Page 15 - Jewish News_October-2020

FEDERATION NEWS October 2020 15

Antisemitism not Anti-Semitism PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

Note from Congressman Vern Buchanan

_____________________________________________________

T pandemic has put our health at risk, devastated our economy and
his year has been extremely difficult for everyone. The COVID-19

completely reshaped how we go about our daily lives. I want you to know

that we will get through this and that it is more important than ever that we be

kind to one another.

Unfortunately, the Coronavirus is not the only disease we’re combatting here

locally. The recent vandalism of Temple Sinai and Temple Emanu-El in Sarasota
is a stark reminder that anti-Semitism is ever-present and on the rise. Swastikas

painted on synagogue walls, the desecration of Jewish cemeteries and bomb threats

at Jewish Community Centers have tragically occurred far too often in this country.

Howard Tevlowitz
Chief Executive Officer It’s abhorrent.
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
580 McIntosh Road
Sarasota, FL 34232
So how do we combat the stain of anti-Semitism? At the federal level, I am working
August 7, 2020 with Republicans and Democrats as a member of the Bipartisan Task Force to

Dear Howard, PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT Eliminate Anti-Semitism. Whether it’s co-sponsoring the NO HATE Act PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT
I am pleased to offer this letter of support for the efforts of our friends at JFCS of the Suncoast. Our (H.R. 3545) to give law enforcement the tools they need to immediately report
organizations have benefited from a strong partnership, and we are excited to continue our work,
addressing the needs of Jewish and other families in the greater Tampa Bay and Suncoast regions. I hate crimes or passing legislation (H.R. 943) to help educate students about the
particularly want to stress the importance of our relationship with JFCS of the Suncoast in regard to

the Holocaust Survivor and Jewish Healing Programs, made possible due to the support of the Jewish horrors of the Holocaust, I believe we can never do too much to reject this hateful

Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. This letter provides you with an overview of the services we
Howard Tevlowitz ideology. We also must address the disgraceful BDS movement invading college
provide, together.
Chief Executive Officer
For several years, we have jointly supported Holocaust survivors in Sarasota-Manatee counties. The campuses that seeks to delegitimize Israel.
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
funding Gulf Coast JFCS receives from the Conference of Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (the
580 McIntosh Road
Sarasota, FL 34232
Claims Conference) allows us to provide homecare, financial assistance, and socialization activities to
Survivors on the west coast of Florida from Citrus to Sarasota counties. Supporting Survivors in
Sarasota and Manatee would not be possible without the Federation’s funding of Jan Alston’s (case Here in the Sarasota-Manatee region, we are fortunate to have what I consider
August 7, 2020
manager) position. In addition to working with Jan, we have partnered with the Federation for the
Survivor Chanukah luncheons and other holiday events. to be the best Jewish Federation in the state and country. The selfless work that
Dear Howard,
In March 2019, Gulf Coast JFCS received a grant from the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)
to implement the Holocaust Survivor “Chai” Program. Chai aims to reduce Survivors’ social isolation Howard Tevlowitz, Randon Carvel, Jessi Sheslow, Ilene Fox and so many others
I am pleased to offer this letter of support for the efforts of our friends at JFCS of the Suncoast. Our
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, put in to help strengthen and educate our community is unrivaled. Frankly,
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
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 I’m a better representative because of it.
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
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
provide, together.
implement the Uniper technology for Survivors. Uniper provides a safe network for an array of video
engagement programming and wellness activities. Through this grant, 50 Survivors in our program In the words of Anne Frank: “What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent
For several years, we have jointly supported Holocaust survivors in Sarasota-Manatee counties. The
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
grants end in February 2021. it happening again.”
Claims Conference) allows us to provide homecare, financial assistance, and socialization activities to
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
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
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. Truer words have never been spoken.
Survivor Chanukah luncheons and other holiday events.

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
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
consider our collective activities to ensure a comprehensive level of services for Survivors.
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
Again, thank you for your continued support of this important program, and for all you do for the
the Suncoast. The Federation’s funding enables Rabbi Katz to provide supervision for Anna and Jan, Vern
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.
ready to support your local efforts.
JFCS of the Suncoast also has a JFNA grant through the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies to

implement the Uniper technology for Survivors. Uniper provides a safe network for an array of video
Warmest Regards and Todah Rabah,
engagement programming and wellness activities. Through this grant, 50 Survivors in our program
will receive Uniper. Again, we are working closely together to make this happen. Both of these JFNA

grants end in February 2021.

Dr. Sandra E. Braham Cindy Minetti
President & CEO Senior Director, Jewish Family Services

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