Page 5 - Jewish News_may2021

FEDERATION NEWS May 2021 5

My Momentum journey:

rediscovering values and purpose

By Lauren Kurnov, Ed.D.
Established 1971
a wonderful experience. Its ability to was born and raised right here in a seminar on a Jewish value or lesson search findings with various stakehold-
produce thought-provoking, entertain- PUBLISHER beautiful, sunny Sarasota, Florida. and was followed by an excursion to a ers throughout the Sarasota-Manatee
ing theater performances in a virtu- The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee I Growing up, my family life was significant cultural, historic or religious area, including school district leader-
The Larry & Mary Greenspon
al environment in its first year was Family Campus for Jewish Life what I would characterize as Jew-ish. site. The curriculum of the trip provid- ship, local synagogues, Community
nothing short of incredible. We look Klingenstein Jewish Center My family belonged to Temple Ema- ed participants with many opportuni- Day School and the Jewish Federation.
forward to a continued partnership 580 McIntosh Road nu-El and we observed Shabbat at ties for self-reflection and learning. I It is my hope that sharing my research
to bring quality Jewish theater to our Sarasota, FL 34232-1959 home every month or two. I completed instantly felt deeply connected to the findings will help the community bet-
Sarasota-Manatee community, hope- Phone: 941.371.4546 a Bat Mitzvah at age 13 and attended people of Israel, the place and my fel- ter understand effective and meaning-
Fax: 941.378.2947
fully in an in-person setting, later this E-mail: jewishnews@jfedsrq.org Jewish sleepaway camp for three sum- low travelers. ful ways to support Jewish youth.
year or in early 2022.” Website: www.jfedsrq.org mers. I returned from the trip with a re- Over the last few years, I have
Carole Kleinberg added, “The ne- On the surface, we were checking newed sense of clarity
cessity to use technology offered us Published Monthly all the boxes of what being a “good” and purpose. I knew
some unexpected benefits. We were Volume 51, Number 5 Reform Jewish family entailed. My that I wanted to start to
May 2021
able to use actors from across the 48 pages inner Jewish life, however, told a dif- observe more Jewish
country, and the playwrights were able USPS Permit No. 167 ferent story. As a “good” Jewish girl, I rituals such as Shab-
June 2021 Issue Deadlines: diligently studied for my Bat Mitzvah bat with my family. In
Editorial: April 29, 2021 but never felt deeply connected to my Jerusalem, everything
Advertising: May 3, 2021 Jewish studies or community. These shuts down for Shabbat.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: mixed feelings about my Jewish iden- Stores are closed, streets
Inquiries can be sent to Bonnie Souther tity remained with me throughout high are empty and everyone
at bsouther@jfedsrq.org school, college and into my adult years. simply stays home with
or call 941.371.4546 x0 All of that changed in 2017 when their family. I was de-
to watch the readings of their plays PRESIDENT I went to Israel for the first time. I was termined to bring some
without leaving home. David Gow, Randon Carvel selected to participate in The Jewish version of that back to
who wrote Cherry Docs, watched from Federation of Sarasota-Manatee’s my home life. I knew
Toronto, Canada, and James Sherman, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER first Momentum trip to Israel. The trip that our modern lives
author of From Door to Door, Zoomed Howard Tevlowitz was a subsidized eight-day experience would not be compati-
in from Chicago. Both were amazed at SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ble with a full 24-hour
the transformation that happened when COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING Shabbat observance.
their works were produced through the Marty Katz However, I believed we
magic of technology.” could commit to having
Given its success, we look forward MANAGING EDITOR Friday night Shabbat
to the future when we can bring live, Ted Epstein dinners as a family a Lauren Kurnov with Alicia Zoller on the 2017 Momentum trip
in-person theater to our Jewish com- couple of times each month. also become increasingly involved in
munity and the greater Sarasota-Man- ADVERTISING SALES My professional interests also local Jewish life. I now regularly at-
