Page 19 - Jewish News_March 2021

COMMUNITY FOCUS March 2021 19A

Temple Beth Sholom welcomes Rabbi Stuart Altshuler

By Eric Faerber, Temple Beth Sholom President
and some new experiences to their t is with much pleasure that Tem- Throughout his career, Rabbi cieties and a staunch supporter of endorsements from prominent national
days,” said Solomon. ple Beth Sholom welcomes Rabbi Altshuler has initiated innovative pro- AIPAC, serving on its Rabbinic Steer- and international Jewish leaders.
Programs that are broadcast from IStuart Altshuler as its new rabbi, grams for synagogues and communi- ing Committee. Rabbi Altshuler and his wife Ella
the center include The Socrates Café, commencing July 1, 2021. He is cur- ties in interfaith efforts, on behalf of have three children and three grand-
overseen by Joe Newman and Rich rently senior rabbi at a large synagogue Israel and in the promotion of Maso- children. Ella is an accomplished,
Weingarten, which addresses a dif-in London, where he established him- rti/Conservative Judaism. He has lent award-winning recording artist and
ferent topic of current interest every self as a leader in the wider London his leadership and support for every composer, and author of the highly ac-
week; a French language and culture Jewish community, guiding a congre- attempt at unifying the different parts claimed book, The Orphan Sky. Rab-
class led by Jeanette Hirsch; a Shake-gation with almost 1,000 members. of the Jewish community, religious and bi Altshuler’s many interests include
speare Club; and also a book club. Rabbi Altshuler received both his political. classical music and opera, baseball,
Currently, the center is also being rabbinic ordination and doctorate in He developed a unique bond with basketball, golf, reading and writing,
used by smaller groups, which adhere Hebrew literature from The Jewish the late Chief Rabbi of the United chess, and playing piano, violin and
to Aviva’s safety protocols (includ-Seminary of America in New York. Kingdom, Jonathan Sacks, creating guitar. His lifelong affinity for classical
ing hand washing, mask wearing and He has served as professor of Jew- a bridge between the Orthodox and music began with playing the violin at
socially distanced spaces). Thus, the ish Studies at Chapman University in non-Orthodox world. He has lobbied four and a half years old.
Residents’ Association board and other California and has been visiting pro- through his many friends and allies Rabbi Altshuler looks forward to
smaller groups are able to once again fessor at numerous universities across in the British Parliament on behalf of coming to Temple Beth Sholom as our
hold their meetings there. the country. Prior to his rabbinate in Israel and against the rise of antisem- Rabbi Stuart Altshuler new rabbi and to meeting the Jewish
“The Kretzmer Center, in its short London, he served as rabbi in several itism, and increased Holocaust aware- His book, From Exodus to Free- community of Sarasota-Manatee. We
life, has gone from being the center of congregations in California, Illinois, ness. dom, is required reading in over 70 eagerly await his arrival!
our arts and culture programming, to Virginia and Connecticut. He is a member of numerous so- classrooms across the country with
serving as a religious center, to being
Solomon said. “The Kretzmer Cen-Children draw powerful lesson from EOD book donation
the hub of our pandemic response,”

ter is the quintessential multi-purpose hanks to an anonymous donor, Sarah Wertheimer, Executive Director to sing, or dance or tell stories. Why “It’s a great idea,” Bergman says.
room that has been utilized in every Embracing Our Differences of Embracing Our Differences. “It’s a do some kids blossom in their talents, “That’s not surprising. Sandra was a
way imaginable to enhance the lives of T(EOD) was able to recently gift and other kids give up? I think the great philanthropist and a great human
our residents.” 150 copies of Alice McGraw Likes to child’s emotional support system is of- being. She passed the idea onto me and
Draw to first and second grade students ten the deciding factor. Alice’s parents I honored her by turning it into a book.
at Alta Vista Elementary School. Chil- support her, and that makes all the dif- That’s the reason she shares the byline.
dren in different classrooms opened ference.” I’m just giving credit where credit is
their books with wide-eyed wonder. It’s a beautiful idea. Bergman’s due.”
After reading and discussing the story, children’s books are full of them. But “We thank Rich for this deeply
they immediately began drawing. he doesn’t take credit for this one. meaningful book and are thrilled that
The book features charming illus- Bergman notes that the late Sandra Embracing Our Differences could be a
trations by Giovanna Dasso, a Ringling Hanan gave him the idea before her small part of passing it along to young
College graduate, and a heartfelt story death in 2019. learners,” says Wertheimer.
by Rich Bergman, a prolific children’s
author and Major Gifts Officer at
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-
Manatee. He is also a co-founder and Rich Bergman
board member of Embracing Our Dif- story of self-actualization – being the
ferences, a local nonprofit that uses the best you can be.”
transformational power of art and ed- “Children are naturally creative,” Guiding investors and their
ucation to celebrate and promote the she explains. “The heroine of this book
diversity of the human family. likes to draw. I think Alice’s talent
stands for the full spectrum of self- families for over 20 years.
“Alice’s story is all about achiev-
ing her full creative potential,” says expression. Other children might like
Ally Zemelman, CRPC ®
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