2012 Focus - Summer

A publication of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach CountyVolume Five | Issue Three

Summer 2012

Moving “Towards Tomorrow” Exploring the Jewish communities of Brazil and Greece Tasting the Flavors of Israel Planning for the Lion of Judah Conference in New York Celebrating Jewish Teen Accomplishments

Years of Building Community Together

The Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is dedicated to strengthening Jewish identity, energizing the relationship with Israel, and meeting human needs locally and globally.

Jeanne Levy Jewish Community Campus4601 Community Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33417

JewishPalmBeach.org • (561) 478-0700

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE

(800) 435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION NUMBER IS CH41.

Focus is a publication produced for the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. Focus is published in March, June and December. Copyright 2012 with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial and graphic content in any manner without permission is prohibited. Known office of publication is 4601 Community Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33417-2760.

If you have questions regarding newsletter content, please call the Marketing and Communications Department at 561-242-6633. If you have questions relating to mailing information or need to make an address change, please call the Donor Information Services Department at 561-242-6618.

PresidentMark F. Levy

Chief Executive OfficerDavid Phillips

Jewish Federations of North Americajewishfederations.org

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committeejdc.org

The Jewish Agency for Israeljafi.org

The Ethiopian National Projectenp.org.il

LOCAL PARTNER AGENCIES

Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academymeyeracademy.com

Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Servicejfcsonline.com

Jewish Community Center of the Greater Palm Beachesjcconline.com

Lorraine & Jack N. Friedman Commission for Jewish Education of the Palm Beachescjepb.org

Lola and Saul Kramer Senior Services Agency, Inc., a subsidiary of MorseLifemorselife.org

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

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h i g h l i g h t sMessage from Federation President Mark F. levy and CEO David Phillips

Enthusiasm and Encouragement highlight Federation’s 50th Annual Meeting

Judith A. levy to be honored at lion of Judah Conference in september

L’hitraot, Emissary Chen Amir

teens and Youth groups shine Bright at Night of stars Event

Making Jewish Overnight Camp Affordable for local Families

Jewish stars

together, We Make Campaign 2012 strong

turn Your Charitable Passions into long-term Philanthropy

savor the Flavor of israel from the Jewish soul Food Delegation

local Philanthropists tour Jewish Communities in Brazil

One People: from Palm Beach County to israel and greece

Jewish Women’s Foundation Awards Funding to Benefit Women and girls

JCC Wins two National Awards at Conference

generous Donors Benefit Community with Program at the Ferd & gladys Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s service

Arthur i. Meyer Jewish Academy Eighth graders Conclude studies with trip to israel

Register Now for the lorraine & Jack N. Friedman Commission for Jewish Education’s Florence Melton Adult Mini-school

Morselife Acquires Clinical staffing Company in Boynton Beach

A R O u N D F E D E R A t i O N

J e w i s h P a l m B e a c h . o r g J E W i s h F E D E R A t i O N O F P A l M B E A C h C O u N t Y 2

A M E s s A g E F R O M t h E P R E s i D E N t A N D C E O

Mark F. Levy, President David Phillips, CEO

As this season’s final edition of Focus reaches you, Federation finds itself deep in preparation for our 2013 year. We have been fortunate to once again recruit some wonderful members of our community who will be helping us in various areas of our organization, including (but not limited to) Hope Silverman, who will serve as Campaign 2013 Annual Campaign Chair; Sanford M. Baklor, Treasurer and Ira Gerstein as Administrative Management & Financial Oversight Chair; and our newest Board of Directors members Barbara Mines, Alan Newman, Debra Shapiro, Harvey Siegel, Craig Storch and Stephen Weinberg. How lucky we are to have leaders in Palm Beach County whose passion is to ensure a vibrant community and a strategic pathway forward.

Before we can move ahead, however, we need to work together to make Campaign 2012 strong. As you are no doubt aware, our 2012 campaign year remains a priority and we are making every effort to bring in all the gifts we possibly can. It’s a challenge but we continue to make progress, thanks to our volunteers, staff and donors, who never shy away from doing the right thing. If you have yet to make your commitment to Campaign 2012, please think about taking care of that right now. We encourage you to encourage your friends to do the same. We’ve enclosed an envelope in the centerfold of this newsletter, so you can conveniently return your gift. If you’ve already given, perhaps you’ll consider an additional gift. We’re all working hard to support the vital programs and services provided by our local and international partners. Every gift to Federation makes a real difference.

Thank you so much for your consideration. Let’s all tap into our resources of passion and action so that we can continue to serve children, seniors and everyone in-between. Let’s all harness our

power to do good for our Jewish community…today.

Enjoy this summer issue of Focus – as well as all that the season holds for you and your loved ones. We look forward to continuing our dialogue with you in the fall. We know you have a lot to say and we want you to know that we’ll be listening! If you have any comments, thoughts or just want to talk with us – please feel free to be in touch at [email protected].

B’Shalom,


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“This is a time of hope, dreams and aspirations for our Jewish community,” said David Phillips. “It is time to look ahead to our next half-century of impact. Federation is prepared to be the catalyst for thoughtful, dynamic and well-managed change that will make us a stronger, more vital Jewish community.”

Echoing Phillips’s sentiments, 50th Anniversary Chair Zelda Mason added, “Over the course of our history, we have learned that when we work together we work better, we work stronger and we work smarter. Communal synergy will give us the future we all hope and dream of.”

In addition to Phillips’s keynote – “Towards Tomorrow “ – event highlights included:

› The installation of the 2013 Officers and Board of Directors by Rabbi Howard Shapiro. Officers on the new slate include President Mark F. Levy; Vice Presidents Rick Baer, Hal Danenberg, Gary S. Lesser, Vivian Lieberman, Sam Liebovich, Bente S. Lyons and Hope Silverman; Treasurer Sanford M. Baklor; Assistant Treasurer Max Adler; Secretary Barry Fineberg; Assistant Secretary Tami Baldinger; and Jewish Community Campus Corporation President Ronald Pertnoy.

› Presentation of the Robert S. and Ceil N. Levy Young Leadership Awards to Shaina Rappoport and Andrew R. Comiter, made possible through the generosity of its namesakes – members of Federation’s Pillars Society – through their philanthropic fund.

› The Emerging Leadership Project (ELP) Class of 2012 graduation, following two years of participation in sessions featuring scholars, philanthropists, as well as volunteer and professional leadership in the Jewish community on a variety of topics covering the themes of leadership, Jewish peoplehood, and advocacy and

social action. The class, who received plaques of recognition from Arlene Kaufman and Sanford M. Baklor, included Elliot Ellis, Sam Fisch, Adam Hecht, Dana Collier Herst, Benjamin Klein, Joshua LeRoy, Josh Pertnoy, Marshall Rosenbach, Jonathan Saltzburg, Marc Schafler, Jonathan Schneider, Kevin Shapiro, Seth Sheitelman, Holly Sokoloff, Muriel Strosberg and Beth Wayne.

