Page 34 - Jewish News_February 2020

34A February 2020 COMMENTARY

The effects of Bahaa Abu al-Ata’s death

By Rabbi Howard A. Simon By Harold M. Halpern

n Tuesday, November 12, the Israel could have led to an all-out war estinians no longer wish to be consid- sraelis hoped that the second elec-
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza, which Hamas does not want. ered the suffering servant of Hamas. tion of the year on November 17,
Oattacked and killed Bahaa Abu The second fact relating to this at- They may have lost a vital leader, but any time it feels it has an opening that I2019, would result in a govern-
al-Ata, the most influential Palestin- tack is that the IDF inflicted serious they have not ceased to seek ways to allows them to stand up to any and all ment. It didn’t. The parties in the Right
ian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) operative in the casualties upon the Palestinians during do battle against Israel, with or without forces determined to destroy its people Block and the Center-Left block again
Gaza Strip. Since taking the two days of fighting. the aid of Hamas. and take its land. deadlocked with both short of the 61
this action, the Palestin- This led to the Palestin- Israel is aware of the changing at- The future remains clouded and votes in the 120-seat Knesset required
ians, Hamas, Iran and Isra- ians’ desire to accept the titudes in the Gaza region. The more unsure, but Israel stands ready to deal to select a candidate for Prime Minister
el have learned a great deal Egyptian-brokered cease- division that exists between the Pal- with any adversary that threatens the to form a government.
about what is taking place fire, thus ending the threat estinians and Hamas, the better Israel state and its people. This fact is clearly Israelis vote
in Gaza, and how these of more loss of life at the feels. The more problems Iran has in understood by Israel’s foes, thus affect- for a party and
developments affect Israel hands of Israel’s forces. determining whether Hamas or Pales- ing anti-Israel actions, thoughts and not an individual.
and its defensive moves in During those two days tinian Islamic Jihad is its real proxy in desires. A party receives
the area. of struggle, Israel hit na- the area, the better Israel feels. Prob- Rabbi Howard A. Simon is the found- a proportionate
Fact number one is that val assets, tunnels, Pales- lems abound in the Arab world. ing chair of the Robert and Esther share of the Knes-
Hamas, the servant of Iran tinian headquarters and Adding to the concerns facing Heller Community Relations Commit- set seats based on
in the area, chose not to be Rabbi Howard A. Simon rocket-launching sites. the anti-Israel forces in the area is the tee, formerly known as the Heller IAI. its percentage of
involved in retaliating against Israel The third major fact in Israel’s ac- realization that Israel will strike at the total votes.
following the death of al-Ata. Accord- tions is that the strategic threat of Iran Harold M. Halpern This encourages
ing to Hamas leaders, the attack on the was dealt a serious blow. It is important multiple parties to represent diverse
PIJ leader was a private matter between to realize that Iran is using the territory interests. The only restraint is a party
Israel and the Palestinians. It was their of other countries with weak govern- New to the must receive at least 3.25% of the vote
problem and they would have to find ments, such as Lebanon, Syria and – a very minimal requirement.
ways to resolve their differences. Gaza, to threaten Israel. Israel’s reac- Sarasota-Manatee area? No party in Israel’s history has ob-
It is believed that prior to the attack tion is to make it clear that wherever tained 61 votes. A coalition of parties
on al-Ata, Israel relayed a message to rockets aimed at Israel originate, the We Welcome You has always been necessary to form a
Hamas stating that Israel would not at- attackers will face a major strike by government. Today’s world is highly
tack Hamas as long as they refrained Israel as it delivers retaliation for any polarized. After approximately 90 days
from firing rockets into Israel. Thus, attempt to harm or destroy it. Shalom! Welcome to paradise! of negotiations, no one could get the
all remained quiet on the Hamas front. Presently, there is quiet on the We hope you feel at home and become active necessary votes.
