Page 1 - The Jewish Voice - December '24

VOL. 14 NO. 12 www.seabreezepublications.com DECEMBER 2024

inSIGHT Through Education

Supports Holocaust Education Week

inSIGHT Through Education once again assisted with O n N ovember 6,
Holocaust Education Week in the Palm Beach County inSIGHT Through
School District. Holocaust Education Week in Florida is Education sponsored
held annually on the second week in November to align an ROTC presentation
with the anniversary of Kristallnacht, a key moment in the at Dr. Joaquin Garcia
Nazi persecution of European Jews. To assist kindergarten Hi gh Sc hool . T hi s
through twelfth-grade educators, inSIGHT Through meaningful program
Education offers financial and other resources to support featured a color guard
and create impactful lessons that promote understanding performance, remarks by
and empathy. principal Oscar Otero,
and a powerful address
by Pastor Chris Edmonds, Pastor Edmonds with ROTC students
son of World War II hero
Master Sergeant Roddie inSIGHT Through Education Supports on page 2
Edmonds, who saved Superintendent Mike Burke
hundreds of Jewish addresses students on Holocaust
soldiers by defying Awareness Day. Palm Beach
German captors in World
War II. The presentation resonated deeply with the
attendees, inspiring all to reflect on their own capacities Dentist Receives
for making a difference. This is the third year inSIGHT
has funded this event. Pastor Edmonds also addressed the
eighth-grade class at Western Pines Middle School. Hats Off
On November 8, 300 students from nine high schools
Holocaust survivor talks with students on Holocaust across Palm Beach County participated in a powerful Community
Awareness Day. all-day program with 27 local Holocaust survivors and
Beth David, The Gathering Place Hero Award

Celebrate Friendsgiving Josephs, who
Dr. Mi t c he l l

provides complete
Some 70 people gathered at Temple Beth David in Palm traditions, understanding each other’s differences, hearing smile makeovers to
Beach Gardens last month for a Friendsgiving they hoped each other’s stories and breaking bread together,” Pastor Holocaust survivors
would be an inspiration to others. Zdorow said. at no cost, was
“People coming together, sharing blessings, sharing The Friendsgiving meal was celebrated with a buffet of granted the 2024 Hats
food, and sharing joy,” said Rabbi Danielle Bensimhon all the special food at the traditional Thanksgiving table. Off Community Hero
of Temple Beth David as she described the warmth of the The only rule for the event was to make sure everyone sat Award by Nonprofits
evening event. with people they didn’t know and engage in conversation. First, an organization
About half of the participants were members of Temple “We’re sharing about each other’s experiences, each that accredits and
Beth David and the other half were congregants from the other’s worship experiences, each other’s lives,” said provides resources
Gathering Place, a United Methodist Church. Ryland Dodge, a congregant of the Gathering Place. to nonprofits in Palm
“We can’t just be talking about goodwill or doing “We have made some absolutely great friends that we Beach County. Ferd
good for our neighbors,” said Pastor Mike Zdorow of the never would have had if not for building this relationship & Gladys Alpert Dr. Mitchell Josephs and Marc
Gathering Place. “We actually have to work to do good with them,” said Barbara Schwartz of Temple Beth David. Jewish Family Hopin
together.” Organizers started planning for this Friendsgiving Service nominated
For the last year and a half, the Gathering Place has event over the summer, and they were looking forward to Dr. Josephs for the award.
rented space to hold its services within the Temple Beth it ever since. But when Israeli soccer fans were attacked The annual Hats Off Nonprofit Awards celebrate
David facility, but it has developed into far more than a that same week in Amsterdam by what the mayor there and honor nonprofit organizations and individuals in
business relationship – it has become a genuine friendship. called “antisemitic hit-and-run squads,” it became much Palm Beach County who dedicate themselves to making
“It’s by doing life together, learning each other’s more than just a fun meal. The hope was that it would the community a better place to live and work. This
become an inspiration. year’s Eighth Annual Hats Off Nonprofit Awards were
“We ultimately are presented at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
creating something that is in West Palm Beach.
symbolic, that can be used After hearing a survivor speak to members of Palm
as a prototype across this Beach Synagogue a number of years ago, Dr. Josephs
nation,” Rabbi Bensimhon was inspired to use his expertise, providing pro bono
said. prosthodontic and oral surgical procedures to Holocaust
“In loving God, we have survivors living below the poverty level. The patients are
to love our neighbor,” Pastor
Zdorow said. “And it has to Palm Beach Dentist Receives on page 2
be real.”