› A video celebrating 50 years of Jewish community.

50th Anniversary Chair Zelda Mason with Federation President Mark F. Levy.

Enthusiasm and Encouragement Highlight the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s 2012 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting

Nearly 300 people attended the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting on May 10, featuring a keynote address by Federation CEO David Phillips, at Lands of the President Country Club in West Palm Beach.

The Emerging Leadership Project Class of 2012.

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A number of people completing their terms of service in significant leadership roles were acknowledged as well, including: Hal Danenberg, following two years as Annual Campaign Chair; Amy Jonas, completing two years as Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair; Sanford M. Baklor, finishing six years as chairman of Planned Giving & Endowments; Mitchell Fromstein, concluding four years as chairman of the Administrative Management and Financial Oversight Committee; and Arlene Kaufman, who chaired the search committee that brought Federation’s new CEO to the community.

Also saluted were the chairs of our community-wide campaign events: Marjorie Berg, Lynn Kaston, Jennifer Lesser and Sheila Engelstein for Pride of our Lions: A Celebration of Women’s Philanthropy; Nancy C. and Joel B. Hart for the Prime Minister’s Council Event; Jill and Jeffrey Fenster for Campaign Opening; Lisa and David Lickstein for Super Sunday; and Arlene Kline, Kevin Shapiro and Craig Storch for Big Nite Out.

All these individuals received limited-edition Federation 50th Anniversary recognition plaques that were created by the Armory Art Center. Additional plaques were distributed to IberiaBank, Dignity Memorial, Bill Meyer’s NuVista Living, Lesser, Lesser Landy & Smith, PNC Bank, PNC Wealth Management, The Palm Beach Post, Wells Fargo and WPTV NewsChannel 5 for their corporate sponsorship of Federation events throughout the 2012 Campaign year.

IberiaBank was the lead event sponsor for the Annual Meeting, with additional support provided by MBAF, Argonaut Productions, Blue Sky Productions and Preferred Printing.

Log onto http://jewishpalmbeach.org/community/feature/ to see video highlights.

Federation asks all community members to share their dreams for our collective future. Comments may be made online at JewishPalmBeach.org or via email to [email protected].

Representatives of IberiaBank, the event’s lead sponsor.


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Federation Past President Judith A. Levy will receive the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award, one of the highest recognitions in Jewish women’s philanthropy, at the International Lion of Judah Conference in New York City in September. The award is presented to a woman from each North American Jewish community who exemplifies the spirit of the Lion of Judah program, which has become an international standard of women’s charitable giving.

The announcement of the honor was made at the Pride of Our Lions event at The Mar-a-Lago Club in February with Norma Kipnis-Wilson, one of the founders of the internationally recognized Lion of Judah program, in attendance.

Levy’s history of commitment to the Jewish people and her outstanding leadership in the Jewish Federation movement and Jewish causes began when she was in high school. She honed her fundraising and leadership skills with the Jewish Federation in Boston – formally known as Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston – eventually becoming the Campaign Chairman of the Women’s Division. She pursued the concept of “a dollar a day” to encourage women’s philanthropy. She also served in numerous major leadership roles for the general campaign and became the first woman in Boston to hold a major position of responsibility in the general campaign. In the early 1980s, Judith was elected as National Chairman of United Jewish Appeal’s (UJA) Women’s Division. She then went on to serve as its President.

When Judith and her husband, Allyn, moved to Palm Beach more than 25 years ago, she became active with the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. During that time, she chaired the Palm Beach National UJA Women’s Division Lion of Judah event. She served as a Vice President of the Federation and then became heavily involved with fundraising, both in the Women’s Division and the Annual Campaign. In addition to having served as Federation’s President, she serves on the board of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), one of Federation’s overseas partner agencies, and is the vice chairman of its Russia committee. Judith also serves on the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts’ Advisory Board. She maintains a strong link in Boston, serving on the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Board of Overseers.

Her commitment to world Jewry is demonstrated by her extensive travels around the globe. Having been to Israel more than 50 times since 1959, she has also traveled to Russia, India, Eastern Europe and, recently, Brazil, all to make contact with Jewish communities and bring their message back home.

A “woman of valor,” Levy continues her lifetime commitment impacting Jewish people around the world.

DID YOU KNOW? The Lion of Judah program, which was started in Miami, has brought together 17,000 women to play an essential role in building Jewish identity. The 14-karat gold diamond-inset Lion of Judah pin has become recognized throughout the world as a symbol of Jewish women’s philanthropy. Call 561-242-6666 or email [email protected] for more information about the Lion of Judah program.

Norma Kipnis-Wilson, co-founder of The Lion of Judah program, with Federation Past President Judith A. Levy, the recipient of this year’s Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award.

Judith A. Levy Receives Women’s Philanthropy Honor

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Dear Friends:

I wanted to share some personal reflections after serving for two years as the Israeli shlicha (emissary) to the Jewish community of the greater Palm Beaches.

I grew up in a secular family in Givatayim, Israel, a small town outside of Tel Aviv. Secular to me meant that we observed all the holidays and followed traditions. Judaism in my eyes was a given characteristic that was a part of my Israeli identity. “What makes you Jewish?” I was once asked by the Jewish Agency for Israel representative who interviewed me for the position. My answer was quick and didn’t really require much thought. “I’m Israeli,” I said. After a moment or two, I added, “My history, my roots, Friday night dinners at my sister’s house, where we recite Kiddush and light candles.” I felt like I was caught by surprise and I was a bit shaken by the question because nobody before had ever asked me such a thing.

I remember thinking about my answer and feeling that I missed something, but wasn’t quite sure what. After spending two years in a Jewish community outside of Israel, I can tell you that I took my Judaism for granted. Growing up, my parents didn’t have to worry about sending me to get a proper Jewish education because the school system was Jewish. They did not have to send me to Hebrew school because Hebrew

was the language that we grew up speaking. The Jewish holidays were celebrated nationally; on Yom Kippur as well as on Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) and Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day), the

country stopped. After living in the Jewish community of the greater Palm Beaches, I have learned how much time, love, faith, dedication, will and commitment it requires to be Jewish, to stay connected and to pass on that sense of community to future generations. The experiences of the past two years and the

children, teens, adults and professionals that I have met made me realize that there is something more to my Jewishness than being a proud Israeli who celebrates

holidays and cherishes our history. I am Jewish because I am a part of the Jewish people. I am a part of something that is bigger than me, and that requires my dedication and commitment. I believe in community, and I feel that I belong because I want to constantly learn and deepen my connection to and knowledge of Judaism. I also want to share that learning with my Jewish peers. Two years ago, I came to Palm Beach County with a strong Israeli identity. This summer, I am returning to Israel the same Israeli, but with a much stronger Jewish identity and commitment to the state of Israel and the Jewish people as a whole.

