Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties Tuesday May 9, 2017 SAVE THE DATE 7:00 P.M. www.JewishFederationLCC.org Vol. 39, No. 9 n May 2017 / 5777 “Art Beyond Boundaries” exhibit showcased at Alliance for the Arts during March rt Beyond Boundaries” has multiple tours in the gallery. Many Three school groups came on field “ been packed and shipped and local Jewish organizations scheduled trips and there were even some private Acontinues its journey to the personalized tours. Included were tours. Federation of Charlotte, North Caro- Temple Judea’s Hazak, Temple Beth The project was a huge success lina. During the month of March, our El’s Sisterhood, WCA, and the Federa- thanks to Juli Bobman, Celeste Borah, Fort Myers community visited the Al- tion’s Social Club and Senior Lunch. Carolyn Gora, Janice Heligman, Shir- liance for the Arts to enjoy the exhi- There was also a Saturday morn- ley Litman, Elise Sewall, Gale Sham- bition. This is another example of the ing “Walk and Talk,” and a Saturday blott and Herb Sklar and the staff of the Alliance for the Arts’ continuous col- evening artists’ demonstration for the Alliance for the Arts. laboration with the Federation. March SOCO (South of Colonial). The exhibit started with an open- ing reception at the Alliance sponsored by our Jewish Federation. Krista John- son, Director of Exhibitions at the Al- liance for the Arts, estimated that there were over 200 guests that Sunday evening. The seven Fort Myers artists were there to share their personal ex- periences as participants in the exhibit that included collaboration with their Israeli partners. During March, the artists gave You are cordially invited to attend 2017 ~ 2018 BOARD SLATE CO-PRESIDENTS Rozzi Osterman LEE & CHARLOTTE COUNTIES Brian Simon V.P. - ADMINISTRATION Michele Laboda CO-V.P. - EDUCATION & Sara Krivisky & PROGRAM Andi Horowitz TREASURER Marsha Kistler A NNUAL M EETING IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Barbara Siegel & DESSERT DIRECTOR AT LARGE Charles Idelson DIRECTOR AT LARGE JoAnn Lewin Tuesday May 9, 2017 DIRECTOR AT LARGE Jerry Greenfield DIRECTOR AT LARGE Sherri Zucker 7:00 P.M. DIRECTOR AT LARGE Keith Grossman Federation Building DIRECTOR AT LARGE Linda Idelson 9701 Commerce Center Court PARLIAMENTARIAN Herb Fried Fort Myers, FL JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES Carolyn Gora COMMUNITY RELATIONS Sylvia Simko R.S.V.P. by May 5 CAMPUS INITIATIVES Paul Bartrop 239.481.4449 ext. 4 or [email protected] 9701 Commerce Center Court POSTMASTER: NONPROFIT ORG Fort Myers, Florida 33908 DATED RELIGIOUS U.S. POSTAGE NEWS ITEMS. PAID TIME SENSITIVE– FT. MYERS, FL PLEASE EXPEDITE! PERMIT NO. 175 DELIVER TO CURRENT RESIDENT OR L'CHAYIM MAY 2017 2 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties OUR FEDERATION Program notes In this issue: he community is invited to a screening of a The documentary will be shown on Thursday, documentary entitled There Are Jews Here, May 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Free Syna- 6 Our Community about four once-thriving American Jewish gogue, 10868 Metro Parkway (SW Florida Masonic 8 Jewish Interest communities,T now fighting for survival. Center) in Fort Myers. The event is co-sponsored by The story of a synagogue in Latrobe, Pennsylva- CFS and the Jewish Federation. There is no cost to at- 13 Israel & the Jewish World nia, is told by longtime member tend and refreshments will be served. Moviegoers are Mickey Radman, who keeps encouraged to bring a can or box of food to donate to 14 Marketplace the doors open long enough for the Federation’s Food Pantry. the Bat Mitzvah of the shul’s Mark your calendars to attend the Federation’s 16 Commentary oldest member’s granddaugh- annual meeting on Tuesday, May 9 at 7:00 p.m. The 17 From the Bimah ter. In Butte, Montana, Nancy new board will be installed and awards will be given Oyer tries to maintain her com- to community volunteers. It’s a great chance to get to 19 Focus on Youth munity while struggling with know the leadership of the Federation, to hear about her personal health. In Laredo, this past year’s accomplishments, and to learn about 20 Organizations n Leni Sack Texas, a young interfaith cou- plans for the coming year. We invite you to join us for ple is torn between reviving a delightful evening with delicious refreshments. 