Page 10 - Jewish News_may2021

10 May 2021 FEDERATION NEWS

TWO JEWS... Where your dollars go CRConnect: Is Zionism a form of racism?

By David Millstone
This series highlights mission-based programs and projects that are supported by
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. Funding for these initiatives is de-
ed on the basis of the Zionist dream
rived from the Annual Campaign. The series helps to explain where your generous srael as a modern state was found-
dollars are spent and features certain initiatives that enrich the lives of Jews living Iof the late 19 century, advanced
th
in Sarasota-Manatee, local projects with area partners, and overseas programs that and promoted by Theodor Herzl. For
support the social and humanitarian needs of Jews in Israel and around the world. Herzl, Zionism was a nationalist move-
Pensacola cemetery ment for the establishment of a Jewish
homeland in the historic land of the

Staff Report Jewish people – Eretz Yisrael or the
Land of Israel. His dream was built
critical piece of the mission to a cemetery in Pensacola following upon the need to protect the survival
at The Jewish Federation of Hurricane Sally. Ray Engel, President of Jews, not only physically, but reli-
A Sarasota-Manatee is to pro- of Temple Beth El of Pensacola, wrote giously and culturally.
vide help for those in need. One of in an email to Howard Tevlowitz, “Pen- Today, there are two antithetical
the periods when people need help the sacola was hit very hard by Hurricane views of Zionism – one is that Zionism
most is when they are burying loved Sally with over $29 million in damag- is racist and the other is that anti-Zion-
ones. To that end, the Federation ini- es. While we suffered only minor dam- ism is both antisemitic and racist. This
tiated our Jewish Burial Fund in 1996. ages to our main campus/sanctuary, we article will explore how the concept
Then, in 2016, as a collaboration be- incurred major damage to our historic of Zionism as racism developed, and
tween the Federation and Chevra Kadi- cemetery.” Federations across Florida why, in this author’s view, it is simply
sha, the Jewish Burial Charitable Fund rushed to help, including The Jewish wrong.
of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota- Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. On November 10, 1975, the UN
Manatee was re-established. In response to our donation, Engel General Assembly passed Resolution
Since the beginning of 2015, the sent this message of thanks to our com- 3379 declaring “Zionism is a form of
munity: “I can’t express enough thanks racism and racial discrimination.” The
fund has distributed more than $30,000
THREE in local grants to assist with the costs to the Sarasota Federation for this act resolution was passed 37 years to the
of kindness. It is so heartwarming to day after Kristallnacht.
of 14 Jewish burials. Federation CEO
The concept of Zionism as racism
know our fellow Jews are thinking of
Howard Tevlowitz said, “Jewish law
OPINIONS! is unequivocal about the importance us in a time of disaster.” was not new. It had its roots in geo-
We are here for this community. If political struggles when the UN was
of a proper funeral for the deceased.
you or someone you know is in need debating and negotiating the Interna-
In fact, attending and participating in
a funeral is one of the most significant
of a burial, please contact Howard All Forms of Racial Discrimination
mitzvot that can be done. Our goal is of financial assistance for the planning tional Convention on Elimination of
to ensure that these mitzvot continue Tevlowitz at htevlowitz@jfedsrq.org (CERD), adopted in 1965. The African
nations wanted the focus of CERD to
We can be honored with a traditional Jew- Read the current and previous ticular focus on apartheid in South
or 941.371.4546.
to happen and that every Jewish person
be on racial discrimination, with par-
who passes away in Sarasota-Manatee
editions of The Jewish News
Africa. Because of the racial discrim-
ish funeral.”
ination in the United States that still
Recently, the Jewish Burial Chari-
at jfedsrq.org/jewish-news
want JFSM
existed in the mid-1960s, the U.S. was
table Fund was used to repair damage
JFSM
2020–2021tualVirtual
Vir
FEDERATION MAJOR EVENTS
to hear and Tolerance Education 1,912 Sarasota-Manatee
NEVER FORGET
Holocaust, Genocide
students learned about the
YOURS! MAGICAL MOROCCO... MORE THAN MARRAKECH Your story of survival moved
Holocaust from survivors
last year
MAY 3 — 31 (Mondays) • 2:00PM
#NEVERFORGET

MAY 10 • 2:00PM
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK — WOMEN SERIES — PAMELA NADELL
me and I will remember you
for the rest of my life.
AMERICAN’S JEWISH WOMEN
– North Port High School Student
MAY 11 • 2:00PM

HELP US SHAPE NEXT SEASON’S FEDERATION PEOPLE OF THE BOOK — WOMEN SERIES — JANICE KAPLAN
PROGRAMMING BY COMPLETING OUR NEW THE GENIUS OF WOMEN Ensuring we
PROGRAMS SURVEY: MAY 12 • 7:00PM Learn what “Never Forget”
PAST u PRESENT u FUTURE. PEOPLE OF THE BOOK — WOMEN SERIES — BILL HALTOM means, before it is too late.

Let us know what you attended this past year, how it impacted WHY CAN’T MOTHER VOTE? Invite a Holocaust survivor to
you, what you’d like to see handled differently, and what you’ll feel
comfortable attending in 2021-2022. We want to hear your areas MAY 13 • 3:00PM your school, synagogue or library.
of interest, comfort level attending in person programs, outdoor JUST REEL EDUCATION — NUMBERED
vs. indoors, and what kind of conditions will make you feel safe.
To book a speaker, contact Anne Stein
GIVE YOUR INPUT HERE: MAY 27 • 3:00PM HOLOCAUST SPEAKERS BUREAU COORDINATOR
JFEDSRQ.ORG/ProgramSurvey JUST REEL EDUCATION — STILL LIFE IN LODZ luvhula@gmail.com

To see the full schedule
of events and to register, visit
jfedsrq.org/events jfedsrq.org
941.371.4546