Page 33 - Jewish News _August 2021_

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD August 2021 33A

9 firsts you should know about My teen self would be proud of the adult work

Israel’s new government I do to strengthen Israel

By Joshua Mellits, Jewish National Fund-USA Director, Western Florida
hroughout my life, I have re- AMHSI-JNF core curriculum books my past self would be proud, and he but only now have I fully developed a
corded meaningful moments and notes. said it best: “My perspective has been heart and soul for it.”
Tthrough writing, and I tend to Yet being able to peek into the re- entirely altered…I know I had taken For more information about Jewish
hold onto those pieces. I kept my diary al-time thoughts of my teenage mind for granted…my frequent visits to the National Fund-USA’s High School in
from third grade, letters from summer is a special gift. In one passage, I de- Holy Land, and most importantly, my Israel, contact me at jmellits@jnf.org
camp and clippings from school news- scribe “the sense of accomplishment I knowledge about our people. I was or visit amhsi.org.
papers – including a poi- felt trekking on land educated with a head for Judaism –
gnant article processing where my ancient
ancestors died fight-
my own and my mid- ing for the survival Get to know Israel and her people!
dle-school classmates’
trauma as eyewitness- of the Jewish people,
es to the September 11 or looking over val- Visit jfedsrq.org/israel.
terror attacks while on a leys and vegetation
field trip. Having these below me in the light
first-person accounts is of dawn at Masada.
a treasured window into Before, I dutifully
past experiences as they read the biblical text;
happened. now I was using the A thoughtful approach to
Among these in- Tanach [Hebrew bi-
valuable reflections are Joshua Mellits ble] as my road map.” real estate for your best result.
some from the most impactful trip I’ve Other detailed scenes include mud-
ever taken: my junior-year semester at dy knees in caves used during the Bar
the Alexander Muss High School in Is- Kochva revolt against the Romans in “Rob is the consummate professional. He balances his sharp intellect with
rael, now powered by Jewish National the 2 century CE; stargazing on a solo excellent listening skills and a warm touch. Rob thinks about the relationship
nd
Fund-USA (AMHSI-JNF). I had been trek in the dunes of the Negev; dancing over the transaction and he will be forthright in delivering the hard truth.
He is trustworthy and hardworking. Rob is a friend above all.” – Jason H.
to Israel many times, vacationing and in an ultra-Orthodox synagogue in a
visiting family outside Tel Aviv, but sea of men’s black hats on the holiday
this was my first time exploring the of Simchat Torah; windows rattling
country not as a tourist but as a resident from not-so-distant explosions during
and student. Years later, I think fond- a homestay near the Gaza border; and HABLO ESPAÑOL
ly back on the memories of studying countless more. MOBILE 941.363.6507
OFFICE 941.349.3444
abroad with my friends from my sub- That is why working for Jewish RobertKrasow@michaelsaunders.com
urban Philadelphia Jewish day school National Fund-USA feels like I have RobertKrasow.michaelsaunders.com 5100 Ocean Blvd | Sarasota, FL 34242
(Barrack Hebrew Academy) and les- come full circle, dedicating my pro-
The newly sworn-in Israeli government poses for a group photo at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, sons learned on living independently fessional career to the Jewish commu-
June 14, 2021 (photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) as preparation for college. I have no nity and to strengthening the land and
intention to discard my marked-up people of Israel. I would like to think
Looking for
Looking for

another
way

another way
to advertise
to advertise
your business?
your business?

uaranteed categ
y
,
*
With g
or
y exclusivit
With guaranteed category exclusivity,*
our twice weekly banner ads,
our twice weekly banner ad s,
get YOUR message out!
YOUR
g
message out!
et
*We limit ads to a maximum of
Federation Eblast interactive banner four per Eblast and only one per
8,000
ads are delivered to 8,000 active business profession.
subscribers each week for as low as
JFEDSRQ.org/Eblast_Advertising
JFEDSRQ.org/Eblast_Advertising
$75 per ad — that’s less than a less than a
penny per recipient!
penny per recipient!
Also, our new Sunday
Also, our new Sund ay
E blast , sent a t the end of
Eblast, sent at the end of
vie
w
each month, is a sneak pr
e
each month, is a sneak preview
ALL

edera
F
tion e
of of ALL Federation events in
v
ents in
the upcoming month.
the upcoming month.
You can promote
Y ou can promote
FRI S
A
your event for only FRI SAT SUN | 9am-2pmT SUN | 9am-2pm
your event for only
$100 per month.
$100 per month.
Interested? Contact Adam Kaplan at
Interested? Contact Adam Kaplan at
akaplan@jfedsrq.org or 941.552.6307
akaplan@jfed srq.org or 9 4 1.55 2. 6 307 1445 Second Street | Sarasota, Florida 34236
www.99bottles.net