Page 1 - The Jewish Voice - February '22

VOL. 12 NO. 2 www.seabreezepublications.com FEBRUARY 2022

Community Members Celebrate

Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

To honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Volunteers packaged nearly 10,000 meals for local food Dog Ranch Rescue, CROS Ministries, Feeding South Florida,
Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County and its Jewish banks, assembled 1,500 toiletry kits for homeless shelters Paint Your Heart Out, Palm Beach County Food Bank, Kind
Volunteer Center and Jewish Community Relations Council, — an effort that included 1,000 packaged by Palm Beach Kitchen, Red Apple Supplies, St. Ann Catholic Church,
in partnership with Palm Beach Atlantic University, Day Academy families; gleaned thousands of pounds of Northend RISE, Sea Turtle Adventure, National Council of
spearheaded a meaningful and powerful day of service on vegetables for food insecure families; picked up more Jewish Women, and more.
MLK Day. Now in its seventh year, more than 550 community than 100 pounds of garbage; cared for animals; helped “While acts of hate and antisemitism sadly continue to
members of all faiths, races, and ages volunteered through a revitalize, paint, and refresh four community projects; increase locally and beyond, this event is such an incredible
range of in-person and at-home opportunities at 16 locations dropped off donations; and much more. symbol of unity, solidarity, and impact when those of all
across Palm Beach County. Volunteer projects supported organizations including Big
Community Members Celebrate on page 2

Emanu-El

Welcomes

New Cantor

Temple Emanu-
El of Palm Beach has
appointed Cantor Meir
Finkelstein as its next
cantor. He will succeed
Palm Beach Synagogue Wins Cantor David Feuer, who
announced his retirement
at the Palm Beach Marathon and will step down later
this spring after 35 years
of devoted service.
Finkelstein is one
Runners and volunteers the most preeminent
from Palm Beach Synagogue cantors in the world and is also among the most prolific
participated in the Marathon and admired composers of Jewish liturgical music in our
of the Palm Beaches to raise generation. He possesses a beautiful lyric tenor voice and
money for Afikim, a charity has composed more than 150 liturgical pieces, many of
in Israel that provides food, which are sung weekly in synagogues throughout North
tutoring, camp, and afterschool America and around the world.
programs to underprivileged Born in Israel, Finkelstein moved to London at an early
youth. age, when his father, the late Zvi Finkelstein, accepted a
The synagogue’s marathon cantorial position there. Demonstrating prodigious talent
runner, Izzy Peer, won his as a youngster, he became the cantor of a small synagogue
age division, males ages in Glasgow, Scotland, where, at age 14, he became the
25-29. The half-marathon youngest cantor in Europe. At 18, Finkelstein returned to
runners were Rebbetzin Dinie The Magin family participating in the marathon, Yoni as a London to become the cantor of one of that city’s most
Scheiner, Lauren Glaun, and Rebbetzin Dinie Scheiner volunteer and Ariel and Keren as members of the marathon prestigious congregations, Golders Green Synagogue.
Tiffany Tendler. Two co-ed runs the half marathon. relay team While in London, he also attended the Royal College of
relay teams placed in the top Music, from which he graduated with a degree in voice,
half of their field — the runners were Ben Gordon, Stephen Along with competing in the marathon, the synagogue composition, and piano.
Kaplan, Gregory Garfinkel, Keren Magin, Ariel Magin, hosted a Wacky Water Station and its volunteers handed Several years later, Finkelstein moved to the United
Rhonda Trust-Schwartz, Greg Thorpe, and Rosie Halfon. out water, Gatorade, and fruit to runners at the 21 and States where, over the years, he has served as cantor at
25 mile markers. The water several of the largest and most prominent synagogues
stations competed against in North America. He comes to Palm Beach from
each other to win a donation Congregation Beth Yeshurun in Houston, through the
for the organization they assistance and encouragement of his good friend Cantor
represented. Stations were Feuer, with whom Cantor Finkelstein has performed
judged based on energy, together in concerts over the years.
music, theme, and spirit. The Dr. Steven Horowitz, president of Temple Emanu-El,
synagogue won second place stated, “We are thrilled that Cantor Finkelstein will be
joining our community and we look forward to celebrating
Palm Beach Synagogue a bright and successful future together.”
Wins on page 2