Cathy’s Whim Cathy’s Whim

Last summer, in our search for a Development Director, we received several outstanding resumes. However, one resume in particular stood out. Lidia Zambilovici, a native of Moldova, grew up in the former Soviet Union, where Jewish communities in that part of the world continue to benefit from the work of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).

It’s Time to Act Now Against Israel Bias. It has been quite an interesting week for the worldwide Jewish community. I am sure many of you have seen news stories about Whoopi Goldberg’s comments pertaining to the Holocaust, and the subsequent backlash that has ensued - click here for more information. While her comments are concerning, what really has me alarmed this week is the recent report on Israel by Amnesty International.

Words Matter. This past Monday, the United States honored the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While many organizations released statements in support of Dr. King’s dream, one organization intertwined antisemitic rhetoric within their statement.

The Big Shift. Every December 31st, people from all around the globe bid farewell to the current year, while looking forward to a new year filled with hope, good health, and happiness. Many set New Year’s Resolutions – to lose weight, save money, quit smoking, be kinder…the list goes on.

What is an Upstander? Over the past nine months, I have participated in several exceptional learning experiences regarding antisemitism (and how we can handle it when it arises). Recently, I completed The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute’s class “Outsmarting Antisemitism” through Chabad. It was an incredibly eye-opening and thought-provoking course.

In 1974, I was a freshman in college at the University of Florida. During that first year, I went to a lecture with my Jewish sorority sisters and friends, featuring Moshe Dayan, the Israeli military leader and politician.

On Sunday, November 28th, many of you will gather around the menorah with family and friends to light a candle for the first night of Chanukah.

This past weekend, I was speaking with friends who are getting ready to head to Florida for the winter. Our conversation quickly transitioned from talking about their travels to discussing Florida’s large Jewish population.

It’s hard to believe the High Holidays are already behind us. Many of us are left with wonderful memories of attending services, gathering with family and friends, and enjoying lots of good food.