February 2016 - Springfield Jewish Federation

February 2016
Shevat/Adar 1
5776
Issue No. 155
Shalom Springfield
The Newsletter of the Jewish Federation of Springfield, Illinois
Available online at www.shalomspringfield.org
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21
3:00-5:00 pm
at Temple B’rith Sholom
1008 S. Fourth Street
Springfield, Illinois
NEW THIS YEAR:
PARADE
OF
HATS
To enter, send in your
hat description with
your reservation.
Guests will group vote
for best hat by table.
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Guest Chefs
Mark Forinath, Café Moxo
Patrick Groth, Incredibly Delicious
Michael Higgins, Maldaner’s
Chip Kennedy, 5 Flavors Catering
Larry Langley, Sangamo Club
Ozma Rahman
Anita Myers & Mark Deluhery
Plus FANTASTIC RAFFLE PRIZES
from local businesses
$25 in advance/$30 at the door
Reserve a table of 8 for $20 per person,
if paid in advance
RSVP by Monday, February 15
787-7223 ext. 18
This event is sponsored by Bank of Springfield, Bird Armour LLC,
Rishi Tea, Signature Event Rental & Hickory Glen Active Senior Living,
Harold Grinspoon Foundation selects Jewish Federation of Springfield, IL as a LIFE & LEGACY program partner The Jewish Federation of Springfield, IL was recently selected to participate in the Jewish Federations of North America/Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s LIFE & LEGACY program as one of only eight Small Federated Jewish communities from across North America. “The Harold Grinspoon Foundation is very excited to be partnering with the Jewish Federation of Springfield, IL to establish a culture of legacy giving in Springfield, Illinois,” said Arlene D. Schiff, National Director of the LIFE & LEGACY program. “ The time is right. This legacy program will make the most of the generational transfer of wealth, change the language and landscape of giving and provide generous and forward thinking members of the Springfield Jewish community with the opportunity to express their passion, purpose and commitment to their most valued Jewish organizations.” LIFE & LEGACY is a 2‐year program that assists communities, through partnerships with Jewish Federations, to promote after‐lifetime giving to benefit local Jewish day schools, synagogues, social service organizations and other Jewish entities. LIFE & LEGACY’s goals are to:  Educate, train, motivate and empower Jewish organizations to engage their loyal stakeholders in conversations to establish legacy gifts.  Increase community awareness of the power of bequests, other legacy vehicles and endowments.  Integrate legacy giving into the philanthropic culture of the Springfield Jewish community. "So often our focus is on our current annual budget, rather than ensuring that we have resources to sustain our community into the future. This grant will help all our Jewish organizations that have local Legacy funds and choose to participate. I am so proud our community was chosen and that Nancy Sage was able to complete the application process in her first weeks as Federation Executive," states Anne Morgan, President, Jewish Federation of Springfield, IL LIFE & LEGACY is the newest initiative of the HGF, the visionaries behind PJ Library and the JCAMP180 programs, which has committed $30 million dollars over the next ten years to engage communities in legacy building efforts to secure the future of vibrant Jewish communities. Since the LIFE & LEGACY’s launch in the Fall of 2012, 289 organizations in 23 communities and 13 Hillel Campus Affiliates have secured more than 6,700 legacy commitments with an estimated value of $257M in future gifts to the Jewish community. Shalom Springfield is generously underwritten with support from the following community partners:
Bank of Springfield, www.bankofspringfield.com (217) 529-5555
Bisch and Sons Funeral Home, www.bischandsonfuneralhome.com, (217) 544-5424
Rita Victor, Broker, Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell, (217) 726-3101
Feuer-Brozgold Legacy Fund
DO GOOD EVERYWHERE FROM ANYWHERE Yotan and Roni are standing outside a bomb shelter in Beer Sheva. This particular shelter has been converted into a storage facility where members of the community can borrow and swap household tools. Yotan and Roni were Shlichim (Emissaries) from Israel to communities in the United States. The emissary program of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) is a people to people program designed to increase connection between American and Israeli Jews. While American communities learn about Israelis, it works both ways. Both of them were equally influenced by American volunteerism. So when they returned to Israel they wanted to start a community‐wide, volunteer program. This is a wonderful example of the impact we have on Israeli society. Your gift to the Jewish Federation brings Jews and Jewish values together. Your gift to the Jewish Federation's annual campaign allows you to Do good Everywhere from Anywhere! ‐ Mark Wancket, 2016 Campaign Chair A Message From Your 2016 Campaign Chair
To those who have made their pledges for 2016, “thank you.”
