Page 6 - The Jewish Voice - January '21

Page 6, The Jewish Voice

Local Happenings from page 5 On March 7, 10-11:30
a.m., Elaine Fleisher will
exhibition — January 27, 7 lead a book discussion and
p.m., via Zoom — which presentation based on We
takes a fresh perspective on Stand Divided: The Rift
the experiences of Holocaust Between American Jews and
survivors, showcasing Israel by Daniel Gordis.
inspiring stories of how the Reading the book ahead of
human spirit can overcome time would be beneficial
even the most dire of although not necessary.
circumstances. This moving Fleisher has dedicated
exhibit by photographer her life to the survival of the Sarah Smith, Belinda Lasky, Chani Ezagui, Melissa Hudson
Erez Kaganovitz tells the Jewish people and Israel. She Elaine Fleisher
story of the Holocaust has studied with numerous Alpert CEO Marc Hopin was among the volunteers, making
in a different way: with scholars on topics such as Judaism, history, politics, and the deliveries in a residential community in West Palm Beach. “We
inspiration and optimism. Erez Kaganovitz Middle East. She was instrumental in starting a Camp Kadima are blessed to live in a community that works in partnership to
Kaganovitz, creator of the in Hollywood, FL, and raising money for Operation Solomon, help isolated seniors,” he said. “From a distance, I could see in
world-renowned Humans of Tel Aviv exhibition, will present a covert Israeli military operation to airlift Ethiopian Jews to their smiles how much the people appreciated what we all did.”
and discuss the exhibit and the stories behind it. The event Israel in 1991. “We are incredibly inspired by so many community members
is presented by Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s who volunteered to deliver more than 450 meals to homebound
Israel Program Center. For more information or to register Nonprofits Work Together to seniors and community members, bringing joy and light during
to receive the Zoom link, contact Peter Eckstein at peter. a season when many need it most,” said Melissa Hudson,
eckstein@jewishpalmbeach.org or call 561.209.2611. Deliver Chanukah Meals Director, Jewish Volunteer Center, Jewish Federation of Palm
Beach. “This initiative is part of the Jewish Volunteer Center’s
A coordinated effort between Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish 8 Days 8 Ways campaign and just one of the ways throughout
Family Service (Alpert JFS), the Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) the year that we provide the community with an opportunity to
of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, and The Kind give back and support each other.”
Kitchen of Palm brought more than 450 Chanukah meals to “Holidays, in particular, have been challenging for our clients
community members in need. during the pandemic,” said Alpert JFS Director of Long Term
Fifty cars with volunteers traveled throughout Boynton Care Jennifer Escobar. “We are so grateful to have been able to
Beach, Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, work together to provide such a special meal on Chanukah.”
Wellington, and West Palm Beach to deliver holiday meals “We have seen three times the amount of food requests during
of fresh challah rolls, gefilte fish, pickles, apricot-glazed the pandemic,” said Chani Ezagui of The Kind Kitchen. “Our
chicken, roasted vegetables, potato latkes, applesauce, Chanukah meals helped ensure that the warmth of the holiday
and fresh donuts to isolated and vulnerable community season, which is the season of giving, was experienced by those
members. They donned masks and gloves and practiced with who needed it.”
social distancing to safely deliver the food. The meals that “Our clients were able to celebrate Chanukah with dreidels,
Arye Yass, one of the individuals in the exhibit reached clients of Alpert JFS’ Holocaust Survivors Assistance gelt, and latkes, thanks to deliveries made by wonderful
program were funded through KAVOD, an organization that community volunteers,” said Alpert JFS Director of Volunteer
Beth David Offers partners with Jewish family services and other organizations Leadership Belinda Lasky. “Our partnership with The Kind
Kitchen and the Jewish Volunteer Center enables us to bring
that work with survivors, providing assistance with whatever
Adult Education emergency or day-to-day needs they have. light and laughter to so many people.”

On February 7, 10- Free Zoom Concert
11 a.m., Judith Schiller
will speak about fleeing at Temple Israel
communism in Romania.
Schiller obtained a B.S. as Temple Israel’s Simply Jewish virtual series will feature
an electrical and mechanical Kol B’Seder via Zoom on January 23, 5 p.m., open to
engineer at Polytechnic all and offered free of charge. Cantor Jeff Klepper and
Institute of Timisoara, Rabbi Dan Freelander, called “the Simon and Garfunkel
Romania, in 1959. In 1967, of American Jewish music,” have composed some of the
due to anti-Semitism, she most beloved and enduring Jewish songs of the 20 and
th
and her husband decided 21 centuries. Please contact the temple office at 833.8421
st
to escape from communist or tioffice@temple-israel.com for more information and
Romania and went to Judith Schiller Zoom access codes.
Yugoslavia, then Rome, and
finally to the U.S., settling in Philadelphia. Diane Herzog, Belinda Lasky Local Happenings on page 8
Schiller became a registered professional engineer in
Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 1978. She worked for
several major corporations before establishing her own
company in 1989. She has had many high-profile clients,
including Philadelphia International Airport, Princeton
University, Satellite Communications Center in New Jersey,
the Pentagon, and Air Force bases extending from Alaska to
Washington, DC.
She and her husband moved to Florida in 2001 and became
full time residents in 2012.
On February 28, 10-
11:30 a.m., Israela Myerstein
will present Miracle Nation:
Seventy Stories about the
Spirit of Israel. The author of
Bridge to Healing, Myerstein
will lead an inspiring
multimedia journey about
Israel from pre-state days to
the present. She will share
stories about exceptional
people and their remarkable
tikun olam projects in Israel Israela Meyerstein
and around the world that
illustrate biblical humanistic values. Heartwarming stories
about efforts to improve the lives of Jews and Arabs, apply
technology to third-world problems, and seek peaceful co-
existence with neighbors show the creative, caring, can-do,
and hopeful spirit of Israel.
Myerstein has counseled families, couples, and individuals
for over 45 years until her retirement last November. An
MSW graduate of Columbia University School of Social
Work, she taught family therapy in academic and clinical
settings and supervised professionals of varied disciplines.
She co-founded the Baltimore Jewish Healing Network,
where she co-led spiritual/study discussion groups for those
facing serious illness.