– Chen Amir

Israeli Emissary Reflects on Her Two Years in Palm Beach County

Chen Amir (center) with Becca Grabinic and Daniel Cordes at Temple Beth Torah.



10 Things I like about Palm Beach County

1. The Jewish community.

2. The amazing Jewish organizations and agencies.

3. The committed teens and youth professionals who are really looking after the future of this community.

4. Going to Shabbat services at a different synagogue each week and always feeling welcome.

5. Knowing that this community really looks after and supports the State of Israel and the Israeli people.

6. The “I want to introduce you to…” No matter where I went and who I met, people were always trying to find a shidduch (a match) for me.

7. Winter: the fact that no matter how cold it may be everywhere else in the world – it is still warm and sunny here.

8. The “good mornings:” the fact that no matter where I went, everyone would always greet me and ask how I was.

9. SunFest: need I say more?

10. And last but not least, driving on the highway, because even though I-95 has some really crazy drivers, they don’t compare to the crazy drivers on Route 1, Ayalon or Route 6 in Israel!


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Throughout the year, Jewish teens – with school, athletics and extracurricular activities – find time to dedicate themselves to the Jewish community. In May, their commitment, along with the outstanding work of all the local teen programs and youth groups, teen leaders and graduating seniors, was honored at the Night of Stars event attended by more than 130 people. The event is sponsored by Federation’s Jewish Teen Initiative and the Lorraine and Jack N. Friedman Commission for Jewish Education of the Palm Beaches.

This year marked the presentation of the first annual Sidney Faber Memorial Award for outstanding lay leaders who work with teens. Sidney Faber, who died at 95 years old, was a local philanthropist who supported teen programs in the community. His passion for building Jewish identity in community teens was evident when he attended local Jewish teen programming and every youth Shabbat at Temple Beit HaYam in Stuart. Amy Alpert and Wendy Benoit from the congregation received the inaugural Sidney Faber Memorial Award.

Awards were also presented to youth groups and programs of excellence, as well as outstanding high school seniors who were recognized for their contributions to the local Jewish community over the past four years. The highest honor awarded every year is the Kochavim Zorchim award to outstanding high school seniors, which was awarded to Sarah Baldinger, Marisa Goldfinger and Rebecca Levine.

“Because of the programs I participated in during high school through the Jewish community, I am now more aware of the challenges that Jewish students who are active in their community face while away at college,” said Marisa Goldfinger, summing up her experience as a teen in the community. “I am prepared for whatever people throw at me, and am willing to stick up for what I believe and who I am. Israel is a part of me and I will not let anyone take that away from me, in any sense. I am so grateful for all the opportunities and experiences that I have had being a part of the Jewish community.”

Community Celebrates Teens’ Accomplishments

Six teens from the Friedman Commission for Jewish Education’s Teen Tzedakah Project’s Leadership Council present their 2012 allocations.

Matthew Weisberg receives an award on behalf of Temple Judea’s social program.

Melissa Dinkin, Samantha Kitroser and Dylan Barr, representing Temple Shaarei Shalom, Temple Judea and Temple Beth Torah respectively, receive a program award for their HavdaLatte program.

Know a teen who isn’t connected to the Jewish Teen Initiative? Call 561-615-4947 or email [email protected] so they can join the more than 3,500 Jewish middle and high school students in the greater Palm Beaches for a wide range of educational, spiritual and social programs.

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Federation allocated about $100,000 in camp scholarship and grants to 90 families in the greater Palm Beaches to make camp more affordable and available this summer. Need-based scholarships of up to $1,500 and $1,000 One Happy Camper grants for first-time campers were available to families that qualified.

“The Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County went out of its way to help me figure out the process,” said one local parent. “I couldn’t have done this for my daughter without their help.”

Over the last decade, researchers at the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) have studied involvement in 26 Jewish communities in America, and have interviewed 2.75 million Jewish adults to gauge their involvement and feelings regarding Judaism, the Jewish community and Israel. In their 2010 landmark study, Camp Works, the FJC proves that as adults, Jewish camp alumni are:

› 21 percent more likely to feel that being Jewish is very important› 45 percent more likely to attend synagogue monthly› 25 percent more likely to donate to a Jewish charity› 55 percent more likely to feel emotionally connected to Israel› 37 percent more likely to light Shabbat candles

“Camp Works clearly proves that Jewish overnight camp inspires a lifelong commitment to Jewish living,” said FJC CEO Jeremy Fingerman. “As the North American Jewish community strives to find ways to evoke Jewish practice and passion in their children and families, Camp Works proves that camp should be high on the docket.”

Last year, 70,000 Jewish campers attended a non-profit Jewish overnight camp. In addition to the traditional camp practices of bonfires and s’mores, the Jewish community has specialty camps that cater to the unique interests of the campers. Camps are as diverse as the Jewish community itself. Some campers will choose to kayak the Pacific Northwest or hike the Blue Ridge Mountains; others will attend theater camp on Broadway in New York City. Overnight Jewish camps are available for children with autism and other special needs, as well as athletic camps with college coaches as counselors.

The consistency among all campers is how they feel when they return home. “Camp is the best,” said one camper. “I have never loved being Jewish as much as I do when I’m at camp. It’s my second home.”

According to one local parent, “Because of the enjoyment they had at Shabbat services at camp, they now regularly request to attend Shabbat services at our synagogue, which is something they never used to do.”

Call 561-615-4953 or email [email protected] for more information on overnight Jewish summer camps or for information regarding scholarships and incentive grants to send a child to camp.

Federation Helps Families Make Overnight Camp More Affordable

Studies show that an overnight Jewish camp experience has great potential in keeping a Jewish teen active and engaged in the Jewish community when they become an adult. Federation demonstrates its long-standing belief in the transformative power of an overnight Jewish camp experience through its support of financial aid and camp scholarships provided to families.

J E W i s h s t A R s

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Annual MeetingRobert S. and Ceil N. Levy Young Leadership Award winner Andrew R. Comiter (not pictured is Shaina Rappoport, who also received the award)

Women’s PhilanthropyPride of Our Lions: A Celebration of Women’s PhilanthropyWomen’s Philanthropy President Vivian Lieberman, Event Co-Chairs Marjorie Berg, Lynn Kaston and Jennifer Lesser, Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair Amy Jonas

Applause EventEvent Co-Chairs Helen Bix and Lisa Zwig Gerstein

Super SundayJessica Lickstein, Event Co-Chair Lisa Lickstein, Macyn Sacks


J e w i s h P a l m B e a c h . o r g J E W i s h F E D E R A t i O N O F P A l M B E A C h C O u N t Y 1 0

Ethan Bronner ProgramHelen Hoffman, Dan Abraham, journalist and author Ethan Bronner, Barbara Kay

Step Up for IsraelFederation CEO David Phillips, Temple Emanu-El President Tony Lampert, JerusalemOnlineU.com Managing Director Matthew Weisbaum, Federation President Mark F. Levy, Hillel President and CEO Wayne L. Firestone, S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace President Robert Wexler

