2020-02-14 E-Edition

Connecting on Super Sunday

The Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast hosted its annual Super Sunday phone-a-thon on Sunday, Feb. 9, adding $40,843 in pledges from 69 donors. This boosts the total amount of funding commitments made since the Annual Campaign began last July to $691,046. The goal for this year’s Annual Campaign is $1.5 million. Nearly 40 people came to the Federation’s office […]

Is 2020 really the year for our first Jewish president?


WASHINGTON — Bernie Sanders and Mike Bloomberg have much in common besides running for the Democratic nomination for president: They’re in their upper 70s, had hardscrabble upbringings and have had contentious relations with the party whose endorsement they now seek. And both are seeking the chance to make history as the first-ever Jewish presidential nominee. Sanders, the Vermont senator, made […]

Federation executive staff leadership changing

Emilie Socash will leave her position as executive director of the Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast effective Feb. 21, a role she has filled since 2015. “During Emilie’s tenure, there have been great successes that have transformed this Federation as we know it,” said Ezra Singer, president of the Federation’s board of directors. Since joining the Federation as executive […]

Neshama program offers dignity, peace, privacy for those near death


Neshama, in Hebrew, means soul, spirit, or breath. Now, Menorah Manor in St. Petersburg offers a Neshama program which aims to provide respect, dignity and privacy for those nearing the end of life, allowing them to die in a peaceful environment, surrounded by loved ones. The program is a specialized approach that offers a series of end-of-life care services to […]

Just a nosh…


Vindman’s synagogue accepting shows of support following White House ouster Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman’s synagogue in Springfield, VA, is accepting letters of support in his behalf. Vindman, the Jewish staffer who was among the first to raise flags about President Donald Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to investigate a political rival, was removed from his position as an expert on U.S. […]

And now, a few closing words…


Almost five years ago, I began writing this column for the Jewish Press. My first column began “And now, a few words… There’s one thing that you must know about me: I love words. I love reading them, I love writing them, I love chewing and mulling and digging into what a collection of words is really trying to convey.” […]

Challah if you like trees

Chabad of Pinellas County recently hosted a Mega Challah Bake and Tu B’Shevat celebration. Kids and parents came out to mix, knead and shape challah from scratch, including a fruit challah. They also celebrated Tu B’Shevat (the new year for the trees) with fresh, healthy and fun fruit activities.

Live in balance with nature



Tu B’Shevat, Hag Ha Eliot, Festival of the Trees, is celebrated upon the blossoming of the Almond tree in Israel, the first tree to present. It seems to like the climate and the soil, for you see the light pink blossoms right along side the road. The first almonds to appear in the shuk are actually green and immature. The […]

Cong. B’nai Israel St. Petersburg

Purim festivities: The congregation will celebrate Purim at two events this year, the first on erev Purim on Monday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. when there will be a Megillah reading and a wine tasting. The Men’s Club will also be selling wine for Passover. Break your Esther Tannit fast with a boxed deli dinner. Call Jo-Els Deli at (727) […]