Page 7 - The Jewish Voice - October '24

The Jewish Voice, Page 7

Local Happenings from page 6 Judaism went on to say anyone who went to this circus was Lighthouse ArtCenter
sitting in the seat of the scornful.
and Iran. He emphasized how strategically important America In the 1800s the Jewish Lorch family in Germany developed Receives Grant to Expand
is to Israel and commended AIPAC for securing needed monies a circus and the Big Apple circus was formed in 1977 by a Jewish Free Art Classes for
and cooperation. co-founder. Cirque du Soleil was also formed by a Jewish person
named Mitch Garber. Very few people know that Kenneth Feld, Individuals with Special Needs
The Jews and the Circus a Jewish person, was chief executive officer of Ringling Brothers
for a longer time than the non-Jewish founders. Lighthouse ArtCenter
Where can I go in Israel to see a circus with animals? The However, Judaism has distinct rules against cruelty to (LAC) recently received a
answer is you can’t! animals and it is said that one should not train an animal to do $42,000 grant to expand free
Back in the first century CE, Roman captors sold many Jews something it would not do naturally. art classes for youth and adults
into gladiator schools as slaves and they were taught to fight Another Jewish thought says if you normally give leftovers with special needs. Awarded
other men and wild animals to death. In those days the gladiator to your dog, you really should feed them parts of the main meal through the Cultural Council
competition was known as a circus and the Midrash refers to a first so they do not suffer, waiting and hoping that you don’t forget of Palm Beach County’s Arts
person who goes to a circus as a sinner. Yet many Jews did go, them by eating everything on your plate and leaving them nothing. & Cultural Education Fund,
especially on Shabbat, as that was one way to prevent Jewish It is interesting to note that in modern times an ancient this two-year grant spans
people from quarreling with each other. rabbinical decree based on Torah influence now forbids the use through May 2026, allowing
Shimon Ben Lakish once sold himself into servitude as a of animals in circuses. LAC to increase its support
gladiator and later turned his life around to become an esteemed Long before this became effective, it was forbidden to have for this important community
Jewish scholar instead. There was also hope that the circuses a circus with animals in Israel. initiative.
would become homes of the Torah. However, when the Jewish Andy Greenberg is a 25-year Conservative Jewish educator
slaughters began in the circuses it was formally forbidden. for grades 3-12 and a lecturer for adults of all ages.

get involved 24-25

Explore exciting opportunities to connect
with our Jewish community in ways that

are meaningful to you.

GivingTuesday Sundays Together
Tuesday, December 3 January 26 and April 6
On this global day of giving, our local Jewish Families with school-aged children are
community is coming together to make a invited to experience immersive Jewish
difference for thousands of people in the educational programs held at family-
Palm Beaches, Israel and around the world. friendly locations throughout Palm
Beach County.
Anita & Robert Naftaly
Day of Awareness Good Deeds Day
Sunday, December 8 Sunday, April 6
This annual educational conference raises Take part in volunteer projects throughout
awareness about the needs of children with the Palm Beaches alongside friends and
disabilities. Educators and families will learn neighbors, as tens of thousands of people In 2009, thanks to the generosity and vision of Doctors
new, innovative tools to create more inclusive worldwide participate in this international Vince and Anne Palumbo, Lighthouse ArtCenter launched
Jewish experiences. day of community service. The Olivia Palumbo Special Needs Art Class, inspired by
their granddaughter, which provided free monthly art classes
8 Days, 8 Ways of Giving Back Passover Meal Packing to individuals with special needs. With the new funding,
these classes will now be held weekly, opening up more
Various dates in November, and Delivery consistent artistic expression and a wealth of personal growth
December and January Friday, April 11 opportunities for participants.
Choose from among several projects for all Join with hundreds of volunteers to prepare “It has always been our long-term goal to offer weekly
ages, including a food drive, meal deliveries and deliver more than 1,200 holiday rather than once-a-month classes. This grant will make this
to food-insecure seniors and families, and meals so that seniors and families who are dream come true,” Anne Palumbo explained. “It is especially
helping local children improve their reading. struggling in Jewish Palm Beach can enjoy meaningful because those we serve flourish most readily with
a plentiful seder. familiar environments and routine. It is also a boon to their
MLK Day of Service caregivers, who can count on a few hours off each week,
knowing their loved ones are enjoying a safe and enriching
Monday, January 20 2025 Annual Meeting experience.”
Join together with our entire community for Thursday, May 8 Research shows that weekly art classes for individuals
Gather with Federation’s volunteer leaders,
this annual day of volunteerism honoring professionals and the entire community to with special needs improve social skills, self-expression, and
Dr. King’s vision of a cohesive society, while celebrate everything we have collectively self-esteem, and reduce stress. They also foster community
taking a stand against antisemitism and accomplished over the past year, while and enhance well-being through creative expression.
hatred of any kind. learning about future growth and plans for Participants in the youth classes engage in various art
Jewish Palm Beach. projects using pencils, crayons, colored pencils, markers,
watercolor paints, and tempera paints. Similarly, adult
Get involved in your community. students explore these mediums while working on projects
tailored to their interests and abilities.
We have more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to “We are thrilled to expand our special needs art classes
connect, learn, advocate and volunteer. thanks to the generous support of the Cultural Council
of Palm Beach County and the Frederick A. DeLuca
Foundation,” said Jeni Licata, executive director at
Lighthouse ArtCenter. “These classes play a crucial role in
Please scan this QR code or visit our Art For All outreach programs, which aim to make art
jewishpb.org/upcoming accessible to underserved populations and contribute to their
education, skill development, and overall well-being.”
for a full list of exciting events. Lighthouse ArtCenter’s art outreach initiative, Art
For All, ensures access to art for everyone, including
veterans, individuals with special needs, at-risk children
and adolescents, seniors, and economically disadvantaged
individuals. With a focus on community collaboration,
Lighthouse ArtCenter runs sixteen art outreach programs in
partnership with ten local organizations.
For more information about Lighthouse ArtCenter’s
jewishpb.org | 561.478.0700 | @jewishpalmbeach special needs programs and how to get involved, visit https://
lighthousearts.org/our-classes/special-needs-classes/.

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