Page 1 - The Jewish Voice - March '21

VOL. 11 NO. 3 www.seabreezepublications.com MARCH 2021

Mandel Foundation Donates $500,000 to Area Food Banks

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation has donated $500,000 to Palm Beach here in Palm Beach County,
County Food Bank and Feeding South Florida to assist with growing hunger relief efforts and is especially needed
emerging from COVID-19-related financial hardships throughout South Florida. The donation now more than ever. We are
from the Cleveland-headquartered nonprofit was facilitated through Jewish Federation of able to assist even more of
Palm Beach County, which focuses on caring for all vulnerable people in the greater Palm our neighbors with generous
Beaches community. Through its sophisticated community research and planning efforts, gifts such as these.”
Federation provided local insight to help the Mandel Foundation identify and respond to Feeding South Florida
increasing food insecurity in South Florida. president and CEO Paco
Since the pandemic began nearly a year ago, food insecurity has been a growing concern Velez added, “Feeding
for all ages. Feeding South Florida has doubled its distribution of food to Palm Beach County, South Florida is grateful for
from 27 million pounds of food in 2019 to nearly 51 million pounds of food in 2020. And, the Jack, Joseph and Morton
Palm Beach County Food Bank demand has tripled, processing an average of 1.5 million Mandel Foundation’s
pounds of food per month to families, school children, and seniors. generous gift via the Jewish
The $500,000 donation reflects more than 3.7 million meals to area families through Federation of Palm Beach
both organizations. Feeding South Florida can provide nine meals for every dollar County, which comes at a
donated, and Palm Beach County Food Bank can provide six meals for every dollar critical time when the need
donated. for food assistance has more
“We are grateful for the kindness of the Mandel Foundation for this gift to help meet than doubled.”
increased need in our community,” said Jim Greco, interim CEO of the Palm Beach
County Food Bank. “The gift is unrestricted so it will go toward helping the hungry right Mandel Foundation Donates Mandel Brothers
on page 2
Tu b’Shevat

Celebration Connects The Joy of Shabbos with

Families to their Roots Peter Himmelman

Chabad of Palm Beach
Celebrating Gardens’ Windows to the World
Tu b’Shevat is recently featured Bob Dylan’s
especially enjoyable son-in-law, Peter Himmelman.
in South Florida Peter is an Emmy and Grammy
because it is the Award nominee who discovered
perfect time of the power of Torah about 30
year for families to years ago through his mentor,
connect with nature. Rabbi Simon Jacobson. Together
Temple Judea they learned the teachings of
Youth Education Chabad philosophy, which have
Program families inspired his soul with passion and purpose. He now uses his musical talent to express
we re i nvi t e d his soul’s yearning.
to an outdoor, Peter performed for a large crowd on Zoom, in which he told his personal story aided
socially distanced by his guitar. He engaged the audience by playing custom songs for participants of the
celebration with event, much to their delight. Among others, he sang songs about the shul president,
music, crafts, and a Mickey and Cookie Gottlieb, Rabbi Dovid and Chana Vigler and their children, Rabbi
special Tu b’Shevat seder. Leibel Krinsky and his sons, as well as local and out-of-town community members.
Known as the birthday for the trees, this 2,000-year-old holiday occurs in late winter and
has been renewed and enhanced throughout each generation. Today, modern Jews celebrate
through various ways to be more in sync with the natural world. Planting trees, cleaning a
beach, or visiting a park are popular activities. This year, the families built their own bird
houses, decorated them, and filled them with bird seed. Not only does this beautify our
trees, but it enhances the ecosystem that benefits both the trees and the wildlife.

Tu b’Shevat Celebration Connects on page 2