atee community. As SJT says, “You Adam Kaplan – 941.552.6307 shifted as a result of my experience tend Federation events, and my hus-
don’t have to be Jewish to love Jewish PROOFREADERS in Israel. Following the trip, I began band Gary has joined the Federation’s
theater.” Edward D. Cohen, Pam Ierulli, to develop a research interest in an- Granting Committee. I joined Temple
For more information about the Rhonda Kaplan, Marianne Mandell, tisemitism and its impact on youth de- Emanu-El’s Religious School Commit-
Sarasota Jewish Theater, email carole Elliot Ofsowitz, Jeff Sherman, Jill velopment. Motivated by the desire to tee so that I could take a more active
@carolekleinberg.com. For more in- Simons, Linda Stern, Bryna Tevlowitz positively impact my own children’s role in shaping the religious school
formation about Federation events, MISSION STATEMENT: The Jewish News of Jewish identity development, I spent experience for my children. I want to
contact me at tkrames@jfedsrq.org or Sarasota-Manatee strives to be the source of the next three years of my doctoral do everything I can to ensure that they
941.706.0037. news and features of special interest to the program focused on research in the feel connected to, rooted in and proud
Jewish community of Sarasota-Manatee, to areas of positive youth, identity and of their Jewish identity. Similar to my
provide a forum for the exchange of ideas The Kurnov family (Lauren, Gary, Zachary purpose development. In 2020, I con- experience growing up in Sarasota, my
and opinions in the Jewish community, and and Raina) with grandmother Rita Mazer ducted a qualitative study with local kids are usually the only Jewish chil-
to communicate the mission, activities and in Israel for Jewish mothers. I had nev- Jewish early adolescents, and in March dren in their school classes and have
achievements of the Federation and its Jew-
ish community partners. er been to Israel before, and was in- of this year I successfully defended expressed to me that they just want to
trigued by the idea of experiencing it my dissertation which was entitled fit in. I hope their Jewish pride and af-
OPINIONS printed in The Jewish News of Sara-
sota-Manatee do not necessarily reflect those for the first time surrounded by a com- “Jewish early adolescent perceptions finity strengthens over time. Thankful-
of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Mana- munity of Jewish mothers. Without my of their positive youth development, ly, mine certainly has, due in large part
tee, its Board of Directors or staff. husband or children along for the ride, identity development and purpose.” to my Momentum trip to Israel!
SUBMISSIONS to The Jewish News are sub- I felt like I would be able to fully im- This month, I graduate with my Ed.D. For more information on Federation’s
ject to editing for space and content, and merse myself in the experience. in Program Development from the Momentum programs, contact Gisele
may be withheld from publication without Those eight days in Israel were tru- University of South Florida. Over the Pintchuck at gpintchuck@jfedsrq.org
prior notice. Approval of submissions for ly life changing. Each day began with coming months, I plan to share my re- or 941.706.0029.
publication in either verbal or written form
shall always be considered tentative, and
does not imply a guarantee of any kind.
Submissions must be sent electronically to STAY
jewishnews@jfedsrq.org. L’Chayim
LETTERS to the editor should not exceed 300
words, must be typed, and include the writer’s CONNECTED
name, mailing address and phone number.
Letters can be submitted via USPS or email
(jewishnews@jfedsrq.org). Not all letters will
be published. Letters may be edited for length
and content. Here’s “to Life” on the Gulf Coast
ADVERTISING: Publisher reserves the right
to refuse any advertisement and may require Committed to the Jewish Community for over 20 years,
the words “Paid Advertisement” in any ad. Stacy is passionate about real estate and strives
Publication of advertisements does not con- to build ever-lasting relationships based on exceptional service,
stitute endorsement of products, services or
ideas promoted therein. uncompromising values and a strong work ethic.

941.266.0529
StacyHanan@michaelsaunders.com

.com/jfedsrq 1605 Main Street • Sarasota, FL 34236 • 941.951.6660