Harvard Professor and Author Alan Dershowitz

Raise Your GlassDana Herst, Jeff CollierDominique Matalon, Eric Rozen

Abraham Project

Abraham Project

Abraham Project


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Israel in the CityRabbis Shlomo Goldstein, Anthony Fratello, Gabriel Ohayon, Leonid Feldman, Cookie Olshein Yaron Kapitulnik, Barry Silver, Alan Sherman and Moshe Scheiner

Networking Breakfast with Dr. Jackson KatzB&P Marketing Committee Co-Chair Brian M. Seymour, past B&P Chair Tony Lampert, Dr. Jackson Katz, B&P Cabinet member David Stateman, Jewish Community Campus Corporation President Ron Pertnoy

Society Level Event:B&P Campaign Chair Barry S. Berg, B&P Vice Chair David Lickstein, B&P Chair Jim Baldinger, Federation CEO David Phillips, Federation President Mark F. Levy

Big Nite OutEvent Co-Chairs Kevin Shapiro and Arlene Kline, actor Jason Alexander, Event Co-Chair Craig Storch

Business & Professions (B&P)

B&P

B&P

B&P



Ibis Golf & Country Club Cocktails and ConversationCampaign Co-Chairs Barry Feinberg and Lynn Kaston

Next Gen Jewish Palm Beach Movie NightAndrea Pertnoy, Lisa Reb

Indian Spring Games DayCampaign Management Team leaders Art Lopatin, Lois Shapiro and Mel Katzman

B&P Division/Professional Legacy Advisors Network (PLAN) Federation and Partner Agency MissionStars Society inductee Gary Krieger, PLAN Chair Michael L. Kohner, Stars Society inductee Joel Yudenfreund


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Can we count on you to make a meaningful pledge to Campaign 2012 today? Thank you, in advance, for joining our growing community that gives back, making a difference around

the corner and around the world.

Together We Are Stronger. Contribute Now to Campaign 2012

Call 561-615-4959 to make a gift to Campaign 2012, or visit our secure online donation page at JewishPalmBeach.org. Are you a philanthropist? It’s easy to become one! Let us know what being a philanthropist means to you at facebook.com/jewishpalmbeach.

It’s no secret that when you do good, you feel good. Giving is part of the Jewish DNA; tradition and our parents teach us that we are responsible for one another. When we perform acts of tzedakah, we help our fellow Jew, work to make the world a better place and put our core values into action.

Fortunately, compassion, philanthropy, generosity and responsibility thrive in the Jewish community of the greater Palm Beaches. We have seen, time and again, how much sharing takes place in our midst – from the giving of time to the sharing of ideas and, yes, donations to support Federation’s mission.

We need you now. We understand that everyone has been impacted by today’s economic uncertainty – at the gas pump, in the stock market and our own pockets. When the economy is challenging, it’s even more important to give because more people need our services and the cost of doing business has increased.

Only you can decide how much you can give; every gift counts towards:› Bringing comfort and hope to Jewish families who are hurting› Providing financial assistance for Jews in crisis and counseling to those in distress› Feeding and caring for our most vulnerable› Educating our children and promoting lifelong Jewish learning› Supporting people who do not have families to rely upon› Helping our global Jewish community

Anyone can be a philanthropist!A child in our local community said, “I give tzedakah every week in school. It makes my heart feel good.”

From a teen making fruit baskets for abused women in a local shelter, we heard, “Anyone – and everyone – can help others.”

A college student said, “I may be living on a student budget, but I still give back to the Jewish community that gave so much to me.”

A young mother said, “All of my ‘titles’– wife, mother, daughter, chauffeur, coach, counselor and philanthropist – are so important to me.”

From the business world, a similar sentiment was communicated, “Why do I give to Federation? It always shows a great return on investment for my family and the Jewish community,” said one local professional.

And from a senior, who has relied on Federation and its partner agencies’ services for years, came this statement, “Why do I give to Federation? It’s simple: Jews help Jews. If we don’t, who will? Tzedakah is a mitzvah.”



Lessons Learned by Children Make More Informed Adults

Mae Herman Askinas taught English in West Hartford, Connecticut for 15 years. As a teacher, she brought what she learned through formal education and her life lessons into the classroom. Although Mae and her parents were fortunate that they did not experience the Holocaust, the rest of her family was not as fortunate. She heard many stories growing up about an extended family she would never know.

“I wanted my students to be informed about prejudice, bigotry and hatred,” Mae said. “I wanted them to know that the Holocaust is not a myth. I had them read books like ‘Sophie’s Choice,’ ‘The Diary of Anne Frank,’ and other works that gave them an appreciation of injustice in the world. I did this in the form of a ninth grade project that culminated with a term paper. I hoped that this might be a positive influence in their lives.”

Now, many years later, Mae has found a way to express her passion for education and teaching the lessons of the Holocaust through the newly created Mae Herman Askinas Fund, a designated endowment with the Federation. The purpose of the fund is to promote “Jewish learning” in the public schools. Mae Herman Askinas’ legacy of teaching the lessons of the Holocaust will be perpetuated through this charitable fund.

Leveraging Philanthropy: Goodman Challenge Grant

Larry Goodman is a philanthropist and a pragmatist. He cares deeply about people and their well-being, and he expresses his philanthropy through a network of charitable funds and foundations he created in his name and that of his late wife, Lillian. One of his charitable passions is hunger relief. Federation, in partnership with the Lola and Saul Kramer Senior Services Agency, Inc., a subsidiary of MorseLife, addresses the issue of hunger relief for the frail elderly through its Senior Subsidies program, specifically Meals-On-Wheels and Homebound Mitzvah programs.

Recognizing the need to make sure that these programs are adequately funded, Goodman proposed a matching grant from the Larry and Lillian Goodman Philanthropic Fund, a component donor advised fund of the Federation. A matching grant is a practical way to leverage other charitable dollars for a particular philanthropic program. In this case, the Goodman Fund will give $2 for every $1 committed by other donors, funds or foundations up to a maximum of $300,000 over two years. One matching grant has been committed by Wells Fargo Bank through its charitable foundation.

Whether one’s charitable passion takes the form of a permanent endowment, like Mae Herman Askinas’s, or more of an entrepreneurial approach through a matching grant commitment, like Larry Goodman’s, the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County can help you articulate your charitable passions and make the world a better place.

Philanthropy with PassionYou don’t have to be wealthy to be a philanthropist, but you do have to be a person who wants to improve the human condition. Philanthropy brings out the best in people, regardless of their wealth. it is the essence of tikkun olam, repairing the world.

Most philanthropists want to improve the human condition and fulfill certain charitable passions through their giving. the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County works with donors to help them articulate those charitable passions through endowments, the use of their private foundations and other special funds. the following examples reflect how donors can give voice to their charitable passions.

