Page 11 - Jewish News _August 2021_

FEDERATION NEWS August 2021 11A

‹ Religious Services: Normally,
Rabbi Katz and volunteers conduct
monthly Shabbat services and holi-
day celebrations (High Holy Days,
Hanukkah, Passover) at several se-
nior living facilities. However, due
to Covid restrictions, Rabbi Katz
conducted Passover, High Holy
Days and Hanukkah services via
Zoom for these residents.
‹ Friendly Visitors: Clients are
matched with a trained volunteer
who usually visits a few times a
month. Nine clients were served by
seven volunteers. The year started
off with in-person visits, but phone
calls had to be substituted in the
pandemic’s wake.
‹ Prison Ministry: A volunteer
with long-term experience in pris-
on ministry has, for several years,
met weekly with 12 to 14 Jewish
inmates at the state prison at the
Desoto Correctional Institution in
Arcadia. Unfortunately, the pan-
demic stopped those meetings.
The volunteer was able to maintain
communication through the mail.
Occasionally, Rabbi Katz will
meet with a member of the Jewish
community who has been incarcer-
ated locally or who finds himself
or herself dealing with legal issues.
‹ Jewish Programming: Unfortu-
nately, Covid-19 forced the elim-
ination of much of the planned
programming for 2020. Still, Rab-
bi Katz organized an innovative
and well-received Jewish spiritual-
ity workshop that included sound
immersion and guided meditation
in early 2020. He also continued
his role as the liaison for Sarasota’s
Sister City of Tel Mond, Israel. In
this capacity, he facilitated a sold- Come Home for the High Holy Days!
out Taste of Sephardic Cooking
held at the Sarasota Arts Center.
One programmatic mainstay re-
mained despite the pandemic: the Experience the joy, spirituality, and music
weekly Jewish current events dis- 2021 HIGH HOLY DAY SERVICES 5782
cussion group called “Talk Story” of our High Holy Day worship. Join
facilitated by Rabbi Katz. Now in
its third year, this popular group us safely in-person or virtually on our September 6 6:00 pm Rosh Hashanah Evening Services
currently meets on Zoom. 8:00 pm
Finally, it is also worth noting website. Invite your loved ones to join us,
that the counseling needs of the Jew- the Gulf Coast’s favorite Reform temple. September 7 9:00 am Rosh Hashanah Morning Services
ish community were also supported by 11:15 am
your Federation during the pandemic. Family services are free and open to all. 1:30 pm Rosh Hashanah Family Service
The Federation granted an additional
$13,440 to JFCS for specific Covid-19 Guest tickets are available for purchase September 15 6:00 pm Yom Kippur Evening Kol Nidre
related counseling needs in a very try- 8:00 pm
ing year. through our website.
Thank you to the staff and volun-
half of a grateful community, thank you www.sarasotatemple.org September 16 9:00 am Yom Kippur Morning Services
teers at JFCS of the Suncoast. On be-

11:15 am
for being our partners on the ground, click on 1:30 pm Yom Kippur Family Service
doing God’s work. 3:15 pm Yizkor Memorial Services
For more information on the Jewish 5:00 pm
Healing program at JFCS of the Sun- Livestream
coast, contact Rabbi Jonathan Katz at 6:00 pm Ne’ilah Concluding Service
jkatz@jfcs-cares.org or 941.366.2224
x166. 151 McIntosh Road | Sarasota, FL 34232 | 941-371-2788
For more information on how
you can help your Federation assist
our local Jewish community, contact We Wish You a Healthy and Happy New Year!
Barbara Mazer, Chief Development
Strategist, at bmazer@jfedsrq.org or
941.706.0035.