www.JewishFederationLCC.org Vol. 40, No. 3 n November 2017 / 5778 Author event Annual Campaign fulfills for large donors Federation’s mission By Leni Sack vate donors – you and he Jewish Federation is hosting mum of $5,000, are invited to have FROM THE your neighbors – and from a slightly different type of event cocktails and dinner with Stephen on EXECUTIVE corporate backers in our for its largest donors this year Tuesday, December 5 at 6:00 p.m. at community who value T DIRECTOR the services we provide. – an author event with a nationally- FineMark Bank, 12681 Creekside Ln., known actor, writer and director. Fort Myers. n Alan Isaacs You will also notice that Stephen Tobolowsky is a seasoned Major givers who contribute our monthly newspaper – character actor who has appeared in $1,800 or more to the campaign, are hen you read this, and I L’CHAYIM – is supported by advertis- over 250 movies and television shows, invited to join the author event at 7:30 hope that you will, we will ers and writers who also value what we and is currently per- p.m. for Stephen’s talk, Wbe well into the fourth quar- do. forming in the hit TV followed by dessert and ter of 2017. While that might not hold Please consider carefully the value series, Silicon Valley. book signing. any chronological significance to most that the Federation represents as the Stephen has recently We invite anyone in of us – it does to the Jewish Federation provider of social services – from food written a book en- the community who is and our ability to fulfill our mission:To to financial aid; as the provider of Jew- titled My Adventures not yet at one of these strengthen and enrich the Jewish com- ish cultural opportunities – from folk With God, a funny levels of giving to join munity by providing and supporting dancing to films; as convener of com- introspective story our Pacesetters, Lions philanthropic, educational and social munity groups – from joint Shabbat collection about love, of Judah or Major Gifts service programs locally, in Israel and services to BBYO; and as outreach to, catastrophe and tri- givers to help the Jew- throughout the world. and programming for seniors. umph that describes ish Federation in ac- In the remaining weeks of 2017 When you are contacted by the his evolving relation- complishing its mission the Jewish Federation must raise the Jewish Federation for your contribu- ship with Judaism to strengthen and enrich remaining funds that enable us to serve tion to the 2017 Campaign, please re- our community in the many ways that spond as generously as you are able. and with God. Stephen Tobolowsky the Jewish community In his book, Stephen talks about by providing and supporting philan- we do. As you know, the support that Many thanks for your ongoing and growing up in Texas, finding and los- thropic, educational and social service we receive comes from generous pri- vital support. ing love, losing and finding himself – programs locally, in Israel and through- all told through the prism of the Torah out the world. and Talmud, mixed with insights from In becoming a large donor, not To donate to the Federation’s Annual science and refined through a child’s only will you have the satisfaction of sense of wonder. knowing you are making a difference Campaign, call 239.481.4449 or visit Pacesetters, those who contrib- in the Jewish community, but you will ute $5,400 or more to the Federation’s have the opportunity to enjoy a very 2018 Annual Campaign, and Lions of fun and exciting evening with a very www.JewishFederationLCC.org. Judah, women who contribute a mini- special guest speaker. Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties cordially invites you to attend our COMMUNITY BREAKFAST UNDAY, DECEMBER 10 at 10:00 A.M. S ~ Featuring ~ Author Peter Gethers Come for a delicious breakfast and enjoy a wonderful story about cooking, people and love. THE LANDINGS Couvert: $25/person 4571 S. Landings Dr. RSVP to Leni at 239.481.4449 x3 Fort Myers 33919 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! PERMITJe NO.w 175ish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties DELIVER TO CURRENT RESIDENT OR cordially invites you to attend our COMMUNITY BREAKFAST SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 at 10:00 A.M. ~ Featuring ~ Author Peter Gethers Come for a delicious breakfast and enjoy a wonderful story about cooking, people and love. THE LANDINGS Couvert: $25/person 4571 S. Landings Dr. RSVP to Leni at 239.481.4449 x3 Fort Myers 33919 or [email protected] L'CHAYIM NOVEMBER 2017 2 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties OUR FEDERATION Program notes In this issue: ’ve already started getting phone calls and emails Peter wanted to give her a very personal and perhapsBy Jodi