Page 4 - The Jewish Voice - February '21

Page 4, The Jewish Voice

LocaL happenings

Heads Smart Bike Program people. He spoke of the miracles that are evident to the
scientists behind the technology as hidden miracles, which
Heads to Gated Communities he called “Chanukah miracles,” versus the open miracles,
the “Pesach miracles,” that we read about in the Torah.
The Heads Smart Bicycle and Education Program, With a keen understanding of the severity of threats that
sponsored by National Council of Jewish Women, Palm we face and the scientific odds of overcoming them, it is
Beach, has been expanded to include adults in gated impossible to ignore the hidden hand of G-d constantly
communities. To date, the program has been educating protecting us.
students at Palm Beach County schools about bicycle For nearly an hour, Sacher kept the large crowd
and helmet safety but the in-school presentations have entertained as they found themselves smiling and laughing
temporarily been halted because of coronavirus. over a subject that was supposed to have been so serious. Sydelle Sonkin Whitney Cherner
A 30-minute zoom presentation to Palm Beach residents
highlights the importance of helmets, including the correct Area’s Most Philanthropic exploring her shifting racial identity as a black Jewish
way to wear them, how to select the right helmet, and Women Celebrate woman in America and championing racial, ethnic, and
laws pertaining to bicyclists. It features testimony from a cultural diversity in the Jewish community.
woman whose life was saved by a helmet and a tragic story Collective Impact “This year’s event was incredibly moving — to see
about a seven-year-old who died of head trauma because so many philanthropic, dedicated women representing
he was riding his bike without a helmet. Nearly 150 of the area’s most dynamic and philanthropic all ages, and nearly every city in the area — to join
Marcia Rickles is chairperson of Heads Smart. “My Jewish women joined virtually for the Jewish Federation together virtually to recognize and celebrate the impact
mission is to save as many lives and families as I can,” of Palm Beach County’s annual Lions’ Pride Event last that happens through the collective generosity of Lions,”
said Rickles, who began her helmet safety campaign in month. The event is designed for Lions of Judah, an shared Bornstein.
1988 after the death of her son from a cerebral hemorrhage. exclusive national group of women committed to social During the event, guests also honored four profoundly
“Back then, helmets were the exception when bike justice, creating a more compassionate community, and committed Lions of Judah who passed away in 2020 and
riding. If only Jonathon had been wearing a helmet when enhancing Jewish identity. had created Lion of Judah endowments to further their
he was hit by a car, he would be alive today.” Rickles, Sandra Bornstein, Cynthia legacy: Dorothy Adler, Harriette Baime, Vivienne Ivry,
supported by NCJW, ran a successful educational and Hirsch, and Helene Kaplan and Cynnie List.
advocacy campaign that led to the eventual passing of a served as event co-chairs. Campaign Chair Ronda Starr reminded participants
law mandating helmets for children 16 and younger. The powerful and about Lions’ Leap, a fundraising initiative launched at
“Why now? Why do I feel so compelled to advocate for inspiring event featured the start of the 2021 Campaign to respond to increased
bike helmets, especially for older folks for whom helmets speaker Lacey Schwartz needs in the community. Lion of Judah, women who make
are not required?” said Rickles. “I have seen too many Delgado, a dynamic commitments of at least $6,000 annually, can take the
people not wearing helmets while riding. I know that life documentary filmmaker and “leap” by increasing their gift by at least $500, by making
is fragile and that just one fall, just one accident without a advocate for social change a Leadership Leap to a higher level of Lion giving or by
helmet could end a life and change the course of a family whose works have ignited becoming a new Lion.
forever. I do not want people to suffer as I have. It is not social transformation. Speaker Lacey Schwartz Lions of Judah are made up of Jewish women of all
necessary.” She shared her story of Delgado ages, who unite as an international sisterhood of global
NCJW has zoomed its program to the Club at Ibis advocates for Jewish causes, and who make meaningful
in West Palm Beach and Buena Vida in Wellington. In contributions of their time and resources toward those
January, Heads Smart zooms were conducted at Boca causes.
Grove Country Club in Boca Raton followed by a 5K
guided bike ride. Gleneagles in Del Ray was also part Jewish Film Festival
of the program. To volunteer, contact Marcia Rickles,
mrickles@gmail.com or 973-632-9743. Goes Virtual

IDF Rocket Scientist Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival looks a little different as it
This year’s 31st season of The Donald M. Ephraim
Speaks to Chabad of PBG announces “this year’s best seat will be in your house.” The
Cindy Schlossberg Cynthia Hirsch event hosted by the Mandel Jewish Community Center of
It’s not every day that we get to speak to one of the the Palm Beaches will be held through April 1, making it the
world’s most advanced rocket scientists. It’s even more longest festival in 31 seasons. This year’s films will be shown
rare to speak to a rocket scientist who is a Shabbat virtually to keep everyone safe during the pandemic. Three
observant Jew. Yet, members of the Chabad of Palm Beach films will be available each week on Sundays, Tuesdays,
Gardens were treated to a virtual meeting with Ari Sacher, and Thursdays for 10 weeks, with Q&A discussions every
developer of Israel’s Iron Dome rocket system that has Wednesday.
defended Israel from countless rocket missiles over the “The challenge this year was how to create a virtual festival
past decade. but still engage participants as if we were in person,” said
Though it was 2:30 a.m. in Israel from where he Samantha Klein, Mandel JCC Managing Director. “Along
spoke, Sacher entertained the crowd of over 100 people with extending the festival from three weeks to 10 weeks,
with humor and stories behind the scenes of Iron Dome,
including encounters with American congressman and Hope Silverman Nancy Beren
senators to whom he needed to pitch Iron Dome for funding
and support.
It was deeply moving to hear this brilliant scientist
speak of the hand of G-d working through the world’s most
advanced rocket system to defend the Holy Land and its

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