Page 1 - The Jewish Voice - March '20
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VOL. 10 NO. 3                                            www.seabreezepublications.com                                             MARCH 2020

      Nearly 1,000 People Volunteer,



      Gather in Solidarity During MLK Day



         To honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther                                                          individuals; a clothing and toiletry drive; making
      King Jr., Jewish Federation of Palm Beach                                                            improvements at local homes, community centers, and
      County and the Jewish  Volunteer Center,                                                             community gardens; a beach cleanup; and more.
      in partnership with Palm Beach Atlantic                                                                 “It is our responsibility to make the world a better
      University, spearheaded a meaningful day filled                                                      place for future generations and a vital way Federation
      with solidarity and volunteerism to unite the                                                        accomplishes this is by preserving Dr. King’s legacy of
      community in honor of Martin Luther King Day.                                                        standing against hatred of all forms and shining a light on
         The annual  event, which included an                                                              community leaders who are making a difference,” shared
      emotional solidarity event that honored and                                                          Michael Hoffman, Jewish Federation President and CEO.
      preserved Dr. King’s vision of a society that                                                        “We are inspired by the Jewish value of chesed (“kindness”),
      unites against all forms of hatred, was even more                                                    and believe that acting upon our Jewish values is a powerful
      moving because it came on the heels of a series                                                      way to respond to antisemitism and hatred of all forms.”
      of violent attacks across the country aimed at
      the Jewish community. Nearly 1,000 community                                                         Nearly 1,000 People Volunteer on page 2
      members of all races, religions, and backgrounds
      attended.
         The day began as community members                                                                 Beth Am Hosts
      of all ages volunteered at 19 locations across  Kate Magro, Palm Beach Atlantic University Assistant Dean of Student
      Palm Beach County, including serving meals  Development; Jervonte Edmonds, CEO of Suits for Seniors; Amy Fahnoe,
      to the homeless, preparing meals, and gleaning  creator of The Positivity Project; and Melissa Hudson, Director of   Big Band Shabbat
      vegetables for food-insecure families and  Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Center
      Alpert Jewish Family Service                                                                            and Winter Open House. Congregants were encouraged
                                                                                                               Temple Beth Am recently hosted a Big Band Shabbat


      Recognizes Volunteer Mentors                                                                          to come to temple before service and to bring their friends
                                                                                                            to a Winter Open House and Shabbat Social. Guests were
                                                                                                            able to mingle with other temple members and meet
                                                                                                            TBA’s staff and clergy. The musical service was definitely
                                                           An annual mentor recognition luncheon attended by 70,   memorable, as Rabbi Alon Levkovitz, Rabbi Brett Tancer,
                                                        including mentors, mentees, and parents of the children   and Cantorial Soloist Marcy Morris were joined by a
                                                        involved in The Judith & Jack Rosenberg Mentoring 4   16-piece big band. Prayers were set to the music of some
                                                        Kids (M4K) Program of the Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish   of the greatest songs from the big band era, including Cole
                                                        Family Service (JFS), was held last month at the South   Porter, the Andrews Sisters, and more.
                                                        Florida Science Center & Aquarium.                                    Photos courtesy of Jackie Alberts
                                                           Event sponsors included United Way of Palm Beach
                                                        County, Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach
                                                        County, and a seven-year-old boy named Sonny who is
                                                        already a community philanthropist, volunteering to raise
                                                        money by asking his friends and family to donate to the
                                                        M4K program instead of buying him a birthday gift!
                                                           In addition to lunch, mentors and their spouses and
                                                        children and parents were able to play mini-golf and see
                                                        a show at the planetarium. All of the mentees gave their
                                                        respective mentors key chains inscribed with the words,
                                                        “Thank you for making a difference in my life,” and the
                                                        child’s initials.
                                                           The free-of-charge, non-sectarian M4K program
                                                        provides same-gender role models for children aged
                                                        6-14 years, living in a single-parent family, due to loss
                                                        or absence, helping fill a void in the child’s life. Mentors
      Young philanthropist Sonny with his volunteer plaque,   provide guidance, support, and friendship to children,
      accompanied by his family                         taking them to a wide range of community-based activities.
                                                                                 Each quarter, participating
                                                                                 mentors and children meet
                                                                                 for an organized group
                                                                                 event.
                                                                                   Mentoring 4 Kids is a free,
                                                                                 non-sectarian  program. To
                                                                                 become a mentor and help
                                                                                 make a difference in the life
                                                                                 of a child, contact Program
                                                                                 Director Jenifer DiSilvestro
                                                                                 at 238.0285.
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