Cohen, Senior Outreach Coordinator 5 Our Community about the Jewish Film Festival: “What are the final gift: a spectacular feast featuring all her favorite fter Hurricanes Harvey, Irma Imovies this year?” “When will the schedule be dishes. One problem: although he was raised to love and Maria struck these past ready?” “How can I buy tickets?” All those questions food and wine, he didn’t know how to cook. So he months, there were clean-up 9 Jewish Interest and more will be answered in next month’s issue of embarked on an often hilarious and always touchingA efforts and support provided by cities, L’CHAYIM. By the time you read this issue, the film culinary journey that allowed him to bring his moth-counties and states. There were also 12 Marketplace festival committee will have er’s friends and loved ones to the table one last time. campaigns to provide help and relief 16 Israel & the Jewish World met and made the final film se- The annual Community Breakfast is one of my by various Jewish agencies and orga- lections. favorite events. I hope you will join us for a deliciousnizations because no matter where we 18 From the Bimah You can mark your cal- breakfast and to hear this talented author, screen-are, or who we are, as Jews, we belong endars now for Tuesday and writer, playwright, producer and, most importantly,to the larger Jewish community. This 19 Focus on Youth Thursday evenings from Janu- devoted son, share his very poignant and captivatingimpresses and humbles me to no end. ary 11 through February 13 at story. See the ad in this issue of L’CHAYIM for more I recall the time I moved to Iowa 20 Organizations the Regal Belltower Stadium details. City from Eugene, Oregon, in 1983 20. As always, the films run the Another special author’s event is planned forand needed a place to stay for one night 22 Community Directory n Leni Sack gamut from the past to the pres- Major Donors to the Federation’s 2018 Annual Cam-before my apartment was ready. My ent, from light to serious, from paign. Stephen Tobolowsky, a well-known characterfriend Mona in Eugene called her cous- 22 Temple News documentary to drama. I can’t wait to see you all at actor, has written a book called My Adventures Within Irene who had a sister, Dolores, liv- the movies! God (see review on page 10). Pacesetter and Lion of ing in Iowa City. Irene asked Dolores to We have a great program planned for this year’s Judah level donors will have the opportunity to joinput me up for the night. Aafter driving Community Breakfast. The event will be held on Stephen at a cocktail and dinner hour on Tuesday, De-for three days, I walked into Dolores’ Sunday, December 10 at 10:00 a.m. at The Land- cember 5. Afterwards, Major Gift donors are invited ings, 4571 S. Landings Dr., Fort Myers. Author Peter to join Pacesetter and Lion of Judah donors to hear Gethers will be our featured speaker. Peter’s book, Stephen’s presentation followed by dessert and book My Mother’s Kitchen, is a funny and moving memoir signing. To find out more about the different levels of about his mother, who was a talented cook and men- giving, please see the article on page 1 or give us a tor to famous chefs like Wolfgang Puck. She not only call. FineMark Bank will host this event and we are wrote cookbooks and taught cooking alongside Julia grateful to them for their generosity in supporting the Child, she was also the daughter of one of the original Jewish Federation. owners of Ratner’s, a well-known Jewish dairy res- Welcome back to those who are “snowbirds.” I taurant on New York City’s Lower East Side. look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming In her 80s, his mother had a debilitating stroke. events. Silicon Valley Thelma & Louise Glee Stephen Tobolowsky Wild Hogs Mississippi Burning actor / writer / director Groundhog Day Deadwood Jewish news published monthly by Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties 9701 Commerce Center Court, Fort Myers, FL 33908 The Mindy Project (239) 481-4449 • Fax: (239) 481-0139 Online at www.JewishFederationLCC.org n Memento November 2017 • Volume 40, Number 3 n Co-Presidents: Rozzi Osterman • Brian Simon Board: Paul Bartrop • Herb Fried • Carolyn Gora Jerry Greenfield • Keith Grossman • Andi Horowitz Next Appearance: Charles Idelson • Linda Idelson • Marsha Kistler Sara Krivisky • Michele Laboda • JoAnn Lewin Barbara Siegel • Sylvia Simko • Sherri Zucker Jewish Federation Lee & Charlotte Counties Executive Director: Alan Isaacs Program Director: Leni Sack Executive Assistant: Lori Ramos December 5, 2017 Jewish Family Services: Jodi Cohen n Editor/Designer: Ted Epstein (239) 249-0699 read more… Advertising: Jim Lewin (239) 634-6923 n L’CHAYIM invites correspondence on subjects of interest to Jewish people.