Contact the Planned Giving & Endowments Department at 561-615-4930 or email [email protected] to learn more about creating a permanent Jewish legacy or a family charitable fund.

Mae Herman Askinas and Walter Askinas.

Larry Goodman.


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Israeli Women Turn Love of Cooking into a Thriving Business

Recently, local residents sampled and enjoyed the many exotic and aromatic dishes of Northern Africa and Israel that were prepared by nine Israeli women who have turned their love for cooking into a growing business, thanks to Federation’s Partnership 2Gether program.

The nine women are part of a group of 30 Jewish women from Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt who have developed a catering cooperative that provides opportunities for women to become entrepreneurs through their culinary skills, some of which have been passed down for generations. Their traditional dishes are sold in local markets and at a variety of annual regional festivals. They also cater events in private homes and wedding celebrations. In addition to the business opportunity, the program’s goal is to showcase the variety of ethnic backgrounds of the Tzahar Region’s residents and build a tourist attraction through these efforts. Similar programs have been successfully created in other parts of Israel.

“In a very short time, this program has empowered women economically, personally and socially as they delve into their own history and origins, explore their familial roots and traditions, and build a social network of women who cope with similar challenges of poverty, unemployment and low self-esteem,” said Iris Toledano, Federation’s staff representative in the Tzahar Region. “Each event they

produce and each session they participate in gives them

a feeling of success.”

During their 10-day stay in the area, the women, calling themselves the Jewish Soul Food Delegation from the Tzahar Region city of Hatzor Haglilit, prepared traditional dishes such as mufleta (a crepe dipped in honey that is traditionally eaten at the end of Passover), cholent (a stew that is prepared Friday evening to be eaten during Shabbat) and falafel, among other dishes. They shared these and other foods at local synagogues, private homes and at the Israel in the City event held in honor of Israel’s 64th anniversary.

They also brought with them plenty of spices, such as sumac, fenugreek, nutmeg, pepper, ginger, which each cook mixes by hand and creates her own special spice mixture for cooking. Their individuality was also demonstrated as they explained how they prepare their meals.

“My mother told me not to use a lot of water when you are cooking the fish,” said Bracha Ben-Ezra, explaining her cooking methods to a group of adults at the Lore and Eric F. Ross JCC in Boynton Beach. “The fish has already been in enough water.

Federation’s long-standing partnership with the Tzahar Region of Israel provides many opportunities for the greater Palm Beaches and Israel to connect. But, until recently, the connection never tasted so good!

The Jewish Soul Food Delegation with some of their homemade treats.



Recipes from the Jewish Soul Food Delegation Stuffed Chicken

Ingredients: 1 whole chicken, approx. 3 pounds18 ounces of ground beef 3 ½ ounces raisins 3 large onions 3 tablespoons sugar

¼ teaspoon cinnamon Pinch of black pepper ½ cup bulgar 3 tablespoons oil 4 tablespoons honey

Preparation: 1. Wash the chicken and place in a strainer 2. Cut up the onion into long strips and fry until golden. 3. Place the onion in a bowl, add the rest of the ingredients, except the honey, and mix well.4. Stuff the chicken with the mixture and close with two skewers.5. Rub the honey over the chicken, put it in a pan, cover with aluminum foil and bake at 300° for 90 minutes.6. Remove the foil and return to the oven for an additional 30 minutes until golden brown.

Baked Butternut Squash Ingredients:2 pounds butternut squash1 pound sweet potatoes1 pound pumpkin 1 onion 1 cup raisins

3 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon white pepper 1 teaspoon salt

Preparation: 1. Peel the squash, sweet potatoes and pumpkin; cut into strips.2. Fry the onion together with the raisins and spices.3. Place the squash in a pan and pour the sauce over it.4. Bake in a 200° oven for 60-90 minutes.

Hemda Harila Soup Ingredients for 50 portions:1 pound chickpeas1 packet of parsley1 celery root with leaves 1 pound onion1 cup green lentils1 tomato

2 tablespoons of squeezed lemon juice2 tablespoons of oil½ cup of flourWater as needed

Preparation:1. Soak the chickpeas overnight.2. Fry the onion. Finely chop the parsley and the celery, and add to the fried onion. Steam everything together.3. Peel the tomatoes and finely dice. Add all the ingredients to the mixture and cook for about 90 minutes together with the water.4. Add the flour and mix continually until the mixture becomes uniform, without any lumps.5. Add the lemon and cook another five minutes while stirring; turn off the flame.

This 3-year-old program is supported by the Federation through its Partnership 2Gether program of the Jewish Agency for Israel, one of Federation’s overseas partners. Federation has partnered with the Tzahar Region, comprising the cities of Tzfat, Rosh Pina and Hatzor Haglilit, for more than 15 years. Call 561-242-6687 or email [email protected] for more information on Israel and Overseas projects.

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Federation Philanthropists Fly to Brazil

Jewish history in Brazil dates back to the voyages of Christopher Columbus. Today, approximately 120,000 Jews live in the country, the 10th largest Jewish community in the world.

Sign near the tzedakah box at a synagogue.

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This past April, 13 local philanthropists participated in a mission to Brazil, chaired by Judith A. Levy, spending six days immersed in the culture and history of the Brazilian Jewish community, visiting São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where they:

› Heard about Jewish life in Brazil from local community leaders› Visited iconic sites› Encountered the latest developments in politics, business and culture in a country ready to become a world leader, along with China and India

“These two communities are – for the most part – independent of outside financial help,” Levy said. “One of the major things we learned is the commitment of the wealthier families of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, who have realized that it’s their responsibility to the Jewish community to support what they have.”

São Paulo is home to Brazil’s largest Jewish population, with nearly half of the Jews in Brazil residing in this most populous city, a significant cultural center. The community is benefited by the city’s Jewish Federation, which is affiliated with more than 65 agencies involved with religious, education, welfare, culture, politics, fund raising, youth, media, sports, medical services, senior care and funeral arrangements. São Paulo is home to the largest congregation on the continent: the Congregacao Israelita Paulista, an Ashkenazi synagogue with 2,000 members that attracts 600-700 people on an average Friday night. At the center of Jewish social life is the Club Hebraica, the largest, most important Jewish community center in São Paulo. Founded 54 years ago, it is the largest Jewish organization in Brazil, with 25,000 members engaging in sports, leisure and entertainment, culture, education and religious teaching activities. It has auditoriums, an art gallery, amphitheater, restaurants, a disco, two theaters, tennis courts, swimming pools, a gymnasium, kindergarten, civic center, playgrounds,



a fitness center and children’s art workshop. While in the city, the group visited Ten Yad, a place where older, homeless and hungry Jews are treated with respect and loving kindness, and the Albert Einstein Hospital, the largest hospital in Latin America, where staffers wear medical coats emblazoned with a Star of David on the sleeves, as the hospital was a gift to the community-at-large from the Jewish community.

