HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 PAGE 15A
Pare Kancher Jeff Miller
The Holocaust Center has and women involved in local
a long history of cooperating, civil rights activities. The
coordinating and collaborat- exhibit tells the story ofactivi-
ing with a diverse group of ties leading up to integration
cultural, civic and religious in the 1960% and traces the
organizations in order expand impact of the heroism and
the reach of our mission and sacrifice of individuals from
vision of embracing a diverse both the Jewish and Black
community where everyone communities who knew that
feels respected and safe. segregation must end. The
In 2006 we partnered with exhibitwas recentlyon display
the WellsBuilt Museum of in Orlando's City Hall during
African American History to the city's celebration of the
developauniqueexhibittitled, 50th anniversary of the Civil
"Embracing the Dream" that Rights Act and will continue
honored Central Florida men to travel to different venues
throughout the fall.
In 2007 the Holocaust Cen-
ter used the United States Ho-
locaust Memorial Museum's
exhibit, "Nazi Persecution of
Homosexuals", as the corner-
stone of our award-winning
collaborative partnership
with the Orlando Gay Chorus,
Empty Spaces Theater and
Gay Days. This partnership
allowed our Center to high-
light another group that was
brutally targeted by the Nazis.
Under Paragraph 175 of the
German criminal code, male
homosexuality was illegal.
The Nazis arrested an esti-
mated 100,000 homosexual
men, 50,000 of whom were
imprisoned. Between 5,000
and 15,000 gay men were
interned in concentration
camps in Nazi Germany. These
prisoners were marked by pink
triangle badges and, according
to many survivor accounts,
were among the most abused
groups in the camps.
Two years ago when we
decided to develop a commu-
nity-wide commemoration
for the 75th anniversary of
Kristallnacht, we successfully
partnered with a remarkable
group of arts and cultural
organizations to host a series April over 50 religious, civic, educational programs. They
of events to educate the com- arts and cultural organiza- allow us to expand our reach
munity about the historical tions responded to our invita- by exposing more people in
importance of and the lessons tion to attend a collaborative our communitytothehistory
to be learned from Kristall- designsessionatValenciaCol- and lessons of the Holocaust
nacht. The overarching goal lege that was hosted by VC's and its relevance for today.
ofthepartnershipwastostart Peace and Justice Initiative. Your investment in our Ho-
a dialogue about building a While the last 50 years have locaust Center enables us
more respectful and engaged brought some remarkableto be an important voice in
Central Florida community- changes, we acknowledged buildingamorerespectfuland
where diversity is celebrated that there are still divisions accepting community that is
and bystanders are encour- of race, religion, culture and free of all forms of prejudice
aged and inspired to become statusthatmustbeaddressed, and bigotry.
UpStanders. We asked those in attendance On behalf of the Center's
And now, once again the to work together to plan, board of directors and staff,
Holocaust Center is at the present and support program- we want to wish you and your
forefront of a community- ming around this important family a happy, healthy and
wide partnership to celebrate anniversary, peace-filled New Year.
and commemorate the 50th Collaborative partnerships Jeffrey Miller
anniversaryoftheCivilRights have become an important President
Act with the underlying goals building block for our Holo- Pam Kancher
of education and action. In caust Center's cultural and Executive Director
Eric Geboff
At a time when our friends
and neighbors may be strug-
gling to put food on their ta-
bles and keep roofs over their
heads, it is up to every one of
us to do what we can to help
them. When acquaintances
may be under stress with the
challenges that life throws
at us, JFS can help. Over
the last year, JFS has helped
thousands of individuals and
families in Central Florida get
back on their feet; however,
still more of our neighbors
need our help.
During the High Holidays,
when we look at ourselves and
look to how we can improve
the world, I urge you to join
JFS Orlando in our efforts.
Take up a food collection drive,
volunteer to deliver meals to
a homebound elderly person
or make a donation of time,
money or other resources to
help less fortunate members
of the community. For more
information on JFS Orlando
and its services, visit us at
www.jfsorlando.org, or call
us at 407-644-7593 and we'll
talk about how you can join
us in making our corner of
the world a better place for all.
Eric Geboff,
JFS Orlando Executive
Director
Whether the emergency is a rocket attack or a heart attack, the paramedics of Magen David Adorn,
Israel's emergency medical response and blood-banking agency, save lives in Israel every day. As
we enter the new year hoping for peace, we must continue to prepare for routine and terror-related
emergencies, replenishing supplies depleted during Operation Protective Edge. If you're looking to
make a difference for Israel and secure the nation's health and safety for the coming year, there's
no better way than through a gift to MDA. Please give today. Shanah Torah.
~ AMERICAN FRIENDS OF
MAGEN DAVID ADOM
SAVING LIVES IN ISRAEL
AFMDA Southeast Region .~_.~.~
1900 NW Corporate Blvd., Suite W-310, Boca Raton, F/33431
Toll-Free 800.626.0046. southeast@afmda.org
www.afmda.org
In a week, Jews around the
world will celebrate Rosh Ha-
shanah, the Jewish New Year.
This is not the same type of
celebration revelers enjoy on
the eve of January 1 but a time
when we review our deeds
from the past year with the
hope of improving ourselves
and our actions in the year to
come. Rosh Hashanah serves
as an annual reminder that
we must constantly work at
becoming better people.
The traditional Rosh Ha-
shanah greeting, "L'shana
Tova Tikatevu - May you be
inscribed in the Book of Life,"
speaks to our reflective desire
to be ethical and moral human
beings, to be better than in
the prioryear. Rosh Hashanah
helps us remember that those
of us who are fortunate have
the responsibility to make the
world a better place for those
who struggle.
The message of Rosh Ha-
shanah rings true today as
it has for thousands of years.
Today, it is more important
than ever to believe in the
power of compassion to repair
our world; a tradition which is
at the core of Jewish Family
Services' mission.
........ ~ ..... ~ .~. ~ ~,~
For Annette Rosch, moving to The Mayflower from St. Petersburg
was a family decision. Her daughter, a physical therapist, and her
son-in-law, an attorney, wanted her to live closer. "We visited
various communities and talked to people who worked in the
industry and who had older parents. The Mayflower name kept
coming up," says Jeannie. "From the first minute of our initial visit
here, we knew this was the place. All levels of care are right here."
That, as things turned out, was a good thing. Just prior to
moving in, Annette broke her arm and wound up going straight to
The Mayflower's Health Center, followed by rehab and physical
therapy right on-site, was a wonderful experience," she says.
"The staff was very gracious; I was well taken care of.~
Now Annette is settled in her new apartment and couldn't be happier.
For her daughter, it is a huge relief. "Mom is in good hands," adds
Jeaunie. %he has peace of mind and feels secure. And so do we.
ff yo r oved needed lon -terrn what woultl
you do? Cal today, and let's tatk about it: 407,672.1620.