With your generous gifts, we have reached 85% of our goal of
$275,000.
To those who have yet to make a pledge, I encourage you to take
action. Please respond to the card you received via mail or
included in this newsletter. If you receive a call from a volunteer
within our community, please make a pledge. You can also
pledge your support at the Federation website,
www.ShalomSpringfield.org. At the main page, select the link to
“Support Us.”
No matter how you choose to do it, your support for our
Federation is needed. Your continued – and ideally increased –
support is essential for the many Federation sponsored programs
and services in the Springfield area, our country, Israel and other
parts of the world. With your support, we can truly “Do Good
Everywhere – from Central Illinois.”
Mark Wancket
2016 Campaign Chair
2016 FEDERATION
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
HELP US
REACH
OUR
GOAL BY
MAKING
YOUR
PLEDGE
TODAY!
About Our Mailing List
The Jewish Federation of Springfield does
not publish our mailing list. It is the
policy, and always has been, of the
Federation to refuse requests for copies of
the mailing list. When local Jewish
organizations request the list to share
information for an event, either the
Federation
creates
and
mails
the
information or the organization will receive
names and addresses only for that specific
purpose. These local organizations include
Temple B'rith Sholom, Temple Israel and
their respective sisterhoods, as well as the
local chapters of Hadassah and B'nai
B'rith. Those organizations reciprocate by
publicizing our events. Members of the
Board of Directors and committee chairs
do have access to the mailing list to be
used only for Federation business.
The Federation Presents:
KNOSH & KNOWLEDGE
A monthly hour of relaxed discussion on
current events or topics of interest.
From Seed to Cup:
The Story of Your Coffee
At
Wm. Van’s Coffee House
503 S. 7th Street
Store and café open at 9:00.
Presentation begins promptly at 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday, February 24
9:30 a.m.
RSVP to Linda by Friday, February 19
at 787-7223 ext. 11 or
lmorrrison@shalomspringfield.org
Mitzvah Mobile Food Pantry
Save the Date: May 14, 2016
Jews and food: what a natural combination! Join the Jewish community in partnership
with the Central Illinois Food Bank in giving away free food to our low- and no-income
neighbors. When we distributed food last May, this positive experience was valued both
by the grateful recipients and our volunteers. If you are a child old enough to not require
adult supervision, or if you are an active 90 year old – or anyone in between – with the
time and interest in volunteering, we’ve got a place for you May 14 at Temple B’rith
Sholom between 9 or 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Partial shifts are possible, particularly for
those who attend Shabbat services at Temple Israel. Please contact Jordan Litvak by email,
jjjlitvak@gmail.com, to volunteer.
Funds have been received from Federation and will be solicited from other Jewish organizations, as we did last
time, so we are not asking for money. However, if you want to bake a sweet treat or something gluten-free, that
would be most welcome. Contact me (Lisa) at 546-7282 or LisaWStone@gmail.com to do that.
All of us on the Mitzvah Mobile Food Pantry Task Force (Jordan Litvak, Sonia and Ed Gerson, Mary Beth
Cohen, Ralph Loewenstein, Steve Stone, Nancy Sage for Federation and Edyee Schultz) are excited to do this
mitzvah for our neighbors, and hope you will join us to make it happen. Sign up and bring your friends!
Lisa Stone
Task Force Chair
FEBRUARY 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thur
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
4:45 pm Hebrew
5 PM Super Sunday
Follow Up
7:30 pm Fed.
Bd. Mtg.
