Savannah Jewish Federation
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Shabbat and Holiday Candle Lighting Times Middle East Expert Daniel Pipes Friday, September 7 7:23pm Friday, September 14 7:14pm Sunday, September 16 7:11pm to Keynote Main Event Monday, September 17 8:05pm Friday, September 21 7:04pm The Savannah Jewish Federation’s together to do great work to create and main- ing advocacy ef- Tuesday, September 25 6:59pm 2013 Community Campaign will of- tain a thriving Jewish community.” forts, dealing with fi cially launch on October 10th at “The Savannah Jewish Federation is step- domestic security Friday, September 28 6:55pm the Annual Meeting/Main Event ping up efforts to enhance Jewish identity, build concerns or some- Dinner. With the theme, “Together an exciting and engaging Jewish community thing else. Our In this Issue we do extraordinary things,” the — and care for the community’s vulnerable,” recent work with Annual Campaign is the Savannah said Federation President, Jeff Lasky. Mayor Jackson is Daniel Pipes Federation President’s message, p3 Jewish community’s largest ongoing “For children, there’s the PJ Library that just one example of Executive Director’s message, p3 fundraising effort. Funds raised during provides free children’s books and CDs and for enhancing our relationship with Israel.” Shlicha’s message, p6 the yearly drive support local, national teens we provide funding for the local BBYO For the dozens of Savannah-area Vital Statistics, p10 and international agencies, programs, chapter. Thanks to the support of the com- individuals and families in need, Fed- JEA Centerpiece services and projects. In addition to munity and a successful campaign, the Fed- eration’s Jewish Family Services has Four Questions, p13 serving as a forum for the Federation’s eration last year completely funded fi nancial granted funds for food, utilities, rent, On the Personal Side, p17 It’s a Funny Thing, p18 Annual Meeting business issues, the assistance requests from Hillels at Georgia mortgages, and medical needs. Case Condolences, p19 Main Event Dinner will feature Dr. Southern, Armstrong, and SCAD. Birthright management has been provided to se- Daniel Pipes, a well-known American Israel trips provided at no cost to the partici- niors and families alike, guiding them Featured Stories academic, writer and political blogger pant (a $3,000 value) for those 18-26 are made to additional governmental and local who founded and directs the Middle possible with Savannah Jewish Federation support. Last year more than $75,000 Aronson to Travel the World for East Forum. He also was founder of support.” [Dozens of Savannahians have was provided in direct aid thanks to Dentists — Leon Aronson is about to Campus Watch, an organization that traveled to Israel thanks to this trans- the community’s generosity during the become president of the International critiques Middle East scholarship at formative program.] Annual Campaign. College of Dentists; as you’ll read, it’s American universities. Internationally, Federation will The entire community is invited to something he’s been preparing for all “The Annual Campaign is the lifeblood of continue to educate and advocate for a the Campaign Kick Off/ Main Event his professional life, p15 our Jewish community. It provides essential strong Israel and safe Jewish world, es- Dinner featuring Dr. Daniel Pipes. funds for Jewish education at Rambam Day pecially in the face of an Iranian nuclear It will be an opportunity to gather Local Young Adults Enjoying School and Shalom School, for our community threat. Adam Solender, Federation Ex- together to review the year past and Jewish Experiences — Whether center - the JEA, and for a myriad of other ar- ecutive Director, stressed, “In times of commit to the future, so mark your it’s BBYO leadership training, BBYO ,” said Federa- calendars for October 10th, and watch travel to Israel or the wonderful gift eas of Jewish life in Savannah crisis, we are prepared to do whatever is neces- of a Birthright Israel trip, young adults tion Campaign Chair Toby Hollenberg. sary whether offering fi nancial support, lead- your mail box for the invitation. from Savannah have had the pleasure “We support vulnerable Jews who are facing of some ‘awesome’ Jewish experiences, fi nancial and life crises through our Jewish all with the help of your campaign con- Family Services. At the same time, Federation tributions, pp16-17 continues to bring people and organizations Exciting New Year NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE Ahead for JEA PAID A Publication of Savannah Jewish Federation When Sharon and I moved to Savan- program current- 5111 Abercorn Street PERMIT NO. 207 nah, 4 ½ years ago, I never envisioned ly under develop- Savannah, Georgia 31405 SAVANNAH, GA www.savj.org that I would be writing a New Year’s ment and opening column as the president