Page 8 - Jewish News_February 2020

8A February 2020 FEDERATION NEWS

MoMENtum: Dads experience Israel

while learning about themselves

By Sandy Chase
he Jewish Federation of to empower women to connect to Jew- enthusiasm and dedication
Sarasota-Manatee’s Novem- ish values, engage with Israel and fos- are contagious. I’ve seen how
Tber MoMENtum trip to Israel, ter unity. she’s discovered how to con-
led by Dr. Josh Green and Federation In 2013, fathers – assisted by JWRP nect more deeply with herself,
CEO Howard Tevlowitz, continues to Founding Director Lori Palatnik – be- our family and the commu-
inspire the fathers and their families. gan availing themselves of their own nity.”
Equally important is that this “momen- profound, personal experience, during Chris Malkin, another par-
tous” experience reinforces the Federa- which they explore the Jewish home- ticipant, shares how his wife
tion’s mission of strengthening Jewish land, learn inspiring Jewish wisdom inspired him to join MoMEN-
life and identity in our community, and join a global Jewish brotherhood. tum. “Jill went on the first
providing for Jewish people in need Unlike the moms’ year-long program Sarasota MOMentum trip. I
and supporting Israel. of educational and leadership programs wanted to be on the same page
The saying “Behind every great continued at home, MoMENtum is an with our Jewish values, rais-
man is a great woman” helps explain eight-day global boot camp. ing our daughter and creating
the strength of the MoMENtum pro- Dr. Josh Green, the local Mo- a Jewish-minded community
gram, complementing the original MENtum community leader, attributes in Sarasota.”
Jewish Women Renaissance Project his involvement to his wife. As the This wasn’t his first trip to
(JWRP), now known as MOMentum. MOMentum chair, Julie Green was Israel. Chris accompanied his Julie and Josh Green
The two programs for parents of chil- instrumental in bringing JWRP to the daughter as a chaperone with the Her- our men joined over 300 MoMEN-
dren under 18 have been rebranded as community when the Federation spon- shorin Schiff Community Day School tum participants from as far away as
Momentum Unlimited (Momentum). sored its first group of women in 2017. in April 2018. “After those experienc- Australia and South Africa, fostering a
Since eight women conceived of “Julie inspired me to participate es, I knew that I wanted to experience tightly knit group.
JWRP in 2009, MOMentum continues in this experience,” says Josh. “Her Israel with like-minded dads.” Chris, for example, was over-
What makes the MoMENtum ex- whelmed when two of the Federation
perience different from that of other fathers, along with eight other men
UROLOGY TREATMENT CENTER trips? from the group, had a bar mitzvah at
The Federation-sponsored trip be-
Masada.
• BARZELL • GREEN • CURTIS • AKARY • gan the weekend before in Tel Aviv, “What an emotional experience!”
WINSTON E. BARZELL, MD, FACS, FRCS where the men toured the modern he says. “I recognized the embroidery
of the Torah cover as the one that the
city and adjacent sites, including the
Diplomate of the American Board of Urology Lewinsky Food Market; the (Shimon) Malkin family dedicated and spon-
JOSHUA T. GREEN, MD, FACS
Diplomate of the American Board of Urology Peres Center of Peace and Innovation; sored years earlier. I couldn’t hold back
GERARD A. CURTIS, MD and the Ayalon Institute, the home of my tears, especially being part of the
Diplomate of the American Board of Urology the covert bullet-making factory used ceremony where I touched the Torah
EIHAB AKARY, MD from 1945 through 1948, when Israel while undressing and dressing it.”
Board Eligible
CASIE WODZIEN, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC won her independence. Others attest to the reflective ex-
The spiritual journey, accentuated
3325 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 200 6310 Health Parkway, Suite 210 by the MoMENtum itinerary and bol- perience at the Kotel (Western Wall)
in Jerusalem. Placing personal notes in
Sarasota, FL 34239 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
PHONE: 941.917.8488 Urologytreatmentcenter.com stered by knowledgeable tour guides the wall and sharing Kabbalat Shabbat
FAX: 941.917.8475 a Division of 21 Century Oncology and educators, began Monday, when with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
soldiers – praying, singing, dancing
and connecting – has been identified as
one of the most memorable times.
According to many in the group,
participating in the Tzfat men’s mikvah
contributed to a spiritual renewal. But
more important, the experience helped
them discover how they could connect
more to their family and Israel – a cor-
nerstone of MoMENtum. But probably
the group’s most poignant time was
receiving letters from family during
Shabbat.
Julie might have been the MOMen-
tum behind Josh’s decision. But Gisele
Pintchuck, Federation’s Momentum
Community Leader, emphasizes that
Josh’s innate leadership helped fortify
the experience for the other partici-
MAKE LIFE AWESOME. JOIN US FOR A JOURNEY pants.
Gisele says, “From his early in-
WHERE YOU’LL TAP INTO YOURSELF, YOUR PEOPLE, volvement with our Federation through
the various roles he has served along
the way, Josh has shown an unparal-
AND YOUR HOMELAND. JOIN leled ability to connect with people and
inspire others.”

Men from all over the world for a It’s understandable why Josh was
continued on next page
NOVEMBER 16-22, 2020 revitalizing year of self-exploration,
unforgettable experiences in Israel and
inspiring Jewish learning. STAY CONNECTED

7 DAYS IN ISRAEL ENJOY

Limited Spaces | Subsidized Trip* empowering Jewish classed led by world-
class speakers and Israeli thought-leaders.

FATHERS...
F A T H ER S . . . EXPLORE twitter.com/jfedsrq
spiritual Tzfat, Masada’s desert magic,
Shabbat in Jerusalem and many more
P
AP
APPLY NOW! unique experiences. STAY CONNECTED
OW
!
N
L
Y
DISCOVER
how to connect deeper with yourself,
* $1,200 plus air | $900 plus air for MOMentum husbands
* $174 tip and acceptance fee your family and your community.
* $500 fully refundable deposit

For more information , please contact: Gisele Pintchuck | gpintchuck@jfedsrq.org | 941.706.0029 facebook.com/jfedsrq

APPLY ONLINE AT
MomentumUnlimited.org