6:15 pm Hadassah
Book Club
7
8
9:30 am Hebrew
10:15 am Religious
School
10:30 am TBS S’Hd
Brunch & Film
5 pm Super Bowl
Party
14
No Hebrew or
Religious School
4 pm TBS Exec
Bd Mtg
TBS Trip to STL
IMAX film
Valentine’s Day
21
1pm TI S’Hd
Book Club
15
President’s Day
22
9:30 am Hebrew
10:15 am Religious
School
3-5 pm Chai Tea @
TBS
28
9
7 pm JCRC @ Fed
16
7:30 pm SBJE Bd
Mtg
23
7:15 pm TBS Bd
Mtg
7:30 pm Fed Exec
Bd Mtg
10
4:45 pm Hebrew
6 pm Hadassah
Gen Mtg
17
No Hebrew
7:30 pm TI Bd Mtg
24
9:30 am Knosh &
Knowledge
4:45 pm Hebrew
7 pm Hadassah
Bd Mtg
5:30 pm TBS Family
Shabbat
6 pm TI Service
11
7 pm TI Adult Ed
18
Super Sunday
Follow Up
25
5:30 pm TI S’Hd
Night Out
12
5:30 pm TBS
Shabbat &
Dinner
6 pm TI Shabbat
Lincoln’s Birthday
19
5:30 pm TBS
Shabbat
6 pm TI Shabbat
26
5:30 pm TBS
Shabbat
6 pm TI Shabbat
29
9:30 am Hebrew
10:15 am Religious
School
JEWISH FEDERATION OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
1045 Outer Park Drive, Suite 320
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 787-7223
Fax: 787-7470
www.shalomspringfield.org
Email: sjf@shalomspringfield.org
9 am TI Service
10 am TBS Service
13
9 am TI Service
20
9 am TI Service
27
9 am TI Service
6:30 pm TBS Trivia
Night
I want to help Federation change lives in our community and
around the world. Here’s my tax-deductible gift to support the Jewish
Federation of Springfield, Illinois’ 2016 Annual Campaign.
2016 Annual Campaign Do Good Everywhere From Anywhere Your gift will be published in our Annual Report President’s Circle  $20,000 + ** Please consider increasing your pledge by $10 or more per month **
 $10,000 ‐ $19,999 I hereby pledge to support the Annual Campaign with a gift of $_______________  $7,500 ‐ $9,999  $3,600 ‐ $7,499 ________________________________________________________________________________
Signature E‐mail (please print clearly) ____________________________________________________________________ Date Cell phone # Solicitor I will pay my pledge by December 31, 2016 Monthly Quarterly Semi‐Annually Annually by Check Visa or MasterCard online at www.shalomspringfield.org Pacesetters  $2,800 ‐ $3,599  $2,000 ‐ $2,799  $1,200 ‐ $1,999 Friends  $750‐$1,199  $500‐$749  $175‐$499  Up to $174 THANK YOU TO….Chaverim Celebration volunteers Mark Deluhery, Barb Rabin, and Mark
Wancket; Gloria Schwartz for assisting at the Lonnie Nasatir event; Steve Rambach for taking
photographs at the Lonnie Nasatir event.
From the Springfield Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)
WILL BDS TACTICS HELP TO SOLVE
THE PALESTIAN—ISRAELI CONFLICT?
The goal of peace depends on both Israelis and Palestinians working together with international support
towards the mutual goal of a negotiated two-state solution. In contrast, BDS tactics are one-sided and are focused
solely on pressuring Israel, thus creating a distorted picture of the region. Rather than improve the situation, it
advocates are undermining the internationally-backed peace process that is premised on the development of mutual
understanding and respect.
Economic boycotts and divestment actions will not help the Palestinian people. The path to the two-state
solution depends on creating an atmosphere of peace and reconciliation combined with economic development and
political achievement. Boycotts are not new. Ever since Israel’s establishment, the Arab world has tried to use an
economic boycott to isolate and weaken Israel politically and economically. While Egypt and Jordan have trade links
with Israel, most Arab countries do not trade directly with Israel. The Roadmap Peace Plan to resolve the IsraeliPalestinian conflict (proposed by the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations) specifically calls
for the normalization of relations between the Arab states and Israel, including the return of trade links.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO ADVANCE PEACE
FOR THOSE IN THE CONFLICT?
Those seeking to foster peace should support programs and efforts that promote reconciliation and
coexistence, rather than tearing down either party as advocated by the BDS Movement. We need to support efforts
that help the parties move toward a “two states for two peoples” solution that would create a Jewish and democratic
state of Israel, alongside an independent State of Palestine.
There are many positive opportunities to build the Palestinian economy and infrastructure, as well as encourage
economic cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians. It is through these types of activities that we can help both
Palestinians and Israelis live together, side-by-side.
While the safety and welfare of Israel is of great concern to the entire American Jewish community, it holds
diverse views on what will bring peace in the Middle East. Nevertheless, the vast majority of the community, including
organizations such as Ameinu and J Street, seeks peace with Israel’s neighbors and has consistently opposed the
approach, methods and goals of the BDS movement.