The second reason for Hamas absent- Gaza-Israel front. The Palestinians are The Right coalition of Likud, two
ing its forces from the confrontation is dealing with the need to find a suc- members of the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Orthodox Religious Parties and Yamid,
the growing discontent in Gaza over cessor to al-Ata. They must also de- community. Please stop by and visit us! a Nationalist party, mustered 55 votes
the failure of Hamas to improve the cide what the relationship will be with for Benjamin Netanyahu – six short.
living conditions of the Palestinians. Hamas and how their actions affect Ilene Fox • 941.343.2111 • ifox@jfedsrq.org The Center Blue-White coalition with
To join the PIJ in its struggle with the wishes of Iran in the area. The Pal- two parties on its left plus commitment
Get Newcomer information: from 10 of 13 Arab-Israeli coalitions
What do you think? jfedsrq.org/new received promises from 54 members of
the Knesset – seven short.
The Jewish News wants to know! Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avig-

Send an email to jewishnews18@gmail.com. dor Liberman, said a plague on both
of your houses, and together with the
Letters Policy three remaining Arab-Israeli members
Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words, must be typed, and include the writer’s name, mailing The Larry & Mary Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life • Klingenstein Jewish Center made no commitment. No one could
address and phone number. Letters can be submitted via USPS or email (jewishnews18@gmail.com). 580 McIntosh Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232 get to 61. The two largest factions,
Not all letters will be published. Letters may be edited for length and content. Blue-White and Likud, refused to form
a grand coalition.
ALL THE JEWISH NEWS
Naiditch Family Foundation Both Benny Gantz and Netanyahu
CELEBRATING OUR 10 TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY See more on page 40 stated their reasons. For Gantz it was
MARCH 6-1 7, 201 9
FOR TICKETS CALL 888.718.4253, Option 1 OR VISIT JFEDSRQ.ORG/JFF19 The Jewish ALL THE JE WISH N EWS immoral to serve with Netanyahu under
18+ OUTSTANDING FILMS AND SPECIAL GUESTS
Celebrating Jewish Life in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Israel and the World
P U B L I S H E D B Y
Federation
OF SARASOTA-MANATEE
FEDERATION NEWS
THE LARRY GREENSPON FAMILY
CAMPUS FOR JEWISH LIFE
THAT’S FIT TO PRINT!
March 2019 - Adar 5779 www.jfedsrq.org Volume 49, Number 3 criminal charges of bribery and breach
Building and planning for a
vibrant Jewish future…together!
needs to the architects who will create
drawings and accompanying budgets.
In all, there are over 70 community
The construction work will be per-
ing, etc. In order to accomplish all the
formed in phases, with the first three
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Staff report planning for our Larry Greenspon Fam- theater, security, kitchens and cater- members sitting on these committees. of trust. For Netanyahu, a rejection by
work that needs to be done, the utiliza-
tion committee has been broken down
Phase 1 will address infrastructure
into four sub-committees, which report
phases taking precedence:
e know that many of you
needs, including access for emergency
11 Community Focus
are eager for a ‘behind the
their findings back to the overall group.
33 Israel & the Jewish World Wscenes’ look at what we are
18 Jewish Happenings
vehicles and additional parking.
Phase 2 will be the renovation of
the existing recreation and teen center
Those sub-committees are:
Youth and Family Programming
ily Campus for Jewish Life. Our staff
28 Jewish Interest
buildings (gymnasium and surrounding
vendors and potential campus partners
Outdoor/Sports Facilities
Meeting Space
School, which will relocate to our cam-
34 Commentary
to discover all our options for creating a
vibrant Jewish campus: sports and well-
These sub-committees have been
Phase 3 will be the renovation and
ness, summer day camp, culinary arts
Israel and Holocaust
37 Focus on Youth
meeting regularly to discuss how to
‹
pus in June 2021.
expansion of the Flanzer-Weinberg
and so much more. Though this campus
‹
39 Life Cycle and leadership are busy meeting with ‹ ‹ Performing Arts, Event and areas) for the needs of Community Day THA T’S FIT TO PRINT! Gantz to annex the Jordan Valley in the
best use the space for current and fu-
ture programs, and what kind of space
plan is still a work in progress, we are
continued on page 2
excited to share some details with you!
