October 2014 | Tishrei – Cheshvan 5775, Vol. LXIX, No. 8 Main Event, Oct. 23, Features IDF Vet The Savannah Jewish Federa- self on the front lines of the 2008 war tion 2015 Campaign will kick off with Gaza in Operation Cast Lead. on Thursday, October 23rd with the He lost his left (and dominant) arm Candle Lighting Times Main Event featuring Izzy Ezagui, a above the elbow after being wounded truly inspiring young in a mortar attack. [Izzy] exemplified to us that Friday, October 3 6:50pm man who shows the Ezagui determined we can make a difference in our Wednesday, October 8 6:43pm world that when you right away that he own lives, and the lives of those Thursday, October 9 7:38pm believe in yourself would like to return and your mission, around us. He reminded us that to full, combat duty, Friday, October 10 6:41pm anything is possible. hard work does pay off. He helped but of course was Wednesday, October 15 6:35pm The Main Event is us see that struggles are part of told by everyone Thursday, October 16 7:29pm the SJF’s annual ral- our path, and perseverance is he met – including Friday, October 17 6:33pm Izzy Ezagui ly for support of our necessary to achieve success… Prime Minister Ben- the country’s highest accolade a sol- Friday, October 24 6:25pm local and worldwide - Matthew Stewart, jamin Netanyahu – dier off the battlefield can receive. To Friday, October 31 6:18pm Jewish agencies that Co-Founder and CEO, that it would not be hear Izzy’s story of courage and de- provide Jewish edu- National Services Group possible. But then termination, please plan to attend the In this Issue cation, social services, he met General Yoav Main Event on Oc- Holocaust education Gallant rd I strongly encourage tober 23 at the JEA. Federation President’s message, p3 and remembrance, youth and teen of the Southern Com- anyone who is passionate The evening begins Executive Director’s message, p3 Jewish identity programs, combating mand who believed that with a delicious anti-Semitism programs, Israel ad- Izzy should be given the Four Questions, p4 about Israel to hear Izzy’s kosher dinner at vocacy, and more. The Annual Cam- opportunity to prove if Movie Spiel, p6 story. It is powerful; it is 6:30pm, the cost is paign is the primary source of fund- he was capable of return- moving and it is highly in- $18 per person. The I on Israel, p8 ing for many of these services and ing to a combat unit. And JEA Centerpiece spirational. program will fol- programs in the community. that’s when his story be- low. RSVP online It’s a Funny Thing, p13 - Haim Saban, CEO, Izzy Ezagui’s story is a remark- gan to change. at www.savj.org or Saban Capital Group Condolences, p14 able one. A teenager from Miami, he In May of 2011, Shimon call (912) 355-8111 Lasting Legacies, p15 joined the Israel Defense Forces after Peres, President of the by October 19th. a Birthright trip and soon found him- State of Israel, awarded Izzy Ezagui Also Featured Your Campaign Dollars at Work th Great fun at camp, p9 Community Shabbat Celebration November 7 BBYO off and running, p9 Shabbat is a time to slow down we come together as a community 6:30 pm. Special guests from Israel A camper grows up, p10 and enjoy friends and family. It’s to honor our tradition and celebrate will be joining us and speaking during Mini-grant profiled, p15 made even more meaningful when the most essential part of being Jew- the evening’s celebration. ish. The Savannah Jewish Federation The cost for the Shabbaton is $18 and the Jewish Educational Alliance per person. Children ages 12 and un- Non-Profit invite you to share in this special op- der are free. Paid Reservations are Organization portunity to enjoy Shabbat together required by November 3rd and can U.S. Postage PAID regardless of denomination or affilia- be made at the JEA Front Desk or by Permit No. 207 Savannah, GA tion. Gather together your family and calling 355-8111. Vegetarian meals and friends and join us for our Savannah Supervised Kosher meals are available A Publication of Savannah Jewish Federation Community Shabbaton to be held upon request 5111 Abercorn Street th Savannah, Georgia 31405 at the JEA Friday, November 7 at at the time www.savj.org 6:30 pm. The evening’s theme will you make Address Service Requested be an “Israeli Shabbat” with a spe- your reserva- cial menu featuring the flavors of Is- tions. rael prepared by Chef Bryan Graves. We look Shabbat Services will be held at 6pm forward to at Bnai Brith Jacob and at the JEA for celebrating Congregants of Agudath Achim and Shabbat with