Page 8 - The Jewish Voice - March '25

Page 8, The Jewish Voice BW

Local Happenings from page 7 Temple Israel Hosts Comedy here in Palm Beach County
that they are more than happy
Beth David Enjoys Laugh Event to support with some of their

& Get Rich Day with The Temple Israel’s Simply best work. Also, because of an
inside connection with a major
Gathering Place Jewish series will present wine collector, the silent
a VIP and Meet & Greet
auction provides some of the
experience for A Night of best wines to bid on, such as
National Laugh and Get Rich Day may not be the Comedy and Conversation Chateau Lafite Rothschild,
best known or most celebrated day in our country, but it with Tony- and Emmy- Chateau Margaux, or Chateau
certainly is a day replete with meaning and import. Studies Winning Comedian Alex D’Yqeum, just to name a few!
have shown that laughter truly has health benefits, both Edelman in partnership with Sandy James, the in-house
physically and emotionally, including mood elevation, The Jewish Federation of food purveyor for the Croquet David Mateo, one of
reduction of stress as well as blood pressure, and even Palm Beach County. Club, always offers up some Benzaiten’s scholarship
strengthening of the immune system. So last month, Demand is strong for the of the best catered food in successes
members of Temple Beth David and The Gathering Place opportunity to get up close town. And because JoAnne
(a United Methodist congregation that has been holding its and personal with Alex, who is experiencing increased (JB) Berkow, founder and president of the center, insists
services and meetings at Beth David for the past year and a notoriety following his hilarious and uplifting Netflix comedy on everyone having a good time, she always makes sure
half) decided to celebrate the occasion and joined together special, Just for Us. Prepare for a night of laughter and the band is the best at getting people up and dancing!
for an evening of friendship, learning, and laughter. thought-provoking conversation with Alex, known for his But just as important to Berkow and the entire board
razor-sharp wit and unique perspective. Alex will perform of the Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts is raising money
an exclusive stand-up comedy set exploring life, culture, for their many outreach programs in arts and culture by
and what it means to be a Jewish comedian in today’s world. means of free classes and scholarships for young adults
Following his performance, Alex will sit down for an intimate who want to continue a career in art.
interview to share his creative process, comedic journey, and “We see well over 1,000 kids through our doors each
personal insights. year, free of charge,” says Berkow, adding, “This gives
“We’re really excited to be bringing in Alex Edelman these children and teens an exposure to the arts and
to the West Palm Beach community,” added Rabbi Carlie what it means to make art that they would otherwise not
Daniels. “Alex uses his own Jewish background and be exposed to. It also instills in them a deeper cultural
storytelling style to portray Judaism, Jewish culture, and appreciation that will hopefully stay with them for a
Jewish life through the lens of comedy. Our Simply Jewish lifetime. We also give thousands of scholarship dollars
series at Temple Israel brings in cultural programming, away each year. Some we give to talented, in-need artists,
chefs, musicians, comedians, actors – all kinds of talented and others we give to benefit organizations such as the
individuals who have something to share with our audience, Boys and Girls Clubs to enable them to participate in our
and we couldn’t be more thrilled to host Alex for a special summer kids’ programs.”
night of fun.”
The event will be held April 6, 7 p.m., at Eissey Campus An Intriguing Scholarship Success Story
Theatre in Palm Beach Gardens. For tickets, got to https://
Rabbi Danielle Bensimhon and Pastor Michael Zdorow bit.ly/simply-jewish-alex-edelman. David Mateo’s journey toward his chosen career in
art was anything but average. In the rough, tight-knit,
The evening began with Havdalah, after which everyone Guatemalan working-class neighborhood like the one
gathered in Beth David’s beautiful sanctuary to watch the Benzaiten Center for where David grew up, no kid would dare to imagine a
film Just Laugh! This documentary on laughter, although Creative Arts career in art. It just wasn’t done. How would his father
produced in 2009, still contains a relevant message: that tolerate such a departure from their shared collective
laughter does indeed make us rich in the most meaningful Do Not Miss the Most Fun Gala in Town! reality? Of course, that was exactly the reaction one
of ways. It provides the happiness and the space and ease to would expect, and the patriarch of Mateo’s family was
enjoy not only our own lives, but to open ourselves to the Each year the Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts no exception. The Mayan culture, as so many cultures
commonalities, pleasures, and humanity we share with our holds a gala to help raise money for their many kids and around the world, is a male-dominated society. However,
friends and those around us. scholarship programs. It is considered the most fun and as we all know, many households within such societies are
Beth David’s Rabbi Danielle Bensimhon and The least expensive gala in town. So if you’ve never attended, often ruled by its women. Here’s where Mateo’s dreams of
Gathering Place’s Pastor Michael Zdorow then led the group you are truly missing out! an art career got a helping hand. Constantly drawing and
in a lively discussion in which participants asked themselves Held on the veranda of the National Croquet Club, doodling from an early age, he obtained the encouragement
and each other questions about the role of laughter in life overlooking its lush green lawns, it a great venue for from his mother to keep his artistic impulses alive and
and in the world and exchanged experiences. They shared Benzaitens’s annual gala. The men love it because it is well.
the important lessons to be learned from and about laughter, a casual affair, and after dressing up all season this is a He lived in the second poorest city in Palm Beach
which are not only rooted in but complete and enhance the welcome reprieve. The silent auction is stellar due to the County, Lake Worth, attending South Grade Elementary
deep spirituality we share with others of faith. The comradery many talented glass artists who contribute to it each year.
and fun of the evening were enhanced by the snacks and They are so thankful to have such a great glass art facility Local Happenings on page 9
sweets in which all partook.
There is no doubt that the evening, which was filled with
good-humored smiles, chuckles, chortles, guffaws, and belly
laughs, as well as with love, served to increase endorphins,
lift everyone’s mood, and remind everyone to use the time
in our busy schedules to find the humor that is all around
us — and in laughing, to get rich!

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