of the JEA, in August 2013. Address Service Requested especially at the celebration of the 100th Our preschool di- anniversary. What an exciting time rector, Jodi Sadler, Bill Sand and there are exciting things happen- and the steering ing at the JEA! committee are As the year progresses, you will see busy formulating plans for our new a lot more about the JEA Preschool preschool. They have adopted the new Savannah, the new Jewish preschool See page 6 Say Yes Again to the Annual Campaign Annual Meeting/Main Event -- October 10th, 6:30 Savannah Page 2 September 2012 jewish news www.savj.org The honey cake recipe is your mother’s. The other honey cake recipe is your aunt’s. But the holiday table always brings everyone together. Best wishes for a blessed Rosh Hashanah. Life is Sweet. Savannah www.savj.org jewish news Septmber 2012 Page 3 L’Shanah Tova Al Cheit First and foremost, on behalf of the kids to camp every Judaism is intensely aware of the We will be Board of Directors of your Savannah year. Planning for power of speech and the harm that is building our Jewish Federation, I would like to wish the new “JEA Pre- done by disparaging comments or mis- curriculum all of you L’shanah Tova, a very happy school Savannah” information. Of the 43 sins referred to based on the and healthy New Year. is in high gear in the Al Cheit confession repeatedly re- Sheva frame- As we refl ect on the year that has with a very active cited on Yom Kippur, no less than 11 of work. past and the year to come, we should and passionate Jeffrey Lasky. them are committed through speech. • The JEA’s Adam Solender all be incredibly excited and thankful committee of President, We read in the Torah, “You must not primary mo- Executive Director of about the vibrancy of Jewishness that volunteers. These Savannah Jewish carry false rumors.” (Exodus 23:1) tivation to JEA/SJF exists in our community. Passion for volunteers, under Federation Sometimes rumors are spread establish a being Jewish permeates every corner the professional through carelessness (being glib), preschool is to make Jews, not to of our community and each of our leadership of the school’s director, Jodi other times through innocence (not make money. Dozens of young community’s Jewish organizations. Sadler, are ensuring that this major knowing what families in the area have told us Our synagogues are all involved in new program is high quality and will “Let us work they spread is that they are looking for a safe, transformations that will improve the meet the goal of providing a gateway false). What- high quality Jewish preschool that lives of their congregants. Congrega- program for the many young Jewish together... to ever the rumor, meets their needs and refl ects their tions Agudath Achim and Mickve Isra- families to our Jewish community. create the best our Sages tell us values. We have listened and are el each have new spiritual leaders who Giving our Jewish families a choice of Savannah Jewish that it is forbid- responding. There are seven com- have already demonstrated the ability preschool programs will only make us community den to accept mittees of committed individuals to spiritually engage their congregants stronger and Jewishishly vibrant in Lashon Hara working on creating that very and attract young Jewish families, who generations to come. possible.” (evil tongue) — preschool. That being said, the are so vital to our future. Rabbi Bar- Finally, your Federation has had a the listener may JEA has a responsibility to be fi s- kan and Rabbi Haas have also made year that we should all be very proud only suspect cally prudent. We are proceeding it clear in their words and deeds that of. Under the leadership of a fantas- and then investigate what was said. carefully and will be fundraising they understand the importance of, tic campaign management team, we In our community there have been in the coming days to rebuild the and want to be an integral part of, the reversed years of a downward trend incessant rumors surrounding the JEA aging infrastructure and to outfi t overall Jewish community in Savannah in Campaign. For the fi rst time in Preschool Savannah which is slated to the rooms. Preschools tradition- including the Federation and JEA. We a number of years, we raised over $1 open August, 2013. Let me take this ally have been “entry points” for have had important and meaningful million dollars. The team is already opportunity to address two of them: families to join the organized discussions about the ever increasing hard at work planning this year’s • JEA Preschool Savannah will Jewish community. We will be social service issues facing our com- Campaign and we are confi dent that have a “Jewish curriculum.” We going “door to door” to reach out munity and are hoping to have all of you will again show your generosity will be using a framework devel- to those new families in our area.