22 Temple News their fading community or moving to a thriving one Many thanks to the clergy and lay leaders who 22 Community Directory in San Antonio that can nurture the spiritual growth participated in our annual Holocaust Memorial Ser- of their young family. And in an interesting twist, vice held on April 23 at Temple Beth El. Special there’s the story of a Los Angeles family that takes up thanks to Rafi Ruiz and Randi Kashi for their beauti- Dothan, Alabama’s bold offer to provide Jews up to ful and soulful violin and piano duet of the Schindler’s $50,000 to relocate to their community. List theme. Also, a special thank you to choir director These four stories were made into a movie by Suellen Kipp and the choir that included members of producer/director Brad Lichtenstein, who grew up in the Jewish community and the Unitarian Universalist Atlanta. His reason for making this documentary: “I Church of Fort Myers. The blending of their voices didn’t know one million Jews live in small communi- was a very meaningful part of the service. Thanks ties. I discovered a new world in making this film. A as always to Dr. Paul Bartrop, guest speaker, for his Jew myself, what I knew was my experience growing knowledgeable and informative talk about music and up in Atlanta and living in New York and Milwaukee the Holocaust. And of course, thank you to the sur- – large cities where we are free to define ourselves vivors who continue to inspire us with their commit- Jewishly in any way we wish. But for Jews living in ment to life and to preserving the memory of those small communities, identity is a daily urgent chal- who perished during the Shoah. lenge. If they don’t personally uphold their communi- I look forward to seeing many of you at our up- ties and live affirmative Jewish lives, they and their coming events. legacies could fade away forever.” Lions preview “Jewish pioneers” film ow much is known about local Jewish his- learned a little about the interesting backgrounds of tory and Jewish life in Fort Myers from the the filmmakers, and delighted in the wonderful stories H1960s until now? As the attendees at the an- told by Sheila and Jerry throughout the film. It was an nual Lion of Judah dinner found out, quite a lot is entertaining evening enjoyed by all. Jewish news published monthly by known, especially by “Jewish pioneers” Sheila and Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties 9701 Commerce Center Court, Fort Myers, FL 33908 Jerry Laboda. The Labodas were the first Lee County (239) 481-4449 • Fax: (239) 481-0139 residents to be interviewed by Marina Berkovich for Online at www.JewishFederationLCC.org n the series of films she and her husband, Alexander May 2017 • Volume 39, Number 9 Goldstein, are producing entitled “Southwest Florida n Jewish Pioneers.” The films are personal accounts of President: Rozzi Osterman Board: Paul Bartrop • Larry Eisenfeld • Herb Fried people who helped establish and expand the Jewish Carolyn Gora • Jerry Greenfield • Andi Horowitz presence in Southwest Florida. Charles Idelson • Linda Idelson • Marsha Kistler Sara Krivisky • Michele Laboda • JoAnn Lewin Lions enjoyed a delicious dinner hosted by Fine- Barbara Siegel • Sylvia Simko • Brian Simon Mark Bank, welcomed new Lion, Ellen Esformes, Lani and Sheila Laboda Jerry Snyderman • Sherri Zucker Executive Director: Alan Isaacs Program Director: Leni Sack Executive Assistant: Lori Ramos n Editor/Designer: Ted Epstein (239) 249-0699 Advertising: Jim Lewin (239) 634-6923 n L’CHAYIM invites correspondence on subjects of interest to Jewish people. Partisan political opinions will not be published, but opinions on subjects affecting the Jewish community are welcome. All inquiries regarding copy for L’CHAYIM should be directed to the editor. All news material must be very clearly printed or typed (not in all-capital letters) and double-spaced. Electronic submissions encouraged. The editor reserves the right to edit for space and content. Photographs should be clear, black-and-white or color prints. If you wish a photograph returned, include a stamped, self-addressed envelope of appropriate size. Rozzi Osterman, Marina Berkovich, Michele Laboda, Sara Krivisky, Robin Correnti The Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties disclaims responsibility or endorsement of the views expressed by the writers and claims by advertisers. Senior Lunch Bunch JUNE ISSUE By Helene Glocer he Senior Lunch Bunch is continuing to grow there. This was a totally different experience than any EDITORIAL DEADLINE: and spread its wings. We went to the Alliance of the other lunches and was very exciting. Friday, May 5 Tfor the Arts in March and saw the wonderful April’s lunch was at Shalom Life Center, and fea- exhibit of local and Israeli artists. Carolyn Gora and tured music by Lawrence Dermer. This, too, was a Juli Bobman told some of the stories behind the art new and different experience. No one can complain pieces and everyone got to admire the talent exhibited that they are bored by the lunches. Grow your business We will be going back to the Community Free Synagogue in May with L’CHAYIM. and Brookdale College Parkway in June. July will bring us back to our roots at Temple Beth Shalom, where Reach 5,000 local we can recharge our batteries.