Page 17 - Jewish News_04-2021

COMMUNITY FOCUS April 2021 17A

Dayenu – It would have been enough Generous Sarasota-based family dedicates

new ambulance for Magen David Adom of Israel

gramming based on the community’s
ongoing and evolving needs. n February, Milton Richter donated In his virtual address, Mr. Richter Red Crescent Societies. A leader in safety tests and distributes nearly all
Our connection to Israel re- $130,000 to sponsor a Magen Da- took a cue from former American Pres- mass-casualty response and in EMS the blood to Israel’s hospitals; and,
mained strong through advocacy and Ivid Adom life-support ambulance ident John F. Kennedy, saying, “Ask technology, Magen David Adom treats through its affiliation with the Red
support - DAYENU! in Israel. These ambulances are the not what Israel could do for you; ask and transports nearly one million peo- Cross movement, responds to disasters
The Federation is committed to workhorses of the MDA fleet, safely what I could do for others. I saw what ple to hospitals every year; collects, around the world.
keeping our ties to Israel healthy and transporting paramedics and life-sav- was needed and I am fortunate to be
strong. From our work on college ing equipment to treat injured civilians, able to provide it.”
campuses to combat the Boycott, Di-rocket attack victims, Israel has been a glob-
vestment and Sanctions (BDS) move-deliver newborn babies al leader in containing the
ment, to grants to Israeli non-profits and so much more. Coronavirus. As of Febru-
that work with women and children, to The dedication was ary 1, MDA enabled Israel
programming highlighting the best of held virtually in Sara- to become the first country
Israeli innovation, our hearts belong sota, with other par- in the world to guarantee
with the Jewish state. ticipants joining from Coronavirus vaccine to all
This year, as we once again cele-New Jersey and New of its nursing home resi-
brate Passover virtually, we are grate-York. The generous gift dents.
ful for all the generous people who help was organized by Mr. Magen David Adom
our community rejoice in DAYENU! Richter’s niece, Mar- is Israel’s national EMS,
Please consider a gift to the Fed-lene Penn, who helped blood-services and disas-
eration’s Annual 2021 Campaign to arrange the virtual cer- Milton Richter ter-relief organization, and
continue being there for our Jewish emony along with extended family Israel’s representative to the Interna-
community. Visit jfedsrq.org/donate or members in New Jersey. tional Federation of Red Cross and
contact Ilene Fox, Senior Philanthropic Milton Richter was at home in Sarasota and made his remarks via Zoom while the family gathered
Officer, at 941.343.2111 or ifox@jfed How can we sing in New Jersey for this photo: Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan, Michael DeMeo, Arthur Penn, Emily Penn,
Marlene Penn, Nathan Penn, Jordan DeMeo (toddler)
srq.org to learn more.
during Covid-19?

n early March 2020, the Saraso- vaccine allowing us to safely and joy-
ta Jewish Chorale board became fully resume rehearsals. We will none-
Ipainfully aware of the encroaching theless acquire special singing masks
Covid-19 pandemic. Because the act of and will still arrange our rehearsal area
singing is something that can spread allowing for safe spacing.
the virus, and because it is impossible Our goal is to prepare a Chanu-
to social distance the amount of peo- kah program for December 2021 and
ple in our choir, we canceled rehearsals present our annual and only fundrais-
and our planned March concert so that ing concert to the Sarasota-Bradenton Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
all of us, and you, our audience mem- community in March 2022. “Wouldn’t
bers, would be safe. A year has passed It Be Loverly?” to hear Songs of Peace
since we made that decision. This pan- and Joy after all that our nation, friends
demic has been a long and difficult and loved ones have suffered during the
time for everyone. So, how and when past year? We hope to assist in healing
do we begin to sing again? our Jewish community. This Passover, help us
The Sarasota Jewish Chorale board We are always seeking new mem-
and members are cautiously optimistic bers. If you are interested in joining us, make it possible to celebrate
that by September 2021, enough of our please contact our president, Ronnie
another kind of freedom.
singers will have received the Covid Riceberg, at 508.942.1479. Freedom from a pandemic.

we are FED As the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage around the world, there’s

reason for hope. And no country has offered more hope for what life might
be like again than Israel, which has led the world in immunizing its people.

a major role in this success. MDA has treated tens of thousands of stricken
Enriching Jewish Hearts Magen David Adom, Israel’s paramedic and Red Cross service, has played
Israelis, administered Covid tests to more than 4 million, and vaccinated
Israel’s most vulnerable populations, including all its nursing home residents.
When you support Magen David Adom,
your gift has an immediate impact in
helping Israelis — today and every day.
Make a gift today. Pesach kasher v’sameach.
afmda.org/passover

STAY CONNECTED STAY CONNECTED
our Federation strives to enrich Jewish hearts in our Sarasota-Manatee community —
Yfrom life-changing trips to Israel for teens, community leaders, mothers and fathers,
to opportunities for youth to develop their leadership skills with our Shapiro Teen
Engagement Program (STEP), to being an integral voice for Jewish young adults on
local campuses with Gulf Coast Hillel and to providing a connection to the larger Jewish
community with our weekly eblast newsletters, monthly Jewish News, and yearly Shalom
SRQ magazine. facebook.com/jfedsrq

jfedsrq.org
941.371.4546
Instagram.com/jfedsrq