SUMMER DOUBLE ISSUE JULY & AUGUST 2020 L’CHAYIM www.JewishFederationLCC.org Vol. 42, No. 10 n July/August 2020 / 5780 Empathy and action inability to affect positive These responsibilities and experi- of Lee and Charlotte Counties address- FROM THE change. While I must ac- ences draw us closer to what we hear es the recent tragedy in Minneapolis. EXECUTIVE cept that most of us are and see on the news. Empathy is im- While it is important for our Federation powerless to aid the de- portant, but action is necessary. And to go on record about injustices perpe- DIRECTOR velopment of a vaccine we are taking action. Your support, as trated on individuals or groups for any n Alan Isaacs against COVID-19 – al- volunteers and material contributors, reason, we should remember that the though we should actively whether you help to operate our food work that our Federation does every t is understandable to reflect on the support a “virtuous cycle” of responsi- pantry, donate food or write a check, day is material evidence of the sup- state of affairs as I write this, two bly where safe behavior is concerned demonstrates that you are taking action port we provide to anyone who asks – Iweeks after the killing of George – I do not accept that we are unable to at the most fundamental level. actual, physical and moral sustenance Floyd, and when we count more than positively affect the condition of pov- A statement below from the Board that no statement alone can match. 110,000 deaths nationally from the erty and inequality in our community. of Directors of the Jewish Federation Coronavirus, to despair of our current Changing national hearts and minds is beyond our Federation’s reach, but Statement of the Jewish Federation INSIDE THIS ISSUE: providing material sustenance to those in our community who suffer systemic 7 Our Community of Lee and Charlotte Counties inequity is not only possible, it is, in- 8 Jewish Interest deed, our responsibility. on the Death of George Floyd 17 Israel & the Jewish World Regular readers of L’CHAYIM are We are horrified by the violent death Tzedakah (benevolence), Tikkun Olam familiar with the lengths to which our of George Floyd in Minneapolis. This (repairing the world) and K’lal Yisrael 19 Marketplace Jewish Family Services (JFS) goes to incident is a heartbreaking reminder of (taking responsibility for one another). 20 Commentary identify and assist those in need. Our the work that we, as a nation, still have These tenets are our sacred heritage as 21 From the Bimah assistance is based exclusively on need to do in order to realize a just society a Jewish people and they are at the core and, these days, is provided primarily for all. of our work as a Jewish Federation. 23 Focus on Youth to non-Jews – from food to financial The Jewish Federation of Lee and We support the peaceful pro- 24 Organizations assistance, from an empathetic ear to a Charlotte Counties will continue to be tests that have taken place in Lee and 26 Temple News resource referral, from a call to a land- part of the effort to stamp out racism, Charlotte counties and the right of all lord on behalf of a client to advocacy anti-Semitism and injustice. We are Americans to make their voices heard 26 Community Directory with the county. committed to furthering the ideals of through non-violent demonstration. Your Federation team presents a FUN SUMMER of VIRTUAL at-home programming. A virtual interview and discussion with White Read The Book; Zoom House speechwriter & The Author author Sarah Hurwitz Sharon Friedman Sunday, July 12, Ashes 4:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 12, 6:00 P.M. VIRTUAL EVENTS CALENDAR for JULY & AUGUST Sum mer Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays Sundays Concert Series Authors at 7:30 P.M. - Israeli Hebrew Out & About Erev Shabbat Short Films Words with the Table F ilms- Enjoy a live Dancing 12:30 P.M. Yoga & Sundays performance Herb Fried At-Home Meditation by Brian Gurl & 11:00 A.M. 1:00 P.M. 3:00 P.M. Guests July 22 — Gershwin August 12 — Broadway to Pop (all day access) (LIVE) (with 72 hour access) (LIVE) (all day access) *Small Fee (LIVE) All links for programming can be found on the homepage of our website: www.JewishFederationlcc.org 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 JULY/AUGUST 2020 2 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties OUR FEDERATION Thank you, Brian! VE To donate to By Sherri Zucker, Federation Co-President SA & big thank you is due to Brian Simon for serv- is a great starting point. $ $ ing as our Jewish Federation Board