Page 28 - Jewish News_December 2021

28A December 2021 JEWISH INTEREST

Board Chair of The Florida Holocaust Museum 70 Miss Universe Competition to air live around
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calls out educators who delegitimize the Holocaust the world on December 12 from Eilat, Israel

T. PETERSBURG, FL (October Holocaust education with books deny- can also visit our museum or utilize our About The Florida EW YORK, NY (October 27,
22, 2021) – Michael Igel, Board ing the atrocities. renowned educational materials where, Holocaust Museum 2021) – The Miss Universe
SChair of The Florida Holocaust In response to these events, Mi- using a portion of the more than 19,000 One of the largest Holocaust museums NOrganization, the Israeli Min-
Museum and Chair of the Florida chael Igel released the following state- objects we have in our collection, we in the country, and one of three nation-istry of Tourism and the city of Eilat
Commissioner’s Task Force on Holo- ment: “There are two sides to many teach. It is days like this where I am ally accredited Holocaust museums, today announced that the 70 Miss
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caust Education, released a statement stories. However, some things are not reminded our work is not done, and I The Florida Holocaust Museum honors Universe Competition will air live
strongly denouncing educators who up for debate. The Holocaust hap- am glad we are here.” the memory of millions of men, wom-from Eilat, Israel, on Sunday, Decem-
claim that there were two sides to the pened. There can be no ‘opposing view’ As Chair of the Florida Commis- en and children who suffered or died in ber 12 at 7:00 p.m. EST. Israeli singer
Holocaust. of a historical fact. If anyone questions sioner’s Task Force on Holocaust Edu- the Holocaust. The museum is dedicat-and international star Noa Kirel will
This comes on the heels of a twice- the Holocaust, we can introduce you cation, Igel advises the Commissioner ed to teaching members of all races and perform at the competition.
fired Florida principal who refused to to people who were there. To the sur- on issues relating to Holocaust educa- cultures the inherent worth and dignity “I’m so excited and honored to be
acknowledge the Holocaust as a his- vivors, victims and their families, this tion and helps to implement education- of human life in order to prevent future performing at Miss Universe,” said
torical fact, and a Texas school admin- is personal. You can hear about my al standards surrounding the Holocaust genocides. For additional information, Kirel. “By believing in themselves and
istrator instructing teachers to balance grandparents. They were there. You in the State of Florida. please visit thefhm.org. fearlessly chasing their dreams, these
women from around the world live and
Book review: He Lost it in the Catskills breathe the values of the Miss Universe
Organization, and I can’t wait to share
By Sharon Gloger Friedman, Author, Ashes this celebratory moment with all of
e Lost it in the Catskills, by colony and worked as a busboy his fellow waiters and Grossinger’s, the word went forth… them on this incredible global stage.”
This year’s competition will also
Jerry Greenfield, is a fond and waiter in several Borscht busboys and, most of everywhere in the green rolling coun-
Hlook back at the last days of Belt hotels over the course of all, the ripe aromas, tryside from Monticello to Mountain- feature two other contestants from the
the “Borscht Belt,” the Catskills sum- 10 years. This story is based sounds and vibrations of dale, from Ellenville to Hurleyville, region: Miss Universe United Arab
mer escape for generations of Jewish on his experiences, the friends the cool mountain eve- the Word went forth: “Good evening, Emirates and Miss Universe Moroc-
co. This will mark the first time that a
families. It was also the region that he found and the innocence nings. ladies and gentlemen, dinner is now delegate from the United Arab Emir-
launched the careers of many famous he lost coming of age in this The story flashes be- being served in the main dining room.”
comedians and singers. legendary (and now bygone) tween two time periods. * * * ates has competed in the competition.
Although it is a work of fiction, it region. On a day in 2005, attor- Greenfield describes young Na- Additionally, Miss Universe Morocco
is based on the author’s experiences Greenfield tells the sto- ney Nathan Kirshner re- than’s introduction – or initiation – into returns to the competition for the first
time in over four decades.
growing up and working in the resort ry of a young boy’s loss of turns to South Fallsburg as this world of unlimited food service “Despite the challenges the
area’s bungalows and hotels. In fact, his innocence with equal doses of humor a world-weary adult to handle the sale like this: “For the next two-and-a-half
mother’s family owned a hotel called and nostalgia, creating images in the of his family’s hotel (now in ruins). As hours, Nathan found himself caught in Covid-19 pandemic placed in our path,
Rubel’s Mansion in the late ’30s and reader’s mind through evocative simi- he visits the site and sees the dilapidat- a dizzying Dada-esque nightmare of we knew how to maintain the balance
early ’40s. As a child, Jerry spent all les and metaphors. He describes the al- ed hotel sinking slowly back into the noise, steam, heat and the merciless ex- between health and the economy, to
bring tourism back to Israel,” said Is-
his summers at the adjoining bungalow ways-ravenously-hungry hotel guests, earth, memories come flooding back to cavation of mountains of food by 256
that day in 1965 when, as a 15-year- people who had obviously never eaten
old, he arrives on the bus from the city in their lives.”
Presented by to start his first summer’s work. In addition to that realization, he

