Page 19 - Jewish News_February-2021

COMMUNITY FOCUS February 2021 19A

Creating a Shabbat Temple Emanu-El asks community to “Spread the Love”

sanctuary s the month of February is as- dex, anti-bacterial wipes, sponges and the in-person assembly of “gift bags

with needed supplies for the women
sociated with Valentine’s Day,
dishcloths; detergent; paperware; and
ATemple Emanu-El’s Social gift cards to Walmart, Target and Pub- and children at SPARCC,” Katzer ex-
me to guide me. I now have a wel- Action Committee asks the communi- lix. A collection box will be placed out- plained that “Spread the Love” will
coming space and sit there into the ty to “Spread the Love” with a dona- side the Temple Emanu-El lobby for allow the community to help “within
evening. tion drive for SPARCC, Safe Place and outdoor, contactless donations. guidelines for the pandemic.
My first test was Thanksgiving Rape Crisis Center. Lita Katzer – who co-chairs “It is so important, especially in
“SPARCC offers a 24/7 shelter,
dinner when two guests arrived. 365 days a year, and support services “Spread the Love” with Andi Lieber- these difficult times, to remind these
man and Lisa Phifer – explained that
women that they are thought of and
They sat down looking quietly and for women and children who are vic- according to The New York Times, more cared for. These acts of kindness make
pleasantly surprised. We took in the tims of domestic abuse and sexual vio- than one in three women in the United our entire community a stronger and
aura of the evening, enjoying one lence,” stated Social Action Committee States has experienced rape, physical more compassionate place.”
another’s company as well as the Chair Susan Rosenbaum. “We will be violence and/or stalking. “During this
dinner. collecting items from their wish list.” pandemic, the number of domestic vio- Andi Lieberman and Lita Katzer,
My next guest was a gallery These items include new or used lence cases has surged,” she added. “Spread the Love” co-chairs, display
some of the items collected for SPARCC
owner, who looked at my artwork. cell phones with chargers; cleaning While Temple Emanu-El’s an- at Temple Emanu-El’s 2019 Mitzvah Day
He could barely speak as the whole supplies like spray disinfectants, Win- nual Mitzvah Day usually includes
area bamboo-ed against gentle
winds. Dr. Stephen Berk to speak at Temple Beth Sholom
I can hardly wait for my first
Shabbat guest. l Treidel, Program and Edu- al books and is presently working on a at Union College. Dr. Berk’s course American Jews and the Struggle
for Civil Rights
cation Chairman at Temple
After the pandemic, give me a ABeth Sholom, recent- book on American Jewry and the strug- on the Holocaust is the most popular ‹ Sunday, February 7 at 10:00 a.m.:
course offered at the school. He has
gle for Civil Rights
call at 941.284.7277 as there’s still ly announced that the temple’s 1954-1965. He has also been a consultant to the Simon Putin and the Return of Russia
a lot of play. Scholar-in-Residence for 2021 written articles on Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles. (and the future for Russian Jews)
is Dr. Stephen Berk. Dr. Berk Russian and Jewish Dr. Berk will speak via Zoom on The entire Sarasota-Manatee Jew-
is sponsored by the Freund history, antisemitism the following dates and times: ish community is invited as Temple
Scholar-in-Residence Fund. and the Middle East. ‹ Wednesday, February 3 at 7:00 Beth Sholom’s guests to attend any or
Dr. Berk is a renowned Dr. Berk has lectured p.m.: 1945 - A Year of Great Con- all of these presentations.
Professor of History at Union throughout the Unit- sequence: a view from the perspec- Non-Beth Sholom members may
College in Schenectady, New ed States, including tive of 76 years access the Zoom link(s) for these lec-
York, former Chair of the De- at distinguished col- ‹ Thursday, February 4 at 7:00 p.m.: tures by visiting templebethsholomfl.
partment of History, Director leges and universities Great Trials in Jewish History: Je- org/events.
of the Program in Russian and such as Princeton, sus, Dreyfus and Belis For additional information, contact
Eastern European Studies and Dr. Stephen Berk Vanderbilt and Wil- ‹ Saturday, February 6 (Torah read- Kelly Nester at 941.955.8121.
Faculty Advisor to the Jewish Student liams College. Two college guide- ing time) at approximately 11:00
Organization. He is the author of sever- books mention him as the best teacher a.m.: Our People are Your People:

Jamie Kirkell hopes to bring meaning into Shabbat and staying home with his backyard sanctuary

Temple Beth El holds

its first in-person event

since start of pandemic

surviving menorah, were also lit by
Rabbi Michael Sternfield and our Re-
ligious School children.
Cars were limited and placed by
CDC guidelines, and participants were
required to stay near their cars and Of all the exotic places you’ve dreamt of visiting,
wear face masks.
This was the temple’s first in-per- an out-of-town cancer center probably isn’t one of them.
son gathering since March. It was a
joyous and fun event, and attendees
were happy to finally be together as a A diagnosis of cancer is bad enough. Spending hours on a plane to get
community. care makes it worse. No one should have to leave home for cancer treatment—

and soon you won’t have to. Comprehensive cancer care is coming to
Sarasota. So you can stop fighting your way through strange airports
and start fighting your cancer here at home.
Hope comes home. Give today.
You have the power to give hope. Please consider a gift to help support the 941.917.1286 | smhf.org/hope
Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING www.freshfromflo-
rida.com/divisions-offices /consumer-services. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. (REGISTRATION #CH103) THE HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION WILL USE THE FUNDS FOR THE
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Temple Beth El Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch members gathered for a Chanukah celebration