Mickve Israel. Dinner will begin at you! Wishing You a Meaningful Fast and a Chag Sameach! Savannah Page 2 | October 2014 jewish news www.savj.org th Jewish Food Festival and yet was Mickve Israel, 233-1547, (ext. 302) or 26 Jewish Food Fest Oct. 26 willing to jump in full force. Debbie Owen (ext.303). Risa Perl moved with her son (who There is no admission price for the by Jane Kahn nate, too, to have wonderful sponsors had enrolled at SCAD) and daughter Festival. Items generally sell for $1- who provide valuable support.” to Savannah from Port St. Lucie, FL, $10. There will be ticket booths at Shalom Y’aIl! Specifically, it’s Octo- For weeks leading up to Shalom a year ago last August. She was out the Festival main entrance, on Gas- ber and time for the Shalom Y’all Jew- Y’all, small groups of members meet of town the weekend of the 2013 fes- ton and Bull streets, and mid-park, ish Food Festival! at Mickve Israel and prepare and tival. She has never been involved in near the playground. In past years, The 26th annual Congregation package the food for freezing. On the such a huge undertaking in her past 50,000 tickets have been sold on the Mickve Israel Shalom Y’all Jewish day of the Festival, congregants and years of community volunteerism. day of the Food Festival. Advance Food Festival will be held from 11am other volunteers become on-the-spot But, she believes, “It is time for people tickets are available at a 10% discount – 3pm Sunday, October 26 in Savan- chefs in the park. In of my generation to through Friday, Oct. 24, from Debbie nah’s Forsyth Park. (It’s traditional the history of the take over. My family at the Mickve Israel office, 233-1547, to plan it for the fourth Sunday in Oc- Shalom Y’all Jewish and I were so wel- extension 303. tober.) Food Festival, many comed to the com- A hint from experienced Shalom Time for homemade matzo ball workers traditional- munity (which has) Y’all volunteers: Get there early. soup, sizzling Sephardic lamb sand- ly request repeat as- given us so much, Homemade challah and sweets usual- wiches and cream cheese blintzes. signments each year! that this was a way ly sell out by 11:30, and lines are long Rugelach, stuffed cabbage rolls and Organizers say the to give back.” at lunchtime! potato latkes. Hebrew Beer, New Food Festival draws Among the lessons Shalom, Y’all. Once again, for the York deli-style sandwiches, kosher dedicated noshers she has learned are 26th year, it’s the Jewish Food Festi- hot dogs. And books, baubles and and serious eaters how such an event val! face painting, cupcake decorating from around the low runs, how to cook and Meet the Rabbi (who has been country, and, indeed, and a “sense of in- around now for a couple of Shalom it has become a des- volvement beyond Y’all Jewish Food Festivals—he still tination in itself for my front door.” Savannah Jewish News wants to meet the crowd!) visitors to Savannah. Two young volunteers at the Relying on exten- Published by the The Food Festival through the (The figure of 10,000 2013 Jewish Food Festival sive files from Sha- Savannah Jewish Federation years has become more than a Temple has been thrown lom Y’all festivals, 5111 Abercorn Street Savannah, GA 31405 event, more than a Jewish function, around as the number of people the Risa also depends on chairmen and (912) 355-8111 and now, better than ever, more than Food Festival has drawn in the past.) other participants from the past to www.savj.org a citywide celebration. Each year vol- Back this year: Kugel. Specifically, guide her. More than 200 volunteers SJF President: Steve Greenberg unteers from throughout the general Alberta’s Temple Kugel! The popular help each year from park set up to SJF President-elect: Sherry Dolgoff Jewish community generously donate noodle dish recipe is a Congregation SJF Vice President: Allan Ratner take down. The success of the Food SJF Secretary/Treasurer: Margie Levy their time and talents. The Shalom Mickve Israel staple. The recipe is in- Fest, she says, is because everyone SJF Executive Director: Adam Solender Y’all Jewish Food Festival benefits cluded in the Shalom Y’all Sisterhood takes part. “What would seem to be SJN Editor: Lynn Levine many projects at the 281-year-old Cookbook, which will be on sale this the smallest task is important.” Congregation Mickve Israel. year in the Food Festival Gift Shop. Shalom Y’all Jewish Food Festival The objectives of the Savannah Jewish “This is a major community event,” Also back is the Sisterhood Baubles sponsorships are still available.