Rio de Janeiro has Brazil’s second-largest Jewish population, with a variety of synagogues reflecting the city’s diverse Jewish population – Ashkenazi and Sephardi, from Ultra-Orthodox to Liberal-Reform. The city has three Jewish day schools. While there, our Palm Beach County delegates attended a briefing at the U.S. Consulate on Yom HaShoah morning; met the president of the Jewish Federation in Brazil; took a cable car up to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, which offered an incredible view of the Rio de Janeiro Harbour – one of the seven natural wonders of the world; and visited the Hillel House, where they met and spoke with college students, many of whom had participated in a Birthright Israel program.

The final evening’s Shabbat brought the entire group together to share thoughts about the trip and how everyone was affected by what they saw and heard. Of her experience, participant Michelle Jacobson said, “I believe that each one of us took something back home that will help us in our quests to help build community in the Palm Beaches and maintain Jewish communities around the world.”

Mural at a Jewish day school.

Preschoolers in Brazil.


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As with other opportunities to see the impact of our dollars, it would be impossible to convey everything in writing. Even to tell the stories could take hours upon hours. However, there is one theme of this trip, articulated by a National Young Leadership Cabinet friend, that weaves its way through all of the stories: we are one people. Seeing firsthand the impact of our dollars on communities in many ways not unlike our own makes us realize the importance of our Israel and overseas commitments. The Federation system looks at Israel and overseas as separate from our local community. We understand that. And, in many ways, it makes sense. But, in other ways, it misses the point. We are one global Jewish community. We are one people. Our mandate is to repair the world, the whole world. Tikkun olam (repair of the world) is not limited to what we see on a regular basis in our backyard.

We see the needs in our community every day. We see the empty shelves of our kosher food pantry. We know the number of kids who need scholarships to attend the Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academy. We know that our synagogues are struggling to make ends meet. We know that our elderly have needs to be able to live in dignity. Every day, we see the number of unaffiliated, uninspired young Jews in our community who are not engaged and not involved. We feel the reality of being a significant minority. Every day, we live in this community and see that there is more to do.

Our community is not unique in the world. The Jews of Greece and Israel (and in every other place we have been) have exactly the same needs that we do. Seeing Jews around the world is like seeing our own reflection in a mirror. The reflections shine back at us in so many ways from the places we visited.

Even in parts of Israel, Jews are out-numbered by non-Jews. In and around our Tzahar Region, Jews are a

A Big World of One People

The sculpture was built in memory of the thousands of Jews from Thessaloniki who perished in the Holocaust. The site marks the location where Jews were rounded up before embarking on trains to concentration camps.

Editor’s Note: Lisa and Brian Seymour recently traveled to Israel with the stipend Lisa received as a 2011 recipient of Federation’s Robert S. and Ceil N. Levy Young Leadership Award. In addition, they traveled to Greece with the Jewish Federations of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet. They saw how Federation, through its overseas partners, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), has a positive impact on the Jewish communities they visited. In Israel, they visited Ramla, home to Federation’s Parents and Children Together (PACT) programs that assists the Ethiopian-Israel community, and the Tzahar Region, home of our long-standing Partnership 2Gether program with the cities of Tzfat, Rosh Pina and Hatzor Haglilit.

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minority, just like here. In Greece, the Jewish day school has more than 50 percent of their children in need of full or partial financial assistance. When we saw those kids singing the same songs and learning the same lessons as our kids, it hit home. They deserve this education as much as those we can see every day. When we went to synagogue, the songs and prayers were the same as those we sing in our synagogues. And, the challenges are the same as well – engaging the community, inspiring Jewish life and learning, and connecting Jews with our history and culture. When we said Yizkor with members of the Greek Jewish community at two Holocaust memorials in Thessaloniki and Athens – after learning about the approximately 98 percent of Greek Jews murdered during the Shoah – we said the same prayers that we say here. And, like us, they are struggling to make sure that the stories of the Shoah do not get lost in time. There is little discussion of the Sephardim who were lost; no movies have been made about the Greek Jews lost or their “hidden children.” Yet, their stories are our stories. We realized how similar we are as we sat at dinner with members of the Jewish community in Athens, discussing

raising our kids, working to infuse them with a Jewish identity as part of a minority, wanting to get them to Israel, and wanting them to marry Jewish spouses and continue to be part of the Jewish community as they grow. It was a reflection of our lives.

Our responsibilites to Jews who we cannot see every day came home with us and made an indelible impact. We do not just live in Palm Beach County. We live in a global Jewish community, a global Jewish family. We are inspired by the stories of struggle and successes of the Jewish communities in Israel and Greece. We are humbled to be a part of a group of people who, even though we cannot see them, takes care of them as if they are living among us; in a very real way, they are.

These two weeks renewed our commitment to the global Jewish community through our Federation and its overseas partners. There is so much that we have done, and so much more that we can do. When we look at the needs our community faces every day, we know that these are the same needs around the world. We are just as committed to that part of our community as the one we call home.

Visit JewishPalmBeach.org and view more photos from Lisa and Brian Seymour’s trip.

Two sixth graders at the Athens Jewish School welcome the visitors.

The rabbi of Thessaloniki addresses the participants of the Jewish Federations of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet Mission. He later led the group in a Yizkor ceremony at the city’s Holocaust memorial.

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Recently, the JWF announced its grant awards of $96,000 for the 2012-2013 funding cycle, which will benefit local and overseas organizations that advance, enhance and benefit the lives of Jewish girls and women.

“We have become, and we continue to be, very successful change agents in Palm Beach County, in Israel and in the former Soviet Union,” said JWF Chair Gloria Fine. “We accept responsibility for taking action to address issues affecting Jewish women and girls. Through JWF, we educate ourselves about these issues and discuss how we can create change that will make this world a more equitable and safe one for us, our daughters and our granddaughters.”

The following local organizations and their programs receiving funding are:

Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service’s Relationships & Decisions and Relationships and Decisions: A Parent’s Guide to Promoting Safe Relationships for their Daughters The program, which focuses on the prevention of violence and dating abuse, will expand to train additional teen facilitators to educate their peers about unhealthy associations and how to avoid them. A parallel parent training component will work with Jewish women who are interested in teaching other parents about healthy relationships for their children.

Girl Future/Independent Girls, Inc.’s You Can’t Be What You Can’t See: Reel (Role) Models for Real Life This two-part film series for girls ages 9 to 17 and their moms or caregivers will educate about the pervasive problem of negative and limiting images of women in the media that impact girls’ self-esteem and affects the rates at which girls aspire to leadership.

Jewish Community Center of the Greater Palm Beaches’ Academy of Continuing Education (ACE) Women’s Track and Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing! The first program focuses on senior women’s issues concerning traveling solo, women’s health, fitness and wellness and aging. The second program proactively addresses girls in sixth through 12th grades and uses

Jewish values and engaging activities to build their self-esteem, leadership skills and Jewish identity.

