Year End Reflections: This Time Of Year We All Need To Do Our Part

Happy Holidays!! It is so hard to believe how fast the year is coming to end. As we celebrate Chanukah over the next few days, it is a great time to remember how the Jews overcame adversity. After visiting Israel, I have found an even stronger connection to my religion. To those of you that may not know the reason why we celebrate here is the short version. After the second distraction of the Jewish Temple on the Holy Mount. The Maccabees rose up against the Greek and Syrian oppressors in 200 BC. They had killed many Jews for practicing their religion and built an altar to worship Greek Gods.

They fought and won but that was not the miracle. The miracle was that in every temple there is a light that is always lit. In this case the candles that were lit, only had enough oil to burn for one day. While they were desperately recovering from civil unrest and trying to find the necessary provisions, the candles actually burned for 8 days. This is what became the Hanukkah miracle.

This symbol of light has become a universal recognition of how good outweighs evils. It also has become the symbol that all it takes is one light to light up darkness. As we are still dealing with the reality of COVID-19 and it has been somewhat of a relief to get out and about over the past weeks. We do need to remember that COVID-19 and other Variants are still out there.

We all need to get the Vaccine. This weekend I had a chance to speak with my dear friend who is a doctor in Philly and has not been to Florida for two years. The Vaccine is so important because it will help prevent and stop the virus from finding people as its hosts by not having the Vaccine, you are welcoming the Virus into your system. As this process continues, the Virus will find ways to continue on. The Virus may become weakened but then it reinvents itself and this is why we have Variants.

Israel and the City Of London, England have closed down again. The City of Denver is now requiring masks again. To stop this insanity, we all need to do our part. My friend and I were talking about what our parents may say about this. Being war Veterans and going off to fight. They leave their families and friends to fight for the great good and for freedom to prevail. To think they gave it their all and we still have individuals that will not simply go and get Vaccinated.

This past Sunday there was a wonderful event hosted by the Chabad of Golden Isles. They did a Menorah Lighting and a Boat Parade around the City. This weekend at The Big Easy Casino which is located at 831 Federal Highway has provided their venue to host the 42nd Annual Chanukah Festival presented by the Chabad of South Broward. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. and guests are welcome to use their cars, live in concert will be world Famous Mordechai Shapiro.

Our Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce that the Memorial Partners H2U will be back at the Cultural Center for all of our daytime activities. We are also happy to announce the OB Johnson Gym, Fitness Center and Computer Lab which are also open. Foster Park Library is open from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please follow all of the guidelines when attending our parks.

Our Department is also looking to hire lifeguards. Please visit our web-site for this job opportunity and others. As a local and qualified resident, your application will get preferential points.

Please let us all unite in peace over this Holiday Season! Be kind and courteous because it doesn’t cost you anything but means the world to those you treat with kindness.

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns and ideas to make our City a better place, on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can E-mail me at: jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit my Facebook Page: MayorJoyCooper. Like It! Friend It! Share It!