Page 2 - The Jewish Voice - March '23

Page 2, The Jewish Voice
An Open Letter to the Community:

Hatred Has No Place in the Palm Beaches

Dear Palm Beach County Community, must continue collaborating with our allies to aggressively in a Holocaust-era cattle car used to transport Jews and other
While hatred toward Jews is sadly nothing new, the pursue ways to prevent and address antisemitic hatred in the targeted groups to concentration camps. Several thousand Palm
recent wave of attacks is startling and dangerous. Over the Palm Beaches. As the city hall and convener of the Jewish Beach County students have already visited the exhibit, and
past few months, a dramatic increase in antisemitism against community – now is the time for Federation to expand and plans are under way to for more students to experience it.
Palm Beach County’s Jewish community has reached a new strengthen this work. • Launching a three-part series focused on antisemitism and
intensity. Antisemitic activity, left unchecked, will escalate and Here Is How Federation And Our Community Partners the Holocaust to be featured on mosaic, Federation’s weekly
spread rapidly. Are Working Together: TV news magazine. mosaic airs weekly from January to April
For years, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County Advocacy on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. on WPBF 25, online at jewishpb.org/
has collaborated with and invested in critical relationships • Working with local and state elected officials, including mosaic, and our new mosaic podcast available on all major
with the Jewish and non-Jewish communities to combat State Rep. Mike Caruso, to propose legislation that strengthens platforms.
antisemitism and all forms of hatred. On behalf of our whole penalties for certain antisemitic acts. Additional resources to help you do your part in combatting
community, we are grateful for the swift and steadfast response • Joining the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and antisemitism in our community:
from local and state legislators, law enforcement agencies, and Jewish Federations of North America in the “Stand Up To • If you see or hear of a hate incident, please report it to
leaders from diverse religious and ethnic groups who are in Jewish Hate” campaign launching in late March. The campaign security@jewishpalmbeach.org. If you feel threatened or
solidarity with us to confront the scourge of Jew-hatred. will highlight real stories about the hatred Jews face and roll unsafe, call 911 or contact your local police department.
Palm Beach County is now North America’s fourth out a universal brand identity for the fight against antisemitism. • Learn how to combat antisemitism at jewishpb.org/
largest and fastest-growing Jewish community, and fighting Security standuptohate, where you can access fact-based articles,
antisemitism requires a collective community effort. Amidst • Providing over 40 Palm Beach County organizations webinars, and resources about antisemitism.
such a challenging time, it has been uplifting to see our network with a continuum of proven safety and security resources and • Share age-appropriate resources at jewishpb.org/
of faith-based leaders, civic association representatives, services — free of charge — through Federation’s J-Secure studentresources, an online platform with videos, podcasts,
educators, elected officials, and law enforcement professionals initiative. The program includes security assessments, training, newsfeeds, and social media links to help high school and
continue to denounce antisemitism and show unwavering and resources, working with vital local and national law college students respond to anti-Jewish rhetoric and activity.
support for the Jewish community. enforcement entities to protect Palm Beach County’s Jewish • Request Antisemitism Today and Decoding the Narrative
With attacks against the Jewish community escalating, we organizations and synagogues. programs for your social or civic club, presented by
• Accessing government grants to enhance physical security Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC).
for synagogues and Jewish agencies. Grant funding supports Email jcrc@jewishpalmbeach.org to coordinate.
The Lord’s Place Hosts from page 1 expanded threat, vulnerability, and risk assessments and funds • Review Federation’s J-Secure program at jewishpb.org/
additional resources to secure nonprofits and synagogues security to learn how our entire community can participate in
Register to attend the event for free using the code against hate crimes. free security education and training.
“FreeEvent” or make a donation: sleepouttlp.com/register. Education The people of Palm Beach County take pride in preserving,
The Honorable Ann Brown is matching dollar-for-dollar, up • Expanding our collaboration with the School District protecting, and building on our values and principles of
to $350,000, of all money raised for SleepOut. A minimum of Palm Beach County to ensure the full implementation of diversity, tolerance, and inclusion. We boldly confront those
donation of $25 per attendee is requested. Florida’s Holocaust education mandate. This includes training, whose words and actions harm our community. Thank you
Attendees are also encouraged to bring hygiene items programs, and resources for students, teachers, principals, to our neighbors and friends who stand with us in solidarity,
and non-perishable food items for kit assembly that will be and administrators about the facts of the Holocaust and the insisting that hate will not be tolerated here. In this defining
given to those in need. consequences of antisemitism. moment, we have a powerful opportunity to let the world know
Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and • Reaching out to students and the community-at-large that hatred has no place in our community.
water and snacks will be on hand. to promote understanding and tolerance. In collaboration With gratitude,
500+ community members (including The Lord’s Place with InSIGHT Through Education, we are bringing to area Susan Shulman Pertnoy, Board Chair,
staff, volunteers, clients, community leaders, supporters, schools and community sites a multi-media exhibit housed Michael Hoffman, President & CEO
and friends) clad in The Lord’s Place SleepOut t-shirts
will enjoy volunteer opportunities, children’s activities,
games, and interactive booths to learn more about the
programs, services, and clients of The Lord’s Place. A
45-minute program will take place outdoors featuring music,
inspirational client stories, ways to be a part of the solution,
and a closing candlelight ceremony.
Homelessness is a serious social and economic issue
impacting all levels of our society. The Lord’s Place
recognizes that all people deserve respect and a place to
call home. SleepOut is part of The Lord’s Place’s effort to
spread community and national awareness and raise the
much-needed funds to provide the resources, programs,
and services needed to break the cycle of homelessness. As
SleepOut has evolved over the last 16 years, its mission to
educate participants and change the lives of those who are
homeless remains the same. driveway courtyard
No one should have to worry about whether they have
a roof over their heads. The reality is that homelessness is
a widespread problem that affects far too many people.
In the United States, many Americans are forced to
choose between basic necessities like purchasing food,
paying rent, or going to the doctor. The facts are: 549,000
Americans are homeless on a typical night.
Palm Beach County is the portrait of a paradox. Hidden
in the shadows of paradise is the reality that on any given
night there are an estimated 3,000 men, women, and children
who do not have a safe place to call home. Since 1979,
The Lord’s Place has been finding solutions and providing
services to take more people off the streets and into homes.
Everyone from every walk of life is invited to participate
in SleepOut 2023 — a free, unique, and interactive view
into the agency’s 40-plus-year mission to break the cycle of
homelessness. This signature event educates the community
on life-saving work, encourages participants to advocate for
the most vulnerable and neglected, and inspires individuals rec room wine cellar
to be a part of the solution.
About The Lord’s Place
For more than 40 years, The Lord’s Place has been
working to break the cycle of homelessness for men, women,
and children in Palm Beach County, FL, through innovative, This Feels Like Home
compassionate, and effective services. It provides supportive
and graduate housing at twelve locations; operates social Three Nicklaus Championship Golf Courses
enterprises including Joshua Catering; provides job training
and placement services, clinical and care coordination, and Homes from $300K to $3Million • West Palm Beach
community engagement services; and has a highly successful For your personal tour, call 561.624.8000 or visit clubatibis.com
reentry program helping men and women transitioning from
incarceration. For more information visit thelordsplace.org.