The following overseas organizations and their programs receiving funding are:

Itaach Maaki Women Lawyers for Social Justice’s Access to Justice: Employment Rights of Orthodox Women in the Education System This program will work in Israel to raise awareness of employment laws amongst religious preschool assistants and secular kindergarten teachers to encourage women’s actions to improve their employment conditions, including collective action against employers.

Eden Association’s Cinderella Project-Professional Vocational Training for Women This program helps provide opportunities for unskilled women who work for cleaning agencies in four Israeli cities to receive vocational training.

Kolech-Religious Women’s Forum’s Promoting Prenuptial Agreements in Israel as a Means of Preventing the Phenomena of Agunot and Mesuravot Get This project will launch a national public relations and educational campaign to encourage Jewish couples in Israel to sign a prenuptial agreement prior to marriage to prevent the refusal of a get (religious divorce that allows a woman to remarry).

In addition, JWF will join 16 other women’s funds across the country to fund programs in Israel that address the equitable treatment of women in the workplace, court system and all levels of government.

Jewish Women’s Foundation Awards $96,000 In Grants to Local and Overseas Agenciesthe Jewish Women’s Foundation of the greater Palm Beaches (JWF), a fund for social change of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, positively impacts the lives of Jewish women and girls locally and throughout the world. From ending human trafficking to building self-esteem in teens, JWF makes a difference through its support of many organizations.

Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Greater Palm Beaches Chair Gloria Fine

and Co-Chair Edith Gelfand.

JWF, a fund for social change of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2013. It continues to play

a vital part of the Jewish women’s funding movement, committed to improving the status of Jewish women and girls through strategic,

social change grant-making. Call 561-242-6673 or email [email protected] for more information.

A R O u N D t h E g R E A t E R P A l M B E A C h E s



The JCC of the Greater Palm Beaches was honored with two prestigious JCC Excellence Awards at the JCCs of North America Biennial held last month in New Orleans. The meeting drew nearly 1,000 JCC leaders and volunteers from the U.S., Canada, Israel, and countries in Latin America and Europe.

The JCC’s Academy of Continuing Education (ACE) received the Zahav Award (Gold Standard) for its outstanding, visionary initiative that demonstrates maximum impact and potential for change in the community. Now in its third year at the Lore and Eric F. Ross JCC in Boynton Beach, ACE is a lifelong learning center that provides stimulating educational opportunities for those in retirement. The program will be introduced at the JCC North in Palm Beach Gardens in the fall.

More than 150 classes taught by an impressive cadre of volunteers in the areas of art, music, literature, personal growth, politics, history, wellness, Jewish culture and Israel are held each academic year. The program offers students the ability to become a part of the JCC family and participate in additional lectures, events and programs, including the acclaimed Live from 92nd Street Y.

“With thousands of remarkable, innovative programs being created each year by JCCs worldwide, we are immensely honored to receive this award that recognizes the work of our powerful program,” said JCC Executive Director Michelle Wasch-Lobovits. “ACE has grown remarkably fast, which is a testament to our director, Alan Eganthal, and the volunteers we have leading each class.”

The JCC also earned the Kol Ha Kavod Award (Honor to You) for its Shabbat Family Story Time to recognize this exemplary initiative with the potential to be replicated at other JCCs. The program is led each Friday afternoon to

show children how Shabbat means taking a break from everyday responsibilities. During this meaningful program, teacher Miss Meg leads an afternoon story time complete with a sing-a-long and an art project based on the theme of the story to take home with them.

Of 266 submissions, 35 won Zahav Awards, given for outstanding visionary initiatives, and 88 were awarded Kol Ha Kavod Awards, given for exemplary initiatives that can be replicated. New standards led to a more focused, stronger group of entries and more selective judging.

JCC Earns Two Excellence Awards at North American Conference

Call 561-712-5235 or email [email protected] for more information on these and other programs at the JCC.

JCC Associate Executive Director Jeff Trynz (standing), Michelle Lobovits JCC Executive Director, JCC Board members Scott Solkoff and Michael Falk, JCC

Associate Executive Director Mindy Hanken (seated), JCC Development Director Carolyn Rose and JCC Early Childhood Director Veronica Maravanken with the

awards they received.


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Thanks to generous donors, the following services have been secured for the community’s benefit:

Claire and Melvin Levine have endowed LifePlanning for Adults with Disabilities, the only program of its kind in the tri-county area. LifePlanning encourages parents of adult children with special needs to engage in long-term planning to ensure a quality of life for their child when they are no longer alive. The program offers a monthly seminar series with topics such as: Bridging the Benefits Gap, The Roadmap to Legal and Financial Security, There’s No Place Like Home, and Arriving at Optimal Independence. Following the seminars, participants are invited to meet with a family consultant to discuss their individual needs and begin the planning process. A family support group is offered to encourage peer interaction and mutual support. By securing LifePlanning, AJFCS can give priceless peace of mind to parents who have devoted their entire lives to caring for a child with disabilities and can now finally feel some comfort toward their child’s future well-being.

Successful interventions for various childhood problems can pave the way for a brighter future. A multi-year gift from Bente S. Lyons to fund Children’s Services, in memory of her late husband, Daniel M. Lyons, will help children enhance personal growth and development; increase problem-solving

and coping capacities; develop new and creative solutions to identified problems; learn new social skills; experience and express emotion; and show empathy toward others.

For the youngest children who may not have the verbal skills to participate in treatment, play therapy allows them to express their feelings and resolve challenges and problems. Judith and Jack Rosenberg have established the David Rosenberg Play Room at AJFCS, a bright and cheerful setting equipped with special therapeutic toys, as a welcoming, safe space for children.

Many children with disabilities, who “age out” of the public schools’ programs at the age of 21, are unable to live independently and require ongoing supervision to function at their maximum capacity. The Freedman Family Young Adult Track at Levine Jewish Residential & Family Service has been established by Sol Freedman to ensure that adults with special needs in their 20s and 30s have the opportunity to learn to be as independent as possible, while still having the support they need to grow and develop. The Freedman Young Adult Track will offer a residential option that is in great demand for this population.

AJFCS is committed to seeking out ways to make certain that the agency can continue to strengthen families and individuals, and will be able to meet the needs of vulnerable people into the future. Our community owes a debt of gratitude to those individuals whose philanthropy helps make this possible.

Securing the Future of Social Services in the Greater Palm Beaches’ Jewish Community Through Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s ServiceIn good and bad times, a community must care for and offer support to people experiencing difficulties. The Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service (AJFCS), the social service arm of the Jewish community of the greater Palm Beaches, does just that: strengthening communities by helping people during challenging times in their lives. AJFCS is working to ensure that safety net is available, regardless of economic ups and downs.

Call 561-684-1991 or visit jfcsonline.com for more information about these and other programs sponsored by the Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s

Service, a partner agency of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.

Daniel M. Lyons, z”l.

Judith and Jack Rosenberg.

