Page 8 - The Jewish Voice - August '23

Page 8, The Jewish Voice

Local Happenings from page 7
Big Brothers Big Sisters of After a short program, the honorees gave personal,

Temple Israel: Palm Beach and Martin heartfelt accounts about the difference the program has
meant to their lives because of the “matches” and the
100 Years of Serving Counties Announce Awards, life-mentor experiences enjoyed throughout the past
year. Following the Big and Little awards, Juliet Murphy
Our Communities Scholarships Roulhac from FP&L and Jeanni Hawkins from Florida
Prepaid College announced the 16 scholarship winners and
By Carol Anne Albee Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin presented them with an award.
For 100 years, Temple Israel of West Palm Counties recently held their annual Big and Little Awards. Among the top awards for service and commitment to
Beach has offered exciting, innovative services that New this year, scholarships were awarded powered by FP&L. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties
meet the Palm Beaches’ spiritual needs and provide Amid trophies, plaques, videos, grilled-cheese bar, and in 2023 are:
opportunities to renew connections with oneself and dessert, friends, family, and supporters gathered to cheer the Big Brother of the Year Hank Henderson
others. The Temple’s accepting and warm atmosphere bonds between “bigs” and “littles” that steadfastly represent Little Brother of the Year Damarius Green
makes for a welcoming place for everyone regardless the nonprofit Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Palm Beach and and laWanda Green*
of race, gender or sexual orientation, disabilities or the Martin counties. The awards dinner honored the successes Big Sister of the Year Kelly Logan
faith of family members. of the BBBS littles and those who defend their potential. Little of the Year Kahmoras Hendrix
and Crystal Plummer
Teen Big of the Year Madeleine Simoneaux
Teen Little of the Year Messiah Jefferson
and Shantrell Thomas
Partner in Potential Naywona Burnett-Graham
Partner in Potential Connections Education Center
Scholarship winners include Tanvir Ahmed, Breyana
Brown, Janevea Clayton, Rhianna Ennis, Andree Francis,
Karen Garcia, Jennifer Geffrard, Mikayla Gibson, Suzely
Jayseus, Jessica Laroche, Dina Medelus, Malachi Nelson,
Tatiana Ronelus, Kirley Ross, Miyocha Simeon, and
Guerlandy Villanoix. (Schools represented: Forest Hill
High School, Florida Virtual School, The Open Doorway
School, Lake Worth High School, Santaluces High School,
Temple Israel’s new husband-and-wife co-senior Suncoast High School, and Inlet Grove High School.)
rabbis – Rabbis Carlie and Ryan Daniels – and Cantorial Photo by Coastal Click Photography
Soloist Suzanne Guinane are sure to infuse this year’s
celebrations and programs with fresh, stimulating ideas WVRF Leads Statewide
that will undoubtedly enhance the experiences.
Temple Israel encourages individuals to pray, Effort to Provide Dental Care
connect and thrive by providing many traditional and
innovative offerings, including a dynamic religious to Veterans
school designed to challenge and delight children from
kindergarten through B’nai Mitzvah; the WholeSelf The event was held at the Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Driven by their mission
program, a place for LGTBQ+ teens and allies to Beach and set the stage for smiles, laughter, hugs, sentiment, to improve veteran dental
express their whole self; Social Action, championing a and recognition for the Big & Little of the Year honorees and care throughout the state
range of issues including Reproductive Rights, Mental scholarship award recipients. of Florida, the Wounded
Health, Literacy, Election Participation, Immigration “These awards celebrate critical relationships between Veterans Relief Fund
and prevention of racial injustice, food insecurity, mentors and youth. This year, FPL has provided these (WFRF) is the first nonprofit
homelessness and gun violence. Temple Israel has amazing opportunities for littles to continue their path to in the state to lead the
hosted many celebrity presenters, including Jennifer success after high school,” said Yvette Flores Acevedo, statewide effort to offer
Grey, Nancy Spielberg, Carl Bernstein, Dr. Ruth CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin free critical dental care to
Westheimer, Leonard Nimoy, Michelle Azar, Mitch Counties. veterans who are unable to afford dental care and do not
Albom, Richard Dreyfus, The Capitol Steps and more. The newly founded Florida Prepaid College Foundation have access to care through the United States Department
This year is no exception with equally inspiring and Path to Prosperity Scholarship Program powered by Florida of Veterans Affairs (VA) or private insurance.
entertaining programs on the calendar. Power & Light offers high school students the opportunity to According to the VA, only 15 percent of veterans receive
The High Holy Days, the pinnacle of the Jewish receive a two-year Florida College Plan Scholarship. Eligible VA dental care, which places veterans into benefits classes
calendar’s spiritual season, gives Temple Israel the students must meet all the criteria, including being an active based on military service history and current health and
opportunity to showcase its creativity by providing member in the mentoring program through Big Brothers Big
meaningful and inspirational opportunities of reflection, Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties. Local Happenings on page 9
introspection and prayer. The season begins September
9 with Selichot’s havdalah service, re-dressing of Torah
scrolls and a cheesecake reception.
The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah (September
15 and 16), encourages reflecting on challenges of the
past year and looking ahead with hope and joy to a
new year with tashlich along the adjacent Intracoastal
waterway.
Yom Kippur, one of the most significant Jewish
holidays, will commence with Kol Nidre (September
24) and continue with services (September 25) and
enriching programs, including live music, discussions
and a teen program. Following its Yizkor and N’ilah
services is Break-the-Fast. Life moves fast—
For young families, there is a one-hour age-
appropriate experience on both Rosh Hashanah and prepare for the unexpected
Yom Kippur mornings at 9 am, free and open to all. In
addition to prayer, children will enjoy activities, stories, with Accident Insurance.
music and snacks.
Additional events (free and open to all) include
Shabbat Shuvah (September 22); Sukkot, Brunch in the
Sukkah and Pizza in the Hut (September 29 - October
1); Simchat Torah celebration with dinner and Klezmer
music (October 6). We’re here to help.
Temple Israel’s grand 100th Birthday Celebration
will be held on November 11 with entertainment by
Howl2Go (dueling pianos) and delicious food and Accident insurance complements your Florida Blue Health Plan. Call to learn more
drinks throughout the evening. about insurance plans from USAble Life.
Temple Israel expects the next 100 years to only be
better! M&A Insurance and Financial Services Inc.
For information or to RSVP, contact tioffice@
temple-israel.com or (561) 833-8421 or visit www. 561-440-9940
temple-israel.com.
Photo credit: Carol Anne Albee M&A Insurance and Financial Services Inc. is an Independent Broker of Florida Blue.
Florida Blue is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Supplemental, Life, and Disability products are offered by USAble Life. USAble Life is an independent company
and operates separately from Florida Blue.
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