L’CHAYIM www.JewishFederationLCC.org Vol. 43, No. 2 n October 2020 / 5781 FESTIVAL OF JEWISH 10+ BOOKS CONVERSATIONS & VIRTUAL EDITION Authors Via Zoom This October 26 - November 9, 2020 Season Featured Authors Include: Michael Ian Black, Steven Levy, Hilary Levey Friedman, Amy Fish, Cameron Douglas, Pamela Nadell, Stephanie Butnick, Mark Oppenheimer, Liel Leibovitz & Raffi Berg Tickets are $5 & go on sale starting October 9, 2020 Visit: JewishFederationLCC.org/BookFestival for more information Your Federation team presents a FUN season of VIRTUAL at -home programming. FESTIVAL OF JEWISH BOOKS CONVERSATIONS & VIRTUAL EDITION October 26 - November 9, 2020 VIRTUAL EVENTS CALENDAR October November December January February 10/7 11/2 -11/3 PJ Library Sukkot Baking Party in the Witness Theater 12/13 1/13 Out & About kitchen with Rabbi Luna PJ Library TBA and speaker with Guest Speaker, Films Hanukkah Event Virtual 10/8 FSW (Punta Gorda) Rabbi Laura The 3rd Thursday Jewish Film of every month Lion of Judah Virtual Event 11/5 - 11/9 Geller TBA with 48 hour Festival of Jewish Festival 10/15 Hanukkah 1/21 access. Out & About Films Books & Concert Conversations Out & About Films Short Film 10/26—10/30 12/17 Sundays 11/19 Out & About Festival of Jewish Books & Out & About The 1st Sunday of Conversations Films Films every month. Visit www.jewishfederationlcc/virtual-events to register & for more information. 9701 Commerce Center Court POSTMASTER: DAT- NONPROFIT ORG Fort Myers, Florida 33908 ED RELIGIOUS NEWS U.S. POSTAGE ITEMS. PAID VISIT THE FEDERATION ONLINE AT: TIME SENSITIVE– FT MYERS FL PLEASE EXPEDITE! PERMIT 521 DELIVER TO CURRENT RESIDENT OR www. JewishFederationLCC.org social service philanthropy culture L'CHAYIM OCTOBER 2020 2 Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties OUR FEDERATION Program notes L’CHAYIM By Debbie Sanford, Program Director e all pray we can be together soon. But ulating, entertaining and educational festival of films Jewish news published monthly by staying connected and infusing some fun from around the world to you! This time around it Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties into your life is a priority of mine now. If will just be in the comfort of your own homes, with 9701 Commerce Center Court, Fort Myers, FL 33908 W you are someone who is intimidated by technology, a few pop-up in-person (and socially distanced) sur- (239) 481-4449 • Fax: (239) 481-0139 Online at www.JewishFederationLCC.org please don’t be. It will be your best friend. I am al- prises along the way. n ways available to walk you Until then, I encourage you to participate in what October 2020 • Volume 43, Number 2 through the steps of logging is promising to be a unique season of programming. n Co-Presidents: Barbara Siegel & Sherri Zucker onto Zoom and providing a ba- You will be entertained by famous Jewish actors and Board: Paul Bartrop • Karen Fine • Helene Glocer sic lesson so you will be able to authors who have made an impact on Judaism. We Carolyn Gora • Jerry Greenfield • Elisa Grossman participate in all of our virtual are partnering with other Federations from around the Andi Horowitz • Linda Idelson • Marsha Kistler • Sara Krivisky Michele Laboda • Rozzi Osterman • William Reynolds programming. Just give me a country to bring you events that may not have even Sylvia Simko • Brian Simon • Robert Thomas call or send me an email. Trust been possible before the virus due to budget restric- Executive Director: Alan Isaacs Program Director: Debbie Sanford me, you can do it! tions for guest fees and travel related fees – a plus in Executive Assistant: Lori Ramos We have made the deci- my eyes. Jewish Family Services: Jodi Cohen n n Debbie sion, based on our survey and I hope we can maintain a sense of normalcy Editor/Designer: Ted Epstein (239) 249-0699 Sanford the climate of this virus around through the upcoming season. I hope you know we Advertising: Lori Ramos (239) 481-4449 x5 our area, that most of our 2020-21 season of pro- care about you and your well-being. I hope you enjoy n gramming will be virtual, including our Jewish Film the meaningful and engaging Jewish programming L’CHAYIM invites correspondence on subjects of interest to th Jewish people. Partisan political opinions will not be published, Festival in February. It is the 25 anniversary of our we offer you. but opinions on subjects affecting the Jewish community are festival and nothing will stop us from bringing a stim- Stay well and I hope to see you soon. 