MARCH
is required; conducting research on
We have a well-established utili-
Meet the dynamic duos behind
with professionals; and conveying their
16-21
Black and Randon Carvel, which con-
sists of members of the community and
Building Our Future…Together!
2 zation committee, co-chaired by Ian similar spaces in other cities; meeting
backgrounds in construction, building,
Hershorin Schiff Community Federation board members who have West Bank disqualified him. The more
By Su Byron 201 5
Day School leaders power
vision for the future
he Larry Greenspon Family
Campus for Jewish Life pres-
Lion of Judah & Pomegranate Tents an innovative and exciting
6
opportunity to take our community to
eration is the heart of our Jewish com- hope everyone will take ownership in likely reason is that both thought they
Ben & Stacy Hanan, Tom & Karen Bernstein, Patti & David Wertheimer, Julie & Josh Green
a new level of programming and en-
The Jewish Federation’s
gagement. To help fund this monumen-
New Torah dedication ANNUAL
tal initiative, four couples have come
together to launch a capital campaign:
Ben and Stacy Hanan are excited
to leave a legacy for future generations
Building Our Future…Together! We
Luncheon
its future.”
munity and we believe in its mission,”
shine a spotlight on them in this piece.
of Jews in our community. “The idea of
says Josh. “The most exciting part of
Tom and Karen Bernstein are
a campus for Jewish life energizes us,”
enthused about spreading the word
says Ben. “Stacy grew up in a commu-
nity with a very vibrant JCC. Although
this campaign is that we are building a
can do better in a third election. For
about the project. Tom, who is also a
center for the future of the Jewish com-
Federation board member, says he is
this won’t be a JCC, it will provide a
place for all things Jewish. There are
munity that will have a generational
positively passionate about describing
impact.” Julie, who serves on the Fed-
16
Building Our Future…Together! to
eration’s board, adds that the initia-
so many exciting opportunities that
prospective investors. “It will become
come along with this.” Stacy agrees.
“The new campus will serve as a con-
tive, “will bring the mission to a higher
the cornerstone of the Jewish commu-
at Congregation Kol
Jewish life, provide for those in need
and promote Israel. In order to keep
continued on page 2
Day School on campus.” Karen says
that, as residents of the region for 25
HaNeshama
up with changing times and fulfill our
years, they’re thrilled to be part of a
vision for a vibrant campus for Jewish
project that will enhance the region for
▼ Watch
t Watch
life, this campaign is necessary. We
Battery
Battery
& Bands
Josh and Julie Green say they
& Bands
generations to come.
were honored to be asked to spearhead
t Pearl
38 nity, especially with the Community level, offering even more to strengthen sistent reminder of the importance of
▼ Pearl
A fabulous Shabbat in the such an important project. “The Fed- MANASOTA FL PERMIT 167 PAID t Fine Jewelry t Expert Repairs ▼ Fine Jewelry ▼ Expert Repairs ▼ Jewelry Appraisals Located in Lakewood Ranch Re-string Re-string Netanyahu, it keeps him in office and
t Buying Gold
strawberry fields with Temple
NON-PROFIT ORG.
Emanu-El and PJ Library
941.907.3418
U.S. POSTAGE
A publication of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
941.907.3418
FREE COPIES AVAILABLE AT MORE THAN 80 LOCATIONS! delays his criminal trial.
