Page 5 - Jewish News_March 2021

FEDERATION NEWS March 2021 5A

JFNA Virtual Mission to Washington, D.C.

Staff Report
he Jewish Federations of North Portman (Ohio), Rep. Bennie Thomp- of democracy, and if we advocate for
America (JFNA) held its first son (Michigan) and Speaker of the all, we will also be helping the Jewish
Established 1971 Tever national Jewish Virtual House Nancy Pelosi (California). The community.
PUBLISHER Mission to Washington, D.C., in ear- speakers all noted the rise in domestic Session: Closing
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee ly February. Communities across the terrorism and antisemitism in recent Written by David & Edie Chaifetz
The Larry & Mary Greenspon United States virtually met with mem- years. They talked about the expan- The new Israeli Ambassador to the
Family Campus for Jewish Life bers of the new Biden administration sion of the Non-Profit Security Grant United States and the United Nations,
Klingenstein Jewish Center and bi-partisan Congressional leaders Program as an important resource for Gilad Erdan, spoke about the issues on
580 McIntosh Road
Sarasota, FL 34232-1959 to advocate for the priorities of the non-profits, funding for which has been which he will focus, namely strength-
Phone: 941.371.4546 Jewish community. Participants had increased. The provisions of this pro- ening the bi-partisan U.S.-Israel rela-
Fax: 941.378.2947 the opportunity to learn about what is gram have helped non-profits – both tionship, addressing climate change,
E-mail: jewishnews@jfedsrq.org being done to fight antisemitism, main- Jewish and non-Jewish – to “harden” building on the Abraham Accords to
Website: www.jfedsrq.org tain a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, their physical facilities and to hire se- expand the “circle of Peace” with ad-
Published Monthly ensure governmental resources are curity personnel. They also discussed ditional Arab and Muslim nations, and
Volume 51, Number 3 there to keep communal institutions the Never Again Education Act, which strengthening ties between the Ameri-
March 2021 thriving and provide for the vulnerable, promotes Holocaust education and not- can and Israeli Jewish communities.
56 pages such as Holocaust survivors. ed the need for increased awareness of Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel
USPS Permit No. 167 Four couples from our Sarasota- the Holocaust. Dan Shapiro expressed hope that the
April 2021 Issue Deadlines: Manatee area participated. Here is Session: Jewish Civic Engagement Biden administration would build on
Editorial: March 1, 2021 some of their feedback on the event: Written by David & Lori Liner the Abraham Accords. There was little
Advertising: March 4, 2021 Session: Lifelines for Communities Community leaders Joe Kanfer (Ak- likelihood expressed of an agreement
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Written by Elaine & Ted Gast ron, Ohio) and Maharat Rori Picker with the Palestinian Authority.
Inquiries can be sent to Bonnie Souther This session covered a range of topics. Neiss (St. Louis, Missouri) discussed Congressman Michael McCaul
at bsouther@jfedsrq.org
or call 941.371.4546 x0 The following were of particular interest: how participating in American democ- (Texas), Ranking Member on the House
‹ Senator Mitch McConnell (Ken- racy is a core part of the American Foreign Affairs Committee, emphasized
PRESIDENT tucky) spoke about the Senate’s Jewish experience. the bi-partisan committee support for
Randon Carvel strong support of Israel and its op- Both speakers agreed that Jews the U.S.-Israel relationship and also
position to BDS and antisemitism. have a long history of discussing and cited the importance of the Abraham
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Howard Tevlowitz He thanked JFNA for its vision and debating issues, dating back to the Tal- Accords in making a statement about
philanthropy. mud, and it is critically important to peace to both Iran and the Palestinians.
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ‹ Senators Jacky Rosen (Nevada) listen to and understand all points of Congressman Ted Deutch (Flori-
COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING and James Langford (Oklahoma) view on any given topic, regardless of da) also mentioned the bi-partisanship
Marty Katz discussed the bi-partisan Joint Task whether it is a position one agrees with. in Congress on Israel and the fight
Force to Oppose Antisemitism that Kanfer also stressed that when we against antisemitism. The bottom line
MANAGING EDITOR they established. This Task Force work together, we can have an impact of this session was that there are some
Ted Epstein
is the first organized effort in the that we cannot have working alone. positive developments to build on, and
ADVERTISING SALES Senate to confront the issue. It has Neiss added that American Jews have we have friends on both sides of the
Adam Kaplan – 941.552.6307 already had notable accomplish- benefited from the American model aisle in Congress to help get us there.
ments. The Senators feel that with-
PROOFREADERS out the establishment of the Task
Edward D. Cohen, Pam Ierulli, Force, the Never Again Education
Rhonda Kaplan, Marianne Mandell, Act of 2019 would not have been
Elliot Ofsowitz, Jeff Sherman, Jill enacted and funded. The act is in-
Simons, Linda Stern, Bryna Tevlowitz
tended to prevent the Holocaust
MISSION STATEMENT: The Jewish News of from fading from the country’s
Sarasota-Manatee strives to be the source of consciousness. Pursuant to the act,
news and features of special interest to the $10 million has been allocated for
Jewish community of Sarasota-Manatee, to
provide a forum for the exchange of ideas the development of Holocaust cur-
and opinions in the Jewish community, and riculums by the United States Ho-
to communicate the mission, activities and locaust Memorial Museum.
achievements of the Federation and its Jew- ‹ Representative Karen Bass (Cali-
ish community partners. fornia) pointed out that in order to
OPINIONS printed in The Jewish News of Sara- effectively fight the Covid pandem-
sota-Manatee do not necessarily reflect those ic, the country must take aggres-
of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Mana- sive by-partisan steps to eliminate
tee, its Board of Directors or staff.
health and income inequality.
SUBMISSIONS to The Jewish News are sub- All of the legislators who took part
ject to editing for space and content, and ‹
may be withheld from publication without in the session expressed a desire
prior notice. Approval of submissions for for bi-partisan cooperation. After
publication in either verbal or written form the divisiveness that has pervaded
shall always be considered tentative, and the last four years, one can only
does not imply a guarantee of any kind. hope that their desire turns into a
Submissions must be sent electronically to
reality.
jewishnews@jfedsrq.org. Session: Strategies and Resources for L’Chayim
LETTERS to the editor should not exceed 300
words, must be typed, and include the writer’s Protecting the Jewish Community
name, mailing address and phone number. Written by Larry & Carol Shatoff
Letters can be submitted via USPS or email The session began with remarks by
(jewishnews@jfedsrq.org). Not all letters will Cedric Richmond, Senior Advisor to
be published. Letters may be edited for length President Biden. Mr. Richmond re-
and content.
viewed the administration’s priorities Here’s “to Life” on the Gulf Coast
ADVERTISING: Publisher reserves the right for the first 100 days, including han-
to refuse any advertisement and may require dling the pandemic, promoting racial Committed to the Jewish Community for over 20 years,
the words “Paid Advertisement” in any ad. Stacy is passionate about real estate and strives
Publication of advertisements does not con- equity, and dealing with immigra- to build ever-lasting relationships based on exceptional service,
stitute endorsement of products, services or tion, the economic crisis and climate
ideas promoted therein. change. He also reviewed the $1.9 uncompromising values and a strong work ethic.
trillion Covid Relief Bill. And he not-
ed that we cannot give safe harbor to 941.266.0529
those who spew hate even when we StacyHanan@michaelsaunders.com
agree with them on policy.
Later speakers were Senator Tim
Scott (South Carolina), Senator Rob 1605 Main Street • Sarasota, FL 34236 • 941.951.6660