Page 4 - The Jewish Voice - June '21

Page 4, The Jewish Voice

LocaL happenings
From the Rabbis from page 3

The Fox and Our Inner Alpert JFS/Levine JRFS Host affiliation with the organization is his leadership of the
PQI (Performance Quality Improvement) committee for
Temples Virtual 2021 Annual Meeting the past 14 years, helping it reach its current focus.
The Bernie Silbert Volunteer Award, named in memory
By Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui This year’s annual meeting for Ferd & Gladys Alpert of a successful businessperson, is given in recognition of
The Bible commands Jewish Family Service (Alpert JFS) and Melvin J. & professional services contributed to assist Alpert JFS. This
us to build in our midst Claire Levine Jewish Residential & Family Service year’s honoree is Arlene Hershkowitz, an AmeriCorps
a sanctuary, “And I will (Levine JRFS) was a virtual gathering. A full program, member since 2019. She has demonstrated a strong work
dwell amongst them.” with the theme of Resilient, Together, recapped the ethic, caring demeanor, and compassion toward the clients
But God dwells not only accomplishments of the past year. JFSComForCare was and community she serves. Arlene has dedicated substantial
in the solitary, physical the presenting sponsor.
sanctuary built in His At the event, the 2020-
honor; the plural tense 2021 Board of Directors
indicates that for every were recognized and
individual who builds the 2021-2022 Board
a refuge for God out of installed; Rabbi Anthony
their own life, God promises to dwell in “their” midst. Fratello of Temple Shaarei
The sanctuary in the wilderness and in Jerusalem was a Shalom in Boynton Beach
place where sacrifices were offered to God. This pleased delivered the d’var Torah
God and beckoned him into their midst. The same is true (a talk relating to the
of each person who dedicates a portion of their lives to weekly Torah portion);
God. This overture draws God in their direction. Ayla Weisberg, a graduating teen participant of the Alpert time to providing companionship and transportation
This is why, regarding the disrespect of ignoring JFS Relationships & Decisions for Teens program was to Alpert JFS clients, and willingly fills in for other
a synagogue, Maimonides writes, “Whoever has a recognized; Sheila Engelstein, Bob Herzog, and Jane companions, as needed. She is a regular volunteer for Kind
synagogue in his community and ignores praying in it Terker Perelman and Bruce Terker shared their respective Kitchen meal deliveries.
is called a bad neighbor.” Furthermore, a person should commitments to the Holocaust Assistance Program, Jewish The Sol Freedman Volunteer Award, created in memory
always pray in a synagogue because “One’s prayers are Addiction Outreach & Support, and Melvin J. & Claire of Sol Freedman, is presented to a volunteer who enhances
heard only in a synagogue.” In comparison with the Levine Jewish Residential & Family Service Residential the lives of those he or she touches at the Levine JRFS
outside, a synagogue is a place where He is invited to Program; and four Volunteer Awards were presented, with Activity Center with warmth, kindness, and humility. Rabbi
be, and thus where God is found. a service recipient from each program expressing gratitude Bernie Eisenman was presented with this year’s award. For
When the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by to the supporters. many years, Rabbi Bernie would visit the Activity Center
the Romans, Rabbi Akiva and the other sages went up The Linda White Volunteer Award, established in twice a month to teach and engage the residents in Torah
to Jerusalem and saw a fox running out of the Holy memory of a former volunteer coordinator at the agency, study, Jewish history, and holidays. Over the past year, he
of Holies. The sages began to weep, but Rabbi Akiva is presented to a person who exemplifies the notion of has taken his talents to Zoom. The faces of the residents lit
started to laugh. tikun olam (Hebrew for “acts of kindness to perfect or up the first time — and every visit since — they saw their
The sages had already torn their clothes in an repair the world”). This year’s recipient was Linda Weiss, beloved rabbi on Zoom. With his PowerPoint presentations
expression of mourning and grief over the destruction a mentor in the Judith & Jack Rosenberg Mentoring 4 and jovial attitude, he brings Jewish texts to life; this was
of the Holy Temple. What was it about seeing the fox Kids program for six years. A retired working parent, especially true when he dressed up for Purim to read the
frolicking out of the holiest site in the world that caused she knew that her experiences and love of children Megillah. He has led a Passover seder for Apartment
them to burst in tears? could make a difference. She matched with seven-year- Program residents and their families annually, with each
Here lies a deep concept. old Joelle six years ago. Neither one of them would let resident playing a role. This year, he led the seder on Zoom
The sages understood that everything physical has its anything – including COVID-19! – keep them apart. She for residents of both the Apartment Program and Group
spiritual root and counterpart. Just as there is a physical has encouraged friends’ involvement with Alpert JFS and Homes.
Temple for the world, every person has a corresponding some have become mentors themselves or spearheaded “As we met for the second consecutive year virtually,
spiritual Temple and core inner faculty where they can new programs. we celebrated – as a community – the way we connected,
connect God and invite Him to be part of their lives. The Bob Schweitzer Volunteer Award recognizes an communicated, and coped in a most challenging year,” said
The sages understood that the integrity of the basic core individual who shared their professional services with CEO Marc Hopin. “We were adaptable, flexible, open, and
of every soul can never be compromised by any enemy, the agency, showing an affinity for guidance, impartiality, optimistic, finding creative ways to continue providing the
struggle, or challenge. After all, the soul is the spark of fairness, and a commitment to effective results. This year’s critical services and programs for those who needed us. We
God Himself. recipient is Al Komins, who began volunteering with the remained the place for people to turn for help, assisting more
The fox is described as a very smart animal, as if to agency in 2001 and is a past-president of the agency. He people with greater needs than ever before.”
indicate the wisdom of the animalistic mentality. When has served on a host of committees, some in the capacity
the sages saw that this fox had invaded and penetrated of chair. The piece de resistance of his long and esteemed Local Happenings on page 6
the holiest site, they were shaken by the thought that
perhaps even the core of the world, and the essence of
a person, could be compromised! This caused them to
cry out despairingly.
Rabbi Akiva, however, jumped for joy. In his mind, ASSET ADVISORY SERVICES
as long as a person does not reach rock bottom in his
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the deepest and holiest place within, Rabbi Akiva was to see how we can help you reach your nancial goals.
sure there was no other place to travel but back up again.
When there is no more fooling oneself over the
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Everyone knew the prophets predicted the destruction for a “proactive” approach to your
of the Temple, and afterward there would be a rebuilding Financial Planning tax and retirement planning.
and renewal to a state greater than that before the We Will Review:
destruction. Rabbi Akiva saw the positive side at that 1. Preservation Planning . How and why to discuss retirement taxes BEFORE you are
moment. 2. Retirement Planning close to retirement
Rabbi Akiva’s thinking was that there is nothing to 3. Tax Planning . Why Social Security, Medicare, and IRAs must be managed
gain in lamenting the present or the past. It is better to 2. Estate Planning for tax e ciency whenever possible
use the momentum and energy of the moment to bring
improvement for the future. 3. Investment Planning . What’s entailed in developing a robust “retirement tax strategy”

Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui is spiritual leader of Chabad for clients to extend portfolio longevity
House Lubavitch of Palm Beach. Contact him at
Rabbi@chabadpalmbeach.org, 624-7004, or www. Your nances aren’t getting any simpler or less perilous.
chabadpalmbeach.org. You need an advisor that delivers clear guidance in a sea of noise
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