Editorials ..................................... 4A Op-Ed .......................................... 5A Calendar ...................................... 6A Scene Around ............................. 9A Synagogue Directory ................ 11A News Briefs ............................... 13A WWW.HERITAGEFL.COM YEAR 43, NO. 24 FEBRUARY 15, 2019 10 ADAR I, 5779 ORLANDO, FLORIDA SINGLE COPY 75¢ Rabbi Eckstein, IFCJ founder, dies By Cnaan Liphshiz (JTA)—To the many em- ployees and partners of Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, who died Wednesday at the age of 67, he was a man of vi- sion whose enormous drive to succeed both facilitated and complicated his relent- less efforts on behalf of the Jewish people. As head of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, or IFCJ, the New York- born rabbi raised more than $360 million in donations— mostly from Christians—for projects benefiting needy Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein Jews and Arabs in Israel and beyond. groups offered within hours To many thousands of of his death. ordinary Jews and Chris- “He was a tireless worker Students selecting items to go into the lone soldier care packages. tians whose lives he touched for the Jewish people and for without ever meeting them, Israel, and he made significant Eckstein was something of contributions by fostering a guardian angel, heading a evangelical support for Israel,” UCF students show support powerful machine that offered wrote Jonathan Greenblatt, everyday assistance and was national director of the Anti- able to intervene quickly in Defamation League. for Israel’s lone soldiers emergencies, in creative ways Eckstein, who grew up in cutting through the red tape Canada and moved to Israel in By Marisa Rubin or that come from low socio-economic premier pro-Israel student organization characteristic of some other 1999, began his involvement backgrounds.” Knights for Israel nearly two and a half Jewish aid groups. in interfaith dialogue with the Lone soldiers in Israel are going to Each year, hundreds of UCF students years ago. That event created over 60 The impact left by Eckstein, ADL in 1974 and started the be less lonely due to support from UCF travel to Israel where, depending on care packages that were subsequently who died of cardiac arrest at International Fellowship of students. the provider they choose, they get to sent to lone soldiers in the Israel Defense his home in Jerusalem, was Christians and Jews in 1983. Back in November, a group of like- spend either four to 10 days with Israeli Forces. This year, through enhanced ef- reflected in the glowing eulo- minded University of Central Florida soldiers on their bus. This “mifgash” is fort to engage the community, as well as gies that mainstream Jewish Eckstein on page 14A students conceived of an idea to raise a hugely impactful experience for both greater student involvement, more than awareness on campus about the IDF’s the soldiers, as it is for the participants. 200 care packages were created. lone soldier program. Often times, students return to campus Student organizations like Mishelanu, According to the IDF’s lone soldier thinking about those soldiers and how a student organization for Israelis at Senate passes website, “there are over 6,300 lone they might feel if they were trying to UCF sponsored by the Israel American soldiers currently serving in the IDF. endure under the same circumstances. Council in Orlando, joined donors like About 45 percent of these soldiers are One such student is Riley Shurack, the Rosen Hotel in donating materials anti-BDS measure new immigrants, coming from Jewish a prominent student leader in the Pro- and time to produce the gift packs. In By Ron Kampeas porting the anti-BDS com- Israel community at UCF. Shurack at- communities all over the world. Another ponent included Sen. Charles 50 percent are Israelis who are orphans tended a packaging event through UCF’s UCF on page 15A WASHINGTON (JTA)—The Schumer, D-N.Y. U.S. Senate approved in a 77- The bill now goes to the 23 vote a bill that codifies $38 U.S. House of Representa- billion in defense assistance tives where the Democratic AIPAC Policy Conference to Israel and which provides majority will break it up into legal cover to states that target its components, and its leader- the boycott Israel movement. ship is likely to bury the anti- ‘Connected for Good,’ March 24-26 The bill, sponsored by Sens. BDS section while advancing Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Joe the other components. The AIPAC Policy Confer- the Walter E. Washington enhances the relationship Manchin, D-W. Va., had stirred In addition to the money for ence is the largest gather- Convention Center in Wash- between the Unites States controversy because a num- Israel and the proposed anti- ing of America’s pro-Israel ington, D.C. and Israel. ber of Democratic senators BDS laws, the bill intensifies