Klingenstein Jewish Center, 580 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota, FL 34232
Located in Lakewood Ranch
The Larry Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life
t Jewelry
Appraisals
Annual voluntary subscription: $25
The next election is scheduled for
March 2, 2020. Truly, this is a critical
SARASOTA SARASOTA LAKEWOOD RANCH/BRADENTON LAKEWOOD RANCH/BRADENTON
• 1217 East Ave Medical Plaza • Poet’s Walk • Braden River Library • The Windsor
• 1219 East Ave Medical Plaza • Publix at the Landings Plaza • Bradenton Chamber of Commerce • Town Center Parkway
• Atria • Ringling Museum Parking Lot • Bradenton Library - Bank of America
• Aviva – A Campus for Senior Life • Ringling Post Office • Bradenton Library, outside - FCCI Insurance
• Aviva Memory Care • Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport • Bradenton Post Office - Northern Trust Bank
• Bayfront Park • Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Outpatient • Chabad of West Bradenton BEACHES
• Bookstore1Sarasota • Selby Public Library • Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch • Longboat Key
• Brother Geenen Way (across from Ford) • Senior Friendship Center • Cypress Springs Retirement Living - Library FUNERAL SERVICES
• Chabad of Downtown Sarasota • Silverstein Institute, lobby • DeSoto Palms - Longboat Key Education Center
• Chabad of Sarasota • Temple Beth Sholom • Dream Jeweler - Publix
• Desoto Beach Club • Temple Emanu-El • Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch - Temple Beth Israel
• Desoto Palms • Temple Sinai • Integrative Medicine • St. Armand’s Circle The Area’s ONLY Jewish Owned & Operated Funeral Home
• Einstein Bagels • The Jewish Federation Campus • Intercoastal Medical Group - Fillmore Drive
• Fruitville Library • The Meadows (Clubhouse) • John Cannon Homes - Madison Drive & Blvd. of the Presidents
• Gulf Gate Library • Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, lobby • Siesta Key Specializing in local burial, out-of-state transfers,
• Integraclick VENICE • Lakewood Ranch Pharmacy - Morton’s Siesta Market, 205 Canal Rd. and burial in Israel
• JFCS of the Suncoast • Chabad of Venice & North Port • Legacy Golf Club - Davidson’s Drugs, Siesta Key Village
• Lakeridge Falls • Friendship Centers • Manatee County Bldg, Old Main St. - Davidson’s Drugs, South Siesta Key
• Main Street (across from Hollywood 11) • Jacaranda Public Library • Palmetto Library • REFORM • CONSERVATIVE • ORTHODOX •
• Medical Arts Building • Jewish Congregation of Venice • Publix at LWR Shopping Center
• Midtown Plaza • North Port Public Library • Publix University PKWY Plaza U P C O M I N G 2019–2020
• Morton’s Gourmet Market • Venice Chamber of Commerce • Realize Bradenton E V E N T S • Chevra Kadisha
• Nellie’s Deli • Venice Community Center • San Marco Plaza See page 14
• Osprey & Hillview • Venice Public Library • Temple Beth El Bradenton Celebrating Jewish Life in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Israel and the World • Pre-need Trusts
P U B L I S H E D B Y
• Palm Aire Clubhouse • Venice YMCA • The Family Jeweler FEDERATION NEWS The Jewish • Cremations
• Plymouth Harbor • The Sheridan at Lakewood Ranch Federation 2426 Bee Ridge Road
OF SARASOTA-MANATEE
THE LARRY GREENSPON FAMILY • Free Burial Plots
CAMPUS FOR JEWISH LIFE
Your community. Your newspaper. Your Jewish News. August 2019 - Tammuz/Av 5779 www.jfedsrq.org Volume 49, Number 8 for Veterans/Spouse Sarasota, FL 34239
An exciting year of community programs
coming in 2019-20
On February 9, Survivor win-
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
ner and two-time cancer survivor
Would you rather get your copy by mail? www.TheJewishNews.org 24 Hour Information at (941) 955-1075 Michael, David, Pati and Steven Gross
Women’s Day (December 16) will
‹
Ethan Zohn will share his story
By Kim Mullins, Chief Operating Officer
8 Community Focus
feature Gail Simmons, culinary ex-
of survival and strength with our
‹
15 Jewish Happenings
Sarasota-Manatee audience. Zohn
n 2018-2019, The Jewish Federa-
pert, cookbook author and TV per-
tion of Sarasota-Manatee hosted
sonality. Gail has
will discuss how his faith and love
19 Jewish Interest
been a judge on
Inumerous thought-provoking, in-
of Israel have impacted his life.
24 Israel & the Jewish World
sightful and fun programs. We heard
Top Chef since
Prior to his lecture, he will host a
.