Natalie Silverman, JCRC Chair
Betsy Salus, JCRC Vice-Chair
LONNIE NASATIR SPEAKS TO JEWISH COMMUNITY Lonnie Nasatir, Midwest Director of the Anti‐Defamation League (ADL), spoke at a community meeting on Thursday, January 21st sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council, Israel and the Middle East Committee. He explained the process by which ADL surveys and measures anti‐Semitism in the world. Respondents are asked to answer a series of questions relating to their perceptions of Jews (e.g., do Jews have too much power? Are Jews more loyal to Israel than to the countries in which they reside?) A greater number of affirmative responses is taken to indicate that the respondent harbors anti‐Semitic attitudes. Lonnie explained and described current manifestations of anti‐Semitism with a particular focus on the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement on college campuses and the effect that it has on both Jewish and non‐Jewish students. CAMPERSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR JEWISH CAMPS
Financial assistance is available from the Jewish Federation of Springfield, IL
and the Joni Ann Wolfson Campership Fund of the Federation.
Application form is available at
www.shalomspringfield.org.
Click on Programs tab and then Culture and Family.
BunkConnect™: Making Jewish Camp a Reality for Every Child
Jewish camp is more than just camp, it is camp with a soul.
This incredibly powerful experience impacts a child and their family long after summer has
come to an end. We understand that sending your child(ren) to overnight camp may feel like
a luxury that is out of reach and unaffordable. Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) believes
that every child should have the opportunity to experience the magic of Jewish camp. After
all, spending summers at camp is how kids discover who they really are, build connections to
the Jewish future, and create memories they’ll hold onto for their entire lives. And, perhaps
more importantly to the campers themselves, it’s just plain fun!
The camp experience is transformative regardless of the global economy. And like you, we
are always looking to get our kids off the computer, out of doors without the cries of “I’m bored!” We understand that
camp may be expensive and are here to help. FJC offers One Happy Camper grants for first-time campers. This incentive
is NEED blind - Visit OneHappyCamper.org to learn more and apply.
With over 150+ traditional and specialty summer experiences to choose from, there's a Jewish overnight camp for every
child. Search available overnight camp sessions at BunkConnect.org today.
Don’t miss this chance to give your kids the summer of a lifetime!
Bunkconnect.org was created and launched initially as a pilot program to help make camp more affordable for eligible families, made
possible through the generosity of our donors and in collaboration with the camps. We are in the process of developing different
approaches to help address affordability for future summers.
Save Money on Overnight Camp
For nearly a century, generation to generation, Camp Chi
has been enlivening campers with a summer experience
beyond compare. Everything from our 600 pristine acres, our
extensive activities and specialties, staff that support and
inspire, and the beauty of Shabbat, exemplifies what makes Camp Chi so special.
JCC Camp Chi provides a range of opportunities to encourage families to choose Jewish
overnight camp and save money on the cost of camp. To find out more about Camp
Chi and to see if your family qualifies for any scholarships, go to www.campchi.com.
CHAVERIM CELEBRATES TU B’SHVAT
Mark Your Calendar!
TBS Trivia Night
Sat., Feb. 27th
Doors open 6:30 PM
Trivia starts at 7:00 PM
$100/table, 10 people max.
Get your team together now!
RSVP to TBS 525-1360
Bring your own munchies
& BYOB.
Soft drinks/water will be
available for sale.
Events of Jewish Interest:
Two foreign films of Jewish interest are being
shown in Springfield in February as part of the
Springfield Art Association’s Molly Schlich Film
Series at AMC Parkway Point Cinema, 3025
Lindbergh Boulevard:
Phoenix (German 2014). A disfigured
concentration-camp survivor, unrecognizable
after facial reconstruction surgery, searches
ravaged postwar Berlin for the husband who
might have betrayed her to the Nazis. Shown
on February 7 at 1:00 & 4:00 pm and February
9 at 7:00 pm.
Labyrinth of Lies (German 2014). A young and
idealistic public prosecutor attempts to bring
former Nazis to justice, exposing the
conspiracy of prominent German institutions
and government branches to cover up Nazi
crimes during World War II. A blend of truth
and fiction. Shown on February 14 at 1:00 &
4:00 pm and February 16 at 7:00 pm.
Chaverim celebrated Tu B’Shvat (New Year of Trees)
on January 26 with a seder led by Rabbi Datz. We
savored all the seven species (wheat, barley, grapes,
olives, dates, figs, and pomegranates) as well as fruits
with peels, nuts with shells, fruits with inedible seeds, and
finally fruits that are completely edible. We watched our
grape juice darken from white to deep red as we read
and sang our way through the seder. Thanks to all
involved. Our next Chaverim Celebration will be in
anticipation of Purim on March 15….and you can guess
what we will be preparing for refreshments. Remember
that
Chaverim
Celebrations now start
at
10:00
(at
the
suggestion of regular
attendees) in the hope
that more may be able to
attend.
