Page 4 - Jewish News_March-2020

4A March 2020
2019-2020
TORCH
TOR C H
SPONSORS
Edie and David Chaifetz
Leon R. and Margaret M. Ellin
Debbie and Larry Haspel
Rosenthal Roots Family Foundation
Sylvia and Norman Samet
Bunny and Mort Skirboll
Hadassah and Martin Strobel
Lois Stulberg
We offer our very deep appreciation
to our 2019-20 Season Torch Sponsors!
They support our Federation’s efforts to bring quality
events and programs to our local community and help
fund crucial services for people in need here in
Sarasota-Manatee, in Israel and around the world.
*As of 11/11/19
Follow us on social media @jfedsrq
FEDERATION NEWS
Where your dollars go
This series highlights mission-based programs and projects that are supported by
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. Funding for these initiatives is de-
rived from the Annual Campaign. The series helps to explain where your generous
dollars are spent and features certain initiatives that enrich the lives of Jews living
in Sarasota-Manatee, local projects with area partners, and overseas programs that
support the social and humanitarian needs of Jews in Israel and around the world.
Chabad Chanukah events
By Gayle Guynup
ach year, The Jewish Federa- Chanukah could not be dimmed. It was
tion of Sarasota-Manatee sup- an all-around wonderful, wonderful
Eports three separate Chabad day.”
Chanukah events – one in Bradenton, Inclement weather also did not
one in Sarasota and one in Venice. This dampen the spirits of the hundreds of
year, the Federation donated $12,500 guests who came out for “A Taste of
toward the three events. Chanukah 2019,” moved from Phil-
“We have proudly supported these lippi Creek Mansion to Westfield Sara-
important community events for many sota Square Mall. It was a fun day for
years,” said Kim Mullins, Chief Op- the entire family with a full-color laser
erating Officer of The Jewish Federa- light show, a trackless train ride, magi-
tion of Sarasota-Manatee. “Our local cians, face painting, live music by DJ
Chabads produce incredible outreach CJ Koenig, and delicious kosher food
and holiday events, such as these Cha- prepared by the area’s finest caterers.
nukah programs, that draw thousands Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz of Chabad
of Jewish people each year and provide Lubavitch of Sarasota and Mana-
a safe space where we can celebrate tee Counties, noted that the Federa-
together as a community.” tion sponsorship is important because
The Chanukah event normally held Chabad is seeking to be as inclusive as
on Lakewood Ranch Main Street had possible, teaming up with other local
to be moved indoors, to the Chabad organizations.
Center, due to the threat of bad weath- “Despite the bad weather and the
er. According to Rabbi Mendy Bukiet last-minute change of venue, we had
of Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood more than 1,000 participants,” Rabbi
Ranch, it was still a festive affair that Steinmetz said. “There were major
included a menorah made from LEGO entertainers including The Skyriders!
blocks and a Chanukah gelt drop, Trampoline Show. But the real high-
among other fun activities for the fam- light was the freshly baked giant latkes,
ilies and children. Adding to the fun which quickly sold out!”
was a bubble and magic show. On December 29, the Chabad of
“The event is one of the premier Venice Chanukah Klezmer Festival,
Chanukah events in our area, and held at Centennial Park, featured the
shows how relevant the Federation is lighting of a 10-foot LEGO menorah,
in supporting the Jewish community,” The Freilach Klezmer Band, and a per-
formance by Chabad’s Hebrew School
of the Arts students. Guests could also
enjoy traditional Chanukah foods, with
latkes, kugel, stuffed cabbage and mat-
zah ball chicken soup available for
sale. The event was free and open to
the public.
Rabbi Sholom Schmerling of
Chabad of Venice and North Port not-
ed, “The success of our event could not
have been possible without the partner-
ship and support of the Federation. The
event is important to the local Jewish
community because it brings them to-
gether and there is a special sense of
Jewish pride that everyone in atten-
dance feels.” He added that this year
Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch
Rabbi Bukiet said. “This event is vi- was the most successful event in Ven-
celebrated with a menorah made of LEGO blocks
tal because Chanukah is so important, attending.
ice to date with close to 1,000 people
For more information on grants
bringing light and warmth into our
community,” he said. “Even in these
to our local community, contact Kim
* days when there is so much anger and Mullins at kmullins@jfedsrq.org or
hatred in our headlines, the light of
941.552.6300.
Sam Schneider lights the Lego Menorah at the “A Taste of Chanukah” festival
Chabad of Venice Hebrew School of the Arts students
perform at the Chabad of Venice Chanukah event