President. Brian always pushed Federation board members BUYING: INSTANT CASH CLIP the Federation’s Brian’s guidance and perspective have to think critically about what the Federation is doing. $ $ A VE been invaluable as we’ve navigated the past two He told me last year that he thinks it’s always im- years. portant for us to keep in mind ”what we’re about.” $ $ SA HIGHEST PRICES PAID! & Annual Campaign, Under Brian’s leadership At one board retreat he asked each of us to make a we’ve experienced substantial list of the things we were proud of and the challenges CLIP growth in programming and facing the Federation. We then discussed each item, GIVE BRUCE KODNER GALLERIES THE VE call 239.481.4449 Jewish Family Services. The giving attention to finding practical solutions to meet Jewish Film Festival is more the challenges ahead. SA popular than ever, with 13 films What can I say about the President’s message that OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS!! & last season. The Senior Lunch Brian has authored in L’CHAYIM each month? It was CLIP or visit Bunch and the food pantry have something to look forward to and really more akin to GOLD & SILVER COINS PAPER CURRENCY 14kt • 18kt • 22kt GOLD continued to evolve and expand. a literary essay than a newspaper article. The words rd VE JewishFederationLCC.org n Sherri A new social program for 25- to he wrote were warm, humorous and personal. His ar- IMMEDIATE PAYMENT 3 Generation Expertise • Call Today SA Zucker 44-year-olds, called TRIBE, was ticles were the first thing I read upon receiving the & started last year. They’ve held several events that paper. CLIP have been well attended. One of Brian’s efforts was to Brian, for all you’ve done for the Jewish Federa- “develop the next generation of leaders” and TRIBE tion of Lee and Collier Counties, we thank you! VE OUR MISSION DIAMONDS • SAPPHIRES SA To strengthen and enrich the Jewish & Community by providing and supporting CLIP philanthropic, educational and social Program notes By Debbie Sanford, Program Director RUBYS • EMERALDS service programs locally, in Israel and VE throughout the world. hen you read this article, it will officially festival in February. If not, we are prepared to have SA be my second anniversary at the Jewish an alternate idea because there is no way we will miss ALL DIAMOND JEWELRY • WATCHES & Federation. Yes, time sure does fly when our 25th anniversary Jewish Film Festival. That is a OUR VISION W CLIP you are having fun. big deal! A Jewish Community that is based on In my two years here, I have been through the With so many individuals and board members ANTIQUES • ART OBJECTS • OIL PAINTINGS Jewish values such as Tzedakah VE good, the bad (not really) stepping up and leading/chairing programs, the pres- SA (benevolence), Tikkun Olam (repairing and the ugly (this virus). But ence we have grown in our community and the sup- & the world) and K’lal Yisrael (taking through all this, I personally port from our sponsors and donors, I am confident we BUYING ALL HIGHWAYMEN OIL PAINTINGS: BEANIE CLIP responsibility for one another). have learned something really will have a great year of programming, whatever that important. I am not always in looks like. Have an idea? Please reach out to me and BACKUS • HAROLD NEWTON • ALFRED HAIR • ETC VE control of things and that is let me know. Check out the new programming calen- SA ok! We do the best with what dar on the front page, if you have not already. There Rolex • Cartier • Patek Philippe • Tiffany • Bvlgari & all Wrist and Pocket Watches & we have in the time we have. I is more information throughout the paper. I hope you Buccellati • Chimento • David Webb • David Yurman • Cartier • Tiffany • Harry Winston • John Hardy • Chopard CLIP am trying to stay in touch with find something you like! Mid Century Furniture, Oil Paintings & Accessories: Andy Warhol • Calder • Miro • George Nelson • Lepho • Paul Evans n Debbie you all, keep you entertained at When my dad passed at the end of March, I • Phillip Laverne • Nakashima • Dunbar • Frank Lloyd Wright • Vladimir Kagan • Dunbar • Charles Eams • Knoll VE L’CHAYIM Sanford home so you feel like you are thought to myself, how could I go thru this while in SA still part of our Jewish community with live and vir- isolation? Well, I really wasn’t alone! Besides my & Jewish news published monthly by tual events, some educational, some pure entertain- family of course, this community showed an outpour- Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties CLIP 9701 Commerce Center Court, Fort Myers, FL 33908 ment.