We have
volunteers who will
provide transportation,
so please don’t let that
stop you from attending!
SAGE NOTES When the Springfield area recently experienced heavy rains and flash floods, I was contacted by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the national organization to which our local Federation belongs. Fearing that we might be facing a crisis, JFNA reached out to us and offered to provide any necessary assistance. Fortunately, after checking out the local situation with the Red Cross, I was able to answer that there was no immediate need for outside help. I expressed our community’s thanks for their offer and promised that I would keep them posted. This is but one small instance of what JFNA does best – reaching out and providing assistance to communities in time of disaster and crisis. In 2015, JFNA was on the scene in Houston, in Nepal and in Paris among other locales to help victims of natural disaster and of terrorism. This is in addition to the everyday work of Federations, offering social services and humanitarian aid to Jews in need here, in Israel and around the world. Our local Jewish Federation participates in that work by assisting members of our community facing crisis situations. Federations collectively touch more Jewish lives than any other organization, and you, through your support, are a vital part of that endeavor. Over the past year, Jewish Federation of Springfield and the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) sponsored over 40 events and programs with attendance totaling nearly 1400. Programs were designed to educate, to entertain, to serve, and to bring us together as a community. These programs and events included our own Film Festival, Wine Tasting JCRC Mitzvah Mobile Food Pantry and mayoral candi‐
dates’ forum, Young Adults, Knosh and Knowledge, Chaverim, the annual Chai Tea, and community events. We featured speakers, movies, entertainment, food, supported the Sunday School (B’rit Ysrael) and offered the opportunity to perform such mitzvoth as feeding the hungry. The Federation and JCRC calendar of events for 2016 promises to be just as busy and as varied. “Do good everywhere from anywhere” is the 2016 Federation campaign theme. I can’t think of a bet‐
ter description of Federation’s work both locally and nationally, and I am grateful to all of you for your sup‐
port, which makes that work possible. ‐ Nancy Sage, Executive Director TO:
Eli Seidman, on his graduation from Kansas State
University
Alan & Roberta Cherrick, on the birth of their
granddaughter, Vaida Lillian Cherrick, born
December 8.. Parents are Dale Cherrick & fiancé
Jennifer Cameron.
Melinda Kaye, on being named “Adjunct of the
Year” at LLCC for 2015.
Kayla Worker, on her engagement to Seth Morrison.
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Cary Israel, honored by Collin College in McKinney,
Texas for his 16 years of leadership and distinguished
service as President by dedicating their newly
constructed showcase building the “Carey A. Israel
Health Sciences Center.”
Barry Seidman, for his appointment to the State of
Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission.
SUPPORT THE JEWISH
FEDERATION OF
SPRINGFIELD
Backup & Disaster Recovery Network Monitoring & Management Security/Firewall/AntiVirus Solutions IT Networking Specialists Web Design & Hosting HIPAA & PCI‐DSS Compliance Network & Security Assessments Supporting Small Business for over 30 Years Proud to host ShalomSpringfield.org, manage JFS computers & provide IT support for JFS Phone: 800‐776‐1619 Info@AvromSystems.com IF YOU SHOP AMAZON, THEY WILL
DONATE 0.05% OF YOUR ELIGIBLE
PURCHASES TO US. GO TO
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Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
1045 Outer Park Drive, Suite 320
Springfield, IL 62704
Springfield, IL
PERMIT NO. 301
Phone: 217-787-7223
Fax: 217-787-7470
Email: sjf@shalomspringfield.org
Website: www.shalomspringfield.org
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Feuer-Brozgold Fund
Maurice Pell, from Yetta Marantz
Joni Wolfson Fund
In Memory of:
Liz Lippa, from Barry & Barbara Seidman
Frieda Lesorgen, from Barry & Barbara Seidman
Morrie Pell, from Barry & Barbara Seidman
JCRC’s
THE REAL ISRAEL
www.realisraelblog.com
Condolences to the famillies
and friends of
Mary Frooman, mother of Hilary Frooman
Maurice Pell, brother of Frances Feuer,
Veronica Carlin Herzog, mother of Carol Herzog,
Freida Lesorgen, sister of Harvey Rothschild
Gerald Pitt, father of Melinda Pitt Kaye
James W Hillyer, father of Teena Myers
Z”l
The mission of the Jewish Federation of Springfield, Illinois, is to serve the Jewish
people locally, in Israel and throughout the world through coordinated fund raising,
community-wide programming, social services and educational activities.