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Years of study came to life for the eighth grade students of the Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academy when they traveled to Israel for two weeks.

Accompanied on their “trip of a lifetime” by Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academy Headmaster Nammie Ichilov and Jewish studies teacher Ayelet Fridman, the group traveled the country and literally touched history as they visited Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, the Dead Sea, the Golan Heights and Tzfat, one of the cities that comprise our Partnership 2Gether communities. They also visited sites in Kfar Kedem, Nahareyia, Nachal Kidod, the Ein Gedi waterfalls and rafted down the River Jordan. “A trip like this establishes a lifelong relationship with the State of Israel,” said Ichilov. “This trip provides the students with a tangible experience that beautifully brings together their nine years of Jewish and Hebrew studies education.”

To prepare for the trip, the students were each assigned a different tour site or city on the itinerary and created a travel brochure for the experience. They worked with their Judaic studies, language arts and technology teachers to develop informative and creative trifold brochures that were used to educate their friends.

While they were in Israel, the students also took turns blogging about their trip and posting photos of their experiences online. One of the most memorable experiences, and the one which generated a lot of interest from the students back in school, was when the group met with their pen pal peers, visited their schools and experienced a typical Shabbat in the spiritual city of Tzfat.

The trip was timed for the students to be in Israel during Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah), Israel’s Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron), and Israel’s Independence Day (Yom Ha’Atzmaut). They witnessed how Israelis nationwide respect and remember their lost soldiers during Memorial Day, and how they all rejoice and celebrate their independence as one, very large, eclectic and united family on Independence Day.

“It is a testament to our community to be able to provide this kind of an experience to its future leaders.” Ichilov said. “We are incredibly grateful to the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County and the individual donors who help us make this experience possible.”

Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academy Students Take Trip of a Lifetime to Israel

The Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academy provides a high quality Jewish and general studies education for students in

kindergarten through eighth grade. Learn more by calling 561-686-6520 or visiting www.MeyerAcademy.org.

TOP: Meyer Jewish Academy students at Ahava sculpture at the Israel Museum.

BOTTOM: Floating in the Dead Sea.


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“Studying Melton this year has opened my heart and mind to a deeper, more meaningful understanding and embodiment of the practices and traditions of Judaism I have known all of my life” Berg said. “When I honor Shabbat, Passover, Shavuot, and other rituals, I now know the ancient seed which inspired the holidays and traditions we have developed as a People, and I rejoice.”

After a successful launch this year, the Lorraine and Jack N. Friedman Commission for Jewish Education of the Palm Beaches (CJE), together with its partners, is expanding the mini-school classes for the 2012-2013 academic year. More than 75 area adults completed Year One of the program, with more than 70 percent already registered to return for Year Two.

Registration is now open for 2012-13 classes. Year One classes will be held in Palm Beach Gardens and Boynton Beach. Year Two classes will be hosted by the JCC North, Temple Beth David and Temple Judea, all in Palm Beach Gardens, and Temple Emanu-El in Palm Beach. Host institutions provide the accommodations, while CJE organizes and facilitates the classes, working with the faculty and students to ensure Melton’s pluralistic approach and interactive class goals are achieved. Melton’s

world-class curriculum is created by scholars and educators at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. There are no tests, no homework and no grades!

Thirty-week daytime classes meet weekly for two hours from October to May, with the full curriculum covered over two years. Fifteen-week classes, designed to accommodate our area’s snowbirds, begin in January and meet weekly through April for two hours; students will complete the coursework over four years.

In response to requests from working professionals, CJE will implement a new 30-week, one-hour class. Like the 15-session classes, participants will complete the full Melton curriculum over four years of dynamic, interactive learning.

Regardless of which session students attend, the faculty members are experienced, engaging and knowledgeable adult educators. In addition to always learning from and with their students, the faculty also has the opportunity to learn from each other.

Rabbi Debra Eisenman, who currently teaches Melton classes at Temple Beth David and Temple Emanu-El, commented on her passion for the classes, saying, “I love teaching for Melton more than doing anything else. I do everything else to live, but I live to teach Melton!”

“The Melton curriculum is a life-transforming experience for adult learners,” said Debbie Kaplan, CJE’s director of the mini-school. “Participants in these courses are prepared to view and lead the community through a lens filled with Jewish knowledge gleaned from ancient and contemporary texts that are deciphered and discussed in the sessions.”

The total cost of Melton tuition in the greater Palm Beaches is subsidized by the CJE, and the generosity of Sydelle Sonkin and the Israel, Rose, Henry and Robert Wiener Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Friedman CJE Accepting Registrations for Fall Florence Melton Adult Mini-School

Thanks to the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, Socki Berg has a new perspective on Jewish holidays and practices.

Call Debbie Kaplan at 561-209-2618, email [email protected] or visit the cjepb.org to register for the 2012-2013 Melton classes.

Rabbi Debra Eisenman (standing), instructor for the Friedman CJE Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, leads an animated class discussion. Students Alan L. Shulman, Cynnie List and Terri Kurit join the conversation.



MorseLife, the charitable nonprofit organization serving seniors throughout Palm Beach County, has acquired a company offering clinical staffing services in Boynton Beach. MorseLife Clinical Staffing, located at 1101 N. Congress Avenue, provides contract staffing in areas of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and nursing (RNs and LPNs) to meet the needs of hospitals, skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, physician offices, assisted living residences and home health agencies throughout Palm Beach County.

Kristofer Cooper, vice president of human resources for MorseLife, notes that there are many health care providers in the county that regularly call upon staffing agencies to provide highly qualified, experienced clinical therapists and nurses. “This capitalizes on the talent that MorseLife, because of its reputation for excellence within the community, has been able to attract,” he said. “Our staff retention and quality is unparalleled. I am glad that we are able to offer this expanded services to a broader community.”

MorseLife CEO Keith A. Myers notes that the establishment of a clinical staffing agency fits within the scope of services offered by the organization. “Through MorseLife Clinical Staffing, we build upon our strengths in the many services we are well-known and respected for,

including medical rehabilitation and home health care,” he noted. “As a recognized center of excellence in the care of seniors throughout the community, we can now pass along that high

level of care and service through highly trained, experienced and credentialed contract staff to other health care

providers throughout Palm Beach County needing clinical staffing.”

MorseLife, founded in 1983, is a nationally-recognized provider of health care, housing and support services to seniors and their families throughout Palm Beach

County. MorseLife holds the five-star quality ranking, the coveted Gold Seal Award from the Governor’s

Panel on Excellence in Long Term Care, and is one of two organizations in the state to be designated as a Teaching Nursing

Home by the Florida State Legislature.

MorseLife Acquires Clinical Staffing Company in Boynton Beach Area

Call 561-736-0294 or visit morselifecs.com for more information about the MorseLife Clinical Staffing.

Federation provides funding for the Lola and Saul Kramer Senior Services Agency, a subsidiary of MorseLife.

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2012 Focus - Summer