Page 14 - Jewish News_October-2020

14 October 2020 FEDERATION NEWS

Antisemitism not Anti-Semitism

By Jessi Sheslow, Community Relations Director
ewish community knowledge about professor who just wrote a book, and ly understood that people who are se- ty must begin changing our language
antisemitism is extensive. How- so many people want to hear her talk. mitic come from the Middle Eastern so that when we speak out about an-
Jever, when we think about the an- Excited at the prospect of having a ce- region. It is important to understand tisemitism, hatred against the Jews, the
tisemitism that is happening today, we lebrity in his cab, the driver asked what this history in order to understand the community at large knows what we are
must take into consideration that we do the book was about. “Antisemitism,” distinction that if one is anti-semitic referring to and better understands our
not all possess the same understand- Professor Lipstadt said. To which the you can be ‘anti anyone’ who speaks pain.
ing of the definition of antisemitism. cab driver replied, “What is semitism?” a language of Middle Eastern origin. For more information about the
This past February, Professor Debo- Now this can be an indictment on If you are antisemitic, you are anti- Heller Community Relations Commit-
rah Lipstadt was the guest speaker at our education system, sure, but what Jewish, and antisemitism is hatred to- tee and how to address antisemitism,
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota- I understand it to mean is that if your ward Jews. contact me at jsheslow@jfedsrq.org or
Manatee’s Community Lecture. Her community is not directly affected by This may seem to be simple lan- 941.343.2109.
topic was based on her “it,” you don’t fully un- guage semantics, but our communi-
book of the same name, derstand “it” across the
Thanks to this an- Letter of thanks
Antisemitism Here and spectrum of “isms.”
Now.
Dr. Lipstadt is one ecdote by Professor to Federation
of my professional in- Lipstadt along with
spirations and in read- several personal en- Dear Howard,
ing some of her works, counters, I am adding Here is a letter describing the great work Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community
she has opened my in ‘anti-Jewish’ any- Services does together with JFCS of the Suncoast, made possible by the support of
eyes about the use of time I use the word ‘an- The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. We are very appreciative of all you
the term ‘antisemitism’ tisemitism’ outside of do to support the community.
in communities outside the Jewish community, Kind regards,
of our Jewish commu- and I encourage you Cindy Stern Minetti
nity. She talks about Jessi Sheslow to as well. Because the Senior Director, Jewish Family Services

two things: 1) ‘antisemitism’ without truth is, when you say ‘anti-Jewish,’
a hyphen and 2) the simple fact that a non-Jew most likely knows what
many people do not understand what you’re saying; but ‘antisemitism’ is not
antisemitism is. as widely known a term as we in the
She talked about an encounter that Jewish community believe it to be.
she had in a New York City taxicab. As The next part is the difference Howard Tevlowitz
many of us have experienced, you ei- in the spelling of ‘antisemitism’ ver- Chief Executive Officer
Howard Tevlowitz
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
ther get a very chatty cab driver or one sus ‘anti-Semitism.’ According to the Chief Executive Officer
580 McIntosh Road
who doesn’t talk at all. In the case of Anti-Defamation League, the word The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL 34232
this anecdote, Professor Lipstadt had a ‘semitic’ was coined by German histo- 580 McIntosh Road
Sarasota, FL 34232
very chatty driver. He wanted to know rian Johann Christoph Gatterer in 1781 August 7, 2020

where she was from and what she was to bind together languages of Middle August 7, 2020
doing in the great city of New York. Eastern origin. There is no such thing
She said that she was an author and a as a semitic peoplehood, but it is wide- Dear Howard,
I am pleased to offer this letter of support for the efforts of our friends at JFCS of the Suncoast. Our
Dear Howard,
organizations have benefited from a strong partnership, and we are excited to continue our work,
IN 2019, I am pleased to offer this letter of support for the efforts of our friends at JFCS of the Suncoast. Our
addressing the needs of Jewish and other families in the greater Tampa Bay and Suncoast regions. I
organizations have benefited from a strong partnership, and we are excited to continue our work,
particularly want to stress the importance of our relationship with JFCS of the Suncoast in regard to