community, and will be held Through demonstra- “This is the biggest and best said that while they oppose sanctions on Syria’s Assad this year March 24-26 at tions of groundbreaking pro-Israel event this year,” the Boycott, Divestment and government and reinforces Israeli innovations, keynote said Michael Brehne, chair- Sanctions movement target- ties with Jordan. speeches by American and man of the Orlando Executive ing Israel, they were also The American Israel Public Israeli leaders, inspiring Council. “Attendees have the located between 7th and 9th concerned that state laws Affairs Committee praised the moments on stage and inti- opportunity to hear from Streets and N Street and New aimed at BDS impinged on Senate for passing the bill and mate educational sessions, legislators from both parties York Avenue. Phone: 202- speech freedoms. defended the anti-BDS com- Policy conference delegates about the bipartisan legisla- 249-3000. Register at https:// Among the Democratic ponent and urged the House experience the full scale of tion they support. Learn sforce.co/2DTkvcl dissenters were declared to bass all the bill’s provisions. pro-Israe activism in three about the threats facing Israel For more information, con- presidential candidates like “The legislation has no impact days. The conference cul- and how they are being ad- tact Michael Brehne at aipac@ Elizabeth Warren of Massa- on the right of Americans to minates with the delegates’ dressed and interact socially brehnlaw.com or Marc Sachs, chusetts, Kirsten Gillibrand personally boycott Israel or opportunity to lobby their with others in the pro-Israel AIPAC North and Central of New York, Cory Booker of oppose Israeli policies,” AIPAC members of Congress in community.” Florida director, masachs@ New Jersey and Kamala Harris said. “The bill’s scope is lim- support of legislation that The Convention Center is aipac.org. of California. Non-declared ited to commercial activities but likely presidential con- between companies and state tenders who voted included and local governments.” Pre-policy conference meeting March 7 Bernie Sanders of Vermont The American Civil Liber- and Sherrod Brown of Ohio ties Union complained that Michael Brehne, who took over the position as chairman of the Orlando Executive who voted against; and Amy “the Senate chose politics Council from Marc and Laurie Smith, will hold a pre-policy meeting on March 7 at the Klobuchar of Minnesota who over the Constitution and Roth Family JCC, at 7 p.m. This meeting is for those who will be attending the confer- voted for. The sole Republican trampled on the First Amend- ence and plan to lobby. voting against was Rand Paul ment rights of all Americans.” Brehne will discuss effective ways to discuss issues with members of Congress. of Kentucky. Brehne has lived in Altamonte Springs for over 20 years, and his two children at- Rubio, writing Wednesday tended the Hebrew Day School. He joined AIPAC several years ago and serves in the in The New York Times, congressional club and on the national council where he lobbies in Washington, D.C., defended the bill against three times a year. charges that it would violate free speech. Democrats sup- PAGE 2A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 15, 2019 Visit Israel with Temple Israel Join your friends from The group will visit Je- and desert camel rides to Temple Israel on their first rusalem, Tel Aviv, the Dead beautiful Havdalah and Shab- congregational trip to the land Sea, Masada, Akko Tunisian bat services, this is the perfect of our ancestors in 10 years. Synagogue, Tzfat Gallery of trip for both first timers and The trip, which takes place Mystical Art, Safed Candle those who haven’t been to from June 16-26, 2019, is open Factory, Tiberias, Kinneret, their ancestral land in a long to the whole Central Florida Ramat Hanadiv Memorial time—and it will be the trip Jewish community and offers Gardens and Nature Park, the of a lifetime for all! something for everyone. Golan Heights, Katzrin Olive Attend the information ses- The cost is at most $2,500 Oil Factory, Yad Vashem, Mah- sion on Sunday, March 3, at 10 per person but is reduced ane Yehuda Market, the Kotel, a.m. in the Roth Social Hall by a few hundred dollars for Ben Yehuda Street, Mish- at Temple Israel to learn more every five people registered. kenot Sha’ananim, Mount and ask any questions you This price is for land only and Scopus, Ein Gedi Park, the may have. If you’re ready now, includes admission to main Israel Museum, the Biblical pre-register online through sites, a daily breakfast, bus Museum of Natural History, March 4 for $100 per person transportation and a profes- Neve Tzedek, the Museum at https://www.tiflorida.org/ sional tour guide 24/7. Par- of the Jewish People at Beit triptoisrael2019/. Please con- ticipants are responsible for Hatfutsot, Rabin Square, tact Natan Brener at 407-435- buying their airline tickets to Jaffa, and much more.