Survivor-style competition for our
Nancy Spielberg and Daniel Gordis,
Contact 941.371.4546 x 0 28 Commentary from incredible speakers such as Gail Simmons 2006 and also ‹ The Community Lecture (Febru- HebrewMemorialSarasota.com
lends her talents
we celebrated Federation’s 60 th an-
31 Focus on Youth
to other Bravo
area teens.
shows such as
niversary, we brought young families
ary 25) features Deborah Lipstadt,
35 Life Cycle
Top Chef Mas-
American historian, author, and
together through interactive PJ Library
programming, and we had another re-
ters and Top Chef
Dorot Professor of Modern Jew-
cord-breaking Jewish Film Festival.
Desserts. Gail re-
What do we do once the dust has
cently took part in “Celebrity Chef
ies at Emory University. Deborah
settled from those events? We start to (Credit: Guerin Blask) ish History and Holocaust Stud-
Birthright,” where she toured Israel
plan for the coming season! Our staff
with 30 fellow foodies and chefs.
3 and volunteer leadership have spent She will talk about her re-
the last couple of months researching
her Jewish story with our
Shonim B’yahad – a program and planning in order to provide our cent trip to Israel and share
community with an excellent lineup of
community. Women’s Day
of our Jewish Federation –
programs for the 2019-20 season…and
chairs are Rachael Feld-
remains relevant today
man and Ronna Ruben.
Shalom SRQ Live (November 3) is
a new event this year – a showcase
vite the community to join
‹ here’s a taste of what’s in store: ‹ On December 25, we in- is most well-known for defeating
of all Jewish organizations in our
us in the Beatrice Fried-
Sarasota-Manatee area. The goal
Deborah Lipstadt
Greenspon Family Cam-
libel suit in an English court. The
pus for Jewish Life for a screening
to our community or who may be
unfamiliar with the wealth of Jew-
movie Denial tells her story, and
7 is to have a place where those new man Theater on The Larry Holocaust denier David Irving in a
of Fiddler on the Roof, where we
schmooze while learning about
enjoy a Chinese meal at intermis-
Birthright trip inspires close ish options available to them can will sing the songs together, and continued on page 2
synagogue life, membership orga-
connection to Israel and
New community leader for local non-profit world. Temple Sinai
each other nizations, children’s programs and sion!
much more.
LIFE & LEGACY program
™
ship positions, followed by serving as
one better suited for this role and for
a board member and ultimately becom-
33 Staff Report & LEGACY Chair. I can think of no was one of Nelle’s first board leader-
rom strength to strength” per-
ish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
nity continue to create
fectly describes the transi-
The impact of meaningful “ Ftion of leadership of our helping our commu- ing the Board President of The Jew-
and enhance Jewish
from 2010-2012. Nelle ultimately be-
camp experiences for our
tion Board President
children LIFE & LEGACY™ program as futures,” said Federa- came involved nationally and interna-
tionally as a trustee of different boards
Nelle Miller becomes the new
that serve the Jewish people and Israel.
Community Chair, a role that
Michael Ritter.
Nelle currently serves as Board Chair
Albert Ernst skillfully performed
Nelle is no stranger
to our community, and
sota County, Board Chair of All Faiths
mentation of the program in 2016
cant contribution she
continued on page 2
in Sarasota-Manatee.
has made since moving to Sarasota
“We are honored that Nelle
34 since the introduction and imple- Nelle Miller neither is the signifi- of the Community Foundation of Sara-
Miller, who served as one of our
in 2001 and continues to make in the
▼ Watch
t Watch
Teens enjoy summer finest Federation Board Presidents, has ▼ Fine Battery
agreed to be our new Community LIFE
Battery
& Bands
experiences at Chabad’s
& Bands
CTeen Sarasota NON-PROFIT ORG. t Fine Jewelry ▼ Pearl
t Pearl
Jewelry
A publication of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee U.S. POSTAGE t Expert Re-string
Re-string
▼ Expert
The Larry Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life
Repairs
PAID
t Buying Gold
Klingenstein Jewish Center, 580 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota, FL 34232
Repairs
MANASOTA FL
▼ Jewelry
941.907.3418
Annual voluntary subscription: $25
t Jewelry
PERMIT 167
941.907.3418
Appraisals
Appraisals
Located in Lakewood Ranch
Located in Lakewood Ranch