He describes the hotels of the time has intriguing conversations with –
as “cruise ships on dry land… all you and gains insights from – the hotel’s
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK can eat three times a day, with a mid- social director, Morty Mishkin, whose

night buffet on Saturday.” The troubling personality, bi-
dining rooms were staffed zarre life experience and
mostly by college-age young unusual perspective on
2021-22 Author Lecture Series men and women, all working other people challenge
Three December events on Zoom seven days a week from July his youthful understand-
October 12, 2021 – May 3, 2022
ing – or lack of it.
4 through Labor Day to earn
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21 Authors • 20 Events
His path to adult-
Wednesday, December 8 tuition money. hood is further paved by
The author makes clear
10 “in-person” events (also available on Zoom) the paramount importance of Ruthie, the only female
Ben M. Freeman food to the hotel guests in de- dining room staffer who
and 10 Zoom-only events
Jewish Pride scribing the daily announce- Jerry Greenfield offers sympathy and un-
derstanding when the
ment of dinner service. The
hotel’s social director, Morty Mishkin, staff quarters burns down and people
has that honor. are lost to the flames.
Thursday, December 16 * * * Reading this gem of a book is to
(From the book:) At exactly seven settle back and enjoy a bygone era of
Tracy Walder o’clock, when the setting summer sun simpler times and pleasures, whether
was turning the countryside into soft
or not you spent any of your summers
The Unexpected Spy gold, Morty Mishkin picked up the in the Borscht Belt.
bulbous black and silver microphone Greenfield’s other books include
at the front desk, flipped the switch on three memoirs of the Vietnam War
Tuesday, December 21 the public address amplifier, and with and two entertaining books about his
favorite topic – wine. He is a wine
grand and obvious pride, with the air
of a man who bears the most wonder- consultant, conducting private tastings
Tim Darcy Ellis ful news and delights in its recitation, and wine dinners, and staff training for

The Secret Diaries made The Pronouncement. A great stir restaurants. He resides in Fort Myers
and is a board member of the Jewish
spread through the assembled guests
of Juan Luis Vives when his words issued from the an- Federation of Lee and Charlotte Coun-
tique loudspeakers mounted on poles ties.
See the article on around the property, for upon his Order He Lost it in the Catskills on
pages 6A-7A for information Authors appearing in the monthly series long-awaited utterance the summer of Amazon or purchase your personally
about these authors of the People of the Book are members 1965 had its official beginning. At that signed copy at catskillmemories.com.
and their books. of the Jewish Book Council Network. precise moment, in fact, upon that very Sharon Gloger Friedman received

These events are $10 each per household. Save more when same instant, Morty’s tummler coun- the 2019 Next Generation Indie Book
terparts at hotels for miles around were
Award for Historical Fiction and Solo
you purchase a package to the entire series. For a complete proclaiming the same words into their Medalist, 2019 New Apple Summer
schedule of events, ticket information, author bios, book own microphones, issuing the same lit- E-Book for Historical Fiction. For
synopses and a 16-page brochure, visit jfedsrq.org/books. urgy from hundreds of loudspeakers. more information about Sharon, visit
sharonglogerfriedman.com.
At the palatial Concord and historic