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 Jewish Family Services update right to edit for space and content. Photographs should be clear, black-and-white or color By Jodi Cohen, Senior Outreach & Food Pantry Coordinator prints. If you wish a photograph returned, include a stamped, self-addressed envelope of appropriate size. started learning Improv many, many moons ago. is always occurring. It made such a difference know- The Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties disclaims My director’s mantra was, “Let the physical lead ing that my father’s kitchen things, linens, towels responsibility or endorsement of the views expressed by the you,” meaning, “Get out of your head and let your and beaucoup cleaning products were going to help writers and claims by advertisers. I body react.” The body is always communicating. someone. I also shared furniture that helped our client How do I know this? Because of the woman who create a new home. For every memory, there is indeed NOVEMBER ISSUE IN STANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • INSTANT CASH • N stood on the porch and said “thank you” as her hand a blessing. • S T H A moved to her heart, as if she was going to recite the The Federation’s small but mighty food pantry is S N EDITORIAL DEADLINE: A C T Pledge of Allegiance, and her running smoothly because of the ongoing hard work T C A N S Thursday, October 8 eyes filled with tears. Or the and dedication of so many volunteers. Everyone has A H T S • woman who just grabbed me their own flair and forte when it comes to taking care N I I N • BUYING! HIGHEST PRICES PAID! and hugged me, pandemic be of the pantry. It is indeed a gift to get to know the lives S T H A damned, after I gave her enough and stories of all those who choose to give back to the S ALL DIAMOND JEWELRY • WATCHES • ANTIQUES • ART OBJECTS • OIL PAINTINGS N A To donate to the Federation’s C T T quarters for several loads of community in this way. I would like to thank Arnie C A N GIVE BRUCE KODNER GALLERIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS!! S A H Annual Campaign, laundry after she had been liv- Flakowitz, Barbara Gribin, Carol Sweeney, Carolyn T S • N ing in her car for a month. Or Gora, Doreen Kostel, Elise Sewall, Karen Whitman, I I N • GOLD & SILVER COINS PAPER CURRENCY 14kt • 18kt • 22kt GOLD call 239.481.4449 the man who literally fell to his Laurie McConville, Laurie Morris, Nancy Swanson, S T H A n Jodi Cohen S N knees when I told him that I had Robert Thomas, Ron Reed, Ruth Lefberg and Sari A C 3rd Generation Expertise • Call Today T IMMEDIATE PAYMENT — HIGHEST PRICES PAID or visit T gas and food gift cards for him. Recently a woman Simon. I also thank everyone who responded to the C A N S A H folded her hands together, as if in prayer, and said, call for volunteers. T S JewishFederationLCC.org • N I “How can we ever thank you for everything?” The Thank you for all that you do and the spirit in I N • DIAMONDS • SAPPHIRES • RUBIES • EMERALDS body is always revealing the vulnerability, relief and which you do it. S T H A S N gratitude of the clients that the Federa- A C T T OUR MISSION C tion is privileged to serve. These times BUYING ALL HIGHWAYMEN OIL PAINTINGS: A N S A H are tough, the stakes are high. T S To strengthen and enrich the Jewish • N I BEANIE BACKUS Your contributions enable the Fed- I Community by providing and supporting N • S eration to provide food and emergency T philanthropic, educational and social H A S HAROLD NEWTON • ALFRED HAIR N assistance to people living in Lee and A C T service programs locally, in Israel and T C A throughout the world. Charlotte counties, regardless of reli- N Rolex • Cartier • Patek Philippe • Tiffany • Bvlgari & all Wrist and Pocket Watches S A H T S gion or background. You do not have to Buccellati • Chimento • David Webb • David Yurman • Cartier • Tiffany • Harry Winston • John Hardy • Chopard • N I I be Jewish in order to receive help from N • Mid Century Furniture, Oil Paintings & Accessories: Andy Warhol • Calder • Miró • George Nelson • Le Pho • Peter Max OUR VISION S T the Federation. In August, the Federation H A S Paul Evans • Phillip Laverne • Nakashima • Dunbar • Frank Lloyd Wright • Vladimir Kagan • Dunbar • Charles Eams • Knoll N A C A Jewish Community that is based on was able to provide assistance to clients T T C A Jewish values such as Tzedakah for their rent, electric bills, car repair and N S A H T S (benevolence), Tikkun Olam (repairing medicine.