Page 1 - The Jewish Voice - July '19

The Jewish Voice, Page 1

VOL. 9 NO. 7 www.seabreezepublications.com JULY 2019

Israeli Teens Experience American Jewish Life

A delegation of 17 teenage Israeli ambassadors experience Jewish
learned about leadership, how American Jewish life on American
communities compare to those in Israel, and the school campuses.
sentiment about Israel on American campuses The group also
— and had a chance to explore their own Jewish participated in
identity and meet American peers during a soc i a l a c t i on
weeklong visit to Jewish communities across projects including:
Florida. The recent visit, coordinated by Jewish a beach cleanup and
Federation of Palm Beach County in partnership packing Passover
with The Jewish Agency for Israel, introduced the meals at MorseLife
teens to Jewish community life in the Palm Beaches Health System, for
by visiting local agencies and community outreach its Homebound
organizations, participating in volunteer projects, Mitzvah Program
learning about the vital work of Jewish Federation for seniors.
of Palm Beach County, and spending time with “It was an honor
local families who hosted them during their visit. to welcome these young Israeli leaders into our homes and
The young ambassadors are from Palm Beach community to share what makes our Jewish community in
County’s partner region in Israel — TZAHAR Palm Beach County so vibrant and dynamic,” shared Amy
(Tzfat, Hatzor HaGlilit, and Rosh Pina) — and are Jewish community in Palm Beach County and globally, Simpson. “Hosting three girls in my home also served as a
participating in a yearlong program that exposes them to heard from several rabbis about Jewish denominations meaningful opportunity for my teenage daughter and the rest
American culture and brings Israeli culture to their Palm represented locally, and connected with students from Park of my family to create a stronger bond with the people and
Beach County teen counterparts. Vista High School in Boynton Beach and Arthur I. Meyer land of Israel, as well as with their own Jewish identity.”
The group learned how Federation supports the Jewish Preparatory School in Palm Beach Gardens to
Beth David’s Project Imagine Under Way

Under bright blue morning skies, some 50 members and
friends gathered at Temple Beth David’s Groundbreaking
Celebration for Project Imagine. This $1.2 million project
will include the creation of a new entrance for the temple
offices and a reworking of the original chapel into a high-
tech multipurpose space. The ceremony was the official
kick-off of this long-awaited campaign. Cantor Danielle
Bensimhon led the crowd in “The Star Spangled Banner”
and “Hatikvah” and Rabbi Paul Arberman offered thoughts
and prayers on this momentous occasion.
President and Project Imagine Co-Chair Larry Kushins
introduced Gary Lesser, Esquire, and Dr. Jeffrey Garelick,
Groundbreaking Committee Honorary Co-Chairs. Both
Gary and Jeffrey spoke about their long association with
the temple and the central role it has played in their Palm Beach Gardens Mayor Mark
lives. Gary welcomed Palm Beach Gardens Mayor Mark Marciano and Synagogue President Larry
Marciano, Palm Beach Gardens Councilwoman Maria Kushins
Marino, Jupiter Town Councilmember Ilan Kaufer, former
Palm Beach Gardens Mayor Eric Jablin, and construction Many past presidents were in attendance
supervisor Roger Lovejoy. Gary reminded everyone of in addition to members of the office Project Imagine Co-chairs Linda Fayne and
the importance of Temple Beth David and the need for its staff, board leadership, Project Imagine Larry Kushins, Groundbreaking Committee Sharon and Rubin Pikus, Project
members and friends to continue their help and support committee members, temple members, Honorary Co-chairs Dr. Jeffrey Garelick and Imagine Steering Committee
in accomplishing its goals. and friends. Gary Lesser, Esquire Members
Jeff spoke about what Temple Beth David has meant Past presidents and
to his family and reminded everyone present that they all temple leadership were
play a role in its future. The enthusiastic crowd included
many founding members who have seen the synagogue Beth David’s Project
grow and expand since its earliest days in the 1970s. on page 2

Former Palm Beach Gardens Mayor
Palm Beach Gardens Mayor Mark Marciano, Eric Jablin, Palm Beach Gardens Mayor
Palm Beach Gardens Councilwoman Maria Mark Marciano, and Palm Beach Gardens
Marino, and Cantor Danielle Bensimhon Councilwoman Maria Marino