Page 1 - The Jewish Voice - April '22
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VOL. 12 NO. 4 www.seabreezepublications.com APRIL 2022
Community Leaders Participate
in Mission Trip to Ukraine Border
By Susan Shulman Pertnoy, Betsy R. Sheerr,
and Michael Hoffman
It’s been nearly two months since Russia’s invasion of
Ukraine. While the harrowing images we’ve seen on the
news are on our minds, we continue to be inspired by the
outpouring of solidarity from our community with the people
of Ukraine – including the 200,000 Jewish Ukrainians
impacted by this crisis.
In March, community leaders Susan Shulman Pertnoy
(Federation’s Board Chair-Elect), Betsy R. Sheerr (Board
member and Chair of the King David Society), and Michael
Hoffman (President & CEO) participated in a leadership month to see firsthand what is happening on the ground. We
mission to the border of Poland and Ukraine, led by Jewish were the first delegation of leaders from the North American
Federations of North America. Jewish community to visit the border with Ukraine.
You cannot help but see the images coming out of The moment we arrived; we witnessed the unimaginable.
Ukraine and wonder what you can do. In times of great need, We saw lines of people as far as the eye can see. The tension
communities like ours are looked to for support. As part of and fear are almost palpable. And the stark reality that there
this, we were among a small selection of North American
communities asked to have representatives in Poland last Mission Trip to Ukraine Border on page 2
Emanu-El Donates $20,000 to JFS
to Support Food Insecurity Program
Temple Emanu-El of Palm Beach presented a check said. “I agreed,
for $20,000 to Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family and it quickly
Service (Alpert JFS) and the organization’s food became a weekly
insecurity program on March 17. The money, which was tradition.”
raised through a unique partnership between the temple “Alpert JFS
and nonprofit, will provide food to vulnerable Jewish is com mitte d
individuals and families in Palm Beach County who to ending food
face food insecurity. Specifically, the money will fund insecurity and
the Alpert JFS Kosher Food Pantry, and overall efforts hunger in our
to reduce food insecurity in Palm Beach County. Since community,” said
January 2013, when the program was launched, Temple Marc Hopin, Chief
Emanu-El has donated a total of $81,000 to Alpert JFS. Executive Officer
According to Rabbi Michael Resnick of Temple at Alpert JFS.
Emanu-El, it is customary at many synagogues for the “The generosity
congregants to sponsor flowers that are displayed on the of Temple Emanu-
bimah for Shabbat. Instead, Temple Emanu-El of Palm Steven Horowitz, President, Temple Emanu-El; Zelda Mason, El congregants
Beach encourages those who wish to give to donate a President & Board Chair, Alpert JFS; Marjorie Feldman, allows us to give
“Food Basket” in lieu of a flower arrangement. The money Chair, Alpert JFS Kosher Food Pantry Committee; and food throughout
collected for the food basket is then donated by Temple Belinda Lasky, Director of Volunteer Service, Alpert JFS, with the year to
Emanu-El directly to Alpert JFS to help feed the many the food basket that replaces flowers on the bimah. individuals and
families who are
families in Palm Beach struggling with food insecurity. The face of food
County who are in need of insecurity can be homebound elderly living on meager
supplemental nutrition. incomes but can just as easily be young families facing
“In 2009, a member of our financial challenges, setbacks, and job loss. No matter
congregation approached who they are, we are committed to helping.”
me and asked if, instead of To sponsor a “Food Basket,” please visit www.tepb.
flowers, could we collect org/giving/kiddush-flowers-and-food-baskets/.
funds to be donated to If you know anyone who could benefit from the Alpert
Alpert JFS for holiday food JFS Kosher Food Pantry, please call 561-684-1991 or visit
baskets,” Rabbi Resnick www.alpertjfs.org.