ANTISEMITISM particularly want to stress the importance of our relationship with JFCS of the Suncoast in regard to
addressing the needs of Jewish and other families in the greater Tampa Bay and Suncoast regions. I
the Holocaust Survivor and Jewish Healing Programs, made possible due to the support of the Jewish

Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. This letter provides you with an overview of the services we
the Holocaust Survivor and Jewish Healing Programs, made possible due to the support of the Jewish
GREW BY Howard Tevlowitz
12 % according to the ADL’s funding Gulf Coast JFCS receives from the Conference of Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (the
12%
provide, together.
Chief Executive Officer
Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. This letter provides you with an overview of the services we
For several years, we have jointly supported Holocaust survivors in Sarasota-Manatee counties. The
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
provide, together.
580 McIntosh Road
For several years, we have jointly supported Holocaust survivors in Sarasota-Manatee counties. The
Sarasota, FL 34232
Claims Conference) allows us to provide homecare, financial assistance, and socialization activities to
ac
o
or
ding t
c
the ADL
’
s
funding Gulf Coast JFCS receives from the Conference of Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (the
Survivors on the west coast of Florida from Citrus to Sarasota counties. Supporting Survivors in
annual audit. This is
annual audit

.
T
his is
Claims Conference) allows us to provide homecare, financial assistance, and socialization activities to
Sarasota and Manatee would not be possible without the Federation’s funding of Jan Alston’s (case
August 7, 2020
Survivors on the west coast of Florida from Citrus to Sarasota counties. Supporting Survivors in
manager) position. In addition to working with Jan, we have partnered with the Federation for the
the highest number
the highest numb
er

Sarasota and Manatee would not be possible without the Federation’s funding of Jan Alston’s (case

Survivor Chanukah luncheons and other holiday events.
on r
e 1979.
ec
on record since 1979.
d sinc
or
manager) position. In addition to working with Jan, we have partnered with the Federation for the
Dear Howard,
In March 2019, Gulf Coast JFCS received a grant from the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)
Survivor Chanukah luncheons and other holiday events.
to implement the Holocaust Survivor “Chai” Program. Chai aims to reduce Survivors’ social isolation
I am pleased to offer this letter of support for the efforts of our friends at JFCS of the Suncoast. Our
In March 2019, Gulf Coast JFCS received a grant from the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)
and increase wellness. Again, we partner with JFCS of the Suncoast to provide these services. With
organizations have benefited from a strong partnership, and we are excited to continue our work,
to implement the Holocaust Survivor “Chai” Program. Chai aims to reduce Survivors’ social isolation
this grant, Anna Eckstein was hired and she became a member of the Jewish Healing staff at JFCS of
addressing the needs of Jewish and other families in the greater Tampa Bay and Suncoast regions. I
and increase wellness. Again, we partner with JFCS of the Suncoast to provide these services. With
the Suncoast. The Federation’s funding enables Rabbi Katz to provide supervision for Anna and Jan,
particularly want to stress the importance of our relationship with JFCS of the Suncoast in regard to
this grant, Anna Eckstein was hired and she became a member of the Jewish Healing staff at JFCS of
and provides additional financial assistance for the Survivors in Sarasota-Manatee.
the Holocaust Survivor and Jewish Healing Programs, made possible due to the support of the Jewish
the Suncoast. The Federation’s funding enables Rabbi Katz to provide supervision for Anna and Jan,
Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. This letter provides you with an overview of the services we
JFCS of the Suncoast also has a JFNA grant through the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies to
and provides additional financial assistance for the Survivors in Sarasota-Manatee.
provide, together.
implement the Uniper technology for Survivors. Uniper provides a safe network for an array of video
JFCS of the Suncoast also has a JFNA grant through the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies to
engagement programming and wellness activities. Through this grant, 50 Survivors in our program
For several years, we have jointly supported Holocaust survivors in Sarasota-Manatee counties. The
implement the Uniper technology for Survivors. Uniper provides a safe network for an array of video
will receive Uniper. Again, we are working closely together to make this happen. Both of these JFNA

funding Gulf Coast JFCS receives from the Conference of Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (the
engagement programming and wellness activities. Through this grant, 50 Survivors in our program
grants end in February 2021.
Serving Survivors is among our most important goals. We help them to safely remain in their homes and
Claims Conference) allows us to provide homecare, financial assistance, and socialization activities to
will receive Uniper. Again, we are working closely together to make this happen. Both of these JFNA
to live their remaining years in dignity. Gulf Coast JFCS currently supports 242 Survivors in five counties,
Serving Survivors is among our most important goals. We help them to safely remain in their homes and
Survivors on the west coast of Florida from Citrus to Sarasota counties. Supporting Survivors in
grants end in February 2021.
with 146 residing in Manatee and Sarasota. Of those living in Manatee and Sarasota, 103 are from the
to live their remaining years in dignity. Gulf Coast JFCS currently supports 242 Survivors in five counties,
Sarasota and Manatee would not be possible without the Federation’s funding of Jan Alston’s (case
with 146 residing in Manatee and Sarasota. Of those living in Manatee and Sarasota, 103 are from the
What are we doing about it? former Soviet Union. Having Anna on board has been a tremendous asset, as she is fluent in Russian.
manager) position. In addition to working with Jan, we have partnered with the Federation for the
former Soviet Union. Having Anna on board has been a tremendous asset, as she is fluent in Russian.
Survivor Chanukah luncheons and other holiday events.
We are grateful for our program teams and how closely they work together. The Sarasota team (Rabbi
EDUCATION. Katz, Jan, and Anna) and our team at Gulf Coast JFCS (led by Cindy Minetti and Marlene Wain) jointly
We are grateful for our program teams and how closely they work together. The Sarasota team (Rabbi
In March 2019, Gulf Coast JFCS received a grant from the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)
14041 Icot Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33760
14041 Icot Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33760
consider our collective activities to ensure a comprehensive level of services for Survivors.
Katz, Jan, and Anna) and our team at Gulf Coast JFCS (led by Cindy Minetti and Marlene Wain) jointly
to implement the Holocaust Survivor “Chai” Program. Chai aims to reduce Survivors’ social isolation
(727) 479.1800 ● www.gcjfcs.org
14041 Icot Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33760
14041 Icot Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33760
consider our collective activities to ensure a comprehensive level of services for Survivors.
Again, thank you for your continued support of this important program, and for all you do for the
(727) 479.1800 ● www.gcjfcs.org
The Robert and Esther Heller Community Relations Committee takes and increase wellness. Again, we partner with JFCS of the Suncoast to provide these services. With
this grant, Anna Eckstein was hired and she became a member of the Jewish Healing staff at JFCS of
Sarasota-Manatee community. Please don’t hesitate to reach at 727-479-1864 if needed. We stand
Again, thank you for your continued support of this important program, and for all you do for the
a firm stand against antisemitism. We use community resources and influence to the Suncoast. The Federation’s funding enables Rabbi Katz to provide supervision for Anna and Jan,
ready to support your local efforts.
Sarasota-Manatee community. Please don’t hesitate to reach at 727-479-1864 if needed. We stand
and provides additional financial assistance for the Survivors in Sarasota-Manatee.
combat a rise in antisemitism and anti-Zionist sentiments, which often result in ready to support your local efforts.

aggressive acts and rhetoric against Jews. Through education, advocacy, and building JFCS of the Suncoast also has a JFNA grant through the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies to

Warmest Regards and Todah Rabah,
implement the Uniper technology for Survivors. Uniper provides a safe network for an array of video
relationships with the greater community and law enforcement, together we can Warmest Regards and Todah Rabah,
engagement programming and wellness activities. Through this grant, 50 Survivors in our program

combat hatred, bigotry, and harassment of Jews and other minorities. will receive Uniper. Again, we are working closely together to make this happen. Both of these JFNA

grants end in February 2021.
For more information contact Jessi Sheslow at 941.343.2109 or jsheslow@jfedsrq.org Dr. Sandra E. Braham Cindy Minetti

President & CEO Senior Director, Jewish Family Services
Cindy Minetti
Dr. Sandra E. Braham
President & CEO Senior Director, Jewish Family Services
cc: Arthur Lerman, Rabbi Jonathan Katz, Jan Alston, Anna Eckstein

cc: Arthur Lerman, Rabbi Jonathan Katz, Jan Alston, Anna Eckstein
jfedsrq.org 14041 Icot Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33760
14041 Icot Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33760
(727) 479.1800 ● www.gcjfcs.org