Page 20 - Jewish News_March-2020

20A March 2020 COMMUNITY FOCUS

Cantor Azi Schwartz

wows Sarasota

This program is sponsored by
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
2020 SPRING By Lex Calaguas

LUNCH & LEARN SERIES n Sunday, January 12, the high- bers stood up and danced together. It
ly anticipated “Azi Schwartz: was heart-warming to hear the entire
SPONSORED BY WILLIAMS PARKER OFrom Bimah to Broadway” audience singing “Oseh Shalom.”
concert was held at the Sarasota Op- Roslyn Mazur and her family
era House. The sold-out Temple Beth generously underwrote the concert in
Sholom fundraiser featuring Cantor loving memory of her husband, Len
A World in Flux: Azi Schwartz, senior cantor at Park Mazur, because “Cantor Schwartz and

Avenue Synagogue New York, did not his magnificent voice represent what
Rising Antisemitism and disappoint! He was accompanied by Len loved the most, all things Jewish
four talented New York-based back-up and all things beautiful.” There is no
Global Jewish Affairs in 2020 singers as well as three musicians. question that this performance high-
During the 90-minute performance, lighted the beauty in all things Jewish.
Cantor Schwartz not only graced the Edie Chaifetz, Fran Cohen and Sa-
FEATURING audience with his phenomenal voice ranee Newman were honored to chair
but also brought the community to- this event with Roslyn Mazur, and
gether. His voice and song selection worked with David Chaifetz, Temple
captivated the entire audience. From Beth Sholom President, during the
new arrangements of Jewish liturgi- planning of this event.
cal music to crowd favorites such as This special event would not have
“You’ll Never Walk Alone,” there been possible without the generos-
was something for everyone. Cantor ity of the Mazur family, Sarasota Op-
Schwartz and his fellow musicians era House, The Jewish Federation
taught everyone the “Mayim Mayim” of Sarasota-Manatee, the sponsors,
Israeli folk dance. In what was one of event committee and Temple Beth
the highlights, many audience mem- Sholom staff.

David Harris

AJC Chief Executive Officer

Saranee Newman, Fran Cohen, Cantor Azi Schwartz, Ros Mazur,
David & Edie Chaifetz, Rabbi Michael Werbow
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2020 Voila! A concert is born

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
By Sharon Greene, Artistic Director of the Sarasota Jewish Chorale

ow do I develop my pro- rale will sing for our major concert in
Michael’s on the Bay at Selby Gardens grams? I get inspiration from March, sponsored by The Jewish Fed-
Hwhat is going on in the world eration of Sarasota-Manatee, Temple
and how I wish to share this through Beth Sholom and DALET.
Lecture only $36 (Includes Lunch!) song. That sounds easier than it is! In This year, our theme will be “Songs

2018, we celebrated Israel’s 70 birth- of Peace and Joy.” Several of the up-
th
day and the 70 anniversary of the lifting songs, “Shehecheyanu” by Mar-
th
Reservations Required—Space is Limited! publication of Anne Frank’s diary. Last vin Hamlisch, and “One Light, One Helping you live the life
year it was 20 century Jewish com- Sun” by Raffi, just had to be included
th
posers. This year, based on the turmoil in our program. Pieces this spring are you want, the way you want.
in our country and the world, I wanted in English, Hebrew, Ladino, Yiddish
EVENT CHAIRS to bring levity with happy music to our and Swahili! I meet with Ronnie Rice-
David & Edie Chaifetz audience. berg, our president, for suggestions and
Each summer, I participate in the
Jerry & Wendy Feinstein North American Jewish Choral Festi- approval. Our singers sometimes bring
a song to me for perusal, and voilà, a
val in Stamford, Connecticut, where concert is born!
Join us on Sunday, March 29 to be
HONORARY EVENT CHAIRS there is beautiful, inspirational Jewish uplifted and inspired. Join the Chorale
music. We sing together every morning
Larry & Debbie Haspel and attend workshops during the day. for rehearsals on Thursday nights from
At some point during these four days, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Come sing with us!
a light bulb goes off in my brain, and I For more information, please go to
Resurgent antisemitism in the United States just know the kind of music the Cho- sarasotajewishchorale.org.

and Europe, elections in the U.S. and Israel, Joe Newman celebrates
an American peace initiative, and Iranian th

aggression and instability in the Middle East. 107 birthday

What can American Jews expect amidst By Sonia Pressman Fuentes
y friend Joe Newman cel- from Notre Dame in the 1930s, and is
all these challenges in 2020? Hear from ebrated his 107 birthday its longest-surviving graduate. • Personal Care
th
American Jewish Committee (AJC) Mon Sunday, January 12. Joe Joe and his wife had one daughter • Daily Living Assistance
just recently started using a cane and who was intellectually and develop-
CEO David Harris, known by many as the stopped driving his red convertible. He mentally disabled. So he and his wife
had been a CPA and is now the treasur- started the first school for develop- • Light Housekeeping
Foreign Minister of the Jewish people, on er of the Congregation for Humanistic mentally challenged children in South

these issues and more. Judaism. He lives at Aviva – A Cam- Bend, Indiana, the Logan School. It is • Skilled Nursing
pus for Senior Life in Sarasota, as I do, now the Logan Center, a national or-
with his partner Anita Sampson, who ganization for developmentally chal- • Dementia Specialists
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED: will be 100 this month. lenged children.
Joe was the first Jew to graduate Joe ran for the U.S. Congress at • Respite Care and Family Relief
R.S.V.P. to AJC at 941.365.4955 the age of 101. You can read about it

or email sarasota@ajc.org at news.wgcu.org/post/joe-newman- • Inpatient Hospital Sitters
101-year-old-man-aims-run-congress.
On my refrigerator door, I still have • And Much More …
the million-dollar bill he gave me at
the time to vote for him. He appeared
in newspaper articles around the world
with his campaign.
Anita told me two interesting
things about them. She said when they
got together, they had hoped to have
two years together – and they’ve had
17. She also said they’ve discussed why
they are both living so long and were

Joe Newman unable to come up with any reasons.

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