirit in A H T S Buccellati • Chimento • David Webb • David Yurman • Cartier • Tiffany • Harry Winston • John Hardy • Chopard • up without power and with four children who were which you do it. N I I N • Mid Century Furniture, Oil Paintings & Accessories: Andy Warhol • Calder • Miró • George Nelson • Le Pho • Peter Max OUR VISION attending school virtually. She had the four children S T H A in the car when she called the Federation because the S Paul Evans • Phillip Laverne • Nakashima • Dunbar • Frank Lloyd Wright • Vladimir Kagan • Dunbar • Charles Eams • Knoll N A C A Jewish Community that is based on T T car had air conditioning. Even as I write this, I find C A Jewish values such as Tzedakah N S myself thinking, “There are no words.” A H T S (benevolence), Tikkun Olam (repairing • N It is due to your ongoing generosity that the Fed- I I the world) and K’lal Yisrael (taking N • eration was able to help this client, as well as the S T responsibility for one another).
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