Editorials ..................................... 4A Op-Ed .......................................... 5A Calendar ...................................... 6A Scene Around ............................. 9A Synagogue Directory ................ 11A News Briefs ............................... 13A WWW.HERITAGEFL.COM YEAR 44, NO. 26 FEBRUARY 28, 2020 3 ADAR, 5780 ORLANDO, FLORIDA SINGLE COPY 75¢ Spotlight on local author Joni Okun rently off the market, but I’ve considered publishing them.” Okun has always had a vivid imagination. “I remember when I was in third-grade I had to do a report on America’s western pioneers and I also remember that I was fascinated with the covered wagons. I was enamored, imagining what was it like to live in a covered wagon on their long journey from the east to west coast. My imagina- tion was sparked. I wanted to know more. What was it like? Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 How did they feel? I’ve always People celebrating Israel’s 71st Independence Day in Saker Park in Jerusalem, May 9, 2019. been this way. I had a desire to dig in to find out what it was Joni Okun really like since as early as I can remember,” Okun shared What makes Israel the 13th By Ed Borowsky while sitting in Starbucks in Altamonte Springs. “I have written all my life,” Okun was born and raised happiest country in the world? said Joni Okun, Maitland in St. Louis, Missouri. She resident and author of the attended college close to historical fiction “To Hold the home, Washington Univer- Throne.” I’ve written several children’s books that are cur- Okun on page 14A Water for Gaza The Karmiel Dance Festival, billed as “Israel’s largest dance celebration,” attracts upwards of 250,000 visitors each summer. By Deborah Fineblum In search of some of the happiest moments in a con- (JNS)—“Happy are those tented Israel? Look no further who dwell in Your house.”— than: Psalm 84 1. The Perseids meteor It’s official. Israel has been shower in Mitzpe Ra- named the 13th happiest mon. country in the world. So Every August it happens: The Earth’s orbit lands in the says the 2019 United Nations People enjoying a glass of fresh water generated by the precise spot where it ploughs World Happiness Report, GEN-M machine placed in Gaza. which ranks no less than into the path of the ancient 156 countries using such Swift-Tuttle comet and the de- By Naama Barak air at its dew point. The water factors as income, social- bris (aka meteors or shooting then goes through physical, support networks and life stars) falls to earth. Taking the (ISRAEL21c)—Israel-based chemical and biological treat- expectancy. Topping the list name Perseids from the origi- company Watergen has begun ment followed by a mineral- was Finland, with the United nating constellation Perseus, supplying water to a Gazan ization process to ensure its States lagging behind Israel as the display is particularly neighborhood via its water- cleanliness and taste. the 19th happiest, and South vivid from the depths of the from-air machine that can The GEN-M unit was placed Sudan bringing up the rear at Mitzpe Ramon crater, where generate up to 800 liters per day. in Gaza as a result of coop- No. 156 (arguably, the most there is virtually no light to Watergen’s 780-kilogram eration between Watergen, miserable). dilute the view, including a GEN-M atmospheric water Israel’s Arava Institute for stunning panoramic peek at generator was placed last Environmental Studies, the the Milky Way. Wednesday in the Gazan Palestinian NGO Damour for You can catch the action neighborhood of Abasan al- Community Development from the end of July through Kabira. It will provide the local and the Abasan al-Kabira the first three weeks of Au- municipal building with fresh municipality. gust, peaking on the night drinking water. “Responding in accordance of Aug. 12, when thousands Gaza suffers from a rapidly with our belief that every of star-gazers flock to town Girum Abay celebrates graduation day with his family at depleting water supply. Its human being, regardless of hoping to catch sight of as Sami Shamoon College of Engineering in Beersheva. main source of water is its race, gender or religion has many as 120 an hour. So says coastal aquifer, which has a fundamental right to clean Ira Machefsky, who gives star of April. As in the holiday magnet for birdwatchers from been over-extracted in recent drinking water, we are help- shows then at a local alpaca celebrating our freedom all over, many of them with decades. The reduced water ing some of Israel’s next-door farm near the rim of the cra- from Egyptian slavery and binoculars poised to spy such levels have resulted in saline neighbors gain access to fresh ter. “Lying in the dark on our also alluding to the untold rare breeds as the wryneck. water seeping in, further water, a resource that is lack- sleeping bags, the shooting thousands of birds who pass “It’s an amazing bird,” polluting the water in the ing in Gaza,” Watergen said in stars were so vivid,” recalls over Israel on their migratory says Alena Kacal, who heads aquifer—with the result being a statement. Bracha Sukenik of Ra’anana path en route from Africa, up the Jerusalem Bird Ob- that 90 percent of the water is “We hope that our provision who went with a group six where they spent the winter, servatory, a pristine 1.5-acre not fit for consumption. of an AWG will help solve the years ago. “The entire sky to Europe, where they plan spot of welcoming green The GEN-M unit will pro- water crisis and serve as a step was like a field of stars that to build nests and lay eggs perched between the Knes- vide the Gazan neighborhood forward towards mutual col- felt so close up.” Visit as- in the warmth of summer. set and the Supreme Court with an inexpensive method to laboration in the Middle East.” tronomyisrael.com to find out Exhausted by the 1,000-mile building. This cousin of the acquire freshwater. It requires about Machefsky’s star show trek that takes them across woodpecker “does a dance no special infrastructure schedule. the Sahara, they stop over with his head that looks like except for electricity, in this 2. For the birds. the Jewish state long enough a snake to frighten off preda- case from solar panels. In Israel, Passover has a to rest and refuel. And that Watergen’s technology cre- double meaning in the month makes tiny Israel a veritable Israel on page 15A ates water by cooling collected PAGE 2A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 Learn about the Family Tree Maker at the next Jewish genealogy meeting To help you find, save, and JGSGO President Diane Ja- used genealogy program. at the corner of Maitland 1990, and meets monthly, in Jewish genealogy For more share your family history, the cobs, Ph.D., and member Dr. Bring your laptop computer Ave. and Maitland Blvd. in September through June, to information, visit www.jgsgo. 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