Page 1 - The Jewish Voice - June '20

VOL. 10 NO. 6 www.seabreezepublications.com JUNE 2020

Nearly 4,000 Celebrate IsraelDays Virtually

Jewish people from across Palm Beach County and around singers from around the world and celebrity guests such as
the world celebrated the diversity and history of Israel from Joshua Malina and Chef Adeena Sussman.
the comfort of their homes during Jewish Federation of Palm “Even though we couldn’t physically gather to celebrate
Beach County’s sixth annual IsraelDays event series. Due to Israel this year, the pride we have for the Jewish homeland’s
health restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this history and people was powerfully evident from the thousands
year’s programs were hosted online. Presented by Federation’s who connected together virtually,” shared Peter Eckstein,
Israel Program Center, nearly 4,000 community members Federation’s Director of Israel Programming and Education
are estimated to have taken part in the IsraelDays activities, Innovation. “This year’s IsraelDays served as a meaningful
which included the Holocaust remembrance event of Yom reminder of how important it is to remain connected with
Ha’Shoah, a project to honor soldiers for Yom HaZikaron Israel now more than ever. We look forward to continuing
(Israel’s Memorial Day), and a global concert to celebrate Yom to provide our community with ways to connect with Israel
Ha’Atzmaut (Israel’s 72nd year of independence). in ways that are accessible and relevant.”
More than 500 Palm Beach
County residents heard the Rami Feinstein performing a concert live from Israel
powerful first-hand account of a “We’re All in
local Holocaust survivor via Zoom held via Facebook Live. Exclusively for the Palm Beaches,
video conference call. The virtual Federation hosted a concert with renowned Israeli singer/
Yom Ha’Shoah event honored songwriter Rami Feinstein. The celebration continued with This Together”
the millions of victims, survivors, an unprecedented global event hosted online by Jewish
and heroes of the Holocaust, and Federations of North America (JFNA) in Washington, DC,
included personal accounts of and Israeli film actress Shira Haas (Netflix’s Unorthodox) The Grand Unity Parade, led by Rabbi Berel and Tzivia
Mary Eckstein, a Palm Beach in Tel Aviv. The hour-long worldwide celebration featured Namdar of Chabad of Singer Island & the Beaches, was
County resident originally from a musical performance by Matisyahu, who was joined by held last month.
Hungary who was just six when The large gathering of cars drove through the coastal
her family was sent to the labor Mary Eckstein, age 8, communities of Singer Island and Juno Beach in a show
camps. Eckstein shared her family’s during the occupation of of unity and solidarity, saluting and thanking our medical
harrowing experience, including Hungary heroes, first responders, and essential workers for their
examples of non-Jews who stepped sacrifices on the front lines with bright posters saying,
in to save her and her mother’s lives. The event was moderated “We’re all in this together” magnetically attached to
by Susan Shulman Pertnoy, host of Federation’s TV news the cars.
magazine, mosaic. The parade also commemorated the Jewish holiday of
In honor of Yom HaZikaron, the community honored Lone Lag BaOmer, a holiday of unity that marks the end of a
Soldiers (members of Israel’s armed forces without immediate pandemic in talmudic times.
family in Israel) by reading stories of brave men and women who
died serving in the Israel Defense Forces. Families were also
invited to decorate a craft project and share it on social media,
in memory of all of Israel’s fallen heroes and victims of terror.
The series culminated when thousands of community Alan Haspel, a Jupiter resident and member of the Israel
members joined together virtually to celebrate Israel’s Program Center committee, watching with his sons, Jacob,
72nd birthday for Yom Ha’Atzmaut during two events 13, and Noah, 10
JFS Provides Free Virtual Support

Groups During COVID-19

Four virtual support groups are now on the Ferd has only exacerbated the need for services, and the agency
& Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service (Alpert JFS) continues to serve the community via virtual technology.
community calendar for residents of the Greater Palm All the programs that offer ongoing group support are free
Beaches to come together to share coping strategies, of charge, but registration is required.
stay safe, and feel more empowered and connected Coping With Our New Reality: Social Distancing
during the COVID-19 pandemic. While Alpert JFS has Without Isolation, a new Zoom discussion group facilitated
always acknowledged and addressed serious situations by licensed psychologist Iris Kiner, PsyD, and Alpert JFS
surrounding mental health issues, the current health crisis Clinical Director Elaine Rotenberg, PhD, is meeting every
Monday, 6-7 p.m. Those
dropping in will learn how
to identify coping skills,
access available resources,
and connect when feeling
disconnected. Visit www.
AlpertJFS.org/events/
coping/ to